2019 · Strategy · PC / Steam
Total War: Three Kingdoms introduced the best diplomacy and character systems in the franchise's history, creating a game that excels at generating memorable stories of alliance and betrayal, though its abandoned support and incomplete content leave a visible gap between what it achieved and what it could have become.
2019 · 2-6 Players · ~120-180 min · Competitive / Negotiation
Dune (2019) is a faithful reprint of one of the most important designs in board gaming history, and at six players it remains a peak experience. The asymmetric factions capture the spirit of Herbert's universe with remarkable precision, the negotiation and alliance systems create unforgettable dramatic moments, and no two games play alike. Getting six people together for a three-hour commitment is the game's biggest barrier, and lower player counts can't replicate what makes it special. But when the stars align and you have the right group, this is about as good as tabletop gaming gets.
2023 · 3 Seasons · Netflix · Drama, Thriller
The Diplomat delivers a smart, character-driven political thriller anchored by Keri Russell's commanding performance as an ambassador thrown into an impossible situation. Debora Cahn's writing is at its best when exploring the personal cost of political power, and the show crackles when its characters are arguing in rooms, negotiating alliances, and navigating marriages that have become indistinguishable from policy disputes. The plotting can stretch credibility, and some seasons struggle to maintain the tension of their cliffhanger-driven structure. But Russell and the ensemble keep you invested through every twist, and the show fills a gap in television that's been empty since the West Wing era.