We tried playing Fox in the Forest DUET again. I am a *HUGE* fan of the original Fox in the Forest 2p competitive game. I should love the duet coop spin-off, but I don't. It just feels much too chaotic and uncontrolled, and the spark of fun is not there even when you do well.

Finished part 2 of File on Fenton and Farr, the rarest of the 1930s crime dossier game books. 7.5 hr session (+7.5 hr previous). An incredible trip back in time, like being in film noir movie. Wow. youtube.com/watch?v=38T-3X…

Just posted our review of The Animals of Baker Street, Dave Neale's latest mystery detective game, but this one aimed at kids around 10 years old. Gregg and I both thought it would make a fantastic gift for your child's first detective game: youtube.com/watch?v=MBgE1t…

Just finished recording my 1+ hr thoughts on the Queen's Park Affair expansion for Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective. Now to edit and wait the 12 hours for youtube to render it...

Just posted my 80 minute long spoiler-free discussion of The Queen's Park Affair, one of the longest and most demanding expansions for Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective. Compared versions, talked game design, advised what rules to bend: youtube.com/watch?v=30toB1…

Today at 10pm cst I'll be doing a live chat Q&A about the co-op for two youtube channel. Happy to take any questions ahead of time, talk boardgames, filming, or just chat about the ridiculousness of having a youtube channel: youtube.com/watch?v=GPewaQ… -jesse

Fans of Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective might appreciate my new custom printed game table mat (3'x4'):

Tonight at 11pm cst I will be livestreaming my playthrough of "The Curse", the brand new fan-made case for Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective by Martinus Conradie: youtube.com/watch?v=E_xkv1…

Tonight (tuesday jan 31, 2023) on short notice at 11pm cst I will be playing The Dark and Stormy Night, a puzzle/escape-room style game from the Deadbolt Mystery Society: youtube.com/watch?v=JCm17v…

Next up, Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n Write. Too fiddly and complicated for what I want in a roll-and-write, with some turns taking much too long.. Also too punishing and not very fun to build your creation. Not a bad game per se, just not what im looking for in roll and write.

Next up, Diamont. I love these large player count short, simultenaous action games, and here's one that works perfectly -- push your luck with some light social deduction. Super clever and elegant. moments of laughter, suspense. I love it, others thought it ok.

Next up Forsaken Forest. Larger player count social deduction game that attempts to add real mechanics and map building. Didn't quite work. Feels unfinished and unbalanced, with ambiguous rules. But I like the idea of adding more meat to a social deduction game.

Next up, Creature Comforts. I get the love for this super cute worker and dice placement resource-crafting game. Neat push-your-luck mechanic with compensation, with very little direct competition. Always something to do. Young kids might struggle with strategy.

Next up, The Shivers. Like an old text adventure game played on beautiful pop-up diorama rooms. Cooperative except one player is game master and improvises+guides players through scenarios. Clever idea, feels shallow and easy; good for an adult running a game with kids playing.

Next up, The Shining, a co-op licensed game by Prospero Hall. Found it unusually boring. Prospero is really hit and miss.

Just posted a review of the Deadbolt Mystery Society series of mystery puzzle games, including a spoiler-free ranking of 5 of them: youtube.com/watch?v=Gd1vJK…