GAME ON

UK Games Expo is the biggest event in our calendar – but what’s the story behind it?

THE INDIE ROUNDUP

The weather is turning and it feels like Spring is firmly on the way. The mornings are warmer, the nights shorter. That doesn’t mean we can’t spend time around tables. Throughout the year we tell stories inspired by the world around us. I’ve started the year with a full Slugblaster campaign and now I am eyeing up my next game. Maybe I can help you find yours?

WHAT’S HOT?

Join us as we take a look at some of the games that are getting people talking. What’s being viewed and reviewed? Is it right up your street, or something you’re crossing the road to avoid?

UNBOXED - FORBIDDEN DEN ISLAND

Rob Burman speaks to prolific games designer Matt Leacock to celebrate 15 years of sinking islands and treasure hunting Written by Rob Burman

tabletop Glossary

Welcome adventurers, to the tabletop – where deck building has nothing to do with the patio, and worker placement isn’t part of a recruitment agency. If the terminology used to describe the games we know and love can feel like trying to learn a new language, let our glossary demystify, and have you speaking tabletop in no time at all Written by Emma Garrett

THOSE TROUBLESOME TARIFFS

Written The impact of the tariff war on board games

BREAKING THE MONOPOLY

Why does a community known for its friendliness hate so hard on a smiley old chap in a hat and his cute little dog?

AIRECON 2025

The games to watch from this year’s AireCon

TAKE ME FOR A SPIN

Ah the wheel. For six millennia this foundational technology has transported us great distances, eased our labours and delighted hamsters. Small wonder then, that it found its way into the most important human activity of all: games

HARMONIES WITH HARMONIES

The design story of a beautiful cosy favourite

10 OF THE BEST DECKBUILDING GAMES

Today, the deckbuilding mechanic is so widespread that it is more typically defined as its own genre. It has merged with other mechanics to brilliant effect, and even crossed over into the realm of video games. For now, though, here are ten of the best deckbuilding games to grace our tabletops

THE HOLLYWOOD TABLETOP TAKEOVER

Take a deep dive into the future of Hollywood. You heard it here first…

ALBANIA

This month we’re visiting Albania on the Balkan

YOUR RULES

Welcome to the return of Your World, Your Rules, the column that gives you insight into creating a tabletop RPG campaign that can see you through any title

CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Magic: The Gathering is taking us back to the plane of Tarkir

A L♥VE LETTER TO L♥VE LETTER

Rob Burman puts pen to paper (well, fingers to keyboard) and waxes lyrical about one of his favourite games

ON THE CARDS

Can I Borrow That?

LET’S GET IT STARTED IN HERE

The best trading card games to get into right now

SAPH-I’LL BE WINNING NO

Why Sapphire is the way to go

SAY I DO

Board games are such a large part of our lives, why not guests at our weddings?

THE BEST GAMES FOR WEDDINGS

MÖLKKY Mölkky is a lawn style game

TRY THIS IF YOU LIKED… CLUEDO

It’s one of the classics. Use your logic

COMMUNITY CHATTER TABLETOP RESCUE

For when you’re ready to admit the collection is out of control!

tabletop time machine

When you think of games, you don’t automatically

TINY LASER HEIST

Some games are just nonsense – in a

THE MYSTERY AGENCY – THE GHOST IN THE ATTIC

Escape room board games have tried every trick

NEKOJIMA

Nekojima, I found out in the course of

PERSPECTIVES (BLUE)

I'm a sucker for a cooperative game and

RNSM

Growing up I have fond memories of entertaining

THE MORRISON GAME FACTORY

Let’s begin this review by resolving any guesses

THE ARCHITECTS OF AMYTIS

The King of Babylon wants a city to

STATION TO STATION

Please stand back from the platform edge. The

TIDAL BLADES 2: RISE OF THE UNFOLDERS

T idal Blades 2: Rise of the Unfolders

ZEBRA

Not to get philosophical here but do you

RUNEMASTERS

In the cooperative tower-defence game Runemasters , players

ARCS: LEADERS AND LORE

It’s rare for a game to truly have

ARCS: THE BLIGHTED REACH

Move over Twilight Imperium , I think you’re

VOIDFALL

After the fall of a powerful space empire,

FUNGI

Two player card games about the right size

STRATO

Stormy weather ahead, I hope you packed your

ECO MOFOS!!

There are far too many doomy, miserable games

THE WILDSEA: STORM & ROOT EXPANSION

If you missed our must-play review last year,

STAR TREK ADVENTURES – SECOND EDITION – STARTER SET

As a fan of Star Trek , I

DEATH GAME

There’s been a glut of popular media about

RE;ACT: THE ARTS OF WAR

This is a two-player duelling game with an