OBG 003: Critical Reviews and the Modern Board Game

Apr 13, 2007

On Board Games Season One Episode 003

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OBG Roundtable

Donald, Scott, and Erik discuss board game reviews and ratings.

• Why Board Games with Scott is not a review
• Knucklebones Review policy
• BGG forum thread on ratings http://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/1386022#1386022

Reviews should take the audience into account

• Families playing games vs. Board Game Geeks
• Children's game ratings kidgameratings.com
• Designers

What elements could have impact on the review?

• How do free games impact bias
• Pre game expectations, possibly due to financial outlay
• Graphics and components
• Adherence to theme
• Play group/play experience

Some things to consider when writing reviews:

• Value for money
• Replayability
• Game vs. game experience
• Consistency
• Avoiding outlandish or untrue statements
• Recognize your bias and try to control for it.

Review Resources

Online resources

• BoardGameGeek
• RPG.net
• Game Report
• Game Blogs
• Personal Web Sites

Magazines / Print resources

• Knucklebones
• Games Magazine
• Games Quarterly Publication of the Games Quarterly Magazine has ceased. See the BGG discussion

Games mentioned in the round table:

• Fluxx
• Rum & Pirates (See a rules explanation on BGWS #37)
• Lost Cities (See a rules explanation on BGWS #7)
• Maul of America
• Tide of Iron (Previously reviewed on OBG 1.1)

Stoplight Reviews

• Rat-a-Tat Cat
• What's it to Ya?
• Democrazy

Sideboard

Scott and Donald discuss what we call games and why it matters.

• Traditional American Board Games
• Ameritrash
• Eurogames
• American Style Board Games
• Designer Board Games
• Modern Board Games

Thanks

To Erik, Scott, and Connie for their contributions and assistance.