Charlie Theel
@charlietheel.bsky.social
Board game critic. Bylines: Polygon, IGN, Ars Technica, Tabletop Gaming Magazine, Dicebreaker, Geek & Sundry, PC Gamer, Wargamer. Co-hosted the Ding & Dent podcast.
cdtheel@gmail.com
Most of my writing appears at my site, http://playerelimination.com
cdtheel@gmail.com
Most of my writing appears at my site, http://playerelimination.com
Trying to avoid economic and social devastation in the Bronx.
November 16, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Trying to avoid economic and social devastation in the Bronx.
Getting Old King's Crown back to the table to explore the Wild Kingdom.
November 12, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Getting Old King's Crown back to the table to explore the Wild Kingdom.
This is a true story. It happened right here, one hour ago. At exactly 2PM, 17 adults walked into a conference room, sat in their chairs, and listened to how much their health insurance premiums would increase.
October 24, 2025 at 8:37 PM
This is a true story. It happened right here, one hour ago. At exactly 2PM, 17 adults walked into a conference room, sat in their chairs, and listened to how much their health insurance premiums would increase.
Ford vs. Ferrari, Empire of the Sun, The Prestige, and I'm Not There. Could go even farther with 3:10 to Yuma and The Machinist.
September 15, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Ford vs. Ferrari, Empire of the Sun, The Prestige, and I'm Not There. Could go even farther with 3:10 to Yuma and The Machinist.
This was a special event. I began the game as Chairman, getting booed by over 30 people twice, and later blew a crucial roll as the President of Bengal which contributed to company failure.
August 2, 2025 at 1:53 AM
This was a special event. I began the game as Chairman, getting booed by over 30 people twice, and later blew a crucial roll as the President of Bengal which contributed to company failure.
Final play of Chicago '68 prior to my review. Also, still trying to sort out the finer details of The Old King's Crown.
July 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Final play of Chicago '68 prior to my review. Also, still trying to sort out the finer details of The Old King's Crown.
The Old King's Crown tickled my brain tonight. Followed it up by scaling a grumpy skeleton dude in Leviathan Wilds (Deepvale expansion).
July 9, 2025 at 4:00 AM
The Old King's Crown tickled my brain tonight. Followed it up by scaling a grumpy skeleton dude in Leviathan Wilds (Deepvale expansion).
"Grandpa, what was it like in 2025?"
June 17, 2025 at 2:55 PM
"Grandpa, what was it like in 2025?"
Curation is often a difficult and thankless task. Jarrod's work here is thoughtful and interesting. I've enjoyed this book quite a bit.
June 5, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Curation is often a difficult and thankless task. Jarrod's work here is thoughtful and interesting. I've enjoyed this book quite a bit.
I'm so ready for this.
June 1, 2025 at 10:19 PM
I'm so ready for this.
This is what I see when I look at that:
May 26, 2025 at 5:27 PM
This is what I see when I look at that:
Raising a glass to Mon Mothma, who remained behind during the occupation of Mon Calamari to foment dissent, was captured, and subsequently tortured for Rebel secrets. She was never rescued, but died a hero.
May 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Raising a glass to Mon Mothma, who remained behind during the occupation of Mon Calamari to foment dissent, was captured, and subsequently tortured for Rebel secrets. She was never rescued, but died a hero.
I'm enthusiastic about the new version of Magical Athlete, but I'm going to miss this board so much.
May 18, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I'm enthusiastic about the new version of Magical Athlete, but I'm going to miss this board so much.
City of the Great Machine is still great.
May 17, 2025 at 5:14 PM
City of the Great Machine is still great.
First play of Geekway - Mythic Battles: Ragnarok. This system remains one of my favorite skirmish games.
May 15, 2025 at 5:52 PM
First play of Geekway - Mythic Battles: Ragnarok. This system remains one of my favorite skirmish games.
The May issue of Tabletop Gaming Magazine is bangin. Features my reviews of Tiny Laser Heist, Tidal Blades 2, and RE;ACT: The Arts of War. Top notch work from many other talented writers as well.
May 13, 2025 at 11:53 PM
The May issue of Tabletop Gaming Magazine is bangin. Features my reviews of Tiny Laser Heist, Tidal Blades 2, and RE;ACT: The Arts of War. Top notch work from many other talented writers as well.
Tombstone and Heat are obviously Kilmer's best films/performances, but The Ghost and the Darkness deserves more love.
April 2, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Tombstone and Heat are obviously Kilmer's best films/performances, but The Ghost and the Darkness deserves more love.
So many great Hackman films. Unforgiven, French Connection, Hoosiers, Mississippi Burning, Uncommon Valor, and on and on. The best? No doubt.
February 27, 2025 at 5:46 PM
So many great Hackman films. Unforgiven, French Connection, Hoosiers, Mississippi Burning, Uncommon Valor, and on and on. The best? No doubt.
Popping off a claymore in Purple Haze. Squad is battered and needs to get the hell out of the jungle.
February 23, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Popping off a claymore in Purple Haze. Squad is battered and needs to get the hell out of the jungle.
Playing some Thorgal.
January 10, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Playing some Thorgal.
Ellie and Joel are sneaking around downtown.
January 5, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Ellie and Joel are sneaking around downtown.
One more go with War Story.
December 5, 2024 at 8:12 PM
One more go with War Story.
Battling Sauron in the best Lord of the Rings board game, Middle Earth Quest.
December 3, 2024 at 11:39 PM
Battling Sauron in the best Lord of the Rings board game, Middle Earth Quest.