Area Control

Players compete to dominate and control more areas or territories on the game board. It often involves conflict, strategy, and negotiation. Examples include “Risk” and “Smallworld”.

Pirates - Box cover - Credit: JohnPurdue
Rating: 3.5/5

Pirates Review

Pirates is a wild, chaotic game where luck rules the seas. If you want laughs, backstabbing, and don’t mind randomness, you’ll have a blast! Serious tacticians, probably best stick to safer waters.

King: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.5/5

King Review

King serves up quick laughs, sneaky player moves, and the kind of chaos that has you blaming your bad luck—and your friends. If you love friendly feuds more than pure strategy, King will fit right in.

California: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.3/5

California Review

California is a bright, quirky race to furnish your pad before your friends can. Luck plays a role, but sneaky blocking and clever planning keep you on your toes—just don’t expect a brain-burner!

China: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

China Review

China is a snappy area control game where smart moves matter more than luck. Quick to set up, it shines with more players and keeps things tense, without overwhelming with rules or weird plastic bits.

Buccaneer: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3/5

Buccaneer Review

Buccaneer tosses you into pirate chaos where friendship means nothing and dice rule the seas. Swindle your mates, grab loot, and pray luck’s on your side—or you’ll walk the plank with an empty chest and a bruised ego.

Yellowstone: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Yellowstone Review

Yellowstone blends gorgeous art with easy rules and just enough strategy to keep things lively. It’s perfect for families, but hardcore gamers might want more depth—not that the bison care. Nature never looked this board-gamey before.

Times: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.5/5

Times Review

Times kept our group laughing, arguing, and shouting random facts. Quick rounds, a chaotic timer, and wild questions made each play different. Strategy helps, but luck can ruin your streak. Prepare for friendly chaos more than serious competition!

Politico: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Politico Review

Politico made us laugh, yell, and question our friendships – all in one round. If you like lively debates and a bit of chaos, this game packs plenty of punch. Just don’t blame me if you lose your alliances!

Brew: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Brew Review

Brew tosses you into a wild forest full of magic, chaos, and lots of dice chucking—sometimes your plans work, sometimes the dice laugh at you. Gorgeous art, silly fun, but luck can crush your strategy dreams fast.

Skyward: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Skyward Review

Skyward takes the classic "I split, you choose" mechanic and makes it tense and fun. Splitting resources never felt so personal. Throw in clever strategy and pretty art, and you get a game that keeps hitting the table.