I was impressed with Unmatched. I thought the character choices were interesting and varied, the ruleset was tight and fluid, and the product design was simply outstanding. What’s perhaps shocking is that I was never much of an Epic Duels fan, yet this release felt warm and comforting in ways I didn’t expect. It even…
Core Space is a semi-cooperative miniatures skirmish system that was one of my most beloved releases of 2019. It continues to see a substantial amount of play and my enthusiasm remains elevated. Dangerous Days functions as the second season of this system, featuring the first expansion material developed post-release. I’m using the title Dangerous Days,…
The “Jyhad” is the eternal war between ancient Methuselahs in White Wolf’s popular World of Darkness setting. It’s a conflict of clandestine offensives launched from the shadows. Vampires endlessly crave, desiring not just cruor but demonstrable power. Perhaps its their lingering vestiges of humanity, perhaps its a heightened need to control others. Regardless, we Methuselahs…
To see the ending we have to go back to the beginning. Awaken Realms, Michael Oracz, surreal sprawling dreamscapes. My heart is beating and I’m in. I treat it like a formless object at the edge of my vision, afraid to look too hard or too direct and spoil the mystery. It’s a thriller I…
I was a fan of Themeborne’s Escape the Dark Castle. Sector is the same core engine with a few new wires and screens soldered on. Perhaps you already knew this, perhaps not. While there are numerous fans of this series, there’s also a solid contingent of hobbyists who condemn it. Because well, this is barely…
Cosmic Frog is out there. Being a Jim Felli/Devious Weasel production, its idiosyncratic setting and theme is altogether expected. In fact I welcome it. I eat it up like a two mile high galactic amphibian shoveling earth into its gullet. This is a game that totally gets it. It’s empowering, at once realizing the goal…
The Galactic Corps is an expansion for Core Space that introduces security forces to the game. My expression right now is one of exasperation and struggle. How do I write about this? It’s only part of the reason why it’s been four long months since I’ve written anything, but it is a significant part. I’m…
Unfortunately for Core Space, Pax Pamir 2nd Edition was released in 2019. Otherwise this hybrid miniatures/board game would have ran away with the illustrious honors of my top release of the year – don’t scoff at that designation, it comes with a repurposed Pinewood Derby trophy as well as a Charlie Theel quote to slap on…
I’m sitting at a desk. I’m looking over my notes scribbled lawlessly during several incursions into a Nazi castle. I’m wrangling with many thoughts trying to formulate an angle. But there’s only one way to launch this V2 rocket. Reichbusters is a misfire. This is a cooperative dungeon crawler where the dungeon is a Third…
In racing there’s a combination of raw competition and unfettered velocity that aligns perfectly with the emotional components of gaming. What is racing but an extended victory point track which competitors plummet along in peril of collision? It’s the most visceral counting of points we can fathom. Yet this formula rarely transcends average. There’s a…
