Posts in Category: Board Games
Tiny Epic Kingdoms Review: Microscopic Majesty
Can something tiny truly be epic? This postcard-sized box stakes a claim that yest it can. And boy, does it deliver on that promise. Scott Almes, the designer, managed to pull off a magic trick of his own, creating a game that lasts less than an hour, takes minimal table space, yet feels robust and involved, packs tactical depth and flexibility. After the dust settles and the victor is crowned – it is a very satisfying and complete experience in a familiar, well-rendered fantasy world.
Top 5 Games of 2014
As the last days of 2014 are ticking away and we all are trying to indulge as much as we can in our bad habits before the new year resolutions kick in – I really wanted to recap my year in gaming. It has been a very exciting one for me as in preparing my own game, Cauldron, for kickstarter I got to learn so much about other games out there. Playing these left me with many memorable moments from this year and I want to acknowledge the five games that had the most impact on my developing taste.
Pandemic Review: Collaborative Adventures in Global Health
Cooperative style stands as a separate point in the board game resurgence – it is a culmination of the tendency to move away from conflict towards more peaceful competition and collaboration. While the genre has its roots in the 80s (did you know that’s when first version of Arkham Horror was publushed?), one of the games that really brought prominence to the true co-op is Pandemic. Strap on your hazmat suit and hold on to your Petrie dishes, we’re going to save the world!
Marvel Legendary Review by Eric Mang
Superheroes are awesome. I may not be in the majority (click here to see the stats), but Marvel superheroes are more awesome in my eyes. Oh Dark Knight, you’ll always have a place in my heart, but Spidey’s my guy.
My first Marvel game was the RPG from the 1980s. I was about 12 when I got it and it was a perplexing maze of rules. Matters were made worse when none of my friends were interested in playing. So much dust it gathered.But then Upper Deck (not a go-to games company for me. I associate them with high-end baseball cards that made my O-Pee-Chee hockey cards look o-pee-cheap) released Marvel Legendary.
Cauldron: As we approach the end of 2014
As the year is drawing to an end it is great to look back and reflect on what so far has been the most exciting and involved project of my life. I am talking about Cauldron, the board game of competitive alchemy that I am currently working very hard to bring to Kickstarter. In looking back what I find most is gratitude. Gratitude to many people, and I’m going to try expressing it in this post.
7 Wonders: Simultaneous Civilization Building
7 Wonders is a smash hit civilization building game from French designer Antoine Bauza. Much like the titular wonders it is truly monumental in its’ achievement – a game that accommodates up to seven players, has substance and still fits within half an hour. Mixing luck of the draw with solid tactical planning and eliminating down time it is a masterfully designed game that is easy to pick up and hard to grow tired.