voidling bound

Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Today, our writers share which games they’ve been playing over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been playing over the past month, too, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get things started with the games I’ve been playing over the past month.

Kyra’s Board Games

Skye mentioned this game in last month’s Whatcha Playing; I just wanted to share a few thoughts on Planet. Of course, I love the idea of the planet component. The 3-D planet each player builds gives Planet a huge toy factor. Planet does do a few things to differentiate itself from a 3-D Cascadia. The array of animals you may attract to your planet makes players’ strategies evolve. If an animal (with a scoring mechanism) doesn’t score during a round, it gets moved to the next round. Brilliant!

The scoring mechanisms also prevent players from playing one specific way. I had the Arctic Planet role and wanted as many Ice spaces on my planet as possible. But there are scoring mechanisms that reward a player for having the largest collection of ice spaces, and another for the most unique instances of ice spaces. I’m constantly being pulled one direction or another great. This was fantastic. I will echo Skye’s complaint that the planets aren’t designed the best from a physical standpoint. It was too easy to break my planet. The tokens would consistently fall off as I was turning my planet over to score each animal scoring mechanism. It’s a small thing. I’d love to see Planet get an updated second edition.

Family visited us over the past month, so we played more party games than we usually do. I’ve covered some of these titles in the past (some may have reviews on the site), so I’ll try to keep these write-ups brief. Sixes is an interesting take on Scattergories. Given one or six categories (depending on the round), players alternate trying to match other players’ answers or come up with a unique answer. My brother-in-law shared that he liked how Sixes didn’t make him feel as inadequate as Scattergories. Switching from matching to unique answers matters. It makes Sixes more approachable.

I haven’t made a Just One review yet. Good to know. You may expect one early next year. Tee hee! Anyway, Just One has a simple concept. One player is the guesser. They choose a number between 1 and 5. There will be a single word clue that corresponds to that number. All the other players (the ones who aren’t the guesser) write one-word clues. Before the guesser can see these clues, the clue givers compare their clues. If they match, they erase their clues. After that’s done, the guesser tries to guess the clue word from the clues.

Woah! Deadlines is another game we don’t have a review for…yet. Love this one. It’s morbid in the best ways. Each card has a famous person listed on it. On the back, players will receive a clue as to who the person is. There are hundreds of famous people on these cards; you won’t know all of them. On the front, each card will say when the person was born, how long they lived, and when they died. The player must pick one of those three attributes and add their card to a growing timeline. Er, Deadline. If you get the Deadline wrong, you keep the card. It counts as a point. You don’t want points. As soon as a column reaches a certain number (it’s supposed to always be twelve, but I adjust the column length by the number of players), the column is finished. As soon as the final column is finished, whoever has the least points wins.

We’ve reached the one new-to-me board game on my list this month: Verdant. I liked this puzzly game. I only played it once, and I was worried about my car (it was in the shop at the time), but I’d like to play Verdant again. Soon. Players build a house in a 5×5 grid, alternating room cards and plant cards. Verdant has a supply line (a display) of five room cards and five plant cards. In between those two lines sit tiles. Some tiles give you abilities, like a watering can, while others are objects you can put on a room card. Each room card has space for one object. You’ll want to match colors (of objects and rooms), place plant cards beside room cards of the same color. It gets very puzzly.

Since room cards and plant cards are in pairs, whichever card wasn’t selected by a player receives a green thumb token. Green thumbs can be used for special abilities. Great! I don’t know how many times I picked up a room or plant that didn’t necessarily fit because two or three players passed on the card, and I received two or three green thumbs. Twenty-five turns (every player needs to build their 5×5 grid of cards) feels like it would take a long time, but Verdant has quick, snappy turns. I can’t wait to play it again. Maybe with fewer distractions next time.

Kyra’s Video Game

I knew Voidling Bound would make one of these Watcha Playing posts. I’m not the only one playing. I’m sure Season will have plenty to say about Voidling Bound. And Geekly may need to do a full video game review in the not-so-distant future. Voidling Bound is everything good and bad about classic Skylanders. Note: I enjoyed Skylanders. Instead of needing to collect toys, Voidling Bound opts for tech trees for each of its critters (voidlings). The gameplay loop is addictive. You can drop hours playing this game and not know where the time went. Voidling Bound is grindy in the best possible ways.

