OO Boardgamers, what did you play this weekend?

[hepcat]

My suggestion?

Avoid Last Night on Earth stuff and go with Conquest of the Planet Earth from the same company. A much better game, in my opinion.

BLASPHEMER!!!!!

I just grew tired of LNoE after about a half dozen plays. Like Betrayal at House on the Hill, it didn't seem that exploration and fighting paid off that much. That being said, I haven't tried the new expansion and they may very well have addressed my issues with the game. I'll have to give it a go sometime.

Conquest of Planet Earth and the Apocalypse expansion are just such silly fun that I'm always surprised it's from the same company. I do love that one.

[RMC]

I think I am going to get Spartacus and the expansion next. A game of back stabbing goodness for six, sound like fun.

My group likes to play nice for a round, maybe two then it's all out revenge for imagined slights... So a game with the mechanic built in sounds like great fun...

[baelthazar]

My suggestion?

Avoid Last Night on Earth stuff and go with Conquest of the Planet Earth from the same company. A much better game, in my opinion.

BLASPHEMER!!!!!

I just grew tired of LNoE after about a half dozen plays. Like Betrayal at House on the Hill, it didn't seem that exploration and fighting paid off that much. That being said, I haven't tried the new expansion and they may very well have addressed my issues with the game. I'll have to give it a go sometime.

Conquest of Planet Earth and the Apocalypse expansion are just such silly fun that I'm always surprised it's from the same company. I do love that one.

I am really excited about Flying Frog's new KS project for Shadows of Brimstone, a co-op dungeon crawl set in a weird wild Lovecraftian west.

Total side note, apparently there were flash floods in Austin, TX and we got a Kickstarter message from the Ogre Deluxe people that board game and RPG luminary Steve Jackson got his house destroyed. I'm currently waiting on my copy (as are thousands of backers) and I feel very bad for him and know it must be a tough time.

[hepcat]

I hadn't heard of the Shadows of Brimstone KS. That looks sweet. I just can't justify going in at 150 bucks for both cores and the stretch items (75 level doesn't get any stretch goal items).

[Holman]

I'm finishing up a game of War of the Ring with my 9-year-old. I'm jealous; at that age I only had Risk and Stratego.

[hentzau]

Was just in at half priced book and they had 3 copies of the Star Trek: The Original Series Deck Building Game for $15. Still in shrinkwrap. If I knew a good home to send them to, I would.

(And now that I look at it, that's close to the price that Amazon is asking...that game is a steal at that price.)

[Smoove_B]

Played another 4-player Spartacus last night, and it continues to deliver the goods. Case in point - my opening hand I was dealt what might possibly be my new favorite card - "Accept Deeper Ramming". This allows you to further reduce influence of a player by another (-1) after they are the target of a scheme where they lose influence. I held on to the card the entire game and played it three hours into the match because it felt awesome.

Trent was not amused.

We also had to make a run to the Internets when we had a Net going up against a gladiator that ALWAYS wins initiative. Well, as it turns out, he ALWAYS does...unless the opponent uses a net. Then, not so much.

Regardless, still a great game. I have to believe 6 players with the expansion is total insanity.

[hepcat]

Was just in at half priced book and they had 3 copies of the Star Trek: The Original Series Deck Building Game for $15. Still in shrinkwrap. If I knew a good home to send them to, I would.

(And now that I look at it, that's close to the price that Amazon is asking...that game is a steal at that price.)

They were selling them for 10 bucks at Gencon at coolstuff's booth. I picked up a few copies for christmas stocking stuffers.

[RMC]

Played another 4-player Spartacus last night, and it continues to deliver the goods. Case in point - my opening hand I was dealt what might possibly be my new favorite card - "Accept Deeper Ramming". This allows you to further reduce influence of a player by another (-1) after they are the target of a scheme where they lose influence. I held on to the card the entire game and played it three hours into the match because it felt awesome.

Trent was not amused.

We also had to make a run to the Internets when we had a Net going up against a gladiator that ALWAYS wins initiative. Well, as it turns out, he ALWAYS does...unless the opponent uses a net. Then, not so much.

