Time for a quick one? Let's play the game called 'Splendor'.

 No. He isn't blowing his nose.  A relatively new game came to light the other day, so thought we'd give it a go. Splendor - tipped for awards this year and an ingenious little fella it is too. And quite quick to play. And yet simple too. As you can see, cards are laid out in a grid, with stacks to the left and the resources - gems - laid out below. The game plays slightly differently depending on the number of players. The easiest cards to obtain are on the lowest row and the trickier ones on each subsequent row up. You need to obtain 15 victory points by spending gems to buy cards. And that's about it. The clever bit is that there's all sorts of things going on at the same time and a lot of it is inside your own...

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Posted in: board games

Space Marine Command Squad painted (at last).

Now I've had four of these painted for ages but I couldn't face the standard bearer because I can't do flags and such. So I cheated. I put on transfers, then painted over them. At last a Command Squad finished... Longest project, ever... Wonky banner much...

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Posted in: 40k,Ultramarines

Let's play a game: Pathfinder ACG. This time it's personal...

I've had Pathfinder ACG : Rise of the Runelords Base Set box for a month now. Why did I get it? I wanted a game that could be solo as well as co-op. I wanted  fantasy RPG feel, where characters could be continually levelled up. I like cards. I like minis but I don't want any more painting. Please no more projects that I'm going to start and then shelve 'cos I'm too darn busy. So, no minis this time please. Some nice artwork. Sound 'fluff'. Expansions if need be, thank you. LOTR LCG was beginning to do my head in. Numerous fails causing frustration and much gnashing of teeth (but I still love you really...) Legend of Drizzt appearing too limited in terms of progression within the parameters of the box itself (e.g. levelling up) A little...

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Posted in: board games

Let's play another game - Ascension Apprentice Edition

Playmat, quick rules and tokens included with the cards. Welcome one and all to the next installment of 'Let's play a game'... Today I'll be writing about a game that has got me just a bit intrigued. Many will complain about what I think are its strengths - indeed I've heard them complain so on the interweb. But for me, I'm a little hooked.  It's very simple see, and that helps me as a bear of little brains. Long words confuse me. The game goes as follows - this is for the starter kit edition only, not the base pack. Though this is now on my wish list! Two player (you can play more with other versions). Fixed number of victory tokens (60 here). Same starting hands for each player. Shuffle and take 5 as your first hand,...

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Posted in: CCG/TCG

Let's play a game - Forbidden Island.

Dear readers, Allow me to bring you the first in a series of 'brief' board game reviews. It seems, these days, that the rise and rise of the board game is on the rise. At work a couple of game nights have sprung up, the Youtube channel Geek and Sundry cracks on apace, there's Watchitplayed and, of course, Beer and Board games for your delight and delectation. So what can I add? My friends, only the humblest of opinions... And here I write with reference to those games that I have had a stab at over the last few weeks. Beginning with Forbidden Island. A very simple game, yet fraught with tension and suspense. Your quest? Find the treasures. Of course! But mind out, the island is sinking to leave you in the swim and with little chance of...

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Posted in: board games