Take That

The Kardashev scale is a method of measuring a civilization’s level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy it is able to use.

A Type I civilization, also called a Planetary civilization — can use and store all of the energy available on its planet.

A Type II civilization, also called a Stellar civilization — can use and control energy at the scale of its planetary system.

A Type III civilization, also called a Galactic civilization — can use and control energy at the scale of its entire host galaxy.

Race your neighboring planets for control of the galaxy by achieving technological and cultural advancements that harness the energy of your people and your planet. Engage in conflict, trade, or research as a means to cultivate your civilization, capture the energy of your home star, and ultimately the energy of the entire galaxy! The most advanced civilization at the end of the game wins!

Each round, you'll choose one of four actions to perform at a Summit: collecting one of 3 types of resources or purchasing Advancements. In a rock-paper-scissors fashion, you will compare your chosen action to the actions chosen by your left and right neighbors. Win against one or both of them, and you'll collect 2 of your chosen resources. Tie and you'll gain 1. Lose, and you gain nothing. If you chose instead to Advance, you won't get any resources (and your neighbors will each gain 2 of their chosen resource), you will be able to purchase an Advancement card which will give you VPs and allow you to start building your engine. The game ends once one player reaches 25 or more VPs, and the player with the most points is the winner!

—description from the publisher

Key to the Kingdom is a restoration of the 1990 classic game. The new version features the classic hole-in-the-board mechanism to hop through portals and explore the Demon King's domain.

As the kingdom's not-so-mightiest heroes — Pitiless Pixie, Knovice Knight, Unique Unicorn, Merciless Mercenary, and Gnarled Gnome — you'll go on adventures to gather the three pieces of the magic key, then hop through a portal to defeat the Demon King once and for all.

This new version gives players greater control over the whims of the dice. You'll use your collection of items to tweak your rolls. But make sure you have the right item ready when you go on an adventure to give you an easier path through. You'll get magic items and companions along the way as well. It also adds a new endgame in which you need to face a series of mini-challenges to win the game.

—description from the publisher

Description from the publisher:

Build a Unicorn Army. Betray your friends. Unicorns are your friends now.

Unstable Unicorns is a strategic card game about everyone’s two favorite things: Destruction and Unicorns!

From the back of the box:

Learn how unstable your friendships really are.

You start with a Baby Unicorn in your Stable. SO CUTE!

But don't get too attached, because even Baby Unicorns aren't safe in this game! There are over 20 Magical Unicorns to collect, and each has a special power. Build your Unicorn Army as fast as you can, or be destroyed by one of your so-called friends! Seek revenge or protect your stable using your Magic! Sound easy? Not so fast. Someone could have a Neigh Card (Get it? Neigh?) and send the game into MADNESS! The first person to complete their Unicorn Army shall hereafter be known as The Righteous Ruler of All Things Magical... at least until the next game. Good luck.

Contents: 135 cards and rule book

American baseball was on its last legs as a spectator sport. Football had become the predominant national pastime — that is until the year 2032, the year baseball decided to revolutionize the game and regain the throne!

Starting in 2032, baseball games were shortened to six innings. Pitchers were encouraged to have bionic arm implants to improve their pitching. These cyborgs, or 'Borgs as they're affectionately known, were immediately popular and soon ruled the league. In 2041, robotic players were introduced to get more offense back into the game. These robots were similar to designated hitters in that they were used only to bat and did not field. However, recent reports indicate fielding 'Bots are on the way.

Now in 2045, human players are still in the game and known as Naturals. They are the best fielders by far but are sorely challenged when it comes to hitting and pitching. Some Naturals have learned to hit by swinging before the pitcher starts his windup, which gives them a chance to hit the ball. Although it's hard for a Natural to get into the league, those who do are popular. Many Naturals have named themselves after the great players of pre-2032 baseball by taking a first and last name borrowed from different star players of the past. The fans love them, and their presence on the team ensures good revenue!

The stage is now set! The fans are energized and root fanatically for their new favorites, be they 'Bots, 'Borgs or Naturals!

Baseball Highlights: 2045 is like watching TV highlights of early 21st-century baseball games, with the gameplay being full of theme with no outs or innings and without bogging down in a play-by-play baseball simulation. In this quick and interactive game, two players build their teams as they play, combining both strategy (building your team) and tactics (playing the game) without any of the downtime. During each "mini-game", each player alternates playing six cards to simulate a full game's highlights. The mini-game includes defensive and offensive actions, and your single card play may include elements of defensive and/or offensive plays. Do you try to thwart your opponent's pending hits, put up strong offensive action of your own, or use your better players to do both? Players buy new free agents after each mini-game to improve their roster, and the team who wins the most mini-games in the series is the champ!

The contents of Baseball Highlights: 2045 box is:

1 rulebook

4 stadium mats
4 reference sheets

120 cards:

60 starter cards
60 free agent cards

60 wooden pawns:

20 red
20 white
20 blue

12 cardboard markers:

4 triangular markers (visitor/home)
8 circular markers

As gremlins climb on rocks and wade in puddles to catch a glimpse of the big race, their favorite racers gear up at the starting line. Time to find out who’s the fastest, and more importantly, who’s the fan favorite!

Bayou Bash is a chaotic racing game for 2-4 players filled with rambunctious racers who will do anything to win over the most fans before crossing the finish line. Each player takes control of a racer with unique abilities, and must battle for victory across the customizable track while gaining fans along the way. In Bayou Bash, it’s not about who crosses the finish line first, but who pulls off the craziest tricks during the race!

—description from the publisher

Players are represented by one of four tokens, each with variable special ability. The play surface is customizable, allowing for a variety of racetracks. Starting condition cards add additional random elements into the game. Each turn, players draft cards that control movement, provide supplies, etc. The first player to cross the finish line ends the game but it’s the player with the most fans who wins. Cheap shots are encouraged.

—user summary