Katie Kiesling
Bio
* 29, she/her, Canadian
* Reader, writer, lover of language
* Board game enthusiast, and wannabe board game designer
* Fiancée currently, Wife in May 2023
Stories (18/0)
Board Game Review: Lords of Waterdeep
Over the Christmas break, my fiancé and I were introduced to Lords of Waterdeep - a game I've been intimidated by for awhile, believing it would be too complex. It's not simple, but it's certainly not as complex as I led myself to believe!
By Katie Kiesling2 months ago in Gamers
Board Game Review: Cascadia
My fiancé bought this for me for my birthday, and we played it that night! (And one-and-a-half times the next night ... a board may have gotten bumped and we may have had to start over.) I instantly fell in love with it, and thought "I can easily teach this to new people, no problem". The coolest part though: my fiancé and I TIED! (He got the win because he had more leaves leftover ... but this meant, strategy-wise, we were on a similar playing field, which doesn't happen in a lot of games.)
By Katie Kiesling2 months ago in Gamers
Board Game Review: Starfarers
If you've ever played Catan, and you're looking for a challenge, this game is for you! It's my boss's favourite game, and he says it shouldn't even have the Catan name on the box - it's a completely different game. While there are similarities - you roll for resources, you build settlements (er, well, space ports) - there are some unique qualities to the game that make it not-so-Catan-y. You don't build any roads, for one thing - you're IN SPACE! Also, after rolling for resources, you then shake a rocket ship to determine movement through space. Plus you make friends along the way by trading, and there's a chance you'll encounter space pirates ...
By Katie Kiesling2 months ago in Gamers
Board Game Review: Alhambra
You may notice the subtile of this article - "game #7 of Katie's 100 board game challenge". I wrote an article near the start of the year expressing my personal challenge I created for myself for 2023, to play 100 board games in 365 days.
By Katie Kiesling2 months ago in Gamers
Board Game Review: Libertalia - Winds of Galecrest
I'm grateful to have bought a copy of Libertalia before it stopped getting printed. I saw the original game featured on an episode of TableTop and knew immediately that I wanted it. (It might've partially been because Seth Green was on that episode ... I'll never confirm nor deny.) While the game is complex, I love pirate-themed things, and always enjoy playing Libertalia ... even if no one else enjoyed it as much. (My mom gets confused every time we play, because we leave it so long and then she forgets the rules ... and then ALWAYS WINS!)
By Katie Kiesling2 months ago in Gamers
Board Game Review: Chai
Chai had been on my list for awhile when my friend told me how great it was - she had been playing it at a game cafe. About a week or so later, she texted to say she was going to a giant game store in Vancouver, on a mission to find and buy Chai. I asked, if there was extra copies (knowing that it was sold out EVERYWHERE), could she get me one too? Well, she not only got me a copy, she got me THE LAST COPY, meaning she forfeited one for herself! She is one of the sweetest friends I have, and I think of her and her generous act every time I play Chai.
By Katie Kiesling2 months ago in Gamers
Board Game Review: Tokaido
One of the games in our closet that brings me sheer joy is Tokaido. This is a game where you essentially get to travel through Japan - buy souvenirs, taste delicious food, visit temples, and more. Of course, experiencing the real thing would be better, but I’m grateful this game allows me to relive my 2012 trip.
By Katie Kiesling2 months ago in Gamers
Board Game Review: Wingspan
Of the 8 games my fiancé and I collectively received for Christmas this year, I think Wingspan has been our favourite by far ... well, I won't speak for him, but he and his brother and I all wanted to play it a second time! (That's how it ended up being our first game of the new year.)
By Katie Kiesling3 months ago in Gamers
