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”.

Yellowstone: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.5/5

Yellowstone Review

Yellowstone’s clever mix of tactics and stunning art turned our game night into a lively showdown. If you love blocking friends and spotting bison, you’ll want this on your table—even if the geysers sometimes treat you unfairly.

Times: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Times Review

Times is the trivia game that made us smart and salty. Fun questions and quick rounds, but a wobbly timer and luck can tip the scales! Good for laughs, not for ultra-competitive brainiacs.

Politico: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Politico Review

Politico is where you negotiate, scheme, and bribe your way to the top. It's smart, a bit sneaky, and always rowdy—just keep one eye on your friends and the other on Steve, who cheats at everything.

Brew: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Brew Review

Brew surprised us with wild dice chaos, beautiful art, and sneaky moves. Sometimes luck steals the show, but strategy matters too. Not perfect, but it’s a wild, funny ride if you don’t mind a little randomness.

Skyward: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Skyward Review

Skyward is like sharing a pizza – someone slices, but you get first pick. Quick, clever, and gorgeous, it's perfect for friends who love to outsmart each other (and maybe steal your favorite topping).

Drive: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Drive Review

If you want fast-paced card racing without feeling cheated by luck, Drive is a solid pick. My friends fought, laughed, and nobody flipped the table—a win in my book! The art's just okay, but the gameplay shines.

Celtic: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Celtic Review

Celtic takes you on a Celtic road trip with colorful tokens and sneaky moves. It’s easy to learn, keeps everyone on their toes, and only sometimes makes you want to flip the table. Fun, quick, and pretty to look at!

Amazons: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.5/5

Amazons Review

Amazons is pure brain burn, zero luck, and all wooden charm. If you love chess but hate rolling dice, this is your jam—just don’t blame me if you lose to your ten-year-old nephew.

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.