Page 16 – Toy Street

Flamecraft Review

Do you want something cute, with a great gameplay and puns too? Have you ever thought you want to level up your family gamenight with a game that is about 45 mins long, super fun and complete with awesome artwork and great components? Do you like dragons? Yes to any of these, and I have the game for you – its Flamecraft from Cardboard Alchemy!

How Do You Play?

This is a worker placement game about dragons going shopping. What that means is that you get to place your little coloured dragon character out to one of the shops in the marketplace, and that will allow you to either collect resources or cast a spell. I think it is important to note here that there is not a board in this game but a very decadent feeling play mat to play upon. The components in this game really sing.

Collecting resources means you take from the general supply the items located at that shop, things like meat, iron, toast, potions, leaves and crystals. An obscure mix, but this is the only game I know that has toast as a resource, and I am here for it. You take the small tokens from the general supply into your personal dragon horde, and then you can activate one of the abilities of the dragons at that shop. These can be things like swapping out dragons, drawing new dragon cards or taking special dragons from the deck. These special dragons are personal objectives that you can achieve for more sweet points. Some of them are sun dragons meaning they can be completed during the game on your turn, and some are night dragons and these are saved until the end of the game for scoring.

Alternatively to collecting resources, you can cast a spell to enchant the shop for points and glory. For this you must turn in resources from your collection to the supply and this will grant you the special action of all the dragons at the shop you are visiting. The game will continue until either the dragon deck runs out or the spell deck, meaning you might well feel like you have not managed to get everything you wished done unless you rush towards the end, adding to the excitement of the race!

Who Is It For?

Flamecraft brings together great artwork and a cute theme to create a game that is a delight to look at on the table. The theme is great for families, dragons going shopping is an awesome escapist way to theme a game. Who does not want to play as a purple dragon with a cute name (I will not spoil these, you can enjoy those) off to a pun-themed toast shop?

This is a game that the whole family can enjoy. This is what is termed a gateway game, in that it is easy enough for families to play together, and it teaches you some of the newer mechanics in modern board games so that you can play more and more games. Flamecraft will help you learn worker placement which will open the floodgate for games such as Everdell, Viticulture and Lords of Waterdeep. Not only that though, this is a fantastic game, it is tight in how it plays and has quite honestly universal appeal in my humble opinion.

Round Up

If I have tempted you with tales of shopping dragons, or with promises of cute puns and toast, then perhaps you should give Flamecraft a whirl. I personally thoroughly enjoy this game and will happily get this out to play. The components in the game are utterly brilliant as is the artwork, and I do think it is a staple in my collection, perhaps it is in yours too.

This blog was written by Hannah Blacknell

Next Station Tokyo Review

Next Station Tokyo is a fast playing flip and fill game from Blue Orange Games and Coiledspring and is the sequel to the awesome Next Station London!

In Next Station Tokyo you’re in charge of redesigning a 4 line underground system in Tokyo. Points accumulate over the course of 4 rounds and you’ll get them based on a number of things; how many districts your line passes through multiplied by how many stations you connect into in your busiest district, how many 3+ line interchanges you establish, whether you interchange in an outer district, plus points if you achieve optional scoring objectives.

How To Play

Every round each player has one of the four coloured pencils (pink, purple, green, and blue) and you flip over cards from a small stack of station cards (green) and street (pink) cards. Note that a round only lasts as long as it takes to flip over the 5 station cards so there could be anywhere from 5 to 10 turns.

Station cards show a shape symbol which everyone simultaneously uses to draw a connection from one end of their existing line – the first turn will be from the “departure station” matching your pencil colour.

You must connect to a new station from either end of your line using the prescribed paths, and lines of different colour cannot cross. They can share stations via interchanges but you are also forbidden from making a complete circuit (i.e. going back through a station already forming part of that line).

Some cards also give you the option to double up on an existing line. There are also wild options where you can connect into any station symbol from the end of the current line, and a special switch card that doubles up with a station or street card and lets you connect into a station from somewhere along the current line. It also results in 3 ends from which you can continue building out your line!

When the 5th Station card is flipped, you total your score for districts visited multiplied by the highest number of stations passed through in a single district for that round and then the pencils are passed around from left to right (or any unused pencil from the right in a 2 player game). The first card on the freshly shuffled draw deck is flipped, and the next round begins! Whoever has the most points at the end of the 4th round is the winner!

