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....

Tahiti Game Review

By | |
Leave a comment

American playwright, essayist, and figure in twentieth-century American theater, Arthur Miller, said “Where choice begins, Paradise ends, innocence ends, for what is Paradise but the absence of any need to choose this action?” In this game, you live on a beautiful tropical island that is rich with beauty, but not with resources. You must brave the ocean and visit nearby islands in hopes of finding what you need to survive. Be smart or your paradise will turn into a hell. Continue reading →

Mapmaker: The Gerrymandering Game Review (prepublished version)

By | |
Leave a comment

Ancient Roman statesman, orator, lawyer and philosopher, Marcus Tullius Cicero, said “Nothing is more unreliable than the populace, nothing more obscure than human intentions, nothing more deceptive than the whole electoral system.” He died, by the way, for political reasons, so we can properly assume he knew what he was talking about. In this game, physical death by sword is not a possibility, but a political death is only a vote away. Continue reading →

Evil Overlord Game Review (prepublished version)

By | |
Leave a comment

Contemporary American crime writer, Patricia Cornwell, said “I believe the root of all evil is abuse of power.” In this game, abusing power by any means possible is the name of the game. You are a lesser lord of evil, but what you really want to be when you grow up is an Evil Overlord, the supreme ruler of all of things “not good or even remotely great”. But there’s a catch. You are not the only one with ambition and the hordes of evil at your command can be cantankerous. Oh, well. If it was easy, you’d most likely wouldn’t want the job. Continue reading →

Tales of Danger: Days of Discovery Game Review

By | |
Leave a comment

Portugal 1290. The known world is divided up and ruled by kings and queens, each looking for opportunities to extend their kingdoms and influence. You are an explorer, a sailor, and adventurer. You have found what appears to be an unknown chain of islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. If your charts and information is correct, these islands will serve as a foothold into the unknown world! But first, you must convince the royal powers that such a trip is worth taking, then find a crew and a sea worthy boat. Then, finally, take the voyage itself to the fabled “Land of Danger”. Continue reading →

Monkey Game Review

By | |
Leave a comment

The crazy wizard, Kurgill, has had it up to here with the monkeys outside his castle. He’s decided to take matters into his own hands and has cleverly placed traps on the trees the monkey’s swing from, including spells. The monkeys, not liking Kurgill very much, know that the only way to beat the old wiz at his game is to play along. And so, the monkeys make best of a bad situation, challenging themselves in the process to a race. Continue reading →

Naval Battle Game Review

By | |
Leave a comment

Latin writer, Publilius Syrus, said “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.” In this game, the sea is anything but calm. It’s a battleground. Each player will command a small group of ships and hunt for their enemy. Hide behind islands and ambush your foe, but pray that the wind be at your back and luck be on your side. Victory will be given  to the bold. The loser will be sent to a watery grave. Continue reading →

Attack on Titan: The Last Stand Game Review

By | |
Leave a comment

A titan has breached the walls of the city! It’s up to you and your small team to take it down before it devours the nearby citizens. You’ll need to risk it all and be prepared to sacrifice everything to complete your mission. Your enemy is a relentless eating machine. It only knows how to devour, but is far from stupid. Work together to take down the giant and save the day! Continue reading →

Senshi Game Review

By | |
Leave a comment

Master Kahn, a character in the TV show Kung Fu, said “In striving for an ideal, we do not seek rewards. Yet trust does sometimes bring with it a great reward, even greater than good.” In this game, all the players are competing to be the best, but by doing so, they also reward their peers through their efforts. There can be only one master of the temple, but if one is to master all, players must learn that a selfish path is the slow way to victory. It’s better to share the wisdom then to leave others in the dark. But only to a certain degree… Continue reading →

V-Commandos Game Review

By | |
Leave a comment

American martial artist, actor, film producer and screenwriter, Chuck Norris, said “In times of conflict, our citizens have always been able to rise to the challenge. Maybe no greater example of that ability is found during the onset of World War II.” World War II is now romanticized as a time of great heroism, full of colorful characters, and brave acts. Which of course it was, but the horror of the “Second Great War” has been lost as the generation who fought it leave us. In this game, players take on the roles of brave soldiers from different countries who must work together against terrible odds. It might be just a game, but sacrifice and duty for a greater good is the premise. Continue reading →

Sunset Over Water Game Review

By | |
Leave a comment

American aviator, military officer, author, inventor, explorer, and environmental activist, Charles Lindbergh, said “Life is like a landscape. You live in the midst of it but can describe it only from the vantage point of distance.” Landscape paintings attempt to capture the full view of a moment in time. Artists hike to remote locations to find that special vantage point where the sky and ground, light and shadow, depth and vision merge into a perfect picture at a precise moment. In this game, you have the same task, but plan your day wisely. Distance and time are not an artist’s friend. Continue reading →

Jurassic Park: Danger! Game Review

By | |
Leave a comment

American film director and screenwriter, Colin Trevorrow, said “There’s something about dinosaurs that should be very humbling to human beings.” Humankind has long been fascinated with these ancient lizards. We dig up their bones, dream of them, and yet are not frightened by their size and strength. Which makes sense because they are extinct. But what if they weren’t…? Continue reading →

Heroes and Treasure Role-Playing Game Review (prepublished version)

By | |
Leave a comment

German-American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst, Erik Erikson, said “The playing adult steps side-ward into another reality; the playing child advances forward to new stages of mastery.” Role-playing games challenge people to create concrete solutions from abstract ideas. Imagination in such games is an invaluable tool. Children have an incredible imagination, and now thanks to this game, they have an opportunity to explore new worlds with their family. Continue reading →