Monday night is games night! Lisa and I were joined by Greg and Vin. To begin with we introduced them both to Trans Europa (definately my 'game of the moment!'). They both really enjoyed this and, similar to Lisa on Saturday, tried different approaches. It was interesting for me playing it with 4 (previous player numbers were 2 or 3) and thus all 35 cities, rather than the usual 25. It was quite a different game. Your network would be impossible to complete if you did not join to other people's. Occasionally a link would be started and abandoned when another player's network suddenly became closer to your own somewhere else on the board. All the rounds we played were close - which made it quite exciting! In the end Vin won with Greg and I drawing for second place. Lisa brought up the rear... but only just! We agreed it was a good game and Greg is contemplating purchasing it to take on holiday.
Lisa then departed to do some work. The three of us decided to have another go at Tigris & Euphrates. We agreed that we had all enjoyed it when we played it previously, although we found it quite abstract and didn't have a clue how to form a strategy. This didn't really change much as we played! I was convinced Vin had won after he spent several rounds gaining loads of cubes from 3 temples. Then I thought Greg took the lead as he forced me into a run of disastrous conflicts. I never thought I was in the lead or that I was doing particularly well. Vin appeared to have a clear strategy with his temple building, Greg seemed commited to consistently finding ways to stop Vin. Yet in the end I won! I still don't know how. The fewest number of any coloured cube I had was 18 compared to Greg and Vin's 13. I amassed cubes by slowly and innoccuously placing tiles and scoring for them.... winning the occasional conflict... dividing a kngdom to palm off some of the temple goodies.... and avoiding some conflicts wherever I could. This seems to have been a winning strategy even if it wasn't a conscious one!
I like this game but I don't feel I've learnt to play it yet. Tonight's performance probably won't inform how I play next time as I still don't really know what to do.... still it's well worth playing again.... and again..... and again....
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Sunday 6th May, 2007
In our usual Sunday afternoon routine.... whilst Ellie slept, Lisa and I decided to play a game. In a change to the norm though we played 3 games of Trans Europa. I won all 3 games, although they were all fairly close. Lisa started to look fed up with losing (she did seem to have harder routes than me!) but assured me that she was still enjoying it and thought it was a good game.
Saturday 5th may, 2007 (2)
I borrowed a copy of Trans Europa from Beyond Monopoly. It's a game I've played and enjoyed and it is staying firmly on my wishlist! I brought it home as I thought Lisa might enjoy it. She certainly did! She enjoyed having her European geography challenged and she appreciated the simplicity of the game. She tried several strategies; starting centrally, starting towards the edge, starting near her opponent, starting at the opposite side of the board to her opponent. I really admired her pioneering spirit!
We played three games (each of three rounds). I won 2 and Lisa won 1. We surmised that all of the above approaches had pros and cons. I faired better starting centrally, whilst Lisa won her game by starting at one edge. I felt this approach could be risky in the 2-player game as you are reliant on your opponents rail network going near where you need it to.
We really enjoyed this game and agreed we would play it some more.....instead of Carcassonne The Castle for awhile!
We played three games (each of three rounds). I won 2 and Lisa won 1. We surmised that all of the above approaches had pros and cons. I faired better starting centrally, whilst Lisa won her game by starting at one edge. I felt this approach could be risky in the 2-player game as you are reliant on your opponents rail network going near where you need it to.
We really enjoyed this game and agreed we would play it some more.....instead of Carcassonne The Castle for awhile!
Saturday 5th May, 2007
Today I made it to Beyond Monopoly! Soon after arriving I joined with Robert, Richard and Paul A to play Marra Cash - a game Richard had brought. In essence this is an auction and area control game in which you try to lure shoppers to your bazaars to earn money. Players auction off bazaars of various colours and get a cut if they can lure shoppers to bazaars of the same colour.
It sounds a bit abstract but it was actually good fun. I think I would play differently a second time as I bid too much in a couple of auctions and backed out of a crucial one too soon! All in all a good game which I would happily play again. Robert won with 6,900, I came second with 5,300, Richard was a surprise third with 4,050 and Paul A brought up the rear with 3,900.
Many people then dissapeared for a long lunchbreak. When they returned I joined with Andrew, Keith, Jim, John and Richard to have a go at Shadows Over Camelot. I have been curious about this for sometime as co-operative games are few and far between. As with all Days of Wonder games production values were astoundingly high. The game was enhanced for me as Jim quickly cycled home to fetch his beautifully handpainted miniatures.
I liked this game. It could be described as a themed series of rummy games but that would be a little unfair. The Knights of the Round Table are questing to rout the forces of evil. They do this by placing white swords on the Round Table. These swords are awarded for successfully completing Quests. However, if the Knights fail, then black swords are placed instead. It was quite hard playing collaboratively when the rules state that you cannot clearly discuss the cards in your hand or your intentions.
