English writer, H.G. Wells, said “The crisis of today is the joke of tomorrow.” For many lovers of board games who have many titles on their multiple shelves (me included), the ongoing crisis is storage. Individual games, no problem. Games with expansions? Many expansions? How the heck do we keep the core game and its expansions in one place? AEG, the publishers of Smash Up, have a BIG solution. Continue reading
Every town has its secrets. Its dark past. Your town is no different. Except for one very important detail. Every 13th of Friday, a curse is let loose that brings nightmares to all who live on Misfortune Lane. No more. You and your friends at school have decided to break this curse. But being a kid that no adults listen to, what can you do? Not much, perhaps, and the monster in the shadows is counting on it! Continue reading
American author and a professor of history, Douglas Brinkley, said “We can only imagine the history of the free world today if, at the end of the Civil War, there had been two countries: the United States and the Confederate States of America.” In this game, you get to relive the bloody history of our nation at war with itself. Pick a side, send in your troops, and command the battleground. Continue reading
Contemporary American crime writer, Patricia Cornwell, said “I believe the root of all evil is abuse of power.” In this game, abusing power by any means possible is the name of the game. You are a lesser lord of evil, but what you really want to be when you grow up is an Evil Overlord, the supreme ruler of all of things “not good or even remotely great”. But there’s a catch. You are not the only one with ambition and the hordes of evil at your command can be cantankerous. Oh, well. If it was easy, you’d most likely wouldn’t want the job. Continue reading
Portugal 1290. The known world is divided up and ruled by kings and queens, each looking for opportunities to extend their kingdoms and influence. You are an explorer, a sailor, and adventurer. You have found what appears to be an unknown chain of islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. If your charts and information is correct, these islands will serve as a foothold into the unknown world! But first, you must convince the royal powers that such a trip is worth taking, then find a crew and a sea worthy boat. Then, finally, take the voyage itself to the fabled “Land of Danger”. Continue reading
The crazy wizard, Kurgill, has had it up to here with the monkeys outside his castle. He’s decided to take matters into his own hands and has cleverly placed traps on the trees the monkey’s swing from, including spells. The monkeys, not liking Kurgill very much, know that the only way to beat the old wiz at his game is to play along. And so, the monkeys make best of a bad situation, challenging themselves in the process to a race. Continue reading
American aviator, military officer, author, inventor, explorer, and environmental activist, Charles Lindbergh, said “Life is like a landscape. You live in the midst of it but can describe it only from the vantage point of distance.” Landscape paintings attempt to capture the full view of a moment in time. Artists hike to remote locations to find that special vantage point where the sky and ground, light and shadow, depth and vision merge into a perfect picture at a precise moment. In this game, you have the same task, but plan your day wisely. Distance and time are not an artist’s friend. Continue reading
You are a highly skilled rogue who can steal anything. Of this there is no doubt. But when you are at a table with similar fellows, the best rogue is not the one who steals the most silver, but the one who has the silver tongue. Continue reading
The woods surrounding the village are dark, deep, and old. Children are taught not to go near it and only the bravest (or the most foolish) adults venture into its depths. The wood hides something that stays in the shadows, but not any longer. There have been animal attacks in the village and rumors are starting to be whispered from ear to ear that a werewolf is responsible. Villagers no longer trust one another and everyone is a possible enemy. Continue reading
You have survived the terrors of the dungeon and defeated the final boss. Before you lies a treasure pile just waiting to be plundered. But wait. Why should you share this with your so-called friends? Didn’t you deliver the final stroke that killed the dragon? Wasn’t it you who made sure the rest of the party survived? You should have the majority of the treasure! Now to convince the others… Continue reading
There was a time when you looked out your window and were content to see the small cottages and your fellow villagers passing by. But that time has come and gone. Now you dream of your village being the center of trade, commerce, and a military power. Very ambitions, indeed. A feat that might very well be possible – easy even – if it weren’t for the other nearby villages who had the same idea. Continue reading
Dragons are sacred beasts. They embody magic, strength, and benevolence. Tribes of warriors and mystics have dedicated their lives to protect these beasts from those who would harm them. You are such an individual and you have trained your whole life to be the sword and shield for these magical creatures. Your greatest allies are other Keepers who have sworn to protect the dragons and the dragons themselves. Continue reading
