Plato’s theory of forms posits that there are abstract and unchanging ideals that exist in another realm. These are the non-physical beatific essences of all things. Imagine conceptually the ideal chair in size, shape, and beauty. That’s the form existing in its perfect state. Plato offers that objects in the material world are imitations of…
Part I: Huffing Lightning I never played Rogue Trader. I was three when Games Workshop published Rick Priestley’s defining work. This 1st edition of Warhammer 40,000 would go on to shape the future of not only the company, but the entire hobby. Despite never playing it, I owe much of my gaming ideology to this…
Senjutsu: Battle for Japan is a game mired in hardship. Its genesis as a Kickstarter project from Stone Sword Games has been given wider reach at retail by publisher Lucky Duck. This is how I have connected with the game, absent the crowdfunding trauma. Many of the game’s Kickstarter supporters have not received product. They…
Many believe we are currently witnessing the “golden age” of board gaming. These people have it all wrong. Forget board games; this is the peak era of miniatures skirmish games. The genre of head-to-head plastic combat has exploded in the past several years. Omicron Protocol from Dead Alive Games is another such banger. This is…
Christopher McDowall’s The Doomed is a piercing guitar riff. Something distorted and fuzzy, cutting through a smokey room and blasting eardrums with ferocity. It’s ugly and unclean. It’s heavy. The Doomed is part of the modern wave of agnostic miniatures games that have become increasingly popular in the past decade. Games of this style trace…
Space Marine: The Board Game is nothing like Space Marine the video game. Contrary to that rich over-the-top digital release, this product is a stripped-down ruleset that is vaguely reminiscent of the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop experience. It’s 40K LaCroix. If you cock your head toward the North and take a deep breath, you get a…
The Snap Ships toy line is a neat creation. They’re spacecraft built of modular blocks that link together, not unlike Lego. There are cool bits such as cannons, missile pods, various wings, and all kinds of little greeblies to add distinction. They’re totally rad and a joy to tinker with. Look, I’m a 38-year-old man…
Trials of Tempus is such a magnetic design. It’s also a game hindered by the circumstances of its release. I saw the announcement and it took some effort to overcome the malaise associated with the Dungeons & Dragons license. It required even more work to move past my confusion on why Wizkids would release another…
I’ve banged the drum for Godtear. It remains a top tier skirmisher and I’m still clapping that snare. Winter’s Reckoning is the first organized play kit for the game. It’s a response to the community’s desire for support beyond the regular champion boxes Steamforged Games has released. It’s an solid offering and a worthy inaugural…
I’m a huge fan of Blitz Bowl. I found the Second Season Edition to be a worthy successor to the original Barnes & Noble exclusive. I still believe it to be a stronger more succinct version of Blood Bowl. In fact, the only tabletop sports title I’d put ahead of it is the splendid Techno…
Player Elimination 