Today was Beyond Monopoly!
I arrived late so lots of games were in progress. I hung around for awhile until Andy arrived. I then introduced him to the joys of It's Alive! Despite losing 37 to 54 Andy enjoyed the game and was impressed with the artwork.
We then had a go at Balloon Cup. Andy had played before and so explained it to me thoroughly. We enjoyed this as it was well-balanced and fun! Andy won by 1 green cup. We decided to play again. I felt I had made a few blunders and so was happy to play again. I did worse this time losing by the green and the blue cups!
We mutually agreed to try Architekton next - a game neither of us had heard of before. We felt we were missing something as we just kept copying each other's moves to effect a draw; there seemed no reason to do otherwise. We scoured the rules convinced that we must have been playing it wrong but, we hadn't. Not a great game.
I then got involved in a game of Settlers of Catan - my first for sometime. Of the three other players, 1 was new to it and the other 2 were clearly experienced. It felt like there were actually 2 games being played; the experienced guys made no allowances for me and the noob. Needless to say he lost and I limped into third place. Not an enjoyable experience. Little time was taken to explain the rules, tactics or anything.
I then got involved in a game of Winner's Circle. I'm not usually that keen on horse or racing games but this one was okay (and a Reiner Knizia game!). I liked the bluffing involved in the betting and the board itself. In the end I came second out of five, narrowly avoiding victory by losing a photo finish at the end.
All in all a fun day, although the Settlers game will stick in my mind as a BM! lowpoint.
Showing posts with label it's alive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label it's alive. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Monday 14th May, 2007
Monday night is Games Night! But before Greg and Spence turned up Lisa and I had time for 2 games of It's Alive! Lisa won the first one 59 to 55 even though it was me who shouted "it's alive!" (I love doing that). I redeemed myself somewhat by winning the second game 48 to 46 and utterring my favourite phrase.... We tried our idea of being able to purchase cards from players' cemeteries with more than one card. It only made a little bit of difference. I think you tend to buy more spare parts in the 2-player game anyway as you have more of an idea what your opponent still needs. I don't think our variant would work with more than 2.
When the others did arrive we all decided trhat we fancied several short games for a change. We started with Trans Europa. Spence won the first game and Greg lost it with Lisa and I drawing in the middle! It had been a close game though. We decided to play again and Greg won this time. Lisa was second, I was third and Spencce was last; a reversal from the previous game!
We then played 2 games of Hey! That's My Fish! -a game we all enjoy but don't play that often. Lisa easily won the first game with 30 floes. I was second with 26 floes, Greg next with 22 and Spencer, whose penguins got a bit stranded, managed 19 floes. Spencer clearly learnt some valuable lessons as he romped to victory in the second game with 33 floes. Lisa did well coming second with 25, whilst Greg and I both managed only 21 floes (I won as I had more individual floes!).
After all that penguin madness we decided to round off the evening with a game of Guillotine. I won this with 22 points. Greg was second with 21, Lisa third with 18 and Spencer last with 17. I paid careful attention to everyone's scores as I had several cards which allowed me to end the game. I chose my moment carefully when I had jsut snatched victory from Greg.... a great evening.
When Spence and Greg left Lisa and I had a quick hand of canasta before retiring to bed. I won this hand scoring 1205 points to Lisa's 640 (I had lots of wild cards!). I currently lead this game 1840 points to 1770 (4 games each!).
When the others did arrive we all decided trhat we fancied several short games for a change. We started with Trans Europa. Spence won the first game and Greg lost it with Lisa and I drawing in the middle! It had been a close game though. We decided to play again and Greg won this time. Lisa was second, I was third and Spencce was last; a reversal from the previous game!
We then played 2 games of Hey! That's My Fish! -a game we all enjoy but don't play that often. Lisa easily won the first game with 30 floes. I was second with 26 floes, Greg next with 22 and Spencer, whose penguins got a bit stranded, managed 19 floes. Spencer clearly learnt some valuable lessons as he romped to victory in the second game with 33 floes. Lisa did well coming second with 25, whilst Greg and I both managed only 21 floes (I won as I had more individual floes!).
After all that penguin madness we decided to round off the evening with a game of Guillotine. I won this with 22 points. Greg was second with 21, Lisa third with 18 and Spencer last with 17. I paid careful attention to everyone's scores as I had several cards which allowed me to end the game. I chose my moment carefully when I had jsut snatched victory from Greg.... a great evening.
