Hand Management

  • Review: Catan

    ByiMisut Hours
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    Welcome to the unexplored island of Catan! As you and your fellow explorers gaze upon the pristine landscape of hexagonal terrains, you soon discover that this unique layout offers enough space for everyone to put down roots. You race to establish your communities by collecting resources from the nearby terrain, building infrastructure, and fostering trading relationships. Beware of surprises! Your rivals may block your path or send the robber to plunder your wealth. Good luck, explorers!

    This is how Catan, a design by Klaus Teuber, is presented to us. Originally published as The Settlers of Catan in 1995 by KOSMOS in a German version. The illustrations for the current versions are handled by Eric Hibbeler (Acquire, Yukon Airways) and Quentin Regnes (Pyramidice, Eternal Palace).

  • Review: Emberleaf

    ByiMisut Hours
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    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: Arcs

    ByiMisut Hours
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    A long time ago, the Reach thrived, our ancestors failed us, and I fear we are no better. As we fight for the edge of the galaxy, can we break the cycle? Can we build something new?

    This is how we are introduced to Arcs, a design by Cole Wehrle (Pax Pamir, Root, Oath). First published in 2024 by Leder Games in an English version following a successful crowdfunding campaign. The illustrations are handled by Kyle Ferrin (Fort, Ahoy, Vast).

  • Review: Great Western Trail – El Paso

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    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.

  • Review: Civolution

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    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: Toy Battle

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    Toy battles unfold on land, at sea, in the air, and even in space! The troops need your tactical talent to lead them to victory. Your mission? Be the first to reach the enemy headquarters or control more territories than your opponent.

    This is the premise of Toy Battle, designed by Paolo Mori (Libertalia, Dogs of War) and Alessandro Zucchini (Liguria, Murder in Arosa). First published in 2025 by Repos Production in an English and French version. The artwork is handled by Paul Mafayon (Bunny Kingdom, Tikal).