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The New Board Game Thread (Newcomer Friendly)
- Thread starter AstroLad
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I really want Starfarers of Catan but it seem to be out of print and impossible to get hold of, at least here in Sweden.
Might have to get the Star Trek one instead. It looks more like the original Settlers of Catan than Starfarers though by the pictures I have seen so far.
UpperCaseN
Member
last night at the casino I was up $50, while pointing at the screen I said to my fiance, "There's Alien Frontiers!" I left $55 down, boo
Co-op:
Elder Sign is my current game. It's a cooperative Yahtzee style game with the Arkham Horror theme, I play it 2 player and really love it because dice are my favorite mechanic. It's small and inexpensive, but most players are incorporating variant rules because the base rules are too easy
PvP:
Claustrophobia is a 2-player dungeon crawl/survival game. It's cool but I don't ever get it to the table, I plan on trading it away next math trade
Star Trek: Fleet Captains is a 2 or 4 player game, but I don't like the fact that 4 player is actually 2v2 so it's only 2 players only as far as I'm concerned. This one is OOZING with theme so if you want 2 player Sci-Fi, I don't think there's anything out there more Sci-Fi thematic than this. Pricey game, the rulebook makes it sound complex but when you actually play the game it turns out not to be.
Co-op:
Elder Sign is my current game. It's a cooperative Yahtzee style game with the Arkham Horror theme, I play it 2 player and really love it because dice are my favorite mechanic. It's small and inexpensive, but most players are incorporating variant rules because the base rules are too easy
PvP:
Claustrophobia is a 2-player dungeon crawl/survival game. It's cool but I don't ever get it to the table, I plan on trading it away next math trade
Star Trek: Fleet Captains is a 2 or 4 player game, but I don't like the fact that 4 player is actually 2v2 so it's only 2 players only as far as I'm concerned. This one is OOZING with theme so if you want 2 player Sci-Fi, I don't think there's anything out there more Sci-Fi thematic than this. Pricey game, the rulebook makes it sound complex but when you actually play the game it turns out not to be.
BattleMonkey
Member
Heyo new Catan gamers!
In terms of expansions, Cities & Knights is the preferred one among serious Cataners, though it does add a decent amount of complexity. There's also Rivals of Catan which is a neat little 2P version that's actually a fair bit different from the base game. And Star Trek Catan is coming out if you are a Trek fan. Also Mega Man Catan but that never came out in the states.
Isn't Trek Catan not coming to the US either, thought it was a Euro only release.
I played my second game of Elder Sign yesterday and I'm not feeling the love. I'm a big fan of dice and I had this game on my wish list for a while. I have the android version and a friend of mine picked it up.
Both times we played with 4 and the downtime feels too long between turns, because there is really nothing you can do while it is someone else's turn (except offer advice). There's not much you can plan for as you wait for your next turn. Maybe with 2 or 3 it will move much quicker. I can't imagine trying to play with 8.
Played a couple of games of Glory to Rome. I'm a big fan of Innovation these days and Glory to Rome is a lot less "in your face." I haven't played it enough to determine whether some of the buildings are too overpowered.
Also tried Kingdom Builder and while I wasn't thrilled with the experience, I didn't hate it either. Real nice components but the randomness of the card draw (which I've read complaints about) is valid in my opinion. I had some tough draws as far as terrain placement at the beginning while another player had some good pulls. He ended up pretty much running off with the win. Now of course it was only one game, so there is the possibility that with repeated play there are strategies for overcoming poor initial placement.
Both times we played with 4 and the downtime feels too long between turns, because there is really nothing you can do while it is someone else's turn (except offer advice). There's not much you can plan for as you wait for your next turn. Maybe with 2 or 3 it will move much quicker. I can't imagine trying to play with 8.
Played a couple of games of Glory to Rome. I'm a big fan of Innovation these days and Glory to Rome is a lot less "in your face." I haven't played it enough to determine whether some of the buildings are too overpowered.
Also tried Kingdom Builder and while I wasn't thrilled with the experience, I didn't hate it either. Real nice components but the randomness of the card draw (which I've read complaints about) is valid in my opinion. I had some tough draws as far as terrain placement at the beginning while another player had some good pulls. He ended up pretty much running off with the win. Now of course it was only one game, so there is the possibility that with repeated play there are strategies for overcoming poor initial placement.