Regardless, still a great game. I have to believe 6 players with the expansion is total insanity.

Damn, now I guess I will just have to pull the trigger on this one now.

[Smoove_B]

It really is great when you're playing with people that have watched the show as it really just elevates the entire theme. I never in a million years would have thought a board game based on a TV series could be worthwhile, but this game really is fantastic.

[baelthazar]

Really... We are going to let "accept deeper ramming," in a gladiator game no less, fly by with no comment?

I got a package yesterday. Very much hoping it is Ogre. If so, I will post some pics.

[Trent Steel]

Played another 4-player Spartacus last night, and it continues to deliver the goods. Case in point - my opening hand I was dealt what might possibly be my new favorite card - "Accept Deeper Ramming". This allows you to further reduce influence of a player by another (-1) after they are the target of a scheme where they lose influence. I held on to the card the entire game and played it three hours into the match because it felt awesome.

Trent was not amused.

We also had to make a run to the Internets when we had a Net going up against a gladiator that ALWAYS wins initiative. Well, as it turns out, he ALWAYS does...unless the opponent uses a net. Then, not so much.

I can accept "Accept Deeper Ramming" because that's the way the game goes sometimes. However, I cannot accept changing the meaning of ALWAYS to alter the gameplay. As a wise man once said, "Always Be Closing." He did not say, "Always Be Closing... except when dealing with a net."

I have completed three sessions of the Spartacus board game and I have been furious each time at the end. It is a superb game.

[Zarathud]

I'm pretty sure one of the cards is called Jupiter's Cock.

[baelthazar]

I'm pretty sure one of the cards is called Jupiter's Cock.

See, I've been trying to think what "accept deeper ramming" means in the context of the game, but I just don't have any clue... other than the obvious.

[Boudreaux]

I'm pretty sure one of the cards is called Jupiter's Cock.

See, I've been trying to think what "accept deeper ramming" means in the context of the game, but I just don't have any clue... other than the obvious.

It's metaphorical, but it means exactly what you think it means. Another card is titled "Spread Cheeks Wide...".

[baelthazar]

I'm pretty sure one of the cards is called Jupiter's Cock.

See, I've been trying to think what "accept deeper ramming" means in the context of the game, but I just don't have any clue... other than the obvious.

It's metaphorical, but it means exactly what you think it means. Another card is titled "Spread Cheeks Wide...".

Exactly what kind of game IS this?!

[IceBear]

You need to have watched the TV Show to get a sense of some of those phrases. If you haven't and you like gratuitous blood, violence and sex set in the time of Roman gladitorial battles, by Jupiter's cock!!! watch it now

[RMC]

You need to have watched the TV Show to get a sense of some of those phrases. If you haven't and you like gratuitous blood, violence and sex set in the time of Roman gladitorial battles, by Jupiter's cock!!! watch it now

Lucy Lawless was in that series, right?

[IceBear]

She was in the first two seasons I think (I missed the last couple (?))

[coopasonic]

Finally played YINSH with my son (7). He picked it up pretty quickly. Not quickly enough to beat dad, but I was impressed with his ability to work out effective moves. He then beat me at King of Tokyo.

I played the tutorial scenario of Zombicide Season 2 (Prison Outbreak) and, unbelievably, I lost... the tutorial. By way of explanation for the loss, I did kill THREE abominations. Kirk (Steven Seagal) + Chainsaw = Abomination Puree. Extra activation card for runner led to 8 attacks and 6 wounds. That was immediately followed by an extra activation for fatties which was a kill shot for a character. The berserkers definitely made a tactical difference. I am a little afraid of playing with the Toxic zombies now. I also learned that the fixx boxes are a very organized way of storing the mins, but a somewhat painful way of accessing them in the course of the game. I was pulling zombies out of 4 different boxes (1 for walkers, 1 for runners, 1 for fatties and aboms and 1 for berserkers). Another box full of survivors was only needed at the start obviously and I could swear there was a 6th box, but I could be wrong on that.

[YellowKing]

A buddy of mine surprised me with Lords of Waterdeep as an early birthday present, a game that has been in my wish list for about a year now.

