Game Reviews and Previews

This is a collection of all of my game reviews and game previews.

I have formatted each entry with

Title (click title for link to review/preview)

Ages: The game’s recommended age range. Many games can be enjoyed by children under the recommended age, especially if they play a lot of games. To search by age, use “AGE+” as search term.

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Players: The range of players the game says it supports. Just because a game claims it supports up to 8 players or 2 players doesn’t necessarily means it is great with that many or that few players. To search by minimum number of players, use “#p” as search term.

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MSRP: Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is the starting price of the base game. Some places sell it cheaper. (Link to where to buy games.) I rounded the price to a multiple of 5 for ease of searching. To search by maximum price, use “~PRICE” as search term.

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Advertised Play Time: The amount of time the game claims it takes to play. Frequently this is a underestimated and assume everyone knows how to play. To search by maximum play time, use “TIMEm” as search term.

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Tags: These are my personal tags and tags common to the community. They denote certain characteristics or mechanisms of the game. To Search by a tag, use “TAG” as search term.

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2-player: These are especially good with 2 players
abstract: These games have basically no theme.
great art: Art is less important to me than other factors, but these games impressed even me.
word game: Creating words is the core mechanism of the game.
drafting: Players take turns picking resources (like cards) from a pool of resources. After each pick, the next person will have one less resource they can choose from because the one picked by the previous person is no longer available.
deck builder: Throughout the course of the game, players improve their personal starting deck of cards. When they acquire a new card, it gets shuffled into their deck so they can use it on future turns.
apples-to-apples-esque: One player, a judge, gives criteria such as a word, phrase, or image. All other players play cards that they think best matches that criteria. The judge or other players have to determine the best/correct answer. (Based on the popular game Apples to Apples.)
hand management: Players have a finite number of cards in their hand. They must use them as effectively as possible instead of potentially just playing them all as soon as possible.
yahtzee-esque: Players take turns rolling multiple dice. That player may choose to reroll any number of those dice for their second roll. Then, they may reroll any number of those dice a second time.
rolling dice: Rolling dice plays an integral part of the game.
civilization builder: Players gain resources to construct buildings/improvements that give them benefits throughout the rest of the game.
well-known: These are some of the most popular board games in the world. If you talk to someone who likes “board games,” they probably know about these.
set collection: Players try to collect multiple of similar resources (like cards) to get a bonus.
hidden goals: Each player has personal objectives that only they know the details of and they potentially change each game.
dueling card game: A game where 2 (or more) players have unique decks of cards that they use to play champions/creatures/minions and events/spells/sorceries to reduce their opponent to 0 life/health.
action points: Players have a finite number of points that they can spend on various actions each turn. Not all action will necessarily cost the same number of points to perform.
worker placement: Players have a finite number of actions they can take each turn, but if one player takes an action, another player can’t take the exact same one in the same turn.
push your luck: Games that allow you to risk losing your current points for the possibility of gaining future points.
my favorite game: My current favorite game.
tile placement: Players incrementally build a modular board throughout the game. While they are building it, they are also playing on it.
hidden movement: Instead of physically moving a piece on a board, a player writes down their movement secretly. They reveal where they have moved only when a game state arrives where they must.
rich theme: The setting and flavor of a game can work with a games mechanisms in order to create a more interesting and immersive experience. I do not care as much about theme, but these games use it exceptionally well.
card based combat: Instead of rolling dice to resolve combat, these games use cards. After one card has been used, it can’t be used again until the other cards in your hand have been used.
war game: These games simulate war to varying degrees of detail and accuracy. They frequently focus on attacking and defending areas in order to accomplish set objectives.
unique player powers: These are abilities specific to only one person each game.
price setting: A player determines the value of a resource and charges a certain price for it. Other players may choose to buy it if they are willing to pay that price.
train game: Players connect locations together in order to create routes.
simultaneous turns: Players decide/perform their actions at the same time.
pick up and deliver: Players gain resources from one location and must take them to a different location.
engine building: Players acquire resources that let them perform an action in repeatably, hopefully optimal way.
exploration: Players randomly reveal parts of the game board throughout the game.
area control: Players compete to have the most resources in a specific area to gain the benefit of that area.

