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#1
Tavern Score 88
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
Shift gears, hold the line, pass on the inside.
Family-friendlyParty nightQuick play
- Players
- 1–6
- Time
- 30–60 min
- Weight
- ●●●●●
Updated this week · October 30, 2026
Pull up a chair.
Here's what's hot at the table.
Honest, warm reviews of the best new and classic board games. We score every game on four pillars so you can tell what kind of night you're buying.
· TOP 10 THIS WEEK ·
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#2
Tavern Score 88
Wingspan
Build a bird sanctuary one careful decision at a time.
Family-friendlySolo gem
- Players
- 1–5
- Time
- 40–70 min
- Weight
- ●●●●●
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#3
Tavern Score 87
Everdell
A woodland city, built one critter at a time.
Family-friendlyDate night
- Players
- 1–4
- Time
- 40–80 min
- Weight
- ●●●●●
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#4
Tavern Score 86
Brass: Birmingham
Industrial revolution, cutthroat routes, zero mercy.
Deep strategy
- Players
- 2–4
- Time
- 60–120 min
- Weight
- ●●●●●
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#5
Tavern Score 86
Ark Nova
Build a thoughtful zoo. Save a few species.
Deep strategySolo gem
- Players
- 1–4
- Time
- 90–150 min
- Weight
- ●●●●●
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#6
Tavern Score 86
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
A dungeon crawl that teaches itself. Bring friends.
Co-opDungeon crawlCampaign
- Players
- 1–4
- Time
- 60–120 min
- Weight
- ●●●●●
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#7
Tavern Score 86
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
A trick-taking co-op. Yes, really. Yes, it works.
Co-opQuick playFamily-friendly
- Players
- 2–5
- Time
- 15–30 min
- Weight
- ●●●●●
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#8
Tavern Score 86
Marvel Champions: The Card Game
Smash the villain. Shuffle the deck. Smash again.
Co-opSolo gem
- Players
- 1–4
- Time
- 45–90 min
- Weight
- ●●●●●
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#9
Tavern Score 85
Cascadia
Lay tiles, place wildlife, breathe out.
Family-friendlyQuick playSolo gem
- Players
- 1–4
- Time
- 30–45 min
- Weight
- ●●●●●
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#10
Tavern Score 84
Spirit Island
You are the land. Push the invaders back into the sea.
Co-opDeep strategySolo gem
- Players
- 1–4
- Time
- 90–120 min
- Weight
- ●●●●●
· FROM THE HEARTH ·
From the Hearth
All posts →Guide
What to play this November: three picks that carry the month
Short weeknights, holiday warmups, one quiet Saturday. Three games that handle all of it.
Oct 31
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The two-player board games we actually keep on the shelf
Tuesday night, quiet kitchen, one other person. These four earn the table.
Oct 30
Guide
Four co-op board games that save a bad game night
Everyone walked in grumpy. The right co-op flips the room in one round.
Oct 30
Just bought a game? We'll teach it.
Our Learn-to-Play walkthrough is a step-by-step chat. No rulebook ambush. We'll ask what you've done and tell you what's next.
The Innkeeper · just now
You're in gear 2 and three cards deep. Flip the top of your Speed deck. What did you draw?