• Review: Concordia
    Review

    Review: Concordia

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    Two thousand years ago, the Roman Empire ruled the lands around the Mediterranean Sea. With peace on the borders, harmony within the provinces, a uniform law, and a single currency, the economy thrived and gave rise to powerful Roman dynasties that expanded into numerous cities. Lead one of these dynasties; colonize the most remote realms of the Empire; expand your trade network and please the ancient gods to gain their favor. If you plan your strategy properly, you will be able to grow your dynasty and make it the most powerful in the Roman Empire.

    This is the premise of Concordia, a game designed by Mac Gerdts, author of other well-known titles such as Imperial, Navegador, or Antike. The game was first published in 2013 by PD-Verlag (in English/German), becoming one of the nominees for that year’s Kennerspiel des Jahres alongside Istanbul (winner) and Rokoko. The illustrations are handled by Marina Fahrenbach, the publisher’s usual artist (Navegador, Antike II, Antike Duellum).

  • Review: Keyflower
    Review

    Review: Keyflower

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    Keyflower takes place over the four seasons of a year. Players will compete to expand and improve their respective villages, facing different challenges, with every game being unique due to the mix of village tiles that varies from match to match. Players must stay alert to make the most of their available resources, transport and upgrade capabilities, skills, and workers.

    Keyflower comes to us designed by Sebastian Bleasdale (Black Fleet or On the Underground) and Richard Breese (Reef Encounter or Inhabit the Earth). The game was published in 2012 by HUCH! & friends/R&D Games. The artwork is handled by Juliet Breese (Keythedral or Aladdin’s Dragons), Jo Breese, and Gemma Tegelaers (Mai-Star or Massilia).

  • Review: 7 Wonders Duel
    Review

    Review: 7 Wonders Duel

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    Welcome to 7 Wonders Duel! A 2-player game set in the world of the hit game 7 Wonders. Although it uses some of the mechanics of its older brother, it offers a new challenge designed specifically for 2 players. Each player is the leader of a civilization that will construct buildings and erect Wonders.

    This is how straightforward 7 Wonders Duel is presented to us, a game designed by Antoine Bauza (7 Wonders, Takenoko, Tokaido) in collaboration with Bruno Cathala (Five Tribes, Abyss, Noah, or Mr. Jack). The game was published in 2015 by Repos Games and Asmodee in several editions (English, French, or German). Illustrations are provided by Miguel Coimbra (7 Wonders, Small World, Cyclades, or Giants).

  • Review: Caverna – The Cave Farmers
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    Review: Caverna – The Cave Farmers

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    Are you ready to become the bearded leader of a family of dwarves living peacefully in a small cave beside the mountains? Get ready to work the forest that stretches out beyond your home and delve deep into the heart of the mountain you inhabit.

    This is how we are introduced to Caverna, designed by the great Uwe Rosenberg, the mind behind massive hits like Agricola, Le Havre, and Patchwork. The game was first published in 2013 by Lookout Games in both German and English editions. Artwork duties were handled, as is usual for the Rosenberg-Lookout pairing, by Klemens Franz, who also illustrated Agricola, Ora et Labora, and At the Gates of Loyang.

  • Review: Carcassonne
    Review

    Review: Carcassonne

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    The city of Carcassonne, in southeastern France, is famous for its walled citadel dating back to Roman and medieval times. Players will try to make their fortune by placing their followers on the roads, cities, monasteries, and fields in the region, a region that will change as the game progresses. Properly deploying these followers, whether they are highwaymen, knights, monks, or farmers, will be essential to achieving victory.

    This is how we are presented with Carcassonne, a classic designed by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, author of other well-known titles such as The Downfall of Pompeii, Mesopotamia, or Rapa Nui. The game was published by Hans im Glück in the year 2000, winning the famous Spiel des Jahres award in 2001. The illustrations were handled by Doris Matthäus (as in many titles from the German publisher), who had already worked on games such as El Grande, Tigris & Euphrates, Saint Petersburg, or Elfenland.

  • Review: Brass – Lancashire
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    Review: Brass – Lancashire

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    Welcome to 18th-century Lancashire. The world is on the brink of changing from something we could describe as almost medieval to what we now know as modern times. This shift will become known as the Industrial Revolution, although it will take historians a while to coin that term. Lancashire became the hub of the cotton industry during this period, driven by the inventiveness of Crompton, Arkwright, and Watt, among others. Steam power was paired with new machinery, cotton mills were erected, and coal mines plunged to greater depths to feed these energy-hungry contraptions. Moving coal required canals and later railways, and in this way, this virtuous cycle sparked one innovation after another. Brass recounts a slice of this history in board game form. Its name stems from a traditional Lancashire saying: “where there’s muck there’s brass,” meaning “where there is dirt, there is money.”

    This is the premise behind Brass: Lancashire, designed by the great British author Martin Wallace, whose résumé includes celebrated titles such as London, Princes of the Renaissance, Age of Steam, Tinners’ Trail, and A Study in Emerald. The game before us today was first published in English in 2007 by Warfrog Games, followed later by editions from White Goblin Games (in Dutch/French), Pegasus Spiele (in German under the title Kohle: Mit Volldampf zum Reichtum), and Eagle Games (again in English). Illustrations for the first edition were handled by Peter Dennis, Wallace’s go-to artist with collaborations on Age of Steam, A Few Acres of Snow, and Tinners’ Trail, whereas this new edition was illustrated by Lina Cossette, David Forest (both responsible for the look of games like Santorini and Charterstone), and Damien Mammoliti (The Witcher Adventure Game, Edge of Darkness).