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....

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 →

Weather Wars Game Review (prepublished version)

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The Guzunganator is a technical marvel! With just a twist of a dial, summer can become winter or rain can give way to a sunny day. For the two partners who created it, Nigel the Frozen Zookeeper and Sun Tree Moon the Organic Farmer, the weather machine is the result of years of study, effort, and sacrifice. Now that they have it, there is just one little problem: neither of the two want to share it with the other! There greed and selfishness has now stated a war. Continue reading →

Family Vacation Game Review (prepublished version)

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The “traditional family vacation” requires the entire family to pack themselves into a car full of luggage and then travel for miles and miles to see “something”. Then the car is turned towards home. Doesn’t sound like much fun, but for those who get to experience it, a family vacation is an event that will create many happy memories, embarrassing stories, and moments that will make any family come closer together, regardless if the biggest ball of twine is seen or not. Continue reading →

VivaJava Game Review

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Cup after cup after cup, people can’t seem to get enough coffee! Be it served with cream, foam, syrup , hot, or cold, the market just keeps drinking! But the consumers quickly grow tired of the same-old-same-old and yearn for new tastes and ways to enjoy the coffee bean. That’s where you come in. You have been tasked to blend new beans, research new techniques, and dominate the best-seller list. But you can’t do it alone. Continue reading →

Mage Wars: Forcemaster vs. Warlord Game Expansion Review

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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

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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 →