Critical Games and Hobbies — Local services in East Liverpool

If you don’t have any social disabilities this is probably a good place to hang out and meet other gamers. My experience was not such. I’ve been up there a total of 4 times. Two of those times were in winter and it was dark and cold outside so I asked someone for a ride. I hated even asking but I was worried I might get hit walking. Any time I tried to talk to someone it felt like the owner would interrupt and tell me to not talk to them. I got kinda frustrated because I went up there to try to make friends and every time I tried it felt like he would step in.

Today I said I was going home after this happened so I could cool down in my car (which I got so I wouldn’t have to ask for a ride anymore). I came back in after calming down and asked if I had offended him and if there was something I could do about it (I’m slightly autistic so I get I can be misunderstood or might not pick up on social cues).

I didn’t get it the first time he explained it and asked if there was another way he could explain it. He told me “this conversation is going nowhere. Get out of my store and never come back.” I begged him not to but ended up leaving the store.

This sent me into an anxiety attack so I had to calm down in my car. Before I could even do that he followed me outside and was yelling at me to leave his property and I tried to explain I was trying to calm down before driving so I didn’t get in an accident. He eventually relented and I even park on the other end of the parking lot so it didn’t look like I was staring into his store and so I could talk to my mom and help me calm down.

Every time I looked up he was staring at me Next thing I know I have two cop cars behind me asking me a bunch of questions. He told them that I had been up there causing problems for three hours when I was only inside for like 15min and in my car for like 20min came back in to talk to him for less than 5min them in my car for like 30-40min trying to calm down before driving home. I work from home I got off work at 8 got out the door at 8:20 got there at about 8:30-8:40 and the cops were there but 9:30-10:00.

My anxiety attack started getting so bad they had to call a paramedic because I seemed to be having a seizure.

I’m sure this is a good place to make friends if you don’t have social disabilities but I can’t speak on that. Just my personal experience.

Edit: it has come to my attention that the owner has been lying about this situation and telling people that he did not ban me out right and simply asked me to come again another day until I made this review. If that was the case he would not have called the cops for me calming down in my car at the other end of the parking lot where he was staring at me the whole time. He permanently banned me that night. I have not been back since then for him to have been able to ban me after I wrote...

This is the worse game shop I ever been to to play dnd. I tried making new friends there and a lot of people including me was also uncomfortable about something yet I was the one that was accused of being an issue and is not allowed back to play dnd. I won't recommend this shop at all. If you do go there I won't recommend trying to make friends at least. Galaxy games in steubenville is 100xs way better if you're willing to drive there for better gaming sessions and friendlier people. Also The Eldritch Bazaar in Columbiana is also a better game shop than this one even friendlier people as well. Also whenever my car was broken down I tried getting rides from other people i played dnd with at the time, I tried to not make anyone uncomfortable but apparently there was an unknown issue i didnt know about that I was also being accused of. I was nice to the people. If someone was uncomfortable with me about something they should've told me directly instead of acting like a little kid and telling the owner like he's their father. I only know of one I had tried talking to, but I don't want anything to do with anymore, but the others I dont know who or what their issues was and they shouldn't make assumptions without talking...

Critical Games and Hobbies is the areas BEST game store. With a great selection of board games and Table Top Miniature Games, War Gaming, and of course RPG games; this place can’t be beat! They have a great selection of Pokémon Cards, Magic the Gathering and Flesh and Blood cards.

Not to mention Nick and Donnie are the best! They give you over the the top amazing service and both are extremely knowledgeable and excellent people.

My first time visiting the store a few years back I was hesitant and nervous. But after talking with Nick and a few regulars for an hour or so they really make you feel welcomed I got into D&D and everyone there is a great teacher, and friend! Critical Games set the standard for me as a Gameboy Store and I feel that every store should take note and provide a warm welcoming environment for everyone. If I could I’d rate them 10 stars! Love this place...