UpperCaseN
Member
I've only played with 1 and 2, I don't even think I'm going to introduce this game to my group unless someone asks to play it for this exact reason. I guess it's just the same way with Arkham Horror though. I'd suggest playing with 1 or 2 if you don't feel like you're not doing anything or maybe it's just not for you; I know this title has mixed feelings and I think it's more miss than hit, it hit me though.
So I have been thinking about picking up Small world for a while now. Is there any reason to pick Small World over Underground or the other way around?
The only thing I am really struggling with is the pricing of those games. 45 for a games that basically just consists of a bunch of card board. I am used to get better components for this kind of money.
The only thing I am really struggling with is the pricing of those games. 45 for a games that basically just consists of a bunch of card board. I am used to get better components for this kind of money.
Small World has pretty nice components. Some of the best art in board gaming imo. (And I'm not even a big fan of the game itself and actually wound up selling it.
)That's a pretty high priced compared to what I paid here in the U.S. Amazon has it for $40.
I'm a fan of it, particularly if you have four or five players. I don't like the two player game as much. It's pretty, has an interesting race selection mechanic, and isn't too hard to teach new people. I've taught it to a bright eleven year old girl (who then beat me).
JetBlackPanda
Member
Sorry this is an iOS board game question but I figured you guys would know. Me and the wife are trying to play that unofficial dominion app against eachother but the games never get started. I can host it and send her an invite in game center but when I try to start the game it never loads. Did you guys have any issues?
I just wish the official one would launch already.
I just wish the official one would launch already.
joeyjoejoeshabadoo
Member
Sorry I can't help, but I can say my wife and I had the same problem.
Underground has a couple of little innovations like more variable lost race units and random loot drops so the map is a little less repetitive. But then again Small World has several expansions though you could use them in Underground without issue. So in the end it probably doesn't matter. I doubt Small World is going out of print anytime soon or getting any kind of revision (the changes in underground could be added in an expansion) so get which ever one is cheaper.
A little late but if you want a dice game that is also a party game, Liar's Dice is an easy recommendation. Get two sets and you can accommodate even more players!
I played a 4 player game of PG this weekend with a couple of newbies. It's amazing watching them comprehend the elegance of the economy and then become totally committed to the experience. I think it says a lot about the place it sits at BGG.
Yeah it has some amazing game design and is probably the best designed board game I ever played.
I went with Underground because it actually was a few Euro cheaper. I also think that the chances are pretty high that they will now expand upon the new game. Which if I really like it is a good thing. And of course like you say I could also always use the Small World expansions.
Today's games played were Blood Bowl, Power grid first sparks and Dungeon Petz(Three players for each one)
Blood Bowl is great fun, very light, easy to learn. Although I still haven't won a game as Orcs. Anyone here have any good Orc strats?
First Sparks might be picking up my own copy of this soon. I'm really enjoying the game.
Tried out Dungeon petz for the first time today. My first impression was the art style was super cutesy. We weren't able to finish, as it took a while to comprehend all the steps and the rules. The game itself isn't really complicated, once you learn what all the symbols mean its actually intuitive(kind of like Race for the Galaxy).
Most of the meat of the game seems to revolve around worker placement, and being able to satisfy the needs of your petz. We'll play a full game later this week and I'll have better impressions then.
Blood Bowl is great fun, very light, easy to learn. Although I still haven't won a game as Orcs. Anyone here have any good Orc strats?
First Sparks might be picking up my own copy of this soon. I'm really enjoying the game.
Tried out Dungeon petz for the first time today. My first impression was the art style was super cutesy. We weren't able to finish, as it took a while to comprehend all the steps and the rules. The game itself isn't really complicated, once you learn what all the symbols mean its actually intuitive(kind of like Race for the Galaxy).
Most of the meat of the game seems to revolve around worker placement, and being able to satisfy the needs of your petz. We'll play a full game later this week and I'll have better impressions then.
Try shutupshow.com
I got a chance to play Epic Spell Wars of the Battle Wizards: Duel at Mt. Skullzfyre this weekend (new Cryptozoic card game, comes out next week). It's great, really good party game, and it's fucking hilarious. The art is so goddamn funny.
