I started this year with some pretty hefty goals when it comes to board games so now is the time to see how the first month worked out. I definitely played a lot of games, even though I missed some play time by going to London for work. January was an interesting combination of old favourites, new discoveries and some unexpected hits and misses. With 16 different games and 20 plays I’m pretty satisfied with the month.
Let’s take a look at the board games I played, what stood out, and what left me wondering, why did I even bother?
Reviews
Grove
A 9-card solitaire game that I always have in my bag. Quick, clever, and challenging, it keeps me coming back for more. Perfect for when I need a brain teaser on the go.
Mechanics: Tile-placement puzzle with combo scoring.
Kingdom Legacy
A solo legacy deckbuilder that surprisingly works. I sleeved my version so I can replay the campaign, and I definitely will. This game offers a lot in a small package.
Mechanics: Deckbuilding with evolving cards and branching storyline.
Railroad Ink
A roll-and-write where dice dictate which routes you can draw. I don’t pull this out often, but the BoardGameGeek challenge has reinvigorated it for me. Testing different expansions and competing against others has made it feel fresh again.
Mechanics: Dice-driven route-building puzzle.
Conservas
A bag-builder about canning fish. Yes, really. You have to balance conserving fish for sustainability while also canning them to sell. Surprisingly engaging, and the campaign mode ramps up the challenge.
Mechanics: Bag-building, resource management, economic strategy.
Rolling Realms
A roll-and-write based on Stonemaier’s game catalog. It was starting to feel a bit stale, but the BGG challenge is pushing me to play with all the expansions and compare scores. Keeps me engaged, at least for now!
Mechanics: Dice-drafting with unique mini-game scoring.
Three Sisters
Another roll-and-write, and an underrated one at that. A crunchy, combo-heavy game where you have to manage a garden and maximise harvests. I always forget how good this is.
Mechanics: Dice-drafting, engine-building, and area control.
For Northwood
A solo trick-taking game with adorable critters and some serious strategy. Each leader you recruit has different abilities, so planning ahead is key. I forgot to mention this in my video, but it absolutely deserves a spot here!
Mechanics: Trick-taking with asymmetric leader abilities.
Final Girl
A solo horror game that deserves all the hype. I played the Big Bad Wolf with the Once Upon a Full Moon expansion, and wow—tough but so good. Even though I don’t usually love horror themes, the mechanics are just too good to ignore.
Mechanics: Dice-based action system, modular scenarios, and escalating difficulty.
Paleo
Played this co-op instead of solo for the first time, and it worked really well! The game forces you to strategize together—when to help, when to hoard, when to risk a hunt. The unique prehistoric setting keeps it fresh.
Mechanics: Cooperative survival, resource management, scenario-based gameplay.
Rats of Wistar
A worker placement game with a fun rondelle system that changes your available actions each turn. The art is charming, and while it’s not mind-blowing, it’s solid enough to stay in my collection.
Mechanics: Worker placement with a shifting action rondelle.
Nusfjord
A short, tight Uwe Rosenberg game about running a fishing village. Feels classic without dragging on for hours. Works brilliantly solo and is part of another BGG challenge I’m doing.
Mechanics: Worker placement, resource management, tableau-building.
Blood on the Clocktower
A board game club staple. If you love social deduction and big group chaos, this is it. We play it upstairs, sneak off into different rooms for private talks, and it gets intense. Needs a good DM and players who know what they’re doing, but when it works? Pure magic.
Mechanics: Hidden roles, deduction, social maneuvering.
Bank Heist
Another social deduction game, but this one fell flat. The premise—robbing a bank as robbers, rivals, and agents—is cool, but it just didn’t feel unique. Fun for a round, but I wouldn’t choose it again.
Mechanics: Hidden roles, bluffing, team-based deduction.
Feed the Kraken
A more structured social deduction game, great for introducing new players to the genre. This time, I played as the cult leader and won by getting fed to the Kraken, which was hilarious. Absolute madness and a ton of fun.
Mechanics: Hidden roles, board-based navigation, betrayal mechanics.
Wavelength
We played one game the entire night because we kept debating every single topic. Hilarious how differently people perceive things. This is what a party game should be—fun, weird, and full of unexpected moments.
Mechanics: Team-based guessing, conceptual spectrum alignment.
Tracking my challenges
Solo challenges
- 2025 Cartographers Challenge – January to December
Jan: X - 2025 Cascadia Challenge – January to December
Jan: X - 2025 GROVE Solo Challenge – January to December
Jan: V - 2025 Spirit Island Challenge – January to December
Jan: X - 2025 Railroad Ink Challenge – January to December
Jan: V - 2025 Rolling Realms Challenge – January to December
Jan: V - 2025 Nusfjord Challenge – January to December
Jan: V - 2025 Roll Player Challenge – January to December
Jan: X - 2025 Three Sisters Challenge – January to December
Jan: V - 2025 Dinosaur Island Rawr and Write Challenge – January to December
Jan: X - 2025 The Search for Planet X Challene – January to December
Jan: X
Variety solo challenge: Me, Myself and (A)I
- Me: Grove, Kingdom Legacy, Conservas, For Northwood, Final Girl
= 5 - Myself: Railroad Ink, Rolling Realms, Nusfjord
= 3 - (A)I: Three Sisters (is it really an opponent though?)
= 1
Mindful spending tracker
Starting budget: €300
2025 purchases:
- Slay the Spire = €75
- Mandelorian Adventures = €15 (had some gift card credits left)
Sum purchases: -€90
Sold games:
Sum sold: €35 (7 board games donated)
Collection changes:
- Games added: 2
- Games left: 7
Playing unplayed (owned) board games:
- Nusfjord
- Kingdom Legacy
- For Northwood
Sum: €30
H-index: no change
January end budget: €275
Final thoughts & February goals
January was a fantastic month filled with diverse board games, from strategic solo challenges to chaotic social deduction nights. While some games solidified their place in my collection, others left me questioning if they’ll return to the table. The BoardGameGeek challenges have been a great motivator to revisit old favorites and push my limits with different styles of play.
Looking ahead to February, I’m setting my sights on more deep dives, exploring the unplayed gems in my collection, and embracing whatever wild moments come from board game night. Whether it’s solo strategizing or lively debates over hidden roles, I can’t wait to see what the next month brings.
What board games did you play in January? Any surprises? Let me know in the comments!
