Three Sisters is a strategic roll-and-write game about backyard farming. Three Sisters is named after an indigenous agricultural technique still widely used today in which three different crops — pumpkins, corn, and beans — are planted close together. Corn provides a lattice for beans to climb, the beans bring nitrogen from the air into the soil, and the squash provides a natural mulch ground cover to reduce weeds and keep pests away.
In the game, you have your own player sheet with multiple areas: the garden, which is divided into six numbered zones, each containing the three crop types; the apiary; compost; perennials; goods; fruit; and the shed, which is filled with tools that have special abilities. All the crops, fruits, flowers, and hives are represented by tracks that you will mark off as you acquire these items. Many of the tracks are interconnected with other elements in the game, giving you bonuses along the way. A common feature of these tracks are circles that represent a harvest, which generates goods; get enough goods, and you unlock bonus actions. Advancing on all of these tracks offers various amounts of points, advancements, and bonuses.
The game lasts eight rounds. Each round, roll dice based on the number of players, group them by number, then place them on an action space of the circular action wheel, starting with the current position of the farmer; the farmer moves each round, which means that dice showing 1s, 2s, etc. will end up on different spaces each round. Once the dice have been placed, each player drafts one die and uses it as described below. Once everyone has drafted a die, all players get to use the lowest-valued die remaining on the action wheel. A die lets you do two things, which you can do in either order:
Plant or water the numbered zone matching the value of the die.
Take the action of the space from which you removed the die.
To plant, you mark the bottom space of two empty crop tracks. (Note that you can't plant beans until the corn adjacent to the beans is tall enough to support them.) To water, you mark one space in all the crop tracks that already have at least one mark in them. As for the actions on the action wheel, you can:
Plant or water again in the same numbered zone.
Gain one compost (which lets you adjust die values) and four goods (which will get you bonuses at the farmer's market).
Mark off the hive track, which can bring you points, goods, or bonus actions.
Mark one of the four fruit tracks. Each fruit is worth different points and different amounts of goods and has different track lengths and circle positions.
Visit the farmer's market, which gives you points and bonuses based on the number of goods you've collected.
Mark one of the fifteen tool tracks in your shed. As soon as you complete a track, you gain that power or end-game scoring opportunity.
Perennials don't have a direct action associated with them and are marked off only through actions in other areas, with the various perennials giving different bonuses as you mark them.
At the end of the round, all players receive a bonus action, either rain that waters all numbered zones in your garden, a trip to the shed, or a visit to the farmer's market. After eight rounds, you score points for harvested crops, perennials, the apiary, fruit, and some shed items. Whoever has the most points wins.
Three Sisters has a solo mode in which you try to top your own score against an "opponent" that drafts dice and blocks areas of your sheet.
- It is fantastic in my opinion.
- The Harvest Edition is fantastic.
- The addition of 12 chapters provides new content and replayability.
- The modular nature allows players to mix and match modules, skip parts, and customize the game.
- It adds new options to a game that already has many fun decisions and combos.
- It doesn't get boring.
- It's enough with each chapter to offer something new without changing the feel of the game.
- Compatible with solo mode.
- Didn't connect with the theme of Motor City (a previous game in the series).
- Fleet the Dice Game
- French Quarter
- Motor City
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Rolling — Uses dice rolling to determine outcomes, with additional dice being added in other modules.
- modular/variable content — The game incorporates new components like groundhogs, pumpkins, and peppers, and can involve new boards or objectives depending on the chapter.
- objectives — New objectives are introduced that provide more points for being completed earlier and fewer for later completion, with solo play having specific round requirements.
- Recipes — Recipes can be added, offering bonus points (often double) for the first player to complete them, with lesser points for others.
- Rondelle — Features a rondelle in the center.
- Sheet Modification — In one scenario, a shed component on the player sheet is covered up and requires actions to flip over for benefits, changing the sheet rather than replacing it entirely.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Three Sisters is by far my favorite, then Fleet the Dice Game, then French Quarter, and then Motor City.
- I was both excited and nervous because I really, really love Three Sisters and I didn't want to see it ruined, but I also was really excited to see what could be done with it.
- And it is fantastic in my opinion.
- this game now takes place over 12 chapters.
- It's not a legacy game, so nothing about the changes are per permanent.
- every single one of the modules is compatible with the solo mode.
- This game is still quite the combotastic adventure.
- So much going on. It's so awesome.
- If you've never played Three Sisters, obviously get this version.
- Play them all in order if you're a rule follower, if you're a rule breaker, play them however you want. After that, mix and match. Do whatever you want. Throw in what you like. Skip things you don't. Make it your own game.
- this takes a game that already has a lot of fun decisions and combos and gives me new options with them.
- And it's just enough with each chapter that it's something new to strive for and a new focus or tilt to give it, but does not change the feel of the game if you really love this game.
References (from this video)
- Varied strategic options and multiple scoring paths
- Prototype visuals and components give a charming, thematic feel
- Prototype misnumbering noted during setup
- Described as not being an entry-level game; fairly heavy/complex
- mutual-benefit planting and companion crops
- Indigenous agriculture focusing on the three sisters: corn, beans, and squash
- Fleet the Dice Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- compost_adjustment — Compost is spent to adjust the value of dice/actions.
- gardening (planting/watering) — Planting and watering actions in garden regions to score and progress.
- shed/apiary/fruit actions — Various board actions (shed, apiary, fruit) that advance tracks and grant bonuses.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- fleet the dice game is a dice drafting rolling right plays over eight rounds
- on each round we would roll the dice
- you get to draft one die
- the shed time lets you fill in a shed square
- the password is popcorn in capitals
- there's a vast variety of ways that you can go about playing this game
- we'll draw the winner at the end of this live play through
- this is prototype copy... we borrowed components from other games
References (from this video)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I thoroughly enjoyed this game
- the combinations and everything in this game is just magical
- the scores are really high
References (from this video)
- Lots of similar engines to Fleet: The Dice Game but with twists.
- Significant upkeep bonuses and track advancement.
- High capability for action selection.
- Players like it a little more than Fleet: The Dice Game.
- Farming (Three Symbiotic Plants)
- Fleet: The Dice Game
- Fleet: The Dice Game
- Three Sisters (aka the three symbiotic plants)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — A goods track allows players to choose actions anywhere on the board.
- Dice Drafting — Players draft dice, and the remaining dice offer a secondary play.
- Farming Simulation — Mechanics related to planting beans, corn, and pumpkins, and benefiting from watering and rain.
- Upkeep phase — Involves gaining bonuses and advancing on tracks, with actions like watering regions affecting already planted crops.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this is the game that makes us play pinball more
- it's very clever way of using the dice
- simple rules but then deeper decision
- it is more interactive than most
- tries to chain as much together in as effective a way as possible
References (from this video)
- Amazing strategy diversity
- Rivals Fleet: The Dice Game
- Great for gardening theme enthusiasts
- Gardening, planting perennials, bees, aviary, fruit tree
- Garden
- Fleet: The Dice Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Drafting — the way you pick your actions your main actions through the dice draft i think is really cool.