Advance Modules

The game includes two mini advanced modules that can be pick and mixed into the game play. One presents 2 randomly selected additional scoring objectives (from a total of 5) which are each worth 10 points to any player achieving them during the game. These are things like connecting into all 13 districts or achieving 4 line interchanges. The other, grants an ongoing bonus connected to one of the 4 shapes which you can use whenever that shape appears on a card (but not if you use a wild symbol as that shape).

Solo

You can also play Next Station Tokyo solo by trying to beat your own score. There is a rule about subtracting 10 points from your score before comparing it to the table of achievements if you use an advanced module, however, so be careful when calculating!

Final Thoughts

Next Station Tokyo is an excellent sequel to Next Station London. It’s still a, quick, colourful, portable multiplayer solitaire game, but it feels more challenging. There are fewer prescribed paths between stations, the green line inflicts negative points if any stations along it are left unvisited, and you now need at least 3 lines for interchanges to score. But the outer district reward bonuses give an extra 5/10 points, and the new bonus powers are ongoing so there is help along the way!

The components are great – nice think double sided pad, sturdy, glossy cards, and a super magnetic catch box. There are lots of copies of the rules but they do fold out like an underground map which is cool! I think the only thing that would have been helpful would have been perhaps a little symbol on the top edge of each card so that when you flip cards over you could still see them without having to spread the used cards out to know which symbols are left to draw for the round.

Random card draws do introduce luck, however, with lots of station options, it is quite unusual to need to pass. But that is not to say passing itself isn’t a strategy – deciding whether a connection you can make is worth the round point(s) if it cuts off a longer or more valuable line later in the game is a delightful dilemma!

Next Station Tokyo is a hit in our house. We loved Next Station London and are beginning to get our heads around what this colourful cruncher demands of us!

This blog was written by Favouritefoe

Smash Up Marvel Review

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to see this set announced a few years ago. If anyone has been reading my blogs with Zatu games you will know I’m a massive fan of the Smash Up games series, and also a huge Marvel fan. So it is no surprise that Smash Up Marvel went straight to the top of my Wishlist then and it has absolutely met my expectations for what I hoped it would deliver on.

What’s better (in my view) they’ve not even drafted all aspects of Marvel and there is so much more they could include going forwards. This will hopefully mean more expansions which would be amazing. Some people could be disappointed as big characters have been missed in this set, like the Fantastic Four or the X-men, I understand that but it takes nothing away from a quality game that does the Marvel cast justice in aligning with character abilities.

The Rules

Smash Up Marvel is a game for two to four players (and it works well with however many players you have within this) that sees a player combine two factions together, a faction having 20 cards within it, to make a deck of 40 cards and compete to be the first to fifteen victory points. Victory points in the main are achieved by breaking bases through your characters power and you will take the most victory points away from that broken base if your side offers the most power. Each base offers three scores, the winner with highest power taking the first score, 2nd place taking the second score, if you have a 3rd player they take the third score, and if there is a 4th player they take nothing if they have characters present. A new base comes out from the base deck and you go again. There is more than just one base to compete over in a game, the number of bases available is equal to 1 more than the total players participating. So, three bases available to go at in a two-player game, for example.

Turn play is simple. You can play one action and play one character. That is all. After you have played your action card and character card (which is optional) players check to see if bases are broken and score if appropriate. Then draw two new cards to their hand (with a maximum hand size of 10) and play passes on.

That’s it.

So, what does the Marvel set bring to Smash Up?

The Avengers

They are strong, ridiculously strong! In this faction you see the 6 main Avengers characters in Ironman, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye. They have assembled here! Similar to the Princesses in set up with 6 big characters of power 5 and a lot more actions to support, they really need (surprisingly, but that is likely to be me over the faction) the right supporting faction. I haven’t been able to buy a win with them yet which has proven so frustrating for me. The abilities and actions are spot on to how you see these heroes. Thor for example has Mjolnir that goes against every rule of the game, but not for how Thor summons his hammer. When you play Thor, for example, he instantly summons this card from wherever it is in the game should you want (out the discard pile or deck) and instantly possesses. This deck is a lot of fun.

Hydra

For the first time in Smash Up history, for me, I actually don’t want to use this deck, and this is repeated a few times in this set which is shocking. I don’t want to use the bad guys (I do see Hydra as the bad guys but I’m sure that is open to debate with some people)! When I move past my inner child like feelings here we do have another quality faction full of many strengths to be utilised in Smash Up. You have your key villains here such as the Red Skull or Madame Hydra and then a lot of Hydra agents. This faction thrives by killing their weak so that their strong characters get even stronger (I’m sorry, but this is evil, just to add to my side of the argument). Saying that, if they were to blend with a faction such as the Zombies one can only imagine the potentially un stoppable combination here.

