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 head...




So, in brief -  Each turn you take resources, either one of each of three colours, or two of the same colour (though there is a rule preventing you from continually taking two from the same stack), or you can 'reserve' a card ( up yo three) by taking a gold coin, putting the card in your hand and paying for it later. You can use the golds as an any colour in the game. The final thing you could do is to pay for a card. But you can only do one type of action (collect/reserve/pay) in your turn. If gems run out  - too bad, wait for them to come back in again. If someone takes the card you want, too bad, change your strategy. One other thing to note, each card you obtain gives you additional resources to spend, so as you go through the game you should be able to afford more pricey cards! That's the theory until someone takes what you need! Or in my case you keep completely changing your mind...

This was easy peasy to learn and to get to grips with and I can see it absolutely as a 'go to' game where there are 20-30 minutes to spare, or to start a gaming evening off. It's well paced as there is only one action in your turn. It's also ite an 'open' game  - it's great being able to see what the others are doing with their resources as you end up thinking about what they might be trying to do as well as trying to look after your own stuff! Set up time is minimal and replayabilty is guaranteed in my view. I can see me getting my gaming-reticent family to play this one, no problems.

Great little runner!

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Posted in: board games

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 more complexity than Mice and Mystics (of this game, more at another time).

Aha. Reviews indicated that this might be the one for me. The negative reviews said - too much  random, not enough story, broken/unclear ruleset with ever-growing FAQ, not RPG enough, too easy. The (overwhelmingly) positive reviews said - addictive, fun, great cross-over between RPG and board game, easy to learn, then gets harder.

Boom! Have at thee foul beast.

So to end the review at the beginning, both of the positives and negatives are true. But boy do the positives outweigh the negatives. It's great!

Since getting the game, it has been out and played at least a dozen times. Now, given my personal time constraints that's saying something. I have also not played all of the way though the additional campaign card set that is included because I want to get my characters right first. And that in itself should tell you something about the game. There are a number of permutations to equip and mold your character as you go through the order of scenarios. As you go through the 'campaigns' you pick up items and improve your character  -  and then meet progressively harder enemies.
This works as a solo game or co-op but the real beauty is that in either mode you can work with a number or characters each - which gives a real sense of team building. So, a quick note, in solo play don't use one character, go for three or four. With two or three other players - go for two each. It does mean the game is harder, you have more enemies to get though in a shorter time. But there are so many ways to puzzle out a completion route that it makes losing fun too.

There is a time limit, 30 turns - this is fixed. It might seem that makes it harder for more characters but, of course, they can get more done in that shorter time. Furthermore, you do, quickly, get to know how the game works. I'm not going to say too much about the mechanics.They are straight forward enough. But here goes  -
Decide your characters and build them with basic items - suggestions in the rulebook (now revised) so read the FAQs if I were you.
Decide scenarios. Build location encounter decks with specific number of random items/monsters etc.
send characters to locations in order to find items and defeat enemy and henchmen.
That is it. Basically.

I don't think I've done it justice though. Both in terms of the complaints circling on the internet - or the fact that I've really enjoyed playing this. It's a bit like one of those computer games that you love redoing areas because you want to know how else you can get round the monsters and find more loot. it does fit well among different gaming genre. Do not assume RPG strength story telling. Do not assume a board game feel either. When my son (15) and I played, we had a blast telling the story of our adventures in an RPG style as we went along. Try it  - it made us laugh.

Highly recommended. Buy it then get your non RPG and RPG mates round and have a laugh too, while probably arguing about why!

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Posted in: board games

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 rescue. Gather the treaures in time - or drown...

So what do you do? Travel round tiles which flip over to show they are sinking. Collect cards to colect the treasures, perform actions to stay alive all before the tiles flip and disappear leaving you stranded.

This is a great game - lots of replayability since your character gets different abilities depending on which one you are playing  - and the tiles rest in a different order each game. Yes, it's not complex, and if you play on easy mode you won't get much of a thrill. Also, don't expexct to be sitting for hours working on fabulously complex strategies. This game flies along and is great for those new to games and experienced alike - though some may see it as more of a 'filler'. Played with my son, lots of negotiation to play this co-operative game effectively. You can raise the danger level by turning more treasure cards per round - but you'll sink quicker too! A downside? Not infinitely replayable with the same group - but I'm looking forward to the next version Forbidden Desert.

Have at it! Recommended.

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Posted in: board games

Mice and Mystics - have a look inside!

Mice and Mystics by Plaid Hat Games. 60-90 minutes. 1-4 players. Ages 7+. Cheers!

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Posted in: board games

Websites what I browse...