- Roll and Write — it's a rolling right where you're essentially trying to score as many points through various means of like planting in your garden.
- Set Collection — planting in your garden planting perennials yeah and bees.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- The action selection in this game the complexity the symbols it just hits in the best way possible.
- It's very every step really matters and every decision you make really matters.
- it's just a game that really just drawn me in right from the start.
- Every single time i've played this game I've tried a different strategy and it just amazes me the different strategies that I've personally been able to come up with.
- This is their second game that's kind of like the heavier rolling rate and it's just wonderful and I definitely think it rivals Fleet.
- it's a gorgeous gorgeous i think even like every little detail in that game is just fascinating.
- it's such a unique game in that sense too where you can use your opponents as well and use their resources.
- I had a really hard time of like mapping through the different like ways to do things and accomplish things and it really like it chugged at my brain.
- everyone's described it to us as like a battle yahtzee and that's a very accurate description of what it is.
- I love that it's the simplicity and the sheer joy in it.
- It's such a fast game right if you think about a drafting game like that and you're like oh it'll take a while but this boom like it's just because it's like two two sets two handfuls.
- I love games like this they always bring me a lot of joy.
- this is a great introductory gamecheck game that we can definitely play with many of our fans.
- there's a campaign within this game.
- the replayability in this game is significant but it also draws you in right from the start.
- this absolutely stunningly beautiful amazing game called winter haven woods.
- it's a set collection drafting game.
- it's very like quick easy easy to teach and super adorable like it just gives a lot of good vibes.
- it's so hard to get back to it because you just have to remember so much.
- we did play architects which was great and the best part about it is now that we've played architects with our our friends we made we're making plans to play paladins.
- it's also a deck builder so i'm pretty excited about it.
References (from this video)
- Good looking game
- Makes you feel good inside
- Indigenous agricultural technique of planting three crops (pumpkin, corn, beans) in harmony
- Backyard farming
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Roll and Write — A one to four player three sisters a strategic roll and right game about backyard farming.
- Set Collection — The object of the game is to do those duties in a role roller right kind of way to score the most piety points.
- Worker Placement — Players use their average influence to bid for a priority on tasks.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I can do what I want and most importantly Chas can't stop me
- If you've seen Rodney in Europe or anywhere please let us know his geese miss him
- Unlike Chas who's not a doctor at all and again to be clear can not stop me
- Oh and coming in number three on our list is another expansion this time for last year's card layering game canvas
- I guess especially the one that's in the office because I tell you now getting rid of spiders is a polar job I threw a shoe at this one and it just made it angry
- But before we go on with number one I'll say it being on your own and all your work colleagues going missing acquaintances I'll meet them halfway
- No one
- No one wants a cup of tea?
References (from this video)
- Crunchier and more strategic than Fleet the Dice Game
- Strong late-game payoff and combos
- Steeper learning curve for newcomers to this line
- interdependent farming using cooperative crops
- Agricultural synergy among crops
- dice drafting with arranging farms and buildings
- Fleet the Dice Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Drafting — Draft dice to perform actions with buildings and farms.
- Resource/Grid optimization — Place actions to maximize crop synergy and scoring opportunities.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- "this game surfaces out of the beginning of the pandemic when it was created through a way for people to connect over camera"
- "the art is stunning absolutely beautiful it makes me deliciously hungry"
- "it's my favorite oh I still like the original the most"
- "you roll four different dice they're all different faced"
- "there's six Dice and you utilize the rules differently"
- "Three Sisters are three crops that are typically grown together to support each other"
References (from this video)
- Fantastic combos and engine-building depth
- Educational yet fun with agricultural focus
- Complexity may be a barrier for new players to rolling rights
- Agriculture and seasonal production
- Farming season; gardening and beekeeping
- Rolling rights; engine-building with dice drafting
- Fleet: The Dice Game
- Calico
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Engine Building — Creating action sequences to maximize points and combine crops, bees, etc.
- Engine-building / chain building — Creating action sequences to maximize points and combine crops, bees, etc.
- Roll-and-write / dice drafting — Players roll dice and draft actions to grow crops across seasons.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's such an incredible experience
- we love Halloween and board games
- it's one of our favorite rolling rights
- the box design is amazing and fits the theme
- it's a great game of spooky and joy
References (from this video)
- Deep, heavy roll-and-write experience
- Excellent solo mode
- Complex for new players
- Many choices can be overwhelming
- Array
- Farmland / farming
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Rolling — Roll dice to gain resources and place them on the rondelle.
- dice-based resource generation — Roll dice to gain resources and place them on the rondelle.
- Resource Management — Grow crops (pumpkins, corn, beans) and build sheds for points.
- Rondel — Two sheets, move a farm around a rondel to choose actions.
- Rondel action selection — Two sheets, move a farm around a rondel to choose actions.
- Worker/Resource management with crops and sheds — Grow crops (pumpkins, corn, beans) and build sheds for points.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's delightfully simple about next station London
- it's the perfect rolling right
- Rolling Realms is definitely up there one of the best rolling rights
- it's campaigny so you can go through the boxes within the game and go through the campaign
References (from this video)
- Heavy and grindy
- Allows for deep strategy and combos
- Gets better with repeated play
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Combo Building — there's a lot of combos that go on
- Roll and Write — I like it as a rolling right
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I think this game deserves much more love than it has gotten
- it's a work replacement in real time which is just brilliant
- this one is a lot of fun it's super super random it's also really it's kind of chaotic
- I really like the combos of rice
- Scout is amazing it's a game you can bring anywhere it's small it's compact
- it's like pattern laying
- it made my brain explode and I want more of that
- who doesn't love Marvel United it's very fun
- it's super well done I think it's a lot of fun
- Zap Attack it was very fun and we still haven't gone back to it and we should because it was a really good game
- Yak is fun it's very cool because you just like go around and try to collect resources build up these cubes to build up your pyramid and then score points based on how you've grouped all of your different color uh cubes and it's it's it's simple it's easy and the um Yaks alone are amazing and they go around there they're so cute and there's a little baby yak
- what is our Z game we only have one and it's called zapotec which we both really want to play yes it's gonna play this yes we have wait when did we play it about a year ago I'm thinking of um yeah yeah we played zap okay Zap Attack it was very fun and we still haven't gone back to it and we should because it was a really good game
- it's just been so long that's what happens when you have so many games
- well that's been at least recommendations 26 recommendations there are some doubles in there but you know what we'll let you do the math how many games you recommended let us know in the comments down below not like we can compare our lists or anything does Tyler's double game count we don't know we'll find out boom
- well if you've played any of these games that we've mentioned and you would also recommend them to other people in the board gaming hobby or who want who you want to play board games with let us know down in the comments below what are some of the games we missed and if you're feeling ambitious for it why you type the alphabet down the whole suggestions go from your collection because we love to hear what your recommendations are for each letter and which letter do you have the most games of true bars is s s
References (from this video)
- Roll and write flavor
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Roll and Write — I need that roll and right flavor in my life as well.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- parade because it's a cute card game that we I wanted parade and I hope it fits in the spot that I want it to fit but we'll see
- Arboretum it's another classic card game very fun a lot of enjoyment
- I think I have to Mulligan Castle party there's no way for it to fit it doesn't fit
- because Trails is fun
- I'm gonna pick Cat Cafe instead very it's a it's another um rolling right but it's also very fun so
- I'll take Town 66 it's an oink game hooray taking all the Oink games yeah because I know they'll fit
- it's where you try to draw and you spot the difference it's very fun but I'm afraid that it won't fit
- small box perfect for the cube
- this is the bust for me I think I'm gonna take that's pretty clever and if it doesn't fit in my shelf it doesn't fit
- it did not fit
- I for sure thought that space of the top would have been perfect and then I would have grabbed all filled in the cracks of everything else I thought I could pull off
- no maybe trying to take that's pretty clever when I knew it wasn't gonna fit because I could have fit like a couple smaller games in yeah way more games in but that's my own fault for being greedy
- I like my Cube so I wouldn't change anything
- which Cube do you prefer whose game night would you come to mine or Tyler's
References (from this video)
- Strong, thematically cohesive garden/farm theme
- Interconnected scoring paths create depth and opportunity for strategic planning
- Dice-on-board mechanic adds a tactile, guided feel
- Can be overwhelming due to many possible combos and actions
- Journal-like tracking and potential cross-off tracking can be tricky and adminsitratively heavy
- garden cultivation and seasonal growth
- garden-centered farming with perennials, apiary, shed, and lawn care
- dice drafting paired with a gardener-led board (Farmer Edith) guiding actions
- Fleet the Dice Game
- Three Sisters
- Motor City
- French Quarter
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Drafting — dice are drafted and then placed to trigger actions on the board.
