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Finspan - Sharks and Reefs: Review Information: Mechanics: Engine Building, Set Collection Player Age: 10+ Player Count: 1 - 5 Players Time to Play: 45 - 60 Minutes  Game Designer:  Michael O'Connell (II) Game Artist: Catalina Martinez, Ana Maria Martinez Jaramillo, Mesa Schumacher Publisher : Stonemaier Games  Expansions: Yes Year Published: 2025 BGG Weight: 2.31 Introduction : Finspan is the fish (sea life) equivalent of the famous Wingspan. For the original review click here. This review will focus on the first expansion for Finspan; Sharks and Reefs. In this expansion the cards have increased from 125 cards to 200. With a lot of these new cards focusing on a new reef addition. Reef : In the middle of each player's board. In the twilight section a new board overlay has been placed to include a reef overlay.  Each reef will have a different coloured coral assigned to each dive track. Each coral token will score the players an additio...

Duel for Meloch: Rapid Review Information: Mechanics:  Area Control, Engine Building, Variable Player Powers, Assymetrical  Player Age: 14+ Player Count: 1 - 2  Players Time to Play:  45  Minutes  Game Designer: Jamey Stegmaier Game Artist: Jakub Rozalski Publisher : Stonemaier Games  Expansions: Yes Year Published: 2026 BGG Weight: 3.58 Rundown: Duel for Meloch is a really hard game to explain and review. However, it is a production feat that needs to be noted. Jamey Stegmaier has taken his two existing titles Expeditions and Scythe and created a shorter duel game. There are some interpretations of game crossovers in the industry so far, and loving them, an example is Mindbug X King of Tokyo. Duel for Meloch is more than this where other crossovers carry across the feelings of one game or characters into another system. Duel for Meloch is a system designed to hold residence for two other systems at once. The players are separated in...

Finspan: Rapid Review Information: Mechanics:  Engine Building, Set Collection Player Age: 10+ Player Count: 1 - 5 Players Time to Play:  45 - 60  Minutes  Game Designer: David Gordon (I), Michael O'Connell (II) Game Artist: Catalina Martinez, Ana Maria Martinez Jaramillo, Mesa Schumacher Publisher : Stonemaier Games  Expansions: Yes Year Published: 2025 BGG Weight:  2.31 Introduction : Wingspan has been a global hit for Stonemaier with four large expansions and countless small accessories and expansions. Wyrmspan went for a deeper more complex experience than wingspan. Finspan is the third of the trilogy and went for a more approachable game than Wingspan. I personally find Finspan at the same complexity weight, while still creating a simpler flow. In Finspan the player is no longer going across a track, but are now diving deep as they go down a track. Finspan in its own rights is a widely popular game, that I have already missed the boat when it com...

Origin Story - Heroes and Villains: Review Information: Mechanics: Trick Taking, Engine Building Player Age: 14+ Player Count: 1 - 5 Players Time to Play: 45 Minutes  Game Designer: Jamey Stegmaier, Pete Wissinger Game Artist: Clémentine Campardou Publisher : Stonemaier Games  Year Published: 2026 BGG Weight:  1.50 Disclaimer: A review copy for the game was provided by the publisher. Introduction : Origin Story is a trick taking game with a very unique difference. This game also focuses around enhancing a player's engine. Before each round players will gain a new hero card. These cards enhance the player's engine or create new scoring possibilities. One new story card has been included in this expansion. For the full review of the base game click here.  New Cards:  Each player will also gain two super heroes and choose one in the final trick. This gives players a strategy to plan towards when building their engine but a chance to p...

Vantage: Review Information: Mechanics:  Narrative, Exploration, Engine Building Player Age: 14+ Player Count: 1 - 6  Players Time to Play:  120 - 180  Minute s  Game Designer: Jamey Stegmaier,  Game Artist:  Valentina Filic, Sören Meding,  Emilien Rotival Publisher : Stonemaier Games  Year Published: 2025 BGG Weight: 2.34 Disclaimer: A review copy for the game was provided by the publisher. Introduction : Vantage is no easy feat, this is a true exploration game.  With 415 large cards, 916 standard cards and an array of books referencing interactions. The best way to explain Vantage is a point and click adventure mixed with engine building that makes players intrigued in the personal story they are developing. What I find truly great about this is it is not a campaign game, the gameplay is all contained in each sitting. Game Anatomy: Large Cards: These cards will mainly focus on the vantage view of the playe...