Worker Placement

Andromeda's Edge

Behold, Andromeda's Edge: A dazzling, uncharted region of space on the edge of the Andromeda Galaxy. Littered with the modular debris of the precursor civilization, patrolled by malicious extragalactic raiders, and bordered by dense nebulae, The Edge is a last resort for the brave and foolhardy who seek a new life beyond the oppressive reach of the Lords of Unity.

In this game, you lead a desperate faction seeking to build a new civilization on Andromeda's Edge. You begin with only a space station, a few ships, and a handful of resources. By carefully placing your ships, you will gather resources, claim moons, acquire modules to add to your station, populate planets and build developments on them. You will battle opponents and compete with others to ascend the progress tracks: Science, Industry, Commerce, Civilization and Supremacy.

On your turn, you either launch a starship or return your ships to your station. Launching sends one of your starships to a region of Andromeda, either collecting resources from planetary systems or taking actions at Alliance Bases. If the region is occupied by your opponents or fearsome raiders, face off in a dice battle, with Supremacy on the line but where strategic manipulation can turn a loss into a reward. Returning to your station allows you to activate your engine, using the modules you’ve acquired to generate energy, gain resources and carry out actions.

Throughout the game you will build up your unique faction, building developments (Observatories, Factories, Spaceports, Cities and Obelisks) and gaining station modules which move you up the progress tracks. Advancement on the tracks is rewarded both during mid-game events and at the conclusion, and is the key to victory.

Chaos Cove

A resounding bell tolls, signaling the epic battle that awaits. Ever vigilant, you assemble your team, scour your stockpiles for supplies, and arm yourselves to confront the ruthless hordes of barbarian and pirate invaders. Engage in competition with fellow players to etch your name into the annals of town legend. However, cooperation could be crucial to keep Chaos Cove from the brink of oblivion. And once victory is achieved, revel in triumph by tapping into barrels of the finest rum, throwing a legendary party the world will talk about for ages!

Experience Martin Wallace at his best with this highly interactive worker placement game. Command the unique abilities of each of Chaos Cove's 16 valiant heroes, harnessing their talents, capitalizing on location perks, and amassing the essential resources to combat increasingly formidable invaders. Accumulate victory points by triumphing in both land and sea battles, erecting mighty forts, deploying rugged ships, and hosting epic rum-soaked celebrations. Marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship of the 16 charming hero meeples, each brought to life by the unparalleled artistry of Mr. Cuddington.

But here's the twist that sets this game apart: every hero in Chaos Cove is distinctive with their own special ability. With 16 unique heroes to choose from, every player has the chance to step into the shoes of each hero during the game, making each playthrough an exciting and unique adventure. And don’t forget the locations, each one offering a different strategic advantage. The dynamic interplay of hero placement and location choice leads to extraordinary interactions that position you for victory over the relentless pirates and marauding barbarians.

Should the town of Chaos Cove withstand four harrowing rounds without succumbing to the invaders, a protector of Chaos Cove shall rise. Do you possess the mettle and strategy required to be the protector of Chaos Cove? Outwit your foes as you embark on an unforgettable journey to become the stuff of legends in the beloved town of Chaos Cove!

—description from the publisher

Tabriz

Weave and sell luxurious carpets in the bustling Persian market city of Tabriz. Fill commissions for the commoners and before long the merchants and royals will take notice as well. Earn the most prestige from completed commissions to win the game and become known as the undisputed master of your craft.

On your turn, you move one of 3 assistant meeples through the Grand Bazaar and take the action where it lands. Actions include buying, trading, and rolling dice for wool, camel hair, silk, plant dye, and carmine dye. Each assistant has limited range, but with careful planning you can set up a quick and efficient series of actions to net you all the materials you need for your commissions before another player completes theirs.

At the end of each turn, if you have the necessary materials, you may complete 1 commission you have in hand.

Resources are limited and the market fluctuates every round. Watch for opportunities to grab more for less, and be careful to avoid moments when the resource you need is out of stock everywhere. Gain skill to attract better commissions, move your assistants further in each round, claim and complete multiple commissions at once, and earn bonus prestige. Optionally, play with the Advanced Workshop Mode so every weaver has their own unique ability taken at the start of the game and at the end of every round.

When any player completes 9 or more commissions, or gains the maximum of 14 skill, the current round is finished and the player with the most prestige wins!

Includes a robust solo mode with multiple AI opponents.

Aeterna

In Æterna, you take the role of a Roman Gens (family) that will try to increase its prestige through three eras: the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire.

Your goal is to increase your influence over the city by supporting the conquest of the provinces, ruling over "the seven hills of Rome", and contributing to the construction of monuments and buildings. While doing this, you must not demotivate the people in the hills under your direct control as unrest could put you in a bad light. If you manage majorities, cards, and resources better than your opponents, your Gens will be remembered in the history books as one of the most important in Rome.

House of Fado

In Portugal, some restaurants serve traditional Portuguese food alongside performances of fado, a music genre that can be traced to the 1820s in Lisbon, Portugal and is often characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, while being infused with a sentiment of resignation, fate, and melancholy.

People spend their entire evenings in these restaurants, called Casa de Fado ("House of Fado"), dining and listening to the music, which speaks about "saudade", a Portuguese word meaning "longing, nostalgia, yearning, missing something or someone". Typically, there isn't any rotation of the tables. Once you enter the restaurant, you stay until it's closed.

In its traditional form, fado is played by a trio of musicians: a guitarist plays "Guitarra Portuguesa" (a twelve-string Portuguese Guitar); a singer, that is, a "fadista"; and a guitarist playing "Viola de Fado" (classical guitar). The Portuguese guitar has a unique sound, and the chords are played in different bars from those of the classical guitar.

In the game House of Fado, players have to manage their restaurant, attract customers, and contract and promote fadistas and musicians, thus gaining prestige for their fado house. Managers will move their staff members to different places to perform some actions, using the same bump action as in The Gallerist.