- Dice Placement — dice interact with a board and Farmer Edith guiding the flow of actions.
- grid/board action progression — dice interact with a board and Farmer Edith guiding the flow of actions.
- Multi-track scoring — points come from the garden and perennials, with additional shed bonuses and lawnmower effects.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- "Fleet is the simplest of the four"
- "this is very smooth but there is a lot of complexity to it"
- "three sisters is the most complex one I think"
- "French Quarter does really well is it hides its complexities within the game... it feels really smooth"
References (from this video)
- Perfect system where everything cascades
- Tight action economy can be rewarding
- Satisfying to plan out correctly
- One of the greatest roll and writes ever made
- Farming
- Farming
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action economy — your action economy is very very very tight
- Cascading effects — everything kind of Cascades into one another
- Roll and Write — one of the greatest rolling rights that's ever been made
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Three sisters I don't like a lot of rolling rights it's not my jam but three sisters I think is one of the greatest rolling rights that's ever been made
- this is just chaotic
- it's just crazy like Cosmic chaos fun as you're moving around
- this is probably the C game I've played the most of all time this is the game I play the most I probably have several thousand of this game because you don't just play it once this is the kind of game that you play and then you play again and then you play again
- this is personally my favorite in the Forbidden series but this is also just kind of a placeholder for the Forbidden series
- this is also a Cooperative game uh but in this game basically you have uh you are playing kind of as the people or the the island itself and you are fighting off people who are trying to come to your islands
- I think code names duet it's a it's a two-player game they made code names they made it two-player and it is so difficult just as difficult as code names but even like kind of more so
- this is going to be race to the raft
- I like this so much more than I love cats and I don't hear getting talked about a lot play race of the ra people it's really fun
References (from this video)
- rich interaction and multiple action combos
- strong theme with educational value
- engaging, strategic puzzle with satisfying flow
- rule-heavy; may require rule review
- scoring can be intricate
- agriculture, companion planting
- farming with the traditional three sisters (beans, corn, squash)
- educational, practical
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action chaining and resource management — perform farming actions and manage goods, perennials, and shed options.
- dice drafting / rondel placement — roll dice and assign them to rondel positions to take actions (plant, water, etc.).
- multiplayer interaction via dice sharing — the other player takes a die after you, sharing dice for actions.
- Resource Management — perform farming actions and manage goods, perennials, and shed options.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this is supposed to be a real time game which means you have to be rolling your dice fast and thinking quick
- we've taken the real-time aspect out of it but kept some of the things in it
- the turn-based I find it a lot more enjoyable
- I think this is a really good version of Isle of Cats
- the OG of rolling rights and that would be Yatsi
- I have some great childhood memories when I used to go and stay at my grandma we would play yatsi all the time
- the theme is so cool
- Patchwork doodle more than Patchwork
References (from this video)
- engaging puzzle with growth interactions
- plenty of combo potential in how you place dice and progress your garden
- agriculture / crop interactions
- garden plot / allotments
- puzzle/engine-building with dice placement
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice placement / rondel action selection — roll dice and place them into zones to take garden actions (planting, watering, etc.).
- growth interactions — crops influence each other (corn, pumpkins, beans) and determine scoring opportunities.
- multi-phase rounds — two phases per turn: dice placement followed by a rondel action.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a flip and write where you are building the perfect neighborhood
- this is blueprints of Mad King Ludwig
- this is a fabulous multi-use card flip and right game that is all about building the best rail system
- I just absolutely love this game I love the puzzle of this game
- Rolling Realms is just so replayable because there are so many different Realms
References (from this video)
- Love it.
- Cascading abilities make turns feel impactful.
- Makes the player feel clever.
- Great solo mode.
- Solid and great game.
- May need to laminate sheets due to frequent play.
- Farming/gardening
- A garden
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Engine Building — Has um after just a couple of rounds, there's a ton of cascading abilities.
- Roll and Write — This is a uh roll and right game. It is roll and right.
- solo mode — I was able to play it solo, which I also thoroughly enjoy.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- So, you have to get rid of this engine you think you have going for you, but you don't because you have to get rid of something.
- Coffee is how you run this whole game because it's the way you manipulate dice and change the pit.
- We win this rarely, but it's still awesome.
- She was able to tell us what everything said. I mean, you can kind of guess based on the pictures on it, but she was like, 'This is this, this is this, this is this.'
- It was one of the first hobby games that I played where my eyes were just wide open just this is what games can be.
- It's got paper money. It's got the paper. Get rid of that poker chips. It adds to the experience every time.
- There's just another farmer in the game who means well but just messes you up the whole time.
- Three Sisters is just such a solid game. It's such a great game.
- It's not a mancala, but it gives you kind of mancala like the feelings as you're trying to map out where you need to be in the future rounds.
- There's nothing hidden. There's no cards. There's no dice. There's nothing nothing random in the entire game.
- I personally believe like I personally believe that Castles of Burgundy is kind of like an essential for a board gaming collection.
