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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 21h

Are these games ugly? That feels harsh. Are they visually underwhelming? Maybe. Are they great games? Absolutely. Here are 10 games that look "eh", but play "heck yeh" baptergames.substack.com/p/great-game...

baptergames.substack.com

Great Games That Don’t Look It

Looks aren’t everything in board games...

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Pondscape from Pink Troubadour and @capstone-games.com is a quick little grid-building game about frogs, food, bugs, and making the best of whatever cards the game gives you. I’m a fan. Full thoughts: baptergames.substack.com/p/pondscape-...

baptergames.substack.com

Pondscape Review: A Ribbiting Grid-Builder

Build your pond, group your frogs, and score the most points!

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Happy Friday, everyone, and welcome to the first ever Bapter’s Friday Five! I figured the first one could start off with five things about me! How selfish, right? 😁 baptergames.substack.com/p/bapters-fi...

baptergames.substack.com

Bapter’s (First) Friday Five: All About Me

Five board game things to kick off the weekend

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

In today's post, I take a look at some expansions to games that a lot of folks are calling "essential". Are they actually, though? And at what point does an expansion become essential? #boardgames #tabletopgames #tabletopgaming #boardgamer

baptergames.substack.com

“Essential” Expansions That Really Aren’t

Because “must-have” doesn’t always mean must-have

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I’m thinking Mondays might officially become review days, so let’s kick the week off with Tembo Tiles from Waterworks Games. A quick, easy-to-learn pattern-matching game where you build your herds while trying to disrupt everyone else’s. 🔗 baptergames.substack.com/p/tembo-tile...

baptergames.substack.com

Tembo Tiles Review: Real-Time Animal Matching Mayhem

Flip. Match. Migrate. Repeat.

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Tried the solo mode of Pondscape from @capstone-games.com and Pink Troubadour this evening and really enjoyed it! Something about these games that have you building grids that just clicks for me.

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I recently wrote posts about my favorite games I’ve played just once, followed by one on the Top 10 games I’ve never played. So, naturally, the only logical conclusion to this impromptu trilogy is a post about the games I have played a lotttt.

baptergames.substack.com

9 Games I’ve Played 50+ Times

A celebration of repetition, digital implementations, and questionable win rates

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Philadelphia 76ers @sixersnba.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

THE VOICE IS BACK.

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

🐸 Pond from @brotherminggames.bsky.social is a super cute, and sometimes straight up brutal, area control deck-builder where you lead your faction of frogs and long fwoogs as they compete to control the many areas of the pond. Full overview & thoughts here: baptergames.substack.com/p/pond-revie...

baptergames.substack.com

Pond Review: Frog Around and Find Out

A charming take on area control with plenty of personality

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

In a board game content world filled with lists galore, I’m doing another one because there’s something special about falling in love with a board game at first play.

baptergames.substack.com

Top 10 Games I’ve Only Played Once

First impressions are everything!

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Look, I love nature. But the sheer number of games dedicated to nature themes makes me think the genre needs to go on an indefinite hiatus like your favorite late ’90s/early 2000s TV series. Here, I try and retheme some popular nature titles. This was fun!

baptergames.substack.com

Take A Hike, Nature Games

Can we just take a break, please?

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

A cozy world, gorgeous artwork, and a satisfying collect-and-complete puzzle. I genuinely adored Pilgrims: Curious Adventures. My full review covers everything from the core gameplay to the production. 🔗 baptergames.substack.com/p/pilgrims-c...

baptergames.substack.com

Pilgrims: Curious Adventures Review

A gorgeous game about meeting new people and completing quests!

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

August was such a great month! So many more games tabled compared to July. Which ones stood out? I talk about that, book progress, and what I'm watching in the latest PWR (Playing, Watching, Reading) round-up: baptergames.substack.com/p/august-pwr...

baptergames.substack.com

August PWR Round-Up: So Many Games!

Heck of a month you were, August!

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

The Publisher Favorites series continues with @buttonshy.bsky.social! Button Shy proves time and time again that you don’t need a big box to create a terrific gaming experience. Read more: baptergames.substack.com/p/publisher-...

baptergames.substack.com

Publisher Favorites: Button Shy Games

Not shy about my love for Button Shy!

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

August is shaping up to be a great month of gaming, thanks to some super fun games that have become regulars in my BGA rotation. What have you been playing lately?

baptergames.substack.com

Games I’m Currently Playing on BGA

Can’t stop, won’t stop playing board games.

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

What actually counts as a dice game? 🎲 A sassy and spirited Discord debate inspired a few of us to rank our 10 favorite dice games. Did your favorite make my list? - baptergames.substack.com/p/lets-do-a-...

baptergames.substack.com

Let's Do A List - Top 10 Dice Games

Chuck ‘em, roll ‘em, place ‘em, activate ‘em!

