Games Magazine Releases List Of Games Of The Year

Games Magazine has just announced the winners of their ten different "Game of the Year" categories—well slap me twice and paint me red, because I haven't played any of them. Assuming at least some other readers are in the same boat as me, here are Games Magazine's picks, each of which I've linked to their website and provided a sentence-long description for. There's still enough time to pick up something that intrigues you in time for the holiday season!

Best New Game Overall: Pillars of the Earth (Mayfair Games)
Players join forces to help build Kingsbridge Cathedral, which will be the biggest, most beautiful cathedral in England—can you prove yourself to be the greatest builder of all in the face of all manner of adversity?

Best New Abstract Strategy Game: Easter Island (Twilight Creations)
The great statues of Easter Island were created by wizards, and you play one of them—after strategically placing your statues over the island, call upon the power of the sun to see if you can cause your opponent's downfall.

Best New Advanced Strategy Game: Khronos (Rio Grande Games)
Players play time travellers, going back and forth in time, trying to change its flow to their desires—when your actions in the past ripple forward, will it be a good thing?

Best New Family Game: If Wishes Were Fishes (Rio Grande Games)
Catch a fish and get your wish, if it lacks, throw it back—use the right fish to be the most successful merchant!

Best New Family Card Game: Bull in a China Shop (Playroom Entertainment)
Buy all the china you can before the bulls run through your store, but there's a catch: the bull is also your most important customer!

Best New Family Strategy Game: Shear Panic (Mayfair Games)
Maneuver your sheep to score the most points, but watch out or Roger will shear off their wool!

Best New Party Game: GiftTRAP (GiftTrap Enterprises)
Choose the right gift for your friends, out of a selection that ranges from the mundane to the bizarre to the fantastical.

Best New Puzzle: Sacred Myths and Legends Series (Family Games)
3-D puzzles inspired by DaVinci, Ancient Egypt, and more...

Best New Word Game: Unspeakable Words (Playroom Entertainment)
The Call of Cthulhu word game—use the cards in your hand to make words, but beware because the cards also have unspeakable angles inscribed on them that may just summon the Hounds of Tindalos!

Best New Historical Simulation Game: Ran (GMT Games)
Seven different historical battles set the backdrop for the intense, personal form of warfare practiced by the samurai of medieval Japan.

Cool. I'm really not sure how Khronos and Unspeakable Words escaped from my notice, but rest assured... I need them.

[via: GamingReport.com]