Author Archives: Cyrus

About Cyrus

Editor in Chief, Owner/Operator, Board Game Fanatic, Father of Three, and Nice Guy, Cyrus has always enjoyed board, card, miniature, role playing, and video games, but didn't get back into the hobby seriously until early 2000. Once he did, however, he was hooked. He now plays board games with anyone and everyone he can, but enjoys playing with his children the most. Video games continue to be of real interest, but not as much as dice and little miniatures. As he carefully navigates the ins and outs of parenting, he does his very best to bestow what wisdom he has and help nurture his children's young minds. It is his hope and ambition to raise three strong, honorable men who will one day go on to do great things and buy their Mom and Dad a lobster dinner. Cyrus goes by the handle fathergeek on Board Game Geek. You can also check him out on CyrusKirby.com. Yes, he has a URL that is his name. His ego knows no bounds, apparently....

Quest Adventure Cards Game Review

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American author and television host Marcus Sakey said, “For me, the best moments in storytelling are the ones where I feel I’m discovering something.” In this game, the epic adventure played out with cards in front of the players is both a record of a journey taken by all the players and the intent of a specific quest of one player. As the game unfolds, more stories are told, some with victories and some with pitfalls. Ultimately, the best stories are those with twists and turns that always lead to adventure. Continue reading →

Don’t Get Stabbed! Game Review

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It’s hard being a homicidal killer. You must do a lot of planning and keep your wits about you because victims make your job challenging. They are always running around, screaming, trying to get away, and generally not very cooperative. Worse yet, they can gang together and try to work against you! How is that fair? Oh, well. No one told you being a masked murderer was going to be an easy job. Best get to stabbing! Continue reading →

Trove Game Review

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The dungeon was dark and deep. The risks were significant, as was the treasure. As you explored the twisting paths and murky depths, many friends and foes fell. Thankfully, you survived and now have a big treasure bag for your trouble! But before you celebrate, you must pour out the contents and go through each piece of loot, dividing it up with the surviving members of your party. However, not every shiny gold piece and interesting artifact comes for free. Sometimes, there are curses and other nasty surprises. Luckily, you still have a few surviving hirelings to do your bidding. Good luck dividing up the trove of loot! Continue reading →

A Cure for What Ails You Game Review (prepublished version)

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Medicine in the 1800s was a loosely defined and highly rudimentary practice of dangerous chemical components, ignorance of the human body, and a lot of guesswork. This was when medical professionals were still trying to figure out how best to serve, and charlatans easily duped the sick with promises of quick cures and miracles. It’s here, at this time, that the players find themselves setting up shop in New Orleans, Louisiana. The population is extensive, and there are graveyards right outside the backdoor. There are plenty of opportunities to practice medicine and the quick con. Just ensure your questionable approach to healing doesn’t put too many patients six feet under. Continue reading →

Blast Tactics Game Review

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Games requiring strategic and tactical thought often take much time and attention. Frequently, these games have a “slow burn” as players make minor adjustments to shift their footing to find solid ground for victory. The same can be said for this game but without the need to spend a good hour plotting and planning. No, you have less than 30 minutes to outmaneuver your foes, set your traps, and get out of the way before things get explosive. Continue reading →

Spicy Game Review

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In this game, players will attempt to bluff their way to the winner’s circle by balancing truth with fiction, creating an evergrowing possibility that their little lies and cheats will blow up in their faces. Telling the truth is always best, but it won’t grant you victory. What will is keeping a straight face and not sweating when the heat is cranked up via the competition. Continue reading →

The Bark Side Game Review

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French army officer and statesman who led the Free French Forces against Nazi Germany in World War II and chaired the Provisional Government of the French Republic from 1944 to 1946 to restore democracy in France, Charles de Gaulle, said, “The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.” This is to say that dogs are perhaps more pleasant to be around. Which is found to be the case for many. I’m a cat person, and I find dogs to be a bit neurotic and energetic (keep in mind I have five kids and more than enough energy available to me without the need for a dog). In this game, regardless of how you feel about feline or canine companions, you’ll be treated to an opportunity to be an unruly pup. Just be sure not to get caught by your owner! Continue reading →

Sandbag Game Review

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In an age where we can travel into space and fly around the world in jets, there is still something romantic and awe-inspiring about hot air balloons. These majestic and often colorful contraptions are nothing more than a giant balloon filled with hot air and a basket for those brave enough to ride in. I have no interest in ever riding in one, but I am always compelled to stop and watch as one goes slowly across the sky. Such is the power and beauty of watching something the size of a large house float by silently in a world where everything around us makes noise. In this game, you’ll be one of the brave souls who can ride aloft in the sky in a basket as your balloon lifts you into the clear blue. Continue reading →

Petra: Era of Prosperity Game Review

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The Great City of Petra was established by road-harden nomadic traders who wanted to end their wandering to create a central trading hub. It would quickly become the center of trade in the region and earn those who wandered its streets and dealt in the markets great wealth and influence. But this is not the story of Petra as it was, but how Petra might have come to be. Take command of your nomadic tribe and guide your camels across the desert to create trade routes, build monuments, and secure a future for the great city yet to be. All will live in prosperity once Petra is built, but only one tribe will significantly contribute to the city’s success. Continue reading →

SKUNK’D Game Review (prepublished version)

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Every family has a “family game.” One that they either created themselves from scratch or taken from another game. Either way, the results are something familiar enough to easily allow anyone to learn how to play and unique enough to be a particular part of a family’s collective memory. This game does just that by taking a tried and true game many have played and adding a personal touch passed down through generations. And like all loved things, they only become more significant and grow when shared with others. Continue reading →

Traders and Raiders Game Review

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In this game, players take on the persona of highly trained, adventurous entrepreneurs who seek to establish trade and make a good deal of gold by traveling different market routes under mountains, across the land, and over the sea. Along the way, players will encounter villages that need saving, monsters that need slaying, buildings that need building, and various other tasks, all focused on establishing a solid footprint in the local economy and gaining wealth. While this sounds somewhat daunting, the difficulty only increases when the player realizes they are not alone. Other players in this game have gladly taken up swords, shields, and accounting ledgers with the same goal. Time is short, and the markets are tight. Continue reading →

Brass Empire Game Review

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French judge, man of letters, historian, and political philosopher, who went simply as Montesquieu, said, “An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.” In this game, the war you wage is one of commerce and finance, building corporations into financial empires through subterfuge, hostile takeovers, and flat-out destroying the infrastructure of your competition. All of this, mind you, is set in a world where steam power rules and science fiction is a reality. Tighten your cufflinks, holster your Tesla pistol, and sheath your Samurai sword; it’s time to go to work. Continue reading →