When you live along the coast, you keep a careful eye on what the sea is doing. When your land is actually sitting below sea level, you take extra time to make sure things are alright along the coast. In Lowlands, players take on the role of farmers along the North Sea. In this preview, we get a look at the turn sequence in the game, and see how high and low tide have an effect on your actions.
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Yarr arr yarr! I loddie the hotpants!
’tis time to set sail on the high seas. There’s opportunity aplenty for the captain willing to go to that horizon. In Anchors Aweigh, coming soon from Z-Man Games, players will take on the role of ship captains as they head out to trade goods, explore, and find treasure, all while trying to avoid any pirate entanglements.
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Z-Man Games has announced a new expansion pack for Cacao. It’s called Diamante, but it brings more than just one new thing to the table. There’s four new modules within the box. Each can be added singly, or you can mix and match, giving you many new opportunities. It even works with the Chocolatl variant, so you can just get one huge game out there.
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Well, it would seem as though someone has some mail. Z-Man Games has acquired Love Letter, the quick social deduction card game, from AEG. Along with the original version, this acquisition also includes some of the other versions of the game that also are out there.
That’s quite a piece of mail.
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The Age of Discovery is on. European nations are setting sail all over the world, looking for new places to claim and colonize. In Race to the New Found Land (as opposed to Race to Newfoundland, which seems less exciting), players take on the role of explorers from one of the European nations, heading across the sea to new lands, planting their flags, and getting the resources therein. Pre-orders for the game are being taken now.
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In Lowlands, players will be in control of their own farm along the North Sea coast. It’s a rough and rugged land, where the weather can turn instantly. You’ll have to work hard to maintain your land. But maintaining isn’t going to be good enough. You need to be able to upgrade it and make the land more bountiful. In this preview for the game, we get a look at some of the upgrades and how they work.
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The druids are headed to the magical forest in order to perform their ceremonies and rituals. But not everything in the forest as it seems (it is a magical forest, after all) and some spots are better for a ceremony than others. The druids will want to stick to the more blessed areas, and leave the cursed ones far behind. But trying to figure out which is which and successfully navigating through can be tricky. Good thing we get this preview here for Fey from Z-Man Games.
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It is an age of discovery and colonization as the European nations set sail all around the world. New resources are flowing back to the old country as people are making their way to these new settlements. That’s the world you find yourselves in in Z-Man Games’ upcoming game, Race to the New Found Land.
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Many of us have read a Choose Your Own Adventure book. I very fondly remember one from when I was a kid, where you were hopping back and forth in time, hunting down dinosaurs, with the ultimate goal of finding an archopteryx. Well, that sort of adventure and excitement is coming to your tabletops in a new form from Z-Man Games. The first of these is called House of Danger.
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Z-Man Games is working on recreating Clans under the new name of Fae. The mechanics still work much the same, while all the artwork is getting a makeover. But what are those rules, anyway? In this preview, you get a look at how the druids walk around their enchanted forest, looking to complete their rituals in peace.
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India is a land filled with beauty and wonder, along with a rich history. In Taj Mahal, you are sent back to the Mogul Empire as you go see the sights in the countryside along with the Grand Mogul. Of course, as you’re going along, you have to be wary of those that want to influence the Grand Mogul… that’s your job, after all! Be the one that proves you’re the most trusted and you will become the power behind the throne. You can pre-order your copy from Z-Man Games now.
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Z-Man has announced that they’re going to be taking the 2003 game Clans and update the look of it and release it as Fae. Players will be in control of groups of druids, wandering around a mysterious enchanted forest. As they find each-other through the mist and trees, they’ll form larger and larger groups. Once away from anyone else in these groups, they’ll be able to perform their incantations. This new version is getting updated production quality and artwork from its original release.
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Running a farm certainly isn’t easy. It could be argued that running a farm along the cost of the North Sea is even tougher. But that’s what you’re tasked with in Lowlands, the upcoming farming game from Z-Man Games. In this preview, we get a deeper look at what it takes to work the land and produce crops, all while making sure your farm stays safe and is improved over time.
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Working the land is a noble profession. Obviously, I’m not the one creating all the food I eat. Others are out there, doing that for me. I’m guessing that most of you aren’t full-time farmers, either. But you can be one, vicariously, in Lowlands. This new game coming from Z-Man Games puts you in charge of your own plot of land along the North Sea. In this preview, learn about how you can increase your yields and payoffs by upgrading the land you work.
