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....

Head Chef Game Review (prepublished version)

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American celebrity chef, author, travel documentarian, and television personality, Anthony Bourdain, said “If anything is good for pounding humility into you permanently, it’s the restaurant business.” In this game, you’ll start your business from a food truck, move up to a cafe, and finally hit the big time with your own restaurant. But the road to success is paved with many meals and there is a lot to trip you up. Prepare your ingredients and get cooking! Continue reading →

Pick Your Poison Game Review

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American television personality, author, and psychologist, Dr. Phil McGraw, said “Eighty percent of all choices are based on fear. Most people don’t choose what they want; they choose what they think is safe.” In this game, the players are never in jeopardy of being harmed, but that won’t change the difficulty of making a choice. Pick your poison from two horrible scenarios. Your decision will decide the game and playing it safe is not an option. Continue reading →

Cheese Quest: The Quest for Cheese Game Review

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American humorist, actor, and comedian, George Gobel, said “If you build a better mousetrap, you will catch better mice.” In this game, you play as a very capable and brave mouse, focused on ensuring the survival of your nest. But be careful. Many traps and even cats are around every corner. Grab the cheese and beat little mice feet back to safety as fast as you can, or all is lost! Continue reading →

Koi Game Review

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English critic and satirist, Craig Brown, said “As a rough rule of thumb, I would say the smaller the pond, the more belligerent the fish.” In this game, resources are in high demand and hard to come by. As a hungry koi, your only goal is to survive by any means possible. This includes making sure your fellow koi go without a meal. In the end, survival doesn’t go to the fittest, but to the smartest fish. Continue reading →

Scrooge: The Board Game Review

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Author, thought leader, and global champion for equal human rights, Bryant H. McGill, said “The world is not fair, and often fools, cowards, liars and the selfish hide in high places.” Scrooge is such an individual, high is station and influential, but for all the wrong reasons, making him a bane to humanity instead of a blessing. But on this Christmas Day, Scrooge is about to have a reckoning and you get to be a part of it. Continue reading →

Truck Off: The Food Truck Frenzy Game Review

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American businessman and philanthropist best known for his commercials for the Wendy’s fast-food restaurant, Dave Thomas, said “What do you need to start a business? Three simple things: know your product better than anyone, know your customer, and have a burning desire to succeed.” In this game, each player is a restaurant entrepreneur. You have a dream, a vision, and a goal to be the most successful food truck company in your area. But you have competition and the venue is fierce. Only the most business savvy (and a bit lucky) will keep their company afloat. Continue reading →

Ebenezer’s Secret Santa Game Review

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American religious leader and author, Thomas S. Monson, said “Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting.” The game of Secret Santa supports this ideal, by giving everyone a chance to provide a gift of gratitude in secret, knowing that they will receive nothing in return. In this game, players will try to determine who they need to thank for a secret gift they received. Continue reading →

Mini DiverCity Game Review

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American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, political activist, and social critic, Avram Noam Chomsky, said “There are two problems for our species’ survival – nuclear war and environmental catastrophe – and we’re hurtling towards them. Knowingly.” Our species – Humans – are capable of tremendous damage, but we also have the capacity to create. And more importantly, to protect. In this game, you are racing against time to save animals from the destructive greed of mankind. Continue reading →

Blob Lobber Game Review

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American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century, Ralph Waldo Emerson, said “Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” I don’t think “luck” is something you need to believe or disbelieve in. It’s just what we call the outcome of random possibilities that are not in our perceived control. Get off your high horse, Emerson! In this game, skill is set aside and replaced with the very real sense that the universe is on your side or laughing at you. Continue reading →

Poobah Game Review

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Best selling self-help book author, Karen Salmansohn, said “Choose to focus your time, energy and conversation around people who inspire you, support you and help you to grow you into your happiest, strongest, wisest self.” Communication is key to our species’ survival. From the very first hand motion telling another Neanderthal that a giant tiger was nearby to a child telling their parents that their stomach hurts. Without communication, we cannot share, grow, or assist. Making a game out of this essential skill further strengthens bonds with friends and family. Continue reading →

Banishment Game Review

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English singer-songwriter and actor, Eric Burdon, said “Inside each of us, there is the seed of both good and evil. It’s a constant struggle as to which one will win. And one cannot exist without the other.” In this game, evil and good take different sides, fighting against the other for control. Time is on the side of evil, but those who champion good have many tools at their disposal to obtain victory. Who wins between the two is a matter of smart card plays and impeccable timing. Continue reading →