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....

Between Two Cities Game Review (prepublished version)

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American businessman James E. Casey said, “One measure of your success will be the degree to which you build up others who work with you. While building up others, you will build up yourself.” Mr. Casey’s statement holds true within the context of this game. You must cooperatively build a city with a partner on your left and on your right. But don’t be too generous. While this game does require cooperation, only 1 player can be the winner. Continue reading →

Democracy: Majority Rules Game Review

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Aristotle said, “Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers.” Change often causes conflict and more times than not is fueled by the unrest of the populace. It’s the politician’s job to listen to their constituents and champion them, passing laws intended to better their lives. In theory. Most of the time, it’s about jockeying for political position, making deals, granting favors, and getting your way. In this game, power may come from the people, but it’s you who will wield it. Continue reading →

Rune Crafter Game Review

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The art of crafting magical Runestones has been passed down in secret for generations. Each new student later becomes the teacher, showing the next generation how to craft the mystic runes. But the natural order of things has been disturbed. New powerful Runestones have been created and the balance of power has shifted. Now the Rune Crafters battle each other to control this new power. Some do so for prestige, while others are simply trying to survive. Continue reading →

Legends and Lies: Mysterious Locations Game Expansion Review

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Many believe there are locations on our planet that are unique. Some are the source of spiritual and supernatural springs that individuals can tap into. Other locations are doorways to different dimensions and to places best left unspoken. These strange places are found in some of the most remote locations of the world and in the backyards of modern-day suburbia. For those who search for the truth and believe that there is more to our reality than what we can simply see, these locations are frequently visited. Continue reading →

Imperial Harvest Game Review (prepublished version)

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The Royal Strawberry is believed by many to be the most perfect thing in existence. Nations have gone to war for just a taste of this magical fruit. When the Emperor came to power, he constructed a giant wall around the last known place the Royal Strawberries grew and tasked heroes to protect the garden. But outside the garden walls, the Northern Raiders plotted to enter the garden and steal the Royal Strawberries for their own! The garden is about to get “berry” competitive. Continue reading →

Project Dreamscape Game Review (prepublished version)

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Between the state of begin awake and our deepest slumber, the realm of dreams can be found. Scientists have invented a machine that can now measure, observe, and record our dreams, but the machine is not yet ready for release. Test subjects are needed to help discover flaws in the system. You have been selected to help test the machine and make history, but there is a catch. The dream recording machine will not let you wake up once the test begins. Pray for sweet dreams because you won’t be able to escape your own nightmares. Continue reading →

Gauntlet of Heroes Game Review (prepublished version)

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It all started with a boast that one group of adventurers sitting at a table was better than another group of adventurers sitting at a table a few feet away. Words were exchanged, followed by fists. When the smashed tables were cleared and everyone calmed down, the adventurers decided that the best way to prove which group was better was to raid one of the most dangerous Crypts in the area. Dangerous and potentially highly profitable! The team that survived the Crypt with the most gold would win. This sounded great to the inn keeper because someone was going to have to pay him for the damages. Continue reading →

Hoplomachus: Rise of Rome Game Review

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The crowds cheer and chant the for the men who have come to fight and die in the arena. The names of the fallen and those gladiators still fighting are shouted from windows, doorways, and streets with more love than the name of the Emperor. Which, as you can imagine, has the Emperor worried. Concerned that his own reputation is on the line (not to mention his life), the Emperor decrees that Rome and Pompeii will now enter the arena to show the Empire that the greatest warriors are those who are loyal to the Emperor and the Emperor alone. Continue reading →

Monarch Game Review (prepublished version)

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It was a somber moment. Surrounding the dying Queen were each of her daughters. They had grown from helpless babes to strong young women. The Queen knew that each of her children would rule the land wisely, but there was only one throne. In her last moments, she told her daughters that the kingdom would go to the princess who brought the most prosperity and glory to the people. Then she passed quietly and peacefully. The Queen is dead, but a new queen will soon rise. Continue reading →

Tiny Epic Defenders Game Review

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After the Great War, the land and its people were broken. From the ashes arose a new ideal and hope. The surviving races would gather and build a great city where all could live in peace. In less time than it took to destroy the kingdom, a new one was born. At its center was the Capital City which stood like a beacon to guide the lost. But beyond the border of the newly healed lands, something festered. Darkness looked upon the kingdom and felt hate in its heart. Continue reading →

The Amberden Affair Game Review

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It’s a well-known fact that the Amberden’s throw the best parties. The guest list reads like a “who’s who” of society’s elite. So renowned are these parties that it’s common for an individual to make or break their fortune by simply attending. But for you, this is of little concern. The glitz and glam of the event pale in comparison to your passionate goal of permanently removing some of the party attendees. A few drops of poison should do the trick… Continue reading →

Bullfrogs Game Review

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There is a quote in the game’s rule book from Sun Tzu, a Chinese military strategist and philosopher, that sums up this game perfectly. “Just as water retains no constant shape, in warfare there are no constant conditions.” In this game, players will be attempting to capture floating territories. When they do, the very landscape they are fighting on shifts and even disappears. The key to victory in this game is not military might, but the ability to quickly adapt. Continue reading →