- The artwork was so drab in the original that everybody was like, 'If you do a deluxe version, we will supply that.'
- This is another one of those heavier, thinkier cooperative games. very very challenging.
- So you have to keep on trying because each one of these is going to fail often.
References (from this video)
- strong thematic ties to planting traditions
- short, replayable rounds
- garden planting with dice and rondelle
- Native American planting crop theme
- mythic, agricultural
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice-driven rondelle and planting actions — roll dice to plant or water regions; rounds provide end-round bonuses.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a flip and write game where you are creating a castle.
- I really like this game. I think this is a really good followup because cover your assets.
- Patchwork Doodle is kind of like a followup to the original Patchwork.
- The creatures are adorable.
- I like the colors. They're pretty. They're really nice.
References (from this video)
- strong solo and multiplayer play
- tight, thematic farming engine
- heavy dice-chains can be intimidating at first
- cooperative crop growing with dice-driven actions
- traditional farming with squash, beans, and corn
- seasonal farming workflow
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice drafting / rondelle placement — roll dice and place on rondelle; move farmer meeple and take actions to plant/water
- resource growth / crop timing — grow squash, beans, and corn with different sequences for points
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- In Power Plants, you draw tiles from a bag and place them into the flower patch.
- it's kind of like an adult game of tic-tac-toe
- The origami art on Sea Salt and Paper is just absolutely gorgeous.
- Isle of Cats Explore and Draw is the travel-friendly version of Isle of Cats.
- I love everything about this game. The learning aspect is great.
- The solo has really interesting scenarios.
References (from this video)
- part of a quick, accessible series
- rolling right family
- in the rolling rights sequence
- French Quarter
- Fleet the Dice Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- rolling right / set collection — part of the rolling-right line with Fleet the Dice Game
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Where there's a wheels, there's a play.
- my present to myself is learning a bunch of new games this month
- It's my birthday at the end of the month
- Wander Lost, Discover the World
- Nocturn will probably be the other one that we play together this month
References (from this video)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Trick-Taking — This is a trick-taking game for three players only.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- nobody, including us, need this many games.
- This is Divan. Mhm. I don't know anything about this game. I bought it because it looks beautiful.
- This could have easily been a Reiner Knizia game I feel like.
- And I love a reason to play Lost Ruins of Arnak Lost Ruins of Arnak because I think it's a great game.
- We have to empty our unplayed game shelf from everything that's not 2025 releases and then we'll put it in there and the rest go on the floor until we manage to play them.
- And it's based on the problem called what is called again it's based on the seven bridges of somewhere.
- I feel kind of like bad about bringing a hundred games back home.
- I I usually they go in, they go out. And that's also the thing like if I haven't played a game in a month, I will not remember the rules most of the time.
- The longest line I saw was for coffee. In the morning before the whole office.
- What's more important for you for the channel? Playing the popular ones or the less known niche ones?
- My favorite animal beside the monkey which is my favorite animal. The capybara.
- We are basically very lucky because we share a lot of hobbies.
- The building thing Ah, it was too much building. I didn't like that too much.
- It's been super fun. It's so many people. It's been so long since we did a live.
- Thank you so much for watching. Like it. We wouldn't have done this if it wasn't for you.
References (from this video)
- Favored among the four Loaded Rolling Right games; solo option; gardening theme is appealing.
- Array
- Gardening
- Fleet the Dice Game
- French Quarter
- Motor City
- Three Sisters
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Flip/Roll and Write — Rondelle-based action selection on a rotating wheel; chooses area to work in.
- roll-and-write — Rondelle-based action selection on a rotating wheel; chooses area to work in.
- Rondel — Action selection via a rotating wheel to determine available areas.
- Rondelle — Action selection via a rotating wheel to determine available areas.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- "Nova Roma is one of those where it's amazing what he does with action selection."
- "I love this theme. I like the tile laying aspect. I'm a tile layer"
- "This is a 2025 game"
- "We will probably play this tonight and tomorrow"
- "Happy new year everyone. Hope you have a great gaming year in 2026."
References (from this video)
- well-designed for rolling rights
- fast playtime
- rules can be forgetful; not a necessity to own
- roll-and-write with set-collection and timing
- roll-and-write with pyramid-like layout
- light, family-weight puzzle
- Fleet the Dice Game
- Three Sisters (comparison within the same family)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Flip/Roll and Write — players draft from a stacked layout to fulfill orders and form combinations.
- roll-and-write — players draft from a stacked layout to fulfill orders and form combinations.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- "The theme of this one is kind of I guess like not learning to let go and also it kind of deals with the feeling of obligation."
- "The theme is awesome. The artwork is great. The components are great."
- "This is a solid game. It's just not something that I feel the need to own anymore."
- "It's a tough decision. Do I want to fold or surrender with a certain number of cards left? It's such an interesting decision."
References (from this video)
- enhances a beloved rolling-right with a campaign mode
- solo play supported
- family-friendly, harvest season with campaign potential
- harvest edition, a harvest-themed rolling-right
- continues base gameplay with campaign flavor
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign — 12-chapter campaign with new content and components
- campaign mode — 12-chapter campaign with new content and components
- Re-Rolling and Locking — upgrade/expand rolling-right mechanics with new content
- rolling rights — upgrade/expand rolling-right mechanics with new content
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Companion Quest is brought to us by Ghostfire Gaming.
- Food Truck Race, you are a food truck owner and you are trying to upgrade your van so that you can buy more groceries so you can satisfy more customers.
- Cascadia Alpine Lakes and the double hex tiles are just cool additions to Cascadia.
- Let's Go to France is the follow-up to Let's Go to Japan and it has two halves of your vacation.
- Three Sisters with the Harvest Edition adds a 12 chapter campaign mode.
- Hummingbirds looks really fun. Jason Trembley, the designer, and The OP are behind it.
References (from this video)
- One of the speaker's favorite roll-and-write experiences
- Engaging with multiple crop types and bonuses
- Can feel variable due to dice-driven outcomes
- agriculture; farming
- Everdell
- Santorini
- Hanamikoji
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Flip/Roll and Write — Roll dice to plant crops and complete in-game goals, with bonuses from APIary, orchards, etc.
- Resource Management — Use dice outcomes to grow and collect multiple resources for scoring
- roll-and-write — Roll dice to plant crops and complete in-game goals, with bonuses from APIary, orchards, etc.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Everdell is one of my favorite worker placement games.
- Everdell is moving on as the first number one seed that has actually moved on.
- Three Sisters is one of my favorite rolling-right games.
- Hanamikoji is a lane battler where you are placing cards down in an I cut you choose fashion.
- Santorini is an abstract game.
- Parks is the better game.
- Hot Streak is moving on.
- Harmonies is the Cascadia Killer, but Cascadia I like more.
- Junk Art is pulling up the upset and I really, really like Junk Art.
- Calico is not my favorite; Cascadia I like more than Calico.
- Long Shot is a roll and ride where you're betting on horses.
