@thales13.bsky.social
Liberal, Democrat / He Him / Husband, father, grandfather / passions include board games, philosophy, history / retired high school social studies teacher, current guide for the Nantucket Historical Association
#11: Destinies [Michał Gołąb Gołębiowski, Filip Miłuński / Lucky Duck Games]
Could climb higher as I play it more. Dark, cooperative, fantasy, adventure game. This is an app/scan driven game. Pretty epic storytelling and exploration. Love the skill mechanism and dice rolling.
Could climb higher as I play it more. Dark, cooperative, fantasy, adventure game. This is an app/scan driven game. Pretty epic storytelling and exploration. Love the skill mechanism and dice rolling.
December 7, 2025 at 10:45 PM
#11: Destinies [Michał Gołąb Gołębiowski, Filip Miłuński / Lucky Duck Games]
Could climb higher as I play it more. Dark, cooperative, fantasy, adventure game. This is an app/scan driven game. Pretty epic storytelling and exploration. Love the skill mechanism and dice rolling.
Could climb higher as I play it more. Dark, cooperative, fantasy, adventure game. This is an app/scan driven game. Pretty epic storytelling and exploration. Love the skill mechanism and dice rolling.
#12: Thunderstone Quest [Mike Elliott, Bryan Reese, Mark Wootton / AEG]
Was sort of interested in it, but then I heard it could be played solo / cooperative. Combination dungeon crawl / town defense. Improve your deck with more powerful cards.
Was sort of interested in it, but then I heard it could be played solo / cooperative. Combination dungeon crawl / town defense. Improve your deck with more powerful cards.
December 5, 2025 at 10:12 PM
#12: Thunderstone Quest [Mike Elliott, Bryan Reese, Mark Wootton / AEG]
Was sort of interested in it, but then I heard it could be played solo / cooperative. Combination dungeon crawl / town defense. Improve your deck with more powerful cards.
Was sort of interested in it, but then I heard it could be played solo / cooperative. Combination dungeon crawl / town defense. Improve your deck with more powerful cards.
#13: Mini Rogue [Paolo Di Stefano, Gabriel Gendron / Nuts! Publishing]
Small, fun, portable dungeon crawl. Can be played with 2, only played it solo. Search for a ruby by moving [left or down] through cards and levels. Fight, collect and use resources, deal with traps. Decent decisions.
Small, fun, portable dungeon crawl. Can be played with 2, only played it solo. Search for a ruby by moving [left or down] through cards and levels. Fight, collect and use resources, deal with traps. Decent decisions.
December 4, 2025 at 2:50 AM
#13: Mini Rogue [Paolo Di Stefano, Gabriel Gendron / Nuts! Publishing]
Small, fun, portable dungeon crawl. Can be played with 2, only played it solo. Search for a ruby by moving [left or down] through cards and levels. Fight, collect and use resources, deal with traps. Decent decisions.
Small, fun, portable dungeon crawl. Can be played with 2, only played it solo. Search for a ruby by moving [left or down] through cards and levels. Fight, collect and use resources, deal with traps. Decent decisions.
Always think of December as the month of fantasy - Santa Claus, Elves, Reindeer, beautiful snow covering everything. So, this month I will list out my Top 13 Games with a Fantasy theme. As usual, will not include rpgs or ccgs. While not my all-time favorite theme - I do own a bunch. Will be tough.
December 2, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Always think of December as the month of fantasy - Santa Claus, Elves, Reindeer, beautiful snow covering everything. So, this month I will list out my Top 13 Games with a Fantasy theme. As usual, will not include rpgs or ccgs. While not my all-time favorite theme - I do own a bunch. Will be tough.
#1: Concept [Gaëtan Beaujannot, Alain Rivollet / Repos Production]
One of our most played family / party games. Pictionary for people who can't draw [that's me]. Never play it competitively - always play it as a cooperative game and never keep score. Another deduction-style game.
One of our most played family / party games. Pictionary for people who can't draw [that's me]. Never play it competitively - always play it as a cooperative game and never keep score. Another deduction-style game.
November 27, 2025 at 10:30 PM
#1: Concept [Gaëtan Beaujannot, Alain Rivollet / Repos Production]
One of our most played family / party games. Pictionary for people who can't draw [that's me]. Never play it competitively - always play it as a cooperative game and never keep score. Another deduction-style game.
One of our most played family / party games. Pictionary for people who can't draw [that's me]. Never play it competitively - always play it as a cooperative game and never keep score. Another deduction-style game.
