The critics have spoken and they like what they see. But don't take our word for it!
Nature of the Beast Reviews
Flat Acting Reviews
E.T.I.: Estimated Time to Invasion Reviews
‘All Games Considered’ Podcast (Download 4.29.06 Episode)
“Nature of the Beast is what they call an ‘expandable card came’... a conventional card game that plays like a collectable card game...Meaning we don’t require you to cash in your 401k to play.”
“You do have a little bit of the CCG complexity with this, but of course, you also have the CCG flexibility.”
“I’d say that it is going over fairly well... I like it. Go ahead and check [Nature of the Beast] out.”
‘Counter Magazine’ - Greg Schloesser
“A fun and clever card game...”
“With three or four players, the game becomes even more challenging, as allies can be recruited to aid in conflicts, and one must constantly thwart the efforts of multiple opponents. Often this requires the cooperation of several players, while at other times you must leave the dirty work to your opponents while you quietly attempt to achieve victory.”
“High marks to Nature of the Beast, and kudos to its designers. They have given us a fun and challenging game, which is professionally produced and extremely reasonably priced.”
‘The Dice Tower’ Podcast (Read the entire review) (Download Episode 44)
“No cards seem unbalanced, the ‘Favor/Fury’ mechanic is quite clever, and there’s a lot of strategy involved when attacking and moving. Nature of the Beast plays like a clever two-player card game; and while the luck of the draw is present, strategy reigns supreme.”
“It’s been a long time since I've been this impressed by the balance between cards.”
“While the deckbuilding in Nature of the Beast can be fun, it’s the game itself that is impressive; and if a player wins, it’s because they did a better job, not had a better deck.”
‘Fist Full of Comics (and Games)’ Podcast (Download Issue 20)
“One of the reasons that this game appealed to me is because everything I need to play I have it right here.”
“From a graphics standpoint it’s I think a really great layout… really clever.”
“[Eye-Level] aren’t just pushing for the profit… they care about the product. As independent businessmen, they brought that sensibility of attention to detail to [NOB].”
‘Gamer the Podcasting’ Podcast (Download Episode 7)
“I didn’t feel like I got bogged down in it; I felt the strategy was just enough that I was excited and interested the whole time.”
“There is so much personality to these cards.”
“The focus was on making a mechanically-sound, really balanced game… When you take the emphasis away from luck and finding the best cards and spending the most money for it, all you’re left with is strategy. You have to really out-smart your opponent to win this game.”
‘Games Gazette’ (Learn about 'Games Gazette')
“...This is one heck of a fine non-ccg.”
“Very well produced and packaged. Rules are very clear and concise, with examples and illustrations, play is thoughtful and satisfactory.”
“One of the best expandable card games currently available.”
‘Gaming Report’ - Thomas Riccardi (Read the entire review)
“Strategy is definitely a factor in this game.”
“I like this game a lot and want to see more expansions...”
“4 out of 5 stars.”
‘Geek Fu Action Grip’ Podcast (Download Episode 68)
“I really enjoyed it... Once I got the hang of it, it worked.”
“The art on the cards is hysterical, I mean, it’s bordering John Kovalic hysterical.”
‘Have Games, Will Travel’ Podcast (Download Episode 28)
“NOB is a solidly-designed deck-based game that combines resource management with position-based strategy, and has a theme that is engaging and entertaining without being silly.”
“The flavor text on cards is similarly amusing; I mean what other game has cards like the ‘Spunky Hamster’ whose card reads: ‘The Hamster mocked me from his roller-ball… the so-called Sphere of Doom’”
“It’s an excellent first effort from Eye-Level Entertainment and I’m interested to see what the future holds, both for it and for them.”
‘Pulp Gamer’ Podcast (Download Episode 009)
“You can obviously tell this game has quite a sense of humor to it.”
“I really, really like [artwork]… It’s good cartoon artwork, it fits. It’s perfect artwork for this game.”
“Ranked 3.5 /5 - On a scale of: ‘3’ - Recommended buy, ‘4’ - Don’t leave the store without it.”
‘RPG.net’ - Matt Drake (Read the entire review)
“[The starting decks] are consistent, coherent decks with internal synergies and balanced construction, so that anyone can sit down and be competitive with a deck fresh out of the box.”
“Possibly the most interesting aspect of the game, and one that could almost go unnoticed, is the concept of vectors... Animals can provide combat support, move, contribute to claiming land, and more – as long as the affected space in the field is along one of their vectors. The game becomes fascinating when you are carefully planning each movement of an animal to take advantage of its vectors.”
“Substance: '5' [out of a possible '5'] – Balanced, strategic and deep, Nature of the Beast delivers exciting game play in a fun theme.”
‘RPG.net’ - Shannon Appelcline (Read the entire review)
“On the whole I love the theming of Nature of the Beast and think it’s well carried in these cards... With an emphasis toward the theming I’ve given Nature of the Beast a full ‘5’ out of ‘5’ for Style.”
“A lot of the play is also very puzzle-oriented, as is true in the best tactical games... Most CCGs seem to place a lot of their clever ‘gameplay’ in the deck construction aspect. Because of all the tactical options of Nature of the Beast you have a whole different (and deeper) sort of game.”
