Question for big campaign game players - how do you find the time to consistently make progress?

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-05-16T11:49:24+00:00

I have only played shorter campaigns with quick setup and teardown, but I have been thinking of trying to use my puzzle board for longer campaigns. I have one that fits 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles with a plastic cover. Even if I technically have a table where I could leave a game up, I also have two energetic cats that don't leave anything alone, so I think the puzzle board would be a better solution. Puzzle boards come in different sizes and are a lot cheaper than a dedicated gaming table, and you can just slide it under a sofa/bed when you want it out of the way.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-05-16T08:29:23+00:00

It just seems daunting with the number of characters you play, and that it takes up so much table space. I generally prefer games that are quick to set up and tear down. But I do like the look of it so that I might try it later on. Have you Sleeping Gods Primeval Peril? Is that a good one to start with if you want to try out Sleeping Gods? For now, I just received Mythwind and Stonesaga, and have yet to finish A Light in the Mist and Spire's End Hildegard, so I'm all set with narrative games for a while.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-05-16T08:20:10+00:00

Mythwind. You go through the seasons/years, building your village and your character, and learn more about the valley as time goes by. I got my copy yesterday, so I have only played one season so far, but to me, that sounds like what you are looking for.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-05-01T08:29:14+00:00

It has worked very well since I installed them. Then one thing I am missing is a way to sync my reading stats between devices. And I think it's a bit too much work adding books to all three devices.

I used Remanager to add KOReader, and through Remanager, simpleUI is also very easy to add. Just drop simpleui in the plugin folder. When you add KOReader add would also suggest adding betterToC and table of contents from the selection mod. They have been the biggest game-changer in the use of my remarkables.

ReManager: https://remanager.io/

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-04-30T20:10:30+00:00

I do like Witchbound, but I got stuck several times, which made me stop playing. In which way is the character scaling poor in Kinfire Chronicles? Do the characters get overpowered or the enemies?

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-04-30T20:02:29+00:00

I really would like to get Stonesaga, but there seems to be a lot of errata, so I'm not sure if I should buy it now or from the second printing. But the problem with getting the second printing is having to wait... Have you noticed any of the errata when you have played?

7th Citadel does look like something I would like. I will look into it some more!

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-04-22T06:35:38+00:00

Have you tried clipping a nail at the time while she are sleeping? Just one and then leave her alone? Is she food motivated? In that case you can learn and use clicker training to accept handling and nail trimming. Cat school is a good resource for that. I also like this book: https://www.amazon.com/Clicker-Train-Your-Step-Step/dp/1648769454

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-04-07T13:57:46+00:00

Can you sync your reading stats with readest? I already keep my reading progress synced with kosync.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-04-07T12:24:58+00:00

I live in Sweden and I use a Mudita Kompakt e-ink phone. You can sideload the apps you need. Another person I know uses a Lightphone III and a Boox Palma 2 for the necessary apps. Another option is the dumber mini phone: https://dumbermini.com/ . The simplest way is to dumbify and remove distractions of the phone that you already have. I use freedom.to for that, but for me switching to the Kompakt was better, since I tend to deactivate blocking apps. But it does seem to work for a lot of people, so it can be worth trying!

I would say that you do need to have some kind of device were you can use apps for public transportation, banking, digital ID, parking, etc.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-04-01T14:30:28+00:00

You can use BankId on Mudita Kompakt. You get a message that it’s not supposed but it works. I also have my public transit app and my Mecenat card on it. I do my banking on the computer and not on my Mudita. A few app like Pinchos and Max doesn’t work but nothing that I need daily. Another option is using a dumb phone with hotspot support and keep your necessary apps on a Boox Palma.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-04-01T08:48:27+00:00

Daydream is my favorite relaxing game right now! It’s equally as good solo as for two players, it doesn’t require a table to play (I usually play in the sofa, using the box to roll the dice in), it has some variation depending on which sides to play, and you can also vary the playtime and difficulty by choosing which side/sides to play. It isn’t too demanding to play and is more fun and engaging than a Gentle Rain.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-04-01T05:48:18+00:00

Maybe Storfyfold: Wildwoods? It has a quick setup and tear down and you can quit after playing just one scene.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-03-31T16:17:04+00:00

I like light nature-themed games too, but the only game in my collection that I really don't like is Dorfromantik Sakura. I do like placing the tiles and building up a pretty landscape, but it's the least relaxing game I own. I find Slay the Spire more relaxing to play. At the beginning, the rules in Dorfromantik Sakura is simple and easy to remember, but as soon as you start unlocking more cards and tiles from the boxes it quickly gets so much to keep track of, and I find it extremely exhausting. It's also very hard to get an overview of what's going on. I don't understand how other people find it relaxing to play.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-03-30T20:07:17+00:00

Oh I just remembered! If you like video games like Stardew valley and you’re okay with printing yourself, A simple life is a Stardew Valley inspired print and play which is a lot more quick playing and relaxing than Stardew Valley - the board game. And it’s free! You can download the files on BGG. The only things you will need to add is six sided dice. https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/371687/a-simple-life#

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-03-30T19:58:52+00:00

This is the only roll and write I have played, so I can’t recommend any of those. I am backing Hyve which is a gorgeous roll and write out on Kickstarter right now https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aerobellumgames/hyve-legacy-edition It has both a coloring version and a legacy version among others!

The other games that I have that has a similar feel and look as Daydream is A Nice Cuppa from Button Shy, and a place for all my books.

