This week, the panel delves into the dungeon with the classic deck-builder, Thunderstone. Designed by Mike Elliott, Thunderstone was published in 2009 by Alderac Entertainment Group. It had five expansions before being re-implemented by Thunderstone Advance: Towers of Ruin in 2012. In Thunderstone, players take on the role of adventurers seeking to defeat monsters in an ever-evolving dungeon filled with dangers. Players will gear up in the Village, but ultimately glory can only be found in...

This week the panel discusses the games we're looking forward to playing at this year's Central Atlantic Games Extravaganza!  

Join the panel this week as they try to exorcise Wu-Feng's minions in Ghost Stories. Designed by Antoine Bauza, Ghost Stories was published by Repos Productions in 2008. Ghost Stories is a cooperative board game where players take on the roles of Taoist monks defending a village from relentless waves of ghosts and other supernatural beings. It is known for its challenging gameplay, strategic depth, and thematic immersion in a world of supernatural threats. It offers a rewarding cooperative...

This week, the panel engages in vehicular carnage with Thunder Road: Vendetta. Originally designed by Jim Keifer in 1986, Thunder Road was given the Restoration Games treatment by Rob Daviau and crew in 2023. Thunder Road: Vendetta is set in a post-apocalyptic world where players control gangs of vehicles fighting for survival and dominance in a desolate wasteland. It builds upon the original game's Mad Max-esque vehicular combat theme, offering new mechanics and content while maintaining the...

This week, John and Stephen go toe-to-toe, slinging magic and summoning hordes of warriors in one of our enduring two-player favorites, Summoner Wars! Designed by Colby Dauch in 2009, Summoner Wars was published by Plaid Hat Games and expanded thoroughly upon through 2016. Summoner Wars (Second Edition) was released in 2021 and is currently supported. Summoner Wars is a tactical card game that combines strategy, deck-building, and board control. Players take on the roles of summoners,...

This week, the panel digs into our latest cooperative campaign board game, the analog version of the hit PC game - Deep Rock Galactic: the Board Game! Designed by Ole Steinnis, Deep Rock: Galactic was published by MOOD Publishing after a successful Kickstarter in 2022. In Deep Rock Galactic: the Board Game, you are a Dwarven Miner, just trying to do your damn job. Unfortunately, that job happens to be in mines that are absolutely swarmed with Glyphids and other nasty surprises. You'll be...

This week, the panel tackles one of the BoardGameGeek behemoths! Join us as we adventure in the world of Goomhaven: Jaws of the Lion to investigate the mystery of its disappearing citizens. Designed by Isaac Childres, Jaws of the Lion was released in 2020 from Cephalofair Games as a pared-down version of Gloomhaven to appeal to a broader gaming audience.  In Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, you are an adventurer in a party who stumbles upon a mystery and is tasked with investigating. As you...

This week, the panel delves into the intricacies of the cooperative tactical combat scenario game - Adventure Tactics: Domianne's Tower! Nicolas Yu designed this 2021 offering from Leimian Games. In Adventure Tactics: Domianne's Tower, you start as one of five basic classes battling through a series of campaign scenarios. As you progress, you can choose your own path as you unlock new elite classes, actions, abilities, and equipment. To win, you and your team must power up to take on and...

Welcome to Season 2 of Games from the Cellar! This week, the panel sets off for adventure! Join us as we delve into the ancient ruins of the Adventurers: the Temple of Chac, a 2009 offering from Alderac Entertainment Group (AEG), designed by Guillaume Blossier and Frédéric Henry. In The Adventurers: the Temple of Chac, you take on the role of one (or two) of the titular Adventurers, looting treasures from an ancient Mayan temple. But like any decent Mayan temple, danger awaits. To win, you...

Join the panel this week as they race to the city gates to talk about the Downfall of Pompeii! The Downfall of Pompeii, designed by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, was first published by Amigo and Mayfair in 2004. Episode Summary: Vesuvius seethes in the background of this light, relaxing tile placement game. Until it become a light, not-so-relaxing race to get your family members out of town before disaster strikes. This week, the panel talks about the Downfall of Pompeii, a two part city-building then...

This week, the panel digs into our recent game of Dominant Species! Dominant Species, designed by Chad Jensen, was first published by GMT Games in 2010. In 2011, it was nominated for the BoardGameGeek Golden Geek Award for Most Innovative and Best Thematic Game and won two Golden Geeks for Best Strategy Game and Game of the Year.  Episode Summary: The panel begins by highlighting typical challenges with worker placement games, and how Dominant Species couples it with area majority. We discuss...

Join the panel this week as they branch out into a game of Photosynthesis!  Photosynthesis, designed by Hjalmar Hach, was first published by Blue Orange Games in 2017. It was nominated for several 2017  Board Game Geek Awards, including Most Innovative and Best Family Game. Photosynthesis won several awards, including the 2017 Board Game Geek Golden Geek Award for Best Artwork and Presentation, the 2018 Mensa Selects Award, and the 2018 UK Games Expo People’s Choice Award. Episode Summary:...

