Area Movement

  • Review: Container

    An economic game that tests players’ strategy to build and operate a simple supply chain. The objective of each player is to earn the most money by producing, selling, and transporting containers. It may sound simple enough, but there is a twist: you can never buy or transport your own containers! Instead, you must entice other players to buy your containers and take them to Container Island. At the end of the game, each player adds up the cash earned during the game plus the cash value of the containers in their scoring area on Container Island. Your secret value card determines how much the containers in your area are worth. The winner is the player with the most total money!

    This is how Container is presented to us, a design by Franz-Benno Delonge (Manila, TransAmerica) and Thomas Ewert. Kevin Nesbitt collaborated on its expansion. It was first published in 2007 by Valley Games, Inc. in an English version. In 2018, Mercury Games published the 10th Anniversary Edition which included the expansion. And in 2026, Allplay published a new edition. The illustrations for the first edition were done by Mike Doyle, those for the 10th Anniversary Edition by Michael Christopher, Paola Tuazon, and Andrew White, and those for the Allplay version by Adam Allsuch Boardman.

  • Review: Rumble Nation

    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: Civolution

    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).

  • Review: Carnegie

    Andrew Carnegie (Scotland in 1835) and his parents emigrated to the United States in 1848. Although he started his career as a telegrapher, his role as one of the main players in the rise of the United States steel industry made him one of the richest men in the world and an icon of the American Dream. He was also a benefactor and philanthropist; after his death in 1919, more than 350 million dollars of his wealth were bequeathed to several foundations, and another 30 million were allocated to various charities. His donations created nearly 2,500 free public libraries bearing his name: the Carnegie Libraries. During the game, you will recruit and manage employees, expand your business, invest in real estate, produce and sell goods, and create transport chains across the United States; you can even work with important personalities of the era. Perhaps you will even become an illustrious benefactor who contributes to the greatness of your country through deeds and generosity!

    This is how Carnegie is presented to us, a design by Xavier Georges (Carson City, Ginkgopolis). First published in 2022 by Quinned Games after a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. The artwork is handled by Ian O’Toole (On Mars, Irish Gauge, Black Angel).

  • Review: Teotihuacan – City of Gods

    Travel back in time to the greatest city in Mesoamerica and become part of its history. Witness the glory and the twilight of this powerful pre-Columbian civilization. Gain wealth and resources, guide your assistants, secure the favor of the gods, and become the builder of the glorious Pyramid of the Sun. Players represent scions of powerful noble families striving to achieve eternal glory while building Teotihuacan. Score victory points in many ways: seek the favor of the gods, be the greatest architect of the pyramid, and claim the most prestigious spots along the Avenue of the Dead. May the gods help you achieve victory!

    This is the premise behind Teotihuacan: City of Gods, designed by Daniele Tascini (Tzolk’in: The Mayan Calendar, The Voyages of Marco Polo). Dávid Turczi (Dice Settlers, Kitchen Rush) is also credited, having designed the solo mode. The game was published in 2018 by NSKN Games in English. The artwork is handled by Odysseas Stamoglou, who has illustrated games such as Among the Stars, A Handful of Stars, and Simurgh.