Game: Come Sail Away Date: March 15, 2026 Impression: A very enjoyable puzzle where you slowly fill you ship with coloured passengers based on a card each turn. Things get harder each turn so you have to plan well. I lost of tie breaker! Design Thoughts: I enjoy puzzles that a shrinking options space feels like it rewards planning.

Game: Calimala Date: February 21, 2026 Impression: A very beige euro about cloth merchants in the middle ages. It's a worker placement / are majority but what is unique and really interesting is that a worker triggers all the previous works on the space. This create a really interesting dynamic about placing where you think others will. Really enjoyed and want to play again. Design Thoughts: Others gaining actions for the active play I find a really interesting way to make larger player counts more engaging.

Game: Kuroshio Date: January 29, 2026 Impression: A pickup and deliver game where you are fishing ships, collect and selling fish. You expand the map by place a new card and then move your ship between space places on the cards. You have to balance collecting fish for sets and selling some for point. Was a mildly diverting little game, wouldn't jump or play again but wouldn't say no either. Design Thoughts: I like the idea that you place a card on top of a card which then become your hand. There are only two types of card on the board though I think there could have been more to make for more interesting choices.

Game: Exploration Extreme Cartzzle Creation Date: January 24, 2026 Impression: A solo (or couples) game where you put together a jigsaw of playing cards, where the pictures on the cards overlap with each other. The rulebook specifically says you have to be ok with how janky it can be! Overall a diverting experience but not anything to really write home about. Design Thoughts: I'm not sure I have any, it's not really a game and more an activity

Game: 1975 White Christmas Date: January 24, 2026 Impression: I played a turn at Essen and immediately bought it. Got to a play game now and still really enjoyed it. You are managing helicopter rescuing South Vietnamese during the Fall for Saigon. You are trying to use the right helicopter to pickup the right type and score points for sets. It's got lots of great mechanics and theme and mechanics blend well. Definitely want to play again. Design Thoughts: The satisfaction of rescuing people was really engaging so much so I wasn't even thinking about the points for it sometimes. Also the mechanic drafting cards and getting and action and then later playing the card for the action allowed for really good forward thinking play.