A Visit to San Sibilia – Actual Play & Review

I Was Excited But…

Before I start, this is a sponsored post. The creator of the game, Peter Eijk contacted me asking if I would be interested in covering the game and after taking a quick look I enthusiastically said, “Yes!” as I tend to enjoy this kind of game. I don’t let the fact the game was given to me for this review get in the way of actual critique, but be sure to keep it in mind regardless.

What immediately stood out to me with A Visit to San Sibilia, henceforth just referred to as San Sibilia, was its artistic style. The game truly looks great, and since Peter’s goal is to get funding for a physical copy, at the very least I can confidently say this will look absolutely stunning on any gaming shelf or otherwise. Though the game is only a mere 14 pages, each of the pages that include art (most of them), do a great job of invoking a sense of the setting. So let’s take a journey together as we visit San Sibilia!

English Eerie – Review & Play Reports

Rural Horror at its Finest

You may recall that for the month of October I ran an event for my Discord server where people were tasked with writing spooky stories using the English Eerie role-playing system. Here I’ll be giving my thoughts on the game and sharing the various stories that were created.

Golden Sky Stories – Helping Out in a Rural Village

Heart-Warming Fun

This is a slightly expanded review which I featured on Reddit, which you can view here. It won the monthly review contest there for April 2019. I’m trying out a slightly new format for this sort of content, so feedback is appreciated.

What is Golden Sky Stories?

“Golden Sky Stories is a heartwarming, non-violent role-playing game from Japan, by Ryo Kamiya. In this game, players take on the role of henge, animals that have just a little bit of magical power, including the ability to temporarily take on human form. You can be a fox, raccoon dog, cat, dog, rabbit, or bird, and each kind has their own special magical powers. Players will then attempt to solve problems around a small enchanted town with ingenuity, co-operation and friendship.

Golden Sky Stories requires one Narrator, 2-4 players, pencils and paper, and tokens to keep track of Dreams.”

-The game’s page

Haiku Warrior – Fighting Warrior, Fend off Discord in the Land, Wear Neat Hats & Boots

A Role Playing Game Told Entirely Through Haiku?

For Christmas this year I received a few games, as did some of my friends. Naturally, we deiced to give one of them a spin during one of our (mostly) weekly get-togethers. This time we chose to play Haiku Warrior, a game created by Jason Anarchy, who has also created other party-style games, most notably Drinking Quest. Claiming to be a role playing game told entirely through haiku, does Haiku Warrior deliver, and most importantly, is it fun?

The Plant – A Solo Role-Playing Experience

The Plant

Intro:  The Plant is a solo role-playing experience that I have adapted into a short story for your enjoyment. I did this run completely blind with no knowledge of what could occur or any of the game’s contents, so be sure to keep that in mind while reading. Also, no edits (outside of minor spelling, grammar, and tense changes) were made to what I wrote down. This will also act as a review/endorsement of the system, as well as other Bully Pulpit Games. Personally, I highly recommend Fiasco if you have a few friends around, it is a great game! That cost some money, but they have several free games, including this one (an award winner, by the way), on their website. As for what The Plant is, the story setup is this:

Your daughter is in the plant. You are going to find her.

But Wait, There’s More! – Mini Review

Hey, Jon Spencer Here!

Today I’d like to tell you about this exciting board game called, “But Wait, There’s More!” a game that can be experienced with 3-10 players! Imagine yourself as one of those infomercial people having to sell products like a hammer or key. Not just any ol’ hammer or key though, oh no sir! Your hammer may be able to solve all your night-time worries or expand on command. Did I mention you were being timed? You have to give your spiel fast or risk those pesky viewers from changing the channel on you. Sounds exciting right? But wait, there’s more! As you pitch your idea you have to include an on-the-fly feature making for one wacky experience. So what are you waiting for?!? Grab your copy of, “But Wait, There’s More” for just… wait, this game is out of print now?

The blue cards are products, the pink cards are features

That’s pretty much an example of the game right there. it’s very similar to another game called Snake Oil but I love this one a lot more! Unfortunately, as I was writing this I learned that the game is unavailable right now. If you do manage to find a copy of this one for cheap someplace pick it up because it is one of the most fun party games I have. It’s always a huge hit!

To see the game in action and get a second opinion, check out The Dice Tower’s review of the game which I’ve posted below:

Tom recommends this too!

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What are your thoughts on games that are primarily about talking and improv? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If you want to support me here, just hit the button below to toss a few bucks my way. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you back here at Jon Spencer Reviews again soon!

Sentinels of the Multiverse – Reviewing the Board Game, Video Game, & Opening the BIG Box

After Years of Waiting it Finally Came!

Sentinels of the Multiverse, or SoTM, is one of my favorite board games that I own. That’s why when the last expansion went up on Kicstarter years ago, along with the BIG box to hold it all, I jumped on it immediately. Well it took its sweet time but it finally came! Today I review the game, its digital version, and of course, the BIG box!

Onitama – Simple & Fun

Chess has a Deep History

A game that has existed for some time now, chess, is a game that many of us are familiar with. It’s a game that evokes intelligence, strategy, cunning, and something that a lot of people just don’t have any interest in frankly. Despite how much I enjoy the game, it is something I’m pretty willing to admit about chess. With any game like this, you are bound to see variations across different cultures and evolutions as time goes by. Today I’ll be looking at one such game:  Onitama. Don’t worry though, this is one game you’ll want to play!

Mysterium – Is This Your Card?

Welcome to a Gathering of the World’s Best Spiritualists

Your purpose is to channel the spirit of a murdered man and determine who the culprit is. Mysterium is a lot like Clue, except way better. If you’ve ever played Dixit before, then you should also feel at home with how the game works. You’ll be transfixed by the hauntingly beautiful artwork and murder mystery that is set before you. Can you solve the murder before it’s too late?

Las Vegas Board Game Review – Just Like the Real Thing but Without the Crippling Debt & Alcoholism

High-Rolling Old-School Fun

The first time I played Las Vegas was during a convention my church hosted. Mrs. K, a bunch of strangers, and myself sat down for what was supposed to be “a short fun game” between some of the heftier titles we had been enjoying. Over an hour later and lots of swearing packed to the brim with tension, the dust finally settled and Mrs. K stood victorious. Not bad for a game about rolling a bunch of dice.