iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I’m incredibly happy to get Civolution back to the table. Despite having a lot of procedures and special rules, the excellent player guides and rulebook make it easy to get back up to speed. It’s an incredibly deep sand box game and my current favorite. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

A solo boardgame should be difficult to defeat. Somehow I keep losing at Endeavor Deep Sea Adventure but I’m getting closer. At least that’s what I tell myself. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

One of the difficulties of playing deck building games with children or people with dexterity difficulties with their hands is the persistent shuffling. After some thought, Aeon’s End solves that issue by removing any requirement to shuffle cards. Not everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoy it #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Another game of Vantage and again I randomly got Tina the Marine (my favorite by a larger margin). Slay a giant elemental and gain a curse. Yes and yes! #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

We had just enough time for a game of Moon Colony Bloodbath. Having a mostly communal deck of cards is a unique evolution in the deck building genre. We appreciate the dark humor as well. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Getting my butt handed to me in Bullet❤️ by @level99games.com. The fact that it works so well in the various modes is a testament to good design. Solo, co-op, and head-to-head allow you to choose the game that you’re in the mood. It plays quick and doesn’t outstay its welcome. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Kinfire Delve seems like an interesting mostly solo game where you defeat challenges to deplete a deck of cards ending in a boss fight. In fact, it’s a bit like One Deck Galaxy in reverse. It’s not evident to me that it has a lot of replayability but time will tell. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Castellans is one the very few area control games that I own. I don’t find that part too interesting but the card play of the characters has more depth to me. It’s decent as solo but much better at 3 or 4. It has well balanced dice drafting mechanic as well. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

One complaint of deck building games is that the best action each turn is often quite obvious, such that player agency is a bit of an illusion. To that end, I feel SETI is a worse feeling version of this. You are so resource starved that you simply cannot perform most actions. \endrant #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Time for some Imperium: Classics. I can see that this is an amazing game but don’t totally comprehend how to manipulate it to maximize points. I’ll keep working through it. Playing as the Celts this time. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Is your hotel lacking decor? For Northwood, an amazing solo trick traming game, can fix that. Also, no one will care how much garlic bread you ate at lunch. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Not sure why I felt compelled but I went through my boardgame collection and decided to rank them using the wonderful website at www.pubmeeple.com I’m going to cull the bottom 20%. In case anyone is interested, here’s my top 15:

Spriti Island Rules! Newer games include Vantage, Andromeda’d Edge, Civolution, Arcs, Slay the Spire, and Moon Volony Bloodbath

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

My last play of Andromeda’s Edge for now. The game has several small modules that can be folded into regular play. Nothing requiring significant modification or remembering huge rule changes. I much prefer that to many expansions. Today we brought in the Nethervoid and the Void Drake. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Another foray into Andromeda’s Edge. I made a really bad choice on the last turn of the game, which cost me the win. Still a great time; so much to explore and think through. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Andromeda’s Edge has been hiding in its box for too long. There’s a lot to keep track of but the lemon is worth the squeeze. Nothing is too complex but there’s a lot to think about. You have to be ok with quite a bit of randomness but I appreciate the theme it adds. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

I really think that One Deck Galaxy is a fantastic brain burner but the rules are so hard for me to understand, even after several plays. I was completely taken out by the Preservation Authority. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I don’t even know what to say. Every game of #Vantage has been wildly different. Today was under water caves and a fire city. Sand worms and assassins. There is no cohesive story that the creator wanted to tell; just experience the world and see what happens. And I’m here for it. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

We are just on a roll. Once you can teleport around the world in Vantage, the game gets crazy. Also, getting an ability that allows you to switch actions once you learn the cost changes traveling so much. I just can’t stop playing. #boardgames

A grid of 3x3 cards centered around a character in the board game Vantage. Tokens and dice are distributed around the cards.

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Haven’t played Dorf Romantik in ages. I don’t have the blissful reaction that some others do (hence the reason that I never finished the campaign) but it’s not a bad time. I’m glad that I got it back to the table. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

More Vantage. This game was absolutely bonkers. I had a menagerie of followers and solved a mancala style puzzle. My son played Tina the marine in true gonzo form. I’m 20 hours into the game and constantly finding new things. We’re having a blast over here. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Tina the Marine seems to always deliver on my most wild experiences in #Vantage by @stonemaiergames.com. Ambush the rescue ship sent to retrieve her? Check. Mug someone and get cursed? Check. Drink a bunch of magic potions, which nearly kill her? Check. Great times. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

I tried seeing whether the Space Agencies expansion improved my perception of SETI. It did not. I don’t mind games with tight resources but it’s just too much here. The aliens reveals are a unique twist but I find the constraints too punishing. I prefer On Mars for a similar game. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

For Northwood! is a solo trick-taking game that provides a surprisingly deep tactical experience with adorable artwork. Each round you need to win a unique number of tricks (0-7).The special powers from the allies provide variability in this little box. #boardgames

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Reposted by @keytar-salesman.bsky.social

Legend @fubarrockchick.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Caturday 🐱

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

I took a long vacation in Europe and didn’t bring any board games. Now that I’m back, I am enjoying a game of Ace of Spades by @devirgames.bsky.social. There’s a real balance between spending a good hand now when you may need them later. It’s a very good tactical game. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Endeavor: Deep Sea is a game that I’ve been hearing a lot about. In the solo/co-op mode, the point salad feeling that the game first provided quickly faded away when I realized that I completed 0/7 goals. Below the shallow surface, lies a much deeper game. Pun intended. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

