First Thur of 2014 Thur – Being a Drax Report

The call went out for gamers to cast off the yoke of eating, new year spirit and goodwill to all men and get back in the sodden trenches of backstabbery and pettiness that is thur night gaming. We were not left wanting.

A number of the lads had gotten presents of boardgames for xmas and we all eagerly stuck our snouts in their gaming troughs and snuffled deep of new cardboard and rules. Truth be told (and this is one of the things that makes Knavecon such a good thing) there is nothing to beat someone bringing a new game to the table, knowing the rules and being able to explain them properly. Once again we had that last night with, Terra Mystica

But before that all started we had a lash of a game I was lucky enough to get for xmas, COUP

Coup is a neat little bluffing game by the same guys that did The Resistance

Each person takes two random cards which represent the influence they have on the court (the government). The deck consists of five sets of three duplicate cards the Captain, Ambassador, Assassin, Contessa and Duke. These are kept face down so no-one knows what everyone else has. Each of the cards have a particular action associated with it (the captain can steal, the duke tax and so on) and anyone can do any of these actions but in doing so they CLAIM they have those cards in their hand. So it’s all about bluffing. Where it gets interesting is where someone calls an action and someone else shouts “PULL THE OTHER ONE!” or words to that effect and one or other is incorrect. the loser has to turn one of their cards face up and if both of their cards are face up, that it’s they’re out of the round. Be the last person standing and you win.

It plays very quickly. you can have it done in five minutes, but we found that after a while the game became much more cagey with people not willing to risk their positions to stop others.

I liked it, I’m definitely going to play a bit more of this and I think it would play well over several rounds just like poker where you try and figure out the person rather than the cards.

SO onto the meat and potatoes (or turkey and sprouts if you will).

Terra Mystica is a game I have heard about over and over for the last year. It’s never been described as anything but awesome so I was delighted to get a crack at it.

Three things that struck me about it

There’s a lot of pieces
a lot of rules
it’s surprisingly fast

Luckily enough the game owner knew the rules and after a good half hour of explaining we were shakily off. It’s worker placement big style. There’s a LOT going on, a constant balancing act and although I thought it might get bogged down with analysis, play is swift. Each player gets one of 14 races and attempts to terraform the lands around them and build the biggest city, get the highest score and if possible cock block other players. There are numerous routes to victory and everyone’s race plays differently so it has a fantastic replay value. As a game it plays a BIT like stone age, puerto rico and a number of others but it is pretty unique in itself.

Having played one game I’m eager to play another and interestingly I think once setup you could play it within an hour. It’s certainly not the game I expected but that’s no bad thing. What I really liked about it is even though it’s relatively complex (it wouldn’t be the best game to teach a new gamer) none of the mechanics are superfluous or bolted on. I also liked that everyone got it very quickly indeed after the first turn.

As for turns it only has six and it whips around very quickly. There’s very little downtime as you’re constantly thinking about where to go next to leverage a bit of advantage. This game demands another replay and then another

After that we played Cthulhu Gloom

Cthulhu Gloom is a themed version of Gloom (I sound like I played gloom but I haven’t). It features a very nice mechanic of transparent cards which fit over each other and add bonus/negatives to each of the cards. The weird story is, you have to depress your four family members and then bump them off (no I have no idea why) and then everyone scores the depressed score for all your dead family members….. yes it’s a bit weird, but it’s not bad. Certainly a filler and at the late hour it was played it was tough to get an overall picture of it. The cards really are excellent, the whole transparent thing is superb

We also managed to get in a game of Cards Against Humanity and then it was high time to pull the plug and get some sleep.

Good start to the year

Huzzah!

Vic

January 3, 2014 1

Through the Ages Online

Through the Ages is an epic game. It’s very highly regarded on Boardgamegeek and there’s a very good reason for that. It is one of the best board games every conceived and I don’t say that lightly (I’ve played a few in my time and I should know). You’ve probably seen it in a few games shops as it’s been around a while and you may have picked it up (it’s heavy and compact), thought about it and put it back. big mistake. it’s gaming nirvana.

I’ve only ever had the pleasure of playing it in person a few times but it’s been a lot of fun. It’s also a long game. four hours plus especially if you’re learning, but it’s well worth the time. I have however played a few dozen games of it online and that has been fantastic.

At it’s core it’s a civ type game where you try to conquer the world (in this case get the highest civilization score) by advancing your civilization and at the same time sticking it to your opponents that are trying to do the same. So far so standard however what it does differently it dispense with the map. Stop stop come back it’s ok… this works.