The game is made more interesting by the dealing out of Loyalty cards, as a result of which one player may be a traitor. If this is the case then that player must surreptitiously work to scupper the efforts of his companions. He can be accused and unmasked however. I was playing Sir Gawain (of Green Knight fame!) and I was actually the traitor. I enjoyed this role immensely as it lead to the type of psychological gaming I enjoy. No one accused me and I managed to foil several Quests apparently innocently. Once Darkness prevailed I revealed my allegiance to evil and claimed my victory. I wouldn't want to play this every week but it will remain on my wishlist!
Finally, Jim suggested that we try a game he'd brought; Oltre Mare (another one on my wishlist!). Keith had to depart so that left myself, Jim, Richard, John and Andrew. Jim and Richard had both played before and so managed to explain the basics to the rest of us. Oltre Mare is essentially a hand-building trading card game. The pretty board with cool sailing ships on is not as important as it first appears. Jim had printed out some really useful reference sheets without which I think I would have been lost. As I am currently a "bear of little brain" I found this game a bit too hard. There were a lot of options and I could not work out what the ramifications were going to be. I was hideously behind for most of the game but I recovered somewhat at the end. Jim won with 50 points. Andrew was second with 47, whilst John and Richard drew for third with 42. I was a little behind with 39. This game will reamin on my wishlist although I don't think I will play it again until I am fully recovered from my neurological problems.
All in all a great day's gaming!
It sounds a bit abstract but it was actually good fun. I think I would play differently a second time as I bid too much in a couple of auctions and backed out of a crucial one too soon! All in all a good game which I would happily play again. Robert won with 6,900, I came second with 5,300, Richard was a surprise third with 4,050 and Paul A brought up the rear with 3,900.
Many people then dissapeared for a long lunchbreak. When they returned I joined with Andrew, Keith, Jim, John and Richard to have a go at Shadows Over Camelot. I have been curious about this for sometime as co-operative games are few and far between. As with all Days of Wonder games production values were astoundingly high. The game was enhanced for me as Jim quickly cycled home to fetch his beautifully handpainted miniatures.
I liked this game. It could be described as a themed series of rummy games but that would be a little unfair. The Knights of the Round Table are questing to rout the forces of evil. They do this by placing white swords on the Round Table. These swords are awarded for successfully completing Quests. However, if the Knights fail, then black swords are placed instead. It was quite hard playing collaboratively when the rules state that you cannot clearly discuss the cards in your hand or your intentions.
The game is made more interesting by the dealing out of Loyalty cards, as a result of which one player may be a traitor. If this is the case then that player must surreptitiously work to scupper the efforts of his companions. He can be accused and unmasked however. I was playing Sir Gawain (of Green Knight fame!) and I was actually the traitor. I enjoyed this role immensely as it lead to the type of psychological gaming I enjoy. No one accused me and I managed to foil several Quests apparently innocently. Once Darkness prevailed I revealed my allegiance to evil and claimed my victory. I wouldn't want to play this every week but it will remain on my wishlist!
Finally, Jim suggested that we try a game he'd brought; Oltre Mare (another one on my wishlist!). Keith had to depart so that left myself, Jim, Richard, John and Andrew. Jim and Richard had both played before and so managed to explain the basics to the rest of us. Oltre Mare is essentially a hand-building trading card game. The pretty board with cool sailing ships on is not as important as it first appears. Jim had printed out some really useful reference sheets without which I think I would have been lost. As I am currently a "bear of little brain" I found this game a bit too hard. There were a lot of options and I could not work out what the ramifications were going to be. I was hideously behind for most of the game but I recovered somewhat at the end. Jim won with 50 points. Andrew was second with 47, whilst John and Richard drew for third with 42. I was a little behind with 39. This game will reamin on my wishlist although I don't think I will play it again until I am fully recovered from my neurological problems.
All in all a great day's gaming!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Wednesday 2nd May, 2007
After Ellie had retired for the evening Lisa and I broke out Carcassonne The Castle, again. It was a fairly close game, although Lisa managed to snag most of the tokens. In the end she won with 116 to my 109. She did well with the markets, although I did have the largest keep.
Monday 30th April, 2007
Before Monday night is games night, Lisa and I played the deciding game of Carcassonne the Castle. Lisa wiped the floor with me - 104 to 75. She managed to pick up all of the tokens until the 56/57 corner on the score track(!) and was able to use them to great effect. How humiliating!
Greg and Spencer then arrived and the four of us had a quick game of Guillotine. Spencer played this really well, ending the game when he was clearly in the lead. He amassed 17 heads, Lisa 12 and Greg and I both ahd 11.
