New Gamer and his wife - couples review
robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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I am new to the boardgaming hobby and got hooked immediatley. Within about 3 weeks I bought 16 games. My wife only played the basic boardgames before (Monopoly, Balderdash, cards, Scrabble, etc.). And I was into painting minaitures for Warhammer.
I actually got interested in "Euros" from playing Catan and Carc on xboxlive, and somehow I ended up here. My next stop might be gameboard rehab since I have traded or sold all my xbox titles (except guitar hero II) so I could get more games.
The hobby has definitely added great family time together (whether its just me and the wife, or my sister), away from the TV and videogames. We dont mind the power going out anymore...it just means candlelight gaming time.
Anyways here is a list of the games we got and how we both feel about them.
I will update as we get more games (Most of the time its just my wife and I...I will state when my sister has joined)
Thanks.
UPDATE OF THIS LIST CAN NOW BE FOUND HERE!!! http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/32431
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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Ok we will start with my wifes gateway so to speak. This one is one of her favorites as well as my sisters. Every time we have a boardgame night, this is a must to be played atleast once. Its nice with two players, but I perfer it with 3 myself. But we never get tired of it.
The 1910 expansion is a must for this game unless you want business card sized cards.
 everyone
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2.
Board Game: Gloom
[Average Rating:6.27 Overall Rank:1195]
robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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This was an instant hit, and I am really suprised that it is ranked so low (maybe from the first edition quality). This is our newest game (waiting for the expansions in the mail) and so far my wife and sister love it. We need some work on our storytelling, but we always laugh and enjoy this gloomy game. Great with two or three. And the cards are just cool to look at, even when not playing. The new edition is also very easy to shuffle and read.
me
wife
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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Just got both expansions and they are cool. Unwelcome guests really adds to the gameplay. It adds a new level of strategy and can change a game at anytime. You really have to pay attention to your character icons and guest limits and modifiers, you never know when you might have an addition to the family, welcome or not.
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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This expansion adds a bunch of new cards, including a residence for each family. Although the idea is cool,and the extra cards are useful, the amount of mystery cards that can be played on a residence are pretty slim when you have both expansions in play. Even when you do have a mystery card, the requirements can be so high, you never get to play it. After our first 2 player game, we hadn't played one mystery card on any residence. Maybe with more people they would come out more. The cards look cool though.
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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I was afraid to introduce this one to my wife. She is not a gamer (or so I thought) but she actually likes this game. I like it alot, but I like a lot of pieces and moving parts involved in heavy games. I was really shocked that she wanted to play it a second time. We havent played with full out pollution or famine yet, maybe she will change her mind when we do. We will see. My sister wasn't interested in playing this one.
 me
wife
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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My wife and I really like this game. My sister thought it was cool, but I don't think she really enjoyed it that much. Not quick enough for her I think. Got the expansion too, though we only use a couple of buildings here and there.
We use the official variant except, the govenor selects three roles and the other player selects two, so five of the seven cards are used per turn.
me
wife
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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I love this game. It is a quick game, that is cutthroat with a "cute" theme. My wife perfers Lost Cities to this, which surprised me, I thought the pretty balloon cards would win her over. She likes the game, but doesn't request it. My sister hasn't tried it yet.
me
wife
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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I like this game alot and so does my wife and sister. I like the track building and planning ahead to get the best routes. I am a sucker for hex tile laying games too though (Antiquity). My wife never wants the game to end, she is constantly urbanizing to ensure that last empty city marker doesnt come out. It is also a great game to watch, lots of cool pieces. Too many players can kinda make the game feel a bit stale. But it is fun, just not a game you would plau all the time unless you had a few more people methinks.
me almost a
wife almost a
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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We have only played two games so far, but we both enjoy the game. It seems though, that the game should be longer. Right as your are getting into it, it ends. Maybe more use of the blockade would help. Have only tried it with 2 players so far. All the wood bits are nice too.
edit: The more we play this, the more we like it. We use a variant where coffee that is scored, but no VP's are distributed (just money) is placed into the bag instead of on the scoring track. Works nice.
me
wife
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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My wifes favorite card game right now (Gloom might take over...we'll see). We cant find Jack the Ripper Mystery Rummy, so I got this instead. Its great IMO. My sister likes it alot too. My wife gets really mad though when I play that Hideout card towards the end of a round. Watch out.
me
wife
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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The most played game we own. My wife perfers other games, but always wants to play this (does that make sense?) I think the game is okay, and ends way to quickly, but its fun. My sister likes it alot too, and even though she is horrible at Math, always wins...hmmm.
me
wife
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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I play this alot on BSW and it is one of my favorite games. My wife and sister play with me, but I think its just to humor me. The money in the game looks dumb, but thats my only complaint. Highly addictive.
me
wife
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13.
