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....

Monsters and Maidens: Epic Dice Game Expansion Review

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Rescuing maidens has never been an easy job, but it does have its advantages. For one thing, a hero who rescues maidens has guaranteed job security. For some reason, maidens are always being captured and in need of rescue. To the untrained eye, it all seems rather straightforward, but there is so much more to it. For example, what tools should you bring? What is the weather going to be like? Are there any dragons or kings nearby? All important questions that need answers, because the answer could mean the difference between success or epic failure. Continue reading →

Monsters and Maidens Game Review

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Maidens are under contractual agreement to be captured by monsters no less than 5 times per year. This coincides with the monster’s labor union bylaws (subsection “F”) that guarantees each monster no fewer than 10 maiden abductions every 2 years, give or take a maiden. Heroes, however, have no such contractual agreement and have long since fought the idea of unionization. This, as you might have guessed, causes a bit of friction. The heroes, being free agents, seldom care to adhere to the standardization set many years ago. Maidens don’t seem to mind much, but the monsters are getting pretty fed up. Continue reading →

Exploit! Game Review

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There has been no wind for almost 3 weeks and the pirate crew is becoming more wrestles and unruly by the day. Fights are breaking out and friends are turning into enemies. Supplies are low and there is talk of mutiny. If you want to survive this voyage you’ll need to make certain you remove anyone who might get in your way before they remove you. Continue reading →

The Last Zombie

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After the zombie invasion, humanity had a pickle of a problem. Zombies are really hard to destroy, making it necessary to keep them all on a remote island in order to keep everyone safe. From time to time, teenagers and thrill seekers would travel to the island, jump the fences, avoid the security guards, and drop into the zombie pits. Once there, they would play a game… Continue reading →

Hoplomachus Series Add-On Review

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The crowds were becoming wrestles. No longer were they satisfied with the Gladiators who fought and died bravely, spilling their blood upon the sand. The crowds wanted more and the owners of the arena obliged. From the far reaches of the Empire, new warriors have arrived, bringing with them exotic weapons of death, fantastic animal combatants, and new heroes to cheer for. Once again, the crowd was content. Continue reading →

City of Gears Game Review

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It was to be known as the City of Gears. A city powered by steam and a dream to advance the human race. Robot workers would maintain the city as its human occupants looked on in wonderment at the technical marvels it contained. Sadly, the inventor of this great city parishes before it could open its doors to the world. It’s now up to you, a collection of inventors, entrepreneurs, and opportunists, to finish the work that was started. Bring the city to life, and if possible, take full credit for all the work. Continue reading →

Extraterrestrial Grail Game Review

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The universe is about to end. For the many different alien races, the Grail is the one thing that promises life and safety. For some, the Grail is a spaceship. For others, it’s a new planet. You have been tasked to search the stars and find the Grail before others claim it. Risk everything and take no prisoners to save your species from certain annihilation. Continue reading →

Kill the Overlord Game Review

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Milton Friedman once said, “Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat scorned.” This game epitomizes Mr. Friedman’s sentiment. One player is the Overlord, an individual with absolute power, and they have but one goal: take out the trash. In this case, the “trash” if everyone in their court, from the lowliest servant to the most seemingly loyal patron. The only way to survive the mass execution is to ensure someone else gets “the chop” before you. Politics can be a deadly business. Continue reading →

Dungeonling: Battle Game Review

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Owning a dungeon is not all that it’s cracked up to be. A lot of people don’t realize how much work it is to keep pesky adventurers out, the daily maintenance of traps, and the never-ending department meetings with minions. It’s enough to make a Dungeon Lord crazy and call it quits. Which would explain the high turnover in the business. Well, that and the fact that dungeons are dangerous places to work. Still, you go to “The Job” every morning and count the days until you retire. Meh. It’s a living. Continue reading →

Dead Man’s Draw Game Review

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A pirate’s life is not exciting the majority of time. It’s mostly work and boredom. Long sea voyages with little to look at but the horizon and nothing to do but find creative ways to kill time. One such way is to risk everything you’ve earned in a game of chance. You could lose it all or gain even more than you thought possible. It all comes down to a single flip of a card… Continue reading →

Pluto Attacks! Game Review

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Staying up all night and watching the stars was meant to be an entertaining evening with your friends. Looking up at the perfectly clear night, everyone was delighted to see a shooting star streak across the sky. Delight quickly turned to horror as the “star” stopped in mid-flight and then landed in a nearby cornfield. Investigating, you and your friends discover that aliens have landed! Time to show your small town how great the high school seniors are and save humanity! But do it fast, as Prom is next weekend. Continue reading →

Separation Anxiety Game Review

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How we perceive the world around us is not the same as the person to the left or right of us. Life experience, mood, education, geographic location, and a hundred or more other aspects of what makes up the “human experience” merge to create the borders of our perception. In this game, you are asked to do two very simple things. First, identify three words. Second, determine which of the three words do not belong and why. Sound simple? It isn’t. Prepare to be separated from your comfort zone. Continue reading →