New games I’ve tried out lately include…

FORESTRY (2025): Rank 3336, Rating 7.8

You have just 10 turns in this game. On each turn, you spend action points, which can increase as the game goes on. You pick from a list of actions, kind of like in Tikal. These let you move around the board to grab trees, collect supplies, take on contracts and finish them, handle tasks, put up buildings, fill your bonus board, and more. You can’t do it all, and picking what to do is what makes the game fun. When you land on a spot on the board, other players can’t mess with you, so you can plan your next move without worry. I really liked that part. The only downside is some waiting time when players check out different bonus paths. It’s pretty easy to pick up and play, which felt fresh. I want to try other ways to play it.

Rating: 8

THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN (2025): Rank 1891, Rating 7.6 – Knizia

This is a roll-and-write game that keeps things basic but adds some fun twists. It has different maps for various parts of the trip, each with its own rules and ways to value resources. Players take turns picking one die, and the person whose turn it is gets the last die left. Most times, you pick a die to move and mark your path on the map since it’s all about the journey. But you also need other dice to gather resources for moving and scoring points. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s done well with pretty maps.

Rating: 7

INSIDE JOB (2022): Rank 2111, Rating 7.0

It’s one full hand of trick-taking with a hidden traitor who doesn’t have to follow the suit. Each trick comes with its own goal, like all odd-numbered cards or playing cards in rising order. If the traitor wins enough tricks, they win. If the game ends without enough goals met and the traitor isn’t voted out, they win too. Being the traitor is a bit tense because you have to hide your extra choices, but it’s not as bad as Spyfall stress. That lets me enjoy this quick 10-minute game of pointing fingers and defending yourself, knowing you mostly play the cards you get.

INTARSIA (2024): Rank 2928, Rating 7.1 – Kiesling

This is a multiplayer abstract game where you build patterns on your own board. You play X cards of one color to place a piece of size X in that color. Then you draw X-1 cards that must be a different color. Watch what others are doing, race to finish patterns first for public goals, and handle cards in many colors. It’s hard to know if going for goal points or end-game points is better. That’s the main puzzle since everyone gets the same stuff otherwise. Do what others aren’t. It’s okay to play but feels too samey and abstract for me.

Rating: 6

KINFIRE COUNCIL (2025): Rank 4120, Rating 7.8 – Wilson

This is semi-cooperative, which can be tricky, but here it seems to work out fair. Players with a good point engine keep going while holding back the cultists. Those without switch to gaining cultist sway and skip points to win if cultists take over. That means fewer folks fighting cultists, keeping things balanced. Lots of actions, but they’re simple – just go after what you need. The game moved smooth even with six players. I’d play again to see if it stays fair with good players.

Rating: 7

LACRIMOSA (2022): Rank 612, Rating 7.6

Each turn, you draw cards from your deck and pick which to use for actions or for supplies. Only five action types, but drawing limits what you can do, which adds interest. In five rounds, you spend supplies to upgrade your deck, buy symphony cards for points, play them for more points, move on the board for stuff, or invest in area control for lasting bonuses to use a lot. Cards saved for supplies shape next round’s actions – think ahead. Solid choices all around. It plays smooth and fun. Replay might not be endless, but it’s good to play.

Rating: 7

PICTURES (2019): Rank 1151, Rating 7.2

You get a secret picture from a 4×4 grid and try to copy it using cubes, strings, blocks, cards, or sticks in different rounds. Scoring like Dixit – points for right guesses and being guessed right. Not always simple, but often doable with smart ideas. Fun now and then.

Rating: 6

SPEAKEASY (2025): Rank 727, Rating 8.5 – Lacerda

You need lots of setup time to get into it because things happen unevenly – different round counts before big events you must prep for. Action picks are tight and uneven, turn order matters. Some actions are always good and simple, others need building up. Each turn sparks many chain reactions. Icons everywhere can confuse. Waiting between turns can drag. It challenges you to build and time things right for good scores. Theme might be deep, but I don’t care for stories of crime in another place.

Rating: 6

Thoughts of other Opinionated Gamers:

Larry: Lacrimosa looks great and has a rare theme. But the rules didn’t feel new to me. It was fun enough, and I wouldn’t say no to playing again, but I won’t chase it down. Neutral for me.

Fraser: Pictures might be fine sometimes, but my first game wasn’t, and I won’t bother trying again.

Tery: I’m liking Forestry a lot so far after four plays. I like the advanced powers best, but basic is good too. Works well at two, three, or four players. Choices matter with limited time, and each game feels different.

I played Lacrimosa a bunch at first and had fun, but after many times it faded. Need to play soon to check if it’s just newness or worth keeping.

Speakeasy pulls me both ways. Setup and play take forever, even at two players, with lots of waiting. I like the actions and rules, but not sure if the time pays off.