CGI#43: The Last Kingdom, Back to Nature, Table Presence, and Flatout Games

Casual Game Insider, Issue #43, Spring 2023

The conflict and intrigue from the Netflix series The Last Kingdom are brought to life in an epic new board game by Gamelyn Games.

Plus: nature themes in board gaming, Project L strategy tips, games with beautiful table presence, the historic and modern culture of games, how Flatout Games produces full-time fun as a part-time venture, and a FREE print-and-play game: Jasper & Zot by Nick Hayes. Our readers also discuss their favorite cooperative board games.

This issue features reviews of Kites, boop., Teeter Tower, Sync or Swim, Birdwatcher, Not That Movie, Rankster, and a guest review of Hand-to-Hand Wombat by Major Fun.

Page Count:

Issue Number:

Issue Period:

Spring 2023

Authors:

Justin Spicer, Pete Mesling, Andrew Brassleay, Bayard Catron, Natalie Rodriguez, Stephen Conway

Tags:

Gamelyn Games, Nature Games, Environment, Gaming Culture, Cooperative Games, Boardcubator, Flatout Games

Add new comment

Mon, 04/10/2023 - 20:49

Carole H

I miss Nintendo Power

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 06:07

GreenDiva

Looking forward to Last Kingdom

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 06:10

Kris Kaminski

Like the show, not sure about the game?

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 06:15

Lindsey W

I am so happy that this exists. Board Games are so much more interesting than those gossip mags.

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 06:15

JamesL

Love it when IPs turn into board games. Stull comes down to design though.

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 06:27

Roland Blais

I can dig it!

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 06:31

Dave R

I've never seen The Last Kingdom but is's been on my watch list. Now, that I see there will be a board game on the IP, I will move it up in my queue. Although, with me, IP games can be really hit-or-miss. Let's hope this one is a hit.

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 06:33

John Stout

Required Comment. :)

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 06:40

Amanda B

Always interesting to learn more about how different publishers make it work.

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 06:43

#10

Timothy Oldson

Making me think about getting a paper subscription again!!!

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 06:51

#11

Jordan Binkerd

This looks fun! I still need to watch that one though....

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 07:00

#12

Daniel Mathews

Enjoy every Issue!

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 07:23

#13

Leon Loo

Last Kingdom! Already pledged.

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 08:07

#14

Kelly VanAuken

Great job with the magazine.

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 09:54

#15

Kevin P. Greaves

I love this magazine.

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 11:21

#16

GeoffWii

Great!!

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 05:45

#17

Joanna Sisk

Love when the magazine pops in my email! Great periodical!

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 07:17

#18

Josh Willhite

I was not aware of some of the games in the back to nature article, so easy for a game to pass under the radar with so many coming out, I'll have to research them further. Interested in Birdwatcher too.

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 07:35

#19

Greg L

Another great issue. So thankfull I get each issue.

Thu, 04/13/2023 - 15:05

#20

Michele G.

I love these games.

Fri, 04/14/2023 - 12:28

#21

Ruth D

Thanks!

Fri, 04/14/2023 - 12:31

#22

Mitchell D

Great reviews

Sun, 04/16/2023 - 09:27

#23

Project L is great! Super excited to get my copy from the most recent Kickstarter.

Tue, 04/18/2023 - 13:09

#24

jettaz

Member Since: 01/05/2022

Never saw the show, so can't say I'd be at all interested in the game unless the mechanics were amazing!

Tue, 04/18/2023 - 13:09

#25

Nate W

Hmm, I think I'm gonna pass on the Last Kingdom board game for now. Maybe I'll change my mind after reviews start rolling in.

Wed, 04/19/2023 - 15:43

#26

Elijah Johnson

Just bought Everdell The Complete Collection. Can't wait to play!!!

Sat, 04/22/2023 - 18:28

#27

Thanay Binford

Last Kingdom looks great

Tue, 04/25/2023 - 13:59

#28

Michael D Koch

I can think of games that have a great table presence.

Tue, 04/25/2023 - 14:17

#29

Mike McOmber

Thanks for all the content!!

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 03:35

#30

I would REALLY love a print subscription, just can't afford one on a fixed income. A subscription should be part of giveaways!

Fri, 04/28/2023 - 18:55

#31

okiraan

Will most likely pass on this game. Too many games not getting to the table already.

Sun, 04/30/2023 - 09:32

#32

Kelly M.

Nice article about the culture of games. I could see someone doing a PhD dissertation on that.

Tue, 05/02/2023 - 08:02

#33

Julia Thomsen

I'm excited for this one mostly because of the IP, I loved that show, so I backed it.

Tue, 05/02/2023 - 12:07

#34

Hasleek

Hope the last kingdom game is as good as the show

Thu, 05/11/2023 - 10:31

#35

Guest

This is now my, "Go To," board game news magazine.

Thu, 05/11/2023 - 10:39

#36

TwinklesGirl

Member Since: 05/11/2023

This is by far my favorite BoardGame magazine.

Tue, 05/16/2023 - 06:19

#37

LADY RACHELL SPENCER

It will be interesting to see how The Last Kingdom translates from screen to board.

Tue, 05/16/2023 - 13:30

#38

Bennet Rosenthal

I need those Project L strategy tips. I have the first edition and just backed the Kickstarter for the expansions.

Tue, 05/16/2023 - 21:43

#39

Cassie Groark

Great issue! Love all the info!

Tue, 05/23/2023 - 06:43

#40

Scott J

This issue looks great!

I am interested in the Last Kingdom game and look foward to reading the article about the environmental themed games!

Tue, 05/30/2023 - 09:33

#41

Ironclad

Member Since: 08/07/2021

How Board Games Continue to Reflect Growing & Emergent Communities was an excellent article by Mr Bayard Catron. Very enjoyable reading. Recommend to anyone interested in games at any level.

Tue, 05/30/2023 - 10:07

#42

Adam Barrand

I didn't know about this publication.

Thu, 06/01/2023 - 05:26

#43

SmoothOperator

Can't wait for Spiderman!

Sun, 06/04/2023 - 21:01

#44

Marty Harris

This is fun

Wed, 06/07/2023 - 15:13

#45

Ethan Hubbard

Love it

Tue, 06/13/2023 - 06:34

#46

Rob F.

Looks like another great issue.

Tue, 06/13/2023 - 08:14

#47

K. Ting

Hooray for a new newsletter!

Tue, 06/13/2023 - 17:21

#48

Jennifer Sims

I love nature themed board games!

Thu, 06/15/2023 - 14:39

#49

TeeTee46

This makes me want to see what this game is all about!!! Putting it on my list!!

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CGI#43: The Last Kingdom, Back to Nature, Table Presence, and Flatout Games

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