We then brought out Fire and Axe for the third Monday running! Spencer won with 166 (and the Bloodiest Axe!) Lisa did well scoring 155 and Greg and I were Shield Brothers with 141. Settling accounted for most of my points! A fun evening once again.
Greg and Spencer then arrived and the four of us had a quick game of Guillotine. Spencer played this really well, ending the game when he was clearly in the lead. He amassed 17 heads, Lisa 12 and Greg and I both ahd 11.
We then brought out Fire and Axe for the third Monday running! Spencer won with 166 (and the Bloodiest Axe!) Lisa did well scoring 155 and Greg and I were Shield Brothers with 141. Settling accounted for most of my points! A fun evening once again.
Sunday 29th April, 2007
Whilst Ellie had her afternoon nap, Lisa and I sat down to 2 games of Carcassonne The Castle. I won the first one with 85 points to Lisa's 74. This was mainly due to tokens allowing me to score an unfinished road, an unfinished house and an unfinished tower!
However, victory ws shortlived as Lisa won the second game 118 to 103. She had 10 markets to my 2 and the biggest keep which scored her 8 points.
A fun afternoon of games, although Ellie woke up before we could play a decider....
However, victory ws shortlived as Lisa won the second game 118 to 103. She had 10 markets to my 2 and the biggest keep which scored her 8 points.
A fun afternoon of games, although Ellie woke up before we could play a decider....
Wednesday 25th April, 2007
As he had a week off from work Greg came over this afternoon and brought Memoir '44 with him. This is another game that I have heard lots about but have not played so I was quite keen to give it a go. The box and all the components are lovely. The rule book is really clear and simple to follow. We played the first 5 scenarios in order, randomising who played Axis or Allies each game.
I won the first game, Pegasus Bridge, as the Allies. I obtained 4 medals to Greg's 3. It was a hard fought contest, although once I'd cleared the Nazis away from one bridge it became a little easier.
I was the Allies again in the second game, St Mere Eglise. I won this one with 4 medals to Greg's 3, mainly because of a perfect parachute drop at the start of the game.
I played the Axis troops in Swordbeach and managed to win 6 medals to Greg's 3. Hard to see how the Allies could win that one though! The artillery is just too powerful.
I was the Nazis again for Pointe du Hoc where I got royally creamed 4 medals to 1. I just couldn't get the command cards to make my troops do anything useful! Frustrating!
Finally I plumped for the Allies at Omaha Beach. The same command card problem arose and I was soundly thrashed 6 medals to 1 - Greg played this one well and kept me safely pinned down throughout.
Although I am no longer a huge fan of wargames, and WW2 has never particularly appealed, I thought this was a great game with pleasing, well-balanced mechanics. I had a fantastic afternoon. And there was cake. Did I mention the cake? Thanks Greg!
I won the first game, Pegasus Bridge, as the Allies. I obtained 4 medals to Greg's 3. It was a hard fought contest, although once I'd cleared the Nazis away from one bridge it became a little easier.
I was the Allies again in the second game, St Mere Eglise. I won this one with 4 medals to Greg's 3, mainly because of a perfect parachute drop at the start of the game.
I played the Axis troops in Swordbeach and managed to win 6 medals to Greg's 3. Hard to see how the Allies could win that one though! The artillery is just too powerful.
I was the Nazis again for Pointe du Hoc where I got royally creamed 4 medals to 1. I just couldn't get the command cards to make my troops do anything useful! Frustrating!
Finally I plumped for the Allies at Omaha Beach. The same command card problem arose and I was soundly thrashed 6 medals to 1 - Greg played this one well and kept me safely pinned down throughout.
Although I am no longer a huge fan of wargames, and WW2 has never particularly appealed, I thought this was a great game with pleasing, well-balanced mechanics. I had a fantastic afternoon. And there was cake. Did I mention the cake? Thanks Greg!
Tuesday 24th April, 2007
Mal and I met for lunch at a local pub (something of a tradition). Whilst we waited for our steaks to arrive we enjoyed a quick game of Fluxx. Mal won easily with 10 cards in his hand. He played really well to create this situation. The steaks were perfect by the way!
Monday 23rd April 2007
Before everyone descended to play games, Lisa and I squeezed in 3 hands of canasta. Lisa won the first with 1640 points to my 1120, bringing her total to 6915 and mine to 5230. Victory was clearly in her sites and she managed it on the next hand, managing 1035 points to my 1510. Final scores - Lisa 7950, me 6740. We are now drawing 4 games each. We played the first hand of a new game and Lisa won this one to with 1130 to my 635. Oh dear.
