Mystic Codes Game Review

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In the world of espionage, knowing how to get information is just as important as the information itself. Spies will spend weeks or even years embedding themselves deep into organizations to get their hands on intelligence that can only be found by a trusted few. In this game, you won’t need to go covert and skip your day job to play. You will, however, have to outthink your opponents through clever card plays and math, and then take any opportunity to crack their secret code to expose their secrets. This is a game in two parts, and you’ll only be able to win if you can do both of them well. Continue reading →

Order of the Blade Game Review

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The Order of the Blade has existed since the first day someone wanted another’s death and was willing to pay for such a service. Since its initial humble beginnings as nothing more than a group of hired thugs, it has become a worldwide underground organization of elite assassins. Today, they are holding openings to determine if any new talent is worthy of joining their shadowy exploits. You believe you have what it takes and have joined the tournament. The rules are simple: survive. In this game, however, death is too often the victor. Continue reading →

Slayers and Dragons Game Review

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Dragons and their would-be slayers have had a tumultuous relationship at best since the very beginning. My earliest memories of dragons included knights rescuing kidnapped maidens in my kids’ books from the library. Later, they were the “big baddy” in the dungeon, asleep on their pile of gold (as inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien). Dragons come in all types of forms and stories to this day, from friends to children to living primordial forces of destruction. In this game, there are dragons around every possible corner, but if fantasy stories and hours, upon hours, of playing Dungeons and Dragons have taught me nothing else, there is always a slayer of monsters to be had. Continue reading →

Veto Game Review

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The ability to veto something simply means you elect to block whatever someone suggests you should do. In politics, it’s about blocking legislation. In games, it’s about canceling a card. In this game, no votes are taken, but you do have the ability to duck, dodge, and flat-out cancel other players’ cards played against you. The entire goal of the game is to quickly get rid of your cards, but you’ll quickly discover that such a simple objective is no simple feat to pull off. Continue reading →

Cat Conquest Game Review

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Cats live extraordinary lives. They roam a world we wouldn’t recognize, full of adventure, drama, and danger around every corner. They also sleep a lot and have zero willpower when it comes to a warm sunbeam. Regardless, the domesticated house cat and the savage lion of the savannah are both majestic creatures, each hunting in their own unique jungle. In this game, you take on the role of a young cat hellbent on dominating the neighborhood. To do so, you enlist a group of eager (and eccentric) cats. You now wage war against a select few, with each property a piece of your future kingdom to claim and rule. Continue reading →

Field of Bees Game Review

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As a kid, I was terrified of bees but also loved them. I knew that these little insects had the ability to hurt me with their stinger, but they also made honey, which was so sweet! It was a conundrum. Years and years later, as an adult, I was paying closer attention to bees to help me keep track of which flowers were pollinated and to take note of how the world around me was doing. More bees and more flowers were always a good thing. In this game, players will learn about bees, flowers, and the important role they play. Plus, they get to compete in a fast game of picking, matching, and saving bees while cursing the dreaded Knapweed. Continue reading →

Next Station: London Game Review

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My first experience of the London Underground was one of confusion, excitement, and anxiety. Lots of people, lots of signs, and lots of energy. I was told – repeatedly – that London’s rapid transit system was one of the world’s best and the only way to get around the city. With passport and ticket in hand, I jumped aboard, being reminded – repeatedly – to “mind the gap”. What followed was an adventure and newfound admiration for traveling by train. So much so that when I returned to the States, I looked at my car with disdain. It was with great joy that I learned to play this game, which reminded me not only of the adventures I had but also of the system’s complexity that always got me to my destination. Continue reading →

Rolling Freight Game Review

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The expansion of the United States’ railway system offered new opportunities for people to move around. And wherever people go, goods quickly follow. In this game, you’ll be challenged to build a railroad that optimizes efficiency to deliver goods as quickly as possible. You’ll have to leverage the growing needs with whatever means are available to you. Seek opportunities to capitalize on new railways and improve, squeezing every last opportunity to get what people want where they want it before the competition beats you to it. Continue reading →

Wolfwalkers: My Story Game Review

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In the movie Wolfwalkers, the story focuses on finding oneself and exploring cultural beliefs and misconceptions. In this game, you won’t be challenged to do any deep, introspective thinking of your own motivations, but you will need to be focused fully on the larger picture of what you are trying to accomplish. One card at a time. It creates an interesting puzzle in reverse as you build your tableau and work toward a possible victory. Continue reading →

Pizza Roles Game Review

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It’s game night with your friends! You have the games picked out, the various drinks purchased, and the family kitchen table setup for five straight hours of board game goodness! But before you can set up the first game, you need to order the pizzas. The problem is that you and your friends are on a fixed budget. You can only get one very large pizza with a few select toppings. When you speak to your friends about what pizza to buy, it’s clear that they all have their own secret agenda on what to put on it. I guess ordering food will be your first game of the day. Continue reading →

Absolute Game Review

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If the inter-web is telling me the truth (really hard to tell nowadays), the earliest known card game originated in China in the 9th century, or roughly over 1,225 years ago (as of the date of this review’s publication). Since then, humanity has continued to create and play games using cards or card-like components. Today, in a world of digital wonder, we play card games on the computer. It comes as no surprise that new games are published every year using nothing other than a deck of cards. In this game, the traditional approach to a classic card game is revised and refined for the modern age. Continue reading →

Treasure Trails – Irate Pirate’s Edition Game Review

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What is known about the man who is believed to be the most temperamental pirate to ever sail on the blue waters of the Caribbean is one part myth and one part truth, although the truth of it is still highly suspect. One element of the stories told around tables and fires is always the same, however. There was a treasure found and then lost by the man known as the Irate Pirate. The riches acquired by the infuriated pirate are said to be too vast to count and too great to describe in full. Needless to say, once the treasure was lost and the pirate died (presumably due to his high blood pressure and anger-management issues), the legend and the greed for the lost treasure only grew. Now it is your turn to chase the gold and the fame. With just enough knowledge to get you started, you’ll need your wits about you to navigate land and sea to find the lost treasure before your opponent does. Continue reading →