But let’s get back to the Skylanders comparison. Like Skylanders, Voidling Bound exploration levels use a three-star system. Complete the stage for one star, collect everything for a second star, and speed run the level for the third and final star. So, I found myself playing an exploration level slowly the first time (to collect everything), and I’ll complete it the second time as fast as I can. Rinse and repeat. It’s a fantastic gameplay loop. I also love the tech trees and want to unlock all the paths for each voidling.

My issues with this title begin with repetitive enemies. I have yet to beat Voidling Bound, but I’ve played for a while and have only encountered two types of enemies: oozes and robots. That’s not a deal breaker. Plenty of great video games offer a small variety in enemies: the original BioShock and the Kingdom Hearts series. My second issue: ranged voidlings are much better than melee voidlings. This was an issue with Skylanders; it’s an issue with Voidling Bound. Granted, one can grind long enough to make a voidling type viable, but some are innately better than others. This also isn’t a deal breaker for me; I could see it frustrate some gamers. My third issue: I’d also like some more variety in the stages. Again, I’m not done with the main game. I hope I get more control the area missions. Those were a nice twist on survival stages.

I’m writing this segment super early. I picked up Voidling Bound yesterday and played about ten hours, and I’m enjoying the ride. While I could see the game wear out its welcome, the adorable voidlings will bring me back. That tech tree and the Skylanders’ three-star system are a winning combination.

But how am I supposed to finish some of these levels in less than three minutes? I’m directionally challenged. Yikes! That’s all I have. Let’s check in with Season.

Season’s Video Games

I also have yet to beat Voidling Bound, but it’s a lot of fun unlocking the variations of voidlings in the trees and getting unique variants from gold eggs. Outside of getting three stars in exploration levels, Voidling Bound has fewer puzzles and unique ways of finishing levels, unlike Skylanders. Voidling Bound asks players to scour the entire map by jumping ridiculous heights to find collectibles. I don’t mind this, but this is the majority of exploration. There are a few doors that require players to defeat the surrounding enemies before they unlock, but I don’t consider that a puzzle.

I love the tech and evolution trees in Voidling Bound. There are so many things to unlock and, once an ability is unlocked for a species of voidling, it stays unlocked for every voidling of that species the player has.

I love time management games, and I used to play them alongside my mom when I was a kid. Cake Mania is one of those titles. Players bake cakes and serve them to customers before their mood meter runs out. Players get more money the higher the mood meter is and the more complex the cake. Upgrades for equipment are also available for purchase as players complete levels.

Cake Mania is a good time killer game and scratches that nostalgia itch.

Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle here again. That’s what our writers have been playing this past month. What have you been playing? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle with another week of Geek News. Until recently, I was entertaining family from out of town, so we won’t have any headlines this week, but we have plenty of board game and video game new releases. Let’s get to the games that released this past week.

8 Dragons Launches on KickStarter

In 8 Dragons you play a mighty Dragon soaring across two kingdoms. But you don’t fly alone. Your Wyrmlings have just hatched and are eager to fly. You form Swarms, with your own Wyrmlings and those of the other Dragons.

On your turn, you visit wondrous locations and activate effects for yourself and every Wyrmling in your Swarm. When your Wyrmlings fly with others, you benefit from their turns too.

Along the way, friendly villagers help you expand your Lair, chamber by chamber. Collect artifacts, fulfill Missions, and hoard as much Gold as you can.

And as befits true dragons: whoever hoards the most Gold wins.

Thank you, Wonderbow Games, for that game description. I know very little about 8 Dragons, but it looks amazing. That centerpiece with the dragons and the infinity symbol leaves an impression. Everything I’ve read about 8 Dragons has me intrigued. Limited downtime. Turns don’t take long, and every turn will have each player invested. The lair building (the hexagonal tiles pictured beneath the board) sounds interesting as well. I love dragons as a theme. I also love puzzle elements (the lair building). And I like having multiple paths to victory. For me, 8 Dragons checks a lot of boxes.

