Survive Escape From Atlantis! by Stronghold Games

Survive Escape From Atlantis! is a game of luck, planning, and misfortune where each round provides ample opportunity to benefit from or be the victim of whales, sharks, sea monsters, and whirlpools.  Explorers must swim or boat to safety before the volcano erupts and sinks the island of Atlantis once and for all!

Survive is the best “gateway” game I’ve been introduced to this year, and the game I’d point to if I was asked for a reasonably “deep” board game (pun fully intended) that a person could play with children, friends, family, and strangers of any skill level. Though it’s over 30 years old, it remains a fantastic game of light tactics and fun interactions for people of all ages.

Review: Kill Doctor Lucky by James Ernest

KILL DOCTOR LUCKY: The Family Board Game Of Murder In The Dark by James Ernest

Have you ever been to a house party hosted by someone you just cannot stand? Someone you've hated for as long as you can remember, and you've secretly been waiting for them to shuffle off this mortal coil? Perhaps he is the only thing between you and the family fortune. Maybe he just dumped your grandma. Lets just say he's a terrible person. Whatever your motive, someone just cut the power to the mansion. Find a weapon, get him alone, make your move. Tonight you will Kill Doctor Lucky.

Second Opinion: Lagoon, By David Chott

I had the chance to play a pre-release version of Lagoon: Land of Druids with our very own J.R. Honeycutt.  He gave his thoughts and excellently described how the game works (you should read it, if you haven't already), and as such I won't go over how the game works.  Instead, I will give you a second opinion on the game and why you should support it before the Kickstarter campaign ends.

Lagoon, By David Chott

Humans, the newest species in Lagoon, the oldest land in existence, strive to permanently alter the ancient world they inhabit. Through the control and influence of the three energies of the earth they shape the primeval landscape to fit their whims. You and your opponents must take up this struggle against each other as you vie to establish a dominant energy, and ultimately determine the fate of the world…

Full disclosure: David sent me a demo copy of Lagoon to review after we recorded an episode of Back It!, our show about crowd-funded gaming projects. I endeavor to keep my reviews biased only by my love for gaming, but it’s possible a little of my respect for David has seeped into my opinions about his first game. With that in mind, please join me on a spiritual journey to the first forests in the magical world of Lagoon!

Review: Elder Sign from Fantasy Flight Games

 

Elder Sign is a game based in the Lovecraftian Mythos. You and the other players take on the roles of the various characters from H.P. Lovecraft's writings. You are investigating the Miskatonic University Museum. The Museum has long been a hot-bed of unnatural occurrences.  Today an Ancient One will awaken. Your task is to locate the Elder Signs and seal the monster in the otherworld. There are unseen forces afoot. Keep your wits about you, or suffer the madness inducing twists and turns offered by Elder Sign from Fantasy Flight Games.

Review: Tanto Cuore by Japanime Games/Arclight

TLDR: Tanto Cuore is the most Japanese thing I've ever experienced, and I've been to Tokyo.

That said, if you like anime, like... REALLY like anime... in so far as you have absolutely no shame whatsoever about your anime fan status... and you liked Dominion, you'll probably like Tanto Cuore.

A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (2nd Edition), by Christian T. Petersen

If you haven’t read the books, or seen the HBO series then you’re missing out the beauty and intrigue of Westeros, part of the world created by the “Great Bearded Glacier” George R. R. Martin. The stories tell of a great struggle for power between famous houses – and the men and women who lead them - competing to control the Iron Throne and the influence that comes with being the undisputed ruler of Westeros.

A Game of Thrones: The Board Game allows players to control those houses and fight great battles themselves, each for the ultimate purpose of ruling Westeros once and for all.  

Sit, and let me tell you of A Game of Thrones!

Review: Castle Panic by Fireside Games

TLDR: Castle Panic is a cooperative, kid friendly (mother approved?) tower defense game that is perfect as either an evening-starter, an introduction for board-gaming neophytes, or just anyone who is interested in slayin' some nasties with friends.  Who doesn't love bonding over the bloodied corpse of a troll, ogre or goblin?

Review: Zogar's Gaze by Grey Gnome Games

Zogar’s Gaze is a press-your-luck game that uses both cards and dice to deal with the many obstacles in Zogar’s lair. Players draw a random race and class card at the beginning of the game and keep these identities a secret from the other players. Both the race and class have separate win conditions that must be met in order to win the game.  Each turn, players can explore as much as they'd like, at risk of losing all that's been gained!

In addition, Zogar’s Gaze is always on the lookout. If seven of his ever-piercing eyes are revealed, all players lose, and Zogar wins!

Review: Velociraptor! Cannibalism! from Game Salute

Velociraptor! Cannibalism! is a game of survival and mutation that allows you to eat your friends! A game typically lasts 45-60 mins, and is for 3-6 players ages 8 and up. 

I was first introduced to Velociraptor! Cannibalism! by my friend Zak, who backed it on Kickstarter. We gathered at a game night and he busted this out. The base raptors are all pretty ludicrous. A Pegged-Legged pirate Raptor, a punk rock Raptor, and RAPTO-TRON 2000 among others. But as game play goes on things get right out of hand, or should I say, claw? Tentacle? Wing? All of these things are possible, and more!

Review: Talisman (Revised 4th Edition), By Robert Harris

Talisman: The Magical Quest Game. This game will ruin friendships. This is not a joke. Talisman first entered the world in 1983, and has been a growing force in the board game community. It accommodates 2-6 players ages 9 and up. It is my favorite game I own.

Review: Richard Garfield's King of Tokyo

Richard Garfield's King of Tokyo is my favorite dice drafting game, as well it should be! King of Tokyo provides a rich game play experience, minutes to learn and a lifetime to master. It's the winner of several awards, including:

• Best Family Game 2011 from The Dice Tower
• The Dice Tower Seal of Excellence
• 2012 Golden Geek
• Best Children's Game from Board Game Geek
• Best Family Game from Board Game Geek
• Best Party Game from Board Game Geek

Those are just what are printed on the box! There are a total of 19 awards listed on King of Tokyo's Board Game Geek Page.

One of the things that drew me to King of Tokyo in the first place was the box art. A giant lizard holding part of a skyscraper, a gorilla with cybernetic enhancements, and a massive rabbit robot with an energy sword. Everything about this box art screams "there is fun to be had here".