Madame Askew and The Grand Arbiter

Originally posted to our Patreon along with a downloadable PDF

As the holiday gift giving season is upon us, I thought I would share a short list of (some of) my favourite games with brief reviews. These are games which I would happily give as gifts myself. Whilst I do link to a couple of online purveyors of games, I encourage everyone to support their local board game stores whenever possible. Like independent bookstores, they are essential to the continued health of the hobby and they offer a wonderful local community of game enthusiasts.

Cheers!~Madame

Wingspan — This is by far my most played game of the last 2 years. I adore the art, the game play, and the ambiance. I have actually learned more about birds around the globe from this game than any other activity, and I love that learning by exposure experience. Whilst this game can be moderately difficult strategically, I find that one can simply play the birds one likes and have a delightful time. (Admittedly, I don’t play to win so much as I play to have fun with friends.) This game is also available in digital version which is an excellent option for long distance gaming with friends. There are many expansions available. My personal favourites are Oceana and Europe.

Cascadia — Lighter than Wingspan and a bit quicker to play, this is nonetheless a gorgeous game with art by the same illustrator behind Wingspan. Cascadia also uses game play to introduce topics from the natural world and to teach players a little bit more about the environment. The art is a tremendous draw for me as it is such a beautiful game and provides a lovely sensory experience when playing, but of course, game play still matters! I find this just difficult enough to keep me engaged and plotting whilst also allowing me to chat and enjoy time spent with my friends.

Azul — This is another aesthetically pleasing game and yes, that is indeed an underlying theme in my choices. There is certainly a strategic approach to playing Azul, but I find that I can enjoy the game without considering strategy too deeply. This is one of those games that isn’t too technical in terms of the game play mechanics but does have endless variables to keep the game fresh with every play through. Laying out the tiles to create mosaics is very satisfying from both a tactile and visual perspective. This isn’t a super fast game but a delightful way to spend a happy hour. Perfect for conversation and a little mental exercise.

League of the Lexicon — These days, I rarely indulge in Kickstarter campaigns, but this one was irresistible to me. It is the complete package as far as I am concerned. Word trivia, a bit of mental exercise, gorgeous aesthetics, and just tricky enough to be challenging but not so hard to play that one may not be social as well. Created by linguists and lexicographers, League of the Lexicon is close to the perfect game in my estimation, second in my affection only to Wingspan. I have been known to travel with the entire 5 pound box simply so I can torment my friends with word trivia.

Tea Dragon Society Game — Based on the delightful books of the same name, this is a lovely game for a family group or for friends bent on a cosy, casual hour together. Of course, this game is best played with a good pot of tea and a nice plate of bickies! Whilst this is a game suitable for children as well as adults, there is some strategy involved and it will provide a bit of a mental workout. Overall, however, it is not a wildly competitive game. The artwork is beautiful, the concepts deeply charming, and the overall feeling of the game is very like stepping into a little blanket fort for some excellent play-pretend.

Love Letters Princess Princess — Charming and casual, with some delightful fantasy love story overtones, this is another delightful little gem of a game that is perfect for a social gathering during which one might like to share an activity but still be able to chat happily. This isn’t a terribly competitive game and the strategy is not onerous at all. The art is reminiscent of Studio Ghibli whilst still being its own thing. An excellent offering for older children and teenagers whilst also being fun for adults who enjoy something on the sweet side!

Abandon All Artichokes — The Grand Arbiter introduced me to this game during our last adventure together and I must admit I wasn’t sure whether I would like it initially. However, it really is a very charming, quick game. A delightful palate cleanser! There is a little strategy to this game but mostly it’s down to cunning and luck! This is an excellent option for a social gathering or a break between heftier games. The game play is easy to pick up and the pace is fast. Add to that some cute vegetable art. It’s a gem in a little green tin.

Steampunk Rally — This is the game for those who like a little more competition in their game experience. Whilst this is not a traditional board game, it is a little more akin to some of the older board games. For those who adore mad inventions, quirky steampunk art, and ridiculous races, this is an excellent offering. There is an interesting synergy in how the racers go together and some fun tactics to enjoy as well as a bit of luck and timing. To be honest, my favourite part is creating my racer. Win or lose, I’ve had a good time pretending to be an inventor for a happy hour.