The Spiel

Set phasers to fun. We review Quantum and Star Realms, two epic space battle games that don't require an epic amount of time to play. You can blow up your friends (or the galaxy) and be home in time for dinner.

Period piece. We review Rococo, a board game where players take on the role of 18th century tailors, making elaborate dresses for a Grand Ball. Manage the party and your talent will be the talk of the town when the fireworks above the palace begin.

Period piece. We review Rococo, a board game where players take on the role of 18th century tailors, making elaborate dresses for a Grand Ball. Manage the party and your talent will be the talk of the town when the fireworks above the palace begin.

PB & play! We review Splendor and Buccaneer Bones, two games that pack a lot of fun into a few minutes. Whether you're mining gems or finding buried treasure, there's plenty of time to enjoy these games while you snarf down a midday meal.

PB & play! We review Splendor and Buccaneer Bones, two games that pack a lot of fun into a few minutes. Whether you're mining gems or finding buried treasure, there's plenty of time to enjoy these games while you snarf down a midday meal.

Puppet masters. We review Legacy and CV. Each game allows a player to shape the course of a modern life or a 17th century family through meaningful, sometimes gut-wrenching, decisions.

Puppet masters. We review Legacy and CV. Each game allows a player to shape the course of a modern life or a 17th century family through meaningful, sometimes gut-wrenching, decisions.

Hip to be square. We review Amerigo and Ka-Boom, two games that use simple wooden cubes in very creative but very different ways. Amerigo has a cube tower that randomizes actions. Ka-Boom has cube catapults players use to knock down opponent's towers.

Hip to be square. We review Amerigo and Ka-Boom, two games that use simple wooden cubes in very creative but very different ways. Amerigo has a cube tower that randomizes actions. Ka-Boom has cube catapults players use to knock down opponent's towers.

Left foot, peg foot, traveling on. We review Freedom: The Underground Railroad, a co-operative game where players take on the roles of brave Abolitionists tasked with the goal of ending slavery in the United States.

Left foot, peg foot, traveling on. We review Freedom: The Underground Railroad, a co-operative game where players take on the roles of brave Abolitionists tasked with the goal of ending slavery in the United States.

Title Hunt Puzzle by David Coleson. Each row of this puzzle is missing one letter (A-Z). Find the right letter and the title of a game will emerge. Solve the puzzle and you could win a prize!

Title Hunt Puzzle by David Coleson. Each row of this puzzle is missing one letter (A-Z). Find the right letter and the title of a game will emerge. Solve the puzzle and you could win a prize!

Straight outta Krakow. We review two 2-player games from Polish publisher Galakta: King & Assassins and Metallum. Also, Bill Corey visits the padded cell to take a Sommelier Challenge and give us the scoop on the Spring Gaming Hoopla.

Straight outta Krakow. We review two 2-player games from Polish publisher Galakta: King & Assassins and Metallum. Also, Bill Corey visits the padded cell to take a Sommelier Challenge and give us the scoop on the Spring Gaming Hoopla.

Boggle jackets and Big Bird money. A conversation with Bernie DeKoven, The Grand Poobah of Fun. We follow his career through mass market board games and video game design to his discovery of a Playful Path - a philosophy and the title of his latest book.

Boggle jackets and Big Bird money. A conversation with Bernie DeKoven, The Grand Poobah of Fun. We follow his career through mass market board games and video game design to his discovery of a Playful Path - a philosophy and the title of his latest book.

I think icon. We review Concept and La Boca, two games that ask players to communicate in fresh and unexpected ways: Concept through symbols and La Boca through shapes and colors.

I think icon. We review Concept and La Boca, two games that ask players to communicate in fresh and unexpected ways: Concept through symbols and La Boca through shapes and colors.

Seasons Spielings! Eight guests from around the world join us in the padded cell to celebrate the holidays. Round-table discussions, Sommelier challenges, Swedish rhymes, bad jokes and a visit from Lyle Otterbein fill this virtual party with good cheer.

Seasons Spielings! Eight guests from around the world join us in the padded cell to celebrate the holidays. Round-table discussions, Sommelier challenges, Swedish rhymes, bad jokes and a visit from Lyle Otterbein fill this virtual party with good cheer.

Packed for freshness... and fun! We review Polterfass, Luchador, Super Race and SOS Titanic. From wooden beer barrel and Mexican wrestler dice to dry-erase raceways and a flip-book ship, these games showcase novel components and innovative design.

Packed for freshness... and fun! We review Polterfass, Luchador, Super Race and SOS Titanic. From wooden beer barrel and Mexican wrestler dice to dry-erase raceways and a flip-book ship, these games showcase novel components and innovative design.

Dave joins Stephen in the padded cell for a behind-the scenes look at The Spiel's 2013 Essen adventure. Lots of questions and reflections on the trip and experience at this year's International Game Fair.

Dave joins Stephen in the padded cell for a behind-the scenes look at The Spiel's 2013 Essen adventure. Lots of questions and reflections on the trip and experience at this year's International Game Fair.