It hasn’t hit the table in years. You can barely remember the rules. But suggest getting rid of it, and suddenly you’re prepared to defend that box like it contains a family heirloom.
This week, Chris and Tim tackle Never Play, but Never Purge! in our Voice of the Gamers feature: the games that don’t get played but will always have a home in our collections. From cherished memories and impossible-to-replace favorites to sprawling adventures waiting for the perfect group, we explore why a game’s value sometimes goes beyond its play count. Are we preserving a piece of our gaming history, holding onto the players we used to be, or keeping a seat open for the gamers we still hope to become? And exactly how many years can “we’ll play it someday” remain a credible argument?
In Roll for Preview, Chris heads to Middle-earth with The Lord of the Rings: The King’s Gambit, a reimagining of the beloved Star Wars: The Queen’s Gambit that brings interconnected battles and the journey to Mount Doom to the tabletop. Tim answers the call of Defenders of the Realm: Definitive Edition, a return to cooperative fantasy adventure with a new gameplay engine, distinct defender decks, and enemies that require different approaches. Apparently, protecting our shelves wasn’t enough—we also need to protect entire kingdoms.
Then, in Roll for Review, Chris explores Minikin City, a strategic card game where building your city means balancing immediate rewards against scoring opportunities unlocked by its tiny inhabitants. Tim examines Mosaic: A Story of Civilization – Wars and Disasters, an expansion that adds naval units, military conflict, and disasters to your civilization-building ambitions. He also reviews Falling, James Ernest’s frantic real-time card game where everyone is plummeting, and victory means hitting the ground last. From building a tiny city to weathering civilization’s upheavals to delaying a very personal disaster, there’s plenty to discuss.
What’s the one game you never play but will never purge?
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