{"title":"Educational","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"ierusalem","title":"Ierusalem","description":"\u003cp\u003eJerusalem, spring 33 AD. A crowd gathers at the city gates to welcome Jesus of Nazareth as he prepares to celebrate Easter with his apostles and followers. With a revolutionary message, he has garnered supporters everywhere but also looks of suspicion among religious authorities. The Last Supper will soon be celebrated and the fate of one of the most influential characters in human history will be sealed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Ierusalem Anno Domini, each player represents one of the communities of followers of Jesus of Nazareth who, coming to Jerusalem from nearby towns and villages, want to approach the place of the Last Supper and position themselves as close as possible to the seats of Jesus and his apostles.\u003cbr\u003e\nDesigned by Carmen G. Jimenez and illustrated by L.A. Draws, Ierusalem Anno Domini can be played alone or with up to 4 participants. The goal of the game is to gain points sitting your followers at the table of the Last Supper. The closer they are to the apostles and to Jesus himself, the more victory points they will provide at the end of the game. The parabola tiles that we have accumulated, or the offering tokens will also give us points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDifferent locations are shown on the board: the market, the desert, the mountain, the lake and the temple. After sending our followers to one of these locations, we will obtain stones, bread and fish, as well as denarii or cards that will allow us to do more than one action. Among these actions, players will be able to choose between listening to a parable, going to the table, changing seats or doing a favour, among others. All this will happen while the patience of the Sanhedrin runs out. When this happens, symbolized by a tile moving in a marker, the endgame is triggered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the main element of the game is the cards. Each card has a symbol corresponding to one of five key locations in the game. As you play them, combinations will be formed that will allow us to bring the apostles to the table of the Last Supper. The optimal placement of our followers around Jesus and the apostles will also be done through the management of letters, as well as various resources at our disposal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBehind a very immersive theme, Ierusalem Anno Domini will not disappoint lovers of good challenges. Players will have a wide range of possibilities at their fingertips and multiple ways to earn victory points. Preparing the best strategies to get the most out of your followers will be one of the keys to victory. Devout gamers don't need to look further: Here is your game!\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Thames \u0026 Kosmos","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56048565715322,"sku":"Z-THKO-BGIERUML","price":54.59,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/9970\/8282\/files\/Ierusalem.jpg?v=1760978292"},{"product_id":"saigon-75","title":"Saigon 75","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Saigon 75\" is a simple and swift strategic wargame, simulating the fratricidal struggle between North and South Vietnam from summer 1973 to spring 1975. Everything is contained within a few pages of rules and 1 hour of strategy, with pressure at every moment! The game portrays the differences between North Vietnamese divisions and the Rangers\/Marines\/Parachutists and other units of the South Vietnamese. Air power and desertion are also featured, with the whole thing being completed by event cards that give the game great replayability. An ingenious mix that provides a game on tenterhooks right up to the last turn! If, at the end of any turn, the North player controls Saigon province the game ends with a North victory. The South player wins by successfully defending Saigon until the end of Turn 8.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Asmodee","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56048610705786,"sku":"ZBG-ARESAIGON7522075","price":49.09,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/9970\/8282\/files\/Saigon-75.jpg?v=1760978489"},{"product_id":"march-on-the-drina","title":"March On the Drina","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"March on the Drina\" is a 2-4 player wargame, set in World War I historical period, which covers the Balkan peninsula theater. Austria-Hungary, Germany and Bulgaria are invading Kingdom of Serbia. The goal of the game for Central powers is to occupy all cities in Serbia, while Serbia's goal is to prevent that and liberate all of its territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach side has four types of units: infantry, cavalry, artillery and generals. The map is divided in hexagons and only one unit can occupy one hexagon. National military capacity is gained by controlling the cities and it is used to reinforce your armies. Each general has special abilities which are forwarded to the troops under his control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe game lasts 14 rounds max where each round represents one period of 1914-1918 conflict and that period is described on one card of the Calendar and it brings special effects on one round of the game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Spiral Galaxy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56048832119162,"sku":"ZSPG-MTGPPSDRI001898","price":33.69,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/9970\/8282\/files\/March-On-the-Drina.jpg?v=1760979411"},{"product_id":"dr-livingstons-anatomy-jigsaw-puzzle-volume-iv-the-human-left-arm","title":"Dr Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: Volume IV - The Human Left Arm","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe fifth volume of Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Left Arm, focuses on the skeletal structure. This puzzle shows how the humerus, ulna, and radius bones are oriented. You'll be able to view the contours of the shoulder's ball-and-socket joint down to the fingers' many hinge joints. Veins and arteries are interwoven, carrying vital oxygenated blood and removing deoxygenated blood. When finished assembling these exquisite pieces, you will be in awe of your accomplishment and your body's complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Asmodee","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56049222025594,"sku":"ZBG-GOT3105","price":19.