TTA is what I would term a racetrack game, to become good as it you have to ‘drive’ it a number of times to finds it’s nuances. EVERY time I’ve played it I’ve learned something new and I have to have played 40 games of it at this stage.

The game moves pretty quickly, you gain resources and place your pieces to setup your income for the next turn, everyone does the same, rinse and repeat. As the ages advance you get access to newer technologies that allow you more possible actions. It’s a fine balance between keeping your people fed, happy, protected and advancing whilst throwing spanners in your opponents works and guarding against the same happening to you.

Historical leaders pop up that when recruited give you bonuses in certain directions or little boosts. Alexander in the early ages boosts your military but more importantly puts the frighteners on your opponents who as often as not need to divert their finite resources into military to avoid a possible drubbing. Elvis makes your people happier and adds bonuses to some of your buildings. There’s a stack of them in there and they’re all useful

The one thing I would say about the game is it’s not forgiving, especially if you’re playing against really good players, however it IS a joy to learn. There IS a steep learning curve (well for me anyway) but trust me it’s worth it.

It’s max four player and interestingly playing 2,3 and 4 players makes for 3 completely different game experiences

There are a few expansions for it (I particularly like the Pope John Paul leader in the Polish version) but the base game is fine on it’s own

OK I’ve said enough, I recommend you go right now and have a look at it online

http://www.boardgaming-online.com/

If you play one game of it through I dare you to come back and tell me I was wrong

Vic

September 18, 2013 1

After Knavecon Thur – Being a Drax Report

I’m not ALWAYS a Cylon when I play Battlestar Galatica BUT I always want to be and when I am people tend to remember because I revel in it. So last night.. Well I was a cyclon. HAPPY DAYS!

Just like werewolf being a Cylon is great fun especially if you’re an evil fecker who likes to ruin people day. What’s not to like?

If you haven’t played this game it’s based on the TV series which is several years old now but still crackin Sci Fi. I’m going to start on the basis that you KNOW BSG and go from there.

Each player takes a character from the series, each with some special traits and during their turn they take a good action then have to take a bad action which everyone else tries to help them with…. UNLESS they’re a cylon in which case they want to screw up and make happen that bad action.

Obviously no one knows who the bad guys are but during the game they may deduce it and of course it’s all about paranoia and mistrust. What’s really cool is half way through the game is people get additional loyalty cards and may or may not become a cylon.

The game does a fantastic job of matching the series and racking up the tension. last nights game was particularly close being one a step or two from winning for the humans against some tough odds but… they didn’t. They lost and it was mighty 🙂

I love this game, I love the series and it’s still a cracker after a number of years. There’s been no less than 3 expansions released the latest one only recently. I’ve had the pleasure of playing the first one “Pegasus” which introduces extra boards, a second battlestar and a host of new play mechanics. It does lengthen a game that already is hefty if you don’t keep it rolling around, but it improves an already excellent game so it’s worth the time. The second and third I haven’t tried yet but it will happen.

I thoroughly recommend this game. It’s a fantasy flight game so very good build quality and artwork.

More of this and I’m sure next time I won’t be a cylon….

September 13, 2013 0

Stormy Thur – Being a Drax Report

It wasn’t actually called Stormy Thur but It’s late and I’m not checking my mail so with that in mind it’s back to 1888 for more MURDER MOST FOUL! it’s Letters from Whitechapel

I’ve had an interest in this game for a long time and wanted to like it, so it’s great that I do like it. a lot.

As I said last week it’s a bit like Dracula but it’s simpler but it’s in no was less of a game. In fact it’s a damn fine game on par with the Fury of Dracula.

Last week I was caught short, in the middle of my second murder (jack has to complete 4 to win) and each gets tougher to complete as the police start to close in on his hideout. So this week a new Jack replaced me (a man used to wearing black) and boy did he lead us a merry chase!

It would have been charitable to describe the investigative team as bumbling. the first murder happened quick sharp and jack we had NO clue where he was. We attempted to up our game by using cheesy quotes from cop shows but even this bold step didn’t help.