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Z-Man Games is coming out with an updated version of the classic, History of the World (the board game, not the movie. Though that’d be something to see…). Some of you out there have old copies on your shelves. So you may be thinking, “ok, so what’s so updated about it?” I’m glad you’ve asked, and so is Z-Man. They’ve posted an article looking at some of the things that’ve been changed.
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You ever have one of those days where you wake up, get going with doing things, then look at the clock and are like, “Whoah! It’s already 7pm!! How’d that happen!?!” Yeah, that was my yesterday. I woke the same as any other day except a voice was in my head… Ok, no voices in my head, but I did get started on various things, then realized that goddamn, it was late! So you didn’t get your reviews yesterday. So I’m making up for it by posting them early today. Don’t worry, this won’t become a regular thing.
Anyway, today we have: Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh, Zombicide: Green Horde, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Listit, Draconis Invasion, Dice Throne, Palm Island, City of Gears, Stuffed Fables, Pandemic: Rising Tide, V-Commandos: Secret Weapons, Planet of the Apes, Indian Summer, When I Dream, and Gaia Project.
“A little goes a long way.” It really is true. Just a couple small tweaks or additions, and a thing can seem entirely new. That certainly can be the case for a game. Z-Man Games is offering some of its little mini-expansion promos for some of their games as regular releases. So, if you’re a fan of Terra Mystica, A Feast for Odin, The Voyages of Marco Polo, Beyond Baker Street, Carcassonne, and/or Sylvion, there’s new sets you can pick up for them.
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Is it just me, or is Z-Man Games turning into the “small community, apart from others, struggling against the elements”-game company? Not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you. I just happened to notice the pattern with their new game they’ve announced called Lowlands, where players are working semi-together to run a town along the coast of the North Sea.
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Woo! Saturday!
And I’m finally mostly over being sick. You never realize just how much you are thankful that you can breathe through your nose or take a couple breaths without coughing until that’s exactly the opposite of how you’re doing. Ah well. While I groove along to The Guess Who (because why not?), let’s get you some gaming reviews.
This week, we’ve got: 51st State Master Set, Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shadows of the Past, Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle: The Monster Box of Monsters, Arkon, Pockety Odyssey, Noises at Night, Siege Storm, Rambo: the Board Game, Hardback, Voodoo, Palette Swap, Vast: The Crystal Caverns, Pryamids, Kingsburg (2nd Edition), Crossfire, Through the Desert (Euro Classics Edition), Nemesis, Bad Squiddo Games Onna-bugeisha, and Test of Honour: Ninjas of Iga Warband.
I’m just getting over a cold. Another coworker and her kid just found out they have strep. It’s not a good time. Viruses and bacteria are spreading all over. What we need is a group of public health officials to come in and clean this place up. As you all know, that’s your job in Pandemic. But what group is the best at curtailing these health hazards? That’s what the Pandemic Survival Series is all about. The new season just got underway and you can join in. Your own bleach wipes are not required, but recommended.
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Saturdaaaaaaaaaaaay!
Woo!
I mean, who really doesn’t love Saturdays, in general? Sure, there’s not always the best Saturdays, but overall, it’s probably the greatest day of the week. At least, in my opinion.
While we’re on the subject of opinions, it’s time to get into this week’s reviews.
Today we have: Import/Export, Dream Catchers, Gaia Project, Schrodinger’s Cats, Indulgence, Smile, and Shop ‘N Time.
There are areas of the world that, despite being part of a larger country, are sort of their own, little world. Cut-off from many other people, these regions create their own traditions and ways of life. Such is the case with East Frisia. Nestled along the coast of Germany, these flax farmers sort of just did their own thing. You get to play one of these farmers in Fields of Arle, of which, the new Tea & Trade expansion is coming. It brings the option of a 3rd player, but that’s not all. What else is there? That’s what Z-Man is showing off in this preview.
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It’s a long way from Italy to China. And both places are pretty big. Marco Polo certainly wasn’t alone that whole time. He met with all sorts of people along the way, each one having their own impact on the trip. In the upcoming Agents of Venice expansion for The Voyages of Marco Polo, there are new characters that you’ll encounter along your trip. Z-Man Games gives us a look at them in this preview.
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The Netherlands are in a unique situation wherein most of the country is beneath sea level. This has been helpful, as the country, when under attack, can open up their system of dams and levees and flood regions. But what happens when those systems start failing and there’s no approaching army to defend from? It’s up to the country’s engineers to fix it before everyone’s left not-so-high and not-so-dry. That’s what’s happening on Pandemic: Rising Tide. You’ve read the rulebook. Now you can get a copy for yourself, as it’s available now.
