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....

Sticks! Game Review

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British author, speaker and international advisor on education in the arts to government, non-profits, education and arts bodies, Sir Kenneth Robinson, said “Creativity is putting your imagination to work, and it’s produced the most extraordinary results in human culture.” Imagination is truly powerful, and the more we use it, the better it becomes. In this game, simple rules and game components give the players just enough to get them started and nothing to hold them back. Continue reading →

Aftershock: A Tavern Game Review

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Indian economist and an international academician, Raghuram Govind Rajan, said “Competition is like a treadmill. If you stand still, you get swept off. But when you run, you can never really get ahead of the treadmill and cover new terrain – so you never run faster than the speed that is set.” But what if you could shift the direction in which that treadmill was moving? Say, from going forward to backwards and then sideways? That would certainly cause many to fall on their face. In this game, expect the ground you are building your victory upon to shift without warning. Continue reading →

uDog Game Review

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British publisher, Henry George Bohn, said “Every dog is a lion at home.” In this game, each player will control a small set of marbles (or dogs, if you like). The objective is clear. Take those marbles and bring them home, but the road is not an easy one to travel. As they journey, players will encounter other “dogs” who will get in the way and even cause progress gained to be quickly lost. Continue reading →

Smoking Aces Game Review

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American hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, bestselling author, venture capitalist and podcaster, James Altucher, said “Poker is a skill game pretending to be a chance game.” Poker is a card game that has been played for generations. Be it around the campfire out on the lone prairie or at a high-stakes table in Vegas, the game is always the same. Play your card, take a risk, and attempt to out think your opponent. This Poker derivative, however, adds a twist. Continue reading →

My First Castle Panic Game Review

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American poet, peacemaker, and a philosopher who played, Mattie J.T. Stepanek, said “Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” In this game, all players must work together to save their castle. This is a children’s game, but the lessons in cooperation it teaches is worth an adult’s time. Get the family together and save your kingdom! Continue reading →

Pathogenesis Game Review (prepublished version)

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American science, nature and travel writer, David Quammen, said “You can’t take a knife on a plane anymore, but you can get on carrying a virus.” Suggesting that a virus is just as dangerous as a weapon, which is correct. The Center for Disease control calculated that 48.8 million people suffered the flu in 2018. Out of that number, 79,400 lost their lives to it. Death by a virus. Something so small you need a powerful microscope to see it. In this game, you will play as the virus attacking the body. It’s an epic battle at a very micro-level. Continue reading →

Invictus Game Review (prepublished version)

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French general and military theorist, Ferdinand Foch, said “The will to conquer is the first condition of victory.” Mankind has grown bold and powerful, turning to their faith in technology rather than the gods. It’s time to put mankind back in its place, but who shall lead? The most powerful? The most cunning? While mankind battles on the earth below, the gods battle among themselves to rule all. Continue reading →

Danger: The Game Review

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American comedian, actor, juggler and writer, W.C. Fields, said “The world is getting to be such a dangerous place, a man is lucky to get out of it alive.” For many of us, our daily lives are full of predictable situations and outcomes. The most dangerous experience we’ll have are more of an annoyance than actual threat to life and limb. In this game, prepare to be put in very bad situations that you’ll have to quickly determine how best to get out of using your imagination, wit, and lot of persuading. Continue reading →

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 →