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Game Info
Year
2025
Collection
Mechanic profile
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Description
In Portugal, some restaurants serve traditional Portuguese food alongside performances of fado, a music genre that can be traced to the 1820s in Lisbon, Portugal and is often characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, while being infused with a sentiment of resignation, fate, and melancholy.
People spend their entire evenings in these restaurants, called Casa de Fado ("House of Fado"), dining and listening to the music, which speaks about "saudade", a Portuguese word meaning "longing, nostalgia, yearning, missing something or someone". Typically, there isn't any rotation of the tables. Once you enter the restaurant, you stay until it's closed.
In its traditional form, fado is played by a trio of musicians: a guitarist plays "Guitarra Portuguesa" (a twelve-string Portuguese Guitar); a singer, that is, a "fadista"; and a guitarist playing "Viola de Fado" (classical guitar). The Portuguese guitar has a unique sound, and the chords are played in different bars from those of the classical guitar.
In the game House of Fado, players have to manage their restaurant, attract customers, and contract and promote fadistas and musicians, thus gaining prestige for their fado house. Managers will move their staff members to different places to perform some actions, using the same bump action as in The Gallerist.
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 9
This page: 9
Sentiment:
pos 6 ·
mix 2 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–9 of 9
Video zK_MkdIsAXY
Rules Teach at 0:00 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 69175 · mention_pk 165542
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Excellent worker bumping mechanic
- Thematic integration of performer promotion
- Streamlined design from heavier games
- Engaging theme of running restaurants and promoting artists
- Fast gameplay
- Smooth ruleset once learned
- Satisfying client applause mechanic
Cons
- Can feel dry and calculation-heavy as a two-player game
- Game length is fixed regardless of player count, making two-player feel like less content
- Promotional items (assistants, special performers) significantly improve the two-player experience and add variety, but may not be readily available.
- Performer variety is lacking in the base game, making them feel too similar.
- Some iconography can be confusing (e.g., treble clef symbol for wild notes).
Thematic elements
- Running competing restaurants and promoting performers (singers and guitarists) to fame.
- Portugal
Comparison games
- Gallerist
- Bot Factory
- Marcado de Lisboa
- Isboa
- Euphoria
- Apiary
- Venos
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action drafting — Players choose from a limited set of action spaces each turn, with worker placement and bumping affecting availability.
- engine building — Through actions like hiring performers and increasing restaurant prestige, players build up their capabilities to earn more money and points as the game progresses.
- Resource management — Players manage coins (money) to hire performers and bribe critics, and notes to write songs.
- set collection — Players collect 'note' tokens (treble clef, single, double, triple) to fulfill the requirements for writing songs, which award victory points.
- Star collection — Players can earn stars for achieving specific milestones (e.g., promoting a performer to level six, writing three songs), which contribute significantly to end-game scoring and trigger the game's end.
- Worker Bumping — When a player places a worker on a space occupied by an opponent, the opponent's worker is bumped, and the player who bumped them may receive a bonus or the bumped player may receive a choice of benefits.
- worker placement — Players place workers on various action spaces on the board to perform actions like hiring performers, getting customers, writing songs, or promoting artists.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a game of worker bumping and the worker bumping here is excellent.
- It's going to be a cacophony of moves and all kinds of right comes back around my turn. Oh my gosh, look at the board now.
- As a two-player game, while I appreciate the assistance system, it's there. What I really need more of is these things because the other thing I mentioned that, you know, this promo that's available for the game gives you performers that don't do the standard thing that break up the flow of this game.
- My favorite part being that, hey, when um, you know, I close up shop for the night, my meles literally stand up to applaud. It's a silly little idea, but it so brings the theme to life.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video G9KBpsWfcGE
kovray Review at 0:32 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 60425 · mention_pk 152822
Click to watch at 0:32 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Simultaneous play reduces downtime and keeps tension high.
- Four maps provide replayability and variety in scoring strategies.
