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Board, Card, and Role-Playing Games Shipping Out This Month: February 2015

The following is a list of board, card, and role-playing games that are expected to ship out in February 2015. Game release dates tend to be hard to pin down so some of these games may have already been released or won’t make it out this month. The list is in alphabetical order. If you notice I am missing a game or incorrectly have a game listed as coming out this month, please let me know in the comments section and I will update the post. Clicking the box art will bring you to the game’s Amazon.com page.

We here at Geeky Hobbies are always looking to try and review new board, card, and role-playing games so if you are involved in the production of any of these games (or any other games) and would like to see it reviewed on this blog, contact us and we’ll most likely be willing to review it.

Highlights for February 2015 include expansion sets for 12 Realms, Bohnanza, Castle Dice, Elder Sign, Galaxy Defenders, One Night Ultimate Werewolf, and the Pokemon TCG, the newest Strat-o-Matic Baseball season set, Homeland: The Game, Fief: France 1429, and Forge War. Now, on to the whole list.

12 Realms: Ancestors Legacy (MAGE Company, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-One of two 12 Realms expansion packs being released this month, Ancestors Legacy introduces “plots” to the game. The expansion also comes with four new realms maps (Kievan Empire, Nile Valley, Olympia, and Golden Caliphate), over 200 tokens, cards, 11 miniatures (Andromeda, Egyptian Prince, Perseus, Egyptian Princess, Prince Ivan, Sinbad, Scheherazade, Snow Wolf, Merlin, and King Arthur).

12 Realms: Ghost Galleon (MAGE Company, Estimated Release Date-February 28)-Unlike Ancestors Legacy, this is a much smaller expansion pack featuring just four pirate tokens, a ship token, and rulebook.

Act Too (Asmodee, Estimated Release Date-February 25)-Act Too is a French game from 2012 finally seeing a release in the U.S. this month. Players draw a character card and an action card and try to act it out without saying what they are. For example, “I AM…a rabbit…WHO…has the hiccups.”

Bohnanza: Ladies & Gangsters (Rio Grande Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Ladies & Gangsters is a combination of two expansions that were previously only available in German, Ladybohn and Al Cabohne. The Ladies half of the expansion adds female versions of beans, which have better payoffs than male beans when they are at the top of the harvest. It also introduces “baby beans,” which are worth nothing. Gangsters features a different game mode where one or two players face off against the “Bean Mafia” and need to earn a larger profit than each other and the mafia to win the game.

Bohnanza: Princes & Pirates (Rio Grande Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Princes & Pirates is also a compilation of two German expansion packs, this time Bohnroschen and La Isla Bohnita. In Princes, players are a “Bean Prince” attempting to get to their sleeping beauty. They do so by fulfilling quests to get to her castle. Pirates allows players to buy ships and pirate ships to help trade and raid opponents’ bean fields.

Cacao (Abacusspiele, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Cacao is a tile-placement game that is, not surprisingly, about cacao beans. You play as the chief of your tribe and try to lead them into prosperity through cacao trading. You place worker tiles on the board next to jungle tiles, they produce cocoa beans, which you then sell when you have a worker next to the market.

Castle Dice: More Castles! (Fun to 11, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-More Castles! is the first expansion pack for the dice-drafting, worker-placement game Castle Dice. The biggest addition is the four unique castle decks, meaning each player will now draw from their own deck instead of a communal one. Each deck has unique castle parts and is themed to a specific strategy or play style. The expansion also includes new castle building and castle deck action cards.

Dice Brewing: Second Edition (StuntKite Publishing, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-This appears to just be a new printing with nothing new included.

Doomtown: Reloaded – Election Day Slaughter (Alderac Entertainment Group, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-The third “saddlebag” expansion includes 21 new cards themed around a tragedy that strikes the mayoral race.

Elder Sign: Gates of Arkham (Fantasy Flight Games, Estimated Release Date-February 12)-The second expansion pack for one of the most well-known and loved board games of all-time includes over twenty new locations, four new Ancient Ones, and eight new investigators. Investigators also can now acquire skills giving them long-term advantages.

Eternal Dynasty (Zucchini People Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Eternal Dynasty is a game from the awesomely named Zucchini People Games that casts players in the role of feuding clans fighting over control of 18 different provinces in ancient China. The game consists of multiple generations, which each consist of several rounds. A new ruler is selected each generation so players must adjust their strategies as new rulers come into power.

Fief: France 1429 (Academy Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Fief is a classic French game that is finally being introduced to America as Fief: France 1429. Players play as nobles in the 15th century kingdom of France and not surprisingly, attempt to become the most powerful ruler in the area by negotiating marriage alliances between families, imposing church tithes on opponent’s villages, etc.

