Adam @ Punchboard
@punchboard.co.uk
✍ Written board game reviews and editorial. Lover of worker-placement, rondels, and well-written rule books. Be kind to one another. He/him
One of the last big releases of last year from Board & Dice was Tianxia, the game set in warring China defending the warring Seven Kingdoms from nomads. There's a lot going on, and I've taken my time to write a review now I understand it - punchboard.co.uk/tianxia-revi...
Tianxia Review - Prestigious times defending China
I like Tianxia a lot; it does things you rarely see in modern games.
punchboard.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 4:06 PM
One of the last big releases of last year from Board & Dice was Tianxia, the game set in warring China defending the warring Seven Kingdoms from nomads. There's a lot going on, and I've taken my time to write a review now I understand it - punchboard.co.uk/tianxia-revi...
My son, who doesn't really like board games, has stunned me. Not only did he choose a game from my shelves, but we played it. Well, we played half, and will finish it tomorrow. And fair play to him, he didn't just jump in with Ticket To Ride or something, we played Tekhenu 😍
January 11, 2026 at 9:03 PM
My son, who doesn't really like board games, has stunned me. Not only did he choose a game from my shelves, but we played it. Well, we played half, and will finish it tomorrow. And fair play to him, he didn't just jump in with Ticket To Ride or something, we played Tekhenu 😍
I spent the Christmas break shouting at imaginary horses. Ready Set Bet from @alderaceg.bsky.social is a few years old now, but if you've not had a chance to play it, you owe it to yourself to give it a go. Betting madness of the best kind - punchboard.co.uk/ready-set-be...
Ready Set Bet Review - Worth Taking a Gamble On?
Ready Set Bet actually has some of that Sackson DNA, but it's implemented very differently.
punchboard.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 5:13 PM
I spent the Christmas break shouting at imaginary horses. Ready Set Bet from @alderaceg.bsky.social is a few years old now, but if you've not had a chance to play it, you owe it to yourself to give it a go. Betting madness of the best kind - punchboard.co.uk/ready-set-be...
We're only 4 days into the year and it's already one of the highlights. AGDQ 2026 is live!!! 24/7 speed running for a week for charity. Do yourself a favour and check it out. Inclusive, wholesome and wonderful ♥️
OH MY GOD, IT'S THAT TIME
#AGDQ2026 IS NOW LIVE!!!
Catch us all week this week showcasing incredible speedruns in benefit of @preventcancer.org at both:
gdq.gg/live
AND!
youtube.com/c/gamesdonequick (we're co-streaming!!)
#AGDQ2026 IS NOW LIVE!!!
Catch us all week this week showcasing incredible speedruns in benefit of @preventcancer.org at both:
gdq.gg/live
AND!
youtube.com/c/gamesdonequick (we're co-streaming!!)
January 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
We're only 4 days into the year and it's already one of the highlights. AGDQ 2026 is live!!! 24/7 speed running for a week for charity. Do yourself a favour and check it out. Inclusive, wholesome and wonderful ♥️
Happy new year, and now we can move on to two of my highlights for the year. The new year's day concert from Vienna in the morning, and in a week or so AGDQ 2026!
January 1, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Happy new year, and now we can move on to two of my highlights for the year. The new year's day concert from Vienna in the morning, and in a week or so AGDQ 2026!
Did some bee things in @alderaceg.bsky.social and @flatoutgames.bsky.social newest, Propolis. Has the familiar Molly, Robert and Shawn DNA but with some worker placement and adorable beeples.
December 31, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Did some bee things in @alderaceg.bsky.social and @flatoutgames.bsky.social newest, Propolis. Has the familiar Molly, Robert and Shawn DNA but with some worker placement and adorable beeples.
My first Uketsu book and I read it in a day. Captures the feel of a Honkaku novel. I love the way things like floor plans and fourth wall breaking are given so much attention in these books, it really sets them apart from Western whodunits.
December 30, 2025 at 7:32 PM
My first Uketsu book and I read it in a day. Captures the feel of a Honkaku novel. I love the way things like floor plans and fourth wall breaking are given so much attention in these books, it really sets them apart from Western whodunits.
I saw Jimmy Page and Robert Plant at the Spar shop in Helston, Cornwall in the 90s.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 30, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I saw Jimmy Page and Robert Plant at the Spar shop in Helston, Cornwall in the 90s.
