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Woooow! We would need to bring extra suitcases if we were going to Essen Spiel 2025... there are SO many great choices that it was hard to settle on our top 10 (and only two crossovers!) These are the picks that we would be excited to line up and buy if we were there - but remember, we haven't played any of these so this is entirely speculation! If you're headed to the con have a fantastic time, and we hope to see you back there one day! A&M  Support the show

Who would've thought we'd be 200 game ratings in and still be no where near finishing rating our collection. LOL. Most would admit defeat but not us!!! But the classics are off the table during GenCon and Essen Spiel season because we know you're all thinking about what to put on your shopping list. We hope these thoughts are helpful. Thanks for watching this series as always and for your support of the channel. A&M xx Support the show

I wish there was a good story behind the broken foot. Something like Maggie went into a table flipping rage playing Blokus and the table hit my foot. Or I tripped on a pile of unplayed games and broke my foot. But the boring reality is that I have a stress fracture that won't heal. So I've been quite immobile for the last three months, which has a silver lining - LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE GAMES ON THE SHELF. We might even reach the end of this series. Joking. That will likely never happen. Happy Monday! Have a wonderful weekend ahead wherever you are and whatever you're doing. A&M xx Support the show

Can you believe we're 180 games into this series? It feels like just yesterday when we were making ridiculous promises about getting through our entire board game collection (LOL). This week we're taking a look at three classic puzzle games and one new one... as well as a thoroughly loved classic of ours - Lorenzo il Magnifico, and top of the hotness, Gloomhaven Buttons & Bugs.  Enjoy! A&M xx Support the show

After two years and 500 games later, Maggie has updated her top 10 solo games of all time! And to make things interesting she's also taught them all to me with mixed results. So join us while Maggie counts down her best board games to play alone while I try to comprehend playing a game with no witnesses. Lol.  Thanks for watching! A&M Support the show

This is Part 17 of our series, 10 (COMMA!) OUT OF TEN, where we rate 10 games on a 10 point scale from our two unique perspectives! We hope this helps you get a better sense for our game preferences, and remember..... 1) ratings are subjective, based on our own individual enjoyment of the game, they're not a judgment on game quality or the likelihood you would feel the same, 2) our game preferences are ever evolving and these may change, 3) we respect and would love to hear your differences of ratings in the comments... that's what makes gaming so fascinating and full of joy. There is something for everyone! 💜 Have a great week ahead, A&M xx Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Le Havre https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/35677/le-havre (BGG 7.3) 04:19 Imperium: Horizons https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/367518/imperium-horizons (BGG 8.8) Gameplay overview and full review of Imperium Classics & Legends: https://youtu.be/5S2It6mnNl4?si=bt34seK2-D2XMH3q 09:27 Aqua: Biodiversity in the Oceans https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/403468/aqua-biodiversity-oceans (BGG 8.1) Our 2-player runthrough: https://youtu.be/EgBIcJgVehs?si=UMskdx5uAFWCRRUH 13:50 Stonespine Architects https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/387514/stonespine-architects (BGG 7.7) 19:40 Awkward Guests 2: The Berwick Cases https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/378477/awkward-guests-2-berwick-cases (BGG 8.1) 26:28 For Northwood! A solo trick-taking game https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/334590/northwood-solo-trick-taking-game (BGG 8.0) 30:58 Age of Rome https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/349793/age-rome (BGG 7.1) 37:50 Coffee Rush https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/377061/coffee-rush (BGG 7.2) 43:42 Heat: Pedal to the metal https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/366013/heat-pedal-metal (BGG 8.1) 49:04 Great Western Trail: New Zealand https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/380607/great-western-trail-new-zealand (BGG 8.7) Solo runthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sQbsvxqgyg&t=0s 55:52 Wrap up Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience.  #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺 Support the show

This is Part 16 of our series, 10 (COMMA!) OUT OF TEN, where we rate 10 games on a 10 point scale from our two unique perspectives! We hope this helps you get a better sense for our game preferences, and remember..... 1) ratings are subjective, based on our own individual enjoyment of the game, they're not a judgment on game quality or the likelihood you would feel the same, 2) our game preferences are ever evolving and these may change, 3) we respect and would love to hear your differences of ratings in the comments... that's what makes gaming so fascinating and full of joy. There is something for everyone! 💜 Have a great week ahead, A&M xx Timestamps: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:12 Fruitoplay (BGG 7.4) 00:05:11 Rebel Princess (BGG 7.8) 00:11:15 Faraway (BGG 7.5) 00:15:56 Knarr (BGG 7.3) 00:21:44 Quicksand (BGG 6.8) 00:26:05 Witchcraft! (BGG 8.0) 00:34:06 Footprints (BGG 7.2) 00:39:40 Nebula (BGG 8.5) 00:46:29 Come sail away (BGG 7.8) 00:53:58 Sea Dragons (BGG 8.0) 00:58:01 Wrap up Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience.  #boardgames #tabletopgames  #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺 Support the show

