Nate O.
@sanildefanso.bsky.social
Official Board Game Tastemaker and Co-host of Cult of the Old with @giantbrain.co.uk and @mattthr.bsky.social. Christian pacifist, TV snob, coffee addict.
Played Duel for Middle-earth with my nephew and really enjoyed it. It’s not very ambitious but it looks nice and makes lots of good adjustments to the 7WD formula that work really well.
November 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Played Duel for Middle-earth with my nephew and really enjoyed it. It’s not very ambitious but it looks nice and makes lots of good adjustments to the 7WD formula that work really well.
Well, @giantbrain.co.uk will bring thrilled to know that I bought myself Lords of Vegas recently and finally got to play it this weekend. I had previously played like 10 years ago, loved it, and never got around to buying it until it was already out of print.
November 10, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Well, @giantbrain.co.uk will bring thrilled to know that I bought myself Lords of Vegas recently and finally got to play it this weekend. I had previously played like 10 years ago, loved it, and never got around to buying it until it was already out of print.
Someone gifted me a very old, illustrated copy of The Pilgrim's Progress. How old? 1897!
I really love classic novels, and I really like old media of any kind, so it's an incredibly thoughtful gift. Just very touched that someone would give me something like that.
I really love classic novels, and I really like old media of any kind, so it's an incredibly thoughtful gift. Just very touched that someone would give me something like that.
October 23, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Someone gifted me a very old, illustrated copy of The Pilgrim's Progress. How old? 1897!
I really love classic novels, and I really like old media of any kind, so it's an incredibly thoughtful gift. Just very touched that someone would give me something like that.
I really love classic novels, and I really like old media of any kind, so it's an incredibly thoughtful gift. Just very touched that someone would give me something like that.
Let's take a minute to talk about Rivals for Catan, the 2010 remake of the classic Catan Card Game. It might be...the best Catan game?
October 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Let's take a minute to talk about Rivals for Catan, the 2010 remake of the classic Catan Card Game. It might be...the best Catan game?
GUARDIANS ARE 2025 AL CENTRAL CHAMPS!
September 28, 2025 at 11:04 PM
GUARDIANS ARE 2025 AL CENTRAL CHAMPS!
Played a family game of Cosmic Encounter tonight. My younger son (the Calculator) and my wife (the Perfectionist) shared the win. It was our first time playing with moons, having been added in the most Odyssey expansion from a couple years ago.
September 2, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Played a family game of Cosmic Encounter tonight. My younger son (the Calculator) and my wife (the Perfectionist) shared the win. It was our first time playing with moons, having been added in the most Odyssey expansion from a couple years ago.
I've been thinking lately about where Fate of the Fellowship lies in the pantheon of Tolkien board games, especially compared to the 2000 Knizia game. I THINK it's right up there, but it has a weird tendency to create situations where a player doesn't have all that much to do on their turn.
August 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I've been thinking lately about where Fate of the Fellowship lies in the pantheon of Tolkien board games, especially compared to the 2000 Knizia game. I THINK it's right up there, but it has a weird tendency to create situations where a player doesn't have all that much to do on their turn.
The world is changed.
I feel it in the water.
I feel it in the earth.
I smell it in the air.
Much that once was is lost...for none now live who remember it.
I feel it in the water.
I feel it in the earth.
I smell it in the air.
Much that once was is lost...for none now live who remember it.
August 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
The world is changed.
I feel it in the water.
I feel it in the earth.
I smell it in the air.
Much that once was is lost...for none now live who remember it.
I feel it in the water.
I feel it in the earth.
I smell it in the air.
Much that once was is lost...for none now live who remember it.
I solemnly swear that I actually did play all of these games a fair bit. Except Contraption Maker, I wonder why I bought that.
Actually ended up rebuying Jedi Knight on GOG, because their version actually, you know, works.
Actually ended up rebuying Jedi Knight on GOG, because their version actually, you know, works.
August 15, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I solemnly swear that I actually did play all of these games a fair bit. Except Contraption Maker, I wonder why I bought that.
Actually ended up rebuying Jedi Knight on GOG, because their version actually, you know, works.
Actually ended up rebuying Jedi Knight on GOG, because their version actually, you know, works.
Fired up the smoker for the first time in four years, and it was (I assume) well worth the weight. I assume, because shhh, it's resting.
