Given that it has been a month since our all-day gaming this is well overdue, so forgive the tardiness.

As a first timer for our All-Day Gaming event, it was a brilliant fun-filled day with many games played, and over 30 members in attendance – and of course a slightly premature celebration for Kev’s birthday!

Starting with an everything breakfast at spoons at 10am and with most of us sticking through to at least 10pm it was a joy to see so many Board Gamers in one place – regulars, new and old alike, along with the odd extended friends and family here and there. With people bring their own tablemats, lamps and even literal tables to allow for more gaming space it was lovely to see so many of us working together, to fit in as many players as possible. There were many highlights to the day, from new people and new games to Kev’s birthday celebrations and the creation of the MAB Quote Book.

Kev’s Birthday

As one of the joint creators of MAB, it only seemed fitting that we celebrate Kev’s Birthday at the All-Day Gaming – especially since he organised it to be the day before his birthday, I mean he was asking for it really! A huge shout out to James here for getting together a gorgeous cake and card, ensuring that everyone signed, got a slice and for generally being a brilliant chap. And of course, a huge – but at this point, belated – HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to Kev, who we at least in part owe for running this cool thing we do every Wednesday. We greatly appreciate you and everything you have done for the club. May your actual Birthday be filled with many games and more merriment!

Games Played

Onto the actual games played – of which you can see, there weren’t many

Gear of War: The Board Game

One of the benefits of All-Day gaming is that you get to play some of the longer games, that usually would take the entire evening. This is most definitely the case for Gears of War: The Board Game which, as the game suggests, is based on the Xbox Video Games series. As an Xbox 360 owner I am remised to say I have never actually played. That is soon to change after having played the Board Game which is a brilliant Co-operative, War Game with agenda-based scenarios, endless waves of baddies and enough cool shooting and chainsawing to feel epic when you kill a Locust. Of course, many great jokes came from the Boomers causing us continuous problems throughout the game, much like in real life. And naturally we had to break a few rules here and there, but what game that takes half-an-hour to explain doesn’t require a few rules quibbles every now and then? Overall, a good game I would be happy to play again and I look forward to taking up the Video Game version when I can find the time.

Barbecubes

I first came across this cutesy, pint-sized dexterity game at UKGE and it has continued to stay as the go-to pallet-cleanser game. A really simple concept of placing pixelated BBQ items on a grill, while trying not to drop the food into the fire-pit (tin). This game is low-energy, easy to grasp, highly-skill based and brilliant fun for all ages. For those unaware, it also comes in a Vegetarian form with alternatives to meat products. If not for the fact I know a number of people who own the game that I can rely on to bring it along, I would 100% buy this one.

Hanabi

Twice played now, Hanabi was an immediate buy after the first play through, and I am happy to say, it was more than worth the cost. Another game that is easy to pick-up, hard to master, and in this case high relies on being aware of how others think so you can make the best use of your clues. This play was rudely interrupted by Kev’s birthday celebrations so took longer than usual. That being said, I would buy Hanabi again if I could and have played it for a third time since the All-Day Gaming. As one of the more readily available games, I would definitely recommend picking it up.

Codenames

An oldie, but a goodie, Codenames continues to be a brilliant game for any group of players – as long as it’s an even number. Simple word association with a bit of social deduction and relying on knowing how other players mind’s work. Even with this being my first official review of Codenames I sort of feel like everything that can be said about it has been. Already owning the Marvel version of myself, I would definitely suggest picking up the game if you somehow don’t know someone who owns it, as it works for large groups and it easy to explain to even the most novice of board gamers.

Just One

Admittedly I think this was the second time I played the game, although I don’t remember the first, Just One Is another simple to pick up word association game, where the scoring doesn’t matter as much as coming up with unique synonyms of the same word. Much like a Cards Against Humanity, the fun in this game comes from who you play with and discovering who you share the same thought process as. Very much a party game, that, much like Barbecubes, I would pick up the game if I couldn’t rely on someone else to bring it along to every circumstance that I would want to play it.

Nuns on the Run

Pretty spaced out by this point, we have a lot of people and needed a game that would play with all of us. Thus comes Nuns on the Run, a brilliant game I don’t think I could explain if I tried, buy boy-howdy was it good fun. Of course this had nothing to do with me almost winning, but it’s always a joy to play a new game, and while I have no idea where – outside of charity shops – I might get my hands on this, I would be more than happy to play again given the opportunity. And naturally, Nuns on the Run can be thanked for the creation of MAB Quotes Book, which, yes, is now a thing that will be updated as and when I have the time. My favourite of which, I have no idea the context of looking back is: “Does anyone have a glass blower?”

MAB Quotes Book

“Does anyone have a glass blower?”

“What am I doing with my nun?”

“I need a self-maintenance day”

What’s Next?

Our Summer All Day Gaming was such a success that this year, for the first time we are running an Autumn All Day Gaming as well!

Current date is 12th October, based on the poll in our Facebook Group.

There is also talk of making this an event that takes place every 4 months or so, with more news, details, etc. soon to follow here, so keep those peepers peeled and be sure to follow the Facebook Group to vote in polls for future All Day Gaming events.

Summer All Day Gaming 2025 Report!