Last modified August 11, 2026 by Jarjar
Tableau-building mechanics and small games are in the spotlight this month! Header image: FlipToons
FEATURED
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FlipToonsIt stands out thanks to its original mechanics: a deck-builder and a tableau-builder that are reset each turn. Furthermore, the illustrations are gorgeous and bring back fond memories of our childhood =) It's a truly beautiful production, both festive and original. Season 2, announced at Gen Con, has just arrived in stores!
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Dnupfrom the author of the excellent ScoutA bit more family-friendly this time! It took a few rounds to grasp all the nuances of the game and appreciate it, not that it's complicated, though! It's a very good trick-taking game, quick and efficient, with fun little twists. Undoubtedly the game of the summer here; it's easy to play several rounds in a row, and the players keep asking for more.
NOTICES
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PeacockA delightful surprise! It's another tableau-building game, but a very dynamic one: each season, the birds in our tableau can migrate (and therefore leave our tableau) in search of food. Brilliant!
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First GiantsFrom the creator of the excellent print-and-play games (Voyage, Aquamarine, Waypoints, etc.) and the Next Station series, comes another tableau-builder, but this time one that deconstructs itself during gameplay! It's a beautifully produced game with lovely illustrations. I love it when designers and publishers put so much love into the production of a game!
ALL GAMES PLAYED
Kingdom LegacyA solo game that I love, I've played 9 sessions, because you don't really play games: you just play round after round until you've used up your deck (or after a certain number of rounds with the expansions). Following my article about the game, the author took the time to comment on it =)
Agent Avenue...with the very expensive Division M expansion. It's infuriating, because this expansion should have been included in the base game! Instead, the publisher charges us almost the price of the original game for just a few cards and two tokens. My former colleague Ken had already addressed this abuse that publishers impose on us in a very interesting article worth reading. here.
Splendor Duel + The Counterfeiters expansion is excellent; it adds power cards that change the dynamics of the game! It should have been included in the base game as well!
CivolutionI love this open-world game, so many choices are possible! The mini-expansion adds cute little creatures that are a great help. And I got my best score yet! It's a game we don't play often enough!
Puerto Rico 1897 Special EditionA truly magnificent version, but I wouldn't have paid that price! There are crazier people than me, I won't name names here =). A mechanism that has aged well and still runs smoothly.
Sweet LandsAnother excellent puzzle! Full of satisfying decisions. Delightful every time I play it =)
