2025 in tabletop: my top 10

@finn

A mixed bag of boardgames and RPGs from 2025. No particular order, no agenda — just the ten releases I found myself reaching for most often.

Comparing dice towers I have owned

@finn

I've owned four dice towers. Two were great, two were terrible. Here's what I learned. What matters Factor Why Inside surface Felt or rubber. Plastic-on-plastic is loud and bounces dice...

Heroes of Vintaag campaign session 4

@finn

The party crossed the ridge and found the village deserted — recently deserted. Tools on tables, doors open. Three competing theories, no commitment. Retreated overnight.

Painting the Reaper Bones starter

@finn

Painting the Reaper Bones starter set so I have monsters for the RPG nights without the painting becoming a project of its own. The rule I set myself: one hour...

Three RPG one-shots that landed

@finn

Mothership, Brindlewood Bay, and Honey Heist. Three completely different one-shots that all worked, for completely different reasons.

What I am bringing to the convention

@finn

Convention is in two weeks. Here's what's going in the bag. Games I'm running Heroes of Vintaag , one-shot, six hours, four players Mausritter , drop-in dungeon crawl, two-hour slot,...

Game night: Spirit Island, three players

@finn

Brandenburg-Prussia at level 3, a near-loss in round four, and a comeback built on two fast cards in a single round. Won on round eight.

A 30-minute review of Quacks

@finn

The Quacks of Quedlinburg. Reviewed in 30 minutes because that's about how long it takes to play. Rating: 7/10. Would play again. What it does well The push-your-luck loop is...

Rules-lite vs crunchy: the eternal debate

@finn

Every group has The Argument about rules-lite versus crunchy systems. Both sides are right; neither is actually talking about the game.

Solo play: a quiet Tuesday

@finn

A quiet Tuesday at the table. Just me and Spirit Island on the solo two-handed setup. I lost. Cleanly. The blight cascaded on turn five and I never recovered. It's...