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Banzainator @banzainator.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

9. I unbox and prep Evenglow 10. @baptergames.bsky.social solos Pilgrims: Curious Adventures 11-12. Cyt0nic works on Pokemon LEGO 3/3 The next Board Games Anonymous will be next week! #boardgames

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Banzainator @banzainator.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

5. I unbox and read the rules for Fourth Wing: Rise of the Wingleader 6. CosmicBeet unboxes Dice Pool Party 7. Anthoz checks out Slam Throne 8. @baptergames.bsky.social solos Lands of Amazement over the weekend for BGA 2/3

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Tiny tins, BIG games! My Publisher Favorites series continues with @galens-games.bsky.social, a publisher that packs creative themes, clever mechanics, and surprisingly thinky experiences into some very small packages. 🔗 baptergames.substack.com/p/publisher-...

baptergames.substack.com

Publisher Favorites: Galen's Games

Unique mechanics and themes in a mint tin package!

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Had a fun time as a guest contributor on Journey Into The Unknown, where we each picked our Top-3 Sci-Fi Games. boardgamegeek.com/blog/12855/b...

boardgamegeek.com

Triple Threat - Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) Games | Journey Into the Unknown

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Banzainator @banzainator.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

9-10. Cosmic Beet unboxes Splendor Duel expansion and Wonderous Creatures 11-12. @baptergames.bsky.social plays Everdell Farshore for the first time 3/4

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Party games for people who don’t like party games! No charades. No Cards Against Humanity. No social guessing. Just fun games that work well with larger groups and offer a little more to think about.

baptergames.substack.com

Party Games for Non-Party Gamers

Don't make me get up and do charades.

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Birds🐦, bees🐝, and everything in between. My Publisher Favorites series continues with @stonemaiergames.com, a publisher that probably started a lot of our journeys into board gaming. What’s your favorite Stonemaier game?

baptergames.substack.com

Publisher Favorites: Stonemaier Games

Birds and the bees and everything in between!

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I don't solo game too often. It always seems intriguing, but actually doing it feels hard. Here are some picks I have as a non-solo gamer for you other non-solo gamers out there!

baptergames.substack.com

Solo Games for Non-Solo Gamers

Approachable solo experiences for those who would usually rather play with friends.

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

3️⃣ new-to-me games hit the table, and all three delivered! My latest post features first impressions of... 🗺️ Pilgrims Curious Adventures 🦫 Timber Town 🏘️ Tenby Three very different experiences, with plenty of reasons to play each one again. Read more: baptergames.substack.com/p/three-new-...

baptergames.substack.com

Three New Games, Three Great First Impressions

My early thoughts on three games that brought something different to the table.

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Banzainator @banzainator.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

9. LinaKay plays Inkwell solo; adds Gen Con plays to BGG 10. James punches out Enchanted Ivy, organizes @allplay.bsky.social shelf 11. @baptergames.bsky.social unboxes Wondrous Creatures expansion; sets up solo Everdell Farshore 12. GameritisGuy plays solo game of The Great Evening Banquet 3/5

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Next up in my Publisher Favorites series is @25thcentury.games. Do you have any top titles from them? Let me know what I should try next. 🔗 open.substack.com/pub/bapterga...

open.substack.com

Publisher Favorites: 25th Century Games

A trio of titles stand out from the Atlanta-based publisher!

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

The second post in my Publisher Favorites series spotlights @capstone-games.com! So many great games to choose from… 🔗 open.substack.com/pub/bapterga...

open.substack.com

Publisher Favorites: Capstone Games

Zoo-building, tea empires, and guild duels, oh my!

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

My first play of @direwolfdigital.com's western polyomino game was full of clever combos, strategic decisions, and a few pacing concerns. baptergames.substack.com/p/first-impr...

baptergames.substack.com

First Impressions: Wild Tiled West

Does this polyomino title hold its own against the genre's best?

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Today at noon was officially the halfway point of 2026. Here’s my June gaming/reading recap and some solid notes from the first six months of the year — open.substack.com/pub/bapterga...

open.substack.com

Halfway Through 2026: June Recap & Year to Date Notes

Six months down, plenty of games left to play!

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Banzainator @banzainator.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Finally back at it! Here's this week's Board Games Anonymous, where we get games closer to the table: 1. I go through the Gen Con 2026 list to prep 2-3. @baptergames.bsky.social unboxes & preps Explorers of Navoria and other new additions 4. FreakboyNW works on Covenant and Red Cathedral 1/3

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Rising Cultures from @capstone-games.com is a fun spin on two-player civilization building, offering a different puzzle within a well loved genre and theme. Here are my thoughts! 🔗 baptergames.substack.com/p/rising-cul...

baptergames.substack.com

Rising Cultures Review: Familiar Foundations, New Decisions

A thoughtful two player civilization game that swaps direct conflict for a satisfying strategic puzzle

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

I dove into the depths of BGG’s Strategy rankings to see what the bottom five games look like. Here’s what I found (spoiler alert — it’s not great 😂): baptergames.substack.com/p/bggs-worst...

baptergames.substack.com

BGG's Worst Ranked Strategy Games

It's not a pretty site down there in the BGG depths!

