Octopus Overlords

Chaz wrote:I finally had the chance to sit down for a solo game of Crusoe to figure out what's going on. Playing as the Cook, I was SOO close. I was on round 11, was going to get the wood filled up, and should have been able to re-make fire that round for the win. How the hell my fire managed to wear out, I dunno, but there it was.

Then the gorilla that had been skulking around my camp that I forgot about popped up and hit my big fat cook for his last three points of health. Crap.

Hilarious goings on:
-a string of adventure cards popped out of the event deck all at once. Seriously, it was, like, five in a row. One card said everyone got diarrhea from eating berries. The next one said everyone was arguing with each other. Probably on edge because of the diarrhea.
-Friday found a treasure that turned out to be a cursed bowl. Stupid Friday. Fortunately, he manage to chuck it into the ocean or something before anything bad actually happened, so good for him?
-My cook completely blowing his build rolls for the furnace at least three times, and once for trying to increase weapon level to 4. Of course, that was the one that killed us.

I like this game.

Dammit. I've had some interest in this game for a while, but your blurb finally pushed me into "irrational feeling that I must own the game immediately in order to function." Even 2-day Amazon shipping seems too slow, so I must go out and get it tonight even though there's literally a monsoon outside, complete with hail, and every game store here closes early or entirely on Sunday.

What's funny is that I decided I wanted it around this time last year, but only managed to snag a copy at a reasonable price a week or ago. The benefit of waiting is that there are a bunch of extra scenarios. The King Kong one and the new Livingston one look pretty cool.

Don't forget to look into those clay tokens! It doesn't seem like it should, but it makes a huge difference when you're playing IMHO. I think it's a great game and it would be worth the price if it only came with the first scenario. Every game I've played has been a close call that could have gone any number of ways if not for certain cards or random die rolling. I'm a big fan.

Chaz wrote:Hilarious goings on:
-a string of adventure cards popped out of the event deck all at once. Seriously, it was, like, five in a row. One card said everyone got diarrhea from eating berries. The next one said everyone was arguing with each other. Probably on edge because of the diarrhea.
-Friday found a treasure that turned out to be a cursed bowl. Stupid Friday. Fortunately, he manage to chuck it into the ocean or something before anything bad actually happened, so good for him?
-My cook completely blowing his build rolls for the furnace at least three times, and once for trying to increase weapon level to 4. Of course, that was the one that killed us.

I like this game.

These kinds of stories are exactly what the designer was aiming for with this game. This is one of my favorite parts too, even if most of the stories revolve around all the amazingly horrible things that happen to you before you die.

coopasonic wrote:I showed up too late to get into the game, but I watched the second half of a game of Dead of Winter. They won and every player completed his secret objective, none of which were particularly exciting. It just didn't seem that interesting. They lost 3 survivors in one turn and nobody cared. It seems like that shouldn't happen in a survival game.

That's really unlikely. I've played 3 times, and watched 2 more games, and every time, exactly 1 player met their goal. I've been watching the games reported on BGG too, and haven't seen anything like that happen.

Smoove_B wrote:Don't forget to look into those clay tokens! It doesn't seem like it should, but it makes a huge difference when you're playing IMHO. I think it's a great game and it would be worth the price if it only came with the first scenario. Every game I've played has been a close call that could have gone any number of ways if not for certain cards or random die rolling. I'm a big fan.

What are these clay tokens you speak of? I'm interested.

Chrisoc13 wrote:

Smoove_B wrote:Don't forget to look into those clay tokens! It doesn't seem like it should, but it makes a huge difference when you're playing IMHO. I think it's a great game and it would be worth the price if it only came with the first scenario. Every game I've played has been a close call that could have gone any number of ways if not for certain cards or random die rolling. I'm a big fan.

What are these clay tokens you speak of? I'm interested.

This is all I could find:
http://hoboldsgrotte.blogspot.de/p/robi ... okens.html

39 euros is $52 US.

The full pimp kit would cost a lot more.

"A whole lot more" = $226.28, assuming one flat shipping fee. That's kickstarter money right there.

