Order Up Game Review

Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay said, “Kitchens are run on emotions. I may get upset. But the most important thing is, it’s not personal.” That might very well be, but when emotions run hot, the orders start flying in, and chaos erupts, a kitchen becomes a pressure cooker. In this game, all the players are attempting to get orders out the door as fast as they can, but there are only so many plates of ingredients to be had. The player who works the fastest and is the most aggressive will win, but don’t expect to make many friends along the way. Continue reading

Top Promoter Game Review

Legendary boxing promoter Don King said, “I don’t promote boxing, I promote people. Boxing is a catalyst to bring people together.” In this game, players will be doing the same. It’s not about the boxing, it’s about the people and the money it attracts. As a boxing promoter, you need to work with other promoters to create engaging boxing matches, but you don’t want your boxer to lose. Losers don’t take home paychecks. Continue reading

Hylaria Game Review (prepublished version)

Buddha reportedly said, “Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.” In this game, what you say and don’t say will be listened to, dissected, analyzed, and interpreted to mean something you most likely didn’t intend. Which might or might not have been your plan. Above all else, never say what you mean, but mean what you say though gestures, acting, whistles, fart noises, and so on. Pretty sure Buddha is now rolling his eyes. Continue reading

Earth Encounters Game Review (prepublished version)

Regardless of the counter-measures and fail-safes put in place, the MicroV has escaped. This deadly alien life form is invisible, intelligent, and will do anything to survive. Records show that a ship was stolen and is headed towards a remote planet in the Milky Way known as “Earth” by its inhabitants. You are being sent to find, capture, and return MicroV before it devours all life on Earth. But to do that, you will need the help of the earthlings. You must prove to them your superior intellect before they will take you seriously. Continue reading

Portholes Game Review

When the fully automated prison was opened, its governing AI was hailed as the greatest thing ever created. That was over 100 years ago. The AI, KAL 9000, is now old and slow. The prison population has been cut back to reduce the amount of demand on the AI, but it’s still being taxed. After it’s latest update, KAL 9000 divided by zero and decide that the most logical thing to do was to blow up the prison. As an inmate of LUNA-2, you have this one chance to get out before everything explodes. Continue reading

Wizards of the Wild Game Review (prepublished version)

In a remote region of the world there is an ancient circle of stones. There the talented and the foolhardy meet under the full moon to demonstrate their magical abilities. Some come to learn, but most come to dominate. In the world of magic, only the strong survive and flourish leaving the weak to bicker over whatever scraps of power remain. You have ventured to the circle of stones to prove your worth. Stepping into the circle, you see you are not alone. Continue reading

Zoo Webs Game Review (prepublished version)

Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa said, “Nature is everything and you are a part of nature.” Some believe we are all connected, which is an interesting notion. Some believe we are all individual islands of solitude, which is just depressing. I’m personally in the middle, believing every living thing shares a common bond, but are independent of the biomass. In this game, you’ll connect animals, insects, fish, and birds in a “web of life”, matching common characteristics to very different creatures. Continue reading

Vault Wars Game Review (prepublished version)

There are two ways to make your fortune in this world. The first is to go bravely forth into a forsaken dungeon, battle whatever unspeakable evil may live there, and return with a hoard of treasure. The second way is to wait until those foolish enough to venture into the darkness don’t come back and then claim their treasure for your own. You elected for the safer path to earn your fortune, but instead of dragons, you’ll be battling against greedy bidders. In this game, a sword won’t win the day, but a sharp mind most certainly will. Continue reading

Birds of a Feather Game Review (prepublished version)

Observing our feathered friends has been a pastime enjoyed for generations. It allows an individual to explore their backyard or surrounding wilderness to catch sight of birds both big and small. There are birdwatching books, clubs, websites, and now a game. Visit different locations, spot birds, and rack up the points. The player with the best birding instincts will win the day. Continue reading

Dino Race Game Review

Paleontologists have not discovered anything to suggest that dinosaurs had an advanced culture. No evidence of buildings, cell phones, or hot dog stands from the time of the dinosaurs have been found among the fossilized remains. Another question yet to be answered is if the dinosaurs played organized sports. In this game, you get to participate in one of the oldest sporting events in the pre-history of the world. Continue reading

Castle Assault Game Review (prepublished version)

Essayist George Santayana said, ” Only the dead have seen the end of war.” In the real world, yes. War is horrific. In a fantasy world and on your gaming table, this is not the case. War in games gives players an opportunity to flex their tactical muscle and strengthen their strategic mind. Wargames do not celebrate war, but look to analyze, understand, and recognize what war is truly about. In this game, you will be confronted with a single task and a tenacious adversary. Victory will go to the player who knows that sacrifice is necessary to win. Continue reading

Trainmaker Game Review (prepublished version)

The most fundamental concept of economics is supply and demand. One group has goods to sell and the other group has money to burn. What’s missing is the middleman who makes certain the supply reaches those who demand it. That’s where you come in. You have the money and the means to build a railroad empire. With luck and determination, you could make history. Continue reading