Party Like It's 1492 (A Review of Old World New World)

There's a lot of debate about who, exactly, "discovered" the Americas - Christopher Columbus, the Vikings, the Chinese, a lost tribe of Israel, or even aliens.  Now, with one of Victory Point's latest titles, you can make sure the history books get it right - it was YOU!  It may not be the vast American continents, but a New World beckons nonetheless with all its riches, honor, renown...and dangers.  Can you survive hostile Natives, an unwelcoming environment, and competition from your Old World neighbors to claim both land and glory?

A Progressive Top 10 to Introduce Player Interaction

Competition is at the heart of any game.  Indeed, it’s a characteristic that often defines the very word “game,” and separates the board gaming hobby from other leisurely forms of entertainment.  In some games, this is manifested in a cooperative element where players work together to beat the system.  Others instill a style of competition in which you solitarily strive to better your opponents at the same task, independent of any influence from each other.

But the great games include some form of direct interaction.  I’m going to attack you, steal from you, lie to you, block you, gang up on you, or generally wreak havoc on your pretty, well-laid plans of building a quiet cottage in the mountain meadows where the larks sing you to sleep in a gently swaying hammock on a warm spring day after sipping your sweet tea with mint.

Some people really like their sweet tea.

But, if you’re a gamer who appreciates direct interaction – even some old-fashioned, sucker-punching spite – just how do you entice wary casual gamers, younger children, or maybe even that hard-nosed Euro player in your group?  Well, you’ll have to ease them into it, of course.  So before you hit them with Bang!, Cosmic Encounter, or Diplomacy, here’s a list of ten progressively recommended titles to turn your peace-loving friend or relative into the Gordon Ramsay of gaming!

I've Got My Samurais On You (A Review of Shitennō )

Japan has been unified.  After years of turmoil and uncertainty, a new Shogun has brought the warring provinces under his control through cunning diplomacy and ruthless conquest.  But that doesn’t mean all the fun has to stop!  Now the emperor’s conniving court officials, governors, and generals squabble behind the scene – or rather in plain sight – for the Shogun’s favor.  Peace is such an illusory concept.

My Kingdom for a Trojan Horse (A Review of Iliad)

It was a time of myth and legend.  When fabled warriors inspired lesser men by the thousands to rise above their mundane lives and march into history’s pages.  While old kings squabbled over land and power and wealth, they fought for glory and honor and love.  Now you can relive the most epic conflict of the ancient world.  All because of a woman.

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?

The Paradise is Falling! (A Review of Paradise Fallen)

Paradise has fallen. At least, if you consider the tropical islands of Hawaii to be paradise.  Anyways, sometime in the future, or maybe transcendent of time, Bad Stuff™ has happened, resulting in the destruction of modern civilization as we know it. At least, on the islands of Hawaii. But you, the players, are intrepid explorers venturing into these once lost but now rediscovered islands, braving deadly mists, native tribes, and powerful storms to be the first to re-discover the world that was.

Okay, I pretty much made that up, or rather extrapolated from the box-back description, the island names, and the art on the cover, because there is no backstory written in the rulebook.

The Geisha Effect (A Review of Tenka 2nd Edition)

Sengoku.  Ancient Japan is shrouded in mist and mystery.  It lay in chaos and strife as warring clan leaders squabble and clash, negotiate and scheme, collaborate and deceive.  The ultimate goal?  Power.  Honor.  Glory.  Unifying a fractured land and desperate people.  Do you possess the diplomatic savvy, spiritual confidence, and military prowess to consolidate enough splintered provinces and declare yourself Shogun?

Honest-to-Goodness Shipping in the Mediterranean? (A Review of Traders of Carthage)

So you think you're an expert at shipping in the Mediterranean do you?  Have you ever purchased your wares in Alexandria, sailed through pirate infested waters, and haggled your goods for a profit in Carthage?  Probably?  Luckily the theme doesn't try too hard in Traders of Carthage and there's a really good game buried under the surface.

Bird Herding (A Preview of Emu Ranchers)

Emus are a cranky lot.  You’d probably be, too, if you were a flightless bird.  I mean, as some unfortunate evolutionary defect, not only do they pine away their days jealously watching their aviary brethren soar high, like nature intended, but now humans want to herd and pen them, like common cattle.  Why?  I don’t know.  There’s not much meat upon them.  And they’re ugly.  Must be for the feathers.

[Ed. note: This is a preview of a non-final, non-production prototype of the game. Our opinions reflect that of the game at the time we played it; the final product may feature some slight variation in game play, art, and components.]

