American author, speaker, and pastor, John C. Maxwell, said “Success comes to those who have an entire mountain of gold that they continually mine, not those who find one nugget and try to live on it for fifty years.” Once you find gold, it’s not enough to hold it up for the world to see. There is more to be obtained. In this game, there is wealth to be found, but only for those who persevere. Continue reading
I, say! Have you heard, old boy? Those well-to-dos at the British Royal Academy of Space Exploration are at it again! They’ve got it in their heads that Mars is the next great land for us to tread on. I even hear that the Queen, of all people, is backing this lunacy! I don’t know about you, but those so-called “scientists” are messing with technology we cannot hope to understand or control! Dangerous, if you bloody well ask me. But think of the glory if it could be done! Mars! You know, I might have just talked myself into joining this little competition of theirs. After all, it’s all for a good cause and I would look simply smashing in a space suit! Continue reading
I greatly enjoy Fleet and find it to be a challenging game that plays light and has a great deal of replay value. The random game set up and Boat cards in your hand will always keep things new. There are enough different ways to play the game to make changing strategy and tactics a worthwhile venture but not so open as to make it impossible to consider all your choices. The easy game play also makes it accessible to a wide variety of players. Continue reading
I highly recommend you give Meteor a try but do so knowing that this little game is going to test you. Game play is very simple, but accomplishing your goal is not. If you are up to the challenge and know a group of players who feel the same, Meteor is the game for you. The soft-hearted should avoid it, however. Meteor will make you cheer or go running to the nearest fallout shelter to curl up in a small ball in the corner, weeping. And that is a very good thing! Continue reading
American paleontologist who helped reshape modern theories about dinosaurs, Robert T. Bakker, said, “Fossils have richer stories to tell – about the lub-dub of dinosaur life – than we have been willing to listen to.” There is always something new to discover, and the only way to find it is to dig. Dig in the earth and then dig through all the possibilities of what life must have been like for these long-extinct giants that once walked where we now stand. In this game, players take on the role of a paleontologist and attempt to find and then build a complete dinosaur skeleton. Little do the players know that the real competition is the paleontologist sitting next to them. So dig deep and dig fast. Continue reading
In Good Help, the players take on the role of an evil scientist whose single objective is to build a terrible monster and destroy the town that has ridiculed them in their youth. After setting up their base of operations (which is a big castle on the outskirts of town, of course) they are ready to start! First thing they need to do is hire some Assistants to run errands for them, especially the more unsavory ones. The problem is, good help is hard to find, especially in the business world of evil scientists. Continue reading
For centuries, men and woman have competed in combative matches to determine who is stronger, faster, and smarter. This became very boring. Robots were introduced, and since there was no cause to be concerned with safety, so were weapons. Now Bots armed with blades and guns battle for our amusement and the human warriors continue their fight behind the soft glow of computer monitors. Continue reading
Personal jets, mansions (yes, plural), decadent parties around the world, and all the other exciting opportunities available to a millionaire are up for grabs. The goal of this game is to attempt to be the first player to be worth a millionaire dollars! Easy? Not so much. Along the way, you’ll host your own parties, give gifts, and of course, pay others for the privilege of renting their properties. Turns out, it costs money to make money. It’s all in fun, but in the end, the one who spent the wisest is the one who will win the game. Continue reading
My parents told me to never step on others to elevate myself or to steal for personal gain. Ironically, that is exactly what you must do in card games. Especially climbing games, where you must out play your opponents using their last play as your springboard. Stealing is also necessary, as taking cards from others is the only way to earn points. Charles Lamb once said, “cards are war, in disguise of a sport.” If that is true (and it is), get ready for a fight with clubs. Continue reading
Chinese Communist revolutionary and founding father of the People’s Republic of China, Mao Zedong, said “Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.” In this game, the King has died without naming an heir. The war of succession is now fought openly among the noble houses, using both diplomacy and the sword. Continue reading
The old king summoned his children before him and looked them over, one by one. They were all strong, noble, and carried themselves as true Princes and Princesses of the Realm. But which among them would be the best to lead the people, manage the kingdom’s precious resources, and protect the population from the barbarian savages? The old king thought and thought and then smiled. He would send his children to different corners of the kingdom, and there, be tasked to raise a castle of their own. Whomever did so to the standards of the king after 7 years would be given the throne. Continue reading
Only the very brave or the very stupid venture into the Black Mountains. It’s an accursed place, inhabited by monsters, cutthroats, and the enigmatic warlock, Zogar. If it weren’t for the rumors of vast treasure troves and arcane knowledge, none would venture to this bleak land. Many leave seeking glory, power, and riches, but few are ever seen again. Those who do return have a haunted look about them and they speak little of the horrors they have seen. Despite everyone’s advice, you now set off to meet Zogar’s challenges. For fame and glory! Continue reading
