News Flash: Smash Up Disney and Star Wars Villainous Announced

Smash Up: Disney Edition Announced
The Op has announced a brand new edition of Smash Up, filled with Disney characters. "Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the award-winning “shufflebuilding” card game franchise with the second officially licensed version to come from AEG and The Op. Smash Up: Disney Edition will allow players to combine unlikely allies and fantastical foes, thanks to all-new Factions from timeless Disney films."
Source: https://theop.games/2022/03/smash-up-disney-edition-coming-soon/

Star Wars Villainous Announced
Ravensburger has announced a Star Wars-themed edition of Villainous. "The Star Wars Villainous game utilizes the same game system as previous Villainous releases, with new gameplay elements to fully immerse players in the Star Wars galaxy. Depending on their villain’s unique power, players will use their Villain’s “Ambition” to perform actions that power effects based on the Villain’s use of the Force, strategic leadership, or sheer luck. The game also incorporates Villain-specific missions and rules for iconic ships and transports from all corners of the Star Wars galaxy."
Source: https://nerdist.com/article/star-wars-villainous-board-game-ravensburger/

Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition Announced
Bezier Games has announced Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition, a trick taking card game, set for release this summer. "Hypothesize how many tricks you will win, and make your bid. Place tokens on the community research board as you play your hand, and connect large groups of tokens to score even more points. Plan your tricks carefully as you cannot claim the color of a card with the same number that has already been declared. Doing so would be catastrophic as you have just created a paradox!"
Source: https://beziergames.com/collections/all-games/products/cat-in-the-box-deluxe-edition

2022 As d’or Winners Announced
The winners for 2022 As d’or Winners, the French board game awards, have been announced, with 7 Wonders Architects winning game of the year. "2022 As d’or Winners announced, the French Board Game of the Year award has some new top notch inductees. One of the top board game of the year awards given annually, this is always a solid list with the results being held in high regard. There are a variety of different categories, similar to other awards like the Spiel des Jahres."
Source: https://www.boardgamehalv.com/2022-as-dor-winners/

WizKids Announces Solo Game
WizKids has announced a roll-and-write solo game. "In Bargain Basement Bathysphere, the player must dive to the bottom of the sea in a questionably-reliable vessel assembled from duct tape and spit. They must navigate the ocean, complete a series of activities unique to each scenario, and then return to the surface without running out of oxygen or putting too much stress on their bathysphere, lest they be lost to the world below the waves forever."
Source: https://wizkids.com/2022/02/22/make-a-solo-splash-in-bargain-basement-bathysphere-coming-soon/

Pandasaurus Games Announces LOOP Expansion
An expansion for The LOOP has been announced, set for release in August. "This tongue-in-cheek cooperative game made a splash everywhere it was played. So we're really excited to reveal the first expansion to an already-great base game. This expansion adds two new playable characters, two new game modes, two new missions, and even more!"
Source: https://pandasaurusgames.com/products/the-loop-fauxzilla-expansion

Reviews
Six Greetings Card Games (Tabletop Games Blog): There is certainly a wide choice of games and I’ve already started to work out which of my friends and family I will send which game for their birthday this year.”
Source: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/03/05/six-greetings-card-games-saturday-review/

Aqualin (Tabletop Bellhop): “If you are looking for a thinky filler that’s great for two players and is simple to teach to new players, Aqualin would be a good choice.”
Source: https://tabletopbellhop.com/game-reviews/aqualin/

Star Wars: Jabba's Palace (Unfiltered Gamer): “The benefit of the simple design is that it can lull players into a false sense of security. While the rules and mechanics are incredibly easy to understand, you might be tricked into thinking that the game lacks nuance. The truth is there are a lot of subtle strategies at play here, especially with more people in the game. Having a good memory and a keen understanding of math and probability specifically will help you out to no end.”
Source:  https://techraptor.net/tabletop/reviews/star-wars-jabbas-palace-review /