We were able to play a four player match tonight (all of us total n00bs). I'm happy to say that everyone really enjoyed it. While we didn't make any rules errors (to my knowledge), we definitely all made some strategic errors that we plan to correct next time.

My buddy who bought me the game was the big winner, primarily because he drew the builder as his lord and nobody figured out that we should stop him from, you know, building things until the third or fourth round. The guy in second came closest to winning by focusing on pure quest volume, but ultimately fell just short. I came in dead last thanks to my obsession with completing big point quests vs knocking out a bunch of more manageable ones. I got screwed over a couple of times at key moments which prevented me from completing those big quests and thus putting me further behind.

At any rate, really love the simplicity of the game rules and the fast gameplay couple with the strategic depth. I know it's viewed as rather simple in terms of worker placement games, but as an introduction to that style it was a big bit with our group.

[Update] This morning I was telling my wife about the game and uttered the following statement:

"I think you'd really like this game, babe. It's about backstabbing people."

[Boudreaux]

Had a game day with some friends of ours, and I got to play a few games I haven't touched in quite awhile. First up was Hanabi, which went over really well with a group that was open to games, but probably not big gamers. Everyone caught on pretty quickly, and there were a lot of "wow, this is really challenging" comments, but in a good way.

After that we broke out Alhambra, which I haven't played in years. My wife managed to come in second, far ahead of my distant third place, so naturally she really enjoyed the game. After that was 7 Wonders, which helped remind me how great this game is for almost any size group. I'm really intrigued again by the Leaders and Cities expansions, although I still don't know if I play the game enough to warrant expansions.

Rounded out the evening with a game of Rise of Augustus. I figured it would go over pretty well with this group - they were definitely in the lighter/Euro camp. Everyone enjoyed it, and one of the guys in the game figured out the options to chain objective cards and cruised to a crushing victory over the rest of us.

On our own, my wife and I pulled out Thebes last night over a few drinks and had a great time. We're going to make a concerted effort to put our games in "rotations" and try to pull out games we haven't played in awhile. I'm also nursing a renewed interest in both 2-player games and lighter Euro games. My kids have skewed heavily in the more adventure/conflict direction, which I enjoy, but there is definitely fun to be had with the shorter family games. I need to broaden their horizons a bit.

[coopasonic]

Got Pathfinder Card Game out to try to restart Seoni after her death weeks ago. Valeros died to a trapped chest. /sigh The good news is I have Amiri "leveled" beyond where Valeros was, but I really wanted to get Valeros caught up because I think he might be stronger.

Played Dominion for the first time after owning it for years. Yup, it's a deckbuilder. Played against my 7 year old, final score was something like 49 to 10. Yeah, he didn't get it.

Played Castellan for the first time as well. The 7 year old really seemed to like it, but again he didn't really get the strategy. More plays may help with that.

BGGcon next is only 9 days away!

[Zarathud]

I came in on an epic coop game of Mage Knight and substituted for someone who had to leave. Played the last two days of the game where we took the castle the bad guy was planning to storm. We survived but were pretty beaten up and had to let the outer gates get sacked for a turn so we could build our hands back up.

Also played my fourth game of Innovation. It's definitely a weird one that you'll either hate or love because of the insane combos. One player had a sweet scoring combo and stayed in the stone age making objectives so that the rest of us couldn't hurt him too bad. I was only one Agriculture away from making him start returning scoring cards. If I could have only found a discovery that let me splay my cards in any direction, I could have uncovered the Agriculture I needed earlier.

[Zarathud]

[Update] This morning I was telling my wife about the game and uttered the following statement:

"I think you'd really like this game, babe. It's about backstabbing people."

We usually explain Lords of Waterdeep as being all about going to town so you can buy some men. Then you all get to go on an "adventure" and "score."

[Montag]

I have Terra Mystica now and got a couple of 2 player games in over the weekend. Definitely a lot going on and the analysis paralysis could set it. It was fun with 2, but I can clearly see that it will be better with more players. The game design and pieces are beautiful.

