Review: All On Board!
One aspect that has been lacking in Virtual Reality is a straightforward tabletop board game application. While we’ve seen excellent games like Demeo, they cater to a particular genre. The Game Kitchen aims to address this void with their new game, All on Board! The big question is whether it has enough appeal to attract a diverse range of players.
Release Date: February 27th 2025
Developer: The Game Kitchen
Publisher: The Game Kitchen
Price: £7.99 (base game only)
Reviewed On: Meta Quest 3
* Access Provided For Review *
Be Prepared To Learn A Lot
All on Board! is a tabletop and board game simulator that takes advantage of Virtual Reality to create an even more engaging experience, making it feel like a lively social event with friends, no matter where you are. The base game includes classic favorites like Go, Ludo, Chess, and Checkers at an excellent price. Additionally, they offer licensed games such as Terraforming Mars, The Binding of Isaac, Escape the Dark Castle, Rallyman: GT, The Hunger, and Istanbul, priced between £5.99 and £9.99 each. The team is also planning to expand their library with more licensed games as downloadable content in the future.
If you’re thinking about diving into the game, keep in mind that you’ll need to be ready to learn quite a bit, especially if you’re not familiar with the traditional board games. Unfortunately, this isn’t a simple task, as the team has really committed to achieving full authenticity with All on Board!
They’ve added tutorial videos for each game through integrated YouTube links in the menus. However, you can’t simply open one player for everyone in the room to view; each player needs to start their own player. While this is the tutorial method the team chose, a shared video player experience would have been a more effective option. Personally, I believe having readily available written instructions to refer to, similar to what was done in Exploding Kittens VR, would have been a great addition and would have maintained the authenticity, as all these games come with instructions in the box.
I believe that while maintaining an authentic approach is important, it would also be beneficial to have more automated options and playable tutorials for each game. Many players are likely to grasp the rules better if they can see them demonstrated in person first. Offering this as an option would allow players to choose their preferred learning style. Some individuals might lose interest entirely if they have to sit through a ten-minute plus video and are expected to retain all the information presented in such a dense format.
This was the primary concern I encountered with the game the overwhelming amount of information during my initial attempt to play The Binding of Isaac. My friend and I ended up opting for a few classic games like Chess and Ludo instead. This is why I highlighted the issues with the tutorial style earlier. However, with some improvements to the tutorials and additional options, this could be easily addressed. It would also allow experienced players skip the tutorials to maintain that genuine gaming experience.
Fantastic Environments
I really enjoy how All of Board! creates unique environments for each licensed game, perfectly aligning with the theme of the board game you choose. For instance, The Binding of Isaac immerses you in a dark cellar, while Escape the Dark Castle takes place in a room within a striking black and white castle. The visuals are impressive and incredibly clear on the Meta Quest 3. Currently, there are several preset avatars to choose from, but the customisation options hinted at in the selection screen suggest exciting updates are on the way.
I would have loved to see a bit more variety in the settings for the classic games. It would be great to play in different environments instead of always being in the same room for all the board games. For instance, when playing Go, it would be nice to have an oriental-themed room instead of the same modern apartment you use for Ludo.
The Meta Quest version of the game features a Mixed Reality mode, which means you can set up the board right on your own table for a more immersive experience at home. However, with the amazing themed rooms available, this option seems to lose some of its appeal.
Comfort
The Verdict
All on Board! successfully fulfils the vision that The Game Kitchen had for this game, providing a genuine tabletop board game simulator. The base game includes four classic games for just £7.99, while additional licensed games are reasonably priced between £5.99 and £9.99. One of the best features is that only one person needs to own the licensed games for a fun gathering with friends. However, I believe the game could benefit from more interactive tutorials. Instead of relying on lengthy YouTube videos that can overwhelm players with information, having a more guided learning experience could enhance enjoyment. While some may find the learning curve exciting, it might deter others. Despite needing a few adjustments, if you’re in search of an authentic tabletop simulator that allows you to enjoy classic and licensed games with friends globally, All on Board! is an excellent choice. I’m eager to see what new licensed games will be added in the future!