July 4, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Fired up the smoker for the first time in four years, and it was (I assume) well worth the weight. I assume, because shhh, it's resting.
I'm sure @seanfranco.bsky.social will be thrilled to know that I tried Dungeon Twister yesterday, after getting it in a trade. I had a lot of fun, partially because I won. (My opponent was by his own admission not really trying, but I will take it.)
July 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
I'm sure @seanfranco.bsky.social will be thrilled to know that I tried Dungeon Twister yesterday, after getting it in a trade. I had a lot of fun, partially because I won. (My opponent was by his own admission not really trying, but I will take it.)
Last night I played The Pillars of the Earth for the first time since...I had kids? That was in 2010! Anyway, it was a lot of fun to revisit. I feel like this is a weight class that is somewhat neglected now. It's a bit complex for casual gamers, but not a brain-burner and is over in 90 minutes.
June 7, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Last night I played The Pillars of the Earth for the first time since...I had kids? That was in 2010! Anyway, it was a lot of fun to revisit. I feel like this is a weight class that is somewhat neglected now. It's a bit complex for casual gamers, but not a brain-burner and is over in 90 minutes.
I have been playing Fate of the Fellowship on BGA, and I am shocked at how good it is. "LotR Pandemic" is a terrible elevator pitch for me, but color me impressed. It forces the player to make very thematic choices, namely "how can I distract Sauron to help Frodo?"
June 5, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I have been playing Fate of the Fellowship on BGA, and I am shocked at how good it is. "LotR Pandemic" is a terrible elevator pitch for me, but color me impressed. It forces the player to make very thematic choices, namely "how can I distract Sauron to help Frodo?"
Combat Commander: Europe. I've had very little experience with tactical games, particularly hex-and-counter. This one was a lot of fun though. The card play creates a great flow and makes everything feel very dynamic. I can see how a more serious wargamer would HATE this, but it worked for me.
May 21, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Combat Commander: Europe. I've had very little experience with tactical games, particularly hex-and-counter. This one was a lot of fun though. The card play creates a great flow and makes everything feel very dynamic. I can see how a more serious wargamer would HATE this, but it worked for me.
Washington's War was our first session together. We completely biffed the setup but after some hasty correction we had a lot of fun. The card-play feels pretty primitive compared to newer CDGs, but I like the lighter feel and focus on political control.
May 21, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Washington's War was our first session together. We completely biffed the setup but after some hasty correction we had a lot of fun. The card-play feels pretty primitive compared to newer CDGs, but I like the lighter feel and focus on political control.
It's #mlbopeningday today! My annual optimism for my beloved Guardians is in full force.
Check back in September to see how disappointed I might be.
Check back in September to see how disappointed I might be.
March 27, 2025 at 2:29 PM
It's #mlbopeningday today! My annual optimism for my beloved Guardians is in full force.
Check back in September to see how disappointed I might be.
Check back in September to see how disappointed I might be.
Spirit Island is becoming the sort of game I think about when I'm not playing it. Probably the most complex cooperative game I've ever played, but maybe one of the most rewarding too.
February 25, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Spirit Island is becoming the sort of game I think about when I'm not playing it. Probably the most complex cooperative game I've ever played, but maybe one of the most rewarding too.
A snow day game of Ark Nova with my 14-year-old. I squeaked out a very narrow win, just 3 points. If we have to be cooped up in this hideous weather, this definitely softens the blow.
February 19, 2025 at 12:54 AM
A snow day game of Ark Nova with my 14-year-old. I squeaked out a very narrow win, just 3 points. If we have to be cooped up in this hideous weather, this definitely softens the blow.
I think my most played game of 2025 so far has been The Gang, and it's not close. This co-op take on Texas Hold 'Em is subtly very clever. When you remove better from Poker, you remove most of the mechanics. So The Gang exists almost totally above the table. But it's got a lot to chew on still.
February 15, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I think my most played game of 2025 so far has been The Gang, and it's not close. This co-op take on Texas Hold 'Em is subtly very clever. When you remove better from Poker, you remove most of the mechanics. So The Gang exists almost totally above the table. But it's got a lot to chew on still.
No Star Wars. No Star Trek. Name a favorite sci-fi franchise.
(Include the name in the alt text)
(Include the name in the alt text)
February 3, 2025 at 4:27 PM
No Star Wars. No Star Trek. Name a favorite sci-fi franchise.