Perfect Perjury (A Preview of Lie Your Face Off)

Dad always said, “Honesty is the best policy.”  Yeah, right!  It’s time to take off those rose-colored glasses and break out a game that represents what advertisers, politicians, and car salesmen know really spins the world on its axis:  a good, old-fashioned lie!  I’m not just talking about stretching the truth or telling a little white fib.  No, I mean spinning an incredible doozy of a tall tale.  When your parents are on the prowl accusing you of all manner of shenanigans, you need a story and you need to stick to it!

[Ed. note: This is a preview of a non-final, non-production prototype of the game. Our opinions reflect that of the game at the time we played it; the final product may feature some slight variation in game play, art, and components.]

A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (a review of Bruges)

Lots of things are going wrong in the town of Bruges. Money is tight, even the king and queen are hiring their services out to wealthy merchants, and threats of plague, flooding, fire, and raid loom on the horizon.

There's no better time to be an entrepreneurial mover-and-shaker in Bruges. Now's your chance to build canals, bolster your reputation, and erect houses for your helpers, all while flaunting what little wealth you've got in a bid for prestige.

Naval Gazing (A Review of The Battle of Red Cliffs)

The formidable, crimson cliffs tower over the Yangtze River.  As you gaze downstream, you see hundreds of ships floating peacefully like paper lanterns on the glistening water.  The serene calm is soon broken as captains bark orders, sails belch forth, and sailors scramble amidships.  The fate of the Empire is in your hands, so hopefully you brought your…um…cards?  Yes, that’s right.  Because the enemy has a full deck and is playing for keeps – and he just might have something up his sleeve.

Rock 'n Throw (An Interview with Jeremy Burnham)

Jeremy Burnham is a freshman designer whose first major game, the unique deck-builder

Stack & Attack, is currently seeking support on Kickstarter.  With an analytically-minded background and as a new family man, Jeremy has eye for kid- and family-friendly gaming in hopes to hook new and casual players into the hobby.  We here at iSlaytheDragon appreciate Jeremy taking the time from what must be a whirlwind schedule with his first crowd-funding campaign to sit down for a few questions.

Time For Some Fresh Faces (A Review of Guildhall: Job Faire)

Just when you thought you knew all there was to know about running your own Guildhall along comes a new generation of "professionals".  Sure, some of them are hard working and may even build you a new office but you're still going to have to watch your back and try to help everyone get along.  And just wait until the new help mingles with your old workers, I don't imagine you'll have enough room for everyone!

Farming... with Style! (A Review of Farmageddon)

This ain't no yellow brick road

While Farming is a common staple of games that lean towards the "euro" style of things, many consider that activity to be somewhat boring.  After all, it's a little bit like watching grass grow, only the final plants are taller.

Perhaps Farming might be more interesting if there were explosions involved.  Or at least some intense sabotage, theft, and destruction.  Enter the card game Farmageddon, a game by friend-of-the-dragon Grant Rodiek, originally published via The Game Crafter but now available from 5th Street Games.

Disclaimer: @futurewolfie's name can be found in the credits of Farmageddon under "Graphic Design."  While he was involved as a freelancer, he did not participate in the design, development, or playtesting of the game, and has done his best to keep this review honest and objective.

These Mushrooms Aren't Going To Cook Themselves (A Review of Morels)

 

One does not simply stumble upon a Morel. You must search deep in the woods, making sure that it is not one of many false morels first. Then it should be handled and prepared with the utmost care so that you preserve its unique flavor. Only then can you play this game. Come back when you are ready to take mushroom foraging more seriously.

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!

They're Giving You a Number and Taking Away Your Name (a preview of The Agents)

The Agents is a card game currently on Kickstarter with an interesting mechanism, what the designer calls "double-edged cards." The game smashed its funding goal early on and is currently over $200,000, with four more days in its campaign. I had a chance to try the game. Is it for you?

Check out my impressions below!

[Note: all components are prototype components and do not reflect the final product (though the art, I believe, will be the same). Also, please forgive the slight blurriness. That's not an Instagram filter; I think my camera is on its way out.]

Sow Low, Reap High (A Review of Fill the Barn)

Ah, a farmer’s life. There’s never a shortage of work? You have fields to plow and hay to put up. It’s a time demanding career, so don’t dally. I mean, there’s only so much room in the barn and you don’t want the competition squeezing you out. But farm smartly – not only do you want to be quick, but you want good prices, too. There are no government subsidies to bail you out in this game!

High Stakes Poker (A Review of Vampire Empire)

An evil has infected the city!  Roaming the streets and its foreboding castle's halls, disguised as normal townsfolk, vampires walk amongst unsuspecting mortals.  Will these vile creatures lure and trap the land's innocent souls?  Or will the humans successfully reveal their dark identities and hunt them all down before its too late?  In this new release from Stronghold Games, you have the chance to accomplish either.  So channel your inner Nosferatu or Van Helsing and enter the realm of Vampire Empire.