TABSCon setting up - source: knightsociety.net
I attended my first TabsCon earlier this month. TabsCon stands for the Toronto Area Board Gamer Society. They hold several conventions throughout the year, and most importantly, they’re the organizers behind BreakoutCon in March. I had the opportunity to attend and play four new board games. I haven’t reviewed board games on this site before, so this will be my first time sharing some thoughts.
Arkham Horror - The Card Game #
lovecraftian horror - source: www.fantasyflightgames.com
The first game I played was Arkham Horror. It’s a Lovecraftian mystery co-op game where players try to save citizens from terrifying monsters. There were five of us playing, though the person who brought the game acted more like a game master, teaching us the rules. Each of us played as an investigator and moved between adjacent locations, searching for clues to save the townsfolk. Along the way, we encountered monsters and ghouls straight out of Lovecraft’s world and had to work together to solve the mystery. Unfortunately, we ran out of time before finishing, but I think we would have succeeded if we’d continued.
Thunder Road: Vendetta #
mad max racing - source: restorationgames.com
The second game I learned was Thunder Road: Vendetta. Think of it as a Mad Max–style racing game where each player controls several vehicles and tries to either destroy their opponents or cross the finish line first. Once the first player is eliminated, the finish line appears at the end of the track. Each player has a light, medium, and heavy vehicle, plus a helicopter that can be deployed anywhere on the grid to attack other players. The racetrack also contains hidden spaces that reveal hazards such as mud or mines. Combat and special actions are resolved with dice. Overall, it was fun, though one player who was eliminated early didn’t enjoy sitting out for the rest of the game. While I liked it, I’m not sure I’d buy it myself.
don't overheat! - source: asmodee.net
The third game I played was Heat: Pedal to the Metal, another racing game. This one plays like a Grand Prix: the goal is to complete two laps around the track. Each player has a dashboard card showing their gears, which determines how many spaces they can move. For example, first gear allows fewer spaces, while higher gears allow more. However, corners limit how many spaces you can move—exceeding the limit forces you to take “heat” and risk overheating your car. The strategy lies in managing gears, heat, and timing your risks. I didn’t do well in this one—it was actually my worst performance at TabsCon—but I still had a great time. Next time, I’d take more risks earlier to stay competitive.
Flamecraft #
there be dragons - source: cardboardalchemy.com
The fourth and final game I played was Flamecraft. In this game, you play as a flamekeeper who collects resources, places dragons, casts enchantments, and upgrades shops in a town. Shops specialize in goods like bread, meat, or plants, and placing dragons in them enhances production. The goal is to build reputation, which determines the winner. Players gain reputation by attracting certain dragons, upgrading shops, and earning gold coins (which also convert to reputation). Since all of us were learning at the same time, it took a while to get going, but once we did, it became an enjoyable strategy game. That said, I don’t know if I’d play it again—it didn’t grab me as much as some of the others.
Game another day #
If you’re in the Toronto area and haven’t been to TabsCon before, I highly recommend it. Along with BreakoutCon, it’s one of the best places to meet new people and play board games. The only challenge, especially for solo attendees, is finding games to join. TabsCon doesn’t have a website, but they do have a Facebook page and post on BoardGameGeek, where you can sign up for games ahead of time using their scheduler. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
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