**Note: Although I own Colosseum, Galaxy Trucker, The Red Dragon Inn, and Cranium Tune Twister I have yet to play them. I have read the rules and I think that a couple of them might be some of my favorite games from last year, but I refuse to include those until I've played them.**
Blott's Personal 2007 Year in Review
Best Kids Game = Step To It - this silly light-hearted game is great in that it is simple to learn and gets the whole family up and moving around. Encouraging exercise through the use of a board game is spectacular.
Best Components/Artwork = Galaxy Trucker - Although I haven't played it yet, I have seen all the components. I really like the art in this game. It is fun silly sci-fi, and the humor sprinkled throughout the rulebook is great.
Best Party Game = Hollywood Shuffle - Get those creative juices flowing. It's fun and funny to create movie titles and such for made up movies. No movie knowledge required is a great thing, too.
Best Gateway Game = Zombie Fluxx - I know all the Fluxx-haters out there are cringing, but I still think these games are a good gateway tool. And this game just adds a goofy flavor to the game, and actually improves the gameplay somewhat.
Biggest Disappointment = Cineplexity - I was expecting a fun and fast movie game that gave rise to a lot of fun conversations. Instead it devolved into "Can anyone think of an answer?" and "Please give him the card so this game will be over!"
Biggest Surprise = Cranium Doodle Tales - I was expecting a real bomb when I saw this game. But I bought it for Rikki anyways because she likes drawing games. This actually is fairly enjoyable, and awards creativity as much (if not more) than artistic ability.
Worst Game = Unspeakable Words - Rikki loves word games and I don't. This seemed like a compromise as it blends a cool theme into a word game. Unfortunately, it worked for neither of us. It was boring, pointless, and everyone was anxious for the game to end.
Wierdest, Strangest, or Oddest Game = Sorry! Express - They pared Sorry down into a dice game. I haven't decided whether I love it or hate it, because it's just so strange. The game is so un-like the original Sorry game that it almost doesn't warrant the name.
Most Innovative Game = Bendomino - I know it sounds silly, and the gameplay isn't that different from regular Dominos, but this was a really neat twist on an old classic. It adds some strategy in how you place your dominos and just revitalizes the old game for a new generation of families.
Best Expansion = Didn't get any this year. It's gradually becoming a sore spot for me, as the more expansions I try the more they seem to ruin perfectly good games.
Best Reprint Game = Monopoly Express - This is a re-release of the old dice game Don't Go to Jail. But this game adds houses and hotels and just helps the game flow much more smoothly.
Best Game = Thebes - I received this from my BGG Secret Santa, and I love it. The way the mechanics are so integrated with the theme is awesome. It is easy to teach, but leaves you wondering what to do next. I really enjoy the blend of strategy and luck. A++
**Also of note: I wanted a varied list so I made a point of not re-using the same game for 2 different categories. Because I could have entered Thebes for Best Reprint, Most Innovative, and Best Gateway.**
Last edited on 2008-01-15 10:57:36 CST (Total Number of Edits: 1)
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:55 pm
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