I solved the daily #CluesBySam, Apr 2nd 2026 (Tricky), in 03:43 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 cluesbysam.com

I'm still encouraging people to play older games. At a local games night recently I found people who'd never played Dominion. Yes, apparently that's a thing. I get it, the new shiny gets the attention, but Dominion is still SO good. punchboard.co.uk/play-somethi...

These were a nice treat to come home to. Yotei from @mightyboards.bsky.social and The Glasgow Train Robbery from @saltandpeppergames.bsky.social both arrived for coverage on the same day. 🤩

Today's was brilliant :D I solved the daily #CluesBySam, Apr 1st 2026 (Tricky), in 05:09 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 cluesbysam.com

If you enjoyed @alderaceg.bsky.social & @flatoutgames.bsky.social Calico, then I have good news for you. They did more of it in the form of Knitting Circle, and it's great fun. Better still, it has a rondel. I freaking LOVE a rondel. punchboard.co.uk/knitting-cir... Also @bethsobel.bsky.social ❤️

I just finished Rise of the Golden Idol. I loved the original, and this was even better. What an amazing game, highly recommended if you enjoy logic and mystery games. @thinkygames.com

I solved the daily #CluesBySam, Mar 27th 2026 (Hard), in 04:26 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩 cluesbysam.com

Saashi & Saashi make some lovely games, The Great Evening Banquet is another of them - punchboard.co.uk/the-great-ev...

I've been watching lots more anime in the hopes of osmosis, but I'm surprised at just how much Haikyu!! has me gripped. An overly dramatic game of volleyball that lasts 3 full episodes shouldn't be as compelling as it is. And I say that as someone who played for years. Super enjoyable.

I'm heading to Baycon in Exeter on the 10th April. It's the 38th time the convention has been held! Anyone else heading along for some games?

Got the covids, so not feeling up to much. I decided to crack open Get on Board Paris+Rome to play. It's the re-theme of Saashi & Saashi's Let's Make a Bus Route, and it's great. You should be able to pick it up cheaply if you want your first taste of Saashi's designs.

Day 3 of the Haru Basho had some amazing bouts! Get some Sumo in your life - www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GYT...

It's another from the new hotness! ...of 2007. Let's go back to when things were less apocalyptic and take a look at Stefan Feld's classic Notre Dame. It doesn't get mentioned or played nearly as often as it should. punchboard.co.uk/play-somethi...

So this is fun. Looks like I'll be working with the lovely folks of Saashi & Saashi at this year's UKGE. Come say hello if you're there. ko-fi.com/post/UK-Game...

I picked up Panda Spin in November, and ever since I've enjoyed it more each time I've played it. I've tried to put into words just what makes it tick, and why I love it so much. punchboard.co.uk/panda-spin-r...

A cracking night at the local game group last night. We got a very close game of Airship City from Analog Lunchbox (all three players separated by 2 points!), followed by a game of Panda Spin.

Excellence in game design, amazing, what recognition. So, who did this excellent design? GAMA: ummmm

I agree wholeheartedly, but it works both ways too. I've played games where I've followed the rules, and after pointing out how bad and even incorrect the book was, they wanted me to not post the review. If it's in dev, that's one thing. If it's published and out there, it needs to be mentioned.

It's probably my quickest turnaround from getting a game to reviewing it ever, but I've loved every minute with Carnuta from @reposproduction.bsky.social . Cheap, really well-produced, and really good fun. What a great game. punchboard.co.uk/carnuta-revi...

I forgot to take many photos, but last night's games night at Roll The Dice was great. Two tables playing board games, loads more games of Bolt Action going on. On our table we got through a couple of games of Calico, then Panda Spin, Castle Combo and even a bit of Wriggle Routlette to finish.

5 DAYS TO GO! The countdown to the campaign launch starts here! Stay tuned, as we have some very exciting announcements before the 3rd of March. Here. We. Go!

Play the older games too. I don't care what your own definition of 'old' is, I'm using my own. I'll be talking about older games that I think still warrant not only a place in your collection, but also a place on your table. Starting with Troyes, because it's great - punchboard.co.uk/play-somethi...

More of this please! I especially like calling out content creators for using Gen AI too. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, and other old people phrases too.

It's the first review in my new partnership with Roll The Dice, and it's for Dewan from Space Cowboys. Dewan is a gorgeous, really well-made game with a light ruleset, and is a lot of fun. punchboard.co.uk/dewan-review...

