Raf Reviews - Empires: Galactic Rebellion The empire closes its grip around the planets. Sentinels appear across the galaxy, preparing for the inevitable open rebellion. In back alleys, factions bicker and scheme to both end the Empire and take control for themselves. At least I think so. There’s a paragraph in the rulebook that explains the theme but that’s about the last place you’ll truly interact with it. Fortunately, this game’s highlights don’t depend on the theme. They’re good independently. Unfortunately, the lows are tied to 11/15/2016
The empire closes its grip around the planets. Sentinels appear across the galaxy, preparing for the inevitable open rebellion. In back alleys, factions bicker and scheme to both end the Empire and take control for themselves. At least I think so. There’s a paragraph in the rulebook that explains the theme but that’s about the last place you’ll truly interact with it. Fortunately, this game’s highlights don’t depend on the theme. They’re good independently. Unfortunately, the lows are tied to
Raf Reviews - The Godfather: A New Don One of my favorite things about mobster movies is the dichotomy between the violence in the streets and the smoke filled rooms where powerful families slice up New York like a salami. Deals are struck and favors exchanged according to unwritten rules and back alley politicking. Yes, these are enforced with the business end of a tommy gun but that’s a messy business best avoided where possible. Godfather: A New Don approaches the genre through that smoke filled room, and it’s a top-notch 11/14/2016
One of my favorite things about mobster movies is the dichotomy between the violence in the streets and the smoke filled rooms where powerful families slice up New York like a salami. Deals are struck and favors exchanged according to unwritten rules and back alley politicking. Yes, these are enforced with the business end of a tommy gun but that’s a messy business best avoided where possible. Godfather: A New Don approaches the genre through that smoke filled room, and it’s a top-notch
A Call For Inclusion, Safety, and Looking Out For Your Fellow Gamer In light of the impassioned speech by gaming icon Tom Vasel calling for more inclusion and diversity in our community and our hobby, we feel that now is an important time for the gaming community to make a commitment. Beginning with Gary Gygax first laying out the Tomb of Horrors and continuing to Cards Against Humanity bonding people together in laughter - gaming has always been about togetherness and community. From the husband and wife duo trying not to starve in Agricola to the thousands 11/14/2016
In light of the impassioned speech by gaming icon Tom Vasel calling for more inclusion and diversity in our community and our hobby, we feel that now is an important time for the gaming community to make a commitment. Beginning with Gary Gygax first laying out the Tomb of Horrors and continuing to Cards Against Humanity bonding people together in laughter - gaming has always been about togetherness and community. From the husband and wife duo trying not to starve in Agricola to the thousands
Calvin's Corner - Rob Daviau Interview Between Seafall’s release, the massive success of Pandemic Legacy, and Legacy itself becoming a super hot mechanic, Rob Daviau is one of the biggest names in gaming right now. I caught up with Rob on Saturday morning just before his nine (NINE!) other scheduled appointments on the day. The author (left) with Rob Daviau (not left) So! How's Seafall doing? Seafall is doing well. Some of the early reviews noted that the first few games were slow, especially with the prologue and game one. I 11/06/2016
Between Seafall’s release, the massive success of Pandemic Legacy, and Legacy itself becoming a super hot mechanic, Rob Daviau is one of the biggest names in gaming right now. I caught up with Rob on Saturday morning just before his nine (NINE!) other scheduled appointments on the day. The author (left) with Rob Daviau (not left) So! How's Seafall doing? Seafall is doing well. Some of the early reviews noted that the first few games were slow, especially with the prologue and game one. I
Raf Reviews - Mythos Tales There’s something strange going on in Arkham, Massachusetts. I guess that isn’t particularly notable. I should say that there is something stranger going on in Akrham, Massachusetts. This fictional town has seen more than its fair share of oddities, horror, and gloom ever since H.P. Lovecraft wrote about it in The Picture in the House. Now 8th Summit invites you to visit Arkham yourself and help Professor Armitage figure out just what is happening in this not-so-sleepy town. Mythos Tales is a 11/01/2016
There’s something strange going on in Arkham, Massachusetts. I guess that isn’t particularly notable. I should say that there is something stranger going on in Akrham, Massachusetts. This fictional town has seen more than its fair share of oddities, horror, and gloom ever since H.P. Lovecraft wrote about it in The Picture in the House. Now 8th Summit invites you to visit Arkham yourself and help Professor Armitage figure out just what is happening in this not-so-sleepy town. Mythos Tales is a
Charlie's Take - Project ELITE The First Person Shooter is a genre of electronic gaming that is characterized by twitch reaction time and elevated heart rate. Rapid eye movement and carpal tunnel wrapped around massive explosions and blood splatter. These were my bread and butter back in the golden days before I grew old and curmudgeonly. The opportunity to merge my favorite pre-pubescent pastime with my current expensive hobby of cardboard and plastic toys sounded too good to be true. As Duke Nukem (or was it Master Chief?) 10/29/2016
The First Person Shooter is a genre of electronic gaming that is characterized by twitch reaction time and elevated heart rate. Rapid eye movement and carpal tunnel wrapped around massive explosions and blood splatter. These were my bread and butter back in the golden days before I grew old and curmudgeonly. The opportunity to merge my favorite pre-pubescent pastime with my current expensive hobby of cardboard and plastic toys sounded too good to be true. As Duke Nukem (or was it Master Chief?)
Spotlight - Joanna Gaskell & Kaja Sadowski Welcome to Spotlight, a Ding & Dent interview series. We aim to spotlight minorities in games media and the gaming industry and talk to them about the things they are passionate about. This time on Spotlight are Joanna Gaskell and Kaja Sadowski, the dedicated duo best known for hosting the video series Starlit Citadel Reviews. Hi Joanna & Kaja! ...now you have me confused for a moment because I don’t remember if J comes before K in the alphabet. Yes! Yes it does. Hello there! Or should I 10/24/2016
Welcome to Spotlight, a Ding & Dent interview series. We aim to spotlight minorities in games media and the gaming industry and talk to them about the things they are passionate about. This time on Spotlight are Joanna Gaskell and Kaja Sadowski, the dedicated duo best known for hosting the video series Starlit Citadel Reviews. Hi Joanna & Kaja! ...now you have me confused for a moment because I don’t remember if J comes before K in the alphabet. Yes! Yes it does. Hello there! Or should I
Raf Reviews - Arcane Academy Wizard School! Finally. I don’t know many people who wouldn’t want to go to wizard school, especially one as bright and colorful as the Academy of Magic and Sciences. Arcane Academy is an almost gateway weight game but it’s one I can’t stop playing. Magic flies through the air and mystic items buzz to life in this combo building game of tiles and card play. Anyone who knows me knows how much I like combo building games. One of the reasons I like it so much is that building and pulling off 10/16/2016
Wizard School! Finally. I don’t know many people who wouldn’t want to go to wizard school, especially one as bright and colorful as the Academy of Magic and Sciences. Arcane Academy is an almost gateway weight game but it’s one I can’t stop playing. Magic flies through the air and mystic items buzz to life in this combo building game of tiles and card play. Anyone who knows me knows how much I like combo building games. One of the reasons I like it so much is that building and pulling off