- Sprawlopolis is a buttonshy game where you try to build the best city.
- Azul Summer Pavilion is my number one Azul game.
- Small World is an area control game with variable beings.
References (from this video)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- the most boring unboxings on the planet Earth
- Look how big this game is. Napoléon
- Oh, it's Wow.
- This feels like a game where you're just going to like they're like there ain't no theme.
- this is another most boring unboxing on the planet Earth.
- A competitive two-player tableau building card game.
- The Bark Side.
References (from this video)
- Excellent campaign mode that slowly introduces new content
- Enhances a beloved roll-and-write game
- Modules can be unlocked and added in flexible ways
- Includes fun thematic elements like groundhogs
- This is the only version of Three Sisters available moving forward.
- The speaker had to correct a misunderstanding about the campaign being solely for solo play.
- Farming and managing crops
- Farming
- Campaign-based
- Three Sisters
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign play — Features a campaign that unlocks new modules and objectives.
- Modular gameplay — New modules are introduced and can be played with after unlocking.
- Roll and Write — A core roll-and-write mechanic is present.
- Variable objectives — Unlocking different objectives as part of the campaign.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- April was crazy when it came to board games.
- I played a ton of new to me games, which was so much fun.
- Leaf has always been a game that has really intrigued me because it has such a cool mechanism with these different leaves that you're going to be able to play a card that'll then get you a specific leaf shape.
- And overall, it's such a simple game, but it is just so lovely.
- I am obsessed with this game. I really want to play this one solo.
- If you enjoy games where you are bumping tracks, this game right here is the ultimate bumping tracks game.
- This is such a good game. I am in love with this game.
- It revolves around this seven bridge theory or concept where there are seven different bridges and you can only go over a bridge once.
- And this game is a one versus many where the one player and very cool part of this game is you play it in the pitch dark. So fun.
- It has a very sketched kind of art style to it, which I've always loved. And that game is just so beautiful.
- And during this game, we were all just being so chaotic and just ending the game just like very abruptly and people just like not being prepared for it and just being chaotic and it was just the funniest thing.
- And this game really messed with my brain.
- Can't get enough of it. It's my most played game of April.
- And this one I did a preview for. is a solo only game from Salt and Pepper Games where you are running a bakery or bake shop and you're trying to achieve these different um customers orders by first folding this piece of pastry which I think is such a unique part of the game.
- Three Sisters is one of my favorite Roland rights.
- I'm so sorry that I decided to do 10 games for this video. I will try for future months to only stick to five so these videos aren't too crazy long, but I just could not not talk about all these games cuz I just had a great month of gaming.
References (from this video)
- lot of modules
- lot of different ways to throw stuff in that has changed things up
- enjoy the modules
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Roll and Write — Fantastic roll and write
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- And that is what I reviewed this week.
- Hey everybody, I'm Tom Vasel and welcome to week in review.
- Here's what I reviewed last week.
- This one loses the charm of the original one being in an incredibly tiny box and there being a very interesting game in there.
- The game is peak Zombicide with a lot of streamlined rules, a lot of interesting captivating choices for the players.
- And if you like DC and I don't think you should play this if you actively dislike DC, then I think you're going to have a fantastic time with this one.
- It is extremely thematic to that experience without I don't with I don't think being like bothersome thematically, but that's up to you.
- there are a lot of uncomfortable topics in there, but it's it is amazing how just immersive it is because of that discomfort.
- If you don't want to feel that, don't get the game.
- This week was deceased uh Gotham City outbreak.
- This is a small retail version of the larger deceased that's coming out with little standees.
- So first up we have Overparked from designer Daryl Chow.
- This is a really cool game with a very wacky theme of an alternate reality South Korea where you are a presidential candidate.
- We played Star Wars Queen's Gambit.
- we reviewed Queen's Dilemma.
- Man, I wanted to like this game so much.
- it's way way way way way way way way too long and way way way way way too fiddly for the amount of fun it gives.
References (from this video)
- very much enjoyed what the expansion brought
- can also mix and match the chapters
- more variety and more change per game
- gets even more combo-y, more enjoyable
- Lots of changes
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Roll and Write — base game of the three sisters
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- And that is what I reviewed this week.
- Hey everybody, I'm Tom Vasel and welcome to week in review.
- Here's what I reviewed last week.
- This one loses the charm of the original one being in an incredibly tiny box and there being a very interesting game in there.
- The game is peak Zombicide with a lot of streamlined rules, a lot of interesting captivating choices for the players.
- And if you like DC and I don't think you should play this if you actively dislike DC, then I think you're going to have a fantastic time with this one.
- It is extremely thematic to that experience without I don't with I don't think being like bothersome thematically, but that's up to you.
- there are a lot of uncomfortable topics in there, but it's it is amazing how just immersive it is because of that discomfort.
- If you don't want to feel that, don't get the game.
- This week was deceased uh Gotham City outbreak.
- This is a small retail version of the larger deceased that's coming out with little standees.
- So first up we have Overparked from designer Daryl Chow.
- This is a really cool game with a very wacky theme of an alternate reality South Korea where you are a presidential candidate.
- We played Star Wars Queen's Gambit.
- we reviewed Queen's Dilemma.
- Man, I wanted to like this game so much.
- it's way way way way way way way way too long and way way way way way too fiddly for the amount of fun it gives.
References (from this video)
- Keeps some of the great comboy fun of the original.
- Adds new content via campaign and expansion modules.
- Standalone replacement for the first game with extra content.
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign — There is now a 12-chapter campaign mode in the game.
- Modular Board — The new content can also be used as expansion modules for an individual game.
- Roll and Write — This is a rolling right game.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- These are reimplementations of older games, new additions, sort of just new printings of older games, and sometimes, you know, a a new game in an established series of games.
- So, yeah, uh, before I jump into the games, I just want to let you know I'm doing a board game comedy tour.
- It's sort of to worker placement a little bit like Dominion is to deck building and and stuff like that.
References (from this video)
- Fantastic combo potential
- Multiple paths to victory
- Feels connected and thematic
- Innovative shared draft benefit mechanic
- Can get buried in combos if not careful
- Farming (corn, beans, mushrooms)
- Fleet
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action chaining — Players can chain actions together to create powerful combos.
- Drafting — Players draft dice or cards, with leftovers benefiting all.
- Farming Simulation — The theme revolves around farming crops like corn and beans.
- Roll and Write — Players use dice rolls to make choices on their sheets.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This one showed me what a rolling right could be.
- This was kind of a game changer.
- This is one of the most thematic rolling right games.
- This game is good. So good.
- This is a great game.
- I really think this is I this get should get played more again.
- This is a very small very very focused little flip and right game.
- So, so fun. Very good scoring.
- In my opinion, the best flipping right game that is Let's Make a Bus Route.
- This is just such a charming game.