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Banzainator @banzainator.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Getting our board games closer to the table! 1. I set up Kingdom Crossing 2. LinaKay plays Agueda 3. @baptergames.bsky.social preps Everdell Emerland 4. @bingbread.bsky.social un-evelopes Civolution Acceptance Letter 5-6. CosmicBeet unboxes Unmatched sets 7-8. Ryan preps Dwellings of Everdale 1/2

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

If Watergate and Caper: Europe had a fashion themed cousin, it would probably look a lot like The Battle of Versailles. Clever card play, meaningful decisions, and a unique theme make this @25thcentury.games title worth checking out. Here's my overview & review: open.substack.com/pub/bapterga...

open.substack.com

The Battle of Versailles Review: A Catwalk Clash of Fashion and Strategy

A Fashion Rivalry Turned Into a Clever Two-Player Duel

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Some thoughts on Unmatched co-op, current games on the wish list, and collection/play styles - baptergames.substack.com/p/unmatched-...

baptergames.substack.com

Unmatched Adventures TMNT and Collection Reflections

Turtles, Wishlists, and Collection Thoughts

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

We really enjoyed our first play of A Wild Venture from PIKA Games. It’s a two-player-only game with charming artwork, clever engine-building/dismantling, and a light memory aspect that adds an interesting wrinkle to scoring: bit.ly/4ul7mzm

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First Impressions: A Wild Venture

A delightful two-player engine-builder/dismantler

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

After years of “maybe we’ll play it again soon,” a big cull has happened. Some easy decisions… some painful ones… but it had to happen: bit.ly/4dQ4s0t

bit.ly

14 Games Get Their Walking Papers

Some hard choices, but it needed to happen!

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

16 games, including expansions, sit on what I call the Shelf of Shameful Opportunity: bit.ly/4ehIBPz What should we play next?

bit.ly

Shelf Of Shameful Opportunity Status

Let me call it whatever I want to, ok?

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Adding in some non-gaming content into the mix for my latest monthly recap! Here, I take a look at some of the best games of the month, books in progress, and shows I need to stay committed to: bit.ly/4dJN7X8

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May Roundup: Games, Books, & More!

Life is about more than just games, right?

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

🐵🍌 New preview up for Fruit Island from Analog Game Studios! A quick, light family-weight game from Reiner Knizia that’s all about collecting fruit, avoiding a thief gorilla, and ruining your friends’ plans in the nicest way possible. 🦍 🍍 Here’s a quick overview & some thoughts: bit.ly/3PPJndp

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Fruit Island Preview: It’s All Fun and Games Until the Gorilla Shows Up

Collect and trade as much fruit as you can before the gorilla ruins your plans.

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

What starts as a goat rescue mission quickly turns into a greedy scramble for treasure in Goats & Goblins, a chaotic cave-crawling game full of gems, gold, and cave-ins. Game overview & thoughts: bit.ly/43mo7Po

bit.ly

Goats & Goblins Review: Light Push-Your-Luck Fun

An zany push-your-luck card game about greed, gold, goats, and goblins.

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

None of these games are anywhere close to leaving the collection, but I do feel a little sad that my plays of them have tapered off for one reason or another. 6 Popular Games I’ve Cooled On: bit.ly/4eHUIX0

bit.ly

6 Hot Games I've Cooled On

When the honeymoon phase wears off

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

My buddy @jrrtubbs.bsky.social and I finally wrapped up our full head-to-head challenge ⚔️ , and the recap is now live with results and thoughts on each matchup. 🔗 bit.ly/4dTsHLa

bit.ly

Bapter Claims Victory in Digital Clash with TubbsPlaysGames

10 games. 5 picks per player. Who won which games?

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

The BGG Top 50 Draft is complete 🎲 Some steals, some surprises, and a few picks that definitely sparked debate 👀 🔗 bit.ly/3PHZxW5 #boardgames

bit.ly

The BGG Top 50 Draft Results

The final collections, revealed in full

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Board Gaming with Bapter @baptergames.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Some fun new-to-me games hit the table in April, but digital plays returned to dominate the month. Spoiler alert: A Familiar Find from @darringtonpress.bsky.social was an instant hit. April round-up 👇 🔗 bit.ly/4uEIAuv

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April’s Gaming Story: 51 plays, 70% Digital

After a big month of in-person gaming in March, digital plays dominated April

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