Find It & Bind It Game Review

Traditionally, a witch’s Book of Shadows is destroyed when the witch passes on. In some rare cases, books are considered to be too valuable to the Coven to be lost. A great and powerful witch has died, but her Book of Shadows is nowhere to be found. The witch that finds it will have access to powerful spells and old secrets. For witches, knowledge is power and power is worth fighting for. Continue reading

Karmaka Game Review (prepublished version)

American author and self-proclaimed psychic medium, Sylvia Browne, said “Reincarnation occurs because we decide that we haven’t learned enough lessons.” Suggesting that life is a classroom in which we learn and are tested. Success and failure result not in grades, but karma that is stacked and measured. What we do in this life ripples into the next as we make our way to a transcendent state. Which, in my opinion, will feel an awful lot like waking up in a really cozy bed for all of eternity. Continue reading

The Manhattan Project: Chain Reaction (prepublished version)

Your nation’s greatest fear has been realized. Reports have come in that suggest neighboring countries are making weapons capable of total destruction. Without losing another moment, the highest powers in the land charge the workforce to make weapons. Mining operations and factories appear overnight, scientists refine formulas, and the labor force marches to the beat of war. Continue reading

Karma Game Review

American film actor, director, and producer, John Wayne, said “Life is tough. It’s tougher if you’re stupid.” I believe this quote perfectly captures the essence of Karma. If we walk through life with thoughtful purpose and measured actions, we tend to succeed. If we rush ahead without thinking and give little count to those around us, failure in all things is almost certain. In this game, what you play will return to you for better or for worse. Continue reading

3 Seeds Game Review

German theologian, philosopher and mystic, Meister Eckhart said, “What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action.” In this game, a player must consider where to put their time, energy, and finances. If done correctly, they will reap points to win the game when the harvest is taken in. The key is to know the difference between effort spent and effort wasted. Continue reading

Conquest of the Stars Game Review

Space might be the final frontier, but it’s also a battleground. The need to explore and find new worlds is accompanied by the strong desire to own and control whatever is found. Spaceships built for exploration are accompanied by spaceships built for war. In this game, you can only keep what you take by force. Continue reading

Mage Wars Academy Game Review

Students of the arcane learn two important lessons while at the academy. First, magic is powerful. Second, only the powerful deserve to wield it. It’s the day before graduation and the top Mages must take their final exam. The test is simple: survive. You have worked and studied hard. It’s time to test what you know. Failure is not an option. Continue reading

The Princess Bride: Miracle Pill Game Review

American actor, writer, director, and producer, Michael Landon, said “I think all of us create our own miracles.” In this game, Mr. Landon is absolutely correct. By collecting the right number and type of cards, miracles can be created. But be careful, as miracles can be sabotaged, as well! Continue reading

Villains and Vigilantes Game Review

In the action movie Kick-Ass, the fictional character Dave Lizewski said, “In the world I lived in, heroes only existed in comic books. And I guess that’d be okay, if bad guys were make-believe too, but they’re not.” In the world of comic books and in real life, there are always opposing forces. In this game, players become heroes or villains and battle for dominance. Continue reading

Pirate Den Game Review

Characters Jack Sparrow and Mr. Gibbs from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl were fond of saying “Take what you can; give nothing back.” That is exactly the goal in this game. A clever pirate captain knows that luck is as fickle as the sea, but only fools wouldn’t risk it all for wealth. Continue reading

Council of Verona: Corruption Game Expansion Review

French author and a soldier in World War I, Georges Bernanos, said “The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means.” But what if the end is believed to be righteous even though the means may seem unjust? History is written by those who survive to write it, trumping opposing opinions in the process. In this game, corrupting others is essential to victory. Continue reading

Karma Crystals: First Five Games Review

American actor, screenwriter and film director, Sylvester Stallone, said “There’s a natural law of karma that vindictive people, who go out of their way to hurt others, will end up broke and alone.” Clearly Mr. Stallone has never played a cutthroat game of Monopoly. Regardless, there is truth in his statement. In this series of games, what you do to others might comeback to haunt you or lead to victory. Karma is funny that way. Continue reading