Cadence

A fair, zero-luck game for two that brings the tension of a classic resource-rush RTS to the table. Its rules are simple, but it is far more cunning than it first appears.

Horizon Forbidden West: Seeds of Rebellion is a polished, substantial co-op campaign game that captures the videogame’s combat well. Its weak, filler-heavy narrative, however, may keep it from reaching the finish line despite the strong gameplay.

The Abalone I remembered from the 1990s came back off the shelf and, to my pleasant surprise, immediately found a new opponent at home. It remains an honest blast from the past, even if it feels somewhat dated once nostalgia is removed from the equation.

Toy Battle is a smart, accessible two-player game that got us properly hooked. Cheap, hugely fun, and easy enough for children to teach successfully to their friends.

An impressive asymmetric conflict game that sat on the shelf for a long time, but ultimately justified the moment it finally reached the table. It keeps its depth without becoming exhausting, and the Spacing Guild makes it even better.

The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible is a satisfying light euro that seems to smooth out Rurik’s clumsiness without chasing originality. We had a good time and would play it again, even if it did not become the game we would call for first at the end of the night.