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?

Besieged! (a review of Zulus on the Ramparts)

Things are looking grim for the small band of British soldiers at the fort at Rorke's Drift. Zulu forces have surrounded the fort and will soon overtake it. You are in command of the soldiers and the small stock of supplies available to them. Can you hold out until morning, when Lord Chelmsford's relief column should arrive with reinforcements?

Find out in Zulus on the Ramparts!

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.

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!

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.

The Gondola Ride (a review of Rialto)

Venice. Land of bridges and gondolas and noblemen vying for the favor of the powerful doge. You are one such nobleman, with lots of cards, cylinders, coins, and cardboard at your disposal. If you've got an hour, you've got an opportunity to ride your gondola to the top.

Is controlling Venice in the cards for you? Find out in Rialto!

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!

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.

A Brief Tale of Norse Tiles (A Review of Voluspa)

In Norse mythology, Odin sacrifices his eye to gain great wisdom.  That's him on the cover of Voluspa, watching you with his one good eye, judging your moves.  Will you be lucky enough to have him on your side, whispering useful tips in your ear like his trusted ravens?  Or will you team up with Loki and Fenrir to dominate the ever-evolving world of Norse tiles? Will you tell a tale as timeless as Voluspa? Probably not, but luckily playing won't take nearly as long.

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.

Spies and Lies (a review of Ace of Spies)

You are a spymaster tasked with completing missions for king and country. You must recruit agents, gather intelligence, provide the proper tools for the job, and set up meetings in the right locations in order to succeed. But watch out! Rival spymasters are out there as well, and they are not above stealing your plans from under your nose. To be a spymaster requires nerves of steel...and perhaps unscrupulous backstabbery.

Do you have what it takes to win the coveted title Ace of Spies?

He deserves a big hand for that and we gave him one (A Guide To Hand Management)

There are a lot of new-fangled mechanics that have come to popularity in the recent years: worker placement, deck building, and dice building to name a few. But other mechanics have a much longer history. Among game components that have a rich history dice and cards both trace back over 1000 years. In this mechanic guide we’ll explore the most common implementation of card driven games, Hand Management.

And the Rockets' Red Glare... (a review of Hanabi)

Fireworks. The sound, the spectacle, the dazzling display. You've probably attended some good fireworks shows in your lifetime, ones that have sent you home with an awed expressions on your face, memories in your mind, and praises on your lips. You've probably also seen the demonstrations that are completely forgettable, perhaps a way to pass the time to celebrate a holiday but not an event worthy of remembrance.

But did you know that fireworks displays require cooperation, deduction, and skill? And playing cards in ascending order? No?

Well, in the world of Hanabi they do.

Hanging Out With The Paupers (A Review Of London)

After the Great Fire of London in 1666 there were apparently a lot of lazy Paupers hanging around while the rest of the population tried desperately to rebuild the city.  Sometimes you could educate them in a school and have them help out or send them away on ships or throw them in prison.  This is what I've learned from the game London not what I hastily looked up on Wikipedia.  What I did look up on Wikipedia was Oliver Twist to see if I could make a clever pun related to this game for the title.  He did fit right in with the time period of London but I just couldn't find a way to work him or the Artful Dodger in, perhaps next time!

Make Your Fortune By Going Broke (A Review of Last Will)

Are you good at spending money?  I mean lots and lots of money, enough to buy mansions and hire out butlers and still have more to blow.  But that's the whole point, you're uncle made it his last wish (or will) that his relatives should enjoy the vast wealth that he never got to enjoy himself.  And whoever is the best at spending his hard earned cash the fastest will inherit the rest of his fortune.  So get ready to go for broke.  Like they say, you've got to spend money to make money.

Dystopian Digging in Deck Building (a review of Arctic Scavengers)

Since Dominion's release, many have been eager to capitalize on the deck-building phenomenon, but in every case, I've found myself cold toward the new and that much more impressed with the original. Ascension, for example, I thought was okay, but its twist (same cards each game/different order and two currencies) left me craving the more balanced approach of Dominion. Eminent Domain was kind of neat, but it lacked the variety (and thus replayability) of Dominion. Thunderstone was thematic, but its mechanics were bogged down by its theme, and games outlasted my interest. On and on.

Arctic Scavengers is the newest in the line of Dominion followers, set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland of scarce resources and frightening possibilities. How does it stack up to the others? Find out below!

That's One Ugly Farmer (A Review of Guildhall)

It's the dark ages and there are pigs running all over the place causing chaos and disorder.  It's your job to hire some farmers to pick up those pigs so that everyone else can finally get some work done.  That's the man for the job right there on the cover.  He's so good at his job that he's holding 2 pigs, better hire him quick and give him some good benefits before someone else recruits him to their own guild!  There are some representatives from the other various occupations too but most of them look shady and it's really hard to look away from that farmer's big old nose.  And don't mind that guy in the back left, he's absolutely not about to kill someone.  I think that pretty much sums up Guildhall, now let's go watch that dancer without having to worry about getting run over by a herd of pigs.

Raining Candy (a review of Piñata)

A swing and a miss! You love tugging that little line, drawing the bounteous piñata higher and higher as the blindfolded batter swings low. Or loosening your grip to ground the piñata as she swings high. You chuckle and chuckle at your clever dodges and revel in the laughter of the crowd. Until it's your turn at the bat.

Now the crowd has turned against you as you beat the air, hoping against hope that candy will shower you with sugar. You can taste victory...but can you find it in the dark?

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...