About Jamie Quinn

I own 25+ board games and I play them constantly. Every game reviewed on TopVett is one I've either played myself or researched deeply against games I know inside and out.

My Collection

My shelves are heavy. Literally — the top shelf has Gloomhaven, Frosthaven, Mage Knight, and ISS Vanguard. I've spent hundreds of hours in the Gloomhaven universe alone, and Mage Knight is my go-to solo game when I want something that punishes sloppy play.

Deck building is probably my favorite mechanic. Aeon's End's no-shuffle system is genius — every card placement matters. Marvel Champions has taken over my solo gaming time. And Clank! is what I pull out when friends who don't usually play board games come over.

For two-player nights, my partner and I started with lighter games like Splendor and Dice Forge before working up to Star Wars: Rebellion (which is an absolute event every time we play it). Terraforming Mars is easily in my top 3 — I've played 50+ games and the card draft still creates different stories every time.

Why TopVett Exists

I got tired of "best board games" lists that recommended games the author had clearly never played. Generic listicles with the same five games recycled from other sites, no real opinions, no mention of who a game is not for.

TopVett is different because I actually own and play the games I recommend. When I say Aeon's End's no-shuffle system creates real strategic depth, that's from experience. When I say Mage Knight isn't for everyone — the setup alone takes 15 minutes — that's honest.

For games I don't own, I research community consensus across BoardGameGeek, Reddit, and player forums. I compare mechanics, player counts, complexity ratings, and real player complaints. Every recommendation comes with honest trade-offs.

How I Review Games

Every review on TopVett follows the same process:

1. Play it — if I own it, I've played it multiple times at different player counts
2. Research it — BGG ratings, Reddit discussions, YouTube playthroughs, forum complaints
3. Compare it — how does it stack up against similar games in the same category?
4. Be honest — every game has flaws. I tell you what they are and who should care.

I also use AI tools to help process player reviews and identify patterns across thousands of ratings. But the opinions, the game knowledge, and the "who should buy this" calls are mine.

How I Make Money

TopVett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. When you buy something through my links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This keeps the site running.

Affiliate commissions never influence my recommendations. I recommend the same games whether the commission is 1% or 10%. If I think a game isn't worth buying, I say so — even if it would earn me more.