References (from this video)
- Numerous combos
- Very brain tickly
- Thematic integration of farming
- Wonderful standalone sequel to Three Sisters
- Filled with content
- Great mix of mini-modules
- Small icons on sheets can be an issue
- Farming, specifically planting pumpkins, corn, and beans
- Three Sisters
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Drafting — Players draft dice from a common pool to determine their actions.
- modular expansions — The Harvest Edition includes multiple mini-expansions that can be added individually or together.
- Roll and Write — Players roll dice and mark off corresponding actions on their sheets.
- Set Collection — Players collect resources and complete objectives to score points.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It is so funny how food and board games go hand in hand.
- Don't be afraid to mark up your games. They are your games. You do what you want with them.
- Calories don't count at this point.
- The entire convention I was running around to different people. I'm like, 'We got to sit down and play this. It's quick. It's like half an hour. You're going to love it. I'm going to teach you.'
- We need to spend more money.
- It's just a place for everyone to just be themselves and not have any pressure.
- The end of the day really what matters is the people that you're surrounding yourself at the table with.
- Accessibility helps everyone.
References (from this video)
- Love the art style of the new edition.
- A great game.
- Uncertain if picking up the new edition is necessary just for the art.
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Hey, I'm Alex Rack from Board Game Co.
- And this is News and Weekend Review, where we go over a variety of news pieces, the videos of the week, the games I've played, the uh games we've covered, all of that and more.
- So, if you want to see the games I'm excited about at Origins Game Fair, we'll be figuring that out together.
- I say it together because I haven't actually done any research on this.
- I am fighting against a cat meowing in the background.
- What's the person to do?
- Everyone has the thing that works for them.
- Now that we've learned way too much about what I do to deal with headaches, let's go ahead and talk about the news and weekend review.
- The biggest thing is sail south for the Isle of Penguins.
- I am very excited for this one.
- Anything for new for Harmonies I am intrigued and excited for.
- Harmony is a fantastic game.
- I like the art. I like the art. I like the style.
- It doesn't tell me a lot about the actual gameplay.
- So, I I am intrigued to see how that's actually going to play out, but it's going to come with new protected area boards,
References (from this video)
- Highly strategic.
- Includes a 12-chapter campaign mode.
- Offers more combos than you could shake a rototiller at.
- Farmers attempting to grow corn, beans, and squash.
- Backyard farming
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign — This Harvest Edition contains the base game, but also as a 12-chapter campaign mode with new content and gameplay and some more components.
- campaign mode — This Harvest Edition contains the base game, but also as a 12-chapter campaign mode with new content and gameplay and some more components.
- Farming Simulation — Farmers attempt to grow corn, beans, and squash.
- Flip/Roll and Write — The original Three Sisters is a highly strategic roll-and-write game about backyard farming.
- roll-and-write — The original Three Sisters is a highly strategic roll-and-write game about backyard farming.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It can honestly be pretty overwhelming, which is why we've compiled our top picks, some games that are back with a new twist, and more.
- this is our board game buyer's guide.
- Teddies versus Monsters, a fast-paced, real-time, frantic card game for two to four players.
- It's a game of hidden roles and deception for a large group of daring spies because this one supports four to eight players.
- Pirates of the High Teas, a whimsical set collection worker placement game where pirates compete to serve their captain the most delicious cup of afternoon tea.
- Moitara is an area control game where two chieftains scheme to take control by accessing powerful deities to spread influence across the land.
References (from this video)
- Not just an art work change, also has a campaign mode.
- Three Sisters
- Campaign mode
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign — It has a campaign mode.
- campaign mode — It has a campaign mode.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- The Witcher Old World review is still one of my my my most watched single one of my most videos in general.
- I did play Size Wise a few times cuz I was like, why not? We have it here, let's go ahead and get it tabled.
- Origins feels more and more dead each year.
- So, Cow, Cowcifer is is my oldest um oldest cat, not kid.
- Guys, guys, you're being so stupid.
- This is not safe. This is not safe. I have to go deal with this.
References (from this video)
- Lowly rated on BoardGameGeek
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card game — This game is a little card game from Strawberry Studio.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I had to increase this rating to a 10. I play this all the time. Love this game, it's fantastic.
- This is a remake of an older game. Um Miss Miss Miss Miss I forget the Missenium or whatever it's called. Um from Reiner Knizia and the cows are being abducted. It's weird and unusual and I There's some things I liked about it, but I can't really recommend it because I think it's too odd.
- My kids liked it more though, but 6.5.
References (from this video)
- Campaign mode is exciting
- Only played one part of the campaign
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign play — The Harvest Edition has a campaign mode that the reviewer is eager to explore.
- roll-and-write — Mentioned as one of the reviewer's favorite roll-and-writes.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- So, one of the games that I recently actually just learned is one that I would love to play again and see where it goes.
- I really enjoyed this game. Some people complained about the um the quality of the components.
- I don't listen to those people. You listen to Stacy get Santa table.
- And Shot and Totten is a push and pull.
- It's a thinky game where you have to lay down your cards and hope that you win that lane.
- This will help you determine what part of the states maybe you want to go visit.
- It's a fun game. It's game of bluffing, which I am terrible at.
- So I'm very excited about this. Um, it just I think it's going to be really cool having like these books and this these games that align with each other.
- And it's got an otter in it, so therefore it's automatically good.
- So, thank you to Nish Nation and if you have a moment please check them out.
- They do it all in a very positive manner.
- So, thank you to both of them for being so positive and bringing so many smiles to everybody.
References (from this video)
- Love the really crunchy ones
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Roll and Write — Described as a 'really crunchy' roll and write.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Fill and rights.
- You can't name me a cheaper form of entertainment than a card or board game.
- I think family weight is like wait, can I play this with my friends? Can I my enemies? Can is it is it just for children? Is it like adults should play it with their teens and talk about real life experiences?
- You don't have to be in the hobby to enjoy board games.
- Games don't have to be complex and hard to learn to have good depth and strategy.
References (from this video)
- Engaging and enjoyable gameplay
- family/folk-tantasy theme
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's called bamboo bash
- it's a pinball game
- it's a great solo game that can be played anytime anyway with a dice rolling app
- Amanda loves this game it's very much like pinball
- cartographers is kids fun
- the heroes is awesome to defeat the monsters
- photographers this is actually my our top game of not 2020 2019 top 10 game was 2019
- three sisters and it was fun
References (from this video)
- Array
- Array
- Gardening competition and social play
- Array
- Garden/farm setting with a cozy, domestic farming theme
- Array
- Array
- Array
- positive
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Three Sisters totally works I liked it solo.
- I could see myself bringing it to work just for fun on a lunch break
- I still really love this game it is great
- it gave me everything that I wanted from regular three sisters
- it was a good time frame
References (from this video)
- Not a bad roll and right, definitely up there on one of my more preferred ones.
- Didn't take long to learn.
- Decently produced game.
- Good amount of variety in how you can approach each game.
- Good tactical element to what you do with the dice actions and how you roll them.
- The theme helps with this one as well.
