Thinker Themer

ThinkerThemer

Top 20 Most Anticipated Games of Tokyo Game Market (Autumn/Fall 2025) | ゲームマーケット2025秋
by ThinkerThemer on November 14, 2025
We're headed back to Tokyo for Tokyo Game Market Autumn / Fall 2025 and for the first time we thought we'd share our research into the games that we're most anticipating. Remember though, we haven't played these titles and even worse, we're often relying on google translate to try to understand the rulebooks (if available!) If you are headed to TGM have a fantastic con, and please say hi if you see us! めっちゃわくわくする! A&M x Here's some helpful links below. Reservation forms are below the timestamps but these do close randomly, and it's easiest to use if you are able to translate the page from your browser! Official website: https://gamemarket.jp/ Link to map of hall [Booth numbers listed below!]: https://gamemarket.jp/map Tips/Advice video: https://youtu.be/VQLt-xnmoxk?si=E4cghBWiVwW1Ne6a SPOILERS AHEAD - Scroll down for timestamps! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:26 Number 20 Septentrick (A08) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3592y5LWGWId0VKl_yN5OQ4LbcmhVXqlctchGIom5UZUZ1A/viewform 04:52 Number 19 Outrick (H31) 06:39 Number 18 Wizard's Showdown (H42) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQTAg002My-SU3FEtfUvljUSCdF-ZRP-1YCdPKdPn_OeE3aQ/viewform 08:35 Number 17 Doppelkopf (T26) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8i5T30kn9PH652xbULQIDt3xbpwUT5LNsiVumPrp3JovHrg/viewform 10:20 Number 16 Shady Lady (Area 63) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1Pm4LSbkzleAQg0hN6TE9LMJuUHZjb1hS172Xl4ZHipG9ZQ/viewform 13:04 Number 15 I Don't Want to Walk 14:17 Number 14 Splitrick (V22) 16:00 Number 13 Magic Shop (X26) 17:53 Number 12 I'm the CEO 20:19 Number 11 Dodicitre 21:24 Number 10 The Third Man https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8i5T30kn9PH652xbULQIDt3xbpwUT5LNsiVumPrp3JovHrg/viewform 23:09 Number 9 10/12 Heart (P24) https://forms.gle/J3F1q8FT2yMDjwLs5 26:09 Number 8 Balance the Ark (H33/34) 28:44 Number 7 Ants https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCCexOvNhf-PEMtMO-Sa-3lD9hGOM-2NCAsrqhzukVUBD6AA/viewform 29:55 Number 6 Tactile Crane Championship (H33/34) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCCexOvNhf-PEMtMO-Sa-3lD9hGOM-2NCAsrqhzukVUBD6AA/viewform 31:19 Number 5 Catte (R15) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScynkBvPm6NMo5VntMLS8IpwBjEalAFYuwbIKOVIsy2GnARVQ/viewform 33:01 -Number 4 For the People (S26) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3InKqPhnwAUsu8uCVV2gAxeTt9dA0OWGLG7a9oX2qrtWTGw/viewform?usp=send_form 35:01 Number 3 New Record, Continue? et al (B01) 43:36 Number 2 Ouroboros Trick (X09) 45:52 Number 1 BATS (X07) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmW06Rs45NylhwU-y-N5u_-ukQfooLE0URF5FS7DaFhyADAg/viewform 49:19 Tokyo Game Market Tips #ゲームマーケット2025秋 #ゲームマーケット Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
10, OUT OF 10 (Part 21): We're bringing it back! Settle in friends 🍵 it's a long one....
