This is a trial for a new format of quick reviews of 9 games per month. These will be smaller or children games that don't need a big review or games that I only played once and I cannot give a final review yet, but I would still like to share my initial thoughts on.

 

Bandido

Published: 2016
Players: 1-4
Playing Time: 10-15 Mins
Publisher: Helvetiq
Mechanisms: Cooperative Game, Hand Management, Network and Route Building,

Gameplay & Theme & Replayability: 6/10

It's a very simple game with a very simple rule set. The game is always different enough that you don't get that same-y feeling playing it and I like to play a few rounds in a row.

Art & Graphic Design & Theme:

I'm not a big fan of the simplistic art, but on the other hand, everything is very clear.
Placing the cards down to close all the escaping routes for the bandido is a fun activity, that I don't mind repeating a few times a year.

 

Diced Veggies

Published: 2023
Players: 1-4
Playing Time: 30 Mins
Publisher: Kids Table BG
Mechanisms: Dice Rolling, Set Collection
Sleeves: 63,5x88mm

Gameplay & Replayability: 6/10

A lovely family game for young and adults alike.
There are many combinations of recipe and hype cards so you should be able to replay this game many times. Personally, not more than one play in a row, as the game is long enough that I get enough veggies in one sitting.

Art & Graphic Design & Theme:

I love the art and the graphic design of this game. Everything is clear at the first glance. It a good game to work up your appetite.

 

Dwergar

Published: 2020
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 60-120 Mins
Publisher: Granna
Mechanisms: End Game Bonuses, Events, Worker Placement
Sleeves: 63,5x88mm

Gameplay & Replayability: 7/10

I loved the mechanism of mining the ore and putting it into the carts that have to be lifted out of the mine. It's a game that really benefits from a higher player count. With many project decks to choose from, each game will be different.

Art & Graphic Design & Theme:

A very well done game. The board is a bit busy but once you get used to the action spaces, it works fine. The ores  are amazing and really add to the theme of dwarves mining.

 

Kites

Published: 2022
Players: 2-6
Playing Time: 10 Mins
Publisher: Floodgate Games
Mechanisms: Cooperative Game, Real-Time
Sleeves: 57,5x89mm

Gameplay & Replayability: 8/10

Real-time games are hard to make interesting and cheating (by mistake) proof. This one does it very well.  Players will have to play a few games to get the feel of the group and learn how to cooperate quickly. I want to play this game often and with multiple rounds at that.

Art & Graphic Design & Theme:

The art is beautiful and the graphic desin is clear so you don't waste precious time trying to figure out what cards you hold in your hands.
Trying to fly a kite in this game is even more stressful than flying a real kite in a storm.

 

Honey Buzz

Published: 2020
Players: 1-4
Playing Time: 45-90 Mins
Publisher: Elf Creek Games
Mechanisms: Action Retrieval, Contracts, Open Drafting, Tile Placement, Worker Placement
Sleeves: 45x68mm

Gameplay & Replayability: 9/10

I loved the beehive building mechanic and the combination of following your strategy vs. taking a tactical decision when a spot suddenly opens up. I want to play this game again as soon as possible.

Art & Graphic Design & Theme:

This game is beautiful! The bees theme is pouring out at every corner of the game. From the beehive, to the nectar, …

 

My Little Scythe

Published: 2017
Players: 1-6
Playing Time: 45-60 Mins
Publisher: Stonemaier Games
Mechanisms: Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, Pick-up and Deliver, Variable Player Powers
Sleeves: 57,5x89mm

Gameplay & Replayability: 6/10

Moving your characters around the map, collecting apples and crystals and having pie battles is a fun activity for the kids. The game mechanisms are a bit heavy compared to the theme, but I can see us playing this game a few times a year.

Art & Graphic Design & Theme:

A beautiful kids game. The whole presentation is amazing.
First time that I got a feeling that a theme is just too childish to present the game to an adult audience… but as the target audience are kids, the theme is OK.

 

Royal Visit

Published: 2006
Players: 2
Playing Time: 20-30 Mins
Publisher: IELLO
Mechanisms: Hand Management, Track Movement, Tug of War
Sleeves: 63,5x88mm

Gameplay & Replayability: 7/10

A pure tug of war game where lady luck has plenty to say. With that said, there are still some nice tactical decisions that keep this game interesting. The game is also quick enough that a bad hand shouldn't ruin your day… just shuffle the deck and go at it again.

Art & Graphic Design & Theme:

The art is not really in my style but it has a very interesting appearance.
Graphic design is clean and once you learn how the 4 different figures work, the icons won't be in the way of your influence in the royal court.

 

Super-Skill Pinball: 4-Cade

Published: 2020
Players: 1-4
Playing Time: 30 Mins
Publisher: WizKids
Mechanisms: Dice Rolling, Roll and Write, Solo Game

Gameplay & Replayability: 7/10

This is a roll and write game done the right way. It's some luck with some dice manipulation so you have a saying of where you will send the ball and this will cause a snowball effect that will give you plenty of points OR cause you to tilt out. With 4 different »tables« to choose from, you will get plenty of replayability from this game.

Art & Graphic Design & Theme:

This game really feels like playing a Pinball machine… OK, OK I understand it's still a boardgame, but hitting the bumpers or pushing your ball to the exact spot light up the combo… almost like a pinball machine.

 

Yeti

Published: 2016
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 20-40 Mins
Publisher: Pegasus Spiele
Mechanisms: Dice Rolling, Open Drafting, Push Your Luck

Gameplay & Replayability: 6/10

It's a fun dice chuckling game. Pushing your luck for that few extra points is always fun and never gets old. We plan to play it at least once per year because of the Alphabet challenge 😊

Art & Graphic Design & Theme:

The whole theme and presentation is intended as a fun family weight game. The art and graphic deisgn fit the weight of the game well.