Tag Archives: Abstract Strategy Games

Abstract Strategy games are often (but not always) theme-less (without storyline), built on simple and/or straightforward design and mechanics, perfect information games, promote one player overtaking their opponent(s), little to no elements of luck, chance, or random occurrence, and can be minimal in design. (source: BGG)

Mandala Stones Game Review

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Dutch post-impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh, said, “The great artist is the simplifier.” In this game, players will be asked to make what is seemingly simple decisions, collecting colors, and creating patterns, with the intent of creatively scoring while at the same time creating art. All the while, the player’s opponents are doing the same. Artists might be simplifiers, but when you share a small canvas with more than one, things go from simple to elaborately complex. Continue reading →

Seven Dragons Game Review

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The very first fantasy creature I can remember falling in love with is the dragon. A fearsome foe to fight in games and a wise teacher in others. They represent chaos and order, destruction and creation. Dragons have been part of mythology in just about every culture and continue to be a topic of discussion, interest, and admiration. In this game, players will attempt to match different colored dragons to the table, and just like dealing with real fake dragons, you best be careful how you go about it. Never trust a dragon, and never trust this game to give victory to you easily. Continue reading →

Dead Shot Game Review

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English actor and voice actor Malcolm McDowell said: “One man can change the world with a bullet in the right place.” How true and grim. In this game, you play as a sniper. A highly trained soldier who lies in wait to take out their target. Your only two weapons are a high-powered rifle and patience. You sit and wait for your target, but be careful. Others hunt for you, too, and it is only a matter of time before they find you or you find them. Let the hunt begin! Continue reading →

Stripes Game Review

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Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and theatre designer, Pablo Picasso, said, “Why do two colors, put one next to the other, sing? Can one really explain this? No. Just as one can never learn how to paint.” In this game, players will be shifting the position of colored stripes, making patterns. The complexity of the game is not the matching of the colors, but the proper arrangement and timing of the alignment. In the act of doing so, the players bring forth color harmony. Continue reading →

Gridopolis Game Review

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American business magnate, entrepreneur, industrial designer, investor, and media proprietor, Steve Jobs, said, “That’s been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” In this game, light game rules and abstract simplicity create a hotbed of creative focus and strategic engagement on literally multiple levels. Continue reading →

Ancient World Multi Game System Review

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Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist, George Bernard Shaw, said “If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience.” Which is to say, if we are unable to learn from the past, how can I make a better future? And yet, the past has so much to teach and is worth going back to. Yes, it’s great to live in the moment, but it’s worth glancing back and seeing how far you’ve come. In this collection of ancient themed games, a modern take is given on timeless lessons that are worth learning and enjoying, but the way the lesson is learned is always changing. Continue reading →

Tiny Towns Game Review

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Scottish Liberal Democrat politician and a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1983 to 2015, Charles Kennedy, said “Quality of life actually begins at home – it’s in your street, around your community.” In this game, players take on the role of building a tiny town for tiny animals. Careful planning is needed to ensure the community supports itself. Build too fast or build too big, and your tiny town will be a big bust. Continue reading →

Gulp! Game Review (prepublished version)

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American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, author, science popularizer, and science communicator in astronomy and other natural sciences, Carl Sagan, said “Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” If such is the case, than life is a continual struggle at every level. Take, for example, the trials and tribulations for all below the waves of our oceans. Every fish is a potential meal and the line between life and death is just a bite away. Continue reading →

Sticks! Game Review

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British author, speaker and international advisor on education in the arts to government, non-profits, education and arts bodies, Sir Kenneth Robinson, said “Creativity is putting your imagination to work, and it’s produced the most extraordinary results in human culture.” Imagination is truly powerful, and the more we use it, the better it becomes. In this game, simple rules and game components give the players just enough to get them started and nothing to hold them back. Continue reading →

Blackstone Castle Game Review (prepublished version)

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American lawyer, U.S. Representative, social activist and a leader of the Women’s Movement, Bella Abzug, said “I spend all day figuring out how to beat the machine and knock the crap out of the political power structure.” A task easier said than done. In this game, players will be attempting to do the same as Ms. Abzug, manipulating the machine and adjusting the power structure in hopes of one day ruling the kingdom. Continue reading →

Capere Game Review

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English author of fantasy novels (best known for his Discworld series), Terry Pratchett, said “Most gods throw dice, but Fate plays chess, and you don’t find out til too late that he’s been playing with two queens all along.” When it comes to the fate of man, we like to think we have both hands on the wheel. Controlling our own destiny. Which we might or might not. What if celestial beings took an interest in us, for better or worse? How could one win their favor and avoid their wrath? Not easily… Continue reading →