Cthulhu Mythos
Cthulhu Mythos, a fictional universe based on the work of H. P. Lovecraft, is one of the most popular horror themes in board games and other media. Most of it is apparently in public domain. That could explain the recent surge of new games using the theme.
Lovecraft's Great Old Ones are still stirring the imagination of a plethora of authors and causing chills for an army of readers, watchers, and gamers. Out of all the board games with this theme, Fantasy Flight Games has the most hits, with games like Arkham Horror, Eldritch Horror, Mansions of Madness: Second Edition, Elder Sign and Arkham Horror: The Card Game.
Other notable games include Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu and Cthulhu Wars. For a complete list, take a look at hplovecraft.com Lovecraftian Board Games list.
Geek and Sundry have two interesting posts about the Cthulhu board games and Board Game King has a Top 10 Lovecraft Board Games so make sure to check those out.
News
Games News! 20/02/17
Shut Up & Sit Down write about the news from the past week. Marvel and Disney licensed Codenames, Terra Mystica: Gaia Project, Werewords, Cities of Splendor Expansions...
Tabletop I’m Excited For: Spring 2017
Lindsay of Shiny Happy Meeples writes about games that she is interested in or excited for, whether they are new releases or upcoming.
WizKids Heads for 'The Expanse'
WizKids has announced the upcoming release of The Expanse, a new strategy game set in the universe of the hit Syfy TV show and novel series, with the release expected in June.
Warhammer Quest is Back and for Preorder
Last published around 1995, Warhammer Quest is making a triumphant return thanks to Games Workshop finally caving into fans’ wishes. Releasing at the end of this month.
Mike’s Top Ten Anticipated Board Games of 2017
These are the games that make me lose sleep at night because I’m obsessing about them like some love struck teenager. That gentle cooing and deep sighing you hear is me looking lovingly at a Polaroid of the game in the number one spot.
Z-Man Games announces new tower defense style game, Bastion
Tower defense games seem to be all the rage right now with several having popped up on Kickstarter, so Z-Man decided to bring in a game from Hobby World. The game is called Bastion, and the forces of evil have never been this organized before, so it is up to your and your fellow heroes to protect the castle.
Articles and Videos
9 Undeniable Reasons Board Games Are Awful
A fun post by Wolfie. Let’s face it: in between the pathetically minute moments of exhilaration and victory, large chunks of our hobby are consumed by terrible, terrible things. This hobby is just bad, and I’m about to prove it to you with generally infallible logic in 9 simple steps.
What's Next Top 10 Games of All Time by Man Vs Meeple
Jeremy, David, and Gary of Man vs Meeple crew have made a list of their Top 10 Games of All Time. Check it out.
Three Incredible Board Games with Real World Themes
In board gaming, fantasy, future, and historical games draw the lion’s share of thematic space. But there are some games that go very much off the beaten path. And a rare few that focus on real world or more somber themes. Here are three of the best.
My Top 10 Favorite Tabletop Games (as of February 2017)
Jamey Stegmaier writes about his top 10 favorite games. Many, many games didn't make this list, including all games that he designed or published and even some of his favorite gaming experiences (Risk Legacy and Pandemic Legacy).
How to Survive a Boardgame Convention
You’re going to a convention, it might be your first time ever or you could be going somewhere new. Maybe you REALLY don’t know what to pack or you may just be feeling a little anxious or nervous about going. Hopefully, Katie can help.
A Top 10: Board Game Art I’d Like To Frame
By Jason Meyers. I’ve been threatening to do this for a while. And by “threat,” I mean that I will ramble along in streams of conscious thought of something which I know very little about. So here it goes.
Crowdfunding
Thunderstone Quest from AEG by Alderac Entertainment Group
The new version of Mike Elliott's best-selling Thunderstone deckbuilding game.
Black Orchestra by Game Salute
A cooperative historical board game for 1-5 players who play as conspirators in a daring plot to assassinate the tyrant Adolf Hitler.
The Last Garden - Robotanists in the Post-Apocalypse. by Chris Rowlands
A board game where players control groups of Robotanists making a beautiful artificial garden in the wastelands of the post-apocalypse.
GKR: Heavy Hitters by Weta Workshop
The near-future is here, and Earth’s abandoned cities are now battlegrounds for the ultimate spectator sport: GIANT KILLER ROBOTS!
Food Truck Champion by Daily Magic Games
A family-friendly food game inspired by Glory to Rome. Hire staff, stock your fridge, prepare beautiful dishes, and upgrade your truck!
The Terminator™: The Official Board Game by Space Goat Productions, Inc.
An asymmetrical strategy game played across two boards based off of the iconic 1984 James Cameron film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Reviews and Playthroughs
Braintopia (Asmodee) Review by Man Vs Meeple
Man vs Meeple reviews Braintopia, a 2-6 player puzzle game that will test your skills of observation, quick thinking, and coordination.
Review: Honshu
Shut Up & Sit Down review of Honshu, the best thing to come out of Finland since karjalanpiirakat. Honshu made a name for itself during the American convention circuit last year.
Flamme Rouge Gameplay Runthrough
Rahdo runs through the boardgame Flamme Rouge, a fast-paced, tactical bicycle racing game where each player controls a team of two riders: a Rouleur and a Sprinteur. The players’ goal is to be the first to cross the finish line with one of their riders.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game Review – Collectible Lovecraft
Baden Ronie of Wolf's Gaming Blog reviews Arkham Horror: The Card Game from a solo playing perspective.
Jaipur Review
Marco Arnaudo reviews Jaipur, a two player fast-paced card game with a blend of tactics, risk, and luck.
Adrenaline Review - Heart Pounding Fun or Just Another Eurogame?
This Adrenaline Review digs into the first ever “First Person Shooter” board games that I have ever played. I’m not a video gamer, but I was super intrigued as to how the FPS concept would translate into a board game.
Week in Review - February 20, 2017
The Dice Tower crew and friends are going through all of the reviews they did the last week.
Influencers
Joel Eddy
Joel runs a popular YouTube channel called Drive Thru Review containing board game reviews, walkthroughs, top 10 lists, podcasts and Gen Con coverage. He talks about all types of board games, without favoring some specific genre or mechanics.
A few days ago, he published his 1000th video on the channel which makes him one of the most prolific reviewers on YouTube.
Besides YouTube, you can find him on Twitter, Facebook and BGG.