Pattern Building

  • Review: Mystria

    ByiMisut Hours
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    Since the dawn of time, gaming has not been a mere pastime; it shapes the mind, sharpening our skills and reflexes. Just as mortals master chess with intellect leading the way, sorceresses find their fulfillment in Mystria. This is no ordinary contest, but a challenge of skill and intuition—a realm where power intertwines with boundless magic. Within Mystria, they weave spells drawing upon hidden forces, where every gesture carries weight in this web of intertwined strategies. Come, dare to embark on this journey into a mystical universe where wisdom, tactics, and incantations forge their magical epic.

    This is how Mystria is presented to us, designed by Florian Sirieix (Imaginarium, After Us) and Benoit Turpin (Welcome To…). It was first published in 2024 by Débâcle Jeux and Ludistri in a French edition. The artwork is illustrated by Jérémie Fleury (Yamataï, Oceanos).

  • Review: AXIA – Slayer Combo

    ByiMisut Hours
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    The lands of AXIA are plagued by fearsome beasts and Acolytes of ancient bloodlines. Following the fall of the walls of Alakat, many beasts have lost their way and now roam unfamiliar regions behaving with hostility. Once again, this world needs Slayers to restore peace to these lands.

    This is the premise behind AXIA: Slayer Combo, designed by Javier Martínez Gómez (Spanta, Penguin Airlines). First published in 2026 by PIF Games in a trilingual Spanish, Catalan, and English edition, it features artwork by Ignacio García González (Valpiedra: Descensus ad tenebras).

  • Review: Trickerion – Legends of Illusion

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    Decades ago, it used to be a bustling city, the Capital of Illusion, but now only a shadow of its former glory remains. The golden age ended the day Dahlgaard the Magnificent, the city’s selfless benefactor and the greatest illusionist in history, mysteriously disappeared at the end of his final performance decades ago. Nothing was ever heard of him again. Until now. One night, four talented illusionists, masters of different branches of magic, received a mysterious invitation. The great Dahlgaard himself, returning from the unknown, summoned them to reveal the secret he had kept all his life: the truth about the Trickerion Stone, his glowing amber relic. Despite what many believed, it was far more than a mere lucky charm. He revealed that the stone grants its bearer supernatural intellect, speed, and perception—the qualities of the perfect illusionist. Dahlgaard’s secret was only part of his grand plan: after his death, he wishes for Magoria to flourish once again as the City of Illusion under the guidance of a worthy successor, who will inherit the Stone and his entire legacy. This successor will be chosen among the four illusionists in a five-week contest of fame and fortune. With so much at stake, the four magicians will stop at nothing to win. Who will have what it takes to become the next Legend of Illusion?

    This is how Trickerion: Legends of Illusion is introduced to us, a design by Richard Ámann and Viktor Péter, the creators behind games such as Anachrony or Cerebria: The Inside World. First published in 2015 by Mindclash Games in an English edition. The artwork is by Villő Farkas and László Fejes, who are also responsible for the visual style of Anachrony.

  • Review: Frosted Blooms

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    The crisp Dutch air still carries the chill of winter, occasionally blanketing the awakening polder fields with a delicate morning frost. Yet beneath this fleeting shimmer, the first determined tulips push their way toward the sky, showing vibrant colors that promise a radiant spring. As ambitious gardeners, you will compete to cultivate the most admired tulip display. Carefully select plots of land and strategically place iconic windmills and barns, all while assigning diligent workers to create a harmonious and valuable landscape. Will your garden, caressed by the cool dawn, bloom into the most celebrated masterpiece of the season?

    This is how we are introduced to Frosted Blooms, designed by Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc (Cyclades, Mr. Jack). First published in 2026 by Synapses Games in an English and French edition. The artwork is handled by Simon-Pierre Bernard, marking his debut in the board game industry.

  • Review: Feya’s Swamp

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    Three years have passed since the expedition returned from the west with the discovery of Feya’s Swamp, our new home. We have established our first settlements, and peace prevails among the four clans. The swamp, brimming with life and mana, offers us a promising future, and the ancient temples that encircle it beckon us to venture into the unknown in search of ancestral treasures. We live in a time of opportunity where each clan can forge its own destiny, striving to thrive as best it can. Each guide among the four clans is doing remarkable work fostering our growth in harmony with the others, and soon we will leave behind the dark times of our past. Even in times of peace, we want our clan to be the one that adapts best and prospers most effectively in our new home; after all, no one can strip us of our pride…

    This is the premise behind Feya’s Swamp, designed by Helge Ostertag (Terra Mystica) and Anselm Ostertag (Wulong). First published in 2025 by Fractal Juegos in an English and Spanish edition, it is a reimagining of Kaivai. The illustrations are handled by Mihajlo Dimitrievski, responsible for the look of titles such as Claim and the West Kingdom trilogy.

  • Review: Qomet

    ByiMisut Hours
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    Create a square of any size connected by lines. Each player starts with 7 stars. On your turn, you can place a new star of your color on the board or move a star of your color that you have previously placed. If you move, you advance to the next space connected by a line. If this space is empty, nothing else happens. If this space is occupied, push the star regardless of its color. You cannot push more than one star. You can push stars off the board.

    That is how straightforwardly Qomet is presented to us, a design by Fabrice Puleo (Linx, Bomb5). First published in 2025 by Gigamic in a multilingual edition as part of their abstract games series.