I love these days of doing nothing in particular after Christmas. I have no plans, so I took a few minutes to write up a few thoughts from the year. If you're sick of doomscrolling and want something to read for a few minutes, head on over and have a look - punchboard.co.uk/a-year-of-pl...
A Year Of Play - My 2025 in Board Games
2025 is winding down, and like many others, I start to get a bit reflective at this time of year. I've been running Punchboard for over five years now, and 2025 was probably the best of the lot.
punchboard.co.uk
December 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I love these days of doing nothing in particular after Christmas. I have no plans, so I took a few minutes to write up a few thoughts from the year. If you're sick of doomscrolling and want something to read for a few minutes, head on over and have a look - punchboard.co.uk/a-year-of-pl...
I had an evening of games at a friend's place last night. Lots of games played but one of the highlights was Roller Disco from @huffnomore.bsky.social . A shedding game with a really neat twist. We immediately played two more games straight after. Keep an eye on this one.
December 21, 2025 at 1:03 PM
I had an evening of games at a friend's place last night. Lots of games played but one of the highlights was Roller Disco from @huffnomore.bsky.social . A shedding game with a really neat twist. We immediately played two more games straight after. Keep an eye on this one.
My favourite book genre is a locked room mystery. I was fanboying hard when they referenced John Dickson Carr in the new Knives Out film. So I picked this book up as a festive treat to me. The Murder at World's End by @mossmontmomery.bsky.social . Halfway through and loving it, locked rooms rule.
December 16, 2025 at 10:03 PM
My favourite book genre is a locked room mystery. I was fanboying hard when they referenced John Dickson Carr in the new Knives Out film. So I picked this book up as a festive treat to me. The Murder at World's End by @mossmontmomery.bsky.social . Halfway through and loving it, locked rooms rule.
Inspired by @gameminimalist.bsky.social mentioning what drew him into hobby games, I'd love to hear your stories of what drew you into the hobby. What was your turning point? Do you remember the thing that tipped you over the edge and down, down, down into the rabbit hole? Tell me about it.
December 11, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Inspired by @gameminimalist.bsky.social mentioning what drew him into hobby games, I'd love to hear your stories of what drew you into the hobby. What was your turning point? Do you remember the thing that tipped you over the edge and down, down, down into the rabbit hole? Tell me about it.
Merry Christmas to me!
December 10, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Merry Christmas to me!
Opinion time! In before the rest of the world is sick of end-of-year top lists, here are my top few games for 2025. Read it, or don't, you're a grown-up now and can make your own decisions. punchboard.co.uk/game-of-the-...
Game of the Year 2025
You didn't ask for it... I didn't have to write it... It holds no sway in the hobby... That's right! It's my games of the year for 2025!
punchboard.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Opinion time! In before the rest of the world is sick of end-of-year top lists, here are my top few games for 2025. Read it, or don't, you're a grown-up now and can make your own decisions. punchboard.co.uk/game-of-the-...
Catching up on some games from the last year or so, and today was turn of Stamp Swap from @stonemaiergames.com .'I cut, you choose' mixed with set collection and tile placement. All kinds of friendly interaction punchboard.co.uk/stamp-swap-r...
Stamp Swap Review - One for the collectors' collections?
Is it worth taking those single blue stamps and forgoing everything else on offer? Are the cherries on those pieces of cake big and juicy enough?
punchboard.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Catching up on some games from the last year or so, and today was turn of Stamp Swap from @stonemaiergames.com .'I cut, you choose' mixed with set collection and tile placement. All kinds of friendly interaction punchboard.co.uk/stamp-swap-r...
My Christmas bottle of whisky from last year has just poured its last. Good job I'm heading down to the shop again on wednesday for this year's! This was delicious by the way.
December 6, 2025 at 8:36 PM
My Christmas bottle of whisky from last year has just poured its last. Good job I'm heading down to the shop again on wednesday for this year's! This was delicious by the way.
