Draft

  • Review: Carnegie

    ByiMisut Hours
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    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: Planet Unknown

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    Greetings, planetary colonists. As you know, we have depleted Earth’s resources and must act now to preserve the future of humanity. You have been chosen to develop a Planet Unknown that will ensure mankind’s survival. You will win the game if you are the player who earns the most Medals. To achieve this, efficiently develop your Planet, advance along your resource tracks, collect Pods, remove Meteorites, and outscore your neighboring Planets.

    This is the premise of Planet Unknown, designed by Ryan Lambert and Adam Rehberg (co-designers of Swordcrafters and Truck Off: The Food Truck Frenzy). It was first published in 2022 by Adam’s Apple Games, LLC following a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. Illustrations were provided by Yoma (Legacies, Sweet Mess).

  • Review: Ark Nova

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    In Ark Nova, you will plan and design a modern, scientifically managed zoo. With the ultimate goal of owning the most successful zoological establishment, you will build enclosures, house animals, and support conservation projects all over the world. Specialists and unique buildings will help you achieve this goal.

    This is how we are introduced to Ark Nova, a design by Mathias Wigge, this being his first title to see the light of day. It was first published in 2021 by Feuerland Spiele in a German version. The illustrations are handled by Loïc Billiau (Spirit Island, Glen More), Dennis Lohausen (Terra Mystica, Glass Road), and Steffen Bieker.

  • Review: Nidavellir – Thingvellir

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    Everywhere, the bellows of the forges and hammers striking anvils could be heard. Swords and axes were seen practicing in an unceasing dance all around. The entire realm was mobilizing, preparing to face Fafnir. The King took pride in placing his trust in his Elvalands. But secretly his heart was seething with dread… What if his clan grew weak? What if Fafnir defeated his most seasoned battalions? What if his reign were forever remembered as the one in which the Dragon subdued the elite dwarven troops? Queen Dagfid, who knew her stubborn husband well, was certain he would never beg for help. Especially not from the pretentious elves who would surely, as they had in the past, look down on them with their haughty manners and divine superiority. Nor would he ask other dwarven clans for aid, unwilling for such a gesture to be perceived as a sign of weakness. Coming from a nomadic clan, the Queen was blessed with boundless courage, especially when it came to standing by her King. He had loved her, welcomed her into his kingdom, and always treated her as his equal. Therefore, she set out one night in secret, accompanied by Idunn the Stealthy and Hourya the Elusive, to find her wandering tribe and secure their help. Several weeks later, the King, exhausted and distraught by his wife’s absence, saw a cloud of dust rising on the horizon, kicked up by long caravans and a horde of impressive mounted boars. The Queen was riding at their vanguard. The King could not believe his eyes! She had traveled beyond the realm’s arid wastelands to seek the aid of her Thingvellir tribe. The nomads pitched their camp at the foot of the castle, and all the inhabitants of the kingdom gathered to admire the might of the valiant mercenaries and the craftsmanship of their artifacts. Hope smiled upon Nidavellir once more. At last, they could give Fafnir a real fight!

    This is the premise of Thingvellir, an expansion for Nidavellir designed by Serge Laget (Ad Astra, Shadows over Camelot, Mystery of the Abbey). It was first published in 2021 by GRRRE Games in a bilingual English and French edition. The illustrations are once again handled by Jean-Marie Minguez (Mare Nostrum: Empires, Mr. Jack Pocket, Lady Alice).

  • Review: Cascadia

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    The Pacific Northwest, also known as Cascadia, is a geographic region in North America bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Rocky Mountains to the east. Although there is no official boundary, the most common conception includes the Canadian province of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory, as well as the US states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

    This is how Cascadia is presented to us, designed by Randy Flynn, this being his debut design on the market. The game was published in 2021 by Flatout Games following a successful crowdfunding campaign. The illustrations are handled by Beth Sobel (Viticulture, Wingspan, Arboretum).

  • Review: Ticket to Ride

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    On a cloudy autumn afternoon, five old friends meet in the private room of one of the city’s oldest and most exclusive clubs. All of them had traveled there from the most remote corners of the globe to meet on that precise date: October 2, 1900. Exactly 28 years had passed since the day that eccentric Londoner, Phileas Fogg, accepted a challenge that would win him 20,000 pounds: to travel around the world in 80 days. When the story of Fogg’s triumphal journey filled the front pages of every newspaper that day, the five were students at the same university. Inspired by this impetuous challenge, and by a few pints at the local pub, the group of friends decided to commemorate the occasion with a somewhat more modest excursion and reward: a bottle of fine Bordeaux for the first to reach Le Procope in Paris. Each successive year they met to celebrate the anniversary and pay tribute to Fogg. And each year a new expedition was proposed (always riskier) and a new prize (always higher). Now, at the dawn of a new century, it is time to set out on an even more impossible journey. The prize: 1 million dollars for the winner. The bet: to see who can visit the most North American cities by train in just 7 days. The journey begins now… Ticket to Ride is a train adventure across the United States and Canada. Players compete by connecting train lines between different cities on a map of North America.

    This is how we are presented with Ticket to Ride, or ¡Aventureros al Tren! as it has been named in Spanish. A design by Alan R. Moon, responsible for other games such as San Marco, Airlines Europe, or Elfenland. The game was first published in 2004 by Days of Wonder in an English version. The illustrations are handled by Cyrille Daujean (Memoir ’44, Quadropolis, Citadels) and Julien Delval (The Castles of Burgundy, Macao, BattleLore).