Book Review – How Rome Fell by Adrian Goldsworthy

Given the success my Time of Crisis review, the game about the critical period from 235 – 284 AD when the Roman Empire was in chaos, I thought I would explore one of the best books I’ve ever read on the subject, How Rome Fell by Adrian Goldsworthy.

This book covers not just the Time of Crisis period, but all the way up to 476 and what’s widely considered the fall of the Western Empire.

Thankfully, I’ve already written a review of it for Curled Up With a Good Book, and I think it’s a review I’d like to share here as well. I used to write book reviews for Curled Up, and it’s still a great site for book reviews. Please check them out.

This review was written in 2009. I’ve modified it for “modern” audiences (mainly edits about how I “just” got the book, etc).

After the review, I’ll talk a little bit more about the game and the book and how they fit together.

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Dual Powers – Revolution 2017 Kickstarter

I’m a big history buff, which is maybe why I love historical games so often. I’m sure it’s why I fell into wargames when I was a kid.

(All pictures will be from the Kickstarter page)

When I saw the Kickstarter link for Dual Powers – Revolution 2017, I had to check it out.

When I saw the cover artwork above, I had to delve even deeper.

And when I saw how the game worked, I knew I had to back it.

Review – Time of Crisis

Ever since my college toga parties, I’ve wanted to be a Roman emperor. I mean, sure, they had a tendency to die in horrible ways, many of them were cruel and corrupt and it all together wasn’t a good time for them.

Yes, I know Commodus is before the time period of the game. Just go with it!

But just think of the perks! There are people peeling your grapes! Throwing flowers in front of you as you walk! There are…

Ok, maybe it wouldn’t have been so great. But I looked good in a toga. (Editor: “Looked” being the operative word)

Why am I talking about all of this?

Because I am finally able to do a review of one my favourite (Editor: Spoilers!!!) games out there, Time of Crisis, published by GMT Games.

The game was designed by Wray Ferrell and Brad Johnson with art by Rodger B. MacGowan and it plays 2-4 players in 2-3 hours.

Let’s see how this works.

Expansion Review – Smash Up: Cease and Desist

If I keep on getting and reviewing Smash Up expansions, I’m going to have to come up with some creative openings that don’t all sound the same. Maybe make up some meta joke that will carry throughout the reviews? Not sure on that one.

I’ll get back to you.

Hot on the heels of the Science Fiction Double Feature expansion review, let’s talk about an even better one.

Cease and Desist is probably one of the funniest expansions I have seen for this game (I’ve seen them all, just not in action). It comes this close to being copyright infringement, but in such a hilarious way that I’m sure the executives at HBO/CBS/Lucasfilm/Hasbro are laughing their asses off rather than trying to fight through the parody laws.

GMT Games Time of Crisis expansion – Made the Cut!

Fans of this blog (Hi, Bob!) are aware that I’m a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge fan of GMT Games Time of Crisis. (Editor: Here, have another “u”. They’re free).

The brilliant game, designed by Wray Ferrell and Brad Johnson, depicts the Roman Empire during the tumultuous 3rd century, a time where if you became Emperor, your days were most likely numbered.

When Wray (or maybe it was Brad, but I think it was Wray) announced that they were working on an expansion, my ears perked up immediately.

When they said that it was now available on the P500 list at GMT, I jumped onto it so fast that there was still an after-image of me standing there gawking at the computer.

The other day, it was announced that they had reached 500 orders and it has officially “made the cut!” Woo!

New to Me – March 2018

I’m tired.

It’s been a busy month of playing new games! So I’ve definitely enjoyed it.

But I’m tired.

If I hadn’t been writing this post as I played the games, I’m not sure if it would have come out. This is a long one.

It totals 12 new games. My month of March itself consisted of 21 games played a total of 24 times.

Woo!

So, without further adieu (I lost all of my adieu in a card game that I was too embarrassed to put on my play list), let’s begin.

Raiders of the North Sea (2015 – Renegade Games Studio, Garphil Games) – 2 plays

Designer: Shem Phillips

Artist: Mihajlo Dimitrievski

Expansion Review – Smash Up: Science Fiction Double Feature

As I’ve stated a few times before, Smash Up and I have a bit of a checked history. I actually almost traded it away because I found it fiddly and didn’t really care for it.

Then I played it again and something just clicked. Not sure what it was. Now I really love it.

Since that point, I have bought a couple of expansions and really enjoyed them.

This review is for the Science Fiction Double Feature expansion.

As with the base game, Science Fiction Double Feature is designed by Paul Peterson, this time with art by Víctor Pérez Corbella, Igor Heras, Wen Juinn, and  Brynn Metheney. It’s published by Alderac Entertainment Group.