This week, the panel defends the realm in a rousing game of Shadows Over Camelot! Designed by Bruno Cathala and Serge Laget, Shadows Over Camelot was published in 2005 by Days of Wonder. In 2006, it was nominated for several Golden Geek awards and won a Spiel des Jahres "Fantasy Game" Award. Shadows Over Camelot is a cooperative board game in which…

This week, Stephen and John go to war with the instant classic Conflict of Interest, Undaunted: Normandy! Designed by David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin, Undaunted: Normandy was published by Osprey Games in 2019. It was nominated in 2019 for the BoardGameGeek Golden Geek Award for the Best 2-Player Game and won the BoardGameGeek Golden Geek Award f…

Ready! Set! Bet! Oh wait, not that game... In Camel Up, players wager and race camels (not horses) one lap around the pyramid. Clever betting and fortuitous dice roles are the key to victory out in the sands! Camel Up, designed by Steffen Bogen, was first published by Z-Man Games in 2014. In 2014, it won the Spiel des Jahres and was nominated for t…

This week, the panel defends their homeland from colonial invasion in a game of Spirit Island. Designed by E. Eric Reuss, Spirit Island was published by Greater Than Games in 2017, and has since been expanded several times. In Spirit Island, players take the role of one of the native Spirits of the Land and use their powers to thwart and push back …

Join the panel this week as Games from the Cellar runs screaming into a game of Terrorscape. Designed by Jeffery CCH, Terrorscape was published by ICE Makes in 2023 after a successful Kickstarter campaign. In Terrorscape, players take on the role of either the killer or a rag-tag group of survivors in this team-based asymmetric horror game. Hide to…

This week, the panel delves into the dungeon with the classic deck-builder, Thunderstone. Designed by Mike Elliott, Thunderstone was published in 2009 by Alderac Entertainment Group. It had five expansions before being re-implemented by Thunderstone Advance: Towers of Ruin in 2012. In Thunderstone, players take on the role of adventurers seeking to…

This week the panel discusses the games we're looking forward to playing at this year's Central Atlantic Games Extravaganza!Von Games from the Cellar

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Join the panel this week as they try to exorcise Wu-Feng's minions in Ghost Stories. Designed by Antoine Bauza, Ghost Stories was published by Repos Productions in 2008. Ghost Stories is a cooperative board game where players take on the roles of Taoist monks defending a village from relentless waves of ghosts and other supernatural beings. It is k…

This week, the panel engages in vehicular carnage with Thunder Road: Vendetta. Originally designed by Jim Keifer in 1986, Thunder Road was given the Restoration Games treatment by Rob Daviau and crew in 2023. Thunder Road: Vendetta is set in a post-apocalyptic world where players control gangs of vehicles fighting for survival and dominance in a de…

This week, John and Stephen go toe-to-toe, slinging magic and summoning hordes of warriors in one of our enduring two-player favorites, Summoner Wars! Designed by Colby Dauch in 2009, Summoner Wars was published by Plaid Hat Games and expanded thoroughly upon through 2016. Summoner Wars (Second Edition) was released in 2021 and is currently support…

This week, the panel digs into our latest cooperative campaign board game, the analog version of the hit PC game - Deep Rock Galactic: the Board Game! Designed by Ole Steinnis, Deep Rock: Galactic was published by MOOD Publishing after a successful Kickstarter in 2022. In Deep Rock Galactic: the Board Game, you are a Dwarven Miner, just trying to d…

This week, the panel tackles one of the BoardGameGeek behemoths! Join us as we adventure in the world of Goomhaven: Jaws of the Lion to investigate the mystery of its disappearing citizens. Designed by Isaac Childres, Jaws of the Lion was released in 2020 from Cephalofair Games as a pared-down version of Gloomhaven to appeal to a broader gaming aud…

This week, the panel delves into the intricacies of the cooperative tactical combat scenario game - Adventure Tactics: Domianne's Tower! Nicolas Yu designed this 2021 offering from Leimian Games. In Adventure Tactics: Domianne's Tower, you start as one of five basic classes battling through a series of campaign scenarios. As you progress, you can c…

Welcome to Season 2 of Games from the Cellar! This week, the panel sets off for adventure! Join us as we delve into the ancient ruins of the Adventurers: the Temple of Chac, a 2009 offering from Alderac Entertainment Group (AEG), designed by Guillaume Blossier and Frédéric Henry. In The Adventurers: the Temple of Chac, you take on the role of one (…

Join the panel this week as they race to the city gates to talk about the Downfall of Pompeii! The Downfall of Pompeii, designed by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, was first published by Amigo and Mayfair in 2004. Episode Summary: Vesuvius seethes in the background of this light, relaxing tile placement game. Until it become a light, not-so-relaxing race to ge…

This week, the panel digs into our recent game of Dominant Species! Dominant Species, designed by Chad Jensen, was first published by GMT Games in 2010. In 2011, it was nominated for the BoardGameGeek Golden Geek Award for Most Innovative and Best Thematic Game and won two Golden Geeks for Best Strategy Game and Game of the Year. Episode Summary: T…

