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Game Info
Year
1989
Collection
Your Tier
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Description
This game revolves around the placement of multi-national customers in a restaurant. The board shows many different tables, each with four chairs around them. The tables are grouped by nation, so the Chinese like to sit with other Chinese. However, some of the chairs are on the border between two nations, so a person from either place could occupy the seat. To further complicate this odd tile game, each of the people is either male or female, and tables must be gender-balanced. As the game progresses some tiles become unplayable...
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 5
This page: 5
Sentiment:
pos 4 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–5 of 5
Video 0wm_thyj1Fs
Board Games With B7 Top List at 11:21 sentiment: positive
video_pk 99474 · mention_pk 276581
Click to watch at 11:21 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Adore the game.
- Just clicks every time.
- Openness of information allows for strategic adjustment.
- Small tactical decisions with weight.
- Clever design.
- Still really love the game.
Cons
- The card game feels a bit tedious in comparison.
- The app version is no longer available.
- It's a shame the app isn't available for purchase anymore.
Thematic elements
- Seating guests at tables in a cafe
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hand Management — Players manage a hand of guest tiles.
- Pattern Building — Mentioned as a core mechanic.
- Tile Placement — Mentioned as a core mechanic.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- What if you could take on the role of a medieval duke vying for control of the Rhineland?
- Let's explore Rhinlander, a game of cunning and conquest.
- Rhinlander is a fantastic abstract strategy game that I truly enjoy playing.
- Volle Hotte is a delightful gem in the world of board games that quickly captured my attention and kept me engaged from start to finish.
- What if you could build a railroad empire and outsmart your friends, all in under an hour?
- Let's dive into the thrill of Colorado Midland.
- I can't believe this game isn't more popular. It truly is a hidden gem.
- A legendary adventure comes to the table.
- What if one of the greatest stories ever told could be experienced around a board game table?
- Overall, Journey to the West truly exceeded my expectations.
- A cafe full of quiet decisions.
- Cafe International is one of those games that looks relaxed until you realize every move matters more than it seems.
- Have you ever wanted to collect fabulous goods while outsmarting your friends?
- Welcome to Gloria Picktoria, where every move counts.
- Can you outsmart your opponent and uncover the hidden spy before it's too late?
- Join me as we dive into the suspenseful game of Counterspy, where every move counts and deception is the name of the game.
- Counterspy was one of my favorite two-player only games from 2023.
- Get ready for a showdown with your family as we race across the bridge in Chow Chow.
- Who will come out on top?
- Chao Chao is a super fun family game that's always a blast to play.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ubvOx15dHTc
Board Games With B7 Analysis at 6:53 sentiment: positive
video_pk 80560 · mention_pk 196410
Click to watch at 6:53 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Clever tactical decisions
- Satisfying scoring opportunities
- Strategic tension between flexibility and commitment
- Well-implemented bar system
- Smooth app experience (when available)
- Visually appealing theme
Cons
- Card game version feels tedious
- App version no longer available
- Card game version can drag and have too many draws
- Penalties for unplayed guests can be stressful
Thematic elements
- Seating guests
- A cafe
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hand Management
- Pattern Building
- Set Collection — Scoring is based on tables consisting of a single nationality, or mixed nationality tables.
- Tile Placement
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Contraband Insider, every decision feels like a gamble, and every player might be hiding exactly what you're trying to uncover.
- This trick taker feels wild in the best way, and I absolutely love the twists where the winner of each trick gets to purchase cards from it.
- One of its strongest aspects is the artwork. The illustrations are simply stunning, and the locations in Vietnam are presented in a way that really stands out.
- It's a serene and delightful game on the surface, but there's a surprising level of depth underneath.
- The Wondrous Museum is comboastic. This engine builder is delightfully thinky and packed with satisfying decisions from start to finish.
- I absolutely love the tension in both Shikoku and his. The game play is packed with mind games from start to finish, constantly keeping both players on edge.
- Shady Lady was one of my favorite games of 2025. It may be a light filler, but it's packed with tension, mind games, and a surprising amount of excitement for such a small package.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Tauzam45noU
Board Games With B7 Discussion at 2:07 sentiment: positive
video_pk 80524 · mention_pk 196111
Click to watch at 2:07 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Every move matters
- Clicks for the reviewer every time
- Board game and app are enjoyable
Cons
- Card game feels a bit tedious
Thematic elements
- Seating guests
- Cafe
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hand Management — Cafe International is a family and abstract strategy game featuring tile placement, hand management, and pattern building mechanics.
- Pattern Building — Cafe International is a family and abstract strategy game featuring tile placement, hand management, and pattern building mechanics.
- Tile Placement — Cafe International is a family and abstract strategy game featuring tile placement, hand management, and pattern building mechanics.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Welcome to the sixth episode of Spotlighting Good and Gems and Board Games, a series dedicated to fun and lesserk known family games that deserve more attention.
- This title won the prestigious Spiel back in 1992, and decades later, it's still turning heads.
- This is my favorite game by Stefan Dora and easily one of my favorite auction and economic games overall.
- This game also won the prestigious Pil Gyres back in 1989.
- So, if you're looking for a quick, snappy card game with a bit of interaction and some clever timing, Trendy is always a blast.
- Before we move on to the next game, if you've been enjoying these game selections so far, feel free to like and subscribe for more board and card games just like these.
- Hits and Outs was one of my favorite games of 202
- Deception in motion. What if every move you made revealed more than you intended?
- In Shuo and Disses, your opponent is always watching, trying to read every decision you make.
- Drinks are around the house and so are the mind games.
- Every so often, a small card game flies under the radar, only to surprise you once it hits the table.
- Shady Lady is a fantastic filler that delivers far more tension and interaction than you might expect.
- I highly recommend it and I'd love to see it receive a wider international release so more players can discover just how clever and exciting it is.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video VVEQgSPbiK4
Board Stupid Analysis at 33:04
video_pk 32596 · mention_pk 96502
Click to watch at 33:04 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Placement puzzle
- Restaurant seating by nationality
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's now at this point the most prestigious board games award in the world.
- There is no public influence and there is no industry influence either because they just journalists they don't take review copies they don't take payment.
- You can only have the award logo on your box for three years.
- The rules have to be clear, they have to be concise, there can't be any weird ambiguities.
- It's independent as it can be, that's really cool.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 3k9dxL1NO-Y
Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Discussion at 0:28 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13619 · mention_pk 39790
Click to watch at 0:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- new version with improved components
- fits alongside Tikal and Java in the trilogy reprint line
- artistic cohesion with Tikal aesthetics
Cons
- risk of diverging from the original’s feel for purists
Thematic elements
- Adventure/Discovery
- Jungle exploration and temple-building in a mythical Mexico
- Thematic/Epic
Comparison games
- Tikal
- Java
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- now this is how you do a reprint tikal
- this is not a straight reprint this is a complete overhaul of the system and again again it's an example of how reprints should be done it looks absolutely fantastic
- I love stacking a metal elephant on top of a strongman
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–5 of 5