I'll have to ask my buddy, but it was only the clay tokens for resources (fur, food, etc...) not the forts or whatever else is in that link. It did come from overseas...and I want to say it was around $20.

SpaceLord wrote:

coopasonic wrote:I showed up too late to get into the game, but I watched the second half of a game of Dead of Winter. They won and every player completed his secret objective, none of which were particularly exciting. It just didn't seem that interesting. They lost 3 survivors in one turn and nobody cared. It seems like that shouldn't happen in a survival game.

That's really unlikely. I've played 3 times, and watched 2 more games, and every time, exactly 1 player met their goal. I've been watching the games reported on BGG too, and haven't seen anything like that happen.

The two I remember were hypochondriac (have two medicine) and loner (control one survivor). I can't remember what the other two players secret objective cards were.

Ok, the tokens were purchased off an Etsy page for $30 + $2 shipping. That link goes to a page with all the tokens, but he only purchased the basic resources and food.

Those look super cool, but I feel like it might be more fun to get some sculpy and take a stab at making them myself.

Yeah, I suppose with time, skill and patience they'd be easy enough to make. He justified the purchase after reading she was a military wife on deployment with her husband and child. Either way, I can say they do make a difference in game play - at least they did for us. Not a big fan of plain wood blocks. Must be my strong Ameritrash preferences.

I'm pretty much with you. The game is mostly really thematic, and then you go grabbing a white cube for a piece of fur, and yellow but NOT OTHER YELLOW for regular food, and it's kind of a let down.

I'd spend 100% of my time making elaborate wood piles with the tiny clay logs though. I'd have to see how my wife feels about the game before I even broach the subject of paying $30 to pimp it out. She doesn't always love this kind of "everything is terrible all the time, and we're probably gonna die" game. Especially because I get a kick out of terrible things happening and laugh maniacally whenever something really awful happens.

Chaz wrote:She doesn't always love this kind of "everything is terrible all the time, and we're probably gonna die" game. Especially because I get a kick out of terrible things happening and laugh maniacally whenever something really awful happens.

It's not THAT bad. Once in a while something goes right and you get your hopes up... then you know you are in for it.

Yup. It's like when you make that ONE shot in golf that makes you think you can play...and you spend the rest of the game trying to do it again. I didn't realize people felt strongly over it, but when we have an adventure card with a potential unknown future impact (one that is cycled back into the event deck) we never read it ahead of time. I always thought that was part of the fun - similar to Eldritch Horror when you "flip the card" to resolve the effects. Will it be bad? Most likely - but you never know...

Also, in the area of unexpected success. I was browsing the game shelf looking for something to play with X(8) - hey everyone else has a cute way of referring to their kids, I'm now setting the standard of "First Initial(Age)", it helps that my kids are X and Z so it looks cool - and my eyes ran across the box for Mr. Jack with the age recommendation of 9+.

As I told him what it was about it changed from Jack the Ripper to Jack the Tickler. The first game I played as Jack and he caught me on the last night. I gave him a few tips through the game to help him understand the strategy and a few times I asked him what character would be best for this or that or could make the biggest change between visible and invisible and he was clearly getting it. We switched sides to play again and he made a couple of mistakes as Jack that were difficult for me to catch ahead of time, but he definitely got the game and with some practice I think he could be pretty competitive.

Oh and saturday after watching Dead of Winter I played a 5 player game of Spartacus. We were pressed for time so we played a short game (starting at 7 influence). The short game really takes some of the fun out of the game. I never even got into the arena. There was some king-making which is pretty unavoidable in Spartacus. Nonetheless, I had fun.

Smoove_B wrote:Yup. It's like when you make that ONE shot in golf that makes you think you can play...and you spend the rest of the game trying to do it again. I didn't realize people felt strongly over it, but when we have an adventure card with a potential unknown future impact (one that is cycled back into the event deck) we never read it ahead of time. I always thought that was part of the fun - similar to Eldritch Horror when you "flip the card" to resolve the effects. Will it be bad? Most likely - but you never know...