[Boudreaux]

Also played my fourth game of Innovation. It's definitely a weird one that you'll either hate or love because of the insane combos. One player had a sweet scoring combo and stayed in the stone age making objectives so that the rest of us couldn't hurt him too bad. I was only one Agriculture away from making him start returning scoring cards. If I could have only found a discovery that let me splay my cards in any direction, I could have uncovered the Agriculture I needed earlier.

I adore Innovation. The two expansions (Echoes of the Past and Figures in the Sand) go a long way toward making the super-powered card combos that destroy your opponents harder to pull off. Or at least offer opponents more ways to mitigate those combos. I'd almost say that adding the two expansions is better than just Echoes of the Past, as it has a pretty complex setup that I think Figures fixed to a large degree.

[hepcat]

Started a game of Mage Knight with the new Krang character on Sunday morning. Made it about halfway through a full conquest before taking a break. I'll probably play throughout the week. But where it stood when I quit yesterday doesn't give me much hope for a win. I got stuck during a night round with very few move cards and a bunch of wound cards I'd taken when I risked a Maze for the artifact reward.

Healing is very, very important in this game.

[Isgrimnur]

My sister was in town. We played Last Night on Earth with the Defend the Manor House scenario. I played the zombies against her and my fiance as the players. With the judicious use of a fire exntinguisher to clear most of the house and a barricade card to keep me out later, they managed to run out the clock on me, but ot before I dropped three of the four characters. Billy, the Sherrif, and Jake all ate it while the Padre was still kicking it around on the perimeter.

We then followed that with Bohnanza, the best game about planting beans that you'll ever play. She liked it so much that she took it with her to my folks, where she's spending the rest of the week. I won't be able to retrieve it until Thanksgiving, but I believe that both DGM and BGG have copies that I can coerce people into playing as the mass gameathon kicks off over the next two weeks.

[coopasonic]

I finally made the decision to sell some of the games that aren't working for me. I already have 12 sold for BGGCon delivery and 11 more listed. I'm trying to decide what else I might list, basically if looking at the box doesn't make me smile, it's being considered.

24 games sold for $1187 (the average is skewed a bit by my heroscape collection, which accounts for more than half that amount). I have 8 more listed. My wife is very happy at the reduction. 15 of the 24 I'd never played.

[Ertic]

Got in another play of LNOE; Timber Peak, and also Fortune & Glory.

LNOE was played with five players, and went down to the last combat round of the introductory scenario. The zombie player managed to beat out the survivors by forcing them to re roll their last combat die; resulting in defeat.

F&G was a six player game, and our first time running through it. I decided to not play competitively, and chose the co-op route vs the mob. The group enjoyed the game for the first couple of hours, but then game fatigue set in. I believe that cutting down the amount of glory needed/Mob turns would help speed this up, or activating the Mob every 3rd player would do the trick. Next play will be competitive as it appears that most of the cards are set up for this very thing.

[EzeKieL]

My birthday is coming up so I decided to buy myself a (rather large) gift ;_;

I think I went a bit overboard .

I ordered:

The Pillars of the Earth
Seasons: Enchanted Kingdom Expansion
Libertalia
Lords of Waterdeep
Lords of Waterdeep: Scoundrels of Skullport
Mage Knight Board Game
Mage Knight Board Game: The Lost Legion
The Adventurers: The Temple of Chac

Can't wait for them though ^^

I also bought Sid Meier's Civilization last week, going to try it today!

MK and LoW I used to have before I moved, so yeah I already know what they play like (except for the expansions)

[RMC]

Started a game of Mage Knight with the new Krang character on Sunday morning. Made it about halfway through a full conquest before taking a break. I'll probably play throughout the week. But where it stood when I quit yesterday doesn't give me much hope for a win. I got stuck during a night round with very few move cards and a bunch of wound cards I'd taken when I risked a Maze for the artifact reward.

Healing is very, very important in this game.

How is the game going? I have the base and expansion set, but have not played with the expansion at all yet.

Also, when is the annual Hepcat Ohio games day next month? I want to mark my calendar and tell my wife I am going to spend the day(and night, and next morning, as I got home at like 3 am last year) with my favorite internet friends.

