Reviews 3 - Shut Up & Sit Down

Arcs is 2024’s Best New Board Game

Arcs is really something special, and I hope this chunky ol’ review reflects that. This video is the first in a two-part review of Leder’s freak spin on the “Space Game” genre, and despite the extravagant length of this video, its conclusions are very simple; this kind of game is a rarity, and should be cherished. Rarely does something manage to be so boldly innovative as well as so sharply considered – a risky gambit of a game that pays off beautifully.

I hope this game is a collection staple for many in the years to come, and I hope a jumbo-sized video like this might help to show folks why.

Enjoy!

Tom’s dipped his toes into the 18XX genre with Shikoku 1889 – a game about doing trains, making money, and… soft roleplaying?

We tried a new approach with this one – a more quick and silly look at something that we might not usually play, and hopefully? It paid… dividends…

This week Matt is back to doing whatever it is that Matt seems to do best? Thunder Road: Vendetta is one of the more recent releases from Restoration Games, and we were honestly surprised by how much we liked it – packing chunky silly fun into a slim and lovely box, and with game design that actually makes the most out of its plastic components. Strap in, nitro up, and be aware that Matt won’t be partially naked for more than the first few seconds of the video. It’s an ancient SU&SD tradition, OK?

Slay the Spire has long been one of Shut Up & Sit Down’s very favourite deckbuilders, so we were immediately intrigued by its new cardboard iteration – Slay The Spire: The Board Game. Will it work? Will it be fun? Will it be as good as the video game?

Tom’s got the answers. Well, he’s got his answers.

Enjoy!

In previous years, debate has raged over what size games should be. Quinns advocated for ‘too big, or too small’. Everyone else argued normal things…Read more

Sometimes, we get things wrong. Well, Tom does.

In this absolutely massive video, Tom and Matt dive into the design of Dune: Imperium – and how it’s grown and evolved since we last covered it in 2021. We also review the latest (and perhaps greatest) version of the game to date; Dune: Imperium – Uprising.

Enjoy!

A BIG AND RICH video for you folks this week – a labour of love for a game that frankly blew us away. Earthborne Rangers might look familiar, but it is WEIRD. Cooperative adventure fans take note – this one is unmissable.

Welcome to 2024! We’re kicking off the year with a bit of a dreary video on a much-hyped legacy game that’s left Tom a little cold. Fitting for January, eh? Ticket to Ride: Legends of the West sure plays it safe, in a move that’s perhaps a little disappointing. Find out more by clicking that play button RIGHT NOW xx

Today’s video is a sequel! Quinns’ Crokinole review just hit 1 million views, which is twice as many people as live in the whole of Canada.

In honour of those Canadians (or possibly disrespecting them?), we set out to answer a question: Is there another expensive wooden game out there that’s just as good?

Holy moly, it’s the big one. In this nearly 50 minute monster, Tom is taking a thorough dive into John Company: Second Edition – a frightfully expansive game with lofty ambitions in both its mechanics and themes. Touching on some truly horrifying, very real history; this game pushes the limits of what can be comfortably represented on your kitchen table. For this reason, we’ve pulled out all the stops to comprehensively cover this beast of a box.

Thank you to so many folks for helping this review come together. My friends who came with me to film at Powis, Matt for his extensive colour-grading work (doesn’t it look lush!), HotCyder for help on these absolutely cracking thumbnails, and the countless people who watched, rewatched, and gave advice on how to put this video together. Thank you also to Cole and Drew, for making such a fascinating and complete work of art that created such complex feelings in most everyone I played it with.

This video has given me a huge amount of professional satisfaction and joy; yet I can only see the flaws in it, at this stage. I’m not upset about this fact, though! This is all a first baby step in making more of these kinds of videos. I’m excited for all the bigger and better videos to come.

Arcs is 2024’s Best New Board Game

Review: Shikoku 1889

Review: Thunder Road: Vendetta

Review: Slay the Spire

The 5 Best Small Games To Fill Those Odd Gaps In Your Kallax

Dune Imperium – We Were Wrong?

Review: Earthborne Rangers

Review: Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West

We Review THREE Frighteningly Expensive Wooden Games

Review: John Company: Second Edition

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