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/9970\/8282\/files\/Dr-Livingstons-Anatomy-Jigsaw-Puzzle-Volume-IV-The-Human-Left-Arm.jpg?v=1760981058"},{"product_id":"discover-the-world-jigsaw-1000pc","title":"Discover The World Jigsaw (1000Pc)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fantastic 1000 piece world map jigsaw featuring all the iconic landmarks from all over the globe!\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Coiled Spring","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56049589223802,"sku":"TCS-58288","price":9.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/9970\/8282\/files\/Discover-The-World-Jigsaw-1000Pc.jpg?v=1760982647"},{"product_id":"detective-charlie","title":"Detective Charlie","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere's always something strange happening on Mysterville Island, and Charlie Holmes needs your help to crack the case! Interview the residents, analyze the evidence, find out who did it - and remember to return to the station in time for tea!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetective Charlie is a co-operative deduction game. When it is your turn, roll the die and move Detective Charlie to interview witnesses. As witnesses help you rule out suspects, you will soon find out that the last suspect may be the culprit!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou think that you found them? Check the answer in the envelope. If it is the same character, great, you did it! If not, don't worry, you'll do better next time!\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Coiled Spring","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56049619272058,"sku":"TCS-DET_CHARLIE","price":14.69,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/9970\/8282\/files\/Detective-Charlie-1.jpg?v=1760982771"},{"product_id":"by-no-means-vulgar","title":"By No Means Vulgar","description":"\u003cp\u003eBY NO MEANS VULGAR is a collection of short stories inspired by The Play's The Thing, a Shakespearean roleplaying game. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin these pages is a world of newly crafted Shakespearean delight: remixed, reimagined, and reinvented by a collection of amazing authors. From \"true crime\" tales of acting to behind-the-scenes glimpses of our favorite characters, these stories explore the edges of Shakespeare's world, discovering new narratives in familiar tales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Asmodee","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56049755750778,"sku":"ZBG-MPG002","price":14.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/9970\/8282\/files\/By-No-Means-Vulgar.jpg?v=1760983375"},{"product_id":"wits-wagers-family","title":"Wits \u0026 Wagers Family","description":"\u003cp\u003eWits \u0026amp; Wagers Family is the family version of the most award winning party game in history.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis edition is more simple, has less down time, and is more portable than the original Wits \u0026amp; Wagers. It also removes the \"gambling\" element and has questions that are appropriate for kids and the whole family. Most importantly, Wits \u0026amp; Wagers Family makes use of the beloved Meeple playing piece!\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Coiled Spring","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56049807589754,"sku":"TCS-WITS_FAMILY","price":17.19,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/9970\/8282\/files\/Wits-Wagers-Family.jpg?v=1760983572"},{"product_id":"timeline-events-blister","title":"Timeline Events Blister","description":"\u003cp\u003eTimeline: Events is a card game played using 55 cards. Each card depicts a historical event on both sides, with the year in which that event occurred on only one side. Players take turns placing a card from their hand in a row on the table. After placing the card, the player reveals the date on it. If the card was placed correctly with the date in chronological order with all other cards on the table, the card stays in place; otherwise the card is removed from play and the player takes another card from the deck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first player to get rid of all his cards by placing them correctly wins. If multiple players go out in the same round, then everyone else is eliminated from play and each of those players are dealt one more card for another round of play. If only one player has no cards after a bonus round, he wins; otherwise play continues until a single player goes out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTimeline: Events can be combined with any other title in the Timeline series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Asmodee Editions","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56049984012666,"sku":"ZBG-ASMTL02EVEN","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/9970\/8282\/files\/Timeline-Events-Blister.jpg?v=1760984334"},{"product_id":"878-vikings","title":"878: Vikings - Invasions of England","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e878: Vikings – Invasions of England\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, players control the invading Vikings or the English nobles who are trying to withstand the invasion. Viking players either play as Norsemen Viking freeman or as the fearless Viking shock troops known as Berserkers. The English play as the Housecarl, the Kings’ household troops, or as the Thegns who were regional noble Leaders. The English players will also be able to call up the peasant levies, called the Fyrd, to defend their cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlayers for each side strategize together in order to coordinate their strategies. Each side attempts to control Cities on the map to win. The English start the game controlling all of England but a Viking Leader will invade from the sea each Turn. The English players raise reinforcements from cities they control, while the Vikings must wait for a new invasion for reinforcements. The game ends when the Treaty of Wedmore is called and the side controlling the most cities wins the game.