Verdict: Maddeningly Addictive!

In a Nutshell: A competitive bidding board game of strategy and cunning.

(from the game’s website)

“Secretly bid against your opponents to gain the support of the people, win territory . . . and gather more Gold, Blackmail, and Force for the next round of bidding! Will you try to control the tavern or the fortress? The harbor or the plantation? Knowing where to push for support – and where to back away and let your opponents fight – is the key to victory. It’s a game of bluff, counter-bluff, and surprise.”

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Verdict: 6-sided slogging

In a Nutshell: Story-driven turn-based strategy about elves and the control of magic.

(from the game’s website)

“The shadows of destruction begin to loom on the horizon once a human mage uncovers a dark and powerful secret dating back to the remote past of the Elven race. However, the Elves cannot allow this forbidden knowledge to fall into the hands of others and thus imperil the world. For the first time in countless years, this ancient race must venture forth and interfere with events transpiring in the lands of man.
With the renegade mage in their sights, the sorceress Gilwen and ranger-lord Seagate set off together, unaware that beliefs and friendships alike will soon be tested…”

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Verdict: extreme challenge!

In a Nutshell: This is a top-down, real-time strategy space conquest.

(from the game’s manual)

“You are a space war commander who controls a small fleet of ships and must win against all odds. While your enemies usually have more money and ships than you, a clever strategy can always turn the situation upside down so that you’re the one with all the cash and a giant armada. One last thing. In an act of sabotage, someone turned on your starbase’s self-destruct mechanism. This means that it will gradually destroy itself, assuming that your enemies don’t eliminate you first. Really, you have no time to waste. Get to it, commander!”

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Verdict: loved every minute of it

In a Nutshell: Defense Grid: The Awakening is a 3-d tower defense game that feels a lot like Starcraft.

(from the game’s website)

“Defense Grid: The Awakening is a unique spin on tower defense gameplay that will appeal to players of all skill levels. A horde of enemies is invading, and it’s up to the player to stop them by strategically building fortification towers around their base. Beautiful environments, spectacular effects, and a dynamic, engaging soundtrack bring the world to life. The controls are intuitive and the gameplay is deep — the special attacks and properties of each tower work together to provide many ways to succeed.”

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Verdict: delightful

In a Nutshell: Zatikon is an electronic strategy board game that feels like chess but with a good helping of medieval fantasy thrown into the mix.

(from the game’s website)

“Welcome to Zatikon. Construct your army out of creatures as varied as the magnificent dragon or mighty warrior to the evil necromancer or holy Templar. Destroy your opponent with a heavy cavalry charge or defeat their army before they can reach you with archers, crossbowmen and mages. Use an unlimited number of strategies to defeat your opponents and earn gold to increase the might of your army. Play Zatikon for free and start building your armies today!

Zatikon is a turn based multiplayer tactics game featuring over 50 unique units. Build your army and defeat your opponent. With an almost unlimited number of possible strategies at your disposal Zatikon highly addictive and fun. Zatikon includes online player ranking and several extra game types including co-op, single player and random army mode.”

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Verdict: so strategical!

In a Nutshell: Alteil is a virtual trading card battle game with elements similar to both Pokeman and Magic: The Gathering card games.

(from the game’s website)

“Alteil is a story-driven online card dueling game with art by Japan’s most talented fantasy artists!

. . .The Gods of Old traveled out into the universe, looking for the saviors of Lavato. They eventually came to Earth, and found a planet filled with the universe’s greatest strategists. The gods named their saviors the Iczers, bestowing upon them the remainder of their power and entrusting them with the enchanted cards. Now the Iczers hold the magic of Lavato in their hands. They duel to gain power, fame, and to prepare for the day when evil returns to Lavato. The question is: are you an Iczer?”

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Verdict: satisfying

In a Nutshell: 2-Player strategic card game of building and expansion of a settlement in a race to 12 points.

(from the game’s site)

“In the Catan Card Game™ you control a group of settlers taming the lands of medieval Catan. Use the unique card mix to create a map of your own principality, then explore and settle new lands, acquiring resources through card play and the luck of the dice. Make use of gold and resource combinations to develop your domain. Expand your settlements and cities, recruit knights, and defend your territory through politics, tournaments, and intrigue!”

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Verdict: we’ve been playing HOW long?!

In a Nutshell: This is a strategy board game similar to RISK, but more like RISK’s older, more mature, private college attending brother.

(from the game’s box)

“This game of world conquest traces the history of the world from the dawn of civilization to the threshold of modern time. Through 7 Epochs, you’ll lead a different empire, from the ancient Sumerians to the Persians, Romans, and Huns. You may take command of the Vikings, Ming Dynasty, or Germans. You must score as many victory points during your empire’s reign, for it is fleeting. A new power will soon rise to glory.”

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