by GamerMomLuna
Every year, PAX East leaves me with a camera roll full of photos, a backpack full of dice and coffee samples, and a brain full of “oh right, I still need to write about that.” This year was no different. Between demos, conversations, and the general whirlwind of the weekend, a few highlights slipped through the cracks, until now.
Here’s my final round‑up of the games I played and the booths I adored but hadn’t written about yet. Consider this the cozy epilogue to my PAX adventures.
🌿 Sprout
By Rabble Games
Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rabble/sprout-a-game-about-keeping-houseplants-alive
Sprout is exactly the kind of wholesome, clever board game that sneaks up on you. I sat down with George from Rabble, learned the rules in just a few minutes, and before long we were deep into plant‑parent strategy mode. A full game runs about 30–45 minutes: perfect for a small game night or a warm‑up before something heavier.
It’s designed for 2–5 players ages 14+, but honestly, a game‑savvy 10 or 11 year old could probably pick it up without trouble.
Verdict: Recommend. Charming, quick, and genuinely fun.
🦖 Godzilla: The Roleplaying Game
By IDW Games
Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/idwgames/godzilla-the-roleplaying-game
If you’re a TTRPG player who likes trying new mechanics, or you’ve ever thought “what if we replaced dice with playing cards and also fought Kaiju,” this one’s for you. Godzilla: The Roleplaying Game uses two standard 52‑card decks (one for players, one for the GM), which gives the whole system a fresh feel without being complicated.
We used pre‑generated characters, so I can’t speak deeply to character creation, but the abilities I had were flexible and rewarded creativity. Rule of Cool is definitely part of the DNA here. The GM also manages a Crisis Clock, which steadily escalates the world’s danger level until the big disaster hits. It’s a fun tension‑builder and keeps the pacing tight.
Verdict: Fun! Not for everyone, but if you like unique mechanics and Kaiju, you’ll have a blast.
🦆 Escape from Duckov
Website: https://www.duckov.com/
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167020/Escape_From_Duckov/
Escape from Duckov is a top‑down shooter with just the right mix of tactical gameplay and absolute silliness. You play as a customizable duck (yes, really), scavenging for supplies and trying to survive a world that’s equal parts dangerous and ridiculous.
The demo was short, but it hooked me. I enjoy tactical games (Division 2, Mass Effect, that genre) and this scratched that itch while still being lighthearted. It’s single‑player only, so if you prefer co‑op, keep that in mind.
Verdict: Entertaining. I’d absolutely check out the full game.
Booths That Deserve a Shout‑Out
☕ Many Worlds Tavern
Coffee, tea, custom dice, custom Magic cards, basically all my favorite things in one booth. I picked up their decaf, and it’s one of the best I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a lot of decaf). Lovely folks, lovely products.
🍩Dodecadonuts
“100% real totally fake donuts for your dice.”
Their donut‑themed dice boxes and coffee‑cup dice towers are adorable, well‑crafted, and extremely on‑brand for anyone who loves both gaming and baked‑goods‑adjacent chaos. Their stickers and accessories are also fantastic.
🕯️Dragon’s Den Candles
TTRPG‑themed candles that smell incredible and add instant ambiance to your table—or, in my case, my home office. The owners were wonderful to chat with, and they’ve recently partnered with the Cookie Brigade to create two cookie‑scented candles: Chocolate Chip and Lemon Cookie. Both are delightful.
🎲 Role 4 Initiative
High‑quality, affordable dice sets with a unique d4 design that won’t destroy your foot if you step on it. Their dice are slightly larger and high‑visibility, which is perfect for “experienced” gamers who’ve leveled up over the years and want rolls they can actually read.
🎲 Tabletop Gaymers
I spent part of Sunday volunteering with Tabletop Gaymers as an ally, and it was an absolute joy. The Pax Together Intersection is always one of my favorite spaces at the show, and getting to meet so many people who stopped by, players, families, longtime supporters, and folks discovering the org for the first time, was a highlight of my weekend. Tabletop Gaymers does fantastic work building inclusive, welcoming spaces in the gaming community, and it was wonderful to be even a small part of that energy.
🆘 Take This
Take This continues to be one of the most important presences at PAX, and their AFK Room remains a lifesaver for so many attendees. It’s a quiet, supportive space to decompress, reset, and take care of your mental health in the middle of a very loud, very overstimulating convention. Their staff and volunteers are consistently kind, grounded, and deeply committed to community care. I’m always grateful for the work they do.
Final Thoughts
PAX East always leaves me energized, inspired, and carrying at least one new set of dice. This year’s lineup of indie games and small‑business booths reminded me why I love this community so much: creativity, kindness, and a whole lot of delightful weirdness.
If you checked out any of these games or booths too, I’d love to hear what you thought. And if you didn’t, well, now you’ve got a few new things to explore.
Check out our more detailed write ups from PAX East here:
Q&A with Arielle Milstein-Brennan, Fantastic Knicknackery
The Cookie Brigade: How Cookies Became a PAX Community Staple
Akiiwan Review: What Makes This Cozy Game So Special
Reclaim! Azhe‑giiwewining: A Game About Finding Your Way Back
Crowdfunding: Vault of the Seven
This week marks the start of the Megadungeon Month event at Backerkit. Many new and established designers and publishers are creating all sorts of megadungeons.
One of the megadungeons is Vault of the Seven, by Alpha Dean Lewis. Check it out here: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/alpha-dean-m-lewis/vault-of-the-seven
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