(Include the name in the alt text)
(Include the name in the alt text)
Quest for El Dorado with the Heroes and Hexes expansion. Why did I wait until 2024 to play this?
As an aside, I have never seen a game that seems like such an obvious slam-dunk success, be hobbled by edition confusion, availability, visibility, and just generally a baffling marketing strategy.
As an aside, I have never seen a game that seems like such an obvious slam-dunk success, be hobbled by edition confusion, availability, visibility, and just generally a baffling marketing strategy.
January 15, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Quest for El Dorado with the Heroes and Hexes expansion. Why did I wait until 2024 to play this?
As an aside, I have never seen a game that seems like such an obvious slam-dunk success, be hobbled by edition confusion, availability, visibility, and just generally a baffling marketing strategy.
As an aside, I have never seen a game that seems like such an obvious slam-dunk success, be hobbled by edition confusion, availability, visibility, and just generally a baffling marketing strategy.
It's not a new game, but Ark Nova was my birthday present to myself. I've played three times this week and it's the sort of game that makes you think about it while you aren't playing.
I've also been building Marvel Champions decks with my kids. Always a fun one.
I've also been building Marvel Champions decks with my kids. Always a fun one.
January 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
It's not a new game, but Ark Nova was my birthday present to myself. I've played three times this week and it's the sort of game that makes you think about it while you aren't playing.
I've also been building Marvel Champions decks with my kids. Always a fun one.
I've also been building Marvel Champions decks with my kids. Always a fun one.
1. Argent: The Consortium
Probably not the "best" game on the list, but definitely my favorite. No worker placement game has approached it for me, because it always surprises me. It's a massive sprawling game, and earns every ounce of it. One of my very favorite games ever, so it gets the nod here.
Probably not the "best" game on the list, but definitely my favorite. No worker placement game has approached it for me, because it always surprises me. It's a massive sprawling game, and earns every ounce of it. One of my very favorite games ever, so it gets the nod here.
January 7, 2025 at 1:36 AM
1. Argent: The Consortium
Probably not the "best" game on the list, but definitely my favorite. No worker placement game has approached it for me, because it always surprises me. It's a massive sprawling game, and earns every ounce of it. One of my very favorite games ever, so it gets the nod here.
Probably not the "best" game on the list, but definitely my favorite. No worker placement game has approached it for me, because it always surprises me. It's a massive sprawling game, and earns every ounce of it. One of my very favorite games ever, so it gets the nod here.
2. The Quest for El Dorado (2017)
I don't love deck-building and I LOVE this game. It has a certain urgency to it that the genre has lacked for me. No farting around perfecting your deck; get to the finish line before your opponents, that's all that matters. Knizia's best game in the last decade.
I don't love deck-building and I LOVE this game. It has a certain urgency to it that the genre has lacked for me. No farting around perfecting your deck; get to the finish line before your opponents, that's all that matters. Knizia's best game in the last decade.
January 7, 2025 at 1:36 AM
2. The Quest for El Dorado (2017)
I don't love deck-building and I LOVE this game. It has a certain urgency to it that the genre has lacked for me. No farting around perfecting your deck; get to the finish line before your opponents, that's all that matters. Knizia's best game in the last decade.
I don't love deck-building and I LOVE this game. It has a certain urgency to it that the genre has lacked for me. No farting around perfecting your deck; get to the finish line before your opponents, that's all that matters. Knizia's best game in the last decade.
3. Codenames (2015)
Codenames leans hard into the ambiguity of communication. It's my favorite Chvatil design, because I feel like it does the most with the least. It's a game that, to me, feels like it's about the people around me. A genuine classic. (I don't have my own photo though.)
Codenames leans hard into the ambiguity of communication. It's my favorite Chvatil design, because I feel like it does the most with the least. It's a game that, to me, feels like it's about the people around me. A genuine classic. (I don't have my own photo though.)
January 7, 2025 at 1:36 AM
3. Codenames (2015)
Codenames leans hard into the ambiguity of communication. It's my favorite Chvatil design, because I feel like it does the most with the least. It's a game that, to me, feels like it's about the people around me. A genuine classic. (I don't have my own photo though.)
Codenames leans hard into the ambiguity of communication. It's my favorite Chvatil design, because I feel like it does the most with the least. It's a game that, to me, feels like it's about the people around me. A genuine classic. (I don't have my own photo though.)