Hey… be careful with those beakers! You don’t want to create an unstable mixture, or it might lead to an explosion in the laboratory! Explosion in the Laboratory is part of a series of small card games from Weird Giraffe Games. This one was designed by Corey Andalora. With only 27 cards, it says it works for up to four players, age 8+, in 15-25 minutes. How to Play There are four kinds of cards used here: Beaker cards track the three kinds of “mixed” chemicals (purple, orange, and green). Each time a mixed chemical is made, it gets more valuable – but also more dangerous. Flask cards represe ..read more

Surf’s up! Surfing originated in ancient Polynesia. But it has evolved from riding waves on traditional wooden boards to a global phenomenon celebrated for its athleticism, adventure, and connection to nature. The Perfect Wave is a completive surfing game designed by Jason Mowery and Chase Williams, published by The Op. In this vibrant world of sun-soaked beaches and crashing waves, players embark on a strategic journey, drafting and placing cards to construct the most dazzling sequence of tricks during an epic ride on a long wave. Showcase radical skills to outperform your opponents a ..read more

Buckle up, friends, this is going to be a long one. In this review, we’re taking on not one but two new editions of the popular Silver card game series from accomplished publisher Bezier Games. These editions are quality installments in an already well-liked “werewolf hunting” game series. This time you have a Silver Bullet and a Silver Dagger in your repertoire. In the Silver game series, you play the mayor of a small village of townsfolk. Unfortunately your village is infested with werewolves! You can reduce the werewolf population by using your residents’ special abilities, but you don’t k ..read more

Hobby aquarists use the “I-Split-You-Choose” and drafting mechanisms to gather fish cards, creating a colorful and diverse aquarium in their 10 Gallon Tank. Meet a shared aquarium goal or snag the treasure chest to earn important bonuses and help propel you to victory. 10 Gallon Tank is for fish enthusiasts ages 8+ and plays in approximately 15 minutes. The game accommodates 2-5 players. Overview To start, separate the three goal cards from the fish cards and randomly choose one for all players to work toward throughout the game. Then, shuffle the fish cards used for the player count and form ..read more

I’ve always enjoyed sailing. I wonder what it was like to captain a ship before modern technology – relying on incomplete charts, trying to avoid hazards and keep my crew safe, balanced with the desire for a speedy voyage. There are so many dangers out in the open ocean – would we have made it safely to our destination at all? Let’s find out in this SNAP review for At the Helm. Game At the Helm is a solo deck-building game by Ted Heidersdorf and it’s published by Button Shy Games. It takes about 15 minutes to play, and it’s best for ages 12 and up. Art So, what about the art in this little 18 ..read more

[Elliot] I’m going to get you this time! [Anitra] Not if I get you first! Game [Elliot] This is a SNAP review for Pocket Paragons, a two player dueling card game by Brian McKay. [Anitra] It’s published by Solis Game Studio. You can play a full game in under 15 minutes, and the box says it’s for ages 13 and up. We think it can go a little bit younger, though, huh Elliot? We’ll be talking about this Origins box, which has eight original characters. [Editor’s note: Actually, ten characters.] Art [Elliot] Speaking of characters, let’s talk about the art in this game. [Anitra] There are actually t ..read more

[Andrew] Hey Anitra, what are the primary colors? [Anitra] Red, yellow, and blue? [Andrew] Good Things Come in? [Anitra] Threes… [Andrew] Athos, Porthos and Aramis? [Anitra] The Three Musketeers. This is a three thing. Are we doing a triple SNAP review? [Andrew] No! We’re not doing a triple SNAP review, but you do have a good memory, and you’re right about the threes. This is a SNAP review for Trio. Game [Anitra] Trio is a card game for 3-6 players by Kaya Miyano that plays in 15 minutes or less. The box says it’s for ages eight and up. And since there’s no reading, only putting numbers in or ..read more

Chase off critters faster then the other team! I don’t camp. I have never wanted to be out in nature overnight; swatting bugs, dealing with uncontrollable weather conditions, and with no restrooms. And what if an animal tore into my campsite and destroyed everything, or tried to eat me alive? In the spirit of savoring the outdoors, I’ll relish the beauty of nature from my patio while safely playing Scram! Scram! is a team based memory and hand management game designed by Ted Alspach, published by Bezier Games. Campers aim to have the tidiest campsite at the end of the game by having th ..read more

[Andrew] “When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” [Anitra] Sir Arthur Conan Doyle! [Andrew] You nailed it, first try. Doyle writes as Sherlock Holmes, master of deduction, explaining, to Dr. Watson of course, his reasoning. We’ve talked about other Sherlock Holmes themed games at The Family Gamers, but this is the first one where you’ll be doing just that, eliminating the impossible and deducing the truth. [Anitra] This is a SNAP review for Sherlock 13. Game Sherlock 13 is a deduction game for 2-4 players, created by Hop ..read more

[Andrew] It started in the forests and streams, and then it found its way to the ocean. Now, when we see it, we see it roaming the African savanna. What am I talking about? [Anitra] Is this some kind of dumb dad joke? [Andrew] No! I’m so hurt – we’re here to talk about board games! In this case, we’re talking about Ecosystem: Savanna. And this is a SNAP review for it. Game Ecosystem: Savanna is a card game for up to six players, adapted by Steve Schlepphorst and Daniel Davalos. It’s published by Genius Games. Let’s pause for a minute here and point out that we did a SNAP review for the last g ..read more