One of the best things about a mechanically simple card game is the opportunity it presents to the designers. Like a canvas, when the core of the game is easy to understand, it gives room for interesting ideas to flourish and cool art to blossom. Of course it’s a gamble. Without the big and showy components a small game has to compete with an already bloated market. This is especially true when it comes to trick taking games. They’ve long since been recognized for drumming...
The trick taking genre is one of the oldest and purest forms of modern “tabletop” gaming. Initially played with a standard deck of cards, this genre has grown and evolved right along with the board gaming golden age we currently find ourselves in. While the staples still exist and are enjoying just as much play as ever, game developers and designers have realized the potential for making custom decks of cards and components that can take these games to places that have bee...
Cast & Capture is an accessible, family-friendly game where each person plays a mage attempting to lure creatures for use in an Arcane Academy. Each mage uses certain cards in combination with a general available pool in order to “capture” creatures, depending on their power and specific element. Cast & Capture plays 2-5 players, and plays in about 30 minutes.
CONTENTS
The contents of the review version of the game included a full-color game rules insert, 5...
I am a sucker for a solid, fun, low-investment card game. I am especially keen on card games that utilize new mechanics, take a different spin on an otherwise overused mechanic, or merely improves the “status quo”. Conquest of Orion attempts to achieve success through incorporating additional mechanics within the overplayed trick-taking genre.
CONTENTS
Conquest of Orion comes in an attractive, albeit mildly oversized box. The game consists of 44 numbered cards – 1...
Richard Miles interviews Rob and Rebecca Smith of Dream Options about their Kickstarter project: The Dragon Games.
Topics covered:
Gameplay overview and trick taking nature of The Dragon Games.
My first opinion when opening the box and playing the game.
Insights from a previous failed Kickstarter project.
Debunking the "magic" of Kickstarter.
Full Review of The Dragon Games here.
Richard Miles interviews Josh Bricker, of The Flux Capacity, about his current Kickstarter campaign: Gone Viking!
Topics covered:
The trick taking nature of Gone Viking!
Working with designer, Francois Valentyne.
Setting the funding goal.
Manufacturer selection.
Voodoo Island an upcoming game from The Flux Capacity.
Advice for starting a Kickstarter campaign.
Websites/People referenced:
James Mathe
Jamey Stegmaier
