Review

  • Review: Gaia Project

    ByiMisut Hours
    Comments 0 Comments

    In Gaia Project, the successor to the acclaimed Terra Mystica, each player controls one of fourteen distinct factions fighting to peacefully colonize the galaxy. Each faction has different environmental needs to survive on the seven different types of planets, and each faction is bound to its home planet. These needs have led the factions to master terraforming, as in order to grow and develop, they must terraform neighboring planets into their native environment, competing with other players. During the game, you will colonize new planets, upgrade mines to create better structures, and unite planets to form federations, all while needing to research and discover new technologies to improve your abilities.

    This is how Gaia Project is presented to us, designed by Jens Drögemüller and Helge Ostertag, the minds behind Terra Mystica, a game they have given a couple of twists to for the title at hand today. It was published in 2017 by Feuerland Spiele in a German edition and by Z-Man Games in its English version. The illustrations are once again handled by Dennis Lohausen (The Voyages of Marco Polo, Qin, Helios).

  • Review: Azul

    ByiMisut Hours
    Comments 0 Comments

    When Manuel I the Fortunate, King of Portugal, visited the Alhambra Palace, he was captivated by the imposing beauty of its decoration, made of ceramic tiles of Moorish origin known as “azulejos.” Still fascinated by the splendor of the Alhambra’s interior, upon his return to Portugal he immediately ordered the walls of his palace in Évora to be decorated in the same manner. Choose your strategy carefully to become the king’s favorite artist!

    This is how Azul is presented to us, a design by Michael Kiesling (Vikings, Torres, or Tikal, the latter two co-designed with Wolfgang Kramer). It was published in 2017 by Plan B Games in English and German editions. The artwork is handled by Chris Quilliams, whose good work we have already seen in games like Arboretum, Merchants & Marauders, or Archipelago.

  • Review: Terraforming Mars

    ByiMisut Hours
    Comments 0 Comments

    “Since its conception in 2174, the World Government has continually strived to achieve global unity and peace. Our mission is to be a shared tool of humanity to create a better future. Earth is overpopulated and resources are dwindling. Now we must choose between retreating or expanding into space to find new homes for humanity. For this reason, we need to make Mars a habitable planet. The terraforming of Mars is an endeavor of such magnitude that it will require the commitment of all humanity to be achieved. Therefore, the World Government will create a Terraforming Committee and establish a universal tax for this purpose. Any corporation or company that contributes to the terraforming process will be generously rewarded by the Committee. We believe that all these measures will ultimately result in a habitable planet for our descendants. Thank you for your attention!” Levi Uken, World Government spokesman, January 16, 2315 A.D.

    This is how Terraforming Mars is presented to us, the second published game by Jacob Fryxelius after Space Station. The game was released in 2016 by FryxGames and Stronghold Games in an English edition. Due to the title’s massive success (it earned a nomination for the 2017 Kennerspiel des Jahres), it has been localized in numerous countries: Germany by Schwerkraft-Verlag, Russia by Lavka Games, Poland by REBEL.pl, Italy by Ghenos Games, France and the Netherlands by Intrafin Games, or Portugal by Meeple BR Jogos. The visual aspect is handled by one of the author’s brothers, Isaac Fryxelius, who only has one other game in his portfolio, Brawling Barons.

  • Review: Santorini

    ByiMisut Hours
    Comments 0 Comments

    Santorini is a very accessible strategy game (simple enough for elementary school kids to play). Yet, it possesses great depth that will satisfy even the most demanding players. Santorini is a game for everyone!

    This is the premise of Santorini, designed by Dr. Gordon Hamilton (King’s Kilt, 12 Days of Christmas). The original game was published in 2004. Roxley Games launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to publish a new, improved, and expanded edition, which was released in 2017. The artwork is by Lina Cossette and David Forest (Steampunk Rally, Super Motherload, Unfair).

  • Review: Great Western Trail

    ByiMisut Hours
    Comments 0 Comments

    America in the 19th century. You are a rancher herding cattle from Texas to Kansas City, where they are shipped by rail transport to the most important cities, providing significant profits—especially the more valuable and varied the cattle lot is. To achieve this, it won’t be enough just to manage your herd; you will also have to establish certain businesses that will allow you to develop your enterprise, as well as extend the communication lines for more efficient and effective transport. Will you become the most important livestock entrepreneur in the West?

    This is how Great Western Trail is presented to us, the latest design from the designer of the moment, Alexander Pfister, responsible for other titles such as Port Royal, Mombasa, Isle of Skye, or Broom Service (together with Andreas Pelikan). The game was published in 2016 by eggertspiele. The illustrations are handled by Andreas Resch, who already proved his talent in games like The Great Fire of London 1666, Istanbul, or Rialto.

  • Review: A Feast for Odin

    ByiMisut Hours
    Comments 0 Comments

    A Feast for Odin is a saga in the form of a game. You will relive the cultural achievements, trading expeditions, and pillages of those tribes we know today as “Vikings”—a term that had a somewhat different meaning at the end of the first millennium. When the Norsemen embarked on a raid, they said they were going “a-viking”. However, these Northmen were more than just pirates. They were also explorers, merchants, and settlers. It is said that Leif Erikson was the first European to reach America, long before Columbus. The reason these peoples became great seafarers was harsh farming conditions, as a poor harvest could mean great hardship. In this game, you can undertake raids and explore new territories. You will also simulate daily living conditions, securing goods that guarantee you a comfortable position in society. At the end of the game, the player with the most valuable possessions will be the winner.

    This is how A Feast for Odin is presented to us—the latest big game from Uwe Rosenberg, in a box even larger than Fields of Arle or Caverna. The game was published in 2016 by Feuerland Spiele in German, alongside several parallel international editions, such as Z-Man Games in English, White Goblin Games in Dutch, Cranio Creations in Italian, or Filosofia Éditions in French. As is customary with this publisher, the artwork is handled by Dennis Lohausen, as seen previously in Fields of Arle or Glass Road.