For the Win Game Review

Challenge your longtime nemesis to a game of strategic tile placement utilizing the martial arts of the Ninja, the out-of-this-world technology of the Alien, the audacity of the Pirate, the tenacity of the Zombie, and the brutal strength of the Monkey. To win, simply connect one of each of the five characters orthogonally or diagonally. It’s not as simple as it seems! Each of the five characters have a special ability that can quickly turn the game in your opponent’s favor! But such power is not limitless and comes at a cost. In the end, the player with the best timing, strategy, and tactics will be victorious! Continue reading

Heroes & Capitols Game Expansion Review

The small island nation of Catan is no longer a footnote on the maps of the world. The men and women who have tilled the soil and farmed its lands have brought forth a bounty large enough to support a growing population and a healthy economy rivaling those of its larger neighboring nations. But it was not through the work of farmers and ranchers alone that raised a handful of colonies into a thriving world power. Scattered among the towns and cities are monuments to the heroes who lead the people and protected them through trials and tribulations. Now you have a chance to relive these epic tales and breath new life into long-lost legends of old. Continue reading

Agricola Game Review

Agricola (Latin for “farmer”), designed by Uwe Rosenberg and published in English by Z-Man Games in 2008 (following the runaway success of the German edition published the previous year), is a thrill-a-minute worker placement game about farming. Okay, I admit that the theme itself is not the most exciting one, but if your little geek can play this game, then your child has the makings of a true Gamer Geek. And that is truly exciting! Continue reading

Specimen Game Review (prepublished version)

Everything was going by the book. All the safety measures were in place, systems were checked and double checked again, and the crew members of the deep space freighter T.C.S Brown were sleeping safely in hibernation on their way back to Earth. Then the unthinkable happened. Something collided with the ship. The emergency systems immediately came online and started reviving the crew. When the crew emerged from hibernation, they found that the damage could be fixed without much effort, but that wasn’t the issue. Something was released when the ship was struck and was now hunting them down, one by one. Continue reading

Viticulture Game Review (prepublished version)

Ah, Tuscany. Considered by many the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance where great thinkers and artists would gather. Its landscapes are the subject of countless paintings, poems, and dreams. It is here you find yourself with a dream of your own and a strong desire to make it a reality. With just a little bit of money, dedication, and a head for business, you will work to make your mark. Leveraging the cycles of nature to grow the prefect grape and make the greatest wine, you open your winery doors in hopes that Tuscany will prove to be all that you had dreamed it would be. Continue reading

Dragon Clash Game Review

Earth trembled and shuddered in anguish. After countless centuries and generations, mankind had finally dug too far, spoiled too much, and loved too little. The war-torn land was ravaged and the living spirit of nature, known as Gaia, summoned forth protectors of old to bring the fractured world into balance. These ancient and powerful dragons were the living embodiment of the rawest elements of life and death, but something was amiss. Because of their close connection to nature, their birth was laced with the madness that had consumed the world. Now the dragon champions of Earth battle each other for supremacy and all of creation is at their mercy. Continue reading

Mars Needs Mechanics Game Review (prepublished version)

I, say! Have you heard, old boy? Those well-to-dos at the British Royal Academy of Space Exploration are at it again! They’ve got it in their heads that Mars is the next great land for us to tread on. I even hear that the Queen, of all people, is backing this lunacy! I don’t know about you, but those so-called “scientists” are messing with technology we cannot hope to understand or control! Dangerous, if you bloody well ask me. But think of the glory if it could be done! Mars! You know, I might have just talked myself into joining this little competition of theirs. After all, it’s all for a good cause and I would look simply smashing in a space suit! Continue reading

Nanuk Game Review

In the tribal culture of the Inuits, stories are told of brave hunters who risk it all. These stories entertain as well as teach the listener that endurance of the mind and spirit are essential to survival for the individual as well as the tribe. But bravery must be tempered with wisdom and boasting and bragging can be just as dangerous as a confrontation with a hungry polar bear. The truly wise and truly brave know that nothing can be accomplished without teamwork, but at the same time, failure is sure to follow a pack of fools. In which group do you want to be placed and how much are you willing to risk to obtain legendary status? Continue reading

Jungle Ascent Game Review (prepublished version)

It is said a mighty and long-lost civilization of great wealth and power took all their treasure and knowledge and put it on a very high shelf where no other civilization could reach it. And there is stayed while all the smaller and less advanced civilizations looked up and wanted it much like a 3-year-old wants a cookie. Centuries later, brave explorers have found the proverbial shelf on which the treasure was placed. It was located on the very top of the Cliff of Frab, which was located in the deepest part of the most remote jungle of the world. Now, standing below the cliff, a team of explorers looks up and begins to ascend its dizzying heights. In their hearts they know that only one can claim the treasure, and so, they race to the top and let nothing stand in their way! Continue reading

Take It or Leave It Game Review

As the dice tumble and change, so too does the fortunes of the players. A single roll of the dice might provide much opportunity or nothing of value. With the use of cards that can shift the dice and change the outcome, all the players must race to collect the dice values and colors they need before they are altered and made useless. This is a game of timing, of judging how much risk is acceptable so as to make big points, and getting what you can before someone else does! Get in, get out, take it, or leave it! Continue reading

Abacan Game Review

In this abstract game, every move counts and counts and counts again. Keep track of the beads and determine your odds of success as you quickly shift one to three beads from one side to another. Be smart, be careful, and be sure that the beads you move will not leave you well outside the winner’s circle when the game ends. Continue reading