Eurogames

  • Review: The Isle of Cats Duel

    You are a citizen of Squall’s End on a rescue mission to The Isle of Cats. You must rescue as many cats as possible before the evil Lord Vesh arrives. Each cat is represented by a unique tile and belongs to a family. You must find a way to fit them all onto your boat while keeping families together.

    This is how The Isle of Cats Duel is presented to us, the 2-player version designed by Frank West (The City of Kings, Vadoran Gardens). The game was published in 2024 by The City of Games. Illustrations are handled by the designer himself alongside Dragolisco.

  • Review: Fromage

    The dawn of the 20th century. You are cheesemakers in a French village, striving to craft, age, and sell artisan cheeses. Your journey will be a symphony of passion and dedication as you work to create the most prestigious fromagerie with the most coveted cheeses in all of France.

    This is the premise of Fromage, a design by Matthew O’Malley and Ben Rosset (both responsible for games such as The Search for Planet X and Between Two Cities). It was first published in 2024 by Road To Infamy Games in English following a successful crowdfunding campaign. The artwork was illustrated by Pavel Zhovba (Formaggio).

  • Review: Forest Shuffle – Dartmoor

    The rolling hills of Dartmoor provide diverse habitats for plants and animals. While dragonflies and other insects flutter along streams, ponies and sheep graze across the heather-covered moorlands. You will also discover many other creatures living in the air and among the shrubs. Create a unique moorland landscape for all the local flora and fauna, and earn points by taking their preferences into account: some animals need to be near others of their kind, while others prefer to be on their own or live in a specific habitat.

    This is the premise behind Forest Shuffle: Dartmoor, a standalone design by Kosch (FYFE) based on the Forest Shuffle system. First published in 2025 by Lookout Games in English and German editions, the artwork is once again handled by Toni Llobet and Judit Piella, who illustrated the original game.

  • Review: Lost Seas

    Terrible tales are told of the mysterious, uncharted depths of the lost seas. Rumors abound of gigantic krakens, hellish whirlpools, immense sea serpents, and hostile deserted islands where only the skeletons of ancient shipwrecks remain as testament to failed expeditions. The time has come to gather your navigational instruments and embark on your most ambitious expedition yet. If you succeed, you will attain glory beyond your wildest dreams, and your map will become the stuff of legends.

    This is the premise behind Lost Seas, a design by Johan Benvenuto (Harmonies, Secret Identity) and Alexandre Droit (Hiroba, Gloobz). First published in 2022 by Blue Orange in a multilingual edition, it is a re-theming of Market Garden (released that same year by the same publisher). The artwork was handled by Marine Joumard, marking her debut in the board game industry.

  • Review: Emberleaf

    Deep within the oldest forest in the world, the Emberlings lie hidden, their presence a secret known only to the wisest. Many moons have passed since the armies of Lord Vesh burned their groves and destroyed their homes. Today, the forest has healed and an awakening is felt. Five brave Emberlings emerge from the forest floor, their spirits unbroken. They call upon their kin, urging them to rebuild their homes. Together, they will reclaim their land, rekindle their bond with their beloved forest, and restore the Emberleaf to its sacred sanctuary. The time for renewal has arrived.

    This is the premise behind Emberleaf, a design by James Tomblin (Defection) and Frank West (The Isle of Cats). First published in 2025 by The City of Games in an English edition following a successful crowdfunding campaign. The illustrations are credited to the designers themselves.

  • Review: Great Western Trail – El Paso

    El Paso, late 19th century. Five railway companies have incorporated the “Sun City” into their networks, transforming it into the nerve center of the cattle trade. Ranchers from the surrounding areas, both from Texas and Mexico, bring their herds to the city to ship them anywhere across the United States. Take on the role of one of these ranchers and bring your cattle to El Paso to earn money and victory points. Hire cowboys, craftsmen, and engineers to achieve your goals.

    This is the premise behind Great Western Trail: El Paso, designed by Johannes Krenner (Challengers!, Age of Dirt) and Alexander Pfister (Maracaibo, Mombasa). It was first published in 2025 by Lookout Games in an English and German edition. Chris Quilliams (Reef, Azul) was in charge of the illustrations.