Join the panel this week as they branch out into a game of Photosynthesis! Photosynthesis, designed by Hjalmar Hach, was first published by Blue Orange Games in 2017. It was nominated for several 2017 Board Game Geek Awards, including Most Innovative and Best Family Game. Photosynthesis won several awards, including the 2017 Board Game Geek Golden …

Previously, on Games to the Cellar... We played a game of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: the Game! The good one from Milton Bradley! Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Game (2000), designed by Rob Daviau, Bill Sabram, and Craig van Ness, was published by Milton Bradley in 2000. Episode Summary: Join the panel as we take a look at the game mechanisms of Buffy…

Join us in our first ever Bonus Episode, where we play a few games and have a little fun. John, Chris, and Sam face off to battle for the Title of the King of the Mississippi and a really dumb trophy that I got off Amazon. Round 1: Wager of Wits! The panel stretches their understanding of the Mississippi River to answer a few tricky questions. Roun…

This week we dig into the hot new expansion for last year's most popular civilization game, Mosaic. Mosaic: Wars and Disasters was designed by Glen Drover and was published by Forbidden Games in 2023. Episode Summary The panel covers everything Mosaic: Wars and Disasters adds to Mosaic, including new civilization achievements, new wonders, disaster…

Join us this week as we sail into a game of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico, a Spiel des Jahres nominee, was designed by Andreas Seyfarth and was first published by Alea, Ravensburger, and Rio Grande Games in 2002. Episode Summary The panel takes a deep dive into this once top-rated game that has seemingly lost its charm and acknowledges the problematic a…

Join us this week in our first episode of Season 2 of Games from the Cellar. We ride the tide of the Mighty Mississippi in the 1997 Classic, Mississippi Queen! Mississippi Queen, designed by Werner Hodel, was first published by Rio Grande Games in the US in 1997. Mississippi Queen won the Spiel des Jares in 1997. Episode Summary Embark on a journey…

Take a Chance with us this week as we play Monopoly! (This could be our most popular or unpopular episode yet!) Depending on where in the story you start, Monopoly was either first designed by Elizabeth J. Magie and patented in 1904 as the Landlord’s Game, or developed and patented by Charles Darrow in 1935. It was first published by Parker Brother…

Join us this week, as the panel dives in and discusses the board gaming classic, Survive: Escape from Atlantis! Survive: Escape from Atlantis!, designed by Julian Courtland-Smith, was originally published in 1982 by Parker Brothers. It was later reprinted by Stronghold Games in 2012. It was nominated Game of the Year in Italy and Game of the Year i…

Join us this week, as the panel answers the call to discuss Sentinels of the Multiverse! Sentinels of the Multiverse, designed by Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, and Adam Rebottaro, was first published by Greater than Games in 2011. Sentinels was nominated for a Golden Geek Award in 2012 for Best Card Game. Episode Summary: Ever wanted to feel lik…

Join us as we dive into a list of games that we hope to play on the show in the very near future. That's it, no real show notes this week, just a list of games and why we want to play them. Chapters: (0:01:00) Quarriors: Qualtimate Quedition (BGG) | Stephen (0:03:37) Table Battles (BGG) | (Dinosaur Table Battles (GftC #19)) | John (0:06:12) Game of…

Join us this week as the panel powers up a game of Power Grid! Power Grid, also known as Funkenschlag, was designed by Friedemann Friese and was first published in the US by Rio Grande Games in 2004. Power Grid was a Spiel des Jahres Recommended Game in 2005 and has won many other awards. Episode Summary In this episode, we're getting back to our r…

This week we revisit the panel favorite, Wings for the Baron, to explore the Standard Game mode of play. Wings for the Baron, designed by Dave Townsend, was first published by Victory Point Games in 2015. Episode Summary In this episode, the panel revisits Wings for the Baron! This time we focus on the Standard Game variant. Join us as we explore t…

Join us this week in a monolithic battle for supremacy in the Avalon Hill Classic, Nexus Ops! Nexus Ops, designed by Charlie Catino & Steven Kimball, was first published by Avalon Hill in 2005. In 2006 it was nominated for a Golden Geek Award for Best Wargame. Episode Summary: The panel explores the world of Nexus Ops, a game that combines the exci…

Join us as we put on our thinking caps and take on the Reiner Knizia classic, Ingenious. Ingenious, designed by Reiner Knizia, was first published by KOSMOS and Fantasy Flight Games in 2004. Ingenious was nominated for the Spiel des Jahres in 2004 and won a Golden Geek Award for Best Family Game in 2006. Episode Summary Discover the magic of Ingeni…

Come roll the dice with us as we play Roll Through the Ages! Roll Through the Ages, designed by Matt Leacock, was first published by Eagle-Gryphon Games in 2008. It was nominated for the Spiel des Jahres in 2010. Episode Summary: Are you ready to roll into a timeless classic? In this episode, the panel examines Roll Through the Ages from Eagle-Gryp…

