Japanese Games for Christmas 2005

Nick Witchey

(Toxidyne)

United States
Laguna Hills
California

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This Christmas, just like everyone else, I recieved a larger number of games. My wife has a problem buying me gifts so she requested that I buy my own presents. Doing so ensures I get what I want, but it lacks the critical surprise element that is so enjoyable.

Luckily, my wife's sister came from Japan for the holidays bearing gifts. She surprised me with five Japanese board games for my collection. The really cool thing about the gifts is that she is not even remotely connected to games, yet put forth a great deal of effort to find them. She really rocks!

This list basically represents unexpected games that I recieved for Christmas. Even though my gifts were Japanese games, feel free to add games that you recieved unexpectedly and why it was unexpected.

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Posted Wed Jan 4, 2006 12:55 am

1. Board Game: Inga [Average Rating:3.55 Unranked]

Nick Witchey

(Toxidyne)

United States
Laguna Hills
California

My sister-in-law found the Aeronaut game collection and purchased Inga for me. Luckily my wife speaks and reads Japanese, so it will be fun having her teach me a game rather than me teaching her.

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Posted Wed Jan 4, 2006 12:55 am

2. Board Game: Fun Dive [Average Rating:6.33 Unranked]

Nick Witchey

(Toxidyne)

United States
Laguna Hills
California

This is the second Aeronaut game she found for me.

Any comments on how these play?

0 comments

Posted Wed Jan 4, 2006 12:55 am

3. Board Game: Saga [Average Rating:7.06 Overall Rank:3052]

Nick Witchey

(Toxidyne)

United States
Laguna Hills
California

Both Saga and the following game (Fairy Tale) come with Japanese and English rules. I was quite surprised and look forward to playing both.

0 comments

Posted Wed Jan 4, 2006 12:55 am

4. Board Game: Fairy Tale [Average Rating:6.82 Overall Rank:419]

Nick Witchey

(Toxidyne)

United States
Laguna Hills
California

I had planned on getting the Z-Man release of Fairy Tale, but now I don't have to because the Japanese release includes the English rules.

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Posted Wed Jan 4, 2006 12:55 am

Sue Hemberger

(smithhemb)

Washington
Dist of Columbia

My daughter is loving this game (I got her the Zman edition for Xmas). Are the graphics in the Japanese version any different (e.g. larger)?

Posted Wed Jan 4, 2006 2:39 am
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Ryan Olson

(Yollege)

United States
Topeka
Kansas

Just got this edition from my Secret Santa, I can't wait to try it, it looks so cool.

And from what I have seen, the versions seem similar...although I think the pics on here are mostly the original game, or if they are the Z-man games version, then they are VERY similar

Posted Wed Jan 4, 2006 3:25 am
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5. Board Game: Mermaid Rain [Average Rating:6.53 Overall Rank:2267]

Nick Witchey

(Toxidyne)

United States
Laguna Hills
California

I'm looking forward to playing Mermaid Rain becuase my daughter seems very interested in the "fish princess" on the cover.

1 comment [Hide]

Posted Wed Jan 4, 2006 12:55 am

John Weber

(John Weber)

United States
Laurel
Maryland

This is a really good game. Totally underrated.

Posted Fri Jan 6, 2006 7:37 pm
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6. Board Game: Warumono 2 [Average Rating:6.59 Overall Rank:3588]

Sue Hemberger

(smithhemb)

Washington
Dist of Columbia

Our other Japanese game this Xmas. This one was for my husband. Haven't played it yet, but looks quick and fun.

2 comments [Hide]

Posted Wed Jan 4, 2006 2:42 am

Sue Hemberger

(smithhemb)

Washington
Dist of Columbia

It also came with an English rule set and score sheet, as well as English language text on the playing pieces.

Posted Wed Jan 4, 2006 2:43 am
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Sue Hemberger

(smithhemb)

Washington
Dist of Columbia

Turns out those aren't score sheets, they are scenarios (which function as a combination of event cards and timers). And there's a couple of extra blank ones to make your own.

This is a very fun race and bluffing game in which wiseguys are trying to grab the loot, get their papers in order, and leave town ASAP. One of them may or may not be an undercover cop whose goal is to apprehend the wiseguy with the loot before he leaves town. Much swapping of briefcases ensues (or not -- you can pretend to swap but keep your original briefcase) as players cross each others' paths in the course of their travel preparations.

Played the first scenario with my husband and 8 y.o. and had a blast. My husband was too tricky by half. I counted on that and sped to victory on the hunch that I had the loot. Turns out he knew I did -- and had to watch helplessly as one good decision (take the boat because he's headed toward the airport) followed by a lucky dice roll placed me out of his reach. I like a game where risk-taking, psychology, strategy, and luck all have to come together for you to win.

We've only scratched the surface of this game thus far, but it may be Xmas's biggest hit.

Posted Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:35 pm
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7. Board Game: Farlander [Average Rating:5.57 Overall Rank:5958]

Tom Rosen

(Thommy8)

United States
Arlington
Virginia

I received this game unexpectedly from my brother, who has been living/working in Estonia recently, and brought it back with him to New York for me. I had given my family a game of eurogames I wanted (e.g., Maharaja, China, LOTR: Confrontation, Age of Steam, Ingenious, Australia), and was very surprised to get something completely unexpected. It was very nice, and very thoughtful though. However, unfortunately, the brand new shrink-wrapped game box was missing the seven board pieces, and e-mail messages to the company have gone unanswered. Not sure what else to do. Too bad, I would have liked to try this one out.

I do like to ask for what I want or get it for myself to ensure I get things I like, but it's still fun to get surprises from time to time.

Good idea for a list

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Posted Wed Jan 4, 2006 2:59 am

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