by ThinkerThemer on November 10, 2025
It's been a little while since our last 10 [comma] out of 10 - we've been recording more short-form content to make sure we can post more videos... but let's be honest, we're really long-winded people 😂 So now that we're up and running with board game shelving again in our new studio / games room, we're bringing it BACK! Thank you for watching and Happy Tuesday, or Monday, wherever you are in the world! A&M x Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:02 Finspan https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/436126/finspan 07:14 Vantage https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/420033/vantage 18:24 Uffbasse! https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/444209/uffbasse 24:25 The Hobbit: There & Back Again https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/436215/the-hobbit-there-and-back-again 29:13 Shallow Sea https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/428440/shallow-sea 36:20 Ruins https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/428635/ruins 40:59 Oddland https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/428636/oddland 45:31 Tacta https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/401636/tacta 50:21 Pergola https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/424573/pergola 55:23 Nightshift https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/383172/nightshift 01:01:33 Wrap up Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Borealis ~ we were not prepared for how crunchy this puzzle is!! 🤯 | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review
by ThinkerThemer on October 28, 2025
Cute animals on the front? Seems cosy.... WE WERE NOT PREPARED!!!!! From the race objectives to the complex programming of moves several steps in advance this is a very crunchy trip into the arctic. We love stumbling upon puzzles like this one, and we can't wait to tell you more about it.... Follow along with our SHELFWORTHY series as we cover as many of our new games as possible! Subscribe: http://bit.ly/4kJAmg8 Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZsHeGi Timestamps: 00:00 🎲 Introduction 00:53 🎨Theme 01:32 ⚙️Mechanics 05:15 ☁️How it Feels to Play 08:00 🎯What Surprised Us 10:39 🛠 What We'd Change 13:33 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy? https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/448116/borealis-arctic-expeditions Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Jisogi - the most thematic euro we’ve played in ages | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review
by ThinkerThemer on October 23, 2025
In Jisogi you'll take on the role of running an anime studio, and take on all of the challenges that come with it; saving enough money to pay wages, trying to stay on trend, hiring new talent and trying to get your merch generating income. This game from Tokyo Game Market (and about to hit Essen) was a delight to get to our table and one that people keep asking about...! We hope this gives you a sense of it! Follow along with our SHELFWORTHY series as we cover as many of our new games as possible! Subscribe: http://bit.ly/4kJAmg8 Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZsHeGi Timestamps: 00:00 🎲 Introduction 00:50 🎨Theme 02:43 ⚙️Mechanics 04:21 ☁️How it Feels to Play 09:20 🎯What Surprised Us 13:30 🛠 What We'd Change 14:56 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy? https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/429845/jisogi-anime-studio-tycoon Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Top 10 Games We Would Buy At Essen Spiel 2025 🔥
by ThinkerThemer on October 14, 2025
Woooow! We would need to bring extra suitcases if we were going to Essen Spiel 2025... there are SO many great choices that it was hard to settle on our top 10 (and only two crossovers!) These are the picks that we would be excited to line up and buy if we were there - but remember, we haven't played any of these so this is entirely speculation! If you're headed to the con have a fantastic time, and we hope to see you back there one day! A&M Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:18 Honorable mention https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/429845/jisogi-anime-studio-tycoon 02:19 Maggie's 10 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/433891/urban-sketchers 05:14 Amy's 10 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/453785/pick-n-packers 07:04 Maggie's 9 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/407233/tenby 08:25 Amy's 9 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/446493/recall 11:54 Maggie's 8 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/375557/i-made-you-a-mixtape 15:41 Amy's 8 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/452324/orbita 18:32 Maggie's 7 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/437245/kingdom-crossing 20:40 Maggie's 6 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/448500/formidable-farm 22:12 Amy's 6 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/411402/whispering-woods 25:18 Maggie's 5 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/444683/pilgrims-curious-adventures 27:07 Maggie's 4 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/437384/bohemians 29:45 Amy's 4 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/442615/oliva 33:08 Maggie's 3 & Amy's 7 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/439983/the-voynich-puzzle 36:36 Amy's 3 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/440007/the-druids-of-edora 39:49 Maggie's 2 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/448435/adamastor 42:46 Amy's 2 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/450112/ghost-lift 46:14 Maggie's 1 & Amy's 5 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/431837/coming-of-age 50:13 Amy's 1 https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/429405/orloj-the-prague-astronomical-clock 53:09 Wrap up Games we've already played and covered: A Wild Venture (Now with an official solo mode) https://youtu.be/M6xDt6Vxx-I?si=ENfDQVrfU-1rhzRX Ada's Dream https://youtu.be/CUgt2nxODOk?si=RITfIfpyWm53ZETY Nature https://youtu.be/rSxqxnlKDas?si=Khoe_DW4v0XsrQhB Luthier https://youtu.be/OG8lZZZtIaY?si=hQrhyQvPPfRgLUVM Calimala https://youtu.be/Oayk1bn75KY?si=DszmO8EEGRu4Mg8Z Iliad & Ichor https://youtu.be/FqESpOqvHmk?si=9nF_CKyru6wL05oO Farm hand https://youtu.be/eF_l_ht3fiI?si=qWudLCTkau5LH2BP Chu han https://youtu.be/8IFaFwYqdzs?si=YJFWuhd6WMbXCpEd&t=1237 Critter Kitchen https://youtu.be/rTF8bcJaFoU?si=SZIM-0KEulBEEShm Rival Cities https://youtu.be/jpuL3U8ayJA?si=1pkzZeMksohOh5D8 The Great Evening Banquet https://youtu.be/P86iJokrnLg?si=a_jn5GdZuZntUMs6 Lone Wolves https://youtu.be/AszfbE9zySc?si=sjkWK0YR0ELNNs3K&t=316 Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #board games #tabletop games #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Will Above and Below: Haunted also make it to our shelf? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review