- Abilities add meaningful variability and allow planning choices across turns.
- Short play sessions (roughly 15–20 minutes) make it approachable and replayable.
- Theme and artwork are visually appealing and approachable for lighter gamers.
Cons
- Lack of direct player interaction can feel solitaire or less social for some groups.
- Theme is fairly loose relative to mechanics, which may disappoint players seeking stronger narrative.
- Weights toward a lighter game; may not satisfy those seeking heavier strategy.
- Endgame can hinge on a few tight spaces, which can feel punishing.
Thematic elements
- Cats and mice within a house; scoring tied to room layouts and critter interaction.
- Players build a house by placing room numbers; cats and mice populate rooms, with cheese as a thematic element.
- loose, lighthearted, whimsical
Comparison games
- Track 12
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Ability tiles — Ability tiles are drawn and can be saved for later use; some tiles (lightning) must be used immediately and can swing scoring.
- dice drafting — Four dice are rolled each turn; players simultaneously select three dice to draw on their sheets, with adjacency constraints.
- endgame scoring and penalties — Points are tallied from rooms, mice, cats, and a bonus letter scoring; empty spaces deduct points.
- Modular maps with variable scoring — There are four different maps; scoring varies by map and by endgame bonuses for each layout.
- Pattern Building — Selected dice values must form connected groups on the sheet to complete rooms.
- Pattern building and adjacency — Selected dice values must form connected groups on the sheet to complete rooms.
- Roll-and-write/dice drafting — Four dice are rolled each turn; players simultaneously select three dice to draw on their sheets, with adjacency constraints.
- Room completion and walls — Completing a room with a group of numbers allows you to mark walls and unlock an ability in the corresponding number slot.
- Tile/Map Shifting — Ability tiles are drawn and can be saved for later use; some tiles (lightning) must be used immediately and can swing scoring.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a rolling right but in that genre and it fit in that space really well
- the mice are usually worth more points than the cats
- it's simultaneous play
- the theme in this game is definitely quite loose
- every decision certainly matters in this game
- the best part about House of cats for me is the levels
- short enough and variable enough
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video WK8w7QWI_j8
The Board Game Garden Discussion at 16:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 34659 · mention_pk 103283
Click to watch at 16:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- approachable variant to a heavier title
- tight pacing
Cons
- not as deep as Gallerist for some players
Thematic elements
- curation and presentation of photographs
- photography studio, gallery-themed play
Comparison games
- Gallerist
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Pattern Building — Create rows/columns of scoring opportunities.
- pattern-building — Create rows/columns of scoring opportunities.
- tile placement — Arrange action tiles and photos to maximize scoring.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this trip was the best board game related trip that I've been on thus far
- I'm officially a Adam alumni now
- Vienna was probably my favorite game of the weekend
- remember you were somebody's reason to smile
- it's so nice here, silent and peaceful
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cMGWh8fz07U
Board Game Garden Top 10 List at 31:28 sentiment: positive
video_pk 34532 · mention_pk 102833
Click to watch at 31:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tightly designed, compact version of a larger title
- enjoyable theme and puzzle balance
Cons
Thematic elements
- theater/performer management
- Cafe/restaurant/bar with performers
- condensed, elegant Euro-style
Comparison games
- The Gallerist
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card-driven performer placement — Place performers and assign acts to different customers for scoring.
- worker placement — Draft performers (meeples) to staff a venue and bump opponents for rewards.