Murder two happened quickly and the mayor was chewing me a new ass when we started to get a clue as to where the coffee cups in the kitchen were. I was going to crack this case if it cost me my badge

Murder 3 (a double header) kicked off and we had at this stage used most of the clichés. It was desperate times so we applied more brainpower to the problem and despite me getting the backup to move in and let jack free we eventually caught up to him and it came down to a 50/50 shot for him to make it to his hideout. he lost, we won. Brilliant detective work all around and much back slapping

Fun little game, well worth the entry fee. It’s a definite btw for Knavecon

In a repeat of last Thur and a need to do better we washed the first game down with a Notre Dame Chaser

It’s pure worker placement with a certain amount of cock-blockery. It’s a better game than it appears and the whole plague thing is great fun. Can’t bate rats for entertainment.

Last week I lost on 58 points with the winner (drax) /spits on ground getting 59

This week, he RACED ahead with a neat set of points from supporting the church early on and often.

There’s going to be a third game of this and next time it will be different (He’ll probably beat me worse and I’ll burn the game and bury the ashes)

I have a hankering for Struggle of Empires. Once I figure out the rules (HA!) We’ll have a lash of that, maybe even next thur

Huzzah!

Vic

July 27, 2013 0

Thur Most Foul – Being a Drax Report

“He’s Hardly gone back to the scene of the crime to hide in plain site has he?”. Thus ended my promising career as Jack the Ripper in the game Letters from Whitechapel

It’s a deduction game in the vein of Curse of Dracula (highly recommended) and Scotland Yard (no idea). One player takes the role of Jack and has to commit a number of heinous murders whilst the others take the roll of the police and try to apprehend him

Jack has to be sneaky (check) and resourceful (check) and more importantly in last nights game sneak past the Sauron like view of inspector Drax (no check).

I’m a huge fan of Fury of Dracula having played it many times and always enjoyed it. Although the rule book looks daunting this is a simpler affair but no less fun for that. Apart from the theme it could be easily played by youngies so maybe scotland yard which is quite similar could be substituted for this.

It’s a cracker of a game. It’s brain meltingly hard for the police who are constantly scanning for traces of jacks movements or where his hideout might be (he has to return there after each murder). I got to play Jack and I loved it, sneaking, backtracking, leading the police in the wrong direction, epic stuff.

The game is back in print with some minor tweaks (not to the rules) and it’s definitely one that will be replayed again and again, like say next thur

After my swift demise it was a revisit to Notre Dame

No not that Notre Dame, the other one

Notre Dame is pure worker placement. I liked it when I played it first and I like it a bit more. I did NOT like scoring 58 points and having Drax score 59. That aside it’s still a nice solid game, a little different and it certainly need a number of plays before you get the swing of how it works and more importantly what’s going to come up. Like Whitechapel this one will definitely make a reappearance , losing by 1 point aside it’s a very interesting game, theme works and it’s the right length of time to play. I like it, not as much as Whitechapel but I still like it

More of this sort of thing next thur I say

Huzzah!

Vic

July 19, 2013 0

Outdoor Thur – Thur – Being a Drax Reporte

Since there’s no sign of the wasps it seemed appropriate to play HIVE

Hive is very neat little chess like game, but with fewer pieces and fairly simple rules. It’s also very portable and robust. Perfect little game for a caravan or tent (although these are not essential), great one to bring on holidays out foreign and sit out on your balcony with along with a drink and bad light

The theme is very well done, it’s all about a swarm of insects trying to surround each others queen whilst protecting their own. So capture the flag with insects. Recommend it, it’s also cheap.

Next up was a favourite of mine since I borrowed it and didn’t return it

Dragonheart

This is very much Rock/Scissors/Lizard/Spock/Paper type game. It’s two player, fast moving and surprisingly good. you fill various spots on the board with your cards grabbing points, but also setting up the next player to grab the cards you just placed. It’s simple, fast and I sometimes win.

next up as old favourite

CATAN

One of our gamers had never played it. What never played it? seriously? never played catan? Despite asking this a number of times it turns out he had still not played it in the past so there was nothing for it but to the catan box and play a game of it. he won as it turned out…. ah well

Catan is a great little game, it was a great game when it came out a decade back and it remains good in person on the smart phone (although that cheats), online. it’s just a simple neat game and it’s one you really should play if you haven’t like john. what you’ve NEVER played it? never? ah come on….

More of that next thur

Huzzah!