Join us this week as we clash together in battle with Unmatched. Unmatched, designed by Rob Daviau and Justin D. Jacobson, was first published by Restoration Games and Mondo Games in 2019. There are several expansions, and tonight the panel played Unmatched: Battle of Legends, Volume One, … Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Jurrasic Park - Dr. Sattler …

Join us this week, as we battle our way through Heroscape! Heroscape, designed by Stephen Baker, Rob Daviau & Craig Van Ness, was first published by Hasbro in 2004. Episode Summary: In this episode, the panel dives into the world of HeroScape, the ultimate toy/game that offers a unique and engaging experience for players of all ages and interests. …

Join us this week as we explore one of the Classics, Merchant of Venus. Merchant of Venus, designed by Richard Hamblin, was first published by Avalon Hill in 1988. The Second Edition was a joint effort by Fantasy Flight Games and Stronghold Games and was published in 2012 Episode Summary: In this episode, we dive deep into the Fantasy Flight Editio…

This week, the panel lays it all out on Spiel des Jahres nominee, Marrakech. Marrakech, designed by Dominique Ehrhard, was published by Fundex in 2007. Episode Summary: In this fun and lighthearted episode, the panel explores the simple yet enjoyable area control game, Marrakesh. With its unique cloth carpets, strategic placement, and competitive n…

This week, the panel accelerates into a game of Heat: Pedal to the Metal, designed by Asger Harding Granerud and Daniel Skjold Pedersen, and published by Days of Wonder in 2023. Episode Summary: Heat: Pedal to the Metal is the new racing game from Days of Wonder. In this episode, we briefly outline the rules and basic running gear for Heat: Pedal t…

The panel plays and discusses Dinosaur Table Battles, designed by Amabel Holland and illustrated by Wil Alambre, which was first published by Hollandspiel in 2020. Episode Summary: Dinosaur Table Battles is a unique head-to-head battling board game from Hollandspiel. Players draft dinosaurs, use dice to power up their units, and then attack their o…

The panel drops in on El Grande, the 1996 Spiel des Jahres Winner. El Grande was designed by Wolfgang Kramer and Richard Ulrich and was first published by Rio Grande Games in the US in 1995. Episode Summary: In this episode, we discussed the 1995 board game El Grande, which has been popular for almost 30 years. We discussed our experiences with the…

This week, the panel tackles Blood Bowl Team Manager: the Card Game. Blood Bowl Team Manager, designed by Jay Little and Corey Konieczka, was first published by Fantasy Flight Games in 2011. In 2012, Blood Bowl Team Manager was nominated for two BoardGameGeek Golden Geek Awards, Best Card Game, and Best Thematic Board Game. Episode Summary: In this…

The panel rolls the dice on a game of Lords of Vegas. Lords of Vegas, designed by James Ernest & Mike Selinker, was first published by Mayfair Games in 2010. Episode Summary: In this episode, we discuss Lords of Vegas, a two to four-player, light-complexity game first published by Mayfair Games in 2010. The panel focuses on the concept of calculate…

The panel settles in to play Imperial Settlers. Imperial Settlers, designed by Ignacy Trzewiczek, was first published by Portal Games in 2014. Join the conversion: Games from the Cellar DiscordVon Games from the Cellar

The panel discusses the very unique card game, Illimat. Illimat, designed by Keith Baker and Jennifer Ellis, was first published by Twogether Studios and Wyrmwood Gaming in 2017.Von Games from the Cellar

The panel digs into one of the most awarded games that we've played so far, Splendor. Splendor, designed by Marc Andre, was first published by Space Cowboys in 2014. Later editions were co-published with AsmodeeVon Games from the Cellar

The panel engages with the classic aero-table combat game, Wings of Glory. Designed by Andrea Angiolino and Pier Giorgio Paglia, it was first published as Wings of War in 2004 by Fantasy Flight Games & Nexus Games. Wings of War was rebooted as Wings of Glory in 2012 by Ares Games.Von Games from the Cellar

The panel discusses Kingsburg, an old reliable from 2007, designed by Andrea Chiarvesio and Luca Iennaco and published by Fantasy Flight Games.Von Games from the Cellar

The panel discusses Thunder Alley, a unique, card-driven NASCAR themed Racing Game. Thunder Alley was designed by Jeff and Carla Horger, and was first published by GMT Games in 2014.Von Games from the Cellar

The panel discusses a group favorite, Wings for the Baron, the most underrated game of 2015. Wings for the Baron was designed by Dave Townsend, who originally designed and self-published in 2007. The version we played, Wings for the Baron (Second Edition), was developed and published by Victory Point Games in 2015.…

The panel discusses Alien Frontiers, one of the first great games to come from Kickstarter. Alien Frontiers was designed by Troy Niemann, and was published by Clever Mojo Games in 2010. It was nominated for many Golden Geek awards in 2011.Von Games from the Cellar

The panel pulls out Biblios, a classic light weight card from 2007. Biblios was designed by Steve Finn, and was originally published as Scripts and Scribes, through Dr. Finn’s Games. It is currently published as Biblios by IELLO Episode Summary: In this episode, we discussed the two player card game Biblios. The panel discusses how the game is sepa…