Recent Articles & Reviews by Kevin Brantley

I’m a two-dog (Shiba Inu + Corgi) dad living in the vibrant heart of Chicago, where the city buzz matches my passions. My dive into the world of gaming was a pandemic silver lining. Thanks to the wonders of Tabletop Simulator, I stumbled upon the rich, immersive world of heavy board games—and I’ve been hooked ever since. These days, board games are my daily obsession!

My favorite games combine clever mechanics and strategy, especially those with rondel-style action selection or tableau building. A few titles that have captured my heart include Grand Austria Hotel, Kanban EV, Obsession, Smartphone Inc., and Terraforming Mars. While I gravitate toward light-to-mid-weight Euros, I’m always up for trying anything, and if dice are involved, even better—there’s just something magical about the roll of chance.

When I’m not plotting my next board game move, I’m chasing adventure elsewhere. I work in sales for a global travel company, which feeds my love for exploring new places (and cuisines). Born in Singapore, I immigrated to the U.S. as a kid, and that early experience sparked my wanderlust. Back home in Chicago, you’ll often find me playing on the rugby pitch with my club, gaming on my PC, reading Brandon Sanderson, or hunting down the city’s best bites.

Board games, rugby, travel, great food, my two pups, and a loving wife—these are the pieces of my personal puzzle, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!