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe year is 878. For the past 75 years, Viking raiding parties from Norway and Denmark have been terrorizing the coasts of England with ‘hit and run’ attacks. The treasures and stories gained from these attacks have allowed the Norsemen to raise huge hosts of eager men seeking glory and riches. These armies now stand poised to thunder across England where they will settle and farm the fertile land they conquer. The divided English kingdoms are unprepared for this impending onslaught. The Vikings are coming!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBLOG\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho’s not drawn to Vikings these days? Vikings are everywhere in pop culture! I can bet if you’re reading this you’ve probably recently watched Thor Ragnarok in the cinema or been following Vikings on TV? Or let’s say you read Bernard Cornwell’s Last Kingdom or was devastated when Minnesota Vikings didn’t make it to Super Bowl LII? Nah, I know! You jumped into God of War when they ditched Greek for Norse Mythology right?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChances are you also tried at least one Viking related Board Game like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/product\/blood-rage\/\"\u003eBlood Rage\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/product\/champions-of-midgard\/\"\u003eChampions of Midgard\u003c\/a\u003e or Raiders of the Norse Sea. Am I getting there or have I just been hitting water? I am guilty as charged of almost all of those sins mate. But I tell you what, even if being a viking aficionado is not why you’re here, 878 Vikings - Invasions of England may have something for yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat’s 878 Vikings all About?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis game is in the portfolio of famed educational\/historical publisher Academy Games. It’s actually a young sibling to other board games such as 1754 Conquest, 1775 Rebellion and 1812 Invasion of Canada, all three part of the Birth of America trilogy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat does that entail exactly? Head to head, team area control with lots of dice rolling. Yes, you heard it right, although this game plays with two or even three players, it shines the most on it’s two x two version. This puts this one in a somewhat rare cluster of dudes on map partnership games that I so wanted more publishers to further explore, be it with vikings or not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApart from changing non-attractive wooden cubes for faction personalised plastic miniatures this game has perfected mechanics present on the above mentioned games. This probably contributed to it snatching 2017's Golden Geek Best War Game award. War game hun? This game is definitely on the light side and will most likely appeal to people that enjoyed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/product\/memoir-44\/\"\u003eMemoir 44’\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt most certainly will make sense as well to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/product\/kemet\/\"\u003eKemet\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/product\/battlelore-2nd-edition\/\"\u003eBattlelore\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/?post_type=product\u0026amp;wrls_search_in=title%2Csku\u0026amp;s=Axis+%26+Allies\"\u003eAxis \u0026amp; Allies\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/product\/commands-colors-napoleonics\/\"\u003eCommands \u0026amp; Colors\u003c\/a\u003e series fans. So it doesn’t really matter if you go berserk with vikings or if you’re just a non-discriminatory history buff, stick with me and let’s check this one out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow Does it Play?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s the end of the 9th century and vikings got tired of just raiding English shores. This time around they will be coming to settle and make a life this side of the North Sea! So if you play England you’ll be one of two factions - Thegn or HouseCarl, trying to protect England from Norseman and Berserkers coming from the shores.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVikings start invading from the North Sea with one of their eight leaders which include names you may know like Ragnar Lodbrok, Rollo or Lagertha. Leaders are drafted through leader cards which come with a specific set of armies from both factions. As you move the pawns around, they will be able to drop troops on the map or bring on board stranded armies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour objective is to conquer 14 cities by the game's end, which happens after seven turns unless if you play the Treaty of Wedmore card which ends the game either from turn five, six or seven with a different goal. In that case, if you’re viking you’ll have to be in possession of nine or more cities and if you don’t make it, you lose buddy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery round you’ll be drawing reinforcements. If you’re English, the map will tell you which cities spawn new troops, and that will make vikings target target them rest assured. But if you’re a viking the only way you’ll get more troops is by drawing previously mentioned viking leader cards. This creates an interesting dynamic where the English have troops scattered all over the territory and no leaders (till Alfred the Great comes into play by round five) while vikings will come in waves of unstoppable vicious hordes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhenever there is a viking attack in a city you will be able to draw a Fyrd card to defend it. This will grant you extra armies up to five units. Each faction will have their own die with different powers going from killer red Beserker dice, to underwhelming yellow Fyrd rolls that reflect untrained and badly equipped common folk troops. There is also an element of luck in regards to turn order. Game starts always with a Norseman invasion but after that you’ll be drawing from a bag who’s playing next, which means it’s not impossible for you to finish one round and be the one to start the next.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e878 Vikings also other elements of card drafting beyond Fyrd and Leader cards. You’ll have three cards in your hands and those are either going allow you to move or grant your special powers that may change the course of the game, and so very often do so to your joy or utter despair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSo, is 878 Vikings for me?