Author: iMisut

  • Review: Ostia

    In 103 AD, Emperor Trajan built Portus Ostia, which became Rome’s most important port. Arranged in an elegant hexagonal layout, this port received vast quantities of goods from across the entire empire and became the logistical hub that sustained the prosperity of the imperial city of Rome. You assume the role of the owner of a massive fleet of ships, where crowds of merchants and nobles flock to the port of Ostia to charter your vessels. Use the money and resources earned from chartering to expand your enterprise and meet the demand for wheat and other goods, thereby earning the favor of the people. Using your ships to explore other territories is also vital: your adventure tales and the discovery of exotic artifacts will undoubtedly spark the curiosity of both emperors and nobles. The one who achieves the greatest fame will be blessed with victory by the Senate and citizens of glorious Rome!

    This is the premise behind Ostia, a design by Totsuca Chuo (Sweet Lands, Aqua Garden). First published in 2022 by uchibacoya in an English and Japanese edition. The illustrations are by Tatsuki Asano and Rocinante Urabe, both responsible for the artwork in games like Aqua Garden and Sapporo 1876.

  • Review: Finspan – Sharks & Reefs

    Now you can Cultivate colorful Coral Reefs in each of the 3 Dive Sites in your Ocean. Healthy Reefs allow you to play powerful Reef Fish, unlock Abilities, and gain end-of-game bonuses. Meanwhile, Sharks scatter Fry Schools (to form more Schools elsewhere) and leave behind food scraps that any Fish in your Ocean can Consume.

    This is how Sharks & Reefs is presented to us, the first expansion for Finspan, designed by Michael O’Connell. First published in 2026 by Stonemaier Games in an English version. The artwork is provided by Ana María Martínez Jaramillo (Wingspan), Catalina Martinez, and Mesa Schumacher (Ecosystem).

  • Review: Sensu

    In Japan, the use of the Sensu—the folding fan—carries deep traditional significance: woe to anyone who confuses the wooden fans used in dance and theatre with the iron-ribbed war fans wielded by samurai! Gather the cards you need to craft your own fans using your wits, and always keep the key number of the challenge in mind: 15!

    This is the premise behind Sensu, designed by Enrico Vicario as his debut release. First published in 2023 by DV Games in a dual English and Italian edition. Illustrations are handled by Andrea Guerrieri (Green: The Golf Card Game, Atelier daVinci).

  • Review: Nippon – Zaibatsu

    In the mid-19th century, Japan finally realized how far behind the Western world it had fallen in economic, industrial, and technological terms. The Meiji Restoration marked the beginning of a rapid industrial revolution powered by zaibatsu—vast conglomerates of closely intertwined companies. In this economic strategy game, you will manage your own zaibatsu: constructing and modernizing factories, establishing the production and supply of goods, attracting investments, fulfilling contracts, developing mining and technology, laying railways, and recruiting foreign experts. All of this to catch up with Western nations and prove to the Emperor that your zaibatsu is the most valuable. Lead the industrial revolution and guide Japan toward prosperity!

    This is the premise behind Nippon: Zaibatsu, designed by Nuno Bizarro Sentieiro and Paulo Soledade (Asian Tigers, Madeira). First published in 2026 by CrowD Games following a successful crowdfunding campaign, it is a reimplementation of Nippon, originally published in 2015 by What’s Your Game?. The artwork is illustrated by Maya Kurkhuli (Enigma: Beyond Code, City of the Great Machine).

  • Review: President

    The party chairmanship has become vacant, and you have gathered to decide who will take over. Look closely around you, because even though you all belong to the same party, only one can seize power. In politics… anything goes!

    This is the premise of President, a design by Nico Cardona (Panots, Rudolph). Published for the first time in 2026 by Too Bad Games and Zacatrus in a bilingual English and Spanish edition. Illustrated by Alba Aragón (the Sherlock series) and Raúl Moreno.