BattleMonkey
Member
We played blood bowl while watching the super bowl yesterday, good time. But the chaos team sucks
After paying a steep premium, Eclipse arrived at my door. The components and graphic design are bar none among the greatest I've had the pleasure of unboxing.
My only complaint was the flimsy character and supply sheet, but no matter, gravity does its job keeping them on the table.
I've only been able to play a handful of two player games as of yet. I don't imagine this to be the most well rounded way to experience the game and will withhold final judgement until I fill the roster at 6.
The game is everything I expected from the reviews though, as far as game play and mechanics and such. I would love to see technologies expanded in the future.
My only complaint was the flimsy character and supply sheet, but no matter, gravity does its job keeping them on the table.
I've only been able to play a handful of two player games as of yet. I don't imagine this to be the most well rounded way to experience the game and will withhold final judgement until I fill the roster at 6.
The game is everything I expected from the reviews though, as far as game play and mechanics and such. I would love to see technologies expanded in the future.
UpperCaseN
Member
Has anyone here ever done the game night at the local game/comic store and played with complete strangers? Did you become a regular or make friends? Maybe some nightmare experiences or funny stories to share?
joeyjoejoeshabadoo
Member
I don't play in a game store but I joined a group last year that plays every week. I found out about them on BGG so I didn't know anybody when I first joined. I'm glad I did join because it was a guaranteed game night plus I was able to play games my friends would never go for, liike Twilight Imperium. If I never met this group I would never be able to convince my friends to play a 6+ hour game.
UpperCaseN
Member
that's cool, you still play with them? where do you guys meet, at like a public place or someone's house?
So, my stupid open economy board game idea about developing nations competing with corporate interests is still ongoing.
Things I have learned - the math that goes into balancing a board game is really f'ing hard.
I've got 2 spreadsheets going with cross referencing and pivot tables coming out the ass.
This game is still probably going to go nowhere other than a personal excercize, but I have a real appreciation for the balancing of really complex games. And hell, this game isn't even supposed to be all that balanced, it's more of a game theory excercize into different types of government than it is a balanced game per se.
I do think the two seperate games taking place at once is going to make this nearly impossible to balance. If I create too few resources for the nations to sell the entire economy building engine falls apart.
But if resources are too plentiful on the other side the economic engine is too simple for the corporations to make money on.
Also, I've already had to make significant compromises to the "open economy". It's too easy to collude between a country and a corporation for both to win. Which means the 6 player game may become a 5 player game with 2 countries and 3 corporations. Otherwise, I think the tendency is going to be for the countries and companies to pair up... but if that happens, it would mean if one of the countries nationalizes industries the corporations are effed.
Ugg, too many variables, and that is after I've simplified the game into a vauge worker placement game with abstract representations of most of the economy...
and I haven't even started work on the order of the action phases or player order, I'm purely working on balancing the game engine itself.
Things I have learned - the math that goes into balancing a board game is really f'ing hard.
I've got 2 spreadsheets going with cross referencing and pivot tables coming out the ass.
This game is still probably going to go nowhere other than a personal excercize, but I have a real appreciation for the balancing of really complex games. And hell, this game isn't even supposed to be all that balanced, it's more of a game theory excercize into different types of government than it is a balanced game per se.
I do think the two seperate games taking place at once is going to make this nearly impossible to balance. If I create too few resources for the nations to sell the entire economy building engine falls apart.
But if resources are too plentiful on the other side the economic engine is too simple for the corporations to make money on.
Also, I've already had to make significant compromises to the "open economy". It's too easy to collude between a country and a corporation for both to win. Which means the 6 player game may become a 5 player game with 2 countries and 3 corporations. Otherwise, I think the tendency is going to be for the countries and companies to pair up... but if that happens, it would mean if one of the countries nationalizes industries the corporations are effed.
Ugg, too many variables, and that is after I've simplified the game into a vauge worker placement game with abstract representations of most of the economy...
and I haven't even started work on the order of the action phases or player order, I'm purely working on balancing the game engine itself.
joeyjoejoeshabadoo
Member
Every Thursday. We meet up at one of the member's house. It's not a bad deal, really. He has more space for gaming than my local shop and parking isn't bad. Come to think of it I don't even know if my local shop even does board game nights. Every time I go in their I see people either painting minis or setting up Warhammer.