Firefly Role-Playing Game: Smuggler’s Guide to the Rim (Margaret Weis Productions, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Smuggler’s Guide to the Rim is the third supplement for Margaret Weis Productions’ Firefly Role-Playing Game. This supplement includes reputation rules for crew members, 12 new archetypes, more rules, two new “episodes,” and more.

A Fistful of Dinero (Magic House Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Magic House Games’ debut game is a card game for three to six players set in the wild west. The game picks up after a poker game gone wrong with all players trying to grab as much money as they can and attempting to survive and be the richest gunslinger left standing. At the start of each round, players draft cards and place them into one of three slots. Players then reveal their first slot’s card and take one of two available actions (firing their weapon, hiding behind cover, switching weapons, grabbing money, throwing chairs, etc.). The game ends with the last man standing or when the pot of dinero runs out (in which case the richest player wins). A Fistful of Dinero sounds simple yet fun to me.

Flea Market (Mayfair Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-As a fan of thrift stores, rummage sales, and even flea markets I almost always try out games with that kind of theme. Unfortunately, most of them are just average. Will Mayfair Games’ Flea Market be the game the niche needs?

Flip Hue (Studio 202 Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Studio 202 Games’ debut game is a two-sided color-matching game where you can’t look at the back of your own cards. Players can match colors in their own hand or by using the backs of other players’ cards.

Forge War (Cephalofair Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-In Forge War, you play as blacksmiths who have to gather ore from the mines, purchase weapon designs, and use the designs to forge weapons for adventurers. The game is getting a lot of early 8’s, 9’s, and 10’s on Board Game Geek and sounds like one of the more interesting games coming out this month.

Galaxy Defenders: Extinction Protocol (Ares Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Extinction Protocol adds six new missions to the game as well as a new modular tile system which allows you to play with a variable amount of areas. The expansion also includes stationary signals which are only revealed when you are close to them (they could be enemies or precious resources), new skills and tactics, and power armors.

Galaxy Defenders: Operation Strikeback (Ares Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Operation Strikeback also adds six new missions to Galaxy Defenders. In addition, the expansion introduces the Master Aliens, the highest-ranked alien invaders, psionic powers, and a non-player character system.

Ghosts Love Candy (5th Street Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-In Ghosts Love Candy, you use a team of ghosts to possess trick-or-treaters so you can eat the candy you crave (that you normally can’t eat since you don’t have a physical body as a ghost). However, trick-or-treaters who eat too much candy get sick and become a burden for the player who pushed them to eat too much candy.

Golem Arcana: Zikia – Spirits of the Wildwood Expansion (Harebrained Schemes, Estimated Release Date-February 11)-This adds three new tree-like miniatures to the game.

Hawaii: Second Edition (Z-Man Games, Estimated Release Date-February 11)-The second edition of the 332nd ranked game on Board Game Geek.

Homeland: The Game (Gale Force Nine, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Licensed games don’t exactly have the best track record but there have been some gems in the past. Will Gale Force Nine’s Homeland: The Game be one of them? It’s a semi-cooperative game where players are CIA analysts and direct agency resources to try to stop terrorism.

Jumbo & Co: Second Edition (Abacusspiele, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)

Legendary Villains: Fear Itself (Upper Deck Entertainment, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-The first Legendary Villains expansion takes it plots, villains, etc. from the Marvel Comics “Fear Itself” storyline.

Loony Quest (Libellud, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Inspired by video games, Loony Quest tasks players with memorizing level cards (so they know where the targets and obstacles are) and they then try to replicate it with their own drawings, hitting the targets and avoiding the obstacles. This sounds like a lot of fun to me, especially for families.

Mage Wars: Arena – Second Edition, 4th Printing (Arcane Wonders, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)

Magic the Gathering Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora (Wizards of the Coast, Estimated Release Date-February 27)-Featuring 120 cards (including ten rares and two mythic rares, as well as four cards with new artwork), this duel deck focuses on Elspeth, the knight Planeswalker, and Kiora, the merfolk Planeswalker.

MammuZ (Abacusspiele, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-A bluffing game similar to Cheat, players lay down 1-4 cards and claim they are a type of animal (which they might not even be). Subsequent players can either call them on their bluff or try to get rid of their cards the same way. The winner is the first player to get rid of all of their cards.

Miskatonic School for Girls: Holiday Break (Fun to 11, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Miskatonic School for Girls is a deck-building game where you actually build your opponent’s deck. Holiday Break adds some unique houses, purchasable abilities, and more faculty and students to the game.

