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....

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

Influence Game Review (prepublished version)

The art of diplomacy and intrigue is only mastered by those who are truly devoted to the craft. Subtle is the brush that gently paints hints and suggestions into the minds of influential leaders. If done correctly, a single masterful stroke is worth a thousand soldiers and a well-timed flourish of words can bring down castle walls. It is a dangerous game full of lies and treachery, but the rewards are nothing short of the Keys to the Kingdom and worth the risk! Continue reading

Exodus Trading Card Game Review

They are known as Drifters, individuals who can travel from one plane of existence to another. Some see them as saviors and others as heralds of doom. Wherever they appear, change is certain to follow. From out of nothingness, these Drifters create fantastic creatures of legend and bend the very fabric of reality to their Will. For theirs is the power of creation and destruction, and they eternally battle each other for dominance over all. Continue reading

Jenga BOOM Game Review

Pop quiz, hot-shot! You’ve got less than a minute to carefully move a block from a stack and then balance it on a wobbly tower. What’s the only thought that should be in your head? HA! Trick question, rookie! That answer is “nothing”! This is a game where you only have time to do two things: be quick and precise! Leave your brain at the door, check your gut, and bring your moxie! Continue reading

Little Devils Game Review

The phrase “the devil is in the details” is exceedingly apropos when it comes to this seemingly simple trick-taking card game. Playing the winning card is not always the best action to take and sometimes taking a big penalty is exactly what you need to win. This is a game of thinking in two directions at once and keeping track of the little devils that will determine if you win or lose. Continue reading

Pieces of Eight – Buccaneers Game Expansion Review

Every pirate will eagerly tell you that if a little is good, more is better. This sentiment is the backbone of all that they live and die for. They never have enough rum, gold, or adventure. It drives them into danger and often times rewards them with fortune. Or death. Mostly death. Still, pirate captains are never hurting for volunteers to help man their ships! Continue reading

Pieces of Eight Deluxe Edition Game Review

Every pirate captain’s wish is to earn enough gold to retire. Preferably before they lose a limb, or worse yet, are captured and hung. Be they men or women, these pirate captains know that there is much risk in their daring ventures, but the rewards are too tempting to ignore. If they get enough gold and make a big enough name for themselves, they can retire to a life of luxury. Death at sea is just one of the many risks they are willing to take! Continue reading

What’s Your Cosmo Game System Review

Spelling and math collide in this deck of 100 unique cards. This is not a game, but a game system that invites players to sit down and enjoy a variety of games that will challenge the mind. Big letters and small numbers make the cards easy to read and to identify for the Child Geeks, but the games included are fun for the whole family. With an open invite to create new games, budding game designers can use the cards to create endless fun. Continue reading

The Drive on Metz Game Review

It’s the morning of September 7th, 1944. If he can, Patton will take control of the city of Metz and cross the Moselle river. If they can do it fast enough, the United States can stop the retreating German forces from rallying. Historically, the Germans won, but the battle could have gone either way. If the United States had won, World Ward II could have ended months early, saving a countless number of lives on all sides. Continue reading

Farns Filoworth’s Dirigible Disaster Game Review

Dr. Filoworth is known as something of an eccentric inventor, but his genius has never been in doubt. What is in doubt is his judgement. His latest creation, the Victoriana, was hastily built and is now being launched. Oh, sure, she’ll fly, but there is a lot that can go wrong. To address this, Dr. Filoworth has hired you and a few others to repair and rebuild when and where needed 1000 feet above the ground in a not-yet-finished dirigible airship. Continue reading