Review: Mystery at the Stargazer’s Manor

Players: 3 to 8
Estimated Game Time: 90 min to 2 hours
Recommend Ages: 10+

I love a good escape room. The only thing I like more is a great escape room. This game falls under the latter for the sheer quality they put into there games.

The story unfolds that you’re a caretaker for an astronomer’s mansion when he unexpectedly lets you and the cook go. You return with some concerned townsfolk to help you discover the mysterious sounds and smells coming from the mansion.

This game features a decoder ring style turn system that you use to open envelopes. These envelopes help you progress through the adventure. Each box comes with recommendations on background music, invitations, and the like so you can make a night of the adventure.

Out of the escape rooms that we have played so far, this comes the closest to being an escape room without having to pay admission to pay for one.

Game Review: Exploding Kittens

Disclaimer out the gate: This game has a really sick premise of blowing up kittens. Where2Game does not support any animal cruelty of any kind. In fact, we love kittens, especially with little bowties.

Age: 7+
Playing Time: 15 min
Players: 2-

A deck building game from the makers of The Oatmeal, the strategy is simple. Collect cats and avoid picking up the exploding kitten cards. If you pick it up, you can defuse the bomb and put it back in the pick up deck wherever you want. If you can’t defuse it, you’re out of the game.

It’s a simple premise and makes for a quick game.

Plus it has tacocat – he’s cute, delicious, and a palindrome!

For more information, see your local gaming venue!

Game Review: Star Fluxx

Age: 8+
Playing time: 10 min
Players: 2 to 6

Scotty, I am your father now beam me up and make it so. You may find this and other science-fiction (Sci-Fi) goodness in this small unassuming card game.

The Fluxx series is an ever changing game where you control the victory conditions. The most common victory is matching up assets you’ve collected through the game with goal cards you can play in your hands. How do you do that? By laying down a number of cards that make you win without playing cards that let your opponents win.

This is one of those games that has to be played to truly understood. There are so many different options of rules that it’s easier for any visual learners to see and hear. This game does involve a lot of reading so I’d recommend it for strong readers. If you’re not, it will certainly give you practice!

A very worn case of Star Fluxx

The starting rules for the game are simple. Draw 1 card, and play 1 card. As you play on, you’ll have opportunities to tweak the game, add rules, change the number of cards drawn, or played, change the goal of the game, or remove cards that stop you from winning (called Creepers).

An example of some of the cards in Star Flux. The cute fuzzy alien creature is one of my favourites.

This is another quick game that can go quickly with a small number of players. Perfect for convention wait times, killing time between flights, or wanting to frustrate your friends while humming about it just being a game.

Game Reviews: Dragon Slayer

Recommended Age: 6+
# of players: 2 to 5
Playing Time: 15 min

For the discerning adventurer who wants to slay dragons easily from the comfort of their home, there is Dragon Slayer. This game allows you to push your luck in attempting to defeat more dragons that your opponents. Push it too far and you’re dragon chow.

This game is easy to pick up and play. Great for conventions while you wait for others to show up, or for a quick game that needs little set up or take down.

See your friendly, local gaming venue for more information!

Dragon slaying dice