*Warning Wall-o-text Incoming!*

I recently got back into Tabletop Simulator, making it my "main game" of sorts. I had taken a pretty big hiatus from most other games because It kind of lacked fulfillment, getting tired of grinding on a lot of MMO's. I distinctly remember someone in the old group saying "oh yeah, Tabletop Simulator. I bought it, flipped the table over and over, and threw stuff around, then closed it out after 30 minutes or so."

I'm writing this because anyone who has played this "game" knows how heartbreaking that above line of text is, and how anyone considering buying this needs to know this isn't just a physics sandbox. This game alone has made me realize how much tabletop gaming has come, and how much it has evolved from "My cousin always beats me in Monopoly, UNO, etc.."

When you first boot the game up and try to join a multiplayer lobby, MOST of the games will be locked. You won't know how to play most games, and most public games will be simple things like Uno or Blackjack. If there is one thing I could fault the game on, I feel the community as a whole should allow a lot more spectating of advanced games.

However, this is the only nitpick I would have. The real magic of this game is made apparent once you visit the workshop. You have virtually every single board and card game at your disposal.

• Want to play ANY game you currently have on your shelf? It's here.
  
• Want to play an old classic from your childhood you don't have anymore? It's here
  
• Want to try new games people have talked about like Catan, Twilight Emperium, Ticket to Ride? It's here
  
• Do you play a CCG, like Yu-Gi-Oh or Magic: The Gathering? Every single card in existence is yours..
  
• The statement"Damn.. that game costs $80.. I'm not dropping that much on something I don't know" now turns into "Let me download this on Tabletop to see if it's WORTH that $80"

As of writing, I have about 70 different board and card games, games back from the 80's, 90's, and up to games released merely months ago.

• If you have ANY interest in board or card games, you NEED this.
  
• If you have a group of friends and crave those nights growing up playing classics, you NEED this.
  
• If you have interest in learning about even ONE board or card game, you NEED this
  
• If you don't have anyone who plays board games with, join this game's discord, and find others. If you enter with an open mind and willingness to learn new games, I promise you will not be disappointed.

**Edit, 6 years later, 4/27/2026

So When i first wrote that review, I had only 280 hours or so, and now I have 3,300 6 years later.. I can say this has launched a full on hobby.

I've played (no exaggeration), hundreds of games for free, and this one game has basically given me an entire Steam Library's worth of enjoyment.

Not only that, knowing a lot of games has gotten me to go out to my FLGS (Friendly Local Game Store), and actually help run physical board game meetups. It's a special kind of feeling to try out something online with no strings attached, but then bring it to a group in person and KNOW they will have a good time with it, because you've already tested it through and through.

I legitimately use Tabletop Sim as the barometer of if a board game should be added to my physical board game collection or not. If that doesn't convince you of the value proposition, I don't know what will...