Hand Management

  • Review: The Vale of Eternity

    Step into a fantastical world of gods, monsters, and spirits! As a tamer, you will hunt and train a variety of beings. With mythological creatures from all over the world, every game will be unique and unpredictable. In each round, players will draft cards, take actions, and use the effects of the minions they have summoned. The player who tames the most incredible creatures will be the victor.

    This is the premise behind The Vale of Eternity, designed by Eric Hong (Pocket Farm). It was first published in 2023 by Mandoo Games in an English and Korean edition. The artwork is credited to Jiahui Eva Gao, Gautier Maia, Stefano Martinuz, Erica Tormen, and Jens Wiese.

  • Review: Dracula vs Van Helsing

    Once again, Dracula has arrived in Whitby, England, and has begun attacking the town’s innocent inhabitants. Their only hope lies with Van Helsing, the famous vampire hunter, who has been tracking his archenemy for a long time. The final battle takes place tonight. Will Van Helsing defeat Dracula before the Lord of the Vampires turns the entire population of Whitby into creatures of the night?

    This is the premise of Dracula vs Van Helsing, designed by Maxime Rambourg (The LOOP, The Big Book of Madness, Mind Up!) and Théo Rivière (Sea Salt & Paper, Draftosaurus). It was first published in 2023 by Mandoo Games in an English and Korean edition. The artwork is by Weberson Santiago (Coup, The Bloody Inn, Sail).

  • Review: Ahoy

    You are smugglers and soldiers on the high seas. Each round, you will roll and place dice to perform actions unique to your faction. Control Regions and deliver Cargo to gain Fame and win the game!

    This is the premise of Ahoy, designed by Greg Loring-Albright (Leviathan, Bloc by Bloc: Uprising). It was first published in 2022 by Leder Games in an English edition following a successful crowdfunding campaign. The artwork was handled by Kyle Ferrin (Root, Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile, Vast: The Crystal Caverns).

  • Review: Wandering Towers

    Year after year, the graduating classes of the Ravenland Magic School compete in their magical arts. Each class strives to be the first to reach the goal of the grand final exam: the legendary Raven Castle. But the path to the Raven Castle is full of traps and challenges. Only the class that uses its magical abilities correctly and masters the art of the wandering towers will graduate from the school as master wizards.

    This is how Wandering Towers is presented, a design by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling (Tikal, Torres, Coal Baron). First published in 2022 by ABACUSSPIELE in a bilingual English and German edition. Michael Menzel (Rokoko, Titania, Stone Age) is in charge of the illustrations.

  • Review: Yokai Pagoda

    A mysterious building rises on the hill, bathed in twilight. Amazed by the Pagoda’s strange aura, you decide to investigate it. Suddenly, a laugh, a shadow that is not your own, and an ominous-looking eye come to life. You have disturbed the peace of ten powerful Japanese spirits (called Yokai) resting there! Will you find a way to soothe their wrath?

    This is the premise behind Yokai Pagoda, a design by Jacobo Rufete (AntaYagí, Iluliaq). First published in 2023 by PIF Games in a multilingual edition (Spanish, English, German, and French). The illustrations are handled by Nakara Studio (their debut in the board game world).

  • Review: Dune – Imperium

    Arrakis. Dune. The Desert Planet. Raise your banner above the vast wasteland that stretches before you. Now that the Great Houses of the Landsraad are gathering their forces and their spies, whom will you influence and whom will you betray? A tyrannical Emperor. The inscrutable Bene Gesserit. The shrewd Spacing Guild. The fierce Fremen of the Deep Desert. The power of the Imperium can be yours, but war is not the only way to seize it.

    This is how Dune: Imperium is presented, designed by Paul Dennen, responsible for the Clank! series, Wild Tiled West, or Eternal: Chronicles of the Throne. First published in 2020 by Dire Wolf Digital in an English version. The illustrations are handled by Clay Brooks, Brett Nienburg, Raúl Ramos, and Nate Storm.