- worker placement and bumper mechanics — Draft performers (meeples) to staff a venue and bump opponents for rewards.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's this very cool puzzle of drafting cards that will get you victory points in the trick
- I absolutely loved it and I cannot wait to get a copy of that
- Caution Signs feels very unique and a lot of fun
- Crafting the Cosmos just makes my brain really happy
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _6S1ClNvmRY
Board Games for One Top 10 List at 47:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 34220 · mention_pk 161372
Click to watch at 47:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong interactivity and theme integration
- beautiful production and components
Cons
- teaching can be challenging; heavy rulesets
Thematic elements
- Gastronomy, music, marketing and culture in a cafe setting
- Early 20th-century Lisbon cafe society
- rich thematic storytelling with historical flavor
Comparison games
- L'Art de la Guerre
- Vinhos
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- multi-area ownership / worker placement — interacting boards and actions across a shared cafe theme
- simultaneous action selection with bump mechanics — competition for limited worker slots and secondary actions
- Simultaneous Actions — competition for limited worker slots and secondary actions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- A lot of the fun was in the interactivity and watching others' plans unfold.
- I didn't want four-player solitaire; everyone needs to stay engaged.
- Diplomacy is the ultimate trust and treachery game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video rrW3d3JKa3U
Board Games for One Review at 41:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 31491 · mention_pk 151362
Click to watch at 41:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fluid movement, tight player interaction
- highly thematic and well-integrated with mechanics
Cons
- potential for longer teach and heavier weight than some players want
Thematic elements
- cultural hospitality, music, and restaurant management
- Cultural cafe in Portugal/European vibe with musical performances
- romantic, old-world charm
Comparison games
- Lesta’s other heavy euro titles
- Viticulture
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — bump other players' workers for benefits; upgrade actions over time
- area-control/interaction — bump other players' workers for benefits; upgrade actions over time
- worker placement — three workers, placing on shared and private boards to perform actions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is like the Super Smash Brothers kind of. I know, I know.
- If you're a heavier gamer and you don't like, you know, people messing with your plans, you'll hate this.
- This was absolutely beautiful. I love how well it moved.
- The goddess made me do it.
- I would buy it.
- Moon Colony Bloodbath... engine destroying game, sick sense of humor
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video UEjlQsDeI4Q
Getting Games Discussion at 17:55 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12520 · mention_pk 36511
Click to watch at 17:55 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive/curious
Pros
- gorgeous production typical of Eagle-Gryphon
- shorter weight than typical Vital Lacerda designs, but with depth
Cons
- described by the speaker as potentially complex
Thematic elements
- restaurant management with musicians and live performances
- Portuguese cafe/restaurant with music
- elegant, culturally evocative
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- market/commodities — commodity management and scoring around the Starlight venue
- Work replacement — dice workers perform actions and drive the engine
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the idea of it is so cool
- algebraic blackjack
- it's a brain flexor
- it's relaxing board game
- I really want to try this
- Planet Cute it's got a wonderful vibe
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video pe6N_GDsxSE
Chairman of the Board Discussion at 13:17 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 7129 · mention_pk 85248
Click to watch at 13:17 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- family-friendly, cozy theme
- Upcoming title with a cat/household theme
- light and pleasant
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the market is manipulated because you have these cards that are sat between you and one of your neighbors
- the rules are so thin
- it's fantastic I think it's criminally underrated
- the rich and the good definitely one of the highlights of the period
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6d8yGEzfVRU
Chairman of the Board Discussion at 8:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5827 · mention_pk 125744
Click to watch at 8:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- simple and approachable
- charming theme
- quick play sessions
Cons
- cat theme may not appeal to everyone
- potential repetitiveness with repeated plays
Thematic elements
- dice roll and write; cat/mice interactions
- Cats and mice in a house
- light and whimsical
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cat/mouse interaction — tracking actions and scoring on sheets
- Flip/Roll and Write — roll dice and fill in scoring sheets
- Roll and Write — roll dice and fill in scoring sheets
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is the newest board and dice game at least one of the newest
- a very straightforward Euro definitely on the lighter end of the medium
- I'm glad I did
- these are the kind of Euros I tend to really get along with
- the old ones are normally the best ones
- this is a stripped back Euro
- no bloat to the rules or anything like that
- it's so easy to table
- two to four players 40 minutes just sounds like it's taking all those boxes for me
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–9 of 9