#2: Just One [Ludovic Roudy, Bruno Sautter / Repos Production]
Love cooperative family / party games and this one was an instant hit with the family. Even able to play with my daughter in California over video chat. Simple, fun, one word deduction game. This is a game that everyone should own.
Love cooperative family / party games and this one was an instant hit with the family. Even able to play with my daughter in California over video chat. Simple, fun, one word deduction game. This is a game that everyone should own.
November 25, 2025 at 4:37 PM
#2: Just One [Ludovic Roudy, Bruno Sautter / Repos Production]
Love cooperative family / party games and this one was an instant hit with the family. Even able to play with my daughter in California over video chat. Simple, fun, one word deduction game. This is a game that everyone should own.
Love cooperative family / party games and this one was an instant hit with the family. Even able to play with my daughter in California over video chat. Simple, fun, one word deduction game. This is a game that everyone should own.
#3: Fauna [Friedemann Friese / Huch!]
Great animal themed trivia game. Does what I love about trivia games - you get points for being close. Don't have to know exact answers. Also, can guess from a number of different facts location, height, weight, tail length. Got to it late - but instant hit!
Great animal themed trivia game. Does what I love about trivia games - you get points for being close. Don't have to know exact answers. Also, can guess from a number of different facts location, height, weight, tail length. Got to it late - but instant hit!
November 24, 2025 at 12:14 AM
#3: Fauna [Friedemann Friese / Huch!]
Great animal themed trivia game. Does what I love about trivia games - you get points for being close. Don't have to know exact answers. Also, can guess from a number of different facts location, height, weight, tail length. Got to it late - but instant hit!
Great animal themed trivia game. Does what I love about trivia games - you get points for being close. Don't have to know exact answers. Also, can guess from a number of different facts location, height, weight, tail length. Got to it late - but instant hit!
#4: Timeline Challenge [Cyril Demaegd, Frédéric Henry / asmodee]
Used to teach my students that the order and approximate dates of most things is really what you need to know - not the exact date. This game is great for that. A great way to learn some history. Family loves the different challenges.
Used to teach my students that the order and approximate dates of most things is really what you need to know - not the exact date. This game is great for that. A great way to learn some history. Family loves the different challenges.
November 21, 2025 at 9:23 PM
#4: Timeline Challenge [Cyril Demaegd, Frédéric Henry / asmodee]
Used to teach my students that the order and approximate dates of most things is really what you need to know - not the exact date. This game is great for that. A great way to learn some history. Family loves the different challenges.
Used to teach my students that the order and approximate dates of most things is really what you need to know - not the exact date. This game is great for that. A great way to learn some history. Family loves the different challenges.
#5: Say Anything [Dominic Crapuchettes, Satish Pillalamarri / North Star Games]
Quickly replaced Apples to Apples. Being able to write anything makes sure you can have a great response. Always have a great time when we take this game out. Betting tokens also makes sure you can earn points.
Quickly replaced Apples to Apples. Being able to write anything makes sure you can have a great response. Always have a great time when we take this game out. Betting tokens also makes sure you can earn points.
November 20, 2025 at 1:03 AM
#5: Say Anything [Dominic Crapuchettes, Satish Pillalamarri / North Star Games]
Quickly replaced Apples to Apples. Being able to write anything makes sure you can have a great response. Always have a great time when we take this game out. Betting tokens also makes sure you can earn points.
Quickly replaced Apples to Apples. Being able to write anything makes sure you can have a great response. Always have a great time when we take this game out. Betting tokens also makes sure you can earn points.
#6: Wits & Wagers: Party Edition [Dominic Crapuchettes / North Star]
Eliminates problem with trivia games: needing to know the exact answer. Everyone writes a guess to the question [all answers are numbers], but, you get to bet on the one you think is closest - even if not yours!
Eliminates problem with trivia games: needing to know the exact answer. Everyone writes a guess to the question [all answers are numbers], but, you get to bet on the one you think is closest - even if not yours!
November 17, 2025 at 8:46 PM
#6: Wits & Wagers: Party Edition [Dominic Crapuchettes / North Star]
Eliminates problem with trivia games: needing to know the exact answer. Everyone writes a guess to the question [all answers are numbers], but, you get to bet on the one you think is closest - even if not yours!
Eliminates problem with trivia games: needing to know the exact answer. Everyone writes a guess to the question [all answers are numbers], but, you get to bet on the one you think is closest - even if not yours!
