As December comes to a close, along with the year, it’s time for another look back at what I’ve been playing! This month was rather quiet in terms of spending time at my solo game table… But the majority of my holiday break has been about organizing all the games. So many! I feel great and look forward to diving into new and familiar adventures in 2026!

A Look at the Ratings

My ratings are more like a glimpse at my games based on a set of criteria that works for me. The number is just that: A simple number I can look at for a quick idea of the game.

Anything in the 70s is a decent game, while games in the 80s are great. Breaking into the 90s is harder and harder to do, yet these are often my absolutely favorites over time!

I’m drifting a bit from the importance of a singular number, as it’s more about the feelings and experience of a game.

Still, this is a feature I find useful as a gauge of what the month was like… Even when it was a fairly quiet one!

• Cartographers Heroes: 90%
• Viscounts of the West Kingdom: 85%
• Architects of the West Kingdom: 80%
• HEXplore It: Kilk’s Madness Campaign: 74%
• Paladins of the West Kingdom: 68%
  

  The Award Goes To…

  With fewer games played, everyone is a winner. Ha ha! I don’t mind it, though, as these are the categories that give me a chance to look back and appreciate the moments.

  I had thought of modifying this for the full year, but a single month seems to be working nicely as a useful timeframe.

  That’s a big part of these awards, though: I don’t spend ages thinking things through. Something always stands out from the past month, and it’s usually a case of breaking ties.

  So, for the final time in 2025, enjoy these silly awards and the fun of handing them out to the games I played recently!

  

  December 2025 Award Winners

  Action-Packed Scene: The most exciting gaming moment went to HEXplore It: Klik’s Madness Campaign.

  Back for More: The ability to call for just one more play goes to Cartographers Heroes.

  Calico Critters Twin: The cutest animals or other creatures appeared in Cartographers Heroes.

  Freshly Hatched Box: The most recent release and great experience was HEXplore It: Klik’s Madness Campaign.

  From the Ashes: The oldest release that went unplayed too long was Paladins of the West Kingdom.

  Inspired by Nature: The closest ties to realistic nature principles belong to Cartographers Heroes.

  It’s a Trap!: The most additional content to want to play is found in HEXplore It: Klik’s Madness Campaign.

  Next Gallery Exhibit: The most beautiful artwork to admire is in Viscounts of the West Kingdom.

  Roses are Red: The most unique and colorful components are in Viscounts of the West Kingdom.

  Surprise Party Time: The most unexpectedly positive experience came from Cartographers Heroes.

  The Gold Cheesecake: The coziest and most relaxing atmosphere was found in Architects of the West Kingdom.

  The Jeweled Crown: The fanciest and highest-quality components belong to Paladins of the West Kingdom.

  Uh-Oh, Hot Dog!: The most disastrous turns to work through happened in Cartographers Heroes.

  Winner of All: The best elements and most enjoyment were found in Viscounts of the West Kingdom.

  Descriptions of the awards are in the photos above, but the bottom line is that they’re mostly random for some laughs!

  Monthly Highlights

  This was a month all about… Not playing? Ha! Accurate, though. I went through years of neglected organizing that needed to be done. It’s always a

  I’m still working on finalizing a few things, but the end result is around 70 recycled boxes. Yes: Seven-zero! All from consolidating expansions and saving so much space.

  Making that feeling of being overwhelmed by things to do disappear feels awesome, and I’m excited about games.

  Yet I still enjoyed some great experiences, such as with Cartographers Heroes and Viscounts of the West Kingdom!

  

  Lessons of the Month

  Sometimes, the joy from this hobby comes from activities other than playing. I feel so much better about my collection and removed one of the biggest barriers to starting to play.

  It’s not about the quantity of solo plays for me, and I’ll take that into 2026. There are endless opportunities waiting on my shelves… And not the floor. Ha ha! So much to discover!

  I’m taking things a little slower and enjoying what I am playing in my own ways, which is exactly what I want.

  Finally, I discovered The Wind in the Willows movie and series from the 80s. That’s just a delightful way to end 2025!

  Continue the Conversation

  What did you enjoy playing in December 2025? Were there any special experiences for the month, or even the year? I had one of my quietest solo gaming months in ages… And it was fantastic. Taking a step back to tidy up helped take away that feeling of drowning in so many unplayed games. Now, I have a lot of different games to look forward to. Happy New Year!