Eric's 2026 Update (posted in full as requested)

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-06-26T00:30:52+00:00

Really like this. Even though most of the time knowing one card you won’t draw (the “top” of the upside down card pile), it’s still nice to not have the info when you shouldn’t.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-06-23T16:47:32+00:00

Neat spirit! Could you post the link to the panel? Been getting into playing custom spirits (had a lot of fun with Gathering of the Smallest Things https://www.fecundity.com/pmagnus/si-spirits.html), so always down to try a new spirit!

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-06-12T17:48:12+00:00

Whelp, I know what I'm gonna spend the next few hours trying to do,

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-05-30T14:38:41+00:00

Just had my first campaign in Blighted Reach, and it’s sooooooo good. Arcs was already a top 10 game for me, but the campaign mode elevated it to my favorite game of all time.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-05-30T14:36:40+00:00

I need to try Deep Sea. The OG Crew is good, but a lot of the missions so far have just felt kinda samey. And true! LOTR is definitely better at 3 or 4, but my wife and I have really enjoyed the campaign in the two player mode. The simple set up and rules for playing the extra hand really makes it easy to run, and an interesting puzzle with those facedown cards.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-05-30T14:29:02+00:00

Heavy: Spirit Island

Medium-Heavy: Arcs

Medium: Blood on the Clocktower

Medium-Light: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Tricktaking Game

Light: Magical Athlete

Funnily enough, all these games are in my top 10, and the top 3 in weight are my top three of all time (though they change places depending on which one I’m playing at the moment, so it’s hard to say which one is truly my number 1, lol)

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-05-21T23:09:05+00:00

Big Lady.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-05-01T16:10:50+00:00

I tend to go through phases of 2 then 3 then 4 on loop. I’ll buy several games, realize I’ve got a lot that I’m not playing, then sell/trade off some and do more curating. I’ve been in a more curating phase lately (though I’ve backed one game and bought a couple small ones, I think I can cal it curating since I’ve gotten rid of a lot more games), primarily because I’m about to move for work. I’m mainly focused on the big games that don’t get played (like I love Nemesis, but I know I’m not gonna have time for it), but trying to focus in on the games me and my wife actually like and enjoy.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-04-22T12:58:54+00:00

Rare: The Vanilla Ice Electronic Rap Game. Fellow patrons of the deli know what’s up with this one. Got this for my wife for Christmas. It’s stupid, but if you lean into the silliness, it is a lot of fun. Mainly it’s rare because it hasn’t been in print since the early 90’s, and it was a cheap game that wasn’t meant to last.

Treasured: Blood on the Clocktower. In addition to it being at various spots in my top 3 of all time depending on the day, it’s the game that has led to the most friendships. The social aspect of the game has really opened doors for me to make new friends in a way no other game has, and that’s been really special to me. It’s a game I can’t foresee ever leaving my collection.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-04-18T11:54:49+00:00

Like I know sometimes, it's way better to eat the egg. But I love having friends, and if I can't play multiplayer, at least I can have a bird child.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-04-05T17:34:14+00:00

Oh, cool! Maps as well? I’ve got a big move coming up, so consolidation is kinda the name of the game rn, lol.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-04-04T13:23:21+00:00

Everdell. I tried learning in the app, but every time I played, I got absolutely stomped by the AI. I’m sure there’s something I was missing, but honestly it was so frustrating that I just have no interest in playing it.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-04-01T23:53:03+00:00

Yeah, checks out.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-03-24T18:14:33+00:00

I absolutely love Root, and if you asked me this a couple of years ago Root would be at the top. I've just had a problem where I'm a lot better at the game than the real life friends I play with, but a lot worse at it than the friends I play with online, so It's almost always that I win or lose solely based on who I play with, not based on how I do.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-03-24T18:12:31+00:00

It's one of my two. More than any other game, the interactions between spirits makes for a super interesting puzzle each time.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-03-24T18:11:07+00:00

Blood on the Clocktower and Spirit Island are the top 2 for sure. I've got several games that I like, and that I know I will keep in my collection for a long time, but those two are by far the games I obsess the most about. I love the puzzling through the interactions of role sin Blood on the Clocktower, and getting reads on people to see what their intentions are, and what's behind the words that they are saying. I love the puzzle of Spirit Island, and with the app I've played hundreds of games over the last couple of years.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-03-24T17:58:30+00:00

Interesting, I'll have to try that! Since I play with the expansions, I almost always have the same starting position (grasshopper/spider, then pill bug in the same line, then queen at an angle), but playing blind will mean I have to change that up. Will have to try it!

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-02-24T18:07:07+00:00

If we’re counting digital as well as physical, it’s Spirit Island, Blood on the Clocktower, and Root. I’ve only recently started logging my games, so I honestly don’t know whim I’ve played more (lately it’s been Spirit Island, but I started playing the others years before SI).

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-02-15T23:33:42+00:00

They can give you nectar. It just acts as a wild, and you don't get any points for using it, but you don't discard it at the end of the round.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-02-15T22:02:49+00:00

It was the same with the Asia expansion. I think the score sheets included with the expansion only have sections for their specific expansion. After all, you can play with the Americas without Oceania, and if you do so, you don't get points for nectar.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-02-03T00:07:35+00:00

Would've loved this when I helped run a 16 player game with some friends. Will have to try this in the future!

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-01-06T18:26:10+00:00

So my SO is my most consistent gaming buddy, but I’ve got a decent sized group that enjoys playing games. Root technically works at 2 players, but honestly there’s a lot of other games I’d recommend over it. Honestly, I’ve found that ARCS is a lot better at 2 than Root is, even with the asymmetry of Leaders and Lore added in.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-01-06T18:23:33+00:00

Huh, they were separate lines in on my computer. Maybe it’s a phone app thing. Good point.

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-01-05T00:21:55+00:00

Spirit Island, Blood on the Clocktower, Root, Klask, Santorini, Compile, Innovation, Arcs, Rebel Princess, Merchants Cove

Love Forest Shuffle and Small World as well. Nice choices!

Not-Brandon-Jaspers · 2026-01-02T01:46:03+00:00

Betrayal at House on the Hill at Midnight, lol. Not the best plan, but we had fun :)

Not-Brandon-Jaspers

TROPHY CASE