People feel strongly about reading the bottom, or not reading the bottom? I read it, but my memory sucks, so I never remember it. I should probably just not read it. I never trust the cards that are less bad. Like "take an explore action on this card and draw two treasure cards." "Yeah, right," I say, "and THEN what?" Of course, when I did it, the second treasure card wound up being a curse. Figures.

Chaz wrote:People feel strongly about reading the bottom, or not reading the bottom?

Yes - there was a whole thread I was reading on BGG about it. The argument is that because there is something that will happen, you should know about it before you agree to the short-term boon. I think it just adds more information to an already complicated equation for what you think you should be doing each turn. Plus, I also like the surprise (even though you more or less can guess what will happen). But I guess for people that despise randomness or unknown variables, reading those future impacts is required.

Smoove_B wrote:

Chaz wrote:People feel strongly about reading the bottom, or not reading the bottom?

Yes - there was a whole thread I was reading on BGG about it. The argument is that because there is something that will happen, you should know about it before you agree to the short-term boon. I think it just adds more information to an already complicated equation for what you think you should be doing each turn. Plus, I also like the surprise (even though you more or less can guess what will happen). But I guess for people that despise randomness or unknown variables, reading those future impacts is required.

It doesn't shock me that there was a long argument about this at BGG. That's pretty much why I avoid that place like the plague. The vast majority of the regular posters over there are the kind of gamers that I try to avoid at all costs.

wonderpug wrote: Dammit. I've had some interest in this game for a while, but your blurb finally pushed me into "irrational feeling that I must own the game immediately in order to function." Even 2-day Amazon shipping seems too slow, so I must go out and get it tonight even though there's literally a monsoon outside, complete with hail, and every game store here closes early or entirely on Sunday.

WP,

I have a copy if you want to give it a run before running out and getting it yourself.

I do know Twin Suns had it in stock a couple weeks back, but everything there is always right @ MSRP

Ertic wrote:

wonderpug wrote: Dammit. I've had some interest in this game for a while, but your blurb finally pushed me into "irrational feeling that I must own the game immediately in order to function." Even 2-day Amazon shipping seems too slow, so I must go out and get it tonight even though there's literally a monsoon outside, complete with hail, and every game store here closes early or entirely on Sunday.

WP,

I have a copy if you want to give it a run before running out and getting it yourself.

I do know Twin Suns had it in stock a couple weeks back, but everything there is always right @ MSRP

Has your gang liked playing it? I'm probably just going to splurge and buy my own copy since it looks like something the wife could be interested in -- she loved watching Lost and this sounds like it could tickle the same fancy -- but yeah, playing it first certainly sounds more prudent.

I brought Defenders of the Realm last week but that didn't seem to appeal to them as much as it appeals to you. They did take a strong interest in Takenoko, so I'll be sure to also bring that next time I make it out.

I received my copy of 'Dead of Winter' on Friday, and got a run through on Saturday.

We played the suggested starter setup 'Collect More Samples' with four players. We had to collect a total of 12 samples to win the main objective, plus we each had our secret objective to meet. The game plays a lot like like BSG, where you draw a crisis each turn. Players can opt to contribute items to meet said objective, or if they are a 'traitor' can toss in cards to thwart the objective. There are other items to consider, such as keeping the colony fed, cleaning up waste, and of course fighting off zombies.

A new mechanic are Crossroad cards which provide a potential situation for a player or the team to tackle. These are drawn each time a player turn begins, and is triggered if a certain criteria is met. This seems to happen about 50% of the time, and add a lot of flavor to the game. I believe there are 80 of these cards, so the re playability factor should be there for some time.

There are quite a few characters to chose from, and each has a unique ability they can utilize. I played with the Soldier, who could kill two zombies at the colony without being exposed, and the Truck Driver, who could move without being exposed. One of the guys playing got stuck with a Wino Mall Santa, who had horrific stats, but ended up being a zombie killing machine. A crossroads card was drawn for the Mall Santa resulting in drunken bell ringing, which of course attracted zombies.