“If you like CCGs and you’re looking for something with more tactical meat I suggest Nature of the Beast.”
‘Scrye Magazine’ - Joyce Greenholt (View article)
(Posted w/ permission of‘Scrye Magazine’)
“The object of the game is to be the first player to fill a 3x3-card grid with animal troops (variant games offer different conditions). Achieving this goal, however, requires skillful resource management, cunning strategy, and sound tactical decisions.”
“A fun, challenging game with lots of replay value.”
“Gamers who enjoy the strategic possibilities that a customizable game allows and who also want something more than just a straightforward slugfest should enjoy Nature of the Beast.”
‘Spewgilist.com’ (Read the entire review)
“It’s not simplistic. It’s not derivative. It’s not tame or pandering. Most importantly, it’s not your run of the mill card game.”
“At first you think ‘Hell, this will be a snap.’ And then you look at the support cards, the Humans to help you out, the locations, the Fury restrictions, the Favor scale, the Dark Nature component, and you start to realize the depth of thought and imagination that has gone into this game.”
“It really is never the same game twice and breaks the rules for standard CCG type of play even while retaining enough elements to feel familiar.”
“ 2007 Game of the Year (Non Computer) ”
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‘The Dice Tower’ Video Review w/ Tom Vasel
“An excellent game for families. It’s short... it’s sweet... it’s not too heavy... it’s a very well designed game.”
“This one might slide under your radar and I’m telling you to look at it and give it a try.”
Board To Death TV - Video Review
“A lot of fun when playing with creative people and it’s a fast-paced game that can be played with the whole family. I loved it!”
“I agree. It’s very strategic... fun artwork... and some stories become so good you’ll wish there was a movie for it!.”
‘Spewgilist.com’ 2008 Origins Demo Preview(Read the preview)
“Game play is quick and fluid.”
“The game itself will act as a gateway game for your family. You can introduce it to them at a family reunion, get them interested, and then move onto NOB and ETI and before you know it they will be paying your way to Origins so you can see all of this stuff live and in person and meet the great folks behind the games you love.”
Shannon Appelcline - Game design expert and game designer himself (Full Review)
“8 out of 10 stars.”
“Flat Acting is a fun and light majority-control game that will probably be enjoyed most by families and by gamers looking for casual fare.”
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‘All Games Considered’ (Full Review)
“There's definitely a lot to this game... very much a caculated risk kind of thing.”
“Chris: "Good cardstock and sheets… not something that’s going to bend or break easily.”
“We like it and we think you will too.It gets the AGC ‘thumbs up’!”
Shannon Appelcline - Game design expert and game designer himself (Full Review)
“E.T.I. is an enjoyable, innovative, and well-themed game of alien invasion.”
“The way that the company traits interact with the research is innovative and allows several paths to victory... These traits all allow for very different gameplay in a system that’s generally unlike any mechanic I’ve seen before.”
“Overall, E.T.I. has great-quality components for a surprisingly cheap price... combining the good components with the fun (and well-executed) theming, I’ve given E.T.I. a ‘4’ out of ‘5’ for Style.”
Bruno Faidutti Podcast - Respected game designer (Full Review)
“Estimated Time to Invasion needs a lot of [space] and can look confusing. After a few turns, however, the clever and original game systems make it quite fluent.”
“A fun and intelligent use of a really original setting. The game systems are original and well designed, with a good mix between strategy, luck and risk taking.”
“5 out of 5 stars.”
‘GameBuyer’ Magazine - Review by Brian Guenther (Store Link)
“I didn’t think I’d find a lot of materials in the box, so I was very surprised when I opened it.”
“We ran through it a couple times and enjoyed ourselves. I also enjoyed the ‘Which player is the alien sympathizer?’ aspect and felt it really added a fun twist.”
“I’m really happy with ETI as a game. I feel like this is a game that the manufacturer has put some time and effort into the design of, including packaging and marketing, and it shows.”
‘Scrye’ Magazine - Review by Mur Lafferty (of (Geek Fu Morning Show))
“Fun theme; strategies are deeper than initially appear; good balance between alien and humans.”
“With no dice action and an auction element, it should appeal to most Eurogame fans.”
“ETI... shows that Eye-Level Entertainment can move beyond card games quite comfortably.”
‘Obsessed with Gaming’ Podcast (Visit 'Obsessed with Gaming')
“I haven’t played a game like this… so there’s a lot to be said for that.”
“I like the building aspect… you’re taking your little pips and you’re ‘Oh, I’m even better now.”
“My favorite thing about the game is actually the theme. The fact that these guys came up with this idea where you’d have organizations getting ready to defend against an alien invasion is really neat. And the fact that it’s not really that competitive other than trying to take projects until you figure out that someone’s the alien. Wow, that’s just great, I really like that.”
‘The Dice Tower’ Podcast w/ Tom Vasel (Full Review)
“There is gobs of luck, lots of choices, and a building up of anticipation that really is enjoyable and changes from game to game.”
“E.T.I. is not really a cooperative game; as players may work together to stop the alien invasion, but only one can win. This causes backstabbing and fighting to occur throughout the game (which, considering players control government agencies – makes sense).”
“I would recommend this game to folks who are intrigued by the theme – it completely comes across in this game.”
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