Here's a mix of old and new! Finishing off a lot of our GenCon haul here, but also talking about some recent releases that we haven't had a chance to talk about on the channel, like Earth and Darwin's Journey. Enjoy! This is Part 15 of our series, 10 (COMMA!) OUT OF TEN, where we rate 10 games on a 10 point scale from our two unique perspectives! We hope this helps you get a better sense for our game preferences, and remember..... 1) ratings are subjective, based on our own individual enjoyment of the game, they're not a judgment on game quality or the likelihood you would feel the same, 2) our game preferences are ever evolving and these may change, 3) we respect and would love to hear your differences of ratings in the comments... that's what makes gaming so fascinating and full of joy. There is something for everyone! 💜 Have a great week ahead, A&M xx Timestamps: 00:25 Isle of Trains: All Aboard (BGG 7.1) 06:01 Illimat (BGG 7.3) 11:59 Roll Camera: The film making game (BGG 7.6) 19:27 Tiger & Dragon (BGG 7.1) 28:03 Majesty: For the realm (BGG 6.9) 36:04 Bruxelles 1893 (BGG 8.5) 48:22 Cosmoctopus (BGG 7.7) 55:49 For Glory (BGG 8.2) 01:03:57 Earth (BGG 7.8) 01:11:15 Darwin’s Journey (BGG 8.2) Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience.  #board games #tabletop games #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺 Support the show

This is Part 14 of our series, 10 (COMMA!) OUT OF TEN, where we rate 10 games on a 10 point scale from our two unique perspectives! We hope this helps you get a better sense for our game preferences, and remember..... 1) ratings are subjective, based on our own individual enjoyment of the game, they're not a judgment on game quality or the likelihood you would feel the same, 2) our game preferences are ever evolving and these may change, 3) we respect and would love to hear your differences of ratings in the comments... that's what makes gaming so fascinating and full of joy. There is something for everyone! 💜 Have a great week ahead, A&M xx Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:13 Romi Rami 04:16 Inheritors 08:44 Ancient Knowledge 16:28 World Wonders 24:28 Sagrada Artisans 34:24 Seas of Strife 38:57 Number Drop 44:19 Four Humors 52:49 Sunrise Lane 59:22 Eila and something shiny 01:07:14 Wrap up Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience.  #board games #tabletop games #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺 Support the show

Here's one for the Thinkers in the house! Themeless, Storyless, Abstract goodness. As dry as they come. Watch along as we try to find Maggie an abstract that she likes (or rather, that she admits she likes hehe). This is Part 13 of our series, 10 (COMMA!) OUT OF TEN, where we rate 10 games on a 10 point scale from our two unique perspectives! We hope this helps you get a better sense for our game preferences, and remember..... 1) ratings are subjective, based on our own individual enjoyment of the game, they're not a judgment on game quality or the likelihood you would feel the same, 2) our game preferences are ever evolving and these may change, 3) we respect and would love to hear your differences of ratings in the comments... that's what makes gaming so fascinating and full of joy. There is something for everyone! 💜 Have a great week ahead, A&M xx Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:37 SHŌBU 04:32 DVONN 08:20 LYNGK 13:24 YINSH 18:18 Blokus 24:10 Project L 30:09 Stratego 37:29 Hive (Pocket) 42:28 Qawale 48:12 Quarto 53:33 Wrap up Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience.  #board games #tabletop games #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺 Support the show

I wish we could say we're half way, but we're probably not after 120 mini reviews!! Happy Monday and thank you for sticking with us through this series! This is Part 12 of our series, 10 (COMMA!) OUT OF TEN, where we rate 10 games on a 10 point scale from our two unique perspectives! We hope this helps you get a better sense for our game preferences, and remember..... 1) ratings are subjective, based on our own individual enjoyment of the game, they're not a judgment on game quality or the likelihood you would feel the same, 2) our game preferences are ever evolving and these may change, 3) we respect and would love to hear your differences of ratings in the comments... that's what makes gaming so fascinating and full of joy. There is something for everyone! 💜 Have a great week ahead, A&M xx Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Yokai Septet 03:04 Cockroach Poker 07:33 Oaxaca: Crafts of a Culture 13:31 Motor City 19:12 Psychic Pizza Deliverers Go to the Ghost Town 24:34 The Towers of Arkhanos 29:37 Illumination 34:15 Akropolis 39:01 Chai 44:54 Rococo Deluxe Edition 51:47 Wrap up Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience.  #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺 Support the show

Happy Monday and thank you for listening! 😍 This is Part 11 of our series, 10 (COMMA!) OUT OF TEN, where we rate 10 games on a 10 point scale from our two unique perspectives - and this is the SECOND special roll & write episode  Support the show

How is it the end of January already?! 2023 has well and truly arrived and we're sooooooooo excited about all of the board game goodness headed our way. We hope you enjoy this list of some of our most anticipated titles of this year. Thank you to all of our wonderful subscribers for creating such an incredible community, and to our joeyfam who support us to continue doing this! Wherever you are we hope you're having a lovely start to the year. A&M x Support the show

Happy Monday! 😍 Welcome to part 10!! This makes 100 games we've now rated for 10 (COMMA!) OUT OF TEN! This is the series where we rate 10 games on a 10 point scale from our two unique perspectives. We hope this helps you get a better sense for our game preferences, and remember.....  1) ratings are subjective, based on our own individual enjoyment of the game, they're not a judgment on game quality or the likelihood you would feel the same,  2) our game preferences are ever evolving and these may change,  3) we respect and would love to hear your differences of ratings in the comments... that's what makes gaming so fascinating and full of joy. There is something for everyone! 💜 Have a great week ahead! A&M xx Support the show

WOW what another huge year of game releases! We've had so much fun playing these 2022 titles and have loved sharing & discussing many of these titles with you all over the last year.  Our channel is supported by our YouTube channel members (our joeyfam!) Please consider supporting us to continue making unpaid board game review content.  Support the show