One of the great things about receiving a package of games from Kanare Kato and Kanare_Abstract is that at least one of them is almost guaranteed to be a gem.
This time, that gem is Residuel, designed by Michael Amundsen—a prolific creator who may have produced his finest work yet, at least among the games played by the Meeple Guild.
Like most releases from kanare-abstract.com, Residuel comes in a small box with the familiar cloth board and wooden pieces that make Kanare games both attractive and highly portable.
I’ll admit upfront that territory-control games aren’t usually my strongest suit, but Residuel immediately grabbed my attention when Trevor and I got it to the table over coffee one Friday. The game uses a uniquely shaped board and hexagonal tiles, with players placing pieces to capture territory. That twist alone sets it apart from many games in the genre and makes it feel refreshingly new.
Players place tiles of their own color while competing over remaining areas where no tiles can be placed. Each area is claimed by the player with the most adjacent tiles; in the case of a tie, the area goes to the player who closed it.
At first, the placement rules and scoring system take a moment to fully click. It’s not that the game is complicated—the rules fit on just a couple of pages—but the board shape and tile geometry are unusual enough that you need to recalibrate how you see the space.
That adjustment is well worth the effort. Residuel plays quickly—moderately so, at least—but offers a satisfying strategic challenge. One of its most engaging aspects is deciding where to play when no move is entirely positive. Sometimes it’s better to allow your opponent to score a small area rather than risk giving them a much larger one elsewhere.
This constant give-and-take keeps games tight, with a single misplaced tile often proving decisive.
It would be surprising if Residuel doesn’t end up in the top five two-player games first played in 2025 for both Trevor and me. Yes, it’s that good—a highly recommended abstract strategy game.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
One of the Best New Games Played in 2025
This time, that gem is Residuel, designed by Michael Amundsen—a prolific creator who may have produced his finest work yet, at least among the games played by the Meeple Guild.
Like most releases from kanare-abstract.com, Residuel comes in a small box with the familiar cloth board and wooden pieces that make Kanare games both attractive and highly portable.
I’ll admit upfront that territory-control games aren’t usually my strongest suit, but Residuel immediately grabbed my attention when Trevor and I got it to the table over coffee one Friday. The game uses a uniquely shaped board and hexagonal tiles, with players placing pieces to capture territory. That twist alone sets it apart from many games in the genre and makes it feel refreshingly new.
Players place tiles of their own color while competing over remaining areas where no tiles can be placed. Each area is claimed by the player with the most adjacent tiles; in the case of a tie, the area goes to the player who closed it.
At first, the placement rules and scoring system take a moment to fully click. It’s not that the game is complicated—the rules fit on just a couple of pages—but the board shape and tile geometry are unusual enough that you need to recalibrate how you see the space.
That adjustment is well worth the effort. Residuel plays quickly—moderately so, at least—but offers a satisfying strategic challenge. One of its most engaging aspects is deciding where to play when no move is entirely positive. Sometimes it’s better to allow your opponent to score a small area rather than risk giving them a much larger one elsewhere.
This constant give-and-take keeps games tight, with a single misplaced tile often proving decisive.
It would be surprising if Residuel doesn’t end up in the top five two-player games first played in 2025 for both Trevor and me. Yes, it’s that good—a highly recommended abstract strategy game.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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