Onitama Board Game

Once I get started reviewing board and card games, I just can’t stop myself.


Here we have Onitama Board Game by Arcane Wonders.

I noticed when I was reviewing Schotten Totten, that this game was approved by Tom Vasel of The Dice Tower. So I did have to take a look and see if it appealed to me.

This is a simple 2 player game for ages 14 years and up. It is an intense strategy game.

Let’s take a look at this video:

What do you think? Would this be a purchase for you?

I like how simple the game is. You capture your opponent’s master while your opponent is trying to capture your master. There are essentially 5 cards in play during the game and you need to think your moves through very carefully while your opponent is doing the same.

I could get into this game.

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Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Schotten Totten by IELLO — Game Review

I just can’t resist board and card games.


What caught my eye for this game was the name and the image. I also like IELLO games and games for children 8 years and up. It is also a fast-paced game that takes about 20 minutes to play. It is a 2 player game that is great when there aren’t a lot of people around.

As the legend goes, it’s a beautiful spring day, the snow is slowly melting which makes the ground under the rocks soft — this is important because these stones make the border between your property and that of your neighbor. So . . . push them over just a bit is what one player’s intention is . . . but the opponent has the same idea of pushing the stones to make their land larger.

Now, the battle begins and see who plays their cards right to win the game.

Here’s a video that shows you Schotten Totten:

What did you think?

There is definitely a lot of strategy at play here. Something so seemingly simple can be a real challenge and fun to play over and over and over again.

Let’s see what else of interest we have for you today:

This seems to be a nice selection of games, but check them out for yourself and see what catches your eye and would be the right game to include in your family game night rotation.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Arcane Academy Game Review

The forecast is still for rain and I still haven’t found a game I can recommend.

Have you heard of Arcane Academy by IDW Games?

This is a new one to me, too, but once I get telling you about it, you’ll be wanting to order it and get playing as soon as possible.

This is an innovative card game of tile-linking wizardry for 2 to 4 players ages 12 years and up. Rival students compete in a duel for honor and prestige. Did you notice the word “wizardry”? Well, they’re going to be casting spells. This game is simple and quick to learn. “Forge potent magic items and wield wickedly powerful elemental energies to out-think and outmaneuver opponents.”

The game was designed by Eric Lang and Kevin Wilson who are industry superstars.

First off I like it because there is a lot of re-play value and second, it’s about magic and wizardry. This is an excellent game to play on a rainy day as well as throughout the year — and, of course, for fall.

I definitely recommend Arcane Academy for wonderful evening quality time with family and friends.

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I’m going to have to take a look at Schotten Totten. I could continue adding games, but I want you to click one of the links above and find the right game for you to play with your family and friends.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Spin Master Games — Escape Room The Game

Rain is in the forecast, so a new game is on my agenda for this weekend.

I enjoy many of the Spin Master Games, so Escape Room was first on my list to check out.

This game is for 3 to 5 players ages 16 years and up. It features 4 escape rooms: Prison Break, Virus, Nuclear Countdown and Temple of the Aztec. Players have 60 minutes to enter the correct keys on the Chrone Decoder to escape. It counts down the remaining time and emits intense sounds to let players know time is running out.

It’s important to note that the game requires 3 AA batteries that are not included.

There is a solution to each seemingly impossible scenario. Players work together to solve puzzles, find clues all in the desire to find a way out of the room before time runs out.

What’s in the box?

  • An Electronic Chrono Decorder
  • A Hint Card Decorder
  • 16 Keys
  • 32 Hint Cards
  • 4 Different Adventure Packs
  • Game Rules
  • no batteries — so get some AA batteries, you’ll need 3

To be honest with you, I was disappointed in the game. You see, you can only play the game once for each room, because you know the solution. It is rumored that Spin Master Games will be coming out with expansion packs, but I wouldn’t get the game in hopes these expansion packs will materialize. And the truth be known, once you plan the expansion, you’ll be looking for the next one and then the next. I prefer games that can be played over and over and over again — this one and the expansions, nope!

There is an expansion that sounds exciting: Welcome to Funland — Escape Room the Game Expansion Pack

Here’s the story on the back of the box: “The amusement park was on the edge of town, right next to the woods. Half the attractions were out of order and the other half should have been. You remember coming to the park as a kid and you remember it being closed after a little girl disappeared, They only found one of her red ribbons in the woods. Who would have thought a clown could do such a thing?”

Players have 60 minutes to free themselves from Happy Jack’s backstage cage and escape Funland. Will they get out in time?

The Escape Room Expansion Pack requires Escape Room The Game to play.

As I said earlier, I’m going to pass on Escape Room The Game and this Funland Expansion. The price is a bit high for a game you can only play once.

From the reviews, many people are excited by the game and the expansion pack. They don’t mind it lacks re-play value.

Oh my goodness!! There’s another expansion pack: Murder Mystery


Here’s the exciting story line: “Rascals! As you enter the crime scene, you realize you’re in trouble. Although you’ve solved numerous murder cases in the past and you aren’t easily shocked, you’ve stumbled upon a real doozy. This isn’t just an ordinary murder case. Not only was Theodore Jones a man of great fortune and fame, but the note found on the body was highly disturbing. If you don’t solve this case quickly, there’ll be blood on your hands….”

Once again the players are under pressure to solve the mystery within the 60 minute time limit.

I’m standing by my earlier statement. I’m passing on this expansion pack as well.

You may prefer one of these games:

Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Amazon Echo Product Review

You may be more up-to-date with gidgets and gadgets than I am — but that doesn’t stop me from reviewing the Amazon Echo.

It’s a voice controlled hands-free speaker that connects to the Alexa Voice Service to play music, get news, sports scores, weather and so much more. All you have to do is ask.

Wow!! This is truly state-of-the-art technology!!

You have to click the link to the right to get all the latest and greatest uses for this dynamic “must have” apparatus. The think is linked to the cloud, so it only gets smarter — is that even possible?

I do believe it is — So what it will do today, it will do more tomorrow and all your tomorrows.

Once you have an Echo in your house, you’ll find you may need more than one — maybe those tweens of yours will want one, too. It would be great to remind them of a test or homework or some social event — and don’t forget their music . . .

These would be great to get for your family as an Easter gift . . . or because it’s spring . . . a birthday, any holiday and no holiday at all. I believe this is truly the gift to give everyone on your gift list. They come in black or white.

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Thank you for stopping by!

Sharon