The hordes did not descend, only Greg. He brought Fire and Axe with him, so the three of us played this. I lost hideously due to abysmal (no, really, really bad... honest) dice rolls. Greg won easily and Lisa acquitted herself well. I still think this is a great game, although a little harder with 3 players I thought.
The hordes did not descend, only Greg. He brought Fire and Axe with him, so the three of us played this. I lost hideously due to abysmal (no, really, really bad... honest) dice rolls. Greg won easily and Lisa acquitted herself well. I still think this is a great game, although a little harder with 3 players I thought.
Monday 16th April, 2007
Monday night is games night! I was joined by Greg, Spencer and Vin. Greg brought his new purchase along, Fire and Axe, so we gave this ago.
Sadly, I've lost the notes I made on the night. But I do remember thinking it was a good game; finely balanced and with lovely pieces. I remember that I came last, but not by much... and subsequent re-reading of the rules showed that we'd scored the saga cards incorrectly and I would actually have won! A great game and a lovely evening.
Sadly, I've lost the notes I made on the night. But I do remember thinking it was a good game; finely balanced and with lovely pieces. I remember that I came last, but not by much... and subsequent re-reading of the rules showed that we'd scored the saga cards incorrectly and I would actually have won! A great game and a lovely evening.
Wednesday 11th April, 2007
Mal came around for dinner in the evening. He joined Lisa and I in 2 games of Fluxx. I won the first one with coffee and doughnuts; Mal won the second with the brain (but no TV).
Lisa then headed off to do some work whilst Mal and I played a further four games.... all of which I won!
Lisa then headed off to do some work whilst Mal and I played a further four games.... all of which I won!
Tuesday 10th April, 2007
Mal and I spent the afternoon together, chatting, idling away the time and playing Fluxx. Actually, we played 12 games! I won 9 and Mal won 3. No hard feelings though as I was often rather lucky with the cards, whereas Mal's victories were well executed masterplans!
Monday 9th April, 2007
Monday night is games night! Lisa and I were joined by Jack, Lou, Greg, Vin and Spencer. We decided to have a go at Pitch Car first. I haven't played this for quite some time so it was fun to get it out again, especially as we used the Expansion Pack to include some chicanes and a troublesome bridge.
Jack demonstrated a really impressive flicking technique which powered him to an easy victory. I came next about a quarter lap behind. Greg and Vin had an epic struggle for third place which Greg finally won. Lisa was next soem distance ahead of Lou. Spencer brought up the rear after having a disastroud time getting through the tunnel early on.
We then shrank the table and put the chairs back for a six-player game of Carcassonne including the Princess & the Dragon expansion. This was good fun. The dragon was brutal burning all in it's path. As a result farmers didn't appear (and stay) until near the end of the game. people focussed much more on completing small features as they didn't want their meeples to be on the dragon's flight path!
In the end Greg won with 86 points and one of the few farmers in the game. Vin was second with 64 and I was third witrh 62. Spencer managed 44 (and had a farmer!) whilst Lou scored 43. Jack was last with 24. He had faired badly at the teeth of the dragon but still..... quite a low score!
We liked this expansion. Lisa and I had been less impressed with it in the 2-player game. Here it was fun and meant that everyone had to change their normal playing style (although Greg's farmer did win him the game in the end as there were lots of little cities). The princess was used nastily a couple of times and the competition to obtain the fairy was often quite heated! This made Carcassonne feel much more adversarial, which was fun for a change.
A lovely evening of fun and frolics!
Jack demonstrated a really impressive flicking technique which powered him to an easy victory. I came next about a quarter lap behind. Greg and Vin had an epic struggle for third place which Greg finally won. Lisa was next soem distance ahead of Lou. Spencer brought up the rear after having a disastroud time getting through the tunnel early on.
We then shrank the table and put the chairs back for a six-player game of Carcassonne including the Princess & the Dragon expansion. This was good fun. The dragon was brutal burning all in it's path. As a result farmers didn't appear (and stay) until near the end of the game. people focussed much more on completing small features as they didn't want their meeples to be on the dragon's flight path!
In the end Greg won with 86 points and one of the few farmers in the game. Vin was second with 64 and I was third witrh 62. Spencer managed 44 (and had a farmer!) whilst Lou scored 43. Jack was last with 24. He had faired badly at the teeth of the dragon but still..... quite a low score!
We liked this expansion. Lisa and I had been less impressed with it in the 2-player game. Here it was fun and meant that everyone had to change their normal playing style (although Greg's farmer did win him the game in the end as there were lots of little cities). The princess was used nastily a couple of times and the competition to obtain the fairy was often quite heated! This made Carcassonne feel much more adversarial, which was fun for a change.
A lovely evening of fun and frolics!
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