Living Well is the Best Revenge Game Review

English poet, orator, and priest of the Church of England, George Herbert, is credited with saying “Living well is the best revenge.” Then again, English historian, writer, and member of parliament Edward Gibbon said, “Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.” In this game, players will be taking on the role of children being treated poorly by other children. Demoralized, teased, and made to feel bad. Childhood can be hell. But in this game, hell is what you bring back and visit upon those who have wronged you. So don’t take it on the chin! Pay back the wrongs you suffered in the darkly comedic dice-rolling game. Continue reading

Dwarves Inc. Game Review

Chinese Confucian philosopher and writer Xun Kuang said, “A person is born with a liking for profit.” And if that is true, the fantasy dwarven race is perhaps the epitome of this ideal. Driven by the desire to acquire wealth and maximize their riches, the dwarves dig deep into the earth to find rare jewels and metals. In this game, players will be helping, hindering, and manipulating both the economy of the dwarves and each other. But, do it right, and you’ll walk away with a jingle in your pocket and a smug look of satisfaction on your face. Just don’t be greedy, or your greed will limit your share of the wealth. 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

Beets Bombs and the Blüffs Game Review

American novelist Tom Robbins, reportedly said “The beet is the most intense of vegetables. The radish, admittedly, is more feverish, but the fire of the radish is a cold fire, the fire of discontent, not of passion. Tomatoes are lusty enough, yet there runs through tomatoes an undercurrent of frivolity. Beets are deadly serious.” In this game, Tom is absolutely correct. Plant your beets and hope you get them before your neighbors. But be careful! In the fields are also bombs intended to make quick work of would-be beet thieves! Pick your plants wisely. 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

Dungeon Decorators Game Review (prepublished version)

English interior designer and socialite, Nicky Haslam, said, “Interior decoration partly thrives on being social.” Which makes sense, but how would that work if you were tasked to design the “perfect dungeon” for a malevolent evil entity with a penchant for ruling the world with an iron fist? What kind of throw pillow fabric pattern goes well with hanging skeletons and flesh-eating monsters? Paisley? Maybe. In this game, you get to make all those choices. You’ve been hired to design the perfect dungeon, with twists, turns, and the proper accents to make the evil dwelling really “pop”! Continue reading

House Guests from Hell Game Review

American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, said, “Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.” Now imagine the worst possible house guest you are unlucky enough to have in your home. They will not leave. All they do is complain. They are giving you heartache and headaches. Time for this individual to go! But you need to get them out of the house delicately. You cannot burn bridges, after all. To solve this uncomfortable dilemma, you are going to need very creative solutions. Continue reading

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades Game Review (prepublished version)

One of the United States’ most respected former basketball coaches, Dick Motta, said “War is the only game in which it doesn’t pay to have the home-court advantage.” In this game of war, where the soldiers the players will command are literally thrown and tossed into the warzone, there is no advantage to be gained. Victory is simply a matter of luck and good timing. Continue reading

Spyfall and Spyfall 2 Game Review

Australian-born actress, Freya Tingley, said: “I really wanted to be a spy. I guess it’s a bit like acting, where you play a role.” To be a competent spy, you must hide in plain sight, listen intently, and be well-versed in the art of misdirection. Your survival depends on it! In this game, one or more spies will be hiding among the players. The goal is simple: find the spy, but nothing is as easy as it seems. Continue reading

Danger: The Game Review

American comedian, actor, juggler and writer, W.C. Fields, said “The world is getting to be such a dangerous place, a man is lucky to get out of it alive.” For many of us, our daily lives are full of predictable situations and outcomes. The most dangerous experience we’ll have are more of an annoyance than actual threat to life and limb. In this game, prepare to be put in very bad situations that you’ll have to quickly determine how best to get out of using your imagination, wit, and lot of persuading. Continue reading

Pick Your Poison Game Review

American television personality, author, and psychologist, Dr. Phil McGraw, said “Eighty percent of all choices are based on fear. Most people don’t choose what they want; they choose what they think is safe.” In this game, the players are never in jeopardy of being harmed, but that won’t change the difficulty of making a choice. Pick your poison from two horrible scenarios. Your decision will decide the game and playing it safe is not an option. Continue reading