More and more plays of Moon Colony Bloodbath. Of the moon doesn’t have tectonic plates, what’s causing the moonquakes? #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

In Moon Colony Bloodbath you are building your tableu while parts of are being destroyed at the same time. I have a soft spot for deck building games, so I have a stong affinity based one a couple of plays. It will take a few more to determine if this is really a keeper. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

I will freely admit that I struggle to stay engaged with campaign games. However, I just won a dancing competition in Earthborne Rangers!!! I don’t even know what it going on anymore but it has been one of the very few campaigns that I will clearly finish. Very unique. #boardgames

Two cards arranged one above the other. The top card, labeled “Dancer’s Round”, shows people dancing around a tree. The lower card, entitled “Tala the Red, Exile”, shows a woman holding a pick over her shoulder.

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

I’m not a big fan of the Star Wars universe, but I have to admit that Imperial Assault is peak Ameritrash. Solid game with simple mechanics and a tremendous amount of theme. This morning we will try Skirmish mode - why did I never try this before? #boardgames #StarWars

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Having spent quite a bit of time in wilderness, I find Earthborne Rangers captures the interactions of wild animals and natural environments remarkably well. Here, my ranger ran into a predator and its offspring. It’s protective but isn’t necessarily aggressive. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

On Mars is definitely one of my favorite games. I particularly like that the most direct route of performing an action is often not the most efficient. The game is frequently cited as being very heavy. I feel that comes from finding the most efficient path given very limited resources. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

I own a lot of space and Sci-Fi board games. While, Apiary, isn’t nearly heavy as some of my favorites, it’s a unique take on worker placement where workers ratchet up in power and then expire (hibernate). This makes for thoughtful decisions about when to play the strongest actions. #boardgames

Foreground: player board/mat showing hexagonal tiles and adjacent cards. Background: main board showing the 6 action locations. Bee spaceship shaped workers shown on some spots.

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

I always enjoy Vantage by @stonemaiergames.com. This is my first two player adventure and I found it very interesting. My son really enjoyed trying to explain the view on his cards. It’s not for everyone but I find it very relaxing and engaging. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

I don’t love plastic cards. However, I have played Grove so many times that the cards were pretty gross. I just washed them, oddly enough. Great little spatial puzzle. #boardgames #soloboardgaming

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Not the best picture, but I was able to finally play Compile, a head-to-head card game. It’s a lane battler with a lot of twists. Very clever for an 18-card per player game. It’s not too deep but doesn’t overstay its welcome. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Grove, the solo spatial puzzle that you can play almost anywhere. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Do you like flip and writes but find writing tedious? This is the game for you! The Guild of Merchant Explorers is a relatively light exploration game that resets between rounds. Unique maps, goals, and unique actions that develop throughout the game make for a unique experience. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

I purchase very few play mats…but I decided that it would help me organize things in Earthborne Rangers by @earthbornegames.bsky.social. It’s the only campaign game I enjoy. Too bad the official versions are sold out…

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine by Thomas Sing is still one of my favorite card games. I’ve had so many good experiences with it. I know that some people like the Deep Sea version better but I am perfectly content with the version I have. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

We often take The Crew on vacation but this trip we switched it up, with Rebel Princess by @beziergames.bsky.social. My partner still is struggling with trick taking mechanics but my kids are great at it. This are unique player characters and round specific rules to add variability. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Any game with a bus pulled by a giant worm is ok in my book. Another play of Daitoshi by @devirgames.bsky.social. You have to be very careful to balance what resources you utilize or the yokai will come after you. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

I’ve had Arcs sitting around for several months and I finally broke it out. I really enjoy the card play. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Star Realms: Frontiers. Deck building, Sci-fi theme, with 1-4 players and co-op mode in a small box and a reasonable price tag?!? Look, I don’t love the art but really appreciate this little game. We fit in a quick co-op game against the Blob invasion. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

A couple of games into SETI by Czech Games Edition. There’s a ton of hype about this game but so far I haven’t been that impressed. Resources are very tight, which heavily constrains your choices. Sure, the board spins, but it seems more like a gimic than not. So far, I’d give it a 6/10. #boardgames

Image of a player board and solo player board, with some cards and part of the game board in the background.

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

It’s been a very long time since I broke out Tiny Epic Galaxies. There’s a dized app that helped my tired brain remember how to play it (normally I’d read the manuel). It’s definitely not the deepest game I have but it’s an enjoyable efficiency puzzle and the solo bot has to be managed. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

When Expeditions, the follow-up to Scythe, was released, I was hugely disappointed. As it turns out, I wanted something similar to Vantage. In fact, I love Vantage. Going back to Expeditions as dry, efficiency puzzle it is has improved my outlook. I don’t love it, but I understand it. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

I have a fever, and the only cure is more Cowbell! Or, Great Western Trail. I’m not very skilled at the game but have always appreciated my plays of it. #boardgames

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keytar-salesman.bsky.social @keytar-salesman.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

I spent some time this new year season playing the mobile app of Terraforming Mars. I have always struggled with this game but thoroughly enjoyed it. I decided to play through some games of Ares Expedition. I had never beaten the base solo game, until today. Finally! #boardgames

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