Monkeys Need Love Too (Topwise Games, Estimated Release Date-February 28)-In Monkeys Need Love Too, you are in a competition to free the most monkeys from perfume testing (and prevent your opponents from doing the same). The game is divided into two phases, “Flinging Poo” and “To the Trees.” In the “Flinging Poo” round you try to free as many monkeys as you can (and must feed each of them or be forced to discard them). In “To the Trees,” players draw a card to decide their end fate (they could get caught, escape cleanly, or have to sacrifice some of their monkeys to get away).

Munchkin Kobolds Ate My Baby! (Steve Jackson Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-A 15-card booster that can be added to any Munchkin game based on the role-playing game Kobolds Ate My Baby!

North Wind (Z-Man Games, Estimated Release Date-February 4)-North Wind mixes fighting pirates with trading.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Bonus Pack 1 (Bezier Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Contains three new roles, three new artifacts, and three alternative artwork cards.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak (Bezier Games, Estimated Release Date-February 18)-Daybreak can be played on its own or combined with the base game. It adds eleven new roles to the game.

Pathfinder Adventure Card Game: Skull & Shackles Adventure Deck 6 – From Hell’s Heart (Paizo Publishing, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-A 110-card expansion for the Pathfinder Adventure Card Game featuring five new scenarios and various loot, plunder, ships, and villains.

Pokemon Trading Card Game: Primal Clash Expansion Set (Pokemon Company International, Estimated Release Date-February 4)-This set introduces “primal reversions” to the game as well as twelve new Pokemon-EX.

R: Third Edition (Blue Orange Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)

Saint Petersburg: Second Edition (Z-Man Games, Estimated Release Date-February 18)-The second edition adds an additional game phase (market phase), which also allows a fifth player to join the game.

Sky Tango (Z-Man Games, Estimated Release Date-February 4)-Sky Tango is a game where you are trying to complete the cycles of the moon and sun and remove the most cards from play.

Speakeasy (Andy Patton (Self-Published), Estimated Release Date-February 27)-Speakeasy is a mob themed hidden role game similar to Werewolf and The Resistance.

Star Wars Edge of the Empire: Lords of Nal Hutta Sourcebook (Fantasy Flight Games, Estimated Release Date-February 5)-This sourcebook is Hutt-themed, adding information on Hutt Space planets, four new species (Nikto, Ganks, Sakiyans, and Hutts), five modular encounters, and items from the galaxy’s black markets.

Strat-o-Matic Baseball 2015 (Strat-o-Matic Media, Estimated Release Date-February 9)-The latest edition of the premiere baseball simulation game on the market. I played the game as a child but really want to get back into the game sometime.

Strat-o-Matic 1953 Baseball Cards (Strat-o-Matic Media, Estimated Release Date-February 9)-The 1953 MLB season featured such baseball greats as Yogi Berra, Ted Williams, Eddie Mathews, Stan Musial, Warren Spahn, and the amazing collection of talent on the Brooklyn Dodgers. Now, you can play the season out in Strat-o-Matic.

Strat-o-Matic 1969 Baseball Cards (Strat-o-Matic Media, Estimated Release Date-February 9)-1969 featured four expansion teams (Kansas City, Montreal, San Diego, and Seattle) as well as players like Pete Rose, Harmon Killebrew, Reggie Jackson, and Hank Aaron.

Strat-o-Matic Baseball Express 2nd Edition (Strat-o-Matic Media, Estimated Release Date-February 9)-Express is a version of Strat-o-Matic Baseball meant for kids with simplified rules that make the game easier to learn and play.

Super Motherload (Roxley Games, Estimated Release Date-February 4)-Another video game inspired board game. In Super Motherload, game boards are added and removed to simulate video game scrolling. The goal is to gather minerals which you use to purchase powerful cards to help out your mining operation.

Targets (Blackrock Editions, Estimated Release Date-February/March TBA)-In Targets, players flick dice from the top of a tower and try to land them on targets. Players can steal targets by knocking an opponent’s dice off of it.

Tiger Stripes: Second Edition (Game Salute, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)

Victory in Europe (Columbia Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Another World War II game, however in this one events may not play out the same way as they did in real-life. America could join the war earlier or later, the Soviets could attack Germany first, etc.

Witness (Ystari Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-Witness includes 64 cases for a team of four players to try to solve. Players share information similar to the game of “Telephone” (whisper to one player who then relays it to the next, etc.).

World at War #41: Mare Nostrum (Decision Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)

YAK: Second Edition (Zoch Verlag, Estimated Release Date-February/March TBA)

Zed or Alive: The Zombie Miniatures Game (Rust Devil Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-That pun is so terrible. Zed or Alive is a miniature wargame rulebook for use with Savage Worlds: Showdown.

Zombicide Special Guest Box: Paolo Parente (Guillotine Games, Estimated Release Date-February TBA)-An expansion with two survivors and their Zombivor counterparts.