Draft

  • Review: Paladins of the West Kingdom

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    We find ourselves in a turbulent period of West Frankish history, circa 900 AD. Despite recent efforts to develop the city, the outlying townships remain under constant threat from outsiders. Saracens scout the borders, while Vikings raid wealth and livestock. Even the Byzantines from the east have shown a darker side. As noble men and women, players must gather workers from the city to defend against enemies, build fortifications, and spread the faith across the land. Fortunately, you are not alone. In his great wisdom, the King has dispatched his finest knights to aid our endeavors. So ready your steeds and sharpen your blades. The Paladins approach.

    This is the premise behind Paladins of the West Kingdom, designed by Shem Phillips (Noctiluca) and S J Macdonald (Circadians: First Light). The game was published in 2019 by Garphill Games following a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. Mihajlo Dimitrievski handled the illustrations, having previously lent his distinct art style to games such as Coloma, Claim, and Viral.

  • Review: Wingspan

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    You are passionate bird enthusiasts seeking to discover and attract the most interesting birds to your aviaries. Each bird is a new gear in the powerful chain of combinations that you will form in your habitats, which focus on fundamental aspects of growth: food, eggs, and new specimens.

    This is how Wingspan is presented to us, a design by Elizabeth Hargrave, this being her first published game. It went on sale worldwide in 2019, with Stonemaier Games as the main publisher. The illustrations are handled by Beth Sobel (Snow Tails, Herbaceous, Viticulture), Ana María Martínez Jaramillo, and Natalia Rojas (for the latter two, this is their first work within the board game world).

  • Review: CuBirds

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    Every day, dozens of birds perch on the fences of our fields. When it is time to leave, everything is in disarray, and the birds are unable to gather into flocks to fly home. Help them find their way back to their nests!

    This is the premise behind CuBirds, designed by Stefan Alexander (Area 51: Top Secret or King Chocolate). The game was originally published in 2018 by Catch Up Games in a multilingual English and French edition. The artwork is illustrated by Kristiaan der Nederlanden, marking his debut in the board game industry.

  • Review: Everdell

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    Within the charming valley of Everdell, beneath the boughs of towering trees, among meandering streams and mossy hollows, a civilization of forest creatures has thrived and expanded. Ever since the famed adventurer Corrin Evertail discovered the hidden valley long ago, the citizens have prospered under the shelter of the Ever Tree. After years of tranquility, the time has come to expand territories and establish new cities. You will lead a group of critters with the intent of achieving such a task. Buildings must be erected to attract diverse characters, and certain objectives must be completed. You have a busy year ahead of you. Will the sun shine brightest on your city before the winter moon rises?

    This is how Everdell is presented to us, a design by James A. Wilson, this being his first game. It was published in 2018 under the Starling Games label, which sought the necessary funding through a successful crowdfunding campaign. The illustrations are handled by Andrew Bosley, who already proved his talent in games like Mission: Red Planet, Citadels, or Descent.

  • Review: Azul

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    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.