*Picture* (click for an enlarged version)

Notes: Any other important imformation

Game Reviews

The Duke

Ages: 13+ (14+)
Players: 2p
MSRP: $39.95 (~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30 minutes (30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: 2-player, abstract
A more unpredictable chess variant.

Dixit

Ages: 6+ (7+, 8+, 9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 3p, 4p, 5p, 6p
MSRP: $34.99 (~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30 Minutes (30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: great art, apples-to-apples-esque, simple
A simple game with good art that focuses on creating clever descriptions.

Tzaar

Ages: 13+ (14+)
Players: 2p
MSRP: $34.95 (~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30-60 minutes (60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: 2-player, abstract
A fight to eliminate all of one type of an opponent’s pieces.

Paperback

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p
MSRP: $24.99 (~25, ~30, ~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 45 minutes (45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: word game, deck-builder
A word game where you buy access to more valuable letters throughout.

Notes: Link to store page

Kahuna

Ages: 10+ (11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p
MSRP: $24.99 (~25, ~30, ~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30-40 minutes (45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: 2-player, abstract, hand management
A fight to control the islands of an archipelago.

Medieval Academy

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p
MSRP: $39.99 (~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30 minutes (30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: drafting
A game to prove who has the best knightly qualities.

Dominion

Ages: 13+ (14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $44.95 (~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30 minutes (30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: deck builder, well-known
A turn-based race to buy the best cards, make the best deck, and earn the most points.

Notes: Dominion is on its second edition.

Camel Up

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, 6p, 7p, 8p
MSRP: $39.99 (~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 20-30 minutes (30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: betting, rolling dice, simple
A high energy, high luck, camel betting racing game.

Race for the Galaxy

Ages: 12+ (13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $34.95 (~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30-60 minutes (60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: civilization builder, hand management, 2-player, engine building
Create the best empire by utilizing cards in hand for worlds, improvements, and resources.

Jaipur

Ages: 12+ (13+, 14+)
Players: 2p
MSRP: $24.99 (~25, ~30, ~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30 minutes (30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: 2-player, trading
A simple, yet surprisingly deep 2-player trading game with camels.

Roll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $39.99 (~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30-45 minutes (45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: yahtzee-esque/rolling dice, civilization builder
A dice game with plentiful options for creating the best civilization.

Catan

Ages: 10+ (11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 3p, 4p
MSRP: $49 (~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 60-120 minutes (120m)
Tags: rolling dice, well-known, civilization builder
A simple, trading, civilization building game with dice.

Ticket to Ride

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p
MSRP: $50 (~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30-60 min (60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: well-known, train game, set collection, hidden goals, simple
A simple train game where players connect cities to complete country-spanning routes.

Epic Card Game

Ages: 13+ (14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $14.99 (~15, ~20, ~25, ~30, ~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 20 min (20m, 30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: 2-player, great art, dueling card game, my favorite game (lots of articles), drafting, hand management
An incredibly deep, non-collectible card game of dueling gods. (I prefer this to Magic: the Gathering, Hearthstone, etc.)

Kingsburg

Ages: 13+ (14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p
MSRP: $49.95 (~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 90 minutes (90m, 120m)
Tags: rolling dice, worker placement, civilization builder
A game where players compete for favor with members of the court to build a civilization.

Push Fight

Ages: 6+ (7+, 8+, 9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p
MSRP: $49.99 (~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 5-15 minutes (15m, 20m, 30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: 2-player, abstract, simple
A simple 2-player game of tactics.

Notes: link to store page

Ninjato

Ages: 12+ (13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $49.99 (~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 60 minutes (60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: worker placement, push your luck, set collection
A game of ninjas, intrigue, and treasure.

Biblios

Ages: 10+ (11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $24.99 (~25, ~30, ~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30 minutes (30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: push your luck, set collection, bidding
Try to acquire the strongest cards in the first half of this game, and utilize your less valuable resources to win in the second half.

Sushi Go!

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p
MSRP: $13 (~15, ~20, ~25, ~30, ~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 15 minutes (15m, 20m, 30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: drafting, set collection, simple
An adorable little game of drafting.

Carcassonne

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p
MSRP: $34.99 (~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 45 minutes (45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: tile placement, well-known, simple
A game where you create the board as you play and try to exploit it the best.

