Review

  • Review: Emberleaf

    ByiMisut Hours
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    Deep within the oldest forest in the world, the Emberlings lie hidden, their presence a secret known only to the wisest. Many moons have passed since the armies of Lord Vesh burned their groves and destroyed their homes. Today, the forest has healed and an awakening is felt. Five brave Emberlings emerge from the forest floor, their spirits unbroken. They call upon their kin, urging them to rebuild their homes. Together, they will reclaim their land, rekindle their bond with their beloved forest, and restore the Emberleaf to its sacred sanctuary. The time for renewal has arrived.

    This is the premise behind Emberleaf, a design by James Tomblin (Defection) and Frank West (The Isle of Cats). First published in 2025 by The City of Games in an English edition following a successful crowdfunding campaign. The illustrations are credited to the designers themselves.

  • Review: Star Wars – Battle of Hoth

    ByiMisut Hours
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    A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… On the inhospitable frozen planet of Hoth, the habitual silence is suddenly broken by the mechanical roar of giant walkers. From their trenches, the brave rebel soldiers finally spot the imperial forces advancing implacably toward them. The Rebel Alliance readies its precious squadron of snowspeeders in a desperate attempt to stall the ground assault and complete the evacuation of Echo Base.

    This is how Star Wars: The Battle of Hoth is presented to us, a new implementation of Richard Borg’s Commands & Colors system (Memoir ’44, Battles of Westeros), along with Adrien Martinot. Published for the first time in 2025 by Days of Wonder in an English version. The illustrations are handled by Ben Carre (Divinare), Christophe Duhaze, Tony Foti (Lords of Waterdeep), and Clément Masson (Five Tribes).

  • Review: Arcs

    ByiMisut Hours
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    A long time ago, the Reach thrived, our ancestors failed us, and I fear we are no better. As we fight for the edge of the galaxy, can we break the cycle? Can we build something new?

    This is how we are introduced to Arcs, a design by Cole Wehrle (Pax Pamir, Root, Oath). First published in 2024 by Leder Games in an English version following a successful crowdfunding campaign. The illustrations are handled by Kyle Ferrin (Fort, Ahoy, Vast).

  • Review: Rumble Nation

    ByiMisut Hours
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    Take on the role of warlords during the Sengoku period of civil wars in Japan. Strive for supremacy by competing for the conquest of eleven castles across the territory. Three dice determine where you deploy your soldiers, and tactic cards allow you to take control of the course of the war. To master the game, you will need a good combination of wisdom and luck. Every battle is a spark that could set the entire nation on fire! Watch out for reinforcement chains or use them to your advantage to turn defeat into victory.

    This is how Rumble Nation is presented to us, designed by Yogi Shinichi (Trojan Horse & Heroes). Originally published in 2017 by 77spiele in a Japanese edition. It was later republished by Hobby Japan in several languages. The artwork is by Yamamoto Masaaki (his debut work in the board game world).

  • Review: Great Western Trail – El Paso

    ByiMisut Hours
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    El Paso, late 19th century. Five railway companies have incorporated the “Sun City” into their networks, transforming it into the nerve center of the cattle trade. Ranchers from the surrounding areas, both from Texas and Mexico, bring their herds to the city to ship them anywhere across the United States. Take on the role of one of these ranchers and bring your cattle to El Paso to earn money and victory points. Hire cowboys, craftsmen, and engineers to achieve your goals.

    This is the premise behind Great Western Trail: El Paso, designed by Johannes Krenner (Challengers!, Age of Dirt) and Alexander Pfister (Maracaibo, Mombasa). It was first published in 2025 by Lookout Games in an English and German edition. Chris Quilliams (Reef, Azul) was in charge of the illustrations.

  • Review: Civolution

    ByiMisut Hours
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    Dear students. The cosmic faculty of the Technical Academy of Creation and I extend a warm welcome to your Civolution, the ultimate exam in the field of Civilization Design. For those who do not know me, my name is Agera, and as the governing entity of this institution, I am responsible for grading your exam. We have chosen a humanoid baseline scenario on an isolated continent. Each of you has been assigned the role of a local deity, closely tied to your civilization, tasked with leading it to success in competition with the others. The developmental paths are limitless, ranging from cultural and technological progress to evolutionary-biological adaptations. For instance, what would advance your civilization further: inventing the wheel or growing wings? Demonstrate your mastery over your console and show that you can adapt to fluctuating environmental parameters and various chaotic conditions of creation. The exam concludes after 4 eras. Whichever student has amassed the most success points with their civilization by then will not only pass the exam, but will also earn promotion to the next rank as a full member of the Technical Academy of Creation. I wish you all a fruitful Civolution!

    This is the premise behind Civolution, designed by Stefan Feld (Bora Bora, AquaSphere, The Castles of Burgundy). First published in 2024 by Deep Print Games in an English and German edition, it features artwork by Dennis Lohausen (Terra Mystica, The Voyages of Marco Polo).