Vic

July 13, 2013 0

Winning Legend Thur – Being a Drax Report

It’s a rare thing for me to win a game let alone ALL the games in a night. Some people may claim a mistake in the rules but we all played by it and haters have got to hate 🙂 But I digress

First up was

Sultan

I swapped, well let’s be honest I pawned off a game of mine (silk road) for this and letter of Marque. Never trust a gamer. Doubly so if you think you’re getting two for one. Sultan is a simple bidding game where you attempt to score points for bidding with a limited set of ‘coins’ for various valued gems. get sets of them and they become worth more. it’s a plain and simple filler game. it’s quick and if you can be bothered card counting you have an advantage. BORING. it may never see the table again. oh If I’m swapping it to you, it’s a GREAT game, well worth swapping something for 🙂

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/31612/sultan

Next up was

Lords of Waterdeep.

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/110327/lords-of-waterdeep

Lords of Waterdeep is a VERY good game. Having played it a half dozen times I’m eager to play it again. For some reason the gods (one of the one that probably likes me) gave me good luck in this one and I was able to sneak ahead and stay there pretty much to the end. Usually I lose this game so I think I took the group by surprise by sneaking ahead and they probably thought it was a fluke. it wasn’t 🙂

Great game, I’ve spoken about it a before

https://mrtimewalk.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/bcon-lite-thur/

Get this game it’s a winner.

Finally we decided to have a crack at

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/25554/notre-dame

I had read the rules carefully for this so we had no idea how to play it and having handed the rules over to Drax and put on more coffee we shakily made our way into the game. Notre Dame is a worker placement game in the classic euro sense. You attempt to gain as much influence as possible (score) through a variety of methods. Placing workers in your boroughs and hiring professionals to assist you (sets of which change round by round). The big negative is rats (the plague) which you have to control before they overun and reduce your influence. It’s a lovely little game

Card Counting – YES

Worker Placement – YES

Rats – YES

All those who took part (and lost to me) were eager for more of the same (apart from the losing to me bit), never a bad sign

so I reckon next thur we’ll be visiting notre dame. Practically no quasimodo jokes were harmed in the playing of the game

Huzzah

Vic

July 5, 2013 0

a bit of THIS thur night

Have been thinking about a second tag line for Knavecon and I kinda like “Meet as strangers, leave as enemies” but I digress

It’s thur night so it’s gaming and thanks to a very nice fathers days present of Bloodbowl Team Manager we may well have ‘a bit a that’ tonight.

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/90137/blood-bowl-team-manager-the-card-game

Now I must admit that I owned a copy of this before but due to my voracious game swapping addiction it got swapped out for something else (possibly some magic beans) and never got past a game or two. I was nonplussed about it which was a pity because I LOVE Bloodbowl proper (waits for comment about how I should learn to play it properly so) and it’s Fantasy Flight.

I really don’t think I gave this game a proper chance and coupled with the fact that there’s an expansion out now I think it would be churlish of me not to welcome it back into my heart.

So lets gird our loins and Play Ball !

Vic

June 20, 2013 5

Skull & Roses – Live at Conclave

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/92415/skull-roses

Go get a stack of beermats… got them? OK now split them into sets of four and put an X on every fourth one. Well done, you now own a copy of Skull and roses, possibly the easiest game on earth to play (this side of Knifey spooney) but no less good for that.

Skull and roses is the essence of poker.. with beermats. It’s a bluffing game and it never fails to entertain, usually with boisterous shouts. Conclave was no different. so when we got a game running a small crowd started to gather to shout encouragement and laugh at those who lost a round.

I love Skull and Roses and I love introducing people to it. People pick it up after a round or two, it’s quick, it portable.

Each round you place down (secretly) either a skull or a rose (in your case a beermat with an X or not) and you then bid for how many roses you can turn over (starting with your own) without encountering a skull. encounter a skull in your turning and you lose the round and a card. rinse and repeat until someone has completed they’re bid (challenge) twice or everyone but you has lost their cards

Clean and Simple and a great filler especially with a good sized group.

Huzzah!

Vic

June 17, 2013 0

Conclave

I was very kindly invited to demo some boardgames at Conclave and promote Knavecon in September thanks to Gary of the Gathering in Limerick.

Conclave is the Gatherings annual games convention and it features a fine selection of gaming systems (Warhammer, Battletech, dreadball and a variety of other tabletop games). I hadn’t been in a few years and I have to say the con has gone from strength to strength. there were well over 200 attendees and a fine selection of support from game shops and companies. Conclave has grown year on year and is now very well respected as one of the best games cons in the country. The choice of Thomand Park as the venue was inspired

I got to meet, game and chat with a fine selection of gamers. A big shout out to those who dropped by to say hello and join me a few games. Skull and Roses was a huge hit 🙂