I’m Adam, a board game critic with over 15 years of experience in the hobby. I have had work published in multiple print magazines, online publications, and journals, including:
- Tabletop Gaming Magazine (UK)
- Banzai (Japanese wargame magazine)
- UK Games Expo show programme
- Filmmakers Without Cameras
- There Will Be Games
I have a manifesto which describes how I approach reviews, bias, and conflicts of interest.
You can contact me on my Contact Page.
Where to find me
Why board games?
I remember my first exposure to the world beyond Monopoly. I saw a video by Scott Nicholson (this one), introducing different kinds of games. I watched the whole thing, and was enthralled from then.
My own personal gateway games, the ones that really hooked me, were Last Night On Earth, Dominion and Hamburgum. I had a seven year break in playing when my son was born and I didn’t have the time to play (along with the fear of having my precious collection destroyed and/or eaten by a toddler), but now I’m back in deeper than ever.
Things I like in a game
I love Euro games most of all, and I especially love worker-placement games, and games with a rondel. I lean towards the heavier end of the board game spectrum, and my preferred games tend to be in the 3 – 5 range when you’re looking at the BGG complexity rating.
I love social deduction and hidden role games, and I’m a massive fan of any kind of mystery too.
I like games with multiple routes to victory, and games that depend on planning and strategy, rather than luck. My Favourite designers are Alexander Pfister, Shem Phillips, Uwe Rosenberg and Dávid Turczi.
Things I don’t like in a game
Generally speaking, I’m usually prepared to try anything. That said, I really don’t enjoy roll-and-move games, or anything completely dependent on luck. I’m not a big fan of the Ameritrash style of games, but there are some notable exceptions, like Cosmic Encounter and Lords of Vegas.
Other things
Outside of board games I have a lifelong obsession with videogames, and love gardening, space exploration, learning Japanese, and pretty much anything nerdy in the slightest.