- Smooth gameplay.
- Felt like you could do a lot.
- Felt like there was some good combo turns you could have.
- Streamlined.
- Not going to convert you into rolling rights if you're not already a fan.
- Gardening
- Backyard garden
- Heron's Wall
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Roll and Write — Classic roll and write style. You roll dice, they go on this action board, and based on what you roll allows you to do various actions.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- If you feed me generic like, you know, this is a Euro game about building an industry in the 19th century in Birmingham. Yay. Great.
- So, I do love deck building, but it's being used a ton.
- I'm no longer putting too much emphasis on the name on the box, but the name on the box would certainly maybe get me less excited for a game.
- The industry can afford to slow down a bit, not release thousands and thousands and thousands of games every year because we can't physically play them all.
References (from this video)
- Liked the redesign of the cover art, noting the addition of people.
- Appreciates the inclusion of a chapter-based expansion with 12 chapters.
- Found the custom dice appealing with nice swirls and feel.
- Noted the good quality and thickness of the punch-out boards.
- The solo mode compatibility is a positive design choice.
- Components (clovers) are very small and require caution around pets and children.
- Farming
- Three Sisters (original edition)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — And then we have the board, and this is how you'll kind of manage where um you'll be taking your actions.
- Card Play — Then we have these smaller cards. Let's take a look. We have leather C, D, B, A. And then just tells you things to do. These will be some sort of action cards.
- Chapter-based expansion — And then after that, we have um a chapter-based expansion uh for the base game. So, this is uh Petal Haven. There are 12 chapters, which is pretty neat. And then we have that right here. So, a pretty thick booklet. Um but yeah, this is going to be very fun to to play through.
- Dice Rolling — And then, we have the custom dice. Let's take a look at these.
- solo mode — As far as solo mode, it is on page 15. This is a quick preview of what that looks like. Feel free to pause to read. Um, so it's good they they designed it so that it is compatible with solo.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Hi everyone, Danielle here. I'm doing an unboxing of Three Sisters Harvest Edition.
- Um thank you so much to 25th Century Games for sending me a review copy to cover on my channel.
- All right. So, already I really like the art on this game. Um I think this one definitely has the element of people.
- And the box is a little bit bigger than the original and I I think it has more content as well.
- And then after that, I just saw it before, we have um a chapter-based expansion uh for the base game. So, this is uh Petal Haven. There are 12 chapters, which is pretty neat.
- And then, we have these really cute-looking like clovers. Let me just pour out a few. Looks cute. Very small, so definitely be careful with your your pets and kids.
- And then, we have the custom dice. Let's take a look at these. I love the swirls on these. They feel great.
- So it's good they they designed it so that it is compatible with solo.
- And then we have the board, and this is how you'll kind of manage where um you'll be taking your actions.
- They're very thick as you can see here, um, hopefully. Uh, very good quality.
- Um, but yeah, this is going to be a lot of fun. I do plan on laminating these so that I can virtually play forever.
- All right. Well, thank you so much for watching. And if you've already played this game, let me know what your thoughts are.
References (from this video)
- Adds a campaign with new modules that invigorate love for the base game.
- Offers significant variation and replayability with different modules.
- Engaging dice drafting and comboing mechanics.
- Charming components, especially the clovers.
- Challenging and fun solo mode.
- Great replayability due to modular expansions and campaign chapters.
- Forgetting to move Farmer Edith or track shed actions can lead to mistakes.
- Groundhogs can be very obstructive, especially in later rounds.
- Some players may find the game complex or overwhelming initially.
- The specific chapter played made Farmer Edith less of a hindrance, but other chapters might be more challenging.
- Forgetting to use bonus actions or take specific actions can lead to suboptimal plays.
- Farming, growing crops
- Three Sisters
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — Players choose actions based on the dice rolled, including planting, watering, and utilizing shed actions.
- Dice Drafting — Players draft dice from a central rondelle to perform actions. The order of dice placement and drafting is crucial.
- Resource Management — Players manage resources like clovers and compost to mitigate negative effects from groundhogs and enhance their actions.
- Roll and Write — The game involves rolling dice and marking off actions on a player sheet, a common mechanic for this type of game.
- Set Collection — Players aim to complete sets of crops (pumpkins, corn, etc.) to achieve objectives and gain victory points.
- Variable Player Powers/Modules — The Harvest Edition introduces modules and a campaign that add variety and new objectives to the base game.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It's not really like you could probably just go into this thinking that it is not so much a campaign.
- Farmer Edith, we all love to hate Farmer Edith, she does not do any actions in this game.
- I am confident in my three sisters skills that I do not need an eraser.
- This really did like invigorate my love for three sisters again.
- This game is so good. I love this game so much.
References (from this video)
- Dense combo potential and depth
- Highly replayable with multiple strategies
- Array
- Farming/agriculture (beanstalks)
- Grand Austria Hotel
- Three Sisters
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — A farmer figure triggers actions; there is a turn-based sequence.
- Flip/Roll and Write — Players roll dice and write results to perform actions and build beanstalks.
- roll-and-write — Players roll dice and write results to perform actions and build beanstalks.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I say just do it the easiest way possible, whatever works for you.
- The flea market at Dice Tower West is for people that really like a good deal.
- Read the room. If someone loves betting zeros, they’re probably going to bet zero.
- There is dice and just the randomness of the dice is very interesting.
- Skull King will never leave my collection.
- This is a grail game for me.
References (from this video)
- Enjoyable gameplay experience.
- The expansion chapters provide clear direction and focus.
- The narrative elements are engaging.
- Lack of scoring tables for the expansion chapters to compare against.
- Occasional confusion regarding specific rule interactions, requiring rulebook reference.
- teaching local children about gardening and farming to gain their respect and help.
- family farm
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Drafting — Players draft dice to take actions like planting, watering, and using other game features.
- Objective Fulfillment — Players work towards completing objectives on 'lesson cards' which provide rewards and scoring opportunities.
- Resource Management — Players manage resources like compost, goods, and points to achieve goals and improve their score.
- Set Collection — Players collect sets of items or complete rows/columns on their player board to gain points or trigger effects.
- Worker Placement — Players place markers or dice on specific action spaces on the board to perform actions.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I love little stories like that.
- This was chapter 2. I do plan on doing um another chapter or so, so definitely stay tuned for that.
- But anyway, that was a very enjoyable one. I think these definitely gave me some direction because sometimes I'm just like doing random things and um not necessarily too focused on a certain thing which can sometimes make my score suffer.
References (from this video)
- Introduces new and enjoyable elements (Chapter 4).
- Changes the game up significantly.
- Cute components (clover tokens).
- Delightful ending narrative.
- Solo mode can be challenging (Edith's actions).
- Groundhogs can block actions, requiring clover management.
- Cost to remove groundhogs can increase.
- managing farm and dealing with groundhogs
- farm
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice Drafting — Players choose dice from a rondelle. Special clover dice are introduced, and Edith always chooses clover dice when available.
