Jump Gate (Fourth Edition) Game Review

Business magnate and investor Elon Musk, best known for Tesla and SpaceX, said, “I think we are at the dawn of a new era in commercial space exploration.” Yes, soon, you can expect trucks, traffic jams, and giant floating billboard signs in space. In this game, a recent technological breakthrough allows humans to travel great distances in seconds, allowing for quick jumps to neighboring galaxies long thought unreachable. Such a wonder allows us to explore distant reaches of space like it was our backyard. And explore we do, not only with a great sense of wonder but for a need for profit. After all, owning a spaceship that can bend the fabric of space isn’t cheap, people. Continue reading

Terra Proxima Game Review (prepublished version)

English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author who was director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge, Stephen Hawking said: “I think the human race doesn’t have a future if it doesn’t go into space.” In this game, players are humanity’s greatest hope of finding new resources and homes for the expanding human race. Each player takes on the role of leading ships deeper into the void to find the fabled planet Terra Proxima. The first to plant their flag will win the game, but the race to the center of the galaxy is anything but easy or safe. Continue reading

Sector Prime Game Review (prepublished version)

What drives us to explore space? For some, it’s the yearning to learn more about ourselves. For others, it’s a chance to escape. For you, it’s about making money. A new Gold Rush is on, with massive robotic refiners and battle-ready mining drones doing the work of men. The competition is fierce and the stakes are high. Greed is a powerful motivator. Continue reading

Conquest of the Stars Game Review

Space might be the final frontier, but it’s also a battleground. The need to explore and find new worlds is accompanied by the strong desire to own and control whatever is found. Spaceships built for exploration are accompanied by spaceships built for war. In this game, you can only keep what you take by force. Continue reading

Extraterrestrial Grail Game Review

The universe is about to end. For the many different alien races, the Grail is the one thing that promises life and safety. For some, the Grail is a spaceship. For others, it’s a new planet. You have been tasked to search the stars and find the Grail before others claim it. Risk everything and take no prisoners to save your species from certain annihilation. Continue reading

Conquest of Orion Game Review

Mankind can finally travel to distant stars. It was the hope of many that this would be the dawning of a new age of enlightenment and peace. But this dream was not meant to be. War and greed have followed mankind on their journey into the heavens and now distant galaxies are the new battleground. To protect your way of life and further your ambitions, you and a fellow comrade lead your people into war. Continue reading

EONS Game Review

Carl Sagan said “The universe seems neither benign nor hostile, merely indifferent.” Stars are born and die. Galaxies expand and collapse. It’s a dance of creation and destruction that is played out eon after eon on a cosmic level. But there is order to the chaos. For each cause there is an effect and after every death there is new life. Sadly, nothing lasts forever… Continue reading

Hegemonic Game Review

Peace throughout the galaxy was maintained by a powerful few, but nothing lasts forever. When the great leaders passed, the ideals they attempted to instill in their people began to fade. The allure of the unknown and the promise of riches on other worlds became too tempting to ignore. Galactic calm has been replaced by bitter strife. Allies wage political battles while warring space fleets explode in the vacuum of space. Lead your people to their destiny or their doom. Continue reading

Burning Suns Game Review (prepublished game)

Peace and prosperity has flourished from one end of the galaxy to the other, but even in this time of plenty, there are those who hunger for more. It began with a simple skirmish, and from there, dissent and fear spread. Friends are now enemies and unlikely alliances have become common place. Some empires seek solace by searching for ancient relics to guide them. For others, only the drums of war bring comfort. How will you lead your empire through these troubled times? Continue reading