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....

Together We Are Strong Game Review

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Gamification is the use of game thinking and game mechanics in a non-game context in order to engage users and solve problems. For this game, solving problems is focused on group cooperative team play to tackle some of life’s most difficult and personal issues. Physical, social, and psychological problems will be presented to the players to address as a group. No one player can do it all alone, however, and only by working together can all the problems be successfully solved. Continue reading →

Conundrum Game Review

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A simple deck of cards has been used as the cornerstone of countless games and for some of the earliest. The first playing cards appeared in the ninth century during the Tang dynasty in China and have been part of just about every culture in the world since. Many of our first game experiences involve a standard deck of playing cards, but the thrill of 52 cards is long since gone for most gaming enthusiast. Can we find love for our decks of plain old cards again? What a conundrum! Continue reading →

Upon a Fable Game Review (prepublished version)

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Myths and legends always have a seed of truth in them. Our stories of dragons and knights, princesses and floating castles, might seem mystical and make-believe but there is a land where they exist. In the Worlds of Wonder, magic is common place and reality is not like our own. And yet, this world set apart, is dependent on us. For it’s from Earth dreams are born and fly to populate and empower the rulers of the mystical lands. They now ask for your help to build their kingdom! Continue reading →

Super Tooth Game Review (prepublished version)

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It is the age of the dinosaur. Both small and large varieties walk the earth, swim the oceans, and fly the skies. They are the rulers of the world and their domain is fraught with the constant struggle for survival. Meat-eaters hunt the plant-eaters and the plant-eaters hunt for the perfect salad. This is a game of survival and only a player with a logical mind can save the hunted from the hunters! Continue reading →

Relic Expedition Game Review (prepublished version)

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For many rational individuals, the idea of being dropped into the middle of a jungle with limited supplies sounds like an idiotic idea. Then again, most individuals don’t know about the treasures to be found. Hidden in the jungle are relics from an ancient and long-lost civilization. Rumors abound of the wealth that is available under the dense green canopy and many seek it. Few return. The jungle awaits the brave and the foolish, luring them with promises of riches. Continue reading →

Leathernecks ’43 Game Review

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After several days of bombardment from nearby U.S. naval battleships, the 2nd Division of the United States Marine Corps made their way to the small island of Tarawa. The objective was simple: take the island, but Tarawa was heavily fortified by the Japanese forces that occupied it with 500 pillboxes and many machine gun nests. The Top Brass knew the assault was risky and dangerous. They were right. During the 76 hours of combat, nearly 6,000 Japanese and Americans died. Continue reading →

Sails of Glory Game Review (prepublished version)

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The great sailing ship cuts through the water like a wooden behemoth. Below deck, cannons are being cleaned and prepped as the officers above deck look to the horizon for signs of their adversary. At first, nothing but the blue upon endless blue of the ocean. Then…yes! There! Look to starboard! A black spot! For a moment, all is still as if the ship is holding its breath. “Prepare to engage the enemy, Mr. Smith”, the captain calmly states. Moments later, the ship bristles with guns ready for war. Continue reading →

Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predaking Toy Review

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Thought to be extinct and nothing more than Cybertronian legend, the Decepticons have found fossil remains of dragons! Using their technology, they have secured enough fragments to clone the mythical beasts and enlist them into the Decepticon ranks. Now Optimus Prime and his brave Autobots must not only fight the Decepticons, but a living nightmare, as well! The Autobots will never sleep again once Predaking arrives! Continue reading →

Migration: A Story of Generations Game Review

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The story of how we came to this land is known by every child and retold by the elders again and again. We do this so we do not forget the challenges and sacrifices so many made. For some, they followed a dream. For others, it was pure ambition. Regardless of how or why the explorers came to the new land – what we now call home – every generation that comes after is part of their story, as they are a part of ours. Continue reading →

Lost Temple Game Review

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Legends speak of a lost temple filled with unimaginable wealth. Treasure hunters have come from around the world to search the surrounding jungle in hopes of finding the lost temple, and in doing so, earning fame and fortune. But many have tried and few have returned. Nevertheless, the draw of riches and prestige keeps adventurers arriving at the small village in large numbers. The local villagers are only too happy to assist…for a price. Continue reading →

FrogFlip Game Review

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The quiet waters of the forest pond reflect the near perfect blue sky above. Ducks gracefully glide upon the pond’s surface and the sound of buzzing insects can be heard between the willows. Suddenly, the serenity of the scene is shattered as a big frog screams “CANNONBALL!” and jumps into the pond! SPLASH! Ducks and bugs scatter. All that remains is the frog who quietly paddles back to shore, laughing. Continue reading →

Bit Shift Game Review

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Any programmer who knows their stuff can tell you what a “bit” is. For those who don’t know, it’s the smallest unit of information capable on a machine. While a human will only see a zero or a one, the computer reads it as “True” or “False”, “On” or “Off”, and “Yes” or “No”. Essentially the base of the most basic of decision making requirements. While this game will not teach you how to program, it will most certainly get your brain working. Continue reading →