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....

Mage Wars: Forcemaster vs. Warlord Game Expansion Review

The schools of magic have long attempted to outdo one another, thus the war between the Mages. The arena has been the proving ground of many a young Mage and the end of countless fools. The arena floor is stained by blood, blackened by scorch marks, and littered with the bones of those who were not strong or quick enough to best their foe. It is here that two new Mages have come to prove their might and the strength of their magic, or die trying. Continue reading

Salmon Run Game Review

Ah, the wild salmon. Truly an incredible fish who spends their lives in the ocean blue, but will risk it all to take a journey full of danger to reach the spawning ponds to lay their eggs and continue the cycle of life. Along the way, the salmon must overcome the many natural obstacles of the river, like rocks and waterfalls, but there are more threatening obstacles in their path. For example, the eagle and bear who look at the salmon runs as a giant smorgasbord. Continue reading

Kerflip! (2nd Edition) Game Review

A fast mind and a fast tongue are only two of the tools needed to play this game. A player must also listen, observe, and search for words that score big points! As the words are found, the number of points letters are worth begins to drop. Using a word that was shouted by another player is strictly forbidden, but using the word to create a longer word is highly encouraged. First to find a word scores big! Just make sure it’s a real word before shouting it. Continue reading

Dungeon Roll Game Review (prepublished version)

Legends are born from great deeds forged in the fires of trials and tribulations. A group of adventurers have gathered at the entrance to a dungeon known to be deep, dark, and full of monsters. Some come to make a name for themselves, while others just want to get rich. Whatever their motivation, they are willing to risk it all for the treasure that lies hidden below. Weapons drawn, they begin their journey downward that will either end in fame and fortune or doom. Continue reading

Scrapland Scramble Game Review

The airship marked a turning point in society. Now the skies were open to exploration, commerce, and illegal activity. The clouds became hiding places for Speakeasies, black market dealers, and much more unsavory activities. As a result, the Sky Patrol was created to help keep the peace. In an attempt to avoid being arrested during a recent “job”, you have accidentally wrecked your airship along with a few unlucky others. Fix your airship as quickly as possible to avoid certain incarceration! Continue reading

Drive Them Back Game Review

The legend goes something like this. The army was reportedly 500 soldiers strong and armed to the teeth. Every opponent who battled them lost and nothing but ruin was left in their wake. This army was now about to advance on a small town with no visible defenses except for a few lone warriors. The army officers scoffed and ordered their men to attack the fools who stood in their way. It was the last order they would ever give. Continue reading

Crazy Creatures of Dr. Gloom Game Review

Something frightfully exciting is taking place this evening at Dr. Gloom’s laboratory! He has invented a machine that will bring to life amazing new creatures that the World has never seen! Through SCIENCE, Dr. Gloom can alter the age of his creatures just by throwing a switch. While it would be horrific to let the creatures escape, Dr. Gloom feels really good about his chances of winning the Mad Scientist of the Year award! Oh, and he’s put you in charge of the lab WITH the creatures. Continue reading

King of Crime: Bootleg Edition Game Review (prepublished version)

Welcome to the early 1930’s. Prohibition has made it possible for enterprising individuals to make a great amount of money selling illegal alcohol. Of course, the major criminal “Families” have been involved from the start, but their criminal exploits and ambitions far exceed those of the common bootlegger. There are only so many rackets and riches to go around, however, and that means you’ll have to fight for what you earn to keep your “Family” flush with cash! Continue reading

Hoplomachus: The Lost Cities Game Review

The great arena has thrilled and horrified for generations. Within its walls and on its sandy floor, countless brave men and horrific beasts have bled and perished. It is a symbol of strength, a proving ground for future legends, and a visible reminder to enemies the might and brutality of the Roman Empire. Warriors from 3 cities thought lost to Rome have now entered the area. Do they hope to become legends or are they secretly testing the defenses of the empire that hast turned from them? Continue reading

The Rise of the Geeks

Geek culture has become trendy in the last number of years. Shows like “The Big Bang Theory” have taken your standard geek with light Asperger’s syndrome and made them chic. Being “smart”, “nerdy”, and above all, “slightly eccentric” is the new cool. Emphasis on the “slightly” here. Society isn’t ready for Furries to start walking down the street…yet…. Continue reading

Deck of Thieves (prepublished version)

The Lords and Ladies might rule the land, but it’s the Thief Guilds who control the streets of the cities. A vast network of skilled pickpockets, cutpurses, and tricksters make up the rank and file of every guild. And they all answer to you, Guild Master. Good thing, too, because a new Big Boss is needed to lead all the guilds and that position is only given to the most cleverest and resourceful of thieves. Whoever wins, controls all. Continue reading

The Card Game of Oz Game Review (prepublished version)

Oz is not a happy fairy tale. Politics and intrigue are rampant as power struggles between opposing forces divides the land and its people. It is here that a young girl from Kansas first enters the story as a hapless traveler and later becomes Oz’s greatest hero. Lifted right from the pages of L. Frank Baum’s Oz books, the history of the land and its strange inhabitants are presented to the players to explore and rewrite as they see fit. Continue reading