#7: Codenames - series of games [Designer Vlaada Chvatil / Publisher Czech Games Edition]
Family enjoys the basic edition - or the Disney one - more. But I like Pictures best. Fun, simple, team, deduction game with a spy theme. Nice word association game.
Family enjoys the basic edition - or the Disney one - more. But I like Pictures best. Fun, simple, team, deduction game with a spy theme. Nice word association game.
November 15, 2025 at 8:50 PM
#7: Codenames - series of games [Designer Vlaada Chvatil / Publisher Czech Games Edition]
Family enjoys the basic edition - or the Disney one - more. But I like Pictures best. Fun, simple, team, deduction game with a spy theme. Nice word association game.
Family enjoys the basic edition - or the Disney one - more. But I like Pictures best. Fun, simple, team, deduction game with a spy theme. Nice word association game.
#8: 10 Days in . . . [series - 5 games] [Alan R. Moon, Aaron Weissblum / Out of the Box Publishing]
Fun, educational, simple "travel" / geography game. We all have our favorites [mine is Asia], but we all enjoy all 5 games. Sometimes we combine 2 or more! Sometimes we play them one after another.
Fun, educational, simple "travel" / geography game. We all have our favorites [mine is Asia], but we all enjoy all 5 games. Sometimes we combine 2 or more! Sometimes we play them one after another.
November 14, 2025 at 1:22 AM
#8: 10 Days in . . . [series - 5 games] [Alan R. Moon, Aaron Weissblum / Out of the Box Publishing]
Fun, educational, simple "travel" / geography game. We all have our favorites [mine is Asia], but we all enjoy all 5 games. Sometimes we combine 2 or more! Sometimes we play them one after another.
Fun, educational, simple "travel" / geography game. We all have our favorites [mine is Asia], but we all enjoy all 5 games. Sometimes we combine 2 or more! Sometimes we play them one after another.
#9: Tsuro [Tom McMurchie / Calliope Games]
Enjoy this simple tile laying, path creation game. Can play up to 8 and is best with 4 or 5 - perfect for my family. Very different from most other games I play with my family as this one seem much more relaxed and less chaotic and loud. Great alternative.
Enjoy this simple tile laying, path creation game. Can play up to 8 and is best with 4 or 5 - perfect for my family. Very different from most other games I play with my family as this one seem much more relaxed and less chaotic and loud. Great alternative.
November 12, 2025 at 1:17 PM
#9: Tsuro [Tom McMurchie / Calliope Games]
Enjoy this simple tile laying, path creation game. Can play up to 8 and is best with 4 or 5 - perfect for my family. Very different from most other games I play with my family as this one seem much more relaxed and less chaotic and loud. Great alternative.
Enjoy this simple tile laying, path creation game. Can play up to 8 and is best with 4 or 5 - perfect for my family. Very different from most other games I play with my family as this one seem much more relaxed and less chaotic and loud. Great alternative.
In honor of Veterans' Day, and all who served, including my great-grandfather, father, and sister, I am playing History Maker baseball with the very special "Those Who Served" set of cards. This is my 4th annual game.
November 11, 2025 at 3:25 PM
In honor of Veterans' Day, and all who served, including my great-grandfather, father, and sister, I am playing History Maker baseball with the very special "Those Who Served" set of cards. This is my 4th annual game.
#10: Wavelength [Alex Hague, Justin Vickers, Wolfgang Warsch / CMYK]
Play this cooperatively instead of teams - making it more of an activity. Really fun and can generate some interesting discussions. 1 person tries to get others to guess where bullseye is between opposite words [ex hot-cold].
Play this cooperatively instead of teams - making it more of an activity. Really fun and can generate some interesting discussions. 1 person tries to get others to guess where bullseye is between opposite words [ex hot-cold].
November 9, 2025 at 11:12 PM
#10: Wavelength [Alex Hague, Justin Vickers, Wolfgang Warsch / CMYK]
Play this cooperatively instead of teams - making it more of an activity. Really fun and can generate some interesting discussions. 1 person tries to get others to guess where bullseye is between opposite words [ex hot-cold].
Play this cooperatively instead of teams - making it more of an activity. Really fun and can generate some interesting discussions. 1 person tries to get others to guess where bullseye is between opposite words [ex hot-cold].
#11: Balderdash [Laura Robinson, Paul Toyne / Mattel]
Silly fun. Became a favorite of my wife the first time we played with friends. Creating definitions for words you probably never heard of before. Can be pretty wild.
