Tile Placement

  • 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: Through the Desert

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    When crossing the scorching desert, strategy is essential to decide how and where to lead your tribe’s caravan. Should you build the longest caravan or dominate the desert oases? What if you tried capturing more territory? Keep a close eye on your opponents’ caravans, or you might find yourself cut off from the vital water holes scattered across the desert sands.

    This is how Through the Desert presents itself to us, a game designed by the great Reiner Knizia that forms part of his famous Tile-Placement Trilogy (alongside Tigris & Euphrates and Samurai). Originally published in 1998 by KOSMOS in German, the most recent edition has been published by Allplay. The artwork for this latest edition is by Damien Mammoliti (The Witcher: Old World, Foundations of Rome).

  • Review: Keyflower

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    Keyflower takes place over the four seasons of a year. Players will compete to expand and improve their respective villages, facing different challenges, with every game being unique due to the mix of village tiles that varies from match to match. Players must stay alert to make the most of their available resources, transport and upgrade capabilities, skills, and workers.

    Keyflower comes to us designed by Sebastian Bleasdale (Black Fleet or On the Underground) and Richard Breese (Reef Encounter or Inhabit the Earth). The game was published in 2012 by HUCH! & friends/R&D Games. The artwork is handled by Juliet Breese (Keythedral or Aladdin’s Dragons), Jo Breese, and Gemma Tegelaers (Mai-Star or Massilia).