Kree

One of the off-Earth factions within the game, the Kree place huge emphasis on power. It comes in the form of additional power through actions played and is usually only temporary for the turn. They will also end up drawing a lot of cards, such is the nature of their abilities within the cards as well as being able to play additional actions. You are going to go through many cards with this faction and partnered with the right ally will be incredibly formidable.

Masters Of Evil

Another villain filled deck that you don’t want to use, but equally, know they are extremely useful, and with their abilities, will be right in the mix for winning the game. They have a real focus on VP and assorted ways of gaining extra VP beyond the base scoring, which is wonderful if you are playing them and incredibly frustrating if you are up against it. I would even argue this faction could even win without focusing on breaking bases for the high scores. They will want to be in the mix on a base though to keep adding to the score. They are truly evil, led by Baron Zemo, you will have to keep a close watch on them.

S.H.I.E.L.D

This one makes complete sense to me as a faction within a Marvel game, of course we have to have Shield. Led by Nick Fury as the top character, Shield are all about swarming with great numbers. Their actions and abilities very much revolve around getting more and more characters into play. Which, for me, completely aligns with how Shield operate in the comics and the movies. I cannot see them not working well with most other factions also.

Sinister Six

Another group of villains in the game but for some reason I don’t mind these one’s so much. We see the Sinister 6 introduced with Dr Octopus, Mysterio, Green Goblin, Vulture, Electro and Sandman. This deck is hard work and you really need to be on the ball when using this side. You will have ongoing quick sums and calculations to be making because this side operate with added power and the ability to reduce base break points on their turn. Not to mention the bonuses they receive at specific moments when dropping a bases breakpoint below 19. However, I do think they are fantastic, highly devious and very much pull the rug out from under opponents by taking bases a little more cheaply.

Spider-Verse

I love Spiderman, that might be why I don’t feel as bad towards the Sinister Six. Spiderman, for me is just the best! I love the moral compass of the character and how he constantly just tries to do the right thing. Supporting Spiderman are Ghost Spider, Miles Morales and Spider-man 2099. They are quite a mobile faction able to jump around and avoid some of the usual rules of base scoring giving them a real tactical advantage at the scoring phase. They are a highly reactionary faction and will upset opponents as a result. That does sound familiar…

Ultimates

I’ve probably left the best until last as this faction is brilliant. They are led by Captain Marvel, they are powerful and incredibly mobile. They have to be kept moving as well because they gain power through hopping around the bases making them potentially devastating. Equally with their actions they gain, as well as gaining additional power they can also pick up additional cards. They also have the action cards to get the supporting faction mobile. As the other off-Earth faction they are simply awesome and always do well on our table top.

What I love about Smash Up generally is the non-branded themes that run through the game. Pirates, Sharks, Samurai, Vikings, Grannies, Teddie Bears, Robots…. I could go on and on. They are very generic. This set of Marvel has totally changed that where we now have recognisable brands and characters introduced to the game, and we also know of the Disney set as well with more branded content. I personally am all for this because it is more Smash Up content and that is great. Hopefully this will also appeal to players that haven’t currently picked up on the game. We also have continued contiuity in that you can merge all Smash Up content, so you might just see the mighty Avengers take on the prehistoric Dinosaurs. This may put some people off but I think it is awesome.

Final Thoughts

It doesn’t take much for me to part ways with cash sometimes and this was absolutely one of those occasions. Marvel combining with Smash Up was an instant hit in my mind and it has absolutely lived up to my expectations. You have a brand-new standalone 2-4 player set for the game which isn’t a typical expansion but a great alternative to the base game, especially for Marvel fans looking to get into Smash Up. I highly recommend this set.

This blog was written by David Ireland

Quirk Review

In QUIRK! By Gibsons Games we are waddling, squawking, and roaring our way to set collecting victory! Be the player with the most QUIRKS! by the time they’re all on display and you are the QUIRKIEST player around!

How To Play

Similar to those well-known games of our childhood, Go Fish and Happy Families, we are trying to make sets of 3 matching character cards (QUIRKS!) by taking cards from other players. BUT, unlike those games, we can’t just simply ask another player for their Yetis or their Walruses on our turn…oh no, we have to act out the creature we want to steal!

Noises, impersonations, and miming are allowed and positively encouraged but words are a big no no! So, on your turn, you decide who you are going to “ask” and set about doing your best impression of the character you want. If the target player doesn’t have the cards asked for (because they have to give up all of that type in their hand if they do!), the asking player gets told to “go QUIRK!” and pick up from the deck.

