The Game Kennel

Ron takes us to early 20th Century Arkham with the cooperative board game, Witch of Salem (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/3309.htm). Join characters from the works of Lovecraft inspired Wolfgang Hohlbein to stop the elder evil forces from taking over the city. We found this game to be elegant, challenging, replayable, and a real hit. It is an easy game to learn, but you will need some thought and cooperation to overcome the obstacles this one throws at you. Witch of Salem Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: Michael Rieneck Players: 2-4 Play Time: 60 minutes Ages: 10+ MSRP: $49.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/witchofsalem.jpg)

Dave takes us to space with the board game, Martian Rails (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/4500-4699/pages/4601.htm). From the Empire Builder series known to may as the crayon rail games, this journey allows us to explore a new world and some new twists. Build your railroad empire across the Martian terrain and make tomorrow's big bucks. Martian Rails Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: M. Robert Stribula & the Empire Builder Design Team Players: 2-6 Play Time: 120-240+ minutes Ages: 12+ MSRP: $42.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/martianrails.jpg)

Dave introduces us to the board game, A House Divided (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/phalanx/pages/pha0180.htm). Its a strategic war game that allowed us to reenact and even modify the events of the American Civil War. We were able to start with a basic rule set to dive into the game quickly and allow it to grow with us as expanded rules add all the complexities and details to give the game some reach crunch and realism. A House Divided Publisher: Phalanx Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: Frank Chadwick Players: 2 Play Time: 60+ minutes Ages: 12+ MSRP: $45.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/housedivided.jpg)

Derek takes us back in time with the board game, Mesopotamia (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/phalanx/pages/pha6016.htm). Appease the ancient Mesopotamian god, Marduk, by brining your offerings to the ziggurat. To reach that goal, however, you will need to also collect other resources and build a thriving culture. This one also gives us the opportunity to beat up our neighbors up a little bit and take their stuff. Mesopotamia Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: Klaus-Jurgen Wrede Players: 2-4 Play Time: 45 minutes Ages: 8+ MSRP: $45.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/mesopotamia.jpg)

Derek welcomes us to Elasund (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3000-3299/pages/3031.htm), a city from which you set sail to Catan, and a board game of urban development. Your score depends on your contribution to the growing community and how well you can out-wit your opponents with your influence. This Catan Adventure stands apart from the rest of the Catan games with some aggressive overlapping of city buildings and has all the fun you would expect from a Klaus Teuber game. Elasund: The First City Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: Klaus Teuber Players: 2-4 Play Time: 45-60 minutes Ages: 12+ MSRP: $49.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/elasund.jpg)

Ron enlists us in the FBI (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/phalanx/pages/pha0486.htm). This card game is all about the arrests, and you have a quota to meet. You are probably going to pick up some innocent folks, but that is their tough luck. Capture the worst criminals for the best score and stay on top of the game by clever play. FBI Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Card Game Designed by: Wolfgang Kramer & Horst-Rainer Rösner Players: 2-5 Play Time: 30 minutes Ages: 10+ MSRP: $13.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/fbi.jpg)

Derek introduces us to the latest rail board game by Martin Wallace called Steam: Rails to Riches (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/4500-4699/pages/4551.htm). Lay track across the country and respond to the economy of the game to build up the most victory points. Steam is the next step in the evolution of the games Martin is most known for. We'll be digging this one out again for our own delight. Steam: Rails to Riches Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: Martin Wallace Players: 3-6 Play Time: 90+ minutes Ages: 12+ MSRP: $55.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/steam.jpg)

Ron takes us to Candamir: The First Settlers (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3000-3299/pages/3030.htm). Adventure through the wilds of Catan and be the hero of your town. This board game is a streamlined, low-conflict adventure game as compared to other adventure games and plays in less time. Provide what the town needs and more than anyone else to be the one to claim victory. Candamir: The First Settlers Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: Klaus Teuber Players: 2-4 Play Time: 60-120 minutes Ages: 12+ MSRP: $49.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/candamir.jpg)

Barbarossa (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/4112.htm) is a sculpture, riddle, and guessing game. Build sculptures that are abstract enough to challenge your guessing opponents, but don't make them too hard or you will get nowhere. This one also appealed to a wide range of players and employed a very unique skill. Barbarossa Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: Klaus Teuber Players: 3-4 Play Time: 60 minutes Ages: 8+ MSRP: $20.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/barbarossa.jpg)

Detroit-Cleveland Grand Prix (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/0450-0479/pages/0468.htm) is a racing board game like no other. Your moving not just your cars, but others around the track. Your decisions were about timing and maximizing your move, but you usually can't get around the track yourself. This was a real hit for everyone. Detroit-Cleveland Grand Prix Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: Wolfgang Kramer Players: 2-6 Play Time: 45-60 minutes Ages: 8+ MSRP: $25.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/grandprix.jpg)

Load the trucks and move 'em out with Pack & Stack (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/3308.htm). You'll need to grab the right trucks and pack as efficiently as you can to stay ahead of the curve on this one. This short game is getting a lot of play and has lots of little blocks to play with. Go West Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: Bernd Eisenstein Players: 3-6 Play Time: 30-45 minutes Ages: 10+ MSRP: $49.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/packstack.jpg)

Derek gives us the board game, Go West! (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/phalanx/pages/pha1278.htm) Your a businessman exploiting the westward migration of covered wagons across North America. This heads-down strategy game of action and reaction will require some focus. You decide when to score, but your opponent scores every time you do. Go West Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: Renaud Verlaque Players: 2-4 Play Time: 30 minutes Ages: 8+ MSRP: $30.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/gowest.jpg)

Ron takes us to the Amazon of the 19th century with the board game, Amazonas (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/3307.htm). Cut your path across the amazon, set up your outposts, and collect specimens to win the game. Suffer the dangers of the amazon and stay ahead of your opponents to keep your costs down and weigh your options carefully. Amazonas Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: Stephan Dorra Players: 3-4 Play Time: 50 minutes Ages: 10+ MSRP: $49.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/amazonas.jpg)

Derek gives us Shear Panic (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/4113.htm). On each turn, your manipulating a flock of sheep to appear in the arrangement that will score you the most points. The sheep are cuddly cute. The rules are clever and funny. This will certainly be a win for many game tables. Shear Panic Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Style: Board Game Designed by: The Lamont Brothers Players: 2-4 Play Time: 45+ minutes Ages: 10+ MSRP: $30.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/shearpanic.jpg)

Jeremiah explaines Poisson d'Avril. Its the easiest complex game to get into. Poisson d'Avril is a card and board miniatures game of abstract themes. The object is to win by beating the other players. We are certain you will enjoy at least part of the journey. Poisson d'Avril Style: Board, Card, and Minature Abstract Combat Euro-Style Game Players: 2-20 Play Time: 20-220 minutes Ages: 10+