You're living the dream. You're in a band and they’re about to go on tour. It's your job to schedule the band's stops over your 100-day tour, visiting as many states as possible.
Each turn in On Tour, two ten-sided dice are rolled to make two two-digit numbers. For example, a roll of 3 and 7 creates the numbers 37 and 73. All players write each of those numbers in a state on their map. The regions they can write in are restricted by three cards turned up in the middle of the table.
At the end of the game, each player draws a route on their map, starting with a low number and visiting adjacent states with higher and higher numbers. Players get a point for every state they visit.
There are also some bonus points available, a way to get wilds, and a variable set-up step that makes every game different.
Note: The second edition supports 8 players out of the box and the map boards are double sided featuring the US map on one side (the one from the first edition) and On Tour: European Expansion of the other side.
—description from the publisher
- Very easy to teach (one-page rulebook)
- Fast and light, ideal for a quick game
- Engaging rolling-right mechanic with strategy via regions and exact circles
- Expands with new boards and a strong theme (music road trip)
- Dice-driven randomness can lead to frustrating rounds
- Some room for optimization requires multiple plays
- Scoring can be fiddly for new players
- musical band tour
- US map across states planning a band road trip
- playful banter with audience interaction
- Sumo
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- circle vs non-circle placement — Exact matches are circled to gain additional points; non-exact placements remain in the region.
- region and state placement — Numbers must be placed in the region indicated by the cards, with exact-state circles when a match occurs.
- roll-and-write — Roll three dice per round, reveal two cards, and place the resulting numbers into state locations (cities/regions).
- route-based scoring — At the end of the game, players score points for each state visited along their route and bonus points for circled numbers.
- wilds from doubles or matching cards — If all three cards are in the same region or dice show doubles, players gain a wild placement (star) that can be used strategically.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a very straightforward game
- the rulebook is one page front and back
- i love a good rolling ring
- we are band managers and we are trying to map out the ideal summer road trip for the band
- there's an app for it
- kickstarter is live right now with expansions for all four of these games
- i love expansions
References (from this video)
- engaging tension
- shared-board dynamics
- dice vs card tension may split tastes
- music industry, travel, logistics
- US tour routing for a band
- humorous, chaotic
- Sushi Roll
- Sushi Go
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- opposing styles — two opposing design philosophies shape choices
- route planning / dice-and-cards — pattern-building and routing decisions across a map
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Sushi Roll is a dice game about eating sushi with such a perfect name that you can't help but feel the makers of 2014's sushi dice should all retire in shame
- I love gambling on trying to collect the best set because if you do it feels like pulling off a full house in poker
- it's not going to appeal to gamers who want strategic depth but if you want a light-hearted social game with big moments age of dirt is one-of-a-kind
- Deep Blue is the year's big family game
- this is the best storytelling board game I've ever played and it's not even close
References (from this video)
- Engaging puzzle with tension between planning and greed
- Clear pull to balance short-term gains with long-term strategy
- Greed-driven play can feel punishing for newcomers
- planning a music tour with route optimization
- United States music touring circuit
- puzzle/strategy with greed and timing dynamics
- Quinto
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice_roll_and_route_placement — Two 10-sided dice generate numbers written on location cards and players place them on a map to connect routes.
- risk_and_greed_punishment — Choosing to extend routes yields points but can ruin your grand scheme.
- set_picking_and_path_planning — Draft routes that link numbers while managing constrained movement and fuel concepts.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- the cleverest part of on tour is the way it lures you into trying to get more points and then punishes you for your greediness
- it's gripping at the start
- one lovely touch of on tour is that you can track your strategy ahead of time by drawing lines on the board
- it's a perfect balance of early game promise and late game resignation
- Copenhagen doesn't feel like a typical Tetris game; it's about tactical efficiency
- it's incredibly approachable gateway game but with some hidden depth
- Las Vegas is the ultimate dice game for giving you big moments
- it's the kind of game I would buy for random people at Christmas
- Arion is the latest game in the Oliver series that started with an AI rim
- every decision is tough and impactful
References (from this video)
- Enjoyable playthrough
- Good theming
- Limited depth for some players
- Touring games with simultaneous city-building
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Simultaneous action / drafting — You play cards to place blocks in your own city; shared and feed-off scoring
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this is an experiment to see how this goes
- it's an experiment
- this is going to be live live with the chat on screen
- it's not a doom and gloom type thing
- I want to give this a try
References (from this video)
- Long, glossy boards for Europe and the USA that create an immersive, map-first experience and contribute to a physical sense of scale.
- Dice are oversized and highly visible, which supports readability at the table and enhances multiplayer showmanship.
- Premium components (thick cards, large boards, substantial dice) give a tangible, ‘real game’ feel that elevates the unboxing beyond a typical roll-and-write.
- The design communicates a clear sense of scope and purpose, making the game appear substantive rather than a simple write-and-erase activity.
- Strong player-count support up to eight players, enabling larger gatherings and social play.