When Spence and Greg left Lisa and I had a quick hand of canasta before retiring to bed. I won this hand scoring 1205 points to Lisa's 640 (I had lots of wild cards!). I currently lead this game 1840 points to 1770 (4 games each!).
Friday, June 22, 2007
Saturday 12th May, 2007
In the evening Lisa and I played a few games of It's Alive!, which Jack had been kind enough to lend me one of the prototypes of. The 2-player game is surprisingly harder than with any other number we think. It's a much more careful and considered game as you can easily mess up and give your opponent a great advantage.
I won the first game 49 to 39, helped by 2 coffins! The second game was much closer, with Lisa sneaking ahead 51 to 49 (Ihad no coins left!). Lisa destroyed me in the final game 44 to 33. I failed to notice just how much money she was accruing which enabled her to buy 2 coffins and all the best quality body parts. She played really well.
We think we might try a slight variation whereby in the 2-player game you can use more than one card to bring the top card from someone's cemetery into play..... we'll see if it makes any difference!
I won the first game 49 to 39, helped by 2 coffins! The second game was much closer, with Lisa sneaking ahead 51 to 49 (Ihad no coins left!). Lisa destroyed me in the final game 44 to 33. I failed to notice just how much money she was accruing which enabled her to buy 2 coffins and all the best quality body parts. She played really well.
We think we might try a slight variation whereby in the 2-player game you can use more than one card to bring the top card from someone's cemetery into play..... we'll see if it makes any difference!
Wednesday 9th May, 2007
I trekked into town to join in the playtesting for Jack's next publication, It's Alive! I've played this a couple of times in prototype form and greatly enjoyed it. This was a chance to see the finished artwork and play it with people who had not played before.
The artwork is superb; it matches the theme perfectly. I played two 5-player games and a 3-player. I won the first 5 player and shouted "it's alive!" - which is always fun! I also won the second game, by 2 points (!) although I didn't get to do any shouting that time. In both these games I didn't draw a single Villager's Uprising!
However, I drew 2 of them in the final game and lost, by a point from second place. I think I enjoyed it more with 5 than 3 players - although that may have been something to do with the group dynamics rather than the game. I remain convinced that the game will definately be a hit.
The artwork is superb; it matches the theme perfectly. I played two 5-player games and a 3-player. I won the first 5 player and shouted "it's alive!" - which is always fun! I also won the second game, by 2 points (!) although I didn't get to do any shouting that time. In both these games I didn't draw a single Villager's Uprising!
However, I drew 2 of them in the final game and lost, by a point from second place. I think I enjoyed it more with 5 than 3 players - although that may have been something to do with the group dynamics rather than the game. I remain convinced that the game will definately be a hit.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Sunday 25th February 2005
Lisa and I had a lovely afternoon with Jack and his wife, Lou. Ellie loved having more grown-up attention than usual and she definitely warmed to both of them (Lou's presence was even requested in the bathroom at bath time - a high honour indeed!).
After a meal of build-your-own-tortillas (one of Ellie's favourites) the grown-ups retired to an evening of games. First up we tried It's Alive! - the prototype of the next game Jack's publishing. I had played and enjoyed this before, but it was a new experience for Lisa!
We both really enjoyed this and Lou and Jack, who I'm guessing have both played it rather a lot, seemed to enjoy playing it with us. The game is essentially a race to purchase body parts to complete a cadaver. The villagers can upset your plans and sometimes its best to auction body parts to the other Dr Frankenstein's to add to your bank role.
Lisa really took to this game, enjoying the theme and the straightforward mechanics. She won the first game with 51 points. She also got to shout out "It's Alive!" as she finished her body-reconstruction. Lou came second with 44, Jack just behind his wife with 43 and I brought up the rear with 37.
We all wanted to play again...which must be a good sign for the success of the game! Lou won this time with 57, Jack was second with 45, I came third with 38 and, in a reversal of fortune, Lisa was last with 34.
After this we elected to play Carcassonne - the first time Lisa had played with more than 3 players! It was a close game. Jack and I felt a bit put upon as our spouses kept muscling in on our cities and fields. It was a tense, satisfying game, which was reflected in the scoring. Lou and myself drew for first place with 59 points. Jack was next with 56 and then came Lisa with 53. She commented that she really enjoyed playing the 4-player version but had suffered as she had not finished several potentially high scoring features as the tiles simply ran out! As she doesn't usually play with farmers I thought she did really well.