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Being an informed consumer is important. You don’t want to know what you’re getting when you buy something. That’s why I love when companies put their rulebooks up online. Pandemic: Rising Tide is a whole new twist on the Pandemic theme. You’re not trying to stop various diseases from spreading. You’re trying to make sure that the Netherlands don’t flood. Want to know how that’ll work? Go read all about it.
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Z-Man Games has released their follow-up to Terra Mystica in the form of Gaia Project. Instead of just building a world to your liking, you are now able to spread out among the stars and make entire systems, and more, and put them under your guiding control. By exploring, managing your resources, dealing with threats, and working with your economy, you can create the greatest empire that the galaxy has ever seen.
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Marco Polo heading out into the East is only half the story. It wouldn’t be quite a big deal if he never returned. But when he did, he brought all his accumulated findings back and helped increase communication and trade between the two regions of the world. In the Agents of Venice expansion for The Voyages of Marco Polo, Marco Polo has made his way back to the famed city and is now looking to work with various trading houses. But how will that work? Well, find out in this preview from Z-Man Games.
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Solo rules for games open up entirely new opportunities for play. Sometimes you want to game, but nobody’s around. Having a game that’ll still work with just one player means there’s always enough to play. In Gaia Project, Z-Man games has created a variant of the rules for solo play. So even if your entire gaming group can’t make it, you can get some gaming in. Check them out.
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Ok, so I was being a little facetious, saying that we were expecting a Snowpocalypse here in Atlanta, with the little bit of snow that was coming down at the time… but… yeah… we had a bit of a Snowpocalypse. That was the view from my front door last night and it was still much the same this morning. Thankfully, since then, the sun’s come out and much of it is melting. But still… yeah, quite a thing. Good day to stay in and do some gaming. But what games? Well, you can find out what games are like with the Review Roundup!
This week we have: Villages of Velaria, Pandemic Legacy: Season 2, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle – Box of Monsters Expansion, Axis & Allies: Anniversary Edition, Wizards Wanted, Braintopia, NMBR9, Ticket to Ride: Germany, Planetarium, Barbarians: The Invasion, Space Race, The Captain is Dead, and Heaven & Ale.
Games can occasionally need a bit of an update. Mechanics can be smoothed out. Art assets can be redone. Components can get a change in material or quality. In the end, you’ve got an old game that has a new feel to it. For those that are fans of Kingsburg, you’ll be happy to see that there’s a revised edition now available. For those that aren’t fans of Kingsburg, well, here’s a chance for you to possibly become one.
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The throne is empty. A new monarch must be set upon it. But whom should lead? Obviously, it should be the ruler of one of the realms that has shown that they are the most-prosperous and best leader. No bloodline nonsense. This is a merit-based system. Prove you’re the best ruler and you’ll be put in charge. That’s what you’ll be doing in Majesty: For the Realm, a new game that’s available now from Z-Man Games.
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Fireflies are almost guaranteed to bring a smile, especially to the critters in the forest who think that their big, light-up butts are just super-tasty. In Smile, a new card game from Z-Man Games, you’ll take your collection of fireflies out into the forest in order to gather the animals within. But be careful, there are those that only want your fireflies, but don’t actually want to go with you. Out-bid your opponents on the best creatures and come away with the most points. Smile is available now.
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The study of how history changes over time is called Historiography. Yes, history can and very often does change over time. As new evidence and sources come out, and more analysis is done on the subject, things we thought were one way can very much prove to be another. So, as Z-Man interviewed the original creators of History of the World, they talk about how things have changed with the game over time. It’s all rather meta, considering the subject of the game. Anyway, check it out.
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The galaxy is a large place. But when there’s 14 different races looking to colonize it, it can seem really small really quickly. Each faction has things it specializes in and ways to play. So, when sitting down for a game of Gaia Project, how do you choose which one you want to play? Well, having a preview of them all would be good, and that’s just what we’ve got here from Z-Man Games.
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Occasionally, older games need a bit of a revamp. There’s nothing wrong with that. Boards and other game pieces get a touch-up in quality. Rules get tightened and streamlined. Overall, you get a better gaming experience from an already-great game. Such is the case with Through the Desert, of which a new edition is now available from Z-Man Games.
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