Please Don’t Burn My Village Game Review

The dragon came out of nowhere, landing in the middle of your village. It demanded to speak to you, the village leader, and told you it would return and burn your town to the ground, utterly destroying everything. Maybe. At which point, the dragon raised an eyebrow and let the unasked question hang in the air until you realized what the dragon wanted: treasure. Now you are charged to collect as much treasure as possible to satisfy the dragon’s greed, satiating its desire to destroy. But so too are other village leaders, and the dragon has no intention of playing favorites. Quickly find all the treasure you can and hope it is enough to appease the great beast before the time is up! Continue reading

Polyhedral Predicaments: Dungeon Demise Game Review

The dungeon has existed for as long as anyone can remember. Countless stories are told about it around fires at inns and taverns. Many believe that great treasure can be found in its depths, but such riches and the power that would come with it are jealously guarded by things from nightmares. The stories suggest that many brave heroes have attempted to obtain these treasures, but none have yet returned to verify the dungeon’s dangers or riches. Which has many thinking the dungeon is just as deadly as the stories suggest, or even worse. You have listened to these tales and think you have what it takes to venture into the dungeon to find the gold and glory within. With a weapon in hand and supplies on your back, you walk towards the dungeon’s entrance. Your fate awaits you in the dark. Continue reading

Gudnak Game Review

Chinese military general, strategist, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Eastern Zhou period (771–256 BC), Sun Tzu, said, “Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.” In this game, you control an army of a single faction focused on war for its own purposes. You build your forces and bring them to the field, combining groups to push hard against your enemy’s stronghold and control the land. But beware. While you may have built your army from scratch, know that your opponent has also done so. Ultimately, victory won’t go to the stronger army but to the more innovative player. Continue reading

Witches of the Revolution Game Review

People traveled to America for the promise of freedom from religious and political persecution. Of the many thousands who made the journey, hidden among them were witches, practitioners of magic, and guardians of secrets. In small villages and remote towns, their Covens grew. When the call to battle came, and every citizen of the new land was asked to take up arms against England and King George III, the witches and their Covens answered the call. The revolution began, and even witches played a part in the war to come from the shadows.  Continue reading

Quest Adventure Cards Game Review

American author and television host Marcus Sakey said, “For me, the best moments in storytelling are the ones where I feel I’m discovering something.” In this game, the epic adventure played out with cards in front of the players is both a record of a journey taken by all the players and the intent of a specific quest of one player. As the game unfolds, more stories are told, some with victories and some with pitfalls. Ultimately, the best stories are those with twists and turns that always lead to adventure. Continue reading

Trove Game Review

The dungeon was dark and deep. The risks were significant, as was the treasure. As you explored the twisting paths and murky depths, many friends and foes fell. Thankfully, you survived and now have a big treasure bag for your trouble! But before you celebrate, you must pour out the contents and go through each piece of loot, dividing it up with the surviving members of your party. However, not every shiny gold piece and interesting artifact comes for free. Sometimes, there are curses and other nasty surprises. Luckily, you still have a few surviving hirelings to do your bidding. Good luck dividing up the trove of loot! Continue reading

Traders and Raiders Game Review

In this game, players take on the persona of highly trained, adventurous entrepreneurs who seek to establish trade and make a good deal of gold by traveling different market routes under mountains, across the land, and over the sea. Along the way, players will encounter villages that need saving, monsters that need slaying, buildings that need building, and various other tasks, all focused on establishing a solid footprint in the local economy and gaining wealth. While this sounds somewhat daunting, the difficulty only increases when the player realizes they are not alone. Other players in this game have gladly taken up swords, shields, and accounting ledgers with the same goal. Time is short, and the markets are tight. Continue reading

Castle Panic: Big Box Game Review

Humanist, Sufi, and Humanitarian, Abhijit Naskar said in his book of collected poetry, Yarasistan: My Wounds, My Crown, “Either live or don’t, there is no playing safe.” In this game, you don’t have time to play it safe. You and your fellow players must work together to keep a tide of hungry monsters outside your castle gates. To do so, you must command your army and strategically manage the horde of creatures outside your walls while tactically adjusting your targets each round. This is not an easy game to win, but it’s an easy game to love. Continue reading

Bellum Fabulis Game Review

Spanish-American philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás, said, “Only the dead see the end of war.” Which is a very sobering and dark reminder for us all. But in this game, even the dead may not rest as they can be brought back and commanded to fight on behalf of the player. In this world, ravaged by war and supernatural catastrophes, players lead their armies in a broken land to conquer their foes and bring all under their control. Take up your sword, raise the dead warrior legends of the past, and march upon your opponent’s castle. To the victory go the spoils and the world. 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

Armor Up Game Review

There is a dragon at the gates! The village is burning! The King is demanding all the knights rush out and fight the dreaded beast! There is no time to plan. You only have a few minutes to get to the armory and grab whatever is at hand. Good thing you know your way around a sword and shield, but being rushed never feels good. Having only minutes to decide, you grab your gear and pray it’s enough to take down the giant monster burning your beloved kingdom. Continue reading

Maul Peak Game Review

The land is awakening. News has reached the ears of the Grizzar that the kingdoms south of their snowy realm are being attacked by giant beasts never seen before. They take these stories as a warning but have no fear. Their use of magic and attunement to the spirit realm has always kept them safe in the past. But something is different. The snow doesn’t fall as it once did, and noises echo in the mountains that none recognize. The Grizzar begin to fear that the stories of fanciful creatures might not be tall tales after all. Taking staff and axe in hand, they face whatever must come with a warrior’s heart. Continue reading