Video Games
Chants of Sennaar Chants of Sennaar is a puzzle-driven adventure game that draws inspiration from the Tower of Babel. With a vibrant yet simple design, this game is a joy for both language nerds and puzzle enthusiasts alike. Read our full review here.
In The Case of the Golden Idol, you're the detective in a richly layered mystery, unfolding in an engaging narrative that teaches you the game’s mechanics while gradually ramping up the complexity – a captivating play from start to finish. Read our full review here.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Tears of the Kingdom takes the core of Breath of the Wild and introduces a telekinesis mechanic, providing players with an expanded world full of impressive physics and endless interaction possibilities. A must-play for fans of open-world games. Read our full review here.
Board Games
First Ascent
First Ascent is a strategy game about rock climbing that features expertly balanced gameplay, humorous player interactions, and tiny ropes for every player(!) Climbers will especially appreciate the silly lingo, but as long as you aren’t put off by a little jargon, this game offers a surprising amount of strategic depth without bogging you down with overly complicated rules.
Junk Drawer is a polyomino game in which players compete to strategically organize household objects to earn the most points. Simple to teach but hard to master, this clever game takes just ten minutes to play, but we rarely tend to stop at just one round.
Played in two teams, Phantom Ink is a word-guessing game that quickly became a favorite due to its unique mechanic. Easy to teach to non-gamers, this is a twist on a party game that can be enjoyed by a wide audience.
Tabletop Puzzle Games
On Circus Grounds: The Final Act by Studio Stamp This game is a compact yet complete mystery, offering a seamless continuation of On Circus Grounds. The materials look and feel authentic, the hint system is comprehensive, and the puzzles are well-designed and intuitive. Read our full review here.
Lost in the Shuffle by Spencer is Puzzling Despite its small size, Lost in the Shuffle delivers big on content, featuring over 50 puzzles and silly video segments, all in a non-linear format that allows players the freedom to jump from puzzle to puzzle. Read our full review here.
Ruff Bluff: A Furlock Holmes Mystery - Trapped! Puzzle Rooms With its dog-themed puns and whimsical story, Ruff Bluff is an amusing puzzle game that cleverly develops its narrative and characters over four chapters, offering a delightful mix of humor, mystery, and canine shenanigans. Read our full review here.
What were your favorite games of 2023?