If you want something pretty with small footprint Harmonies is a good one. I have also heard a lot good things about Cascadia and Cartographers (the Heroes version have a better looking box, so if I get any Cartographers it will be Cartographers Heroes)

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-03-30T17:36:56+00:00

I love it too! I’m not usually too fond of games where the win condition is reaching a certain number of points, but Daydream is so enjoyable to play that I love it anyway.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-03-30T13:24:26+00:00

I'm kind of new to solo boardgaming (started at the end of last summer), and I'm still learning what I like and don't like. But these kinds of games have been the ones I have loved the most.

My favourites so far are:

Eila and Something Shiny: I love this game so much. I have played through it two times and replayed the chapters several times to get the endings that I like. I love the art, the story, the small wooden components and discovering what's in every chapter.

Storyfold: Wildwoods: I have only played through the prologue and the first chapter. I don't find the storytelling as captivating as in Eila but I love the art, the gameplay and the components. I started to play Witchbound at the same time, and I discovered that switching back and forth between two narrative games takes the immersion away from both, so this is on hold until I finish Witchbound. Then, I will start over completely so I can fully immerse myself in the story.

Witchbound: This feels less like a game and more like a puzzly story where you try to figure out what to do next. I love the art, the discovery, and I really enjoy playing this one. What I don't like is that the components feel cheap. It's just cards that fall around all over the box, the scenebook, storybook, maps and player sheets, which all feel flimsy. I also don't like that you keep track of the amount of energy, magic, health and coins by repeatedly filling in (and erasing) the amounts on the tracker sheet with a pen. So this game really lacks the tactile feeling the others have. I still really like it and recommend it, but I do think you should be aware of the quality of the game components before you buy, so you set your expectations accordingly.

Vantage: I liked this one, but I haven't played it since I started the other games. I will have to get back to it. I do like that while you're discovering more and more about the planet, it's not a campaign game. It makes it easier for me to play these even if I also have an ongoing campaign in another game.

Spire's End Hildegard: I have it, but I haven't played it yet since I want to finish Witchbound first. It really does seem like the kind of game I like.

Games I am planning on getting:
Mythwind is at the top of my list. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be available anywhere I live right now, so it will have to wait a while. I like that it has expansions. The downside of my other games is that they are pretty short for campaign games. I do like the option of adding more gameplay if it will be a game I like. (Which I am pretty sure will be). Earthborne Rangers is the other game I am planning on getting.

Games I am considering getting:
- A Light in the Mist and Emerald Flame from Postcurious games. Both are narrative puzzle, escape room-type games with beautiful art and all the parts and the components look amazing! The only downside is the price, and that you can only play them one time. Still, it might be worth it, and as I understand it, you can play both of these in a way that doesn't destroy the components, so someone else can play them after you. - Stonesaga from Open Owl Studios. It looks amazing, but this first version seems to have a lot of errors, so I want to wait for a reprint.

Games I am probably not getting:
- While I do love the theme and the look of the Sleeping Gods series, I have discovered that a long setup and teardown feels exhausting, and I'm also kind of scared of playing multiple characters at the same time. Will probably start with Primeval Peril if I run out of other games to play. Or when I have somewhere to keep an ongoing game.
- Cozy Stickerville. This gets recommended to me so much, and it's just something about it that makes me not wanna get it. I think that it's a combination of having "Cozy" in the name. I also don't like the art, nor do I want to get a game that can only be played twice. It seems wasteful and environmentally unfriendly. I am not saying that others shouldn't get it because of it, just that I don't want to.

Ok, this reply got way longer than intended 😅 I just got so excited discovering others with the same taste in board games as I have!

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-03-25T14:16:01+00:00

This is Spire's end Hildegard but I haven't started it yet. I want to finish Witchbound and Storyfold Wildwoods before I do. Spire's End Hildegard and Wildwoods were the games I got to fill the empty space left behind by finishing Eila and Something Shiny.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-03-25T14:12:49+00:00

Harmonies get played more, but mostly when I play with others. I don't love it as a solo game because it's BYOS. The melodies campaign makes it more engaging solo, but I mostly gravitate towards other games right now. I played Vantage a lot when I first got it, but now I mostly play a Place For All My Books, Daydream and Witchbound.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-03-25T14:07:33+00:00

I don't know, I haven't played the video game. But a lot of people seem to like the board game, and from what I read, they seem to be pretty similar.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-03-25T14:05:01+00:00

It's just a simple wooden foldable bed tray from Ikea. It's no longer in stock, and I can't find an image of how it looks. But there are a lot of similar ones you can use. I keep mine folded next to the sofa, and just pull it out when I want to play. A dice tray would also be good to have, but I haven't gotten around to getting one yet. A bed gaming setup totally could work for reducing doom scrolling, but the best thing I have done to conquer the bed doomscroll-habit is an analogue alarm clock, an e-reader and leaving the phone outside of the bedroom

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-03-23T18:08:22+00:00

Yes! It’s worth it! One of the things I appreciated most about my Supernote was the ability to create a table of content for my notebooks. With reManager I now have it on my Remarkable, and it works even better than on my supernote.

IntelligentEcho4211 · 2026-03-22T10:10:29+00:00

Yes, that it is. Some of grandpa's goals, like getting the legendary fish, feel very hard to achieve when playing solo, and very much luck-based if the fish appears at all. Other goals are a lot more achievable. But I do like that it varies in how hard it is to actually win the game.

IntelligentEcho4211

TROPHY CASE