For added QUIRK!-iness there are also cheeky Mischief cards that can be played on each other and mix up the game play even more – these include blocking a steal, making another player use only sounds and not actions etc.

When all thirteen QUIRKS have been laid out on the table in front of the players, the game is over. Whoever has collected the most QUIRKS! overall is the winner!

Final Thoughts

We have such fun playing QUIRK! Inside the box are 112 cards making 26 character sets in total. What’s cool is that they’re split into two decks and one has slightly harder-to-impersonate creatures so you can select the difficulty type based on player age. Alternatively, you can mix them altogether and have an epic 26 QUIRK! game!

Watching my husband “swimming” around the room, and our son hanging upside down pretending to be a sloth is hilarious. The dog thinks we are mad (although she knew that already!), and even Nanny has been getting in on the actions! The mischief cards also add an extra strategic dimension. Being able to steal (and block!) and change what someone can do on their turn is sneaky in the most fun sense.

What’s also interesting is that this limited communication game is all about interpretation. As such, if you think the other player wants sharks but actually they were impersonating puffer fish, you might send them to “go QUIRK!” and pick up a card! Which sounds like a step-backwards for them, but it might be just what they needed. After all, they might pick up a creature that completes a QUIRK! Or gives them access to making new QUIRKS.

The box and cards are bright and bold and the artwork is super cartoony. QUIRK! is a colourful, fun, noisy, silly family card game that we really enjoy whatever our age (or acting ability!).

This blog was written by Favouritefoe

Top 5 Bath Toys

What do you think of when you think of bath time? Me, I think of relaxing and destressing from the day. But I am not a 3-year-old child. I can confidently say that a 3-year-old child, has absolutely no interest in relaxing at all. They just want to play! So do most children… up to the age of about 8, so why not make bath time fun with bath toys?

With this list of bath toys, it may actually make your little one WANT to get in the bath for a splash and a wash! What more could you want than a child who doesn’t cry every time you tell them it’s time to clean themselves? So now it is time to sit back and relax, with this list of bath toys that will assist in just that!

Bath Crayons

Okay. I must admit when I saw bath crayons, I did think about buying them for myself… They just seem so fun! You can literally write on the walls and the bath with no worry at all that it will stain. That’s right, they wash straight off with a single wipe. They allow children to get clean and creative at the same time – they always say the bathroom is where your most imaginative thoughts come from.

In The Night Garden Bath Light Boat

This one is for the fans of the CBeebies show, In The Night Garden. Calling all Iggle Piggle lovers! The boat floats around the bath, illuminating the bottom of the bath in one of three different coloured LED lights which are constantly changing colour. Iggle Piggle sits nicely on the top of the boat, but he can also be taken off and split into two sections and used as cups for water play in the bath!

There are also shape sorting blocks to put into the corresponding spaces inside the boat! This is not only a fun bath time toy but also aids in educational development. If Iggle Piggle isn’t standing out to you, why not try our Flamingo Bath Light, or our Dinosaur Bath Light?

Lettered Bath Stickers

Here we have a very clever creation I must say! There are letters and numbers in the pack, which when wet, stick to the sides of the bath and tiles. There are all 26 letters of the alphabet, and numbers 0-10 involved, so if you are interested in creating words, it wouldn’t hurt to get a couple of packs. If not, it is the perfect resource to learn the alphabet or numbers 1-10!

Sea Animal Squirters

Next in the list is these adorable squirters. You receive 4 sea animals, including an octopus, whale, starfish and a crab! They are created to be filled up with water and then squirted out, however they certainly do look cute when just floating around the water.

Now, this isn’t just one of those bath toys. It can be used anywhere with water – the sea, a swimming pool, the sink! Whatever you want!

Pipe Building Bath Toy

This is a product created by Boon Bath, which I would 100% give a shoutout to for super cool bath toys! These pipes in particular all do something different, kind of cool in their own way. One has a small fan/turbine on it, which spins when enough water flows through. You’re going to have to explore the others for yourself, as I do not want to give away too much!

They are a fun learning aid for children, that shouldn’t necessarily make a mess, unless your little one seeks trouble! They can be connected together to form a chain, or used on their own to see the different specialities they do on their own.

Bath Explorers Map

Yes, I am spoiling you here and giving you one extra product, but I just didn’t think it should be left out! It is a puzzle (kind of) of the world map, to be assembled when in the bath. Your child will be travelling the world in no time on the little vehicles provided – in the air, on or under the sea, you’ll have to wait and find out!

