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!

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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