2013 Holiday Gift Guide—Family Games
/Family Games is kind of a hard category. I mean, if you're playing a kids game, is that a family game, too? What about families with young kids, or older kids, or no kids? Basically, these are games that we play with our families, but that aren't designed specifically as kids games. And our kids are between the ages of 5 and 9, so the games will skew that way.
DC Comics Deck-Building Game—So deck-building games are a little bit...ya know...SUPER POPULAR!! But what kid wants to play Dominion and build Markets and Cellars? None that I know. The DC Comics Deckbuilding Game is the PERFECT game to teach kids about the basics of deck-building.
Cost: $40
Ages: Probably 8 and up, as there’s definitely some reading involved.
Review: http://wp.me/p2hTk7-Gn
Relic Expedition—In this game you'll be exploring the jungle, looking for relics, managing the tools in your backpack, and trying to stay one step ahead of the dangers—which include snakes, panthers, boars, and monkeys. This is Foxtrot Games' first game, and they thoroughly impressed us with their out-of-the-gate offering.
MSRP: $49 (Find it online)
Review: Coming soon!
Forbidden Desert—If you’ve played Pandemic or Forbidden Island, then you’ll know just what to expect from Matt Leacock’s latest co-op game. But that’s not to say this is just like those. This has new and interesting gameplay mechanics—including deadly sand that will cover important tiles until you can dig them out. Look for our full review soon!
MSRP: $24.99 (Find it online)
Ages: The box says 10 and up, but an 8-year-old who's played Forbidden Island should have no problem here.
Walk The Plank—This is a fun little take-that game, designed by some friends of mine! (Firestone) You’re playing cards that will let you push, pull, and drag your opponents off the plank and into the briny sea. Lot of fun!
MSRP: $20 (Find it online)
Ages: 8 and up, as there's some reading on the cards.
King Of Tokyo: Power Up!—This expansion for the terrific game King Of Tokyo adds one more character (the Pandakai!), but more importantly it adds Evolution cards, which are monster-specific special powers that increase the complexity a bit, but also increase the fun!
MSRP: $19.99 (Find it online)
Ages: 8 and up.
Riff Raff—This dexterity game has you putting pieces onto a swaying ship. It's ridiculously clever, and kids are naturally good at dexterity games, as they seem immune to the laws of physics—plus they're fearless in their placement! This one is a little tricky to track down—and expensive—but worth the effort.
MSRP: $69.99 (Find it online)
Ages: Box says 8 and up, but we've played with my 5-year-old.
Review: http://wp.me/p2hTk7-14s
So what did we forget? What are some of your family's favorite games? Let us know in the comments!