It comes with a small net which you can put the wet pieces into to dry, which suctions to the wall to allow them to drip into the bath or sink and nowhere else! Once wet, they float and hold onto each other a lot better than when dry, which is an added unique bonus!

And there you are, the Top 5 (well, 6) Bath Toys! Hopefully, this list helped you in some way but if this list didn’t help you, then feel free to check out the rest of our Bath Toy Collection on Toy Street!

Barbie And The Toys Collection

With the movie’s release right around the corner, there is a question on a lot of people’s minds: how do I get more Barbie in my life? Aside from adding an absurd amount of pink to your wardrobe or investing in some cosplay pieces, there is no shortage of Barbie-related things to get your hands on.

Barbie Dolls

Starting with the dolls themselves, what dolls are on the market right now? The Dreamtopia, a theme based around colourful fantasy, and the Colour Reveal, mystery reveal dolls separated into smaller sub-themes, ranges are at the top of the list of things to talk about.

The Dreamtopia toy line is based on an animated series of the same name that would be a nice way to spend an afternoon or two watching if you’ve got the time. While princesses in long gowns and sparkly mermaids are pretty much expected of the brand at this point it’s difficult to say if consumers will ever get bored of it. The stand out of said line is the ‘Dreamtopia Ultimate Princess’ Barbie doll. Its long skirt and tulle overlay are so cute. I’m a huge fan of the continuous pastel rainbow fabric used to make the skirt, and could see a young child loving it just as much.

Barbie Colour Reveal

Next, it’s time to talk about the Colour Reveal toys. You might have seen them on YouTube because the ‘surprise toy’ trend is huge on there. They’re dolls that need to be dipped in water to take off the coating on them to find out which doll in the set you have. There are a few different sets at this point, so you’d have your pick if you’d want to get your hands on them. I’m partial to the ‘Sand and Sea’ set due to the variety of hairstyles and accessories between each doll. The set has both a Barbie and Chelsea line so that’s 10 possible dolls to get.

If you’ve gotten this far, another thing you might be asking yourself: what if I want toys that aren’t dolls? Don’t worry, I have an answer for that one too.

Barbie Vehicles

Stepping not too far outside the realm of dolls we end up at the number of vehicles the range showcases like the Barbie Dream Boat or iconic pink Barbie Convertible. And another step away from that is the Unicorn Projector, a drawing tool which allows you to use a projected outline to draw Dreamtopia characters that also doubles as a doll head. It’s a 2-in-1 kind of toy that could easily be used as a display object.

Barbie Gaming

Forgetting dolls altogether, there are plenty of Barbie-themed games. Top Trumps has a Barbie version that would be at home on any board game shelf. There have been plenty of Barbie puzzles created by Ravensburger over the years, so there is a good chance that you’d find one that suits your tastes.

Hopefully, this blog has given you a starting point in your search for Barbie merch ahead of the movie. There’s still loads of stuff that hasn’t been covered, but I’m sure you’ll have fun finding something Barbie-tastic to add to your own or a loved one’s collection.

This blog was written by Clay

Smash Up Core Set Review

One of Alderac Entertainment Groups biggest gaming products and where the Smash Up journey started way back in 2012. It has expanded so much over the years since then and celebrated a 10th anniversary with a special expansion set last year. We cannot forget where it began though and that it is a brilliant game. I still remember how I acquired my set. I stumbled across it on Amazon of all places (I didn’t know Zatu existed in 2012, sorry) and read the bio for the product and thought it looked quite good, that was it, nothing else, no further reading or checking other reviews, just a simple bio read. I highlighted it to my wife (although not yet married then) and I received it for Christmas that year. We loved it from the off, such a simple game with so many varied strategies and the ability to make unique combinations battle it our for victory. What does the core set offer us?

The Rules

(I’d say overview but these are basically all the rules).

A game for two to four players (and it works well with however many players you have within this) that sees a player combine two factions together, a faction having 20 cards within it, to make a deck of 40 cards and compete to be the first to fifteen victory points. Victory points in the main are achieved by breaking bases through your minions power and you will take the most victory points away from that broken base if your side offers the most power. Each base offers three scores to the winner with highest power taking the first score, 2nd place taking the second score, if you have a 3rd player they take the third score, and if there is a 4th player they take nothing if they have minions present. A new base comes out from the base deck and you go again. There is more than just one base to compete over in a game, the number of bases available is equal to 1 more than the total players participating. So, three bases available to go at in a two-player game, for example.

Turn play is simple. You can play one action and play one minion. That is all. After you have played your action card and minion card (which is optional) players check to see if bases are broken and score if appropriate. Then draw two new cards to their hand (with a maximum hand size of 10) then cards and play passes on.

