Hand Management

  • 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: Root

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    Root is a fast-paced game of adventure and war. You will play as one of four factions fighting to prove you are the most legitimate ruler of the vast Woodland. Lurk as the Vagabond, seize the initiative with the proud Eyrie Dynasties, rule over your subjects as the Marquise de Cat, or organize the Alliance to establish a new order, and you will achieve dominance in this asymmetric game of adventure and war.

    This is how we are presented with Root, a design by Cole Wehrle (Pax Pamir, John Company). The game was published in 2018 by Leder Games thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign via Kickstarter. The illustrations are handled by Kyle Ferrin, who had already shown his talent in games like Vast: The Crystal Caverns, Dungeon Mayhem, or Deep: Enemy Frontier.

  • 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: Terraforming Mars

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    “Since its conception in 2174, the World Government has continually strived to achieve global unity and peace. Our mission is to be a shared tool of humanity to create a better future. Earth is overpopulated and resources are dwindling. Now we must choose between retreating or expanding into space to find new homes for humanity. For this reason, we need to make Mars a habitable planet. The terraforming of Mars is an endeavor of such magnitude that it will require the commitment of all humanity to be achieved. Therefore, the World Government will create a Terraforming Committee and establish a universal tax for this purpose. Any corporation or company that contributes to the terraforming process will be generously rewarded by the Committee. We believe that all these measures will ultimately result in a habitable planet for our descendants. Thank you for your attention!” Levi Uken, World Government spokesman, January 16, 2315 A.D.

    This is how Terraforming Mars is presented to us, the second published game by Jacob Fryxelius after Space Station. The game was released in 2016 by FryxGames and Stronghold Games in an English edition. Due to the title’s massive success (it earned a nomination for the 2017 Kennerspiel des Jahres), it has been localized in numerous countries: Germany by Schwerkraft-Verlag, Russia by Lavka Games, Poland by REBEL.pl, Italy by Ghenos Games, France and the Netherlands by Intrafin Games, or Portugal by Meeple BR Jogos. The visual aspect is handled by one of the author’s brothers, Isaac Fryxelius, who only has one other game in his portfolio, Brawling Barons.

  • Review: Great Western Trail

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    19th-century America. You are a rancher herding cattle from Texas to Kansas City, where they are sent by train to the most prominent cities, yielding substantial profits—especially the more valuable and diverse your herd is. Achieving this will require more than just managing your herd; you will also have to erect buildings to grow your business, as well as extend the railway lines for more efficient and effective transport. Will you become the most renowned cattle tycoon of the Old West?

    This is the premise behind Great Western Trail, the latest release from the man of the hour, Alexander Pfister, designer of acclaimed titles such as Port Royal, Mombasa, Isle of Skye, and Broom Service (co-designed with Andreas Pelikan). The game was originally published in 2016 by eggertspiele. The artwork comes courtesy of Andreas Resch, who previously showcased his craft in games like The Great Fire of London 1666, Istanbul, and Rialto.