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”.

Times: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.3/5

Times Review

Times puts your memory and trivia chops to the test. We laughed, we argued about weird facts, and nobody could blame bad luck. If you want a fair game night winner, this one’s a solid pick.

Politico: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Politico Review

Politico tosses you into a wild world of deals, drama, and double-crossing. If you love talking circles around friends and don't mind chaos, this game is a blast—but wallflowers might struggle!

Brew: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.5/5

Brew Review

Brew’s wild dice and wacky potions create chaos with every turn. The art is charming, but luck runs wild. If you like unpredictable fun, you’ll love it. Think twice if you crave solid strategy or hate losing to a dice roll.

Skyward: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.8/5

Skyward Review

Skyward is a clever puzzle with beautiful art and a fun split mechanic. My friends loved outsmarting each other, and nobody flipped the table. A real winner if you like strategy over just luck!

Drive: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3/5

Drive Review

Drive is quick, chaotic, and packed with surprise wins. Loved the laughs but hated the game’s luck-fest mayhem. Good for casual nights, not for deep thinkers. Bring snacks—at least you’ll have some control over those.

Celtic: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Celtic Review

Celtic mixes clever route-building with just enough chaos to keep things spicy. Easy to learn, great for groups, and—warning—may cause sudden bursts of table laughter. Just watch out for those luck swings. Bring snacks and let the banter flow!

Amazons: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.3/5

Amazons Review

Amazons is pure strategy—no luck, just your brain versus your friends. It’s tense, fair, and maybe even friendship-ending, but I’d still play it again (and again).

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!