Reviews

  • Review: Azul

    ByiMisut Hours
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    When Manuel I the Fortunate, King of Portugal, visited the Alhambra Palace, he was captivated by the imposing beauty of its decoration, made of ceramic tiles of Moorish origin known as “azulejos.” Still fascinated by the splendor of the Alhambra’s interior, upon his return to Portugal he immediately ordered the walls of his palace in Évora to be decorated in the same manner. Choose your strategy carefully to become the king’s favorite artist!

    This is how Azul is presented to us, a design by Michael Kiesling (Vikings, Torres, or Tikal, the latter two co-designed with Wolfgang Kramer). It was published in 2017 by Plan B Games in English and German editions. The artwork is handled by Chris Quilliams, whose good work we have already seen in games like Arboretum, Merchants & Marauders, or Archipelago.

  • Review: Terraforming Mars

    ByiMisut Hours
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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: Santorini

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    Santorini is a very accessible strategy game (simple enough for elementary school kids to play). Yet, it possesses great depth that will satisfy even the most demanding players. Santorini is a game for everyone!

    This is the premise of Santorini, designed by Dr. Gordon Hamilton (King’s Kilt, 12 Days of Christmas). The original game was published in 2004. Roxley Games launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to publish a new, improved, and expanded edition, which was released in 2017. The artwork is by Lina Cossette and David Forest (Steampunk Rally, Super Motherload, Unfair).

  • 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.

  • Review: A Feast for Odin

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    A Feast for Odin is a saga in the form of a game. You will relive the cultural achievements, trading expeditions, and pillages of those tribes we know today as “Vikings”—a term that had a somewhat different meaning at the end of the first millennium. When the Norsemen embarked on a raid, they said they were going “a-viking”. However, these Northmen were more than just pirates. They were also explorers, merchants, and settlers. It is said that Leif Erikson was the first European to reach America, long before Columbus. The reason these peoples became great seafarers was harsh farming conditions, as a poor harvest could mean great hardship. In this game, you can undertake raids and explore new territories. You will also simulate daily living conditions, securing goods that guarantee you a comfortable position in society. At the end of the game, the player with the most valuable possessions will be the winner.

    This is how A Feast for Odin is presented to us—the latest big game from Uwe Rosenberg, in a box even larger than Fields of Arle or Caverna. The game was published in 2016 by Feuerland Spiele in German, alongside several parallel international editions, such as Z-Man Games in English, White Goblin Games in Dutch, Cranio Creations in Italian, or Filosofia Éditions in French. As is customary with this publisher, the artwork is handled by Dennis Lohausen, as seen previously in Fields of Arle or Glass Road.

  • Review: Scythe

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    The ashes of the Great War still darken the snow of 1920s Europa. The capitalistic city-state known simply as “The Factory,” which fueled the war with heavily armored mechs, has closed its doors, drawing the attention of several nearby countries. With characters from five different factions converging on a small but highly coveted piece of land, who will achieve fame and fortune and establish their empire as the leader of Eastern Europe?

    This is the premise of Scythe, the latest design from Jamey Stegmaier, the man behind Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia and Viticulture. The game was published in 2016 under the usual Stonemaier Games label following a highly successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. The illustrations are provided by Jakub Rozalski, who had already proven his skills in games like Hero Brigade or Legacy: The Card Game.