The small island of Catan is rich with natural resources. There is grass for the sheep, mountains for ore , deep forests for wood, hills for clay bricks, and the fertile soil makes for bountiful wheat harvests. You and your people have sailed across the waters to arrive at this small island with plans to make it your new home, but you are not alone. Others have also arrived with plans to settle this land and make use of its riches. Continue reading
Espionage is a game where betrayal is a given. This makes it a lonely game for all to play, as there are no friends you can trust. The only thing you can depend on are your enemies because you know where they stand. No, it’s your supposed friends you have to be careful for. That nice waitress at the corner cafe and the kindly old man who feeds pigeons in the park could all be agents. The only way to survive is to be quicker, smarter, and more paranoid than everyone else. Welcome to the game, agent. Continue reading
I very much like this game. When I play it with my little geeks, it is an exercise in memorization and watching my children learn the subtle art of risk vs. reward, bluffing & misdirection, and ganging up on Daddy. When I play with casual gamers, it is a fun and relaxed game where we all laugh and roll our eyes at each other as we steal points and make bad decisions. When I play it with my Gamer Geek friends, it turns into a bloodbath and sharp words are exchanged at the table. Three very different game experiences with the same game. Games that can be played with such a wide group with different levels of experience and provide very different but always rewarding game play are rare. Continue reading
Jail is remarkably boring. All you do is sit around all day, perhaps workout, eat some food, and watch some TV. It’s like that everyday and will be the rest of your life unless you do something about it. The right thing to do is work to become a better person and get out of jail early for good behavior. But that will take forever, because you’ve got a lot to work on. Nope, the fastest way out of your cell is to breakout and make a run for it. Of course, you’ll have to avoid the guards, so digging a tunnel is the best way to go. And your High School guidance counselor said you lacked initiative! HA! Take that public education! Continue reading
Zombies are among us and only have one thing on their rotting minds – eat the living. Of course, humanity won’t be going down without a fight, regardless of the odds. And the odds, well, they aren’t good. No matter! You must lead those who would follow you and take out the undead hoard before they get you! Later, when the survivors scramble back to camp, you can drop some names and boast about the more popular undead you took down. Never mind it cost you 10 or so “volunteers” to do so. Continue reading
The choices you make in your life will lead you down the path to new opportunities. This same path could also lead you to a cliff. Thoughtful choices and determination is needed to succeed. An individual who understands that a healthy relationship is just as important (if not more so) than seeking out prosperity will go far. Knowledge and experience are also needed and will serve as invaluable tools. The choices you make will determine what choices are available to you in the future. Here’s hoping you pick the right ones. Continue reading
After a deadly virus spreads across the globe, civilization lies in ruin and the roads once used to travel swiftly from one location to another are now dangerous paths to walk. Many avoid travel altogether, preferring to stay safe behind walls that protect them from the outside world that has turned hostile. But there are a few brave and talented individuals who risk the ravaged land and walk the roads in search of adventure. You are one of these individuals. Continue reading
7 Wonders is a game where players try to lead an ancient civilization from its earliest beginnings to become a world power. Players can develop their civilization as military powerhouse, establish a merchant state, or master science and technology. Over a series of three Ages, players will first develop a collection of resources that are used in later Ages to build structures, train a military, research technologies, and even build a world wonder. The player who has the most developed civilization (i.e. victory points) after the third Age wins the game. Continue reading
Sentinels of the Multiverse is a lot of fun to play and keeps me coming back for more. Admittedly, I am a comic book geek, but even a person who is not will enjoy the game. Comics and comic book heroes are nothing more than the theme and serve as the narrative for the game play. But it’s not pasted on. Oh no, is certainly is not! The game is fresh every time I play it, challenging, social, and engaging. Simply awesome. Continue reading
The revolution continues and spreads in the hearts and minds of the people and now from town to city. The secret war for dominance and control has a new battle ground and new players. Within the Palace is the center of the government and the most coveted of individuals to vie for support. If you have the Royals as friends, your cause will certainly be made all the easier. Continue reading
The people will no longer tolerate the tomfoolery of the government. The status quo has failed and the word “revolution” is on the lips of every man, woman, and child. The pillars of society waver, but where others see chaos and disarray, you see opportunity. There is no possible way to salvage the old guard, but if one were to establish a seat of power in the new order, one could live a very comfortable life. Continue reading
Top This! is certainly not breaking any new ground, but it does a great job all the same. The pizza theme it uses as its background and base is perfect for the medium in which it is played. While the game won’t be winning any prestigious awards for complex and deep game play, it is sure to deliver fun and light entertainment. Continue reading