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI should start by saying that I am currently obsessed with 878 Vikings and I hope this is not clouding my judgement. I think Academy Games managed to create a sleek design that plays fast and is easy to learn and teach. The mix of dice rolling, turn order drawing and card drafting brings a chaotic enough experience preventing you from just “building the machine” and implementing your \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/product-category\/board-games\/strategy\/\"\u003estrategy\u003c\/a\u003e as it is the case in so many deeper \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/product-category\/board-games\/war-games\/\"\u003ewar games\u003c\/a\u003e. You’ll be working with a much shorter decision making time frame, which is not to say this game is devoid of bigger strategic reasoning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving been introduced into board gaming by means of Risk and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/?post_type=product\u0026amp;wrls_search_in=title%2Csku\u0026amp;s=Axis+%26+Allies\"\u003eAxis and Allies\u003c\/a\u003e, I must say this is very familiar territory for me. I don’t remember, however, experimenting something that plays like this. In 878 Vikings you can actually move your teammate’s units as you will, which at first looked like something that could never work but somehow it does, perfectly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis partnership mechanics brings about everything that I love about board games, those very cool moments of sharing, conspiring and strategising with your peer while trying to subdue an opponent. In terms of player interaction I honestly don’t think it gets a lot better than this, it’s just the right mix of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/product-tag\/co-operative\/\"\u003eco-operation\u003c\/a\u003e and competitiveness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe game does of course have its improvement opportunities. Cards can be sometimes confusing on its powers and require consulting rule books a lot more often than should. Since there are no objectives apart from game winning conditions, replay-ability can be compromised after a while considering you’ll always be trying to do the same very thing and there are just so many possible macro strategies to do so.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough card decks come with extra seven cards, allowing some degree of customisation, that won’t take you very far either. If you're not a big fan of the pastel colour palette and if the artwork won’t compromise it, it won’t make you keener in the whole game experience. There is also a slight issue of balancing. Winning as a Viking is a lot more challenging with the treaty of Wedmore which in my experience is always triggered by the English before round five (haven’t managed to play a single game in any other fashion so far). But hey, that’s how history went by right, so I guess it makes sense?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo yeah, not surprisingly this game isn’t any sexier than any other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.academygames.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eAcademy game\u003c\/a\u003e but it ticks all the boxes for a great gateway \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.board-game.co.uk\/product-category\/board-games\/war-games\/\"\u003ewar game\u003c\/a\u003e or medium weight dudes on the matt game. Although this is definitely not a filler I do take it along when playing heavier stuff, but quite honestly this is the type of game I am eager to find a group keen on playing it over and over again as gaming night’s main course. So, if you’re in Edinburgh please let me know, and if not just give it a go and enjoy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead More \u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Academy Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56050117607802,"sku":"ZBG-AYG5500","price":63.89,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/9970\/8282\/files\/878-Vikings.jpg?v=1760984885"},{"product_id":"timeline-general-interest","title":"Timeline: General Interest","description":"\u003cp\u003eRace against your friends in a test of time in \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTimeline General Interest Edition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. Complete with 110 cards, each depicting a historic event, this game is a great way to complete against your friends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlayers take turns placing a card from their hand in a row on the table. After placing the card, the player reveals the date on it. If the card was placed correctly with the date in chronological order with all other cards on the table, the card stays in place; otherwise the card is removed from play and the player takes another card from the deck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first player to get rid of all their cards by placing them correctly wins. If multiple players go out in the same round, then everyone else is eliminated from play and each of those players are dealt one more card for another round of play. If only one player has no cards after a bonus round, they win; otherwise play continues until a single player goes out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis game is a great way to test your general knowledge against your family and friends. Suitable for 2-8 players, this edition is compatible with the rest of the \u003cem\u003eTimeline\u003c\/em\u003e series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVIDEO\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v9oe7YsR0rk\" width=\"100%\" height=\"450px\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Asmodee Editions","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56050188550522,"sku":"ZBG-ASMCARCH04UK","price":10.89,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/9970\/8282\/files\/Timeline-General-Interest.jpg?v=1760985219"}],"url":"https:\/\/zatu.com\/en-au\/collections\/educational.oembed","provider":"Zatu Games","version":"1.0","type":"link"}