Releases for Ascension come in two sizes: large four-player sets and small two-player sets meant to compliment the previous large set. Earlier this year the second large entry, Storm of Souls, arrived, and brought several new mechanics to those introduced in the first large-small pair. After a few unfortunate delays, Storm of Souls now finally has its companion set in Immortal Heroes. READ MORE
As you might have noticed, we here at Snackbar Games have been running a Holiday Gift Guide to let you know which of this year’s titles are worth picking up on each platform. Which is fine, but what if the people to whom you want to give gifts aren’t gamers? Despite the massive gaming advances of various mobile devices and more general-appeal nature of the Wii and Kinect, there are probably still quite a few people on your list who couldn’t tell a PS3 from a 3DS. If you still want to give the gift of gaming, here are some unplugged suggestions to inspire you. READ MORE
Simple fillers are some of the best gaming values around, and they don’t get much simpler than Stefan Dorra’s 2008 classic For Sale (published by Gryphon Games). The instructions literally take up a mere three pages, and a game can fly by in less than half an hour, but the fun had in that time can be disproportionately immense. READ MORE
Quick-playing card games with deceptively simple mechanics are always welcome at my gaming table. My latest acquisition, Brett J. Gilbert’s Divinare (published by Asmodee), is a fascinating mix of bluffing, treachery, and strategy flavorfully disguised as an international tournament of psychics and mediums. READ MORE
Miniatures-based games are a topic you are not going to see that often in this space, mostly because they tend to require a much more in-depth commitment than regular board games, and I personally use that time for Magic instead. In addition to assembling armies, frequently carefully spending a predetermined limit of points on each piece and ability to keep opposing forces balanced, many minis gamers will spend a crazy amount of time just painting the often-undecorated metal figurines or physically constructing simulated terrain to better enhance the play experience. READ MORE
