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Dateline Columbus, Geeks Gather in Great Gaggle
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I have never been to the Gathering of Friends. While some have cruely attributed this inability to make friends, for the last 17 years, I have rationalized this with scheduling conflicts. Well, over 17 years the standards for entry to the Gathering have slowly declined. One perennial gadfly of the DC Gamers got an invite (let's call him Harry Hevy) got an invite and rubbed our noses in it. So, I decided it was high time to weasel my way past the Geek version of the velvet rope. The event was great. Alan R. Moon seemed resplendent in his role as host. Like a young Ricardo Montalban welcoming you to some sort of Geek fantasy island. I am not sure who had the role of Tatoo, but I would cast Brian Yu. Having trolled lesser events for the last decade or two, I was knew a number of the attendees. Much to my surprise, they did not pretend not to know me, as they do at more public forums. My oft neglected family was in tow, and they spent a lot of time at the fantastic Columbus Zoo (it really is one of the best zoos in the country). But even so, it did put some rationale limits on my gaming time, and I found myself kibitzing with gaming luminaries as much as I played. One new Columbus Discovery was the Pig Iron BBQ. Between the Gathering and Origins, I am actually becoming rather a culinary expert on the delights of Central Ohio cuisine. In any case, it was cheap and tasty. I commend it to those who find themselves looking for calories in the Buckeye State. Well, enough of my rambling. The real purpose of this list, like all good Gathering lists is to give you the good, the bad and the ugly gamewise. So without further adieu, here are my impressions of the new stuff at the Gathering.
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Posted Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:34 am
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This is a solid design. A bit a area control mixed with a set collecting race. Clearly it had the most positive buzz of the games there, but honestly, there was a hint of desperation in it. People needed to have something they liked. This was as close as we could get, but with a better crop, might get attention on the level of a game like Australia.
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This is my best-of-show for the Gathering. Obviously, Mission has been circulating for a while, but appearantly, the French text and the well publicized plans for an English edition has kept people away. The game has not yet even warranted a Geek rating. For me the theme is very compelling. I bought the Space 1889 Roleplaying book, and I don't even role play. The artwork is similarly evocative. Yes it is chaotic, but not such that strategy is irrelevant. We are, after all dealing, with a design by the master of chaos, Brunno Faidutti. Besides, did you think that colonizing mars with competing imperial powers would be calm and predictable? Anyway, this new application of the Citadels "roles" mechanic works better than the original for my money.
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While I have never physically stalked the man -- restraining orders notwithstanding -- I am an avowed Schacht groupie. This game is proof that while God-like, the doctrine of Schacht infallibility will never win widespread acceptance. I'll be grouping this with Kontor on the Schacht games I ignore when talking about what a great designer he is.
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4.
Board Game: Roma
[Average Rating:7.07 Overall Rank:240]
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Yes, I know this is not a new game. But it is new-ish and new to me. Furthermore, it is a fantastic little two player game that more people should be trying. I would call it best of show, if it wasn't a little less than fresh. In any case, the game is "stupid" clever to coin a phrase, lots of interesting tactical decisions and strategies to pursue. Find it, play it.
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Oh the tragedy of this game. You open it up, you see visions of the excellent Santiago. I recommend that you immediately return the box top. That's the last favorable impression you will have. Area control and dice based placement do not mix in my book. I am guessing that after one play, most of you will agree.
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From the magnificent maestro of balloon-based gaming, Stephen Glenn, comes this title. Frank and the crew at R&R seem intent on publishing every variant of trivia game known to man. I'd call this a cross between Smarty Party and Balderdash. An enjoyable 45 minutes.
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Well, the Schacht attack redeems himself somewhat with this title. A touch dry perhaps, but it worked well in my 4 player game. I actually thought the theme fit the basic mechanics nicely. It reminds me of the under-played Volle Hutte.
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Why did I enjoy this Yahtzee variant on crack? I don't really know, but I did. Even with the 5 player drag, I'd say it was worth playing. As long as your expectations are not too high, I think you'll admire the cleverness of the idea of this game.
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As I mentioned elsewhere, Dale Yu threatened to kick me in the b@#$s for making him play this game. I'd say he was justified. Imagine playing the fine children's game Heimlich and Co. Then imagine it lasting 45 minutes with no additional decision making. Welcome to the world of Celtica. If the Celts were actually this boring, the could have killed Vikings with the dreariness of their civilization.
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Ugh, Tom Lehman is a fine designer, but this game needs a bit more "game" in it. Draw low cards early, play high cards later. Get the wrong cards, and see how the game blows. I found myself rooting for the Canaanites.
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This one surprised me a little. There were lots of folks who did not seem to care for it, but I think it works. Its got a cute little robbing subsytem, a nice theme, and a decent forced-trading mechanism that ties them altogether. Additionally, it was the one game with iconography that you could actually look at and make sense of without reference to the rules. Well done Bohn king!
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Posted Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:34 am
Sorry to have missed you, Jason. It's well worth noting here that Twilight Struggle was one of the biggest hits in Columbus - it had Alan out and playing more than I recall in many a year, and many, many others besides...
You know that is weird, I did catch you out of the corner of my eye once, and wanted to chat with you. But you were explaining something, and I literally can't remember seeing you again. Anyway, thanks for the kind words about TS. I regret that I did not get a chance to see some more great Huber prototypes, but you are so damn productive, I am sure you'll have some new ones when next we meet.
Jason