I was lucky enough to get a copy of Railway Boom for me from Essen. I love it, and introduce it to anyone and everyone I can. I wrote a few words about what makes it so special for me, which you can read here - punchboard.co.uk/railway-boom... @okazubrand.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
Railway Boom Review - Choo choose a great new game
Railway Boom's hook, its something special, its little bit of ooh-la-la, is the bidding mechanism that underpins nearly everything that happens.
punchboard.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I was lucky enough to get a copy of Railway Boom for me from Essen. I love it, and introduce it to anyone and everyone I can. I wrote a few words about what makes it so special for me, which you can read here - punchboard.co.uk/railway-boom... @okazubrand.bsky.social @ianotoole.bsky.social
There was a post on the Board Game Reviewers & Media Facebook group about a big channel taking a stance on not covering games with generative AI art. Most replying said 'Hey, good on them, that's a great stance to have", and I have the same stance. Some of the replies though... 🧵
December 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM
There was a post on the Board Game Reviewers & Media Facebook group about a big channel taking a stance on not covering games with generative AI art. Most replying said 'Hey, good on them, that's a great stance to have", and I have the same stance. Some of the replies though... 🧵
I have appeased the owl. I will be spared this year. Hallowed be the Green One.
December 2, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I have appeased the owl. I will be spared this year. Hallowed be the Green One.
Lidl pyjamas. Fashion has peaked.
November 29, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Lidl pyjamas. Fashion has peaked.
I've been playing lots of Ayar from @ospreygames.bsky.social @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social & @ianotoole.bsky.social . I've really enjoyed it, and written a full review which you can read right now. Head over and see what makes it tick - punchboard.co.uk/ayar-childre...
Ayar: Children of the Sun Review - I have an Inca-ling it's going to be good
Ayar does things differently from its predecessors, but still retains the feel and atmosphere of them while offering something wholly different. I think it might be the best of the bunch.
punchboard.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 11:20 PM
I've been playing lots of Ayar from @ospreygames.bsky.social @flopiano.bsky.social @mandelafg.bsky.social & @ianotoole.bsky.social . I've really enjoyed it, and written a full review which you can read right now. Head over and see what makes it tick - punchboard.co.uk/ayar-childre...
I learned the second of my railway game purchases from Gridcon - Lightning Train. I'm surprised it's not getting talked about much. Bag building, trains, and Paul Dennen (Dune Imperium, Clank!) - what's not to like? I really enjoyed the first play, looking forward to a 4-player game now.
November 26, 2025 at 10:49 PM
I learned the second of my railway game purchases from Gridcon - Lightning Train. I'm surprised it's not getting talked about much. Bag building, trains, and Paul Dennen (Dune Imperium, Clank!) - what's not to like? I really enjoyed the first play, looking forward to a 4-player game now.
I spent my weekend at GridCon, a convention organised by Paul from @gamingrules.bsky.social . You can read about what I played and what I thought of the event, along with my moaning about being poorly, right here - punchboard.co.uk/gridcon-6-20...
GridCon 6 (2025) Report
November is a special time of the year for me. The beginning of the year unwinding, the countdown to the Christmas break begins, and best of all - it's Gridcon!
punchboard.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I spent my weekend at GridCon, a convention organised by Paul from @gamingrules.bsky.social . You can read about what I played and what I thought of the event, along with my moaning about being poorly, right here - punchboard.co.uk/gridcon-6-20...
Day two of Gridcon in the bag, another fantastic day. Today I played Suburbia, Let's Make a Bus Route the Dice Game, Lepidoptery, Railway Boom, Bean to Bar, Tag Team, The Gang, and most excitingly of all, the top secret new game from @theoldkingscrown.bsky.social . Thoughts in thread 🧵
November 22, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Day two of Gridcon in the bag, another fantastic day. Today I played Suburbia, Let's Make a Bus Route the Dice Game, Lepidoptery, Railway Boom, Bean to Bar, Tag Team, The Gang, and most excitingly of all, the top secret new game from @theoldkingscrown.bsky.social . Thoughts in thread 🧵
Day 2 of Gridcon! Woke up feeling like death, but it didn't stop me. I didn't take enough photos but played Molly House, Ayar, Origin Story, Panda Spin, Lepidoptery, Yokai Septet and probably something else. Good times!
November 21, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Day 2 of Gridcon! Woke up feeling like death, but it didn't stop me. I didn't take enough photos but played Molly House, Ayar, Origin Story, Panda Spin, Lepidoptery, Yokai Septet and probably something else. Good times!