That’s it, a beautifully simple game.

Every faction comes with 2 bases linked to them giving 16 bases with the core set. You’ll never need to use them all in a single game but the options and the unique abilities associated with each base as well as the different victory points on offer create for a different game experience each and every game played.

All the original factions are classic gaming themes, nothing too surprising, but all play in very different ways allowing for unique strategies to create victory. Combining 2 factions further creates a unique pairing to compete on the table top. Will the factions compliment each other and be a very powerful force or will they have their challenges and perhaps struggle in the game? Who are the original factions of the game and what do they each offer?

Zombies

The ultimate undead group. The Zombies are a slow burner at the start of the game but thrive on being able to come back to life from the discard pile. They are still noted as one of the most powerful factions in the entirety of the series, not just this set. Just like Zombies, when they keep coming back to life they become relentless and very tough to stop because more and more just keep appearing. They will overwhelm and overrun opposition.

Tricksters

A highly entertaining group good at destroying opposing minions as well as being very tough themselves. The Leprechaun is a nightmare as a minion for all opponents to it. The tricks they also bring in the form of actions played on bases prove very problematic for all opponents, and for a deck of 20 cards they have a huge amount of these within it. You need to keep your eyes on what they are up to.

Ninjas

The master assassins themselves. The Ninjas, unsurprisingly, have the ability to assassinate opposing minions. This can make life very difficult for opponents. They also work in the shadows and can move quickly when needed. They have some ability to move between bases and switch in and out. They are cunning and quite understated, you won’t see their plays coming.

Aliens

One of my favourite factions and another extremely strong force. The Aliens are all about mobility but in the form of beaming in and out of bases as opposed to moving between them. They can also beam opponents out of play which is quite frustrating when your minions are teleported out. They combine very well with just about any other faction in the game.

Dinosaurs

The power faction in this game. They are all about brute force with limited strategy. For me, probably the weakest side in the set because of this and they can struggle without the right sort of faction supporting them. When they click with a faction they are pretty unstoppable. For me though, a little disappointing.

Wizards

Whereas the dinosaurs are all about power the wizards are the total opposite and quite weak here. There strength lies in their ability to go through actions, which is ridiculous. I have shuffled my discard pile and reset as a new draw pile numerous times in a game with the wizards involved. If they get aligned with a group with powerful minions they are devastating.

Pirates

Another super fun group to use, the pirates are powerful and so mobile. They can move multiple minions between bases incredibly quickly overwhelming the base break point and winning it effortlessly. They have the ability to destroy minions on opposing sides and have an all-round good balance. They are a great faction. Who doesn’t enjoy a good pirate theme?

Robots

On first viewing they are weak with really low powers. Don’t let that deceive you, their abilities are ferocious and if you as an opponent to them do not manage them they can swiftly overrun bases with a swarm of robots. Generally, another faction that plays incredibly well with most. What you will find with this one is they also have a lot more minions than actions available to use. See how you get on with that one as you do need to think about how you use them a little more.

I love all the original factions. It is where the game started and it is important not to forget that. All the other expansions are not necessary as this is a great standalone game (but the expansions do add to the original set, mixing it up even more).

Some of the critics think the game is unbalanced and some factions stronger than others not making it very fair. My answer to this is that might be correct but it is on us as gamers to find the strategy with the cards we have to get the win. We always randomise the faction selection in our group and do not pick the 2 factions we want to use. This does away with knowing what works and gaining an advantage in this way. It also forces those unique combinations of play which I always find exciting. I also find with those critics, they moan about the balance after they just lost, when they win they are loving it so make what you will from that. How many games are truly perfectly balanced?

Final Thoughts

Smash Up is an incredible game with so much variety. I was so happy with picking it up by chance because it has become a firm favourite in our group. It regularly features on the table top because every game is different. With different bases picked coupled with different combinations of factions every time, the replay ability of the game is enormous. Only taking about one hours as well makes it fast. It is a huge winner for me and I hope you enjoy it also.

This blog was written by David Ireland.

Top 5 Nerf Guns

A Nerf Guns-101: A Breakdown of the Top 5 Models

Welcome to Nerf Guns 101, where we’ll be diving into the world of foam-flinging fun! If you’re a fan of tacti-cool rails, strategic planning, and endless hours of entertainment, then you’re in the right place. Today, we’ll be breaking down the top 5 nerf blasters on the market, complete with performance details, historical background, and pricing along the way. So grab your ammo, prime your blaster, and get ready for some serious Nerf action!