Silly fun. Became a favorite of my wife the first time we played with friends. Creating definitions for words you probably never heard of before. Can be pretty wild.
November 8, 2025 at 12:41 AM
#11: Balderdash [Laura Robinson, Paul Toyne / Mattel]
Silly fun. Became a favorite of my wife the first time we played with friends. Creating definitions for words you probably never heard of before. Can be pretty wild.
Silly fun. Became a favorite of my wife the first time we played with friends. Creating definitions for words you probably never heard of before. Can be pretty wild.
#12: Catch Phrase [Craig Clark Williamson / Parker Brothers]
Fast, frenzied, "hot potato" inspired game. Not nearly as many restrictions and the timer makes it different than other games of this type. Never keep score - pretty standard for party games - play until want to play something else.
Fast, frenzied, "hot potato" inspired game. Not nearly as many restrictions and the timer makes it different than other games of this type. Never keep score - pretty standard for party games - play until want to play something else.
November 6, 2025 at 1:36 AM
#12: Catch Phrase [Craig Clark Williamson / Parker Brothers]
Fast, frenzied, "hot potato" inspired game. Not nearly as many restrictions and the timer makes it different than other games of this type. Never keep score - pretty standard for party games - play until want to play something else.
Fast, frenzied, "hot potato" inspired game. Not nearly as many restrictions and the timer makes it different than other games of this type. Never keep score - pretty standard for party games - play until want to play something else.
#13: Clue - 50th Anniversary Ed. [Anthony E. Pratt / Hasbro]
Probably my oldest daughter's favorite game to play with the family. Classic detective game for families. Actually, still holds up as a solid game. This edition has amazing pieces. Doesn't overstay. Found memories from childhood.
Probably my oldest daughter's favorite game to play with the family. Classic detective game for families. Actually, still holds up as a solid game. This edition has amazing pieces. Doesn't overstay. Found memories from childhood.
November 4, 2025 at 12:15 AM
#13: Clue - 50th Anniversary Ed. [Anthony E. Pratt / Hasbro]
Probably my oldest daughter's favorite game to play with the family. Classic detective game for families. Actually, still holds up as a solid game. This edition has amazing pieces. Doesn't overstay. Found memories from childhood.
Probably my oldest daughter's favorite game to play with the family. Classic detective game for families. Actually, still holds up as a solid game. This edition has amazing pieces. Doesn't overstay. Found memories from childhood.
With the holiday season coming, will post the Top 13 games I enjoy playing with my family. These are games my family agree on and like playing together. Wife and kids like many games that I do not and I have a list of games I would love to play with them, but they do not enjoy!
November 2, 2025 at 12:17 AM
With the holiday season coming, will post the Top 13 games I enjoy playing with my family. These are games my family agree on and like playing together. Wife and kids like many games that I do not and I have a list of games I would love to play with them, but they do not enjoy!
#1 Favorite Horror Board Game: Elder Sign [Richard Launius, Kevin Wilson / Fantasy Flight Games]
Cooperative, solo-able, Mythos-themed, dice rolling, variable player powers, modular board, campaign or one-off adventures. Simple enough for causal gamers but deep enough for gamers. All things I love!
Cooperative, solo-able, Mythos-themed, dice rolling, variable player powers, modular board, campaign or one-off adventures. Simple enough for causal gamers but deep enough for gamers. All things I love!
October 29, 2025 at 7:47 PM
#1 Favorite Horror Board Game: Elder Sign [Richard Launius, Kevin Wilson / Fantasy Flight Games]
Cooperative, solo-able, Mythos-themed, dice rolling, variable player powers, modular board, campaign or one-off adventures. Simple enough for causal gamers but deep enough for gamers. All things I love!
Cooperative, solo-able, Mythos-themed, dice rolling, variable player powers, modular board, campaign or one-off adventures. Simple enough for causal gamers but deep enough for gamers. All things I love!
#2: Final Girl [Evan Derrick, A. J. Porfirio / Van Ryder Games]
Great solo horror game. Mix and match final girls, killers, and locations - tons of combinations [especially if you have everything]. Very thematic. Hand management & dice rolling. Save the "victims" and confront the killer.
Great solo horror game. Mix and match final girls, killers, and locations - tons of combinations [especially if you have everything]. Very thematic. Hand management & dice rolling. Save the "victims" and confront the killer.
October 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
#2: Final Girl [Evan Derrick, A. J. Porfirio / Van Ryder Games]
Great solo horror game. Mix and match final girls, killers, and locations - tons of combinations [especially if you have everything]. Very thematic. Hand management & dice rolling. Save the "victims" and confront the killer.
