RSS Parrot

https://bsky.app/profile/charlietheel.bsky.social/post/3m3xq47avts2z

Published: October 24, 2025 20:37

This is a true story. It happened right here, one hour ago. At exactly 2PM, 17 adults walked into a conference room, sat in their chairs, and listened to how much their health insurance premiums would increase.

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Published: October 22, 2025 13:08

Neuroshima Hex: Battle is a new two-player starter set intended to ease players into the system. It also happens to be my reintroduction to the game after nearly 10 years of separation. My review:…

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Published: October 16, 2025 13:11

Tag Team is a two-player auto battler card dueler with some jam. I dig into the game, its peers, and a personal issue with this genre. Review here: https://playerelimination.com/2025/10/16/one-card-after-another-a-tag-team-review/

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Published: October 6, 2025 13:40

My series Philosophy and Board Games is back, this time discussing Mara van der Lugt's 2025 book Hopeful Pessimism. I relate its concepts to cooperative board gaming, framing the discussion around the merits of difficulty and challenge.…

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Published: October 1, 2025 14:52

Really enjoyed One Battle After Another. Been a weak year for film, grateful for this and Anemone to land in succession. Anyway, my PTA ranking. 1. TWBB 2. Magnolia 3. One Battle After Another 4. Hard Eight 5. Phantom Thread 6. Boogie Nights 7. The Master…

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Published: September 25, 2025 13:13

Age of Galaxy is a potent tableau builder that broadly hits all the notes of the 4X genre. Its achievement is focused around the fascinating asymmetric faction building and how it shapes the entirety of play. My review: …

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Published: September 23, 2025 12:00

Battle of Hoth is Star Wars Memoir 44. But it has a few tricks, such as a compressed board, heroic leaders, and two campaigns. Most importantly, it's a fun way to kill a half hour and sample the genre of wargaming. Review at IGN:…

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Published: September 17, 2025 18:20

This is a fascinating piece of media. Highly recommended if you're interested in Cross Bronx Expressway. [contains quote post or other embedded content]

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Published: September 16, 2025 13:14

Magical Athlete is back after 22 years. This is board gaming reduced to its base elements, and the result is electric. The new edition from CMYK is perfect, maybe the best update of a game I've ever seen. My review:…

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Published: September 15, 2025 15:52

Ford vs. Ferrari, Empire of the Sun, The Prestige, and I'm Not There. Could go even farther with 3:10 to Yuma and The Machinist. [contains quote post or other embedded content]

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Published: September 11, 2025 18:29

Nature is the latest iteration of North Star Games' acclaimed Evolution. This is as much a system as a standalone entity, serving as a chassis for additional content. It seeks to capture the broad reach of Evolution's wider family of games. My review:…

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Published: September 9, 2025 19:45

This is a huge honor. My philosophy articles have not received many views and I had decided to steer away from think-pieces. Totally rad for one to be nominated. Thank you to the board and to whoever submitted my work for consideration. [contains quote…

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Published: September 1, 2025 18:07

Ruin a movie by making it Bout Gary. Glengarry Glen Gary. [contains quote post or other embedded content]

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Published: August 25, 2025 13:12

At the beginning of August I attended Gen Con, as I usually do. This year was different. This year, I participated in an adapted megagame of John Company: Second Edition alongside 50 other people. It was insane. It was brilliant. My thoughts on the event: …

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Published: August 18, 2025 13:14

I had no interest in Lord of the Rings Pandemic. But what I discovered was an epic that bears little semblance to its predecessor. In my review, I discuss IP, narrative framework, and aspect ratios. You can find it here:…

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Published: August 17, 2025 00:18

Burning Wheel Dogs in the Vineyard Apocalypse World Lacuna Pt. 1 (Second Attempt) Dust Devils [contains quote post or other embedded content]

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Published: August 15, 2025 14:24

I've come to the realization that my appreciation for board gaming is at its utmost the day after game night. I seem to revel in the joy with reflection more than in the moment of the thing. Really yearning after a stellar session last night.

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Published: August 13, 2025 13:08

It's not every day a 60-year-old avant-garde film is adapted to a mass market board game by Phil Walker-Harding. In my review, I discuss 2001, player elimination, and the legacy of Prospero Hall.…

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Published: August 11, 2025 13:07

The Old King's Crown is a wild game of bidding, tableau building, and area control. It's also gorgeous to gander at. My review: https://playerelimination.com/2025/08/11/a-coronation-the-old-kings-crown-in-review/

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Published: August 8, 2025 04:54

Catching up on the issues surrounding Ace of Spades and I'm appalled. I included it in my IGN Gen Con list based off a demo and one full play, positive reviews/word of mouth, and it instantly selling out each day of the con. I wish I would have played it…

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Published: August 6, 2025 20:45

Over at IGN I've written a list of the top games that impressed me at the convention. Lot of goodness here: https://www.ign.com/articles/the-10-best-board-games-of-gen-con-2025

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Published: August 4, 2025 22:36

The three games I played the most at Gen Con include: Skull LotR: Fate of the Fellowship Pax Pamir 2nd Edition A ton of other games were played - including Eclipse, Cosmic Encounter, Vantage, and many more - but I had to come back to those top three for…

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Published: August 2, 2025 01:53

This was a special event. I began the game as Chairman, getting booed by over 30 people twice, and later blew a crucial roll as the President of Bengal which contributed to company failure. [contains quote post or other embedded content]

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Published: July 29, 2025 13:08

Leviathan Wilds is back with a fresh print run and expansion. I take a look at the new content and also re-assess the base game, which I first reviewed just over a year ago. Leviathan Wilds Deepvale:…

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Published: July 22, 2025 14:54

Vantage is Stonemaier Games' evolution of the tabletop open world adventure. This sharp construction solves some of the pitfalls of its peers, and in doing so, manages to present itself as one of the best games of 2025. My review:…

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Published: July 21, 2025 16:01

Chicago '68 is a blistering look at protest and violence. It's an emotional historical game that never flinches. My review: https://playerelimination.com/2025/07/21/know-your-enemy-a-chicago-68-review/