Beacon Patrol. by Pandasaurus Games - REVIEW

 Nature / Type:            Board game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     8 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Players who enjoy calming / cooperative/ tile-laying games 

We’ve built railroads, highways, and bustling cities - but building across the open sea? That’s something new. Beacon Patrol by Pandasaurus Games, kindly provided by Let's Play Games, invites you to embark on a peaceful maritime exploration! 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Soothing Cooperative Tile-Laying Game - Sail Your Ship Token!

This is perhaps the most soothing cooperative tile-laying game I’ve ever played. You begin by placing your HQ tile at the centre, then set sail with your ship token and a hand of movement tiles. On your turn, you’ll navigate the ocean, placing up to 3 tiles adjacent to your ship’s position. Each tile must line up correctly with neighbouring edges - coastlines with coasts, water with water. Your ship sails onto each tile you place, expanding your patrol area. Movement tokens let you travel further, and clever teamwork lets you swap tiles with teammates to keep the sea open and connected. The game ends once all tiles are placed or discarded, and points are scored for fully explored tiles completely surrounded on all four sides. 

(2) Gentle Balance Between Planning & Cooperation

What makes Beacon Patrol shine is its gentle balance between planning and cooperation. You’ll need to think ahead - avoid getting your ship trapped behind land tiles, use open oceans to stay mobile, and coordinate with others to make the most of every move. The movement tokens add a subtle layer of strategy that feels satisfying without being stressful.

(3) Two Mini-Expansions Included

For added depth, the two mini-expansions - Windmills and Piers - add clever scoring twists that reward thoughtful placement. Windmills earn extra points for nearby open seas, while Piers benefit from its connected land tiles, making each map feel even more alive.

(4) Soft, Minimalist Art

And finally, the art - soft, minimalist, and charmingly coastal - transforms your table into a tranquil seascape. Every finished board looks like a watercolour map of your own voyage.

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.m-g.com.au/product/beacon-patrol/

Find your local game stores here: https://www.localgamestores.com.au/

Enjoy the video! 

Machi Koro, By Pandasaurus Games - REVIEW

Nature / Type:            Board Game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    8 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Board-gamers who enjoy city-building games

Machi Koro by Pandasaurus Games is a much-loved game that’s been delighting players for years—and I’m thrilled to have recently received a copy from Let's Play Games ! It’s a light-hearted, city-building, dice-rolling game full of money-earning fun—a perfect addition to our collection.

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Develop Your City & Complete 4 Landmarks To Win

This is a stylish yet surprisingly easy-to-learn game, designed for 2–4 players. Each player works to develop their own city and be the first to complete all four landmarks. Everyone starts with a Wheat Field and a Bakery, plus four face-down landmarks marked as ‘under construction.’ On your turn, you roll one or two dice. If the total matches a building you own, you activate its effect. After rolling and activating, you can either buy a new building or construct a landmark, if you’ve got the funds. As your city grows, so does your income, helping you build landmarks faster. The first to complete all four wins!

(2) Light Decision-Making + Dose Of Luck

Machi Koro is a great entry-level game that mixes light decision-making with a healthy dose of luck. It’s one of those games that’s fun for adults while still simple enough to play with kids. Do you stock up on high-reward cards like the Convenience Store (3 coins on a roll of 4 for just 2 coins), or go for nastier options like the TV Station (steal 5 coins on a 6) or the powerful Mine (5 coins on a roll of 9 by anyone)? It’s a casual, family-friendly game with just enough strategy to keep things interesting. While the base set is fairly simple, there’s plenty of fun here—and even more in the expansions!

(3) Special Power For A Twist

Each landmark also unlocks a special power that can really shift the game. Building the Train Station lets you roll two dice instead of one—useful if you’ve collected higher-number buildings. The Amusement Park gives you an extra turn when you roll doubles, the Shopping Mall boosts income from certain cards, and the Radio Station lets you re-roll once per turn. Timing when to build these can make a big difference.

(4) Clean, Modern Art Style

I love the clean, modern art style - it’s whimsical and artistic. The coins are simple but functional, with clear denominations in different sizes and colours.

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.gamesworld.com.au/product/machi-koro-5th-anniversary/

Find your local game stores here: https://www.localgamestores.com.au/

Enjoy the video!