I've been tweaking! The website and email that is... I've moved to a new host which should be a lot faster, although it was never slow really, and email should all be flowing smoothly. I've also saved lots of money in the process! If you notice anything janky on the site, let me know. 🚅

Doggerland didn't get a fanfare arrival, nor does it get lots of attention, but it should. It's a fantastic action-programming game, like Stone Age on steroids. Playing it again recently prompted me to write the review it deserves. punchboard.co.uk/doggerland-r...

I may never be fluent in Japanese, but it won't be because I'm not trying. Kanji and flash card writing - I know how to enjoy my day off work.

I was lucky enough to get a good look at the new Fighting Fantasy Quest: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain. I grew up with the FF books, so this was a real treat to me. Read all about it here - punchboard.co.uk/fighting-fan...

My brain has been swamped by trying to learn new things, and some of it had to come out somewhere. So, I wrote a quick post about the challenges of learning new things as an adult, and how it can impact someone coming into the board game hobby. punchboard.beehiiv.com/p/the-satura...

As part of my new partnership with the lovely Roll The Dice , I'll be borrowing and reviewing games from their ample library. First up is Dewan from Space Cowboys . I've heard good things,so jumped at the chance. A learning game in and I'm impressed. Easy gameplay and fantastic production value.

Airship City from Analog Lunchbox today. Great stuff, lots going on, and it all looks and feels very Analog Lunchbox. Not as heavy as Bean to Bar, but very enjoyable and easy flowing.

Started the evening with Vertigo, now for Charade. It's lovely to see the world how it was (even in a film) 60 or 70 years ago sometimes.

I went to a local games night yesterday, and it was such a treat to expose them to something a bit different to what they're used to. Idle Hands, Schadenfreude, and Origin Story, among others.

Due to my current retail partner closing, I saw an opportunity to make a change. I love having a partner to work with to make sure I always have games to review, and somewhere to send people when they want games. I'm delighted to say that I'm teaming up with Roll The Dice. rollthedicecornwall.com

I've been rubbish at engaging with the people who read my reviews, so this year I'm putting some more effort into it. I've been posting to various social media channels regularly, and will be using my newsletter more too. It's so hard finding the right outlet punchboard.beehiiv.com/p/new-year-f...

It's awesome to have the new season of Overwatch and the new heroes, but if this evening is anything to go by, it's going to be weeks of people learning the new characters in competitive instead of quickplay, where they should do it :(

Very fond of this Mr Hyde by Grickle, look at that lovely Mr Hyde face

Played some Knitting Circle from @alderaceg.bsky.social & @flatoutgames.bsky.social tonight. It's a game in the same range as Calico, set collection, contract fulfilment with a rondel! Oh, how I love a rondel.

It's time again to share the Gaming Rules! plans for the week. Once again Paul has a bumper week planned for us over on the Gaming Rules! YouTube channel. Which of these are you most looking forward to? Watch live or later: www.youtube.com/@GamingRules... -Krissie

I've made some changes to the site and post structure lately, and decided to add a 'pros & cons' block to reviews. I don't want to ever assign scores to reviews, there's no point, but this has been good. It forces me to identify criticisms in games I might let slip. It keeps me honest and I like it.

First steps with the new Fighting Fantasy Quest: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain. Dungeon crawling in the FF world is a treat, and it's easy enough that anyone can learn. This is going to be a hit with anyone who grew up with these books, even if they're new to board games.

Prototypes arrived!!!

We have an early backer discount for our Kickstarter for "Briscola Chiamata"! (until early Saturday morning Japanese time). #kickstarter #amuristudio #earlybacker #crowdfunding #briscola #briscolachiamata #tokyo #japan #cardgames #crowdfundinggames #boardgames

Japanese learning continues apace! I have doubts that my tutor actually said 'woot woot' after today's lesson, but I'm taking the win either way.

I just backed Briscola Chiamata on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/adr...

You remember that game with the massive building on the table? That slasher film in game form? Terrorscape? Yeah, well, it's back and just finished another massive campaign. I've been playing it thanks to Ice Makes, and you can read all about it here - punchboard.co.uk/terrorscape-...

I grew up with the Fighting Fantasy series of books, and have especially fond memories of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, so I can't wait to see how this plays.

I just backed JISOGI: ANIME STUDIO TYCOON Reprint on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/esp...

I had another online Japanese lesson today, and I'm in love with learning something new again. I've been learning by myself for a while, but practising conversation and learning grammar with an honest-to-goodness Japanese person (and tutor!) is amazing. It's humbling, mentally exhausting, and great.

While it's all fresh in my head, here are my thoughts from the weekend's Full Board Gaming. Shout outs to my creator friends from this neck of the woods, including @gamingrules.bsky.social and others like @amethystisis08.bsky.social who made the weekend what it was. punchboard.co.uk/full-board-g...