Previously, on Games to the Cellar... We played a game of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: the Game! The good one from Milton Bradley! Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Game (2000), designed by Rob Daviau, Bill Sabram, and Craig van Ness, was published by Milton Bradley in 2000. Episode Summary: Join the panel as we take a look at the game mechanisms of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: the Game and the roles of each character. We discuss the movement of characters, the different dice used, and the objectives...

Join us in our first ever Bonus Episode, where we play a few games and have a little fun. John, Chris, and Sam face off to battle for the Title of the King of the Mississippi and a really dumb trophy that I got off Amazon. Round 1: Wager of Wits! The panel stretches their understanding of the Mississippi River to answer a few tricky questions. Round 2: The Lightning Round! The panel reaches back to the recesses of their brains. Only a depth of knowledge in geography will save you now! Round...

This week we dig into the hot new expansion for last year's most popular civilization game, Mosaic. Mosaic: Wars and Disasters was designed by Glen Drover and was published by Forbidden Games in 2023. Episode Summary The panel covers everything Mosaic: Wars and Disasters adds to Mosaic, including new civilization achievements, new wonders, disaster triggers, and two new types of towns. We break down the new government type, new national military powers, and the one-time-use military actions. ...

Join us this week as we sail into a game of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico, a Spiel des Jahres nominee, was designed by Andreas Seyfarth and was first published by Alea, Ravensburger, and Rio Grande Games in 2002. Episode Summary The panel takes a deep dive into this once top-rated game that has seemingly lost its charm and acknowledges the problematic aspects of its theme while focusing on its gameplay evolution. This insightful discussion takes you through the intricate interplay between players,...

Join us this week in our first episode of Season 2 of Games from the Cellar. We ride the tide of the Mighty Mississippi in the 1997 Classic, Mississippi Queen! Mississippi Queen, designed by Werner Hodel, was first published by Rio Grande Games in the US in 1997. Mississippi Queen won the Spiel des Jares in 1997. Episode Summary Embark on a journey with us as we navigate the thrilling world of Mississippi Queen, the classic 25-year-old steamboat racing board game. We cover all of the...

Take a Chance with us this week as we play Monopoly! (This could be our most popular or unpopular episode yet!) Depending on where in the story you start, Monopoly was either first designed by Elizabeth J. Magie and patented in 1904 as the Landlord’s Game, or developed and patented by Charles Darrow in 1935. It was first published by Parker Brothers. Monopoly was awarded “Game of the Century” by the Toy Retailers Association. Episode Summary: This week, the panel takes on Monopoly, the...

Join us this week, as the panel dives in and discusses the board gaming classic, Survive: Escape from Atlantis! Survive: Escape from Atlantis!, designed by Julian Courtland-Smith, was originally published in 1982 by Parker Brothers. It was later reprinted by Stronghold Games in 2012. It was nominated Game of the Year in Italy and Game of the Year in Spain. Episode Summary: Join the panel this week as we explore the classic board game Survive: Escape from Atlantis!, designed by Julian Cortland...

Join us this week, as the panel answers the call to discuss Sentinels of the Multiverse! Sentinels of the Multiverse, designed by Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, and Adam Rebottaro, was first published by Greater than Games in 2011. Sentinels was nominated for a Golden Geek Award in 2012 for Best Card Game. Episode Summary: Ever wanted to feel like a superhero while playing a card game? ZAP! Join the panel today as we discuss Sentinels of the Multiverse! We'll share our thoughts on the game...

Join us as we dive into a list of games that we hope to play on the show in the very near future. That's it, no real show notes this week, just a list of games and why we want to play them. Chapters: (0:01:00) Quarriors: Qualtimate Quedition (BGG) | Stephen (0:03:37) Table Battles (BGG) | (Dinosaur Table Battles (GftC #19)) | John (0:06:12) Game of Thrones (BGG) | Samuel (0:08:37) StarCraft (BGG) | Chris (0:10:23) Galaxy Trucker (BGG) | Stephen (0:12:06) Crokinole (BGG) | John (0:13:50) Level...

Join us this week as the panel powers up a game of Power Grid! Power Grid, also known as Funkenschlag, was designed by Friedemann Friese and was first published in the US by Rio Grande Games in 2004. Power Grid was a Spiel des Jahres Recommended Game in 2005 and has won many other awards. Episode Summary In this episode, we're getting back to our roots with a game that's near and dear to our hearts - Power Grid. Listen in as we brush up on the rules and explore the ins and outs of managing...

This week we revisit the panel favorite, Wings for the Baron, to explore the Standard Game mode of play. Wings for the Baron, designed by Dave Townsend, was first published by Victory Point Games in 2015. Episode Summary In this episode, the panel revisits Wings for the Baron! This time we focus on the Standard Game variant. Join us as we explore the differences between the Standard game and the Campaign game, with notable changes like a Fighter Only player board, and the reduction of actions...