Res Arcana

This is a fantastic game that ticks almost all the boxes : fairly quick to learn, lots of depth and lots of replayability.

Although not too keen on the first game, because of personal taste - not a big fan of this aesthetic, but every time we discover new combos and have an absolute blast.

I also highly recommend the expansion Lux & Tenebrae that bring in other creature than the dragons from the base game and more interesting combos !

This is a quick game, but has a lot more depth than you would expect. Lots of different routes to victory. Lots of variation depending upon the cards etc that come up. Fast and addictive, making it very easy to bash to multiple games at a time.
By the maker of the superb Race for the Galaxy - this is a more stripped down card game.
Only negative is bland Mage theme, but that will depend upon personal taste. And don't be put off by the theme - we where, but it is a great game.
Expansions are also hugely recommended to increase variability.

Such a relatively small box but contains so much game.

Will take a few play through's for this to click, but wow when it does its a brilliant game that offers so much replayability and theme.

The way the elements play into your mages 'path' and the places of power really come to life depending on the tactics you have taken early on, really lovely feel to this game - every game is different due to the random hand element, along with the choices you make.

Having played this online (great way to learn) I needed to get this on a real table, and was blown away with how lovely the package is. Components and cards are really good quality and the storage/tray is a wonderful idea, you just pull it out of the box and put it on the table and you are good to go with a shuffle and deal! Brilliant, more games should be built this way with setup and tear down reduced significantly.

Game itself is a joy, can't fault this and its certainly one of my favourite games that I hope will get a lot more plays in the coming years.

After Race for the galaxy, Tom Lehmann has done it again (not as deep as Race, but certainly has the fun element!)

This is a very fun and interesting card based engine building game.

From a designer with both Race for and Roll for the Galaxy under his belt the pedigree of this game can't be doubted.

You start with a deck of 8 random or drafted artifacts which have various abilities to acquire or transform essences with the aim of racing to 10 victory points. These are primarily acquired from the abilities on places of power or through purchasing monuments for gold. To help slow your opponents down some artifacts have the ability to attack the other players.

Replayability is the name of this game with a large number of artifacts you initial 8 come from allowing a large variety in how you want to design your engine each game. This along with variable player powers from which mage you pick, the variety of monuments and each of the 5 places of power being 1 of 2 options mean you will have a new challenge with new options each time you play.