Dr. Eureka Game Review

Emmy-nominated host of the television show Brain Games, Jason Silva, said “Creativity and insight almost always involve an experience of acute pattern recognition: the eureka moment in which we perceive the interconnection between disparate concepts or ideas to reveal something new.” In this game, creativity must be pushed by the need to shout EUREKA first! Continue reading

Box of Rocks Game Review

The phrase “dumb as a box of rocks” suggests that the individual is lacking a great deal of common sense, wisdom, intelligence, or any combination of the previous. In this game, your goal is to be smarter than a box of rocks. If that sounds easy, you haven’t met the rocks in this box. Prepare to be humbled as the smartest rocks you’ll ever meet take you to school. Continue reading

Rampaging Jotunn Game Review (prepublished version)

The Viking clans fought for and died to control the island. It lay like a jewel in the sea, rich with resources. When only two Viking clans remained, they quickly established settlements and resumed their battle for control. One morning, a roar shook the island. Ymir the Jotunn had awoken. Some fled, but the bold saw the Jotunn as a means to an end. Continue reading

Tradewars: Homeworld Game Review

We have mapped the universe and know two things. First, it’s vast. Second, it’s mostly empty, but not devoid of life. Resources can only be found on certain planets and a race’s homeworld is more akin to a lifeboat than a throne. Survival is dependent on how hard you make it for others to kill you. Continue reading

Before I Kill You, Mister Spy Game Review

There is a covert war taking place that’s invisible to everyone. Various spy agencies battle it out in the shadows in hopes of obtaining political control. However, very few know about you, the true puppet master. Occasionally a spy will have the misfortune of learning more than they should. Such curiosity cannot be tolerated, but it’s not all bad. Eliminating enemy agents can be fun. Continue reading

Clash d’Ardèche Game Review (prepublished version)

People visit the countryside to reconnect with nature, unwind, find balance, and most importantly, have fun. They stay at campsites that range from hotels to little more than a dirt path that leads into the trees. Behind each is a person with a business plan who sees the camping season as a hunting season for camper’s wallets. Join the hunt. Continue reading

Take the Field Game Review

When you get right down to it, a computer is nothing more than a calculator. How it processes commands and renders graphics can be broken down into equations that involve zero’s and one’s. A computer virus takes advantage of this, finding holes in mathematical formulas that allow it to break in and take over. In this game, math is your weapon. With it, you can do critical damage. Continue reading

Subtle Much? Game Review (prepublished version)

American singer, songwriter, and actress, Lauryn Hill, said “Reality is easy. It’s deception that’s the hard work.” In this metagame, players will be attempting to subtly achieve objectives without drawing attention to themselves. All the while, the players will also be expected to play the main game that is nothing more than a facade to cover the “real game” boiling below the surface. Continue reading

Barrage Battle Game Review (prepublished version)

The 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, said “The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving.” In this game, the trick to victory is pressing the advantage, but striking it with a balance. Warmongers will have might on their side, while those who seek other routes will find different roads to victory. Continue reading

JurassAttack! Game Review

American paleontologist, Jack Horner, said “Children have a great urge to learn about dinosaurs.” Speaking from personal experience, as a one-time child and father of 3 little boys, dinosaurs are the coolest. Even as an adult, I still like learning about them and visiting museums to see the remains of the colossal monsters. In this game, you get to see which dinosaur really is the “biggest and the baddest”. Continue reading

Here, Kitty, Kitty! Game Review

English stand-up comedian, actor, and writer Eddie Izzard said, “Cats have a scam going – you buy the food, they eat the food, they go away; that’s the deal.” Cats certainly do seem to be independent creatures, always thinking for themselves, and never doing anything without a purpose. Regardless if you are a “cat person” or not, this game is all about attempting to persuade felines to see things your way. Much easier said than done. Continue reading

March of the Ants: Minions of the Meadow Game Expansion Review (prepublished version)

English nature writer, Richard Jefferies, wrote “It would seem that the ant works its way tentatively, and, observing where it fails, tries another place and succeeds.” Ants are industrious and tenacious, never losing site of their goals. With this expansion, players are given additional opportunities and pathways to explore, but also new dangers to avoid. Nothing comes easy in the world of ants. Continue reading