Pretty good deal on a kickstarter item that reached its goal. Get in on it to get a pretty cool game for a pretty cool price! Ends in about 9 hours
Saw this on BGG so I'll just repost the link.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/762220/for-the-win-bonus-stretch-rewards-on-kickstarter
Saw this on BGG so I'll just repost the link.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/762220/for-the-win-bonus-stretch-rewards-on-kickstarter
narcosis219
Member
Game night at my FLGS is pretty much the only time I am able to get gaming time.
My FLGS is really small, so I see the same 9 or so people every week. After becoming friends with them, it's as if I have a gaming group, except we have all the games in the world at our disposal.
Just treat it as any other social event. Meet new people!
flashburn2012
Member
Mage Knight is pretty great, but I don't know if I'd pay $100 for it. I think it's completely replaced Runebound for me. Probably put that in the next Math Trade.
I demo games at the FLGS all the time, at least a couple times a week when something new that I like comes out. I also have a regular Saturday group that I meet there.
No real good stories, the people are mostly uncrippled by social foibles, but you do get the occasional aspergers kids who take shit way too seriously and try to power game to victory.
Also, those people who think they're too smart for the rules and keep slowing down the game by questioning what has already been stated a thousand times and get huffy about it. Fuck those people.
narcosis219
Member
Yes, those types of people are unavoidable. Just weed em out and don't play with them. Sometimes the store doesn't have enough "regular people" regulars, so you'll have to bail on the store and find a new one. lol.
flashburn2012
Member
These types of games usually cost this amount of money in Sweden, unfortunately. Shipping is included though!
Ah okay, if its pretty much the pricing you are use to, then I think you'll find its a pretty great game. Except for the card quality, it's horrendous. If you sleeve them though, it won't really matter.
flashburn2012
Member
Thanks for the tip. Not sure where I can get a hold of these kind of card sleeves, but I have some friends that play Magic and i'm pretty sure they can help me out.
They are the same size as Magic cards. You might want to sleeve them before you even play, as people have reported the cards wearing after just a single game, due to the texture of the cards.
BattleMonkey
Member
Especially after you see the quality of the components. Wait, don't pay such a high price for such shoddy work.
He's said this since the start, but I thought he said the 2d edition would have them stock. It's basically going to be an upgrade pack I know.
UpperCaseN
Member
^I'll gladly pay for the upgrade. I like the game enough that it doesn't bother me
Speaking of shoddy. I finally got to play Tannhauser this week. The game itself is pretty fun, but the decision to keep reference sheets from an old version and a rulebook from the new version was a remarkably bad decision. We were trying to work our way through the rules and every time we used an item, the reference sheet contradicted the rule book. How hard is it to either update the reference sheet or just leave it out?
BattleMonkey
Member
Company would be out of its mind to print out all new run of a game if they got a ton of old stock still.
Sadly, it does not have the equipment pack references for the revised rules. It's okay, though. We photocopied the book and the images are just waiting for me to cut and paste them together into an attractive reference sheet.
But that's a super cool site, so thanks!
The problem is that they're obviously doing box inserts, because they put in a new rule book. It seems reasonable to pull the old reference sheets, or at least mention they are deprecated.
timetokill
Banned
Just played my first game of Battlestar Galactica. ended up getting a Cylon card in the sleeper phase. We won... totally awesome Great to just spend the whole game yelling at each other accusing others of being Cylons.
Great to just spend the whole game yelling at each other accusing others of being Cylons.So,
I played Caylus for the first time ever last night.
I really really liked it. It's not that complicated of a game to be completely honest. The strategy is a little hard to get a hold of right away, but basically favor track + build the castle came to me about halfway through the game and I finished a somewhat distant 2nd (out of 4).
I really really like it, but man is it the most pasted on theme ever of all time.
Also, the provost is a dick.
I played Caylus for the first time ever last night.
I really really liked it. It's not that complicated of a game to be completely honest. The strategy is a little hard to get a hold of right away, but basically favor track + build the castle came to me about halfway through the game and I finished a somewhat distant 2nd (out of 4).
I really really like it, but man is it the most pasted on theme ever of all time.
Also, the provost is a dick.
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