Delicious Game Review

English architect, landscape architect, painter, and furniture designer of the early 18th century, William Kent, said “All gardening is landscape painting.” In this game, you creatively plant and organize several garden planters as you attempt to combine similar and dissimilar fruits and vegetables. This is a game that requires players to think less about strategy and more about tactical decisions at the moment. Taking risks, however, is all part of gardening and what makes it such a joy. Grab your gardening gloves and get ready to play in the dirt! It’s time to plant something delicious! Continue reading

Shipping Showdown Game Review

Jamaican-Canadian billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Michael Lee-Chin, said “My first playpen was a cardboard box.” I have many fond memories of playing in cardboard boxes myself. Making them into forts or using them to build a robot (that I might have also worn as a costume). But those boxes serve the initial purpose of holding things. In this game, you’ll be tasked to fill boxes full of items as quickly as you can. Fill it up and send it out! Just be careful that your fellow box-packers don’t upset your productivity! Continue reading

Dawn Game Review

American architect, who has been called a “father of skyscrapers” and “father of modernism,” Louis Sullivan said, “What the people are within, the buildings express without.” In this game, everyone at the table is outwardly working to build a beautiful new town for you to live in. Inside, however, they might not be what they seem. To your right might be those who work to ensure the town prospers or fails. Do you take the hard path and work towards building a new home for all, or secretly hoard your wealth to survive? The choice is yours, but the outcome is up to everyone. Continue reading

Shut Up, Cat! Game Review (prepublished version)

English humorist, satirist, and author of fantasy novels, best known for his Discworld series, Terry Pratchett said, “In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” If you have ever owned a cat or even been around one for any length of time, you know that these four-legged domesticated pets have an air of superiority and a level of confidence that far outweighs their abilities. To say they are willful creatures is a gross understatement to extreme extremes. That said, they are also lovable and compassionate. In this game, the family’s beloved cat makes a lot of noise when the rest of the family attempts to sleep. Good luck trying to change the cat’s mind that it’s quiet time. Continue reading

Jump Gate (Fourth Edition) Game Review

Business magnate and investor Elon Musk, best known for Tesla and SpaceX, said, “I think we are at the dawn of a new era in commercial space exploration.” Yes, soon, you can expect trucks, traffic jams, and giant floating billboard signs in space. In this game, a recent technological breakthrough allows humans to travel great distances in seconds, allowing for quick jumps to neighboring galaxies long thought unreachable. Such a wonder allows us to explore distant reaches of space like it was our backyard. And explore we do, not only with a great sense of wonder but for a need for profit. After all, owning a spaceship that can bend the fabric of space isn’t cheap, people. Continue reading

Triple Scoops Game Review

I scream! You scream! We all scream for ice cream! This frozen dairy goodness has been associated with good times and hot days for time immemorial and for a good reason. We live in a golden age with so many flavors and toppings that everyone can find something they love. In this game,  you’ll take on the role of an ice cream shop employee who has to meet the demands of the many customers filing through your front door. Don’t freeze up and get scooping! Continue reading

Maximum Apocalypse: Wasted Wilds Game Review

British adventurer, writer, television presenter, and businessman, Bear Grylls, said, “Survival can be summed up in three words – never give up. That’s the heart of it, really. Just keep trying.” In this game, players are survivors in a world that has turned cold, dark, and dangerous. They survive only by working together and towards a common goal, but even teamwork is not enough to guarantee success. Players must be innovative, take risks, and push to meet their objectives with the constant threat of disaster looming. Which, as it turns out, is a hell of a lot of fun! Continue reading

Armor Up Game Review

There is a dragon at the gates! The village is burning! The King is demanding all the knights rush out and fight the dreaded beast! There is no time to plan. You only have a few minutes to get to the armory and grab whatever is at hand. Good thing you know your way around a sword and shield, but being rushed never feels good. Having only minutes to decide, you grab your gear and pray it’s enough to take down the giant monster burning your beloved kingdom. Continue reading

Maul Peak Game Review

The land is awakening. News has reached the ears of the Grizzar that the kingdoms south of their snowy realm are being attacked by giant beasts never seen before. They take these stories as a warning but have no fear. Their use of magic and attunement to the spirit realm has always kept them safe in the past. But something is different. The snow doesn’t fall as it once did, and noises echo in the mountains that none recognize. The Grizzar begin to fear that the stories of fanciful creatures might not be tall tales after all. Taking staff and axe in hand, they face whatever must come with a warrior’s heart. Continue reading

Cryptozoology for Beginners Game Review

A spiritual teacher who introduced American Buddhism, including the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, Zen, Vedanta, and Mysticism, Frederick Lenz, said, “Our field trips are an opportunity for you to enter into the world of mystical power.” While that might have been the case with Mr. Lenz, in this game, you’ll be taking a field trip to spot cryptids, creatures believed to live out in the wild but are widely unrecognized as being “real” by the larger scientific community. Not to be dissuaded, you and your fellow students hop aboard the bus, cameras ready and notebooks open to capture your thoughts. Good luck to you, cryptid-watcher! Just be careful not to get too close. Bigfoots can be grouchy. Continue reading

Let’s Call the Exorcist Game Review

American musician, best known as the co-founder, bassist, and primary songwriter of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, Nikki Sixx said, “If you don’t deal with your demons, they will deal with you, and it’s gonna hurt.” In this game, you will be possessed by mischievous demons or one of the many innocents who bump into trouble. However, in this game of hidden identities and switching roles, your effort to clear the way for the “good guys” could be an effort for the wrong party. Continue reading

Living Well is the Best Revenge Game Review

English poet, orator, and priest of the Church of England, George Herbert, is credited with saying “Living well is the best revenge.” Then again, English historian, writer, and member of parliament Edward Gibbon said, “Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.” In this game, players will be taking on the role of children being treated poorly by other children. Demoralized, teased, and made to feel bad. Childhood can be hell. But in this game, hell is what you bring back and visit upon those who have wronged you. So don’t take it on the chin! Pay back the wrongs you suffered in the darkly comedic dice-rolling game. Continue reading