8 Dragons offers multiple pledge levels, ranging from $57 to $87. That’s not a bad price point for what you get in the game. Obviously, the deluxe version will cost more than the standard, but the board game insert–that snaps into place within the game box–may be well worth the additional cost. I’ve spent about $30 on board game inserts before, and a custom-made insert by the board game company is a huge plus. If you’re interested in 8 Dragons, check out its KickStarter page.

Hexes of Sygon Launches on KickStarter

Your wizards gaze across the mystical planet of Sygon. Volatile volcanoes have blazed away much of the world, except for a precious clearing of land. Here lies the various landscapes of Sygon: meadows, swamps, dunes, mountains, forests, and caves.

Each landscape hosts a unique spell component crucial to developing civilization on Sygon. Collect gold and the various spell components – flower, elixir, spice, powder, mushroom, and crystal – and maneuver your wizards to conjure towns, workshops, and markets to quickly advance your civilization. Use alchemy or forage to obtain components outside your grasp.

Sygon relies on you to bring prosperity to its ravaged lands. However, you are not alone. Wizards loyal to other civilizations plot to loot you and compete for control of the planet. Be wary of where you place your towns and wizards and build walls to protect them against thieving wizards and volcano eruptions. Rise from the ashes and bring glory to your civilization on Sygon.

Thank you, Hexes of Sygon, for the game description. I’ve seen a lot of wizarding games recently–Wandering Towers is a great introductory game–but Hexes of Sygon may offer the most variability. Oh my! I haven’t played Hexes of Sygon, but the game has received solid reviews on BoardGameGeek. BGG also lists Hexes of Sygon as a 2025 release, so this KickStarter campaign may signal Hexes of Sygon’s second print run. That’s a good sign. I can’t get over the number of building types players may construct. Each player’s region may play vastly differently from one another. Hexes of Sygon features some nice artwork, too. I may get the game for the fungus tiles alone. If you’re interested in Hexes of Sygon, check out its KickStarter page.

Tokyo Hanafuda Launches on KickStarter

Hanafuda is a traditional Japanese card game that has been enjoyed for generations. Its biggest appeal is the designs of the card. Without the use of numbers or symbols, each card has a specialised design that uses flowers, birds, and nature, and is a design that transcends time and is well beloved.

Today, Hanafuda that use anime or game characters, or sets that depict local landmarks of various regions, have been created, and continue to charm many people.

Thank you, Kitamido (Tokyo Hanafuda’s publisher), for the game description. Quick Trivia Question: What was Nintendo’s first game? Yep. It’s Hanafuda.

While Nintendo added colorful characters (and you can get Mario Hanafuda decks), the traditional game featured flowers, birds, and nature, just like the description said. Tokyo Hanafuda brings Hanafuda back to its roots. You’ll notice that none of the cards have suits or numbers. You’re trying to match the cards in pairs. Simple, elegant. And I love that Tokyo Hanafuda features art by a Tokyo resident and Hanafuda enthusiast, Kitamido. Tokyo Hanafuda offers multiple pledge levels, ranging from $30-$67. If you’re interested in Tokyo Hanafuda, check out its KickStarter page.

Voidling Bound Releases

Become a Space Wrangler and take direct control of creatures called “Voidlings” in this action-packed sci-fi 3rd person shooter. Shape them through branching evolution paths and upgrade their abilities to overcome bubonic swarms, pestilent bosses, and reclaim lush planets overrun by corruption.

Hatch, evolve, and upgrade powerful space creatures in this action-packed sci-fi 3rd person shooter that reinvents the monster taming genre! Here comes Voidling Bound.

I’m a sucker for monster-taming video games. I just learned this game existed. Reading Voidling Bound’s premise, I’m hooked. The game has received good to great reviews. That’s a good sign. The new, indie studio Hatchery Games developed and produced Voidling Bound. Hatchery Games’ crew is comprised of ex-Skylanders and Borderlands developers, so you can see the inspiration behind Voidling Bound. Skylanders and Borderlands are a combination I wouldn’t expect, but it’s more than welcome. I downloaded Voidling Bound’s demo. You may be hearing more about this game from Geekly in the not-so-distant future. Skylanders meets Borderlands. What’s not to love?

That’s all the Geek News we have for you this week. Which game are you the most interested in? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Tag: voidling bound

Whatcha Playing, Geekly: July 1, 2026