- No explicit solo mode mentioned or observed in the video packaging, leaving solo or solitaire appeal uncertain.
- Component size and weight imply logistics considerations for shipping, storage, and table space, which could be a downside for casual or space-limited players.
- Some rule clarifications appear absent from the packaging and in-video discussion (e.g., solo scoring, exact victory conditions, and edge-case interactions), which could require additional rulebook consultation.
- Music performance travels and city-by-city touring across multiple continents.
- A musical tour across Europe and the United States, exploring famous cities and routes in a playful, map-centered format.
- Light, travelogue-driven with a lightweight, party-leaning design ethos; presented as a tangible, map-forward experience.
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Roll and Write — Players roll dice and then record the values on their tour map, marking visited locations and achieving progress toward tour goals.
- set marking / location tracking — Players populate a large map by marking states, cities, or regions as they are visited, creating a visual record of the tour progression and scoring opportunities.
- Simultaneous Play — Gameplay unfolds with multiple players acting in a shared phase or through parallel resolution rather than strict alternating turns, emphasizing social interaction and speed.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- these are huge
- these boards are really large
- it feels much more like a full-fledged game
- eight of those because we can play it with up to eight players
- the cards feel like they have a nice finish and good thickness; it communicates quality in every component
- the design makes it feel like a real, complete game rather than just a roll-and-write sketch, which is not always the case with deluxe editions
References (from this video)
- Compact 20-minute play time with high replayability
- Inclusive design for larger groups (12+ players with extra maps)
- Shared input mechanic provides a level playing field and fast pacing
- Relies on parallel inputs that may reduce individual agency in some situations
- Thematic familiarity may not appeal to all players
- Music, travel, and touring logistics under a time-constrained schedule
- A cross-country US tour for a band across 100 days
- Lighthearted, experiential storytelling with a focus on planning and timing
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- roll-and-write / rolling rights — Dice rolls and cards drive inputs that affect all players simultaneously.
- route-building — Players draft or build routes to visit as many states as possible within the tour window.
- simultaneous play with shared inputs — Everyone uses the same inputs, creating fairness and tension around choices.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Posthumous Saga is a new tactical survival adventure very rich in story
- The fortress is the last bastion of humanity by racing to complete your objectives
- Posthumous Saga is for wonderful players and promises a challenging as well as immersive experience
- Darwin's choice it's a game for 2 to 6 players with mechanics that require strategic thinking and give you a good understanding of evolution
- The objective for each player is to create animal species that are as optimally adapted as possible to endure through the changes of time
- using sophisticated mutations, players can improve already established animal species or save endangered species from extinction
- it's a game for 2 to 6 players with mechanics that require strategic thinking and give you a good understanding of evolution
- Imaginarium co-designed by one of my favorite game designers
- In Imaginarium you enter the factory which manufactures dreams
- you can repair, combine or dismantle two machines this way you've produced the resources needed to repair more powerful machines
- On Tour is a 20 minute route building rolling rights boardgame
- everyone is getting the same inputs but how you choose to deal with them will determine your success
- last but no way for those who love abstract car games and for those who love trees here comes the two-player version of Kodama
- three branch cards will be revealed for drafting
References (from this video)
- Simple rules
- Interesting decision-making
- Multiple ways to mitigate bad dice rolls
- Can be frustrating when specific numbers don't appear
- Requires careful planning
- Band touring across the country
- United States
- Roll and write
- Los Cityies
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice rolling — Players roll dice to determine numbers and regions for their tour route
- Route Building — Create a continuous route through ascending numbers
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- We're rolling and riding throughout the weekend
- It's a marathon, not a sprint
- Take it easy, hydrate
References (from this video)
- tense decisions and banter during play
- multiple map variants add replay variety
- accessible filler with light luck
- minimal direct interaction between players
- heavy reliance on luck; limited tactical depth
- can drag with more players; fiddly map components
- Route-building and travel networks across continents
- Global map routing with multiple variant maps (North America, world/Europe, New York, Paris variants) where players connect routes on a map grid.
- Abstract puzzle with travel flavor; light thematic framing
- Underground
- Ticket to Ride
- Pursuit of Happiness
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card_and_map_variants — Card-driven map variants influence layout, districts, and scoring bonuses.
- rolling_right — Dice determine possible placements; players push their luck to place numbers on a map grid.
- route_building — Players extend a single longest route by filling numbers in ascending order on the map.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's not blown me away
- it's a rolling right game
- it's a push your luck affair
- there's no multiplayer interaction at all
- Frostpunk not in the running; Heat won
- it's going to elevate this game to a new level
References (from this video)
- Expansion content for popular titles
- Deluxe components mentioned as part of the package
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this avocado and i want to make sure before you watch this sketch video you know all about the boardgametables.com kickstarter
- it's a really thinky game it comes with a lot of decision making
- 180 minutes for when you're trying to find time to play the game
- it's gonna come in handy in a few years
- this baggie doesn't look like much but open it up