What I thought I'd do for this post is to reveal the secrets of my favourites list from my web-explorer. It's not a complete replication of all of the bitz and pieces that reside therein, but you might get a kick out of having a surf from here to one of these sites - who knows what you may find -

Starting with the 'BIg BOys' gaming companies -

http://dark-age.com/
http://www.games-workshop.com/

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/

http://www.grindhousegames.com/pages/incursion-home

http://company.wizards.com/

http://www.infinitythegame.com/

http://www.malifaux.com/index.php

http://www.smartmaxstore.com/

http://www.flamesofwar.com/

http://privateerpress.com/

http://www.mercsminis.com/

http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/

http://www.spartangames.co.uk/

Next the websites/blogs that bring news and views together....  

http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/

http://www.miniwargaming.com/

http://www.belloflostsouls.net/

http://www.beastsofwar.com/

http://www.coolminiornot.com/


AND LASTLY - painting and gaming and hobby blogs from wherever I have ended up on the tinternet...


http://fromthewarp.blogspot.co.uk/   

http://thefrontlinegamer.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.front-toward-enemy.us/   

http://space-wolves-grey.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.talesfromthewarzone.com/  

http://toomuchmetal.blogspot.co.uk/

http://ratdorg.blogspot.co.uk/

http://handcannononline.com/

http://www.awesomepaintjob.com/

http://robhawkinshobby.blogspot.co.uk/

http://pressganger.blogspot.co.uk/

http://itslikewatchingpaintdry.blogspot.co.uk/

http://taleofpainters.blogspot.co.uk/

http://docsavagetales.blogspot.co.uk/

Happy browsing.

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Posted in: 40k,board games,CCG/TCG,Dark Age Games,Dystopian Legions,Flames Of War,Magic:The Gathering,Malifaux,stuff,Tannhauser,Warhammer Fantasy,Warhammer Invasion,Warmachine

Beer and Board Games. Funny as you like...

Found this while surfin'. Enjoyed it heartily. Lots of comedy gold to unearth here. Try it at...

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF3E6675A8F9B40EA

Wondering if I can set up my own branch...

Dublooms?

Hirarious.

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Posted in: board games,stuff

Incursion board game, Game Of Thrones Living Card Game and starting Flames Of War. Who's a busy boy then?

Ere are sum vids wot I dun.

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Posted in: board games,Flames Of War,LCG

Christmas treats and a preview...

So, Merry Christmas!
I have put a link to my YouTube channel in the weblink bar on the right. There you will find some unboxing posts for a couple of games I got for Christmas - Dreadfleet and Legend Of Drizzt (D&D boardgame). These are added to the Lord of the Rings LCG I put on there last week.
So, also up and coming for the end of this year and 2012 are -

• Warmachine's plastic Cygnar Battlegroup (plus painting posts).
• The Walking Dead up to volume 14.
• Hellboy volume 11 (and BPRD thrown in for good measure).
• A couple of MTG core sets for 2012.
• LA Noire, Portal 2, Skyrim for PS3.
• A Dance With Dragons by George RR Martin
• Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy.

If I ever have a chance to post about all of these - it'll be right here! Happy New Year too!

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Posted in: board games,books,CCG/TCG,graphic novels,Magic:The Gathering,PS3,stuff,Warmachine

New horizons and .... Tannhauser!!!!!!!!

And so, I know it's a long time since my last blog. And yes, I know that I've been a very naughty boy (and therefore not the messiah). And so, here goes... Here's what I've been up to.

Painting, er well, I did a bit on the Rune Priest. He's nearly finished. Snow to add and backpack, then done. The never ending project I calls it.

Graphic Novels - The Walking Dead is great! I've read volumes 1 - 4 and caught some of the TV programmes too. I like the thoughtful storytelling, the atmospheric art and the sense of tension that runs throughout. A good job done by all. It's a very 'now' concept...the end of the world as we know it. And it deals powerfully with all of the moral ambiguity that would entail. I've also read a couple more Preacher and enjoyed the stridently and unashamedly explicit and enthusiastically realised 'The Boys' - another fabulously over the top, yet intriguing offering from Mr G Ennis (and co.) All heartily recommended.

TV stuff - The Pacific, in the style of Band of Brothers is also something I have been 'dipping in' to. I must say that it hasn't caught my imagination in the same way. The characters are less defined and the camera spends a lot of time focusing on a specific character in each episode, meaning we never really get a coherent sense of a group dynamic. This was a real strength of BoB. Nevertheless, the conditions of Pacific warfare do come across strongly and the battlefield moments are as graphically conveyed as anything else out there.

Finally GAMES stuff  - Have now done a couple of YouTube posts introducing the game of Tannhauser which I got over Christmas. I'm still a real newbie but as the posts progress things'll improve. I also bought a few MTG cards and bits and bobs which I play now and again. Still rubbish at it, but it's a larf - and that's what I do it for. Don't you? I did buy the Cygnar Warmachine book, but I mostly bought that for reading at the moment.

Another time 'black hole' has been Fallout : New Vegas (surprisingly few glitches) and recently Mass Effect 2. I'm really impressed with both of them. Admittedly, New Vegas is Fallout 3, but it takes the game forward in a number of respects and still allows for engaging and engrossing RPG play. Which I heart. Mass Effect 2 is also well crafted with interesting nuances and bits to find and explore. My son plays this too (15yrs) but just likes to shoot things (He's a Black Ops Vet), in spite of this he's getting a lot out of the game too.

I think that about covers it  ... please view the You Tube posts below and - cheers!

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Posted in: board games,graphic novels,Tannhauser,Warmachine