Space Nexus Game Review (Prepublished Version)

Humanity has discovered a means to travel through space fast enough to reach distant galaxies. The great space race has begun, with captains taking to their ships and probing the furthest reaches, finding adventure and riches. But there is danger. Others covet treasure and will take any opportunity to gain an advantage. There is also the threat of a new alien species that is growing increasingly interested in Earth and its resources. It is a new age of adventure and danger. Space is open to all to explore. Just cross your fingers you don’t find something that wants to blow you to atoms. Continue reading

Escape From Haunted Mansion Game Review

Your car isn’t going anywhere. The tire is as flat as a pancake, and you have no spare. Worse yet, there is a very threatening storm on the horizon, and you broke down on a somewhat rustic dirt road where you cannot get any cell service. You need to find help, and you haven’t seen any other cars for miles! Perhaps the owners of the large and rather scary-looking mansion on top of the hill will have a phone you can use? There is only one way to find out. Grab your friends and make your way to the mansion. Knock on the door and enter if you dare. Continue reading

Link City Game Review

Herb Caen, a San Francisco humorist and journalist, whose daily column of local goings-on and insider gossip, social and political happenings, and offbeat puns and anecdotes, said, “A city is not gauged by its length and width, but by the broadness of its vision and the height of its dreams.” In this game, you and your friends will cooperatively build a city of epic proportions. Each turn, a new player assumes the responsibility of expanding the city’s size and grandeur. Just be sure that everyone at the table is on the same page, or your next city project could be a disaster! Continue reading

Maximum Apocalypse: Wasted Wilds Game Review

British adventurer, writer, television presenter, and businessman, Bear Grylls, said, “Survival can be summed up in three words – never give up. That’s the heart of it, really. Just keep trying.” In this game, players are survivors in a world that has turned cold, dark, and dangerous. They survive only by working together and towards a common goal, but even teamwork is not enough to guarantee success. Players must be innovative, take risks, and push to meet their objectives with the constant threat of disaster looming. Which, as it turns out, is a hell of a lot of fun! Continue reading

Avatar: The Last Airbender Fire Nation Rising Game Review

The Fire Nation continues to raid neighboring kingdoms and lands aggressively. Those who stand against this onslaught are quickly put down. A small group of heroes, led by the legendary Avatar, fight the Fire Nation on multiple fronts. But this is not a battle you can win alone. You must work with others, plan your strategy, and execute your tactics cooperatively. Do it right, and you’ll stay one step ahead of the Fire Nation, restoring Balance. Do it wrong, and Ruin will undoubtedly come to the world. Continue reading

Curse of the Wymer Stones Game Review

There is something in the dark that hungers. Many believed this horror in the darkness had long passed, but the wisest and the strongest of the kingdoms know better. They whisper in secret places of the coming Wymer with dread and certainty of doom. These hushed tones have reached the ears of four heroes who will take up blades, bows, spells, and staffs to find the key to defeating the evil that grows in the darkness below ground. They go now to face this evil. Their deeds will either bring them victory or doom to us all. Continue reading

A Haunting by the Shadow Game Review

American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher, Elbert Hubbard, said, “The supernatural is the natural not yet understood.” We like to pretend we have it all figured out. We do this so it’s easier for us to discount the door closing by itself as nothing more than the wind, our keys not being where they should be because we are absent-minded, and the shadows that move on the wall are nothing but tricks of light. Easily explainable events or something more? The line between the natural and the supernatural is one of understanding. If that is the case, when you face the ghosts in this house, you’ll understand the true nature of fear. Continue reading

Land Vs. Sea Game Review

American actress and filmmaker Angelina Jolie said, “Anytime I feel lost, I pull out a map and stare. I stare until I have reminded myself that life is a giant adventure, so much to do, to see.” The players will collectively build their map full of continents and islands, oceans and lakes in this game. The inhabitants of the newly found land are depicted on each tile placed, building the world and the mystery of what the new world is like. Explore, but do so with intent, as the player who explores strategically and tactically will win the day! Continue reading

Earth Rising: Twenty Years to Transform Our World Game Review (prepublished version)

American author, philosopher, naturalist, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist Aldo Leopold said: “Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land.” In this game, humankind and our planet are out of balance. Poverty and unsustainable practices are causing our resources to diminish, humanity to hurt, and our planet to wither. But all is not lost. Take on the role of an ecological hero and help humanity rise to save our Earth. Just know you cannot do it yourself. This is a team effort that will take everyone to succeed! Continue reading

Letter Jam Game Review

English novelist and essayist, journalist and critic, George Orwell (whose real name is Eric Arthur Blair – fun fact), said: “Language ought to be the joint creation of poets and manual workers.” In this game, players will work together to put together a series of clues – both seen and unseen – to help each player solve their word puzzle. It’s a game that takes communication and teamwork, guessing and deduction, and, most importantly, is specific to each player’s vocabulary skills! Continue reading

Ancient World Multi Game System Review

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

Moonrakers Game Review (prepublished version)

After space travel became commonplace, men and women looked skyward for opportunities to get rich and have a better life. Living in space is dangerous, but the pay is good. You’ll find many different types of folks floating around, but none are more dangerous or unpredictable than the mercenaries. Helpers to some and space pirates to others, these individuals take jobs that pay well and don’t much care about the risks. This was the job you were born for and love your work, but there is only so much work to be had. Time to put the competition out of business. Continue reading