[MythicalMino]

My order of the Force Tokens from TeamCovenant arrived today (link: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/video/3040 ... into-focus" target="_blank)

They look very nice. They are for the Star Wars LCG. I got all that was released for Star Wars a couple of weeks ago. My son and I have been playing quite a bit, and both of us are loving the game. Another one of those games that I wonder why I waited so long to get. I am just glad I got in before too many Force Packs and expansions are released.

Chris

[YellowKing]

Finally beat Ghost Stories (aka the Cast Iron Bitch) on normal difficulty. Traditionally I've always played it with two players - playing with three last night made it much more doable. We also got pretty lucky - our haunters were spread throughout the deck, so we were able to manage them pretty effectively.

We used a three corner strategy in which each of us basically took ownership of keeping a corner clear, and this kept us alive until the Wu-Feng incarnation. When he popped he was a fairly easy three black, however none of us had black tokens. On a whim I said, "I got this."

It was like something out of a movie. I roll three dice... two of them show up black while the last is still bouncing....everyone freezes......then it lands...on......BLACK! We all jumped up screaming, running around the living room giving high fives. If there had been more people I have no doubt I would have been hoisted up on their shoulders and paraded around the house. Awesome ending to a fun night, and I can finally say I beat the cast iron bitch "for realz."

[MonkeyFinger]

I'm a sucker for solitaire wargames and just ordered a copy of VPG's Cruel Necessity. Anyone have any experience with it?

[hepcat]

How is the game going? I have the base and expansion set, but have not played with the expansion at all yet.

Also, when is the annual Hepcat Ohio games day next month? I want to mark my calendar and tell my wife I am going to spend the day(and night, and next morning, as I got home at like 3 am last year) with my favorite internet friends.

I'm still trying to win at a simple solo conquest, so I don't have much input on the Volkare expansion. However, I still love this game and consider it one of my "go to games" on a rainy day.

Still working out the logistics for the holiday gaming event. Having Christmas in the middle of the damn week screws up my planning a bit. I would like to do it on a Saturday, but that would mean being home for another 5 days after that and I'm not sure I can spare the time. I may just shoot for Sunday and move some work stuff around. I'll let you know as soon as I get it all sorted.

[hentzau]

Played a game of D&D Next with the family last night. We all had a blast. My kids dice were on fire, with criticals falling like rain (and my Dworks couldn't hit a thing.)

I think this is going to work for the kids a bit better than the Star Wars game. They seemed to get into it and enjoy it a lot more.

But it has me REALLY regretting not getting into the Dwarven Forge Kickstarter for the Dungeon Tiles. Even though we didn't do any real tactical combat displays. But it would be SWEET to have them.

[Blackhawk]

The kids and I played our first game of Forbidden Desert this afternoon. We lost badly, but that was to be expected as we're just getting our first looks at the new mechanics. It has a similar feel to Forbidden Island, but is different enough that burnout in one shouldn't affect the other. It is, however, a bit more complex (but it is still not a complicated game) than FI, and a bit harder. That's a good thing. Forbidden Island was a bit too easy most of the time - I think we've only lost two out of the last twenty games.

We also got in a game of Munchkin while huddled in the former in-laws' basement during the tornado warnings. I cleaned the kids' clocks, mostly due to a run of great cards.

[RMC]

How is the game going? I have the base and expansion set, but have not played with the expansion at all yet.

Also, when is the annual Hepcat Ohio games day next month? I want to mark my calendar and tell my wife I am going to spend the day(and night, and next morning, as I got home at like 3 am last year) with my favorite internet friends.

I'm still trying to win at a simple solo conquest, so I don't have much input on the Volkare expansion. However, I still love this game and consider it one of my "go to games" on a rainy day.

Still working out the logistics for the holiday gaming event. Having Christmas in the middle of the damn week screws up my planning a bit. I would like to do it on a Saturday, but that would mean being home for another 5 days after that and I'm not sure I can spare the time. I may just shoot for Sunday and move some work stuff around. I'll let you know as soon as I get it all sorted.

Great, either works for me. I am going to take Thursday and Friday off, I can add a Monday to it if I need to.