Nerf Gun #5 Nerf MEGA Mastodon

The Nerf MEGA Mastodon is one of the largest and most powerful nerf guns in the market. This behemoth of a nerf gun was released in 2016 and was a massive hit among nerf enthusiasts. With its impressive firing range of up to 100 feet and its ability to hold 24 darts, the Mastodon is perfect for long-range battles. It operates on six D batteries and has a fully automatic firing mode, making it one of the most intimidating nerf guns in the field.
Priced at around £80, the Mastodon is definitely on the higher end of the nerf gun pricing spectrum. However, its exceptional performance and sheer size make it worth every penny. The Mastodon is the perfect choice for players who love to dominate their opponents and are looking for a powerful nerf gun to do so.

Nerf Gun #4 Nerf Elite Alpha-trooper

The Nerf Elite Alpha-trooper was released in 2013 as a part of the Elite series of nerf blasters. It quickly became a fan-favourite for its reliability and effectiveness in battles. The blaster’s pump-action feature allowed for quick and easy firing, making it a valuable asset in fast-paced nerf fights.
The Alpha-trooper boasts impressive stats, with a firing range of up to 85 feet and the ability to hold 12 darts at a time. Its accuracy is also top-notch, making it a favourite among nerf enthusiasts for both indoor and outdoor play. Additionally, it features a tactical rail for customizable accessories such as scopes or laser sights.
The Nerf Elite Alpha-trooper typically costs around £30. It is a great option for beginners or those looking for a reliable and effective nerf blaster without breaking the bank.

Nerf Gun #3 Nerf Zombiestrike Hammershot

The Nerf Zombiestrike Hammershot is one of the most unique and popular Nerf guns available on the market today. This revolver-style blaster is part of the Zombiestrike line, which is designed for a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world. The Hammershot was first released in 2013 and quickly gained a dedicated following for its reliability and unique design.
In terms of statistics, the Hammershot can hold up to five darts at once and has a range of around 75 feet. It also features a hammer-action mechanism, which adds a fun and tactile element to using the blaster. The Hammershot is relatively affordable, with prices around £25.
For more experienced nerfers, the Hammershot can be modified to increase its power and accuracy. This involves upgrading the internal springs and potentially adding a new barrel or other attachments. However, even without modifications, the Hammershot is a reliable and enjoyable Nerf gun that is perfect for fans of the Zombiestrike line or anyone who wants to add some flair to their Nerf battles.

Please note that you should only mod blasters if you are an experienced nerfer and understand the risks of doing so.

Nerf Gun #2 Nerf Rival Kronos

The Nerf Rival Kronos is a force to be reckoned with in the world of Nerf guns. With its sleek design and powerful performance, this blaster has quickly become a favourite among Nerf enthusiasts.
The Rival line was introduced in 2015, and the Kronos was one of the early additions to this high-impact series. It quickly gained popularity for its accuracy and power, making it a top choice for competitive Nerf battles.
Statistics: The Kronos boasts an impressive firing range of up to 90 feet per second, allowing for precise shots that can easily take down opponents. It features a spring-action mechanism and a seven-round magazine, giving players ample ammunition to dominate the battlefield.
Pricing: The Nerf Rival Kronos is competitively priced, making it an affordable option for both casual players and more serious competitors. It offers excellent value for the performance it delivers, making it a popular choice among Nerf enthusiasts.

For more experienced Nerfers, the Kronos offers ample opportunities for modification. Its internal mechanisms can be upgraded to increase power and firing rate, allowing for a more customized and personalized blaster.
The Rival line is known for its high-impact and intense battles, and the Kronos is no exception. With its impressive statistics and accuracy, it’s a prime example of the power that the Rival line can bring to the game.

Honourable Mentions

While the top 5 nerf guns on our list offer some serious firepower, we cannot overlook the impressive performance of these honourable mentions for the #1 Spot on our list.

The Nerf Zombiestrike Slingfire boasts a decent 75 fps, making it perfect for mid-range battles. Priced at around £20, it’s an affordable option for those on a budget.
The Nerf Rival Nemesis is a heavy hitter, firing foam balls at a staggering 100 fps. This model is pricier at around £90, but it’s worth the investment for those looking for intense battles.
The Nerf Accustrike Raptorstrike has an impressive accuracy thanks to its built-in sight and bipod. At 90 fps and a price of around £50, it’s a great option for snipers.
Lastly, the Nerf Rapidstrike offers quick and powerful firing, with a rate of up to 3.2 darts per second and 70 fps. Priced at around £40, it’s an excellent choice for those who prefer fast-paced battles.
While these models may not have made the top 5, they still offer some impressive performance and features that are worth considering.

