That's Quite The Line-Up (A Review of Battle Line)

In ancient times armies would line up on opposite sides of a battlefield before a conflict.  Perhaps they would give speeches to encourage their troops or taunt their opponents while they waited for the coming battle.  At least that's how things work in Battle Line.  The sides are clearly drawn up and troops are sent into battle one at a time, patiently waiting for the enemy to show up before the fighting begins.  Can you win this very neat and organized battle?

Barnyard Stud (A Review of Black Sheep)

The stakes have never been higher in ranching.  Or should I say steaks?  Can you beat your neighbors to wrangle up the choicest livestock from the auction yards?  Diversify between horses, cows, pigs, sheep, and roosters.  Old McDonald ain't got nothing on you.  Just remember that the biggest deals may swing upon what you have up your sleeve!

Gather Around The Watering Hole (A Review of Through The Desert)

The Desert is a dangerous and uncharted area that is divided into neat little hexes that can each hold exactly one camel.  This is the first lesson you learn in nomad desert herding 101.  With this knowledge, and many other valuable tidbits, you head out into the vast and extremely crowded desert in search of water.  Will you prosper where other caravans have withered away and become King of the Desert?

Exciting Exploration (a review of Lost Cities)

You've got your compass. And a map. You wore your thick boots today, and your mother packed you a hearty lunch. Oh, and money: good, you've got that, much of it from wealthy benefactors who hope you will bring back artifacts of great worth from your time in the jungle. Or Atlantis. Or wherever you're going.

But wait--someone else is attempting a similar expedition? And how did they attract wealthy benefactors as well?

No matter. You will find and explore these lost cities and make a bundle while you're at it. At least if you can figure out the scoring formula...

Building the Babel (a review of Tower of Babel)

A tower to the sky? You don't really know why they're building it, but hey, they asked for your help, you've got nothing better to do, and they helped you when you needed to move to your new place, so it's your obligation. And you're willing to do anything for victory points.

Ah, victory points. Victory points make the world go round. In fact, they've always made the world go round, in modern and ancient times. You'll help your friends, but only as long as they help you more. After all, you've got to maintain your reputation as the world's most respectable builder. Your monuments are the ones that will endure.

Enter the world of Tower of Babel: the game where helping others is necessary, but helping yourself is paramount.

Circus Spectaculus (a review of Spectaculum)

There once was a time when traveling circuses roamed the earth, supported by the patronage of wealthy benefactors. Sometimes the shows received good marks; sometimes performers were booed off the stage in the middle of their act. But one thing was certain: life was always interesting. And there were ducats to be made for enterprising show managers.

Spectaculum seeks to transport players to this world of entertainers and circuses through a game of stock manipulation. Is it worth the price of admission? Find out below!

Destiny for Dynasty (a review of Qin)

Conquering the countryside. Consolidating power. Building your empire. Tile-laying.

Do you have what it takes to build your dynasty? Find out below!

Wait, is that a Dragon? (A Review of Kingdoms)

Do you have the courage to face off against evil?  Will you defend your towns and people, or be overcome by monsters?  Do you fear the great dragon?  Will you build your castles and make great fortunes, or will your towers fall over, burn to the ground, and then sink into the swamp?  Who will have the greatest Kingdom of all?

In Reiner Knizia's Kingdoms, published by Fantasy Flight Games, you may have the chance to find out.  As long as you don't mind a little math.

The Name on the Box Top: Reiner Knizia

My favorite Knizia game. Indeed, one of my favorite games.

I am almost certain that those who participate in the board gaming hobby who have tried to tell others about it have, at one point or another, been met with a response of, "Oh, is that like Clue and Monopoly?"

What separates hobby board games from the majority of mass-market titles, aside (arguably) from fun, is the name on the box top. Like the byline on books or the signature in the corner of a painting, hobby board games typically bear the name of their creator. But more than their name, hobby board games typically bear the style of their creator as well. Just like you might expect different things from a book by Kurt Vonnegut than you would from Graham Greene, you can expect different things of a game depending on whose name is on the box top.

The Name on the Box Top may become a regular series about game designers, their trademarks, and what I think of their designs. Or it could die here. In any case, I want to talk today about one of my favorite designers: Reiner Knizia.

It's a Rich Man's World (a review of Money)

It was a few weeks before Thanksgiving, and I had what turned out to be an awkward conversation with my wife.

"My sister called. She wants to borrow Money."

My wife was doing the dishes. She paused, gave me a puzzled look, and said, "Why would she want to borrow money—from us?" I'm the youngest in my family, and this would be a severe breach of the rules of family flow.

Thankfully, after this point we both shared a laugh. My sister wasn't asking to borrow the Benjamins; she was asking to borrow Reiner Knizia's blind bidding and bluffing game of exchanging currencies. So we know that my sister liked it. What do I think? Find out below!