The ALIEN The Roleplaying Game: Evolved Edition, its new Rapture Protocol expansion, and the associated Miniatures Set represent Free League’s latest chapter in tabletop horror-sci-fi mastery, expanding a critically beloved system with refined mechanics, new narrative ground, and enhanced physical components. On its own terms, this is an ambitious package that stakes a significant claim in the RPG landscape; its achievements as well as its foibles are deeply rooted in how it balances the legacy of the original Alien RPG with modern expectations of accessibility, cinematic play, and tactile engagement. Continue reading “Alien RPG – Evolved Edition & Rapture Protocol review”
Category: Board games
Twilight Imperium – Thunder’s Edge review
Twilight Imperium’s new Thunder’s Edge expansion arrives as part of the recent refresh for the fourth edition, and it does so with a sense of ambition that feels entirely in step with the game’s reputation. Published by Fantasy Flight Games under Asmodee, it broadens a ruleset already known for its vastness and injects new layers of variation, asymmetric depth, and long-form strategic tension. It also reframes early-game pacing by introducing new incentives and optional systems, giving veteran groups a surprisingly different tempo from the moment the first strategy cards are drafted. Continue reading “Twilight Imperium – Thunder’s Edge review”
Memoir ’44 Refresh review
Few board games bridge the gap between accessibility and historical wargaming as effectively as Memoir ’44, and with its new Refresh edition, Asmodee and Days of Wonder have given this modern classic the careful update it deserves. Originally released in 2004, Richard Borg’s design struck a balance between authenticity and playability, bringing the drama of World War II to tabletops without the intimidating rulebooks that often accompany the genre. Two decades later, that formula still holds strong, and the new edition mostly reinforces why Memoir ’44 remains a staple of historical gaming. Continue reading “Memoir ’44 Refresh review”
The Gang review
The Gang is one of those card games that immediately draws attention thanks to its unusual premise: taking the familiar mechanics of poker and twisting them into a cooperative heist scenario. Published internationally by the likes of 999 Games and KOSMOS in 2024, it positions itself as a clever blend of gambling tension and teamwork. Where most poker-inspired games pit players against each other, here the group wins or loses together by correctly reading their hands and collectively pulling off successful “bank jobs.” The concept is undeniably intriguing, especially for those who enjoyed the cooperative tension of The Crew and are looking for a similar mix of hidden information, calculated risks, and group triumphs. Continue reading “The Gang review”
Bomb Busters review
Some cooperative board games give you time to deliberate, plan, and carefully execute a strategy. Bomb Busters, publisher internationally by the likes of 999 Games and Cocktail Games, gives you none of that. Instead, it’s an immediate, high-stakes race against the clock – or more precisely, a race against your collective mistakes. Designer Hisashi Hayashi has taken the nerve-wracking premise of defusing a bomb and distilled it into a fast-playing deduction game that’s equal parts logic puzzle, social coordination exercise, and group panic. It’s no wonder it’s been making waves in the award circuit, including taking home the 2025 Spiel des Jahres. Continue reading “Bomb Busters review”
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