Flashback Lucy
Narrative game of observation and deduction. Here we play young Lucy, who discovers the strange history of her family thanks to her powers of tactile clairvoyance. The game unfolds thanks to the cards that we collect by making other discoveries, the rulebook also being an interactive comic strip. Several discoveries make the game very original, some surprises are revealed over the course of the four episodes which last a little over 30 minutes each. “It’s intriguing, we can’t wait to find out what happens next,” assures our teen tester. But you can’t play more than four games, unless you play again with other players in the role of game master.” Fortunately, you can also play Flashback: Zombie Kidzthe first title in the series that won the As d’Or 2023 in the Children’s category. Other titles should follow shortly.
For 1 to 4 players ages 8 and up. Duration: 30 minutes per episode. Price: $30.
Pierre-Marc Durivage, The Press
Littoral
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Littoral is a game that is water and wind resistant.
It’s hard to find a game more summery than a game that can withstand water, wind and beach sand. This is the case with Littoral, a small game published by the Quebec company Randolph. Here, players must collect wooden tokens drawn from a mini beach bag. The tokens have symbols on each of their faces: shell, crab, sandpiper… Each of these symbols triggers a different effect. You must therefore carefully choose the face that suits you to end the game with the biggest collection of tokens. And thus win. A very simple game to master, which requires no calculations or paper. A title to slip into your suitcases for the beach, camping and other picnics on the grass.
For 1 to 5 players ages 8 and up. Duration: 20 minutes. Price: $35.
Stéphanie Morin, The Press
Nasty dilemma
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The Naughty Dilemma game provokes laughter, but also reflection.
Party game that uses a mechanic similar to that of Osti d’jeu – it is also approved by the creators of the famous Quebec game inspired by Cards Against Humanity. However, here it is a question of placing a player in front of a dilemma, the “Cool” card being chosen by his neighbor on the left and the “Pocket” card by his neighbor on the right. Everyone must then guess whether the player will accept or refuse the dilemma; players who aim correctly score a point. The cards are always wacky and often bawdy, which provokes some laughter, but also some reflections. Our expert tester, however, rightly pointed out that the combinations are played every round by the same players, which favors those who best know the one to whom the dilemma is submitted. It would be advantageous to change the roles to diversify the results, a very easy variation to set up.
For 2 to 10 players ages 16 and up. Duration: 20 minutes. Price: $30.
Pierre-Marc Durivage, The Press
Faraway
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Faraway is a card game that requires the player to think backwards.
Explore distant lands to collect valuable resources. Accomplish missions to help the populations encountered. Visit sanctuaries with unsuspected treasures. All this is possible with the small, but oh so clever, Faraway card game. The great particularity of this title is to force players to think backwards. To accomplish a mission, the conditions must be met a posteriori… We must therefore take risks without knowing what card awaits us, because chance often comes to play spoilsport. A diabolically intelligent game mechanic that ensures very exciting games. Definitely worth trying.
For 2 to 6 players aged 10 and over. Duration: 25 minutes. Price: $30.
Stephanie Morin, The Press
Pro’s Pick: Footprints
IMAGE PROVIDED BY MATAGOT
Footprints is the latest favorite of actor Mathieu Gosselin, who also hosts the YouTube channel Le Bureau du Loisir.
Actor Mathieu Gosselin has been an avid gamer since his early childhood. First chess with his mother, Dungeons and Dragons as a teenager, Warhammer and other miniature games as an adult… He has since returned to all forms of board games. The interpreter of the improbable police officer Puff in the series This is how I love you has since January 2023 decided to share his passion for gaming by launching the YouTube channel Le Bureau du Loisir with his friend David Ospina.
His most recent favorite is Footprints, “a prehistoric resource optimization racing game”, according to the description of Mathieu Gosselin, who admits to loving prehistory and the Paleolithic. “We must bring our clan to the promised land to avoid the flood,” he tells us. Each turn, you have the choice to advance into new territory or you can improve your skills to better advance. It’s like a kind of efficiency puzzle where you also have to collect resources to improve the clan’s skills. » The game is all the more enjoyable because it can be played in solo mode, but also with up to six players. It is also accessible to all types of players: “Once you understand what you can do with actions, it’s extremely simple,” says Mathieu Gosselin. Expert and intermediate players will better understand how to optimize their puzzle, but beginners will also find what they are looking for. »
Check out the Leisure Bureau channel
For 1 to 6 players aged 10 and over. Duration: 30 to 60 minutes. Price: $60.
Pierre-Marc Durivage, The Press