- event cards — Random event cards are introduced in Chapter 4, altering rules or costs for the round, such as increasing the cost to remove groundhogs.
- Push Your Luck — Players decide when to spend clovers to remove groundhogs, balancing risk and reward.
- Resource Management — Clovers are a key resource used to distract groundhogs and can be spent to remove them from certain areas.
- Set Collection — Players collect goods, compost, and perennials by marking off actions on their player sheets.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I always love how delightful the ending is in these.
- Thank god because I hate that about the solo mode.
- This was my first time playing chapter 4, but it is very enjoyable.
References (from this video)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I'd be better at this game boogie boogie
- if Sally and Jack Skellington were board
- gamers Three Sisters you know you think
- always beats me well just don't let him
- bring his own dice to Rolling right
- night
References (from this video)
- fast 30-60 minute play, elegant design, strong value
- smaller components; pads are dense and hard to read for some players; setup can be a bit fiddly
- elegant, cascading bonuses through garden and shed tracks
- garden rondell-based farming with companion planting
- tight eight rounds; simple turn structure; elegant complexity
- Tend
- Stardew Valley
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cascading bonuses — Your garden choices directly affect future access and bonuses.
- Dice Drafting — Roll dice by player count and draft groups to perform actions.
- dice drafting (rondelle) — Roll dice by player count and draft groups to perform actions.
- End Game Bonuses — Your garden choices directly affect future access and bonuses.
- garden actions — Perform garden actions in rounds to access shed tracks and perennial bonuses.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Tend absolutely crushes the other two on mechanics alone.
- Theme integration in Stardew is genuinely strong if you care about that experience.
- Three Sisters is the best value proposition and the most universally enjoyable for casual groups.
References (from this video)
- rich cascading combos and engine-building
- strong thematic integration with the gardening concept
- subtle but meaningful player interaction via dice drafting
- high replayability with diverse scoring paths
- steep learning curve and potentially intimidating for new players
- limited direct player interaction beyond drafting choices
- small components/readability on camera; setup can be dense
- mutual aid, companion planting, and ecosystem thinking
- Native American gardening culture centered on the three sisters (squash, corn, beans) and mutualistic plant relationships
- educational/instructional storytelling through gameplay
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action placement — choose a dice value to work in a specific garden zone and perform planting or watering actions
- Dice Drafting — roll a set of dice each round and draft to take associated actions; the lowest remaining die provides a secondary action for all players
- Engine Building: Triggered/Cascading — completing actions enables other actions and triggers cascading benefits and scoring opportunities
- engine-building and cascading effects — completing actions enables other actions and triggers cascading benefits and scoring opportunities
- Resource Management — plant and water crops, manage goods, compost, fruits, and perennials to trigger scoring opportunities
- resource management / planting and watering — plant and water crops, manage goods, compost, fruits, and perennials to trigger scoring opportunities
- round tracker and round-end effects — track rounds; at round ends trigger market actions and round-specific benefits
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This game had a ton of options like almost intimidating at first when you're like this is a rolling right there is so much to do so many options here so much i want to get done that will not get done
- The combos of this game were my favorite part of all
- I thoroughly enjoyed this game I am a huge fan of when worlds collide
- I love that setup and I want to see like a tabletop version of it
References (from this video)
- Hefty, satisfying roll-and-write experience
- Beautiful dice and distinct art style
- Clear, approachable rules with deep strategy
- Heavier than light roll-and-writes; may be challenging for new players
- crop synergy and rotation
- Native American agricultural practice—beans, corn, and squash
- Array
- dense, strategic, with strong decision space
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Combo-building — Developing sequences of actions to maximize scoring.
- Dice Drafting — Carefully choose which dice to use for optimal outcomes.
- dice-drafting / selection — Carefully choose which dice to use for optimal outcomes.
- Flip/Roll and Write — Roll dice and record results to form combos.
- Roll and Write — Roll dice and record results to form combos.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It's such a relaxing, cute, charming game for me.
- It's shorter than I expected when we first played it.
- Comboastic for sure.
- It's not super heavy. It would be great for weekday game night.
References (from this video)
- Rich, tactile roll-and-write experience with deep, tactile garden planning
- Iris/perennial flowers offer substantial scoring and strategic variety
- Shed actions and early Rain Barrel provide meaningful early-game leverage
- Thematic coherence around intercropping and sustainable gardening
- The iris mechanic or certain rule interactions can be confusing at first and were corrected mid-playthrough
- Availability can be an issue; physical copies can be hard to find in some regions
- Edith’s interference can be frustrating but adds tension and challenge
- Intercropping and sustainable agriculture inspired by the Three Sisters planting technique; emphasis on natural pest management and spatial planning.
- A small, personal garden/farm environment where pumpkins, corn, and beans are raised and managed across a modular garden board.
- Solo playthrough with live narration, descriptive commentary about planting, watering, and scoring, including rule clarifications and self-reflection.
- Hadrian's Wall
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action Interruption — Farmer Edith destroys crops in a fixed priority order (pumpkins, then corn, then beans) when she visits the garden.
- Adversary interference — Farmer Edith destroys crops in a fixed priority order (pumpkins, then corn, then beans) when she visits the garden.
- Climbing Shedding — A modular space where items like rain barrels and seed spreaders are acquired, granting powerful game-wide benefits or additional actions.
- Dice Drafting — Dice are distributed across zones (apiary/fruit spaces, etc.) with order determined by round rules and the opposing farmer's actions in clockwise sequence.
- dice-drafting and placement — Dice are distributed across zones (apiary/fruit spaces, etc.) with order determined by round rules and the opposing farmer's actions in clockwise sequence.
- Flip/Roll and Write — Dice are rolled and then recorded on the player’s garden tracker, driving actions and progress.
- Goods and end-game scoring — Cross-off symbols generate goods and bonuses, with end-game scoring driven by crops, goods, and perennials.
- Perennial scoring and flowers — Flowers such as iris, hydrangea, tulip, etc., provide large scoring bonuses and sometimes extra shed actions.
- Rain/watering phase — Weather-like events (rain) cause cascading watering of planted crops, triggering further scoring opportunities.
- Resource Management — Compost can adjust die values, enabling more favorable planting or watering outcomes and strategic planning.
- Resource manipulation with compost — Compost can adjust die values, enabling more favorable planting or watering outcomes and strategic planning.
- roll-and-write — Dice are rolled and then recorded on the player’s garden tracker, driving actions and progress.
- shed actions — A modular space where items like rain barrels and seed spreaders are acquired, granting powerful game-wide benefits or additional actions.
- Two-action per dice — Each die provides two opportunities (actions) in its placement region, enabling planting, watering, or triggering other effects depending on zone.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I love a good roll and write
- Three Sisters is a farming technique
- Farmer Edith who is the nastiest little bee in town
- I love this game to bits, it's one of my most played roll and writes
- I was really surprised by how iris scoring interacts with watering and end-game points