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”.

Brew: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.5/5

Brew Review

Brew’s art is magical and the potions make you feel clever—until your friend rolls four fire and burns your whole plan. Fast, funny, and chaotic, but luck can really stir your cauldron! Great with friends who love a wild ride.

Skyward: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Skyward Review

Skyward packs smart choices into a fast, quirky package. The art pops, the gameplay keeps you grinning, and splitting cards is always tense. Some luck creeps in, but I still keep reaching for it on game night.

Drive: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Drive Review

If you like fast cars, sneaky moves, and the sound of your friends groaning over a backstab, Drive is a speedy, fun ride—just watch out for those frustratingly lucky turns!

Celtic: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.5/5

Celtic Review

Celtic gets you moving, trading, and plotting while the artwork pulls you in. It’s quick to learn, easy to play, but the luck sometimes trips up your best-laid plans. Still, we had plenty of laughs chasing down those routes.

Amazons: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.5/5

Amazons Review

Amazons hits that sweet spot between chess and arm-wrestling—sharp moves and zero luck! Every game felt tense and fair, with my smug brother tastefully blocking my queen, again. If you love pure strategy, this one’s a keeper.

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.

Take 5: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.5/5

Take 5 Review

Take 5 turns simplicity into an art form, masterfully balancing luck with strategy. Its scoring system and player interactions engage without overcomplicating, making it a staple for game nights.

Churchill: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.5/5

Churchill Review

Churchill impresses with its blend of strategy, history, and diplomacy. Although lengthy, it's a captivating ride through WWII. However, the complex mechanics may daunt beginners. Definitely a hit for history buffs and strategy fans!

Element - Element, Rather Dashing Games, 2017 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Rating: 4.5/5

Element Review

'Element' thrills with its mix of strategy and nature's powers. Easy to learn but challenging to master, it's a hit at game nights. Just when you think you've got it, Element surprises you again. A solid 4.5 stars!

Cuba Libre cover
Rating: 4.3/5

Cuba Libre Review

Cuba Libre: A game where strategy meets history. Had a blast battling over 1950s Cuba with friends. Great replay value but watch out for the learning curve. Quality pieces make every play feel fresh. Solid 4/5 stars.