Takenoko

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $49.99 (~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 45 minutes (45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: tile placement, hidden goals
An adorable game with a panda, gardener, and bamboo.

Specter Ops

Ages: 13+ (14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p
MSRP: $49.95 (~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 60-120 minutes (120m)
Tags: hidden movement, traitor mechanic (5 player), 2-player, unique player powers
One player is an agent trying to accomplish secret goals while everyone else tries to catch them.

Previews

Eldritch Horror

Ages: 14+
Players: 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, 6p, 7p, 8p
MSRP: $59.95 (~60)
Advertised Play Time: 120-240 minutes (>120m)
Tags: dice rolling, rich theme, great art, unique player powers
A Lovecraftian adventure, investigation game trying to defeat Ancient Ones.

Kemet

Ages: 13+ (14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p
MSRP: $64.99 (>~60)
Advertised Play Time: 90-120 minutes (120m)
Tags: great art, card based combat, war game, unique player powers, action points
An Egyptian mythology free-for-all with purchasable powers and creatures.

Axis and Allies Europe 1940 Second Edition

Ages: 12+ (13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, 6p
MSRP: $90 (>~60)
Advertised Play Time: 360 minutes (>120m)
Tags: war game, dice rolling, complicated
A detailed, mass-market WWII war game.

Black Fleet

Ages: 14+
Players: 3p, 4p
MSRP: $29.99 (~30, ~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 60 minutes (60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: unique player powers
A game of merchants, pirates, and navy with a lot of interesting cards.

Isle of Skye

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p
MSRP: $37 (~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 60 minutes (60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: tile placement, price setting
Each player builds their own empire while setting the price of and buying tiles.

Thurn and Taxis

Ages: 10+ (11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $34.95 (~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 60 minutes (60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: train game
Players collect cards in order to connect trading posts in Germany.

Baseball Highlights 2045

Ages: 10+ (11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $39.99 (~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 45-60 minutes (60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: deck building, simultaneous turns
A baseball game where players build their teams and anticipate their opponent’s plays.

Smash Up

Ages: 12+ (13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $29.99 (~30, ~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 45 minutes (45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags:
Players combine factions (like Zombies, Robots, or Dinosaurs) to destroy bases.

Alhambra

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, 6p
MSRP: $39.95 (~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 45-60 minutes (60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: tile placement
A game where players utilize different currencies to build the greatest Alhambra.

Seasons

Ages: 14+
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $49.99 (~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 60 minutes (60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: drafting, dice rolling
Players acquire resources to play unique cards to gain the most crystals.

Rise of Augustus

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, 6p
MSRP: $39.99 (~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30 minutes (30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: set collection
Bingo but where each small, completed score sheet gives you bonuses.

Valley of the Kings

Ages: 14+
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $19.99 (~20, ~25, ~30, ~35, ~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 45 minutes (45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: deck builder, set collection
Players acquire artifacts to both acquire even better artifacts and to fill their tomb.

Firefly

Ages: 13+ (14+)
Players: 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $49.99 (~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 120 minutes (120m)
Tags: pick up and deliver, rich theme
An immersive representation of the Firefly series.

Splendor

Ages: 10+ (11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $39.99 (~40, ~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30 minutes (30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: set collection, engine building
Players acquire gems in order to purchase cards and gain lords’ favor.

Jamaica

Ages: 8+ (9+, 10+, 11+, 12+, 13+, 14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, 6p
MSRP: $59.99 (~60)
Advertised Play Time: 30-60 minutes (60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: racing, dice rolling
A pirate racing game with doubloon hoarding and cannons.

Tikal

Ages: 13+ (14+)
Players: 2p, 3p, 4p
MSRP: $44.95 (~45, ~50, ~55, ~60)
Advertised Play Time: 90 minutes (90m, 120m)
Tags: exploration, area control, action points, set collection
An archeological exploration of the temples and treasure of Tikal.

Duelyst

Ages: T (probable ESRB rating)
Players: 2
MSRP: Free-to-play
Advertised Play Time: >10 minutes (>10m, 15m, 20m, 30m, 45m, 60m, 90m, 120m)
Tags: Online, collectible card game
A grid based digital card game.

Notes: Website