In the end we defeated the main objective, but none of us were able to meet our unique secret objective; so we all lost.

Still a fun game, and I look forward to getting it to the table again to see how another play thru goes.

Look, I'm enabling! Fan-made Lost scenario for Crusoe! http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1098989 ... -tv-series

wonderpug wrote: Has your gang liked playing it? I'm probably just going to splurge and buy my own copy since it looks like something the wife could be interested in -- she loved watching Lost and this sounds like it could tickle the same fancy -- but yeah, playing it first certainly sounds more prudent.

I brought Defenders of the Realm last week but that didn't seem to appeal to them as much as it appeals to you. They did take a strong interest in Takenoko, so I'll be sure to also bring that next time I make it out.

Yea, everyone I have played it with has enjoyed it. I have played through the first scenario five times; going 2-3, and I believe I have only played the second scenario once, which we lost.

There is a Vassal module out as well that will give you a feel for how the game plays. I have ran through it via Vassal a couple times as well to see how it plays solo, but I am not much of a solo board gamer; I have video games for that

Dead of Winter showed up at my house Friday afternoon, thanks to my pre-order from the Plaid Hat website. I met 3 friends that night for a learning game.

We played the suggested first scenario, who requires that you collect several “samples”, meaning that for each zombie you kill, you have a 50% chance of gathering a sample.

To try out the Betrayal mechanic, I shuffled 3 normal objectives with a random Betrayal. For my hubris, I was dealt the Betrayal, which required that I reduce morale to 0, while having more living Surviviors than any other player.

On my first move away from the colony, I rolled the dreaded 1-in-12 Bite result on the Exposure die, and was down to 1 Survivor. Quickly, though, I found another Survivor at the Police Station, and eventually found another.

However, the other 3 players had “auto-kill” characters for certain sites: One player had the “Mother”, who can kill two zombies at the Colony when there is at least 1 helpless Survivor there. We called her the Mother of Rage. Another player had the chemist, who can turn medicine into bombs, and looks suspiciously like Walter White. We killed hordes of zombies very fast: too fast for my liking.

At the end of the 3rd turn, we met the requirements for samples, but I was only able to reduce the Morale to 2. I should have sabotaged the Crisis result by turn 2. One of the players met his objective, and both of the other players were 1 card short.

Some of the great things about DoW:

It’s half as long as BSG, but, to me, is vastly more interesting: Each player has a secret. Even with no guarantee of Betrayers, this secret goal means that, occasionally, everyone needs to push things a bit: making a lot of noise while searching, not contributing to a Crisis because they need to save cards, etc.

The Crossroads mechanic is brilliant: In my 2nd game yesterday, we’d been cruising along, looking like we will just meet the sample requirement, when, on his last turn, the Betrayer, using the Ninja, found a gas tanker truck, and drove it to the Colony, attracting just enough zombies for Entrance #3 to be overrun, causing Morale to drop to 0. There’s already 50+ fan-made Crossroads cards on BGG.

Every Survivor card is good, and has a very cool, and often thematic ability. My favorite is the Fortune Teller: Once per turn, look at the next two Crisis cards. You may say exactly two words to the rest of the players about these cards.

The Crisis cards are also great: There’s only so much medicine, food, etc. at the remote locations. It’s also very cool that all the contributed Crisis cards go into the waste pile: being afraid of the Betrayer planting bad cards, and throwing more stuff into the Crisis means that you’ve made his job easier when your trash piles up.

I hear, however, that the recommended starting scenario card is actually less interesting than the others. We’ll see.

DoW is definitely one of my favorite games of this year so far.

I got my game all punched out and ready for a game tonight, but one of my players had to drop out, so I won't be getting it on the table.

First:

coopasonic wrote:I have Sherlock Holmes on the way, held up by the Shadowrun preorder, so maybe September.

Then:

coopasonic wrote:I am a Lordnine, but I am hoping to become a LordMortis.

I made the first step yesterday cancelling two outstanding CSI orders. Then I cancelled a KS pledge.

Then I watch the SU&SD review of Sherlock Holmes and decide I MUST have it.

