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”.

Buccaneer: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.3/5

Buccaneer Review

Buccaneer made me laugh, nag, and debate treasure splits with friends. It’s a cheerful pirate romp, though luck rules over strategy. Grab it if you want mayhem, not masterplans!

Yellowstone: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.8/5

Yellowstone Review

Yellowstone kept us glued to the table, arguing over geysers and bison. Smart moves win out over luck, and the artwork looks like a nature doc. Bring snacks, because you’ll want to play again. I recommend it!

Times: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Times Review

Times is like history class, but with more shouting and less homework. Fast turns, clever choices, and good laughs—unless you hate timers. Then, maybe just watch Jeopardy instead.

Politico: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Politico Review

Politico delivers a wild mix of strategy and chaos. Scheming, backstabbing, and surprise twists keep every game fresh—just don't expect to keep your friends after a heated round!

Brew: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Brew Review

Brew dazzles with its quirky art and wild dice chaos. If you love friendly sabotage and a bit of unpredictability, it's a wild ride—but not for pure strategists.

Skyward: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Skyward Review

Skyward mixes clever drafting with top-notch art and sneaky player choices. It’s fun, fair, and keeps you on your toes—unless you hate seeing your plans get ruined by a grinning friend.

Drive: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.5/5

Drive Review

Gather your friends, shuffle the cards, and hold on to your snacks—Drive is a wild ride of laughs and luck. Just don’t expect to outsmart everyone; sometimes the cards just hate you.

Celtic: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.3/5

Celtic Review

Celtic is a clever race-and-collect game that kept my friends plotting and side-eyeing each other all night. Quick to learn, fair on strategy, and with plenty of friendly chaos—it’s a keeper for game night.

Amazons: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.8/5

Amazons Review

If you like clever moves and outwitting your pals, Amazons hits the spot. It’s pure strategy—no dice, no excuses. Bring your brain, and maybe a snack!

Torres - Torres, HUCH! & friends/IDW Games, 2017 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Rating: 4.5/5

Torres Review

In my journey with Torres, I discovered a game where strategic depth meets engaging player interaction. The fair scoring system rewards thoughtful planning, making every game a thrilling yet balanced experience worth diving into repeatedly.