Tessen Game Review (prepublished version)

For generations, the great clans have fought. Unrest and lawlessness soon followed in the wake of the constant violence. The Shogun was furious and called the leaders of the clans to attend him. He proposed a trial of wits and skill that would pit the clans’ best against each other. To the victor would go the Shogun’s favor. Honor bound, the clans sheathed their swords, but their ancient feud was far from over. Continue reading

Slapshot Game Review

The air is cool and the ice is smooth. All around you scream the fans and before you sits your team. They look up to you, their Team Manager, and wait for your words of wisdom before taking the ice. You have worked hard to create the best team possible, trading players and drafting new ones. A quick look at the opposite team tells you they think they have the advantage, but a game is not won until it’s played. And, baby, you can play a mean game of ice hockey. Continue reading

Fire and Flora Game Review (prepublished version)

If you walk outside your house, you’ll see plants in abundance. Most people just see a “tree” or a “flower”, but someone who is active in the ecological management of the land sees more. They see a thriving population of native plants or a land being invaded by an enemy. In this game, you take on the role of an ecologist who’s in charge of tending to the natural landscape and helping it thrive, while at the same time protecting it from damgers both foreign and natural. Continue reading

Save the Zoo Game Review

You have finally landed your dream job! When you accepted the position as a zookeeper, you were excited for the adventure that was before you. Little did you know that the adventure would quickly turn into a nightmare. Overnight, the animals have escaped and no one knew about it until AFTER the zoo opened and patrons were in the park! Now you have to scramble to save the zoo by capturing the animals while simultaneously keeping the patrons happy and safe! Continue reading

Bad Neighbors Game Review

It was bound to happen. When the Zombie-Alien-Demon-Vampire Apocalypse erupted, your family was prepared for the worst. What you didn’t count on, ironically, was your neighborhood. The biggest threat is not the giant undead half-demon munching on your grandmother. Rather, it’s your neighbors who are quietly spying on you from behind closed curtains. This game is all about the survival of the fittest in the suburbs. Lock, load, and live! Continue reading

Argh! Game Review

The nondescript island is barely a scratch on your nautical maps. If one were to glance quickly, many would mistake the mark as nothing more than a small stain. But you know better. The little island has no name, but it’s known by a select few as “Plunder Island”. There, buried in the white sand, are riches beyond imagine. You have gathered the wealth with the help of others, but now it’s time to claim the riches for your own! Continue reading

Paperback Game Review (prepublished version)

The idea of being a novelist has always been alluring to me. I romantically dream of a life full of literature, sweater vests, and luncheons with poets and other writers. Conversations would be deep and meaningful as we sipped our expensive coffees. In reality, being a successful writer means lots of long hours, rejection letters, and moments of pure panic as you struggle to write. In this game, players will get to experience the trials and tribulations that come with attempting to write the next great novel! Continue reading

Matching Lions Game Review

The African Savanna is teaming with life. Large herds of animals wander from one watering hole to the next and prides of lions rest on rocks or hunt in the tall grass. Every animal has its place in the wide open space and every animal has a purpose. Some eat the grass and some eat the grass eaters. And then there is the hyena, who is the “jerk” of the wild. But even the hyena has a role to play, as do the players of this game. Continue reading

Tricks & Treats Game Review

What a great night of Trick or Treating! You and your friends have gathered a GIANT HAUL of candy and now make ready to eat yourself sick. Not so fast, say your parents. This year is going to be different. All the candy is going to be divided equally. To be fair, everyone will be assigned a secret basket and all the candy will be distributed one piece at a time. Little do your parents realize that you know how to cheat the system. All is fair in love, war, and candy! Continue reading

Weather Wars Game Review (prepublished version)

The Guzunganator is a technical marvel! With just a twist of a dial, summer can become winter or rain can give way to a sunny day. For the two partners who created it, Nigel the Frozen Zookeeper and Sun Tree Moon the Organic Farmer, the weather machine is the result of years of study, effort, and sacrifice. Now that they have it, there is just one little problem: neither of the two want to share it with the other! There greed and selfishness has now stated a war. Continue reading

Smash Up Game Review

The premise of Smash Up is pretty simple. Take two of the eight Faction decks (that represent iconic heroes of geek culture) and shuffle them together to create a 40 card deck. Use Minions and Actions from that deck to attack and destroy the Bases before your opponent’s do. The faster you destroy a Base, the more Victory Points you earn. The first player to accumulate 15 Victory Points wins the game. Quick. Easy. Fun. Approved! Continue reading

Pieces of Eight – Buccaneers Game Expansion Review

Every pirate will eagerly tell you that if a little is good, more is better. This sentiment is the backbone of all that they live and die for. They never have enough rum, gold, or adventure. It drives them into danger and often times rewards them with fortune. Or death. Mostly death. Still, pirate captains are never hurting for volunteers to help man their ships! Continue reading