In this episode of Bards of the Board, we fire up the kiln and dive into the shimmering world of River Valley Glassworks—a board game all about crafting, colors, clever combos, and keeping your glassblowing workshop running like a work of art.
We break down:✨ How the game actually feels to play—smooth engine-builder or fragile puzzle?🧩 Mechanics that shine (and a couple that cracked under pressure)🎨 Theme immersion: does the glassblowing aesthetic truly elevate the experience?👥 Player count + pacing: who is this game really made for?🏆 Final Verdict: is River Valley Glassworks a masterpiece worth displaying, or one to leave on the shelf?
Whether you’re a seasoned gamer looking for your next cozy-but-crunchy strategy title or just curious about this gorgeously produced release, this episode will help you decide if River Valley Glassworks deserves a spot in your collection.
Pull up a chair, stoke the furnace, and let’s get crafting.Welcome back to Bards of the Board!


Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
4:00 What We've Been Playing
31:30 River Valley Glassworks
57:18 Cookie Scale
1:01:00 Final Thoughts

Not every game night starts with seasoned gamers—and sometimes the best challenge is finding the perfect gateway for a hesitant player. In this episode of Bards of the Board, we count down our Top 10 board games you can teach your mom (or any reluctant gamer!) to help them fall in love with the modern hobby. From light, approachable titles to sneaky strategy games that keep things fun without overwhelming, we break down why each game makes the list and share stories of how they’ve worked at our own tables. Whether you’re introducing family to the hobby or looking for new go-to gateway games, this list is packed with great starting points.

Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Welcome back to Bards of the Board! 🎲✨ This week we’re diving into the world of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn with a full review of Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game.

We’ll break down how the game captures the spirit of the books, what works (and what doesn’t) in its deckbuilding mechanics, and whether it deserves a spot at your table. If you’re a fan of the Mistborn series or just love exploring new deck builders, this episode is for you!

🔎 What you’ll hear in this episode:

How Mistborn’s unique magic system translates into gameplay

The balance between theme and mechanics

Comparisons to other popular deck builders

Final thoughts: Who should buy this game?

👉 Have you played Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game? Drop your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear your take!

You can find Mistborn for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/3Is5FOE

Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:26 What We've Been Playing
28:14 Mistborn
1:06:38 Cookie Scale
1:14:03 Final Thoughts

Welcome back to Bards of the Board! In today’s episode, we’re diving into the magical world of Disney Lorcana, the trading card game from Ravensburger that’s taken the hobby by storm.

We’ll explore what makes Lorcana unique, how it stacks up against other TCGs, and whether it’s worth adding to your game shelf (or collection binder). From gameplay mechanics to theme integration, we’ll share our thoughts on what works, what doesn’t, and how Disney’s storytelling shines through the design.

Whether you’re already enchanted by Lorcana or just curious about the hype, this episode is full of insights, laughs, and honest opinions.

🃏 What do you think of Disney Lorcana? Have you tried it yet? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!

You can find Disney Lorcana for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/45W5zXp
https://amzn.to/4n3ULxc

Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:40 What We've Been Playing
20:20 Disney Lorcana
1:19:45 Cookie Scale
1:25:21 Final Thoughts

Bards of the Board is back with a deep dive into one of the most beloved eurogames of all time — Castles of Burgundy! In this episode, we explore what makes Stefan Feld’s classic stand the test of time, from its dice-driven strategy to the endless ways to score points. We’ll share our favorite strategies, talk about how it plays across different player counts, and debate whether the latest editions improve on the original.

Whether you’re new to Castles of Burgundy or have played it hundreds of times, you’ll find fresh insights, honest opinions, and maybe even a few bard-worthy tangents along the way.

🎤 What’s Inside:

First impressions & table presence

Why the game’s design still shines years later

Expansions & editions: which ones are worth it?

Our final verdict: does it belong in your collection?

Grab your parchment and dice — it’s time to build your duchy!