by ThinkerThemer on September 30, 2025
Creature Caravan, a 2024 title by Red Raven recently took a coveted spot in our permanent collection. Will Above & Below: Haunted make it too? Follow along with our SHELFWORTHY series as we cover as many of our new games as possible! Subscribe: http://bit.ly/4kJAmg8 Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZsHeGi Timestamps: 00:00 🎲 Introduction 00:15 🎨Theme 01:13 ⚙️Mechanics 02:56 ☁️How it Feels to Play 06:34 🎯What Surprised Us 08:29 🛠 What We'd Change 10:56 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy? https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/423553/above-and-below-haunted Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Does Overparked Overtake our Polyomino Favourites? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review
by ThinkerThemer on September 11, 2025
There were few games that we picked up at Tokyo Game Market that weren't trick-taking or shedding, but Overparked was one of them! It's been a long time since we've played a new polyomino tile laying game, will this one join our collection? Or yours? 😊 Follow along with our SHELFWORTHY series as we cover as many of our new games as possible! Subscribe: http://bit.ly/4kJAmg8 Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZsHeGi Timestamps: 00:00 🎲 Introduction 00:18 🎨Theme 00:38 ⚙️Mechanics 02:22 ☁️How it Feels to Play 04:12 🎯What Surprised Us 05:52 🛠 What We'd Change 07:59 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy? https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/426229/overparked Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Will Creature Caravan Join Our Collection? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review
by ThinkerThemer on August 25, 2025
We couldn't get our hands on this title in 2024, but we were finally able to get it to the table - over, and over, and over again. This one surprised us both, and might just be the Red Raven game that unites us.... Follow along with our SHELFWORTHY series as we cover as many of our new games as possible! Subscribe: http://bit.ly/4kJAmg8 Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZsHeGi Timestamps: 00:00 🎲 Introduction 00:15 🎨Theme 00:58 ⚙️Mechanics 02:04 ☁️How it Feels to Play 06:52 🎯What Surprised Us 09:45 🛠 What We'd Change 12:57 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy? https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/385331/creature-caravan Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Top 10 Games of Tokyo Game Market Spring 2025 (& 2 of the strangest...)
by ThinkerThemer on August 19, 2025
We LOVE Tokyo Game Market and the Spring 2025 (May) convention was as spectacular as always. It felt as though the hit rate was really high this year - it was a joy playing through the 50+ games we bought (even though it took us a very long time hehe). This video showcases our top 10, which are all wonderful games. We hope you enjoy this list. A&M xo Original Haul video: https://youtu.be/nNZ_rYFeHfQ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Number 10 02:58 Number 9 05:40 Number 8 09:25 Number 7 12:30 Number 6 14:54 Number 5 18:01 Number 4 21:09 Number 3 24:48 Number 2 28:49 Number 1 33:07 Games we thought would make our top 10 but didn't... 35:03 Quirkiest games 38:46 Wrap up Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer #ゲームマーケット春2025 #東京ゲームマーケット #ゲームマーケット ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Does A Wild Venture Find a Home in Our Collection? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review
by ThinkerThemer on August 7, 2025
Build up an engine and then tear it down?? Ok, if you say so.... We had a lot to say about this cuteness overload of a 2 player ONLY game. Game pre-order: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/pika-games/a-wild-venture Follow along with our SHELFWORTHY series as we cover as many of our new games as possible! Subscribe: http://bit.ly/4kJAmg8 Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZsHeGi Timestamps: 00:00 🎲 Introduction 00:26 🎨Theme 01:06 ⚙️Mechanics 02:17 ☁️How it Feels to Play 08:07 🎯What Surprised Us 08:37 🛠 What We'd Change 11:53 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy? https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/447174/a-wild-venture Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Will Nature Claim a Spot on Our Shelf? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review
by ThinkerThemer on August 4, 2025
We have played through the entire deluxe box of Nature and we have a lot of (conflicting) feelings! Will it stay in our collection? Follow along with our SHELFWORTHY series as we cover as many of our new games as possible! Subscribe: http://bit.ly/4kJAmg8 Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZsHeGi Timestamps: 00:00 🎲 Introduction 00:35 🎨Theme 01:00 ⚙️Mechanics 03:26 ☁️How it Feels to Play 09:45 🎯What Surprised Us 11:57 🛠 What We'd Change 14:30 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy? https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/330152/nature Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Is Trinket Trove Thinky-Themey Treasure? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review
by ThinkerThemer on July 28, 2025
TT meets TT in this review! We take a look at the new title from a new publisher, to see if it earns it's 'thinky' label underneath all of that cuteness... will it make it to our shelf? Follow along with our SHELFWORTHY series as we cover as many of our new games as possible! Subscribe: http://bit.ly/4kJAmg8 Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZsHeGi Timestamps: 00:00 🎲 Introduction 00:36 🎨Theme 01:14 ⚙️Mechanics 02:14 ☁️How it Feels to Play 06:11 🎯What Surprised Us 08:00 🛠 What We'd Change 09:27 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy? https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/436931/trinket-trove Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience. #boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