We fancied something quick and simple next so out came Diamant, a game I think was new to Lou. Lisa won the first game with 42 stones. Lou was close behind with 39. I came next with 35 and Jack was last with 25. I won the next game with 28 jewels despite having no jewels until the fourth mine. Lisa was second with 23 and Jack and Lou drew for third place with 20 jewels.
Jack then requested Guillotine, another new game for Lou. This was a good, fun game to round off the evening with. I won the first game with 27 points, due to several palace guards. Lisa was second with 18, Lou close behind with 17. Jack did... not so well with 9 points. Before calling it a night we had another go. I won this one as well (!) with 20 points. Lisa and Lou drew for second place with 17 points - Jack.... did not so well again with 11 points.
A fantastic evening with lovely company and good games.
After a meal of build-your-own-tortillas (one of Ellie's favourites) the grown-ups retired to an evening of games. First up we tried It's Alive! - the prototype of the next game Jack's publishing. I had played and enjoyed this before, but it was a new experience for Lisa!
We both really enjoyed this and Lou and Jack, who I'm guessing have both played it rather a lot, seemed to enjoy playing it with us. The game is essentially a race to purchase body parts to complete a cadaver. The villagers can upset your plans and sometimes its best to auction body parts to the other Dr Frankenstein's to add to your bank role.
Lisa really took to this game, enjoying the theme and the straightforward mechanics. She won the first game with 51 points. She also got to shout out "It's Alive!" as she finished her body-reconstruction. Lou came second with 44, Jack just behind his wife with 43 and I brought up the rear with 37.
We all wanted to play again...which must be a good sign for the success of the game! Lou won this time with 57, Jack was second with 45, I came third with 38 and, in a reversal of fortune, Lisa was last with 34.
After this we elected to play Carcassonne - the first time Lisa had played with more than 3 players! It was a close game. Jack and I felt a bit put upon as our spouses kept muscling in on our cities and fields. It was a tense, satisfying game, which was reflected in the scoring. Lou and myself drew for first place with 59 points. Jack was next with 56 and then came Lisa with 53. She commented that she really enjoyed playing the 4-player version but had suffered as she had not finished several potentially high scoring features as the tiles simply ran out! As she doesn't usually play with farmers I thought she did really well.
We fancied something quick and simple next so out came Diamant, a game I think was new to Lou. Lisa won the first game with 42 stones. Lou was close behind with 39. I came next with 35 and Jack was last with 25. I won the next game with 28 jewels despite having no jewels until the fourth mine. Lisa was second with 23 and Jack and Lou drew for third place with 20 jewels.
Jack then requested Guillotine, another new game for Lou. This was a good, fun game to round off the evening with. I won the first game with 27 points, due to several palace guards. Lisa was second with 18, Lou close behind with 17. Jack did... not so well with 9 points. Before calling it a night we had another go. I won this one as well (!) with 20 points. Lisa and Lou drew for second place with 17 points - Jack.... did not so well again with 11 points.
A fantastic evening with lovely company and good games.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Monday 15th January 2007
Monday night is games night! I was joined by Greg, Andy (who made it last week), Spencer (freed from fatherhood for the evening) and Jack (all sorted after the festivities).
To start with Lisa joined us in a quick game of Diamant, joining which Spencer arrived and laughed at our misfortune (or ineptitude, I'm not sure which). Despite getting off to a good start Lisa could only manage third place with 13 jewels, behind Jack's 19 and Andy's 17. We'll quickly gloss over the fact that Greg and I scored nothing..... One of the mines yielded no jewels at all before collapsing.
Lisa then retired to the study to do some work. The gang then had a go at Jack's prototytpe 'Codename: Monster' (although we quite liked referring to it as "It's Alive!" - possibly with more exclamation marks!). As this game is in the early stages of production I won't go into too much detail. Each player is a graverobber attempting to construct an entire body from parts. There is also molney which can be used to purchase body parts. The mechanics of the game worked well and it was great fun. We all made suggestions for the final artwork etc and all the feedback was positive.... apart from how annoying the Village Uprisings can be (I suppose they are unless you're selling pitchforks and flaming torches).
Not too surprisingly Jack won both games! Final scores were:
Game one: Jack, 54, Paul 48, Greg 40, Spencer and Andy 25.