You can find Castles of Burgundy for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/4mAdReJ

Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:36 What We've Been Playing
21:08 Castles of Burgundy
1:08:50 Cookie Scale
1:12:14 Final Thoughts

In this episode of Bards of the Board, we dive deep into the magical world of Res Arcana — a game of mages, artifacts, and alchemical dominance. Designed by Tom Lehmann, Res Arcana challenges players to build efficient engine combos with a tight card pool and even tighter resource management.
We break down:
* What makes Res Arcana stand out from other engine builders
* Our favorite (and least favorite) aspects of the game
* How it holds up at different player counts
* Whether it earns a permanent spot in our game night rotation
Is it the perfect mix of strategy and replayability — or does it fizzle out after a few plays? Tune in to find out!

You can find Res Arcana for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/4lYq3Wa

Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
6:44 What We've Been Playing
26:10 Res Arcana
1:03:55 Cookie Scale
1:10:40 Final Thoughts

In this episode of the podcast, we dive into the world of family-friendly board games that are perfect for introducing your kids and loved ones to the hobby game space! Whether you're a seasoned gamer looking to share your passion or a parent curious about games beyond Monopoly and Uno, we've got you covered.

We're joined by special guest Chris Yi from The Dice Tower, who shares his insights, favorite picks, and tips for making that first step into modern board gaming smooth, fun, and memorable for the whole family.

🧩 Topics we cover:

• What makes a great "gateway" game for families
• Balancing simplicity and engagement for mixed-age players
• Our top family game recommendations for starting out
• How to foster a lifelong love of board games at home

✨ If you're ready to level up family game night, this is the episode for you!

Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

In this video, we dive into the thrilling cooperative board game Horrified, where you and your team must work together to defeat legendary Universal Monsters like Dracula, The Mummy, Frankenstein's Monster, and more! Whether you're a horror fan, a co-op game enthusiast, or just looking for your next game night hit, we’ll break down what makes Horrified such a standout title.

🎲 What’s inside the box?
👻 How does it play?
🧠 Is it good for beginners or more experienced gamers?
💬 Is this a must-have for your board game shelf?

Join us as we take on the monsters and see if Horrified lives up to the hype!

👉 Let us know in the comments who your favorite monster is and if you’ve survived the night!

You can find Horrified for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/45uBxew

Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
3:10 What We've Been Playing
21:30 Horrified
57:45 Cookie Scale
1:01:10 Final Thoughts

Welcome to our latest podcast episode, where we dive deep into the world of Disney villainy! This time, we're reviewing Disney Villainous – the hit board game from Ravensburger that lets you step into the shoes of iconic Disney villains like Maleficent, Ursula, Jafar, and more.

We break down the game mechanics, the strategy behind each villain, the stunning artwork, and whether this game is a must-have for your game night collection. Is Disney Villainous just for fans of Disney, or does it hold up as a great tabletop experience on its own? Tune in to find out!

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon so you don’t miss our future game reviews and podcast episodes.

You can find Villainous for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/45uBxew

Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:20 What We've Been Playing
19:00 Villainous
1:04:20 Cookie Scale
1:12:24 Final Thoughts

In this video, we dive into Smartphone Inc., the sleek economic strategy game about dominating the global tech market! We break down how it plays, what makes it unique, and whether it's a good fit for players who are newer to modern board gaming.

We’ll cover:
✅ How the game works
✅ What we liked and didn’t like
✅ Complexity level & learning curve
✅ Final thoughts: Is it beginner-friendly?

Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just starting to explore the hobby, this review will help you decide if Smartphone Inc. deserves a spot on your shelf.

You can find Smart Phone Inc. for yourself at:
https://amzn.to/43ghJZL

Jason and Robbie have the goal of introducing non-gamers to the amazing world of tabletop gaming. With over 35 years of modern board gaming experience, we strive to open newer gamers to a variety of games that may be fun and exciting for them. Whether it’s the theme, mechanics, or length of the game, we hope to demystify the negative stigma that often accompanies tabletop gaming and help players realize the tabletop gaming world is for everyone!

We hope you accompany us on this journey … and join us at the table!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram as well!
https://www.instagram.com/bards_of_the_board/

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
3:38 What We've Been Playing
21:20 Smartphone Inc.
1:07:25 Cookie Scale
1:12:00 Final Thoughts