Great solo horror game. Mix and match final girls, killers, and locations - tons of combinations [especially if you have everything]. Very thematic. Hand management & dice rolling. Save the "victims" and confront the killer.
#3: Mansions of Madness, 2e [Nikki Valens / Fantasy Flight Games]
Cooperative, app-assisted, Mythos-themed. Love this game. Was a bit worried about app, but so far it has really enhanced the game play. Very immersive. Search a mansion for clues, weapons, and, of course, Mythos monsters and cultists.
Cooperative, app-assisted, Mythos-themed. Love this game. Was a bit worried about app, but so far it has really enhanced the game play. Very immersive. Search a mansion for clues, weapons, and, of course, Mythos monsters and cultists.
October 26, 2025 at 2:32 AM
#3: Mansions of Madness, 2e [Nikki Valens / Fantasy Flight Games]
Cooperative, app-assisted, Mythos-themed. Love this game. Was a bit worried about app, but so far it has really enhanced the game play. Very immersive. Search a mansion for clues, weapons, and, of course, Mythos monsters and cultists.
Cooperative, app-assisted, Mythos-themed. Love this game. Was a bit worried about app, but so far it has really enhanced the game play. Very immersive. Search a mansion for clues, weapons, and, of course, Mythos monsters and cultists.
Before my top 3 horror games, my honorable mentions, in alphabetical order:
>Cards of Cthulhu: fun, easy, cooperative / solo card game
>Dead Men Tell No Tales: cooperative pirate game with undead & a burning ship
>Stranger Things: Upside Down: tv show done very well, first 2 seasons, fun & easy
>Cards of Cthulhu: fun, easy, cooperative / solo card game
>Dead Men Tell No Tales: cooperative pirate game with undead & a burning ship
>Stranger Things: Upside Down: tv show done very well, first 2 seasons, fun & easy
October 23, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Before my top 3 horror games, my honorable mentions, in alphabetical order:
>Cards of Cthulhu: fun, easy, cooperative / solo card game
>Dead Men Tell No Tales: cooperative pirate game with undead & a burning ship
>Stranger Things: Upside Down: tv show done very well, first 2 seasons, fun & easy
>Cards of Cthulhu: fun, easy, cooperative / solo card game
>Dead Men Tell No Tales: cooperative pirate game with undead & a burning ship
>Stranger Things: Upside Down: tv show done very well, first 2 seasons, fun & easy
#4: Reign of Cthulhu [Matt Leacock, Chuck D. Yager / Z-Man Games]
One of my favorite Pandemic games - love this theme. Really like how the Old Ones are slowly revealed as things go bad. Dice mechanism is pretty neat. Cooperative and simple, can play this one with my family.
One of my favorite Pandemic games - love this theme. Really like how the Old Ones are slowly revealed as things go bad. Dice mechanism is pretty neat. Cooperative and simple, can play this one with my family.
October 21, 2025 at 1:58 PM
#4: Reign of Cthulhu [Matt Leacock, Chuck D. Yager / Z-Man Games]
One of my favorite Pandemic games - love this theme. Really like how the Old Ones are slowly revealed as things go bad. Dice mechanism is pretty neat. Cooperative and simple, can play this one with my family.
One of my favorite Pandemic games - love this theme. Really like how the Old Ones are slowly revealed as things go bad. Dice mechanism is pretty neat. Cooperative and simple, can play this one with my family.
#5: Night of the Living Dead: A Zombicide Game [Raphaël Guiton, Jean-Baptiste Lullien, Nicolas Raoult / CMON]
Cooperative game based on the 1968 George Romero film, follows the movie through 10 scenarios. Try to survive the onslaught of ghouls as you search for weapons and meet specific objectives.
Cooperative game based on the 1968 George Romero film, follows the movie through 10 scenarios. Try to survive the onslaught of ghouls as you search for weapons and meet specific objectives.
October 20, 2025 at 12:07 AM
#5: Night of the Living Dead: A Zombicide Game [Raphaël Guiton, Jean-Baptiste Lullien, Nicolas Raoult / CMON]
Cooperative game based on the 1968 George Romero film, follows the movie through 10 scenarios. Try to survive the onslaught of ghouls as you search for weapons and meet specific objectives.
Cooperative game based on the 1968 George Romero film, follows the movie through 10 scenarios. Try to survive the onslaught of ghouls as you search for weapons and meet specific objectives.