Our mission
Honest, context-rich board game criticism
Cairo Board Review exists to provide thoughtful, independent analysis of modern tabletop games. We believe board game criticism should be grounded in rigorous playtesting, transparent methodology, and an understanding that every game serves different players in different contexts.
We are not affiliated with publishers or distributors. We acquire games through retail purchase, library access, and clearly disclosed review copies. Our editorial independence allows us to speak honestly about both strengths and weaknesses, helping readers make informed decisions about which games deserve their time and table space.
Our work is rooted in Cairo's growing tabletop community, but our perspective reaches beyond borders. We write for enthusiasts who value depth, nuance, and a critical eye—whether they're in Helwan, Helsinki, or Houston.
Rooted in Cairo's gaming scene
Cairo Board Review was born from late-night game sessions in cafes and living rooms across Helwan and greater Cairo. Our editorial team has spent years building, playing with, and learning from a diverse community of tabletop enthusiasts in Egypt's capital.
This local foundation gives us a unique lens. We understand the challenges of accessing games in markets outside North America and Europe. We recognize the value of titles that travel well, teach easily, and resonate across cultural contexts. At the same time, we engage with the global conversation—following design trends, attending virtual conventions, and connecting with players worldwide.
Our Cairo roots inform our perspective, but our reach is international. We write for anyone who loves thoughtful gameplay, regardless of geography.
Editorial contributors
Amira Khalil
Editor-in-Chief
Amira oversees editorial direction and long-form reviews. With a background in cultural journalism and a decade of tabletop experience, she brings rigor and narrative clarity to every piece. Her favorite mechanisms are engine-building and asymmetric powers.
Omar Fathy
Strategy Lead
Omar writes tactical breakdowns and faction guides. A competitive player with a love for heavy euros and area control, he thrives on dissecting optimal lines of play and teaching others to see the game beneath the game.
Layla Mostafa
Beginner Content Specialist
Layla focuses on gateway content and accessibility. She believes every new player deserves a welcoming introduction to the hobby, and her writing reflects patience, clarity, and genuine enthusiasm for helping others discover great games.
Standards & ethics
Review copy policy
We accept review copies from publishers, but disclosure is mandatory. Every review clearly states whether the game was purchased, borrowed, or provided for review. Receiving a copy does not guarantee coverage, and it never influences our assessment.
We prioritize retail purchases and community library access whenever possible to maintain full independence.
Transparency practices
Our scoring framework is public and documented. We explain our playtesting process, session counts, and player group composition. If we update a review post-publication—due to new expansions, errata, or evolving perspective—we note the revision date and reason.
Readers deserve to know how we arrived at our conclusions.
Conflicts of interest
We do not accept payment for positive coverage. We do not participate in affiliate revenue schemes tied to specific game recommendations. Our contributors disclose any personal or professional relationships with designers, publishers, or distributors that might create perceived bias.
Corrections & accountability
We are human and sometimes make mistakes. When factual errors are identified, we correct them promptly and note the correction at the top of the article. For subjective reassessments, we publish follow-up commentary rather than silently editing past opinions.
Engaging with readers
Cairo Board Review is a conversation, not a monologue. We value reader feedback, alternative perspectives, and constructive debate. Our editorial approach is informed by the questions, challenges, and insights we receive from the tabletop community.
We actively monitor responses to our reviews and strategy guides, and we use that feedback to refine our methodology, explore new topics, and address gaps in our coverage. Disagreement is welcome—great criticism thrives on diverse viewpoints.
Reader suggestions
We invite readers to propose games for review, request specific strategy guides, and suggest comparison matchups. Community input shapes our editorial calendar.
Open dialogue
We respond to thoughtful comments and questions. If you disagree with a review or see a different angle, we want to hear it. The best insights often come from readers.
Continuous improvement
We revisit our scoring criteria, playtesting protocols, and writing standards regularly. Reader feedback is a key driver of those refinements.
Explore our reviews
Ready to dive into our coverage? Browse our full review archive or learn more about how we evaluate games.