Nerf Gun #1 Nerf Elite Stryfe

And finally, we’ve arrived at our top pick for the best nerf gun on the market – the Nerf Elite Stryfe. In our opinion, this blaster is a one of the best blasters to pick from no matter the occasion. with 2 Tactical Rails, An N-strike Barrel Attachment point and Stock attachment point, this blaster can be tricked out to win any battle.

The Nerf Elite Stryfe is available for purchase at a relatively affordable price point, making it an accessible option for both beginner and advanced nerf enthusiasts. This blaster has a rich history in the Nerf community and has been a fan favourite for years.
In terms of performance, the Stryfe boasts impressive stats such as a firing rate of 6 darts per second and a muzzle velocity of up to 90 feet per second. It’s lightweight, compact design makes it easy to manoeuvre in close combat situations.
But what truly sets the Stryfe apart is its legacy as a Modder’s dream. The blaster has become a favourite among modding enthusiasts, with a wide range of customization options available to improve its already impressive performance.
Overall, the Nerf Elite Stryfe is the best of the best. It’s a reliable and powerful blaster that has cemented its place in the Nerf community. At a price point of £25, it’s an accessible option that is perfect for both beginners and seasoned veterans alike. As noted earlier only mod blasters if you are an experienced nerfer and understand the risks of doing so.

That’s the end of our List Nerfers, while you’re here, be sure to check out the rest of our Nerf range here.

If you want to learn more about each Blaster check out these videos:

Nerf MEGA Mastodon

Nerf N-Strike Elite Alpha-Trooper

Nerf Zombie Strike Hammershot

Nerf Rival Kronos

Nerf N-Strike Elite Stryfe

Honourable Mentions

Nerf Zombie Strike Slingfire

Nerf Rival Nemesis

Nerf Accustrike Raptorstrike

Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike

Happy Foam Flinging!

Zensu Review

Abstracted

Chess has been around for…shall we just say a long time, and is still seen as “one of the greatest games of all time”. I tend to disagree. Much like Monopoly, Chess gets its power from its recognisable gameplay and generational nostalgia. But Chess as an abstract game suffers from one of the worst things in gaming. You have to play people of your own level. A newbie will always be trounced by a grand master as the playing field is unbearably uneven. This is probably why so many game designers over the years have tried to break away from that classic mold and create something a little different. This is where abstract games get more interesting. The thing about this sub-genre is that they are often reliant on their ‘look’. Take Santorini or Shobu for example. Both these games strive to look beautiful on the table and encourage you to leave it out as a conversation piece, much like chess boards of years gone by. These types of games are split into two camps. Ones that strive to be new and shiny, the Santorini camp. The others want to look like they have been around for centuries, the Shobu camp. Well now comes Zensu, one very much in the latter camp.

Zens-who?

Designed by Raymond Haysman, Zensu certainly strives to look like it’s a remodeling of an ancient game. With its cherry blossom tree on the cover and Mahjong-like tiles, it does evoke a game from another time. The premise is simple. It is a two player game, each with a ‘home’ territory on their side of the board. Then there are two rows of tiles. Each town has a designated movement written on them. The first down will allow it to move one space forward, two to the right, three backwards or four to the right whereas the second will allow two forward, three to the left, four backwards or one to the left. Taking influence from classic checkers, the point is to move around leaping over your opponent’s tiles, stealing them as you go. If you jump over, or land on, an opponent’s tile/tiles, they are removed off the board never to return. The rub, however, is that you must move the full allowance as shown on your tile otherwise you cannot move at all. You also can’t land on one of your own tiles. So movement begins to get quite restrictive. As soon as a single tile makes it across the board into the opposite ‘home’ territory , the game ends, or if one player ever runs out of pieces.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back…

This is a simple game to play. They literally painted the rules onto the tiles themselves. You really have to be aware of the surroundings of your tiles as it is so easy to line up an easy steal for your opponent. In fact, being able to steal multiple tiles in one go can be brutal. I wouldn’t say that there were any key strategies to win this game and so replaying isn’t going to level you up to an unbeatable position but there is enough game in here to keep it interesting. The huge moves you are able to make are really satisfying and the silly mistakes are destructive. But it is quick. As soon as you clear the board there is a want to go ahead ‘one more time’.

Will Zensu ever become a ‘classic’ abstract? Probably not. Does it warrant permanent coffee table presence? No. But is it a fun and challenging two play game that can come out time after time and offer an interesting little puzzle for you and a friend. Yes indeedy!

This blog was written by Dan Street-Phillips

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