13th Street Crew Game Review (prepublished version)

It’s not personal. It’s business. Yeah, you may break a rule or two, even several laws. And, sure, you sometimes have to flex a bit of muscle when you smile, but it’s never personal. It’s about the money and the power and the respect. If you want your crew to be recognized before the Old Don, you must show you can earn. Take the jobs and cash in, but be careful. Greed has a way of making friends into enemies. Just keep telling yourself it’s only business. But if you need to, make it personal. Continue reading

Dawn Game Review

American architect, who has been called a “father of skyscrapers” and “father of modernism,” Louis Sullivan said, “What the people are within, the buildings express without.” In this game, everyone at the table is outwardly working to build a beautiful new town for you to live in. Inside, however, they might not be what they seem. To your right might be those who work to ensure the town prospers or fails. Do you take the hard path and work towards building a new home for all, or secretly hoard your wealth to survive? The choice is yours, but the outcome is up to everyone. Continue reading

Museum Suspects Game Review

Places of culture and antiquity are true treasures. These collections of great art and artifacts are lovely, cared for, and displayed for all to observe, wonder about, and enrich their understanding of the world. For some, however, looking and learning aren’t enough. They must possess that which is behind glass and bar. They do it for the thrill and the money, for priceless artwork is genuinely a concern for an elite few with the funds to pay the thief for their trouble. That’s why it’s up to you, detective, to find the culprit who stole from the local museum. Find them, and you find the stolen goods. Are you clever enough to catch the thief? I hope so because time is short! Continue reading

Samurai Shuffle Game Review

Japanese-born American cartoonist and comic book creator, best known for the comic series Usagi Yojimbo, Stan Saki said, “A samurai should always be prepared for death – whether his own or someone else’s.” When the sword is drawn, there are no more words to speak. Each warrior must live in the moment and the next simultaneously, for both could by their last. So draw your sword, warrior, and may the best – or luckiest – among you be victorious. Continue reading

Escape Tales: The Awakening Game Review

Hindu spiritual teacher, and a proponent of Vedanta, Sivananda Saraswati, said, “Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret, and depression. Do not repeat them in the future.” But what if the sin of your past is hurting those in your life now and in ways you cannot possibly imagine? Would you do anything to protect your loved ones? How far would you go? In this game, full of dark and moody themes, you will take a journey with one man who will go to strange and terrifying places, all in the name of love and redemption. Continue reading

Covert Cues Game Review

American former computer intelligence consultant who leaked highly classified information from the National Security Agency, Edward Snowden, said, “Every person remembers some moment in their life where they witnessed some injustice, big or small, and looked away because the consequences of intervening seemed too intimidating. But there’s a limit to the amount of incivility and inequality, and inhumanity that each individual can tolerate. I crossed that line. And I’m no longer alone.” Whether you believe that Mr. Snowden is a hero or a criminal is irrelevant. What is relevant is that we’ve all been in situations where we know that something is off and are compelled to act out to correct it. That’s a hard mental place to be and a lonely one, at that. Going against the established “norm” feels wrong to everyone else who doesn’t see what you see. In this game, you’ll be taking on the role of such an individual, but you aren’t alone. There is another who also wants things to change. The trick is to find them without outing yourself. Continue reading

Ultimate Werewolf: Extreme Game Review

American biologist and professor of Integrative Biology, Tyrone Hayes, said: “The secret to a happy, successful life of paranoia is to keep careful track of your persecutors.” In this game, players will need to defend themselves from a persecuting mob while trying to root out murderous werewolves or be the very thing that is causing the chaos and hide among the villagers. This is a classic game of social deduction, bluffing, and survival. So sit down with your friends, open this box of cards, and get ready to create great memories and damage a few relationships along the way. Continue reading

Dracula’s Feast: Cthulhu and Friends Game Expansion Review

Some parties are doomed to fail right from the start. Case in point, Dracula’s latest bash at the castle. First, he had uninvited guests crashing his delightful get-together. Then, just when he thought he had that under control, an ominous knock at the door echoed throughout the castle halls. It looks like Dracula has more unexpected visitors, but this time, these unexpected additions to the party are here to stay. Continue reading

Dracula’s Feast Game Review

American novelist, newspaper, and magazine editor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries known for his sharp wit, E. W. Howe, said, “To be an ideal guest, stay at home.” Dracula is holding the biggest party of the year, but not everyone attending was invited. Now Dracula is less than pleased and is threatening to throw everyone out, but if you can unmask the unwanted guests before you are shown the door, the party can continue. The problem is, you might be the unwanted guest, and no one wants the party to end. Continue reading

Snakesss Game Review

To call someone a “snake” is to suggest they are underhanded and being deceitful. A person who is a “snake in the grass” is even worse. Not only are they deceitful, but they are doing so with the intent of harming you in some way. In this game, the grass is high, and there be snakes hidden at your ankles. But worry not, as a helpful mongoose has your back. The trick, however, is knowing a friend from foe. Trust who you will, but never doubt that some have forked tongues. Continue reading

Spyfall: Time Travel Game Review

In the movie Thunderball, James Bond responds to a question asking what he does for a living. In typical cool Bond fashion, he says, “Oh, I travel – A sort of licensed troubleshooter.” So cool! Your Spy is also a traveling troubleshooter in this game, but this type of traveling is through time! The spy game never gets any easier or less dangerous, and now it takes our Spy to different moments in human history, both in the past and the future. Can you do your job and stay hidden, or will you become history yourself? Continue reading

Dead Shot Game Review

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