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....

Vertellis (Standard and Family Edition) Game Review

English philosopher, physician, and Father of Liberalism, John Locke, said “Any one reflecting upon the thought he has of the delight, which any present or absent thing is apt to produce in him, has the idea we call love.” Pause for a moment and reflect. What do you like best? What makes you laugh? Who do you enjoy spending time with? Your answers and those from others might surprise you. Continue reading

Face to Face Game Review (prepublished version)

English novelist, essayist, journalist and critic, George Orwell, said “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” In this game, players will be rescuing animals and returning them to their homes, ensuring they are safe and sound. But as Mr. Orwell alluded to, not every animal is worth saving, nor are they of the same value. In the end, it will be up to the player to determine their worth. Continue reading

Wizard Quest Game Review (prepublished version)

United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) under President Lyndon Johnson, John W. Gardner, said “Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.” But what if your “ordinary” is already “extraordinary”? In this school of magic, to be the very best, you must prove that you not only have what it takes to control immense magical powers, but also have the wit to know when to focus on your own goals or see the goals of others as a means to personal success. Continue reading

My Little Scythe Game Review

American actor, writer, comedian, and voice actor, J.B. Smoove, said “You got to start by doing little things if your quest is to take over the world.” In this game, players will earn the right for their kingdom to rule over all, but not through force of strength or contest of will. Acts of kindness and the gathering of resources for the betterment of all is the path to the throne. The kingdom is yours for the taking, reaping the rewards that come with power, one small step at a time. Continue reading

Blackstone Castle Game Review (prepublished version)

American lawyer, U.S. Representative, social activist and a leader of the Women’s Movement, Bella Abzug, said “I spend all day figuring out how to beat the machine and knock the crap out of the political power structure.” A task easier said than done. In this game, players will be attempting to do the same as Ms. Abzug, manipulating the machine and adjusting the power structure in hopes of one day ruling the kingdom. Continue reading

Sheeple Game Review (prepublished version)

American spiritual teacher, author, and philosopher, Vernon Howard, said “A truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep.” Very true, and in most situations, I think this approach is valid. But not here. In this game, you desperately need the approval of others and the only way to do that is to think like them. Easy? Not at all because you need to be uniquely the same. Wrap your mind around that! Continue reading

Bingo Dice Game Review (prepublished version)

Indian politician, television personality and former cricketer, Navjot Singh Sidhu, said “One who doesn’t throw the dice can never expect to score a six.” Depending on the game (and the context), that is either a good thing or a bad thing. In the case of this game, you want a six, but not always. And when you want that six is critical to winning or making someone else lose. Pick up the dice and let them roll! Continue reading

Fantasy Pug Quest Game Review (prepublished version)

American fashion designer, Cynthia Rowley, said “Everything looks cute when it’s small.” Let’s test that theory. Giant undead dragon skeleton 20 feet tall belching hellfire? HOLY CRAP!!! Miniature undead dragon with big eyes and puffing a little wisp of smoke? Adorable! Looks like Ms. Rowley is correct. In this game, danger and daring is around every corner, but so is an almost lethal dose of cuteness. Continue reading

Capere Game Review

English author of fantasy novels (best known for his Discworld series), Terry Pratchett, said “Most gods throw dice, but Fate plays chess, and you don’t find out til too late that he’s been playing with two queens all along.” When it comes to the fate of man, we like to think we have both hands on the wheel. Controlling our own destiny. Which we might or might not. What if celestial beings took an interest in us, for better or worse? How could one win their favor and avoid their wrath? Not easily… Continue reading

Portals and Prophets Game Review

Jamaican-born political leader, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator, Marcus Garvey, said “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” Suggesting that to know who you really are, you must also know from where you and your family came from. What if you could travel through time to see the past in the present? In this game you can, connecting dots and faith through the centuries. Continue reading

Filibuster Game Review (prepubished version)

American author, politician, U.S. Ambassador and public conservative figure, Clare Boothe Luce, said “They say women talk too much. If you have worked in Congress you know that the filibuster was invented by men.” As a political tool, a filibuster can best be thought of as a blunt instrument, at best. Its single goal is to talk a political debate to death. In this game, there is a lot of killing…of political policies. Continue reading

Poetry Slam Game Review

American poet, Robert Frost, said “Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” Which begs the question what is going on when my youngest says, “Roses are red, violets are blue, I got some gum stuck to my shoe.” Which he did. Poetry, it would seem, can be about anything. Emotional, entertaining, and downright odd. It all works. Which is good because that’s what this game requires. Continue reading