Game two: Jack 61, Spencer 44, Paul and Andy 41 and Greg 37.
A promising game for the future.
We then moved on to Falling; a card game I had picked up at Steer's recent mad giveaway. What can I say.... this game was utter chaos...on a biblical scale! I don't even know how to describe it! One player is the dealer, the others are falling to the ground and fighting. The aim is to be the last one to hit the ground. You play cards to delay your own fall and speed up that of your opponents. It is frenetic, mad and rapid.
We had six goes at this in very little time.
Game one: Spencer dealt. Andy hit the ground first (ie lost!) followed by Paul, Jack and Greg.
Game two: Spencer dealt. Paul hit the ground first, followed by Jack, Andy and Greg.
Game three: Greg dealt. Spencer hit the ground first, followed by Andy, Paul and Jack.
Game four: Jack dealt. Andy hit the ground first, followed by Paul, Spencer and Greg.
Game five: Greg dealt. Paul hit the ground first, followed by Spencer, Jack and Andy.
Game six: Andy dealt. Greg hit the ground first, followed by Paul, Jack and Spencer.
Mad game but great fun.
And that was it. Sadly, this was Andy's last Monday nigth as he is moving with his family ot the wilds of Lincolnshire. He will be greatly missed and is always welcome on a Monday (lisa and I have offered him use of the guest room).
After everyone had left, I suggested that Lisa and I play Cribbage, curled up in front of the fire eating liqeur chocolates (I knew she would find this hard to refuse!). Sadly, she agreed and whooped me royally. She got two very high scoring crib hands which helped her immensely. I realised she is better at discarding than I am...yet. Maybe next time...
To start with Lisa joined us in a quick game of Diamant, joining which Spencer arrived and laughed at our misfortune (or ineptitude, I'm not sure which). Despite getting off to a good start Lisa could only manage third place with 13 jewels, behind Jack's 19 and Andy's 17. We'll quickly gloss over the fact that Greg and I scored nothing..... One of the mines yielded no jewels at all before collapsing.
Lisa then retired to the study to do some work. The gang then had a go at Jack's prototytpe 'Codename: Monster' (although we quite liked referring to it as "It's Alive!" - possibly with more exclamation marks!). As this game is in the early stages of production I won't go into too much detail. Each player is a graverobber attempting to construct an entire body from parts. There is also molney which can be used to purchase body parts. The mechanics of the game worked well and it was great fun. We all made suggestions for the final artwork etc and all the feedback was positive.... apart from how annoying the Village Uprisings can be (I suppose they are unless you're selling pitchforks and flaming torches).
Not too surprisingly Jack won both games! Final scores were:
Game one: Jack, 54, Paul 48, Greg 40, Spencer and Andy 25.
Game two: Jack 61, Spencer 44, Paul and Andy 41 and Greg 37.
A promising game for the future.
We then moved on to Falling; a card game I had picked up at Steer's recent mad giveaway. What can I say.... this game was utter chaos...on a biblical scale! I don't even know how to describe it! One player is the dealer, the others are falling to the ground and fighting. The aim is to be the last one to hit the ground. You play cards to delay your own fall and speed up that of your opponents. It is frenetic, mad and rapid.
We had six goes at this in very little time.
Game one: Spencer dealt. Andy hit the ground first (ie lost!) followed by Paul, Jack and Greg.
Game two: Spencer dealt. Paul hit the ground first, followed by Jack, Andy and Greg.
Game three: Greg dealt. Spencer hit the ground first, followed by Andy, Paul and Jack.
Game four: Jack dealt. Andy hit the ground first, followed by Paul, Spencer and Greg.
Game five: Greg dealt. Paul hit the ground first, followed by Spencer, Jack and Andy.
Game six: Andy dealt. Greg hit the ground first, followed by Paul, Jack and Spencer.
Mad game but great fun.
And that was it. Sadly, this was Andy's last Monday nigth as he is moving with his family ot the wilds of Lincolnshire. He will be greatly missed and is always welcome on a Monday (lisa and I have offered him use of the guest room).
After everyone had left, I suggested that Lisa and I play Cribbage, curled up in front of the fire eating liqeur chocolates (I knew she would find this hard to refuse!). Sadly, she agreed and whooped me royally. She got two very high scoring crib hands which helped her immensely. I realised she is better at discarding than I am...yet. Maybe next time...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
