Let Your Lights Shine (A Review of Candle Quest)

This year Hanukkah comes to a close tomorrow, December 5, at night-fall.  The familiar – at least in name – celebration commemorates the rededication of the Temple which the Jewish people wrested back control of from the Seleucid Syrians during the Maccabean Revolt.  Today I review Candle Quest, a light card game not about that revolt or politics or history; but instead acquiring candles with which to light the menorah so famously associated with the holiday.  There may not be any tactical, political intrigue and big battles.  But you’ll need a dash of strategy in spending your shekels wisely before your opponents snuff you out.

Penchant for Plunder (a review of Libertalia)

When I was in college, each year there was one movie that got watched over and over again in the dorms, to the point that I never wanted to see it again. My freshman year, that movie was Shrek. My sophomore year, that movie was Pirates of the Caribbean.

Now, some ten years later, I can look back fondly on those times in the dorm together with friends (even if I'm not keen to watch those movies again). And despite not wanting to watch Pirates again, piratey games are definitely not off limits. Does Libertalia deliver the goods (and then plunder them)? Find out below!

Set Sail, Eh? (A Review of Fleet)

As the resident Canadian here at iSlayTheDragon I felt it was about time that my home country got a little bit of the gaming spotlight.  Fishing may not be the first thing that pops into your head when you think of Canada but Nunavut is an excellent subject for this unique card game.  So get ready to head north (or whichever direction Canada is for you) and set sail!

Bidding, Bribing, Blackmailing, and Bludgeoning (a review of Revolution!)

It's the French revolution, and you are the leader of an opportunistic faction seeking to control Paris. In order to gain control of the city, you will have to enlist the help of various powerful personages...but doing so isn't cheap. And while revolutions are built upon principles, you'll have to throw your scruples out the window to gain traction with those who can help you. Of course, those who can help are equally unscrupulous and will just as easily serve your rivals if the price is right.

But this is revolution! Down with the king! It doesn't really matter who wins the revolution...as long as it's you.

You Need Me on That Wall (A Review of Island Fortress)

Have you ever dreamed of being a courageous, colonial pioneer building a mighty fortress amidst a harsh, cruel, and barren landscape?  Island Fortress dares proclaim to be that game.  However, the only cruelty is that inflicted upon the poor saps who perish during its construction whilst limitless resources and labor are within your reach.  Still, your nondescript king must have his nondescript power projected into this nondescript area – so your task is to help build him a nondescript fort!

That's A Fine Looking Manuscript Roll (A Review of Scripts and Scribes: The Dice Game)

Scripts and Scribes took the life of a monk in a medieval abbey and let you live it out in a quick and clever card game.  Now you get to have the same exciting experience of collecting your favorite miscellaneous manuscripts and whatnot in a dice game!

What's It Worth to Ya? (a Guide to Auction Mechanics)

It's no secret around these parts that I love auctions. Love them. Love, love, love them. In games, in real life. If I can find a way to maximize the value of a deal, I'm in. So I jumped at the chance to write about auction mechanics.

Are you curious about auctions? You should be, because auctions are awesome. And you've come to the right place to find out more.

The Sky's the Limit (a review of Sunrise City)

I was playing WarCraft III with @Futurewolfie and one of our friends a few years ago. We were on a local network, each on our laptops or desktops, our positions and strategies unknown to the others. I was furiously clicking, commanding my workers, building my army, preparing for battle. I had all sorts of buildings, my upgrades were maxed out, and my little city was beautiful.

I was out of the game almost as soon as my location was discovered.

The reason? I was playing WarCraft like it was Sim City.

I've abandoned computer games for the most part, but I've taken my desire to build into the tabletop realm. Even after several years in the hobby, though, I hadn't found a game that mimicked the experience of building a city from the ground up.

Until I saw Sunrise City from Clever Mojo Games. But is it worth breaking ground for? Find out below!

Flip That House! (a review of For Sale)

[Editors note: The following is a Nemesis Review, featuring opinions from our in-house eurogamer, @Farmerlenny, and his deadly enemy the thematic space-loving @Futurewolfie. Make sure to read both opinions to get a better overall picture of the game!]

When I lived with my sister, she used to love watching shows that involved house flipping, the practice of buying low and selling high. She liked the home upgrade part. Ho-hum. I was interested in the business side—how much did the person get for fixing up that house? Was it a wash, or did they make some fat cash?

With the recent recession, house flipping is on a bit of a hiatus as a boom industry. But it's possible to relive the glory days through a little card game called For Sale.

(Ed. Note: The pictures in this review are from @FarmerLenny's copy of the game, the old Uberplay edition. It has since been released as part of the Gryphon Bookshelf Series with much the same components.)

Auctions in Egypt (a review of Ra)

[Editors note: The following is a Nemesis Review, featuring opinions from our in-house eurogamer, @Farmerlenny, and his deadly enemy the thematic space-loving @Futurewolfie. Make sure to read both opinions to get a better overall picture of the game!]

It's difficult to spend time in the board gaming hobby and not hear the name "Reiner Knizia." His name is a staple in the industry, and depending on your gaming sensibilities, that can be a good thing or a bad thing. For my birthday, my sister gave me one of Knizia's flagship games, Ra. And while for me Knizia's fame is a very good thing, not everyone agrees with me (namely, @Futurewolfie). Read on for an explanation of the game and our review. Spoiler alert: lots of disagreement ahead.