Building Hoyuk

Hoyuk

Designed by Pierre Canuel

Published by MAGE Company

2 to 5 Players

60 to 90 Minutes

Tile Placement and Set Collecting

(7/10 Stars)

Hoyuk is a fantastic tile laying and set collecting game that has great production quality. The artwork is very nice and the game mechanics are solid and provide interesting choices to be made each phase of the round. Players can't remain on their own in this game either, they must join other players' on different blocks to try and optimize their chance at getting more aspect cards - and in return more building options and sets for points. The game includes rules to play a basic game, medium game, and advanced game. You can also shorten games by choosing to play with a lower number of houses that each player starts with. All these options result in variability in game length and difficulty.

On the down side, the game only comes with one storage bag and there is no insert to keep all the tiles separated. You will need to purchase your own bags to keep everything separated out or else you will be faced with a longer setup time to sort everything out. The instruction book is actually really good, but there is a slight learning curve for the iconography of the catastrophe cards. It is also interesting because if you don't have things separated out, it will take you longer to setup the basic game than the advanced game (since the basic game causes you to remove certain things - where as the advanced game you wouldn't need to because you use everything).

All in all, I am giving Hoyuk a 7/10. I think it is a really solid game with great game mechanics, artwork, rulebook, and the quality of the components is top notch. The game really needs some better storage options, but Hoyuk is one that I will continue to enjoy a lot and that is How Lou Sees It!

My interview with the board game designer Pierre Canuel and Mage Company can be read here: http://howlouseesit.blogspot.com/2014/02/hoyuk-coming-to-kickstarter.html

Hoyuk: Anatolia is an expansion to Hoyuk and is on Kickstarter only for another 40 hours or so! Check it out now or if you were too late, check Mage Company's website for future buying possibilities. http://www.magecompany.com/

I was given this copy of Hoyuk as a review copy for free from MAGE Company.

Fun for the Third Time (x2)!

Lords of War: Templars versus Undead

Designed by Nick Street and Martin Vaux

Published by Black Box Games

2 Players

30 Minutes

Strategic Card Placement Game

(8/10 Stars)

Lords of War: Templars versus Undead is the third installment from Black Box Games in their Lords of War series. I really enjoyed the previous ones and you can check out my review and more of the gameplay at this LINK. Templars versus Undead continues with the great thing that they started with. I really like the theme and artwork for this set and the few movement cards adds a nice change. Black Box Games just continues with the goodness too with a Weather and Terrain expansion and more packs coming out as well. Lords of War is definitely worth checking out and the Templars versus Undead is a fantastic addition or stand alone version of the game and that is How Lou Sees It!

Pixel Tactics 3

Designed by D. Brad Talton Jr.

Published by Level 99 Games

2 Players

30 Minutes

Strategic Card Placement Game

(8/10 Stars)

The concept of Pixel Tactics really kind of blew my mind when I was first introduced. The game has so much replay value and so many choices to be had. Not only that, but they keep coming out with more and more amazing cards that just continue to add more variety and enjoyment. Pixel Tactics 3 is a great version or addition for anyone looking for a really fun 2 player strategic card game. I show you some of the cards in this new pack - and that is really just more to wet your whistle as they just funded a deluxe version and seem to have more on the way! Check out Pixel Tactics and I think you will enjoy it - Pixel Tactics 3 is a great deck of cards and the only thing you really have to worry about is too many choices. Pixel awesome and that is How Lou Sees It!