Apparently I wasn't the only one to come to the same conclusion.

It is sold out everywhere I can think to look.

coopasonic wrote:Then I watch the SU&SD review of Sherlock Holmes and decide I MUST have it.

Apparently I wasn't the only one to come to the same conclusion.

It is sold out everywhere I can think to look.

Good! Maybe the French publisher will finally get around to translating the expansions into English.

Looks up Sherlock Holmes...

"I am the Deputy!"

Looks like a fun party game.

I almost ordered Galaxy Defenders last week, but backed out when the elite army expansion was sold out. I would have had to have ordered more to get free shipping.

I may have to break my fortress of solitude to do some gaming days. I think AAGG cancelled Thursday. That makes me sad.

Edit, went to BGG and the 1981 game was the first one I found. I assumed that couldn't the game so I went on and assumed you were talking about the 2014 card game that is just now being released in the US.

LordMortis wrote: I almost ordered Galaxy Defenders last week, but backed out when the elite army expansion was sold out. I would have had to have ordered more to get free shipping.

No need for the elite army expansion; the game is hard enough as it is!

I think that SU&SD review is the first time I've already owned a game they reviewed, though I only got it a few weeks ago. That's a refreshing feeling. Good timing too, that my mom-in-law grabbed a copy before the SU&SD effect kicked in and they all got bought.

Chaz wrote:I think that SU&SD review is the first time I've already owned a game they reviewed, though I only got it a few weeks ago. That's a refreshing feeling. Good timing too, that my mom-in-law grabbed a copy before the SU&SD effect kicked in and they all got bought.

Let me know when you are done with it.

The game has been in and out of print for 3 decades. I guess I can wait.

I'm kind of betting that the online stores will restock pretty soon. I doubt that this one was a big seller, so they probably only kept a few on hand, and there's likely more at the distributors.

I'd say I'll send it to you when we're done, but with how rarely we actually wind up playing games, it could be another 30 years before we get through all 10 cases in the box.

It will be a solo game for me or with my wife if I can get her interested... she watched cop dramas with me (before we got tired of them all), so maybe. I'll be knocking it out pretty quick one way or the other.

LordMortis wrote:I almost ordered Galaxy Defenders last week, but backed out when the elite army expansion was sold out. I would have had to have ordered more to get free shipping.

Picked up Galaxy Defenders last week. Free shipping. But I had to pay tax and gas/time to go collect it from the warehouse.

Didn't try it this weekend, but I might break it out tonight. Don't know anything about the expansion. Looks like they have it in stock. Is it a must? Or can I play the core game for a while before adding the expansion?

coopasonic wrote:

LordMortis wrote: I almost ordered Galaxy Defenders last week, but backed out when the elite army expansion was sold out. I would have had to have ordered more to get free shipping.

No need for the elite army expansion; the game is hard enough as it is!

Asked and answered. Thanks, Coop! Guess I should have read down a bit farther before posting.

I'm a broken personality. I'll go nuts if I buy the game and can't get the expansion or have to order it separately and pay an arm and a leg for it.

In case you haven't noticed, I have few... um, shall we say, quirks.

I didn't get the expansion, but my understanding is it can be used to make the given scenarios suck more (harder). It's not the traditional sort of expansion.

This is the rulebook included with the expansion:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/file/downl ... _Rules.pdf

In my opinion you really don't need it, or based on my experience with the first two scenarios, even want it. This is not a game that needs to be MORE difficult.

Played our third game of Terra Mystica this weekend. This seems like a game that definitely gets more interesting the more people understand the mechanics. This time around three of the five players were within 3 VP’s of each other for pretty much the entire game. In the last round I managed to pull away from the pack by using my dwarf tunneling ability to spread straight across the map by bypassing all the terrain types that I couldn’t immediately build on.

In the end, the Dwarves came in first, largely in thanks to having the largest area. The Darklings pulled in a surprise second because of their ridiculous religion grab at the end of the game. The Swamlings held a respectable third with the Nomads and Witches lagging way behind to tie for last place.