Matthew BaileyIf you’ve made it this far, you’ll notice there are around two dozen “reviews” originally posted on the Facebook group that aren’t featured on the site. That’s because these were very short and barely qualified as reviews.
However, I still wanted to acknowledge their existence. Here are the games I “reviewed” (and I use that term very loosely):
- Carcassonne: Over Hill & Dale
- SOS Dino
- King of Tokyo: Black
- Kingdomino
- Queendomino
- Dice Forge
- Shelfie Stacker
- The Quacks of Quedlinburg
- Century: Golem Edition
- Martian Dice
- Zombie Dice
- Jenga: Super Mario Edition
- Flipover Frog
- Zombie Teenz
- Zombie Kidz
- Andor: The Family Fantasy Game
- Dice Miner
- Calico
- Bärenpark
- Ubongo: Travel Edition
- Hungry Hamsters
It’s a big list, but those posts were more like quick thoughts than proper reviews!
Carcassonne: Over Hill & Dale
A slightly easier version of “Carcassonne” that introduces new, child-friendly mechanics like the wander mechanic while removing the farmer/field rules. Played with Toby (3), Jack (6), and myself (36). Even the youngest enjoyed it—and actually won! I’d say this is a better “My First Carcassonne” than the official version.
SOS Dino
Had a great pre-bed game of “SOS Dino” with Jack (6) after playing earlier in the day with Toby (3). It’s an engaging co-op game with high-quality components that’s fun for both kids and adults. Highly recommend, especially if you’re looking for more games from Loki, as this is a standout for us.
King of Tokyo: Dark Edition
We played this with Jack (6) and Toby (3). It went over Toby’s head a little, but Jack managed fine. The game felt a bit flat with just the three of us—it’s definitely better with 5-6 players. The tiny components are also a bit of a hazard for disappearing under sofas! A fun game overall, but one I’d recommend doing some research on before committing.
Kingdomino
Jack (6) and I played “Kingdomino” with the 7×7 rules while Toby (3) was at nursery. Jack beat me 130 to 106! A great game for slightly older kids and good for practicing times tables. It’s an excellent step up from “Dragomino,” which is Toby’s favorite.
Queendomino
After “Kingdomino,” Jack wanted to play “Queendomino.” He enjoyed the added complexity and even chose a second game of it. While Jack managed well due to his board game experience, this might be too advanced for a typical 6-year-old. Still, it’s a great game that we thoroughly enjoyed.
Dice Forge
This dice-building game was the most complex one Jack (6) had played at the time, but he loved it and even won (with a bit of guidance). The dice-building mechanic is fantastic, and the game has the best insert I’ve ever seen. A big thumbs-up, especially for younger players who are capable with numbers and symbols.
Shelfie Stacker
Jack (6) and I tried this “Azul”-like game with solitaire-style mechanics. We might have played the wild card rule wrong, but Jack grasped the basics after a bit of practice. It’s bright, colorful, and fun, though it needs another playthrough for a full verdict. Bonus points for a lovely insert!
The Quacks of Quedlinburg
Jack’s (6) most complex game yet! While he struggled with probability at first, he enjoyed this push-your-luck game. He played it safe, which cost him the win, but he loved it nonetheless. This is one of my favorite games for adults, and it’s great to see Jack enjoy it too.
Century: Golem Edition
Jack (6) and I played this reskin of “Century: Spice Road.” It was incredibly close—both of us were tied at 70 points with gems to buy the winning card, but my turn came first. Technically, I won, but we shook hands and called it a draw. A fantastic game with a satisfying mix of strategy and luck!
Zombie Dice & Martian Dice
Jack (6) and Toby (3) played these simple, push-your-luck dice games. Toby needed a bit of tactical help but still enjoyed it. Fun and easy games to introduce to younger players, especially with the expansions.
Flipover Frog
This tile-flipping logic game has simple rules but deep strategy. Toby (3) understood the basics but struggled with strategy, while Jack (6) managed a bit better. It’s a solid game that we’ll likely revisit, and it works well for adults as a lighter filler game.
Super Mario Jenga
A fun, gamified version of Jenga where you spin, move characters, and collect coins to win. A big hit with Toby (3) and Jack (6), and it’s different enough from regular Jenga to justify owning both versions—especially if you’re a Mario fan.
Zombie Teenz Evolution
We’ve been loving this sequel to “Zombie Kidz Evolution.” It’s a legacy game with unlockable abilities, characters, and missions. While “Zombie Kidz” is slightly better as a standalone game, the unlocks in “Zombie Teenz” are more engaging. I recommend tweaking the rules to speed up achievements for a more exciting progression.
Andor: The Family Fantasy Adventure
A fantastic, child-friendly version of “Legends of Andor.” Jack (6) and Toby (3) loved solving quests and fighting monsters. With modular missions and sandbox potential, it’s a great introduction to adventure games. Bonus points for having male and female versions of all characters!
Dice Miner
A dice-drafting game with a cool mountain mechanic. Jack (6) liked it, but Toby (3) was bored. Unfortunately, the deluxe version felt excessive, with an oversized box and unnecessary components. This one might end up on the for-sale pile if it doesn’t improve in future plays.
Calico
This tile-drafting game about making patchwork quilts is fantastic. Both Jack (6) and Toby (3) grasped the mechanics and enjoyed it, while Katie and I played the standard rules later. It’s beautifully produced and comes with family-friendly rules. A big recommendation!
Bärenpark
A tetromino tile-laying game that was an instant hit with Jack (6) and Toby (3). They loved the mix of design, speed, and strategy, and we even added the “Bad News Bears” expansion for extra fun. It scales wonderfully for all ages and could easily become a family favorite.
Ubongo: Travel Edition
This puzzle-focused game fell flat for us. While it scales with difficulty, both boys lost interest after a few rounds. It works better as a casual puzzle activity than a competitive game. Likely going in the for-sale pile.
Hungry Hamsters
A cheap and cheerful roll-and-write game we grabbed because the kids love their pet hamster. It’s simple but fun, with a clever dice mechanic that forces you to use entire rolls. Not a regular play for us, but at £4.99, it was worth it.
