Author: travis

July 24, 2020 /

The current COVID-19 lockdown has really placed a burden on gaming with groups of 3 or more. Luckily, not all games are intended for medium or larger groups. I can sometimes game with up to 4 players but I am mostly able to game with my wife… when the kids…

July 21, 2020 /

I don’t think I even have to say anything up top here to get those juices flowing – just looking at the box to Dollars to Donuts makes you pine for them. Just me? Nah, everyone loves donuts – even most of the diabetics I’ve known. So when I heard…

July 16, 2020 /

Why does this always happen to you? Here you are, minding your own business when you are thrown into some strange scenario and are caught with only five ridiculous items on you. You have to survive… but how? Rucksack (2020) Grumpy Spider Games 4-8 Players 30-40 minutes Ages 10+ BGG…

July 14, 2020 /

Fake Diamonds. We have all seen them, but can you tell which is which? I usually cannot. It sparkles, it’s a diamond in my eyes. Luckily I have also never been hoodwinked into purchasing fake diamonds either. But could I sell someone a fake diamond? This is the question that…

July 7, 2020 /

When chatting with the team at Purple Phoenix Games about Hues and Cues, what ended up happening was listing our favorite Hughs in order (obviously Hugh Jackman being the best Hugh). However, Hues and Cues has nothing to do with any of those Hughs, but rather color hues, or shades.…

July 2, 2020 /

I have never been on a sinking anything. Sure, I have flipped over kayaks, and paddle-boards, and anything else that requires me to balance on top of water. But I cannot imagine the terror of being on an island that just… sinks into the deep. Oh also running out of…

June 23, 2020 /

Roll and write games have been surging in popularity recently among many gamers, but Purple Phoenix Games never really got too into them. The game industry has many wonderful entries now, and finding a great one may be somewhat daunting. Are we recommending Roar and Write! from Galactic Raptor Games?…

May 28, 2020 /

If you are a fan of the lore behind the likes of the Cthulhu, Sasquatch, Loch Ness, and El Cucuy, then you will love the theme behind this next game.  Cryptid is a board game that basks in these old tales of years long past and puts you on the…

May 19, 2020 /

We recently invested in a really great pork loin and were able to get like three excellent meals out of it (if you want recipes, that’s a different blog). I know pork loin and ham aren’t the same, but I do enjoy them immensely. That’s why when I heard about…

May 12, 2020 /

How do you like your games, reader? Heavy and themeless? Dark and themey? ZANY AND KOOKY?! Well, this game is a combination of several categories of game type. I consider it cute and cutthroat. There aren’t many games that can fall into those two categories simultaneously, and maybe that’s why…

May 5, 2020 /

I’m reviewing Hungy Hungry Hippos? Really? Who hasn’t played Hungy Hungry Hippos?! Well, my 3-year-old son, for one. And my 8-month-old daughter for two. So this one goes out to all the young’ns and those who have never had the chance to actually play this game. Hungry Hungry Hippos Hasbro…

April 28, 2020 /

“Well why CAN’T I just have a long hallway between my garden and my porch? How else am I going to get to the stairwell?” – Nobody ever. Castles of Mad King Ludwig Bezier Games 1-4 Players 90 minutes Ages 13+ BGG Weight – 2.66 / 5 Castles of Mad…

April 21, 2020 /

Have you ever had a crush on someone and just wanted to surround them with your presence? Too creepy? Okay, have you ever been at odds with your sworn enemies and learned to settle your differences by transporting yourselves to the plane of the gods to engage in a battle…

April 14, 2020 /

I have two dogs: a Yorkshire Terrier and a Powderpuff Chinese Crested. I love them dearly, but I just cannot see myself having any more 4-legged mammal pets. We promised our son a pet fish when we move (or a whole aquarium community if my wife will allow), but other…

April 7, 2020 /

Ahh dinosaurs. One of my favorite themes! What’s this? Dodos on top of dinosaurs? And they seem to be running away from something? Well now I’m just intrigued. Oh, they’re running from THE meteor and you are trying to sabotage your opponents so they get destroyed first, and this is…