The name “Five Points” evokes images of poverty, rampant crime, decadence and despair. That’s true. The Five Points area of New York in the mid-1800s was a lurid geographical cancer filled with dilapidated and unlivable tenement houses, gang extortion, corrupt politicians, dance halls and drunkenness and gambling. This was a place where all manner of crime flourished, the residents were terrorized and squalor prevailed. This is the setting over many decades through the nineteenth century.
Five Points: Gangs of New York is a game of struggle for political control of Manhattan …

Try as you might, it’s impossible to maintain the lead throughout the race – and truth be told, while being first at the end of the race helps, placing first at your scoring locations is even more important. Every turn someone could trigger a scoring point. Where will you be as you and your opponents control which checkpoints will score and which get bypassed?

Given a a secret set of stations and trolley line, players use tiles to build a common network of track. They attempt to build a path that travels from one terminal to the other while passing the required stations.

Players seek to make the most money by buying and selling stock in various rail companies located on a German map

Very nice introductory war game that still retains nice elements of chrome and historicity presented in an easy to digest system.

Review #43

Catan Family Edition By Klaus Teuber – Art By Oliver Freudenreich – Published By Mayfair Games
The Island of Catan lies before your intrepid explorers. Your journey to settle Catan begins with 2 small buildings and ends when you become the most prolific master of Catan. Guide your brave settlers to victory by using clever trading and shrewd development. Use resources—grain, wool, ore, lumber, and brick—to build roads, settlements, cities and key cultural milestones. Trade, Build, Settle – But beware the robber! 
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Catan Family Edition, …

Review #42
Whitewater By Frederic Moyersoen – Art By Patricia Raubo – Published By Mayfair Games
Swift or smooth, broad as the Hudson or narrow enough to scrape your gunwales, every river is a world of its own, unique in pattern and personality. Each mile on a river will take you further from home than a hundred miles on a road.
- Bob Marshall
The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it.
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Review #41 – For All Your Board Game News and Reviews Visit 2D6.org!
Catan Junior By Klaus Teuber – Art By Patricia Raubo – Published By Mayfair Games
 
 “Land ho!” screeches Coco the parrot. He is on the lookout, circling high above your ships. In front of you lie the islands of Catan: many small islands with lush forests, golden yellow sugar cane fields, and volcanic cliffs studded with mysterious caves—an ideal home for adventurous pirates! You immediately build your first pirates’ lairs and your first ship, and since the islands …

Quick rundown of the components, some of the new rules and cards, and some of the hints for expansions.

Revolution: The Dutch Revolt simulates the Eighty Years’ War between Spain and the Netherlands. This epic struggle lasted from 1568 until 1648 and eventually brought independence to Holland and the northern provinces.