Board Game: Attika
[Average Rating:7.08 Overall Rank:252]
robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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This was our first game. At first we both liked it alot, we actually still like it. It doesnt get a lot of playing time anymore, not sure why really. It comes down to being the same game over and over I guess....draw cards...collect all your city tokens...place tokens...repeat. Every once in a while we will go temple to temple...but rarely. Still fun, just not an every nighter type of game.
me
wife
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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My sister likes this game alot. I dont. The camels are cool looking, but I just feel like the game is boring. Another case of place two camels...collect oases...repeat. There is strategy in the game, but it just doesnt grab me like I thought it would.
 me
 wife
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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Okay, just got the game Saturday. It rocks! My wife really enjoys the game, the only problem I have is...she is better at it than me. Holy cow, she won 4 out of 5 games. What makes it worse...She won with Jack 3 out of those 4 times. (Apparently nobody told here Jack is at a disadvantage)
 But the game is really fun, and reminds me of playing chess in a way. You have to ponder your character moves and abilities in relation to what you think your oppenent will do. Alot more strategy that I was expecting. Which is great.
A+ the hype is justified!
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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Ok just picked up 4 new games, traded Antiquity, (sniff), my wife and I agreed it just wouldn't get enough playing time, and noone else wanted to try it. So I will be reviewing these 4 new games and let you guys know how they turned out.
Okay, just played 2 games last night, and I was impressed. Everyone's recommendations so far have been pretty on par with my interests. The game is fun (only played 2 player games) and the componentes are nice and sturdy. I spilled some beer on 2 cards...they dried okay, but man, I just got the game! Oh well, Cant really notice now. Highly recommended, my wife didnt want to play this game, but after the first one, she was pumped for the second one.
Winning track...I won the first 2 games...she won the next 4 out of 5.
 Me
Wife
Update: My wife loves this game and now I can't beat her. Between this and Mr. jack I am a super loser.
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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Here is game number two, my wife likes deduction games and vampires. Mr. Jack was a huge success, so we thought this might be good. It is definitely alot more in depth than Mr. Jack (duh), but it is still fun. I think it would be better with a third player, but still plays well with just my wife and I. Warning...don't play this game tired..it already takes like 2 hours to play, and if you place a location card out of order or forget a card...the game is ruined (not that my wife did this or anything) so it takes trust and attention to detail. Not a quick game, but we like it.
After 2 plays: me
wife
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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Third game always intrigued me. The complexity and nice pieces from what I have seen made me like this as a pickup.
Just played our first game today. At first the rules will be crazy, and you wont enjoy the first game most likely, but after the initial learning game, I was really impressed by this game. The components are nice, there is plenty of strategy, and my wife likes the shrimp pieces. One of those games where you think about your strategy after the game is over.
after 2 plays and 1 trial play:
me:
wife:
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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I know everyone says this isnt a good 2 player game, we'll see. But the theme and idea sucked me in. If its not good as a 2 player i will let you guys know. I may have to invite some friends over for this one.
Ok,finally got 2 games in, this game is funny and kinda cool. Not a good 2 player game though. Alcohol might change that. I can see this game being fun with the right people, but it definitely needs more than 2 players.
me:
wife:
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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Okay, just got the re sults of a Math trade, and some new games are bieng added to my collection. Here is the first.
Okay its official...this may be my wife's new favorite game, she asked me to buy some expansions, so I did. I picked up Traders and Builders and The River II. This game is fun and I am super glad I picked it up. Another one of those games where even when you lose, you enjoy the game.
me:
wife :
10 Ranking.
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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It came with this expansion and Rivers...game on its way out...Through the desert.
I mixed this in with the base game and its great. Seems to me like this should have been with the base game all along. Adds 18 new tiles (including 6 inns and 2 cathedrals) as well as scoring tiles, big meeples, and a new color meeple..grey.
This expansion rocks.
me:
wife:
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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Been a while since I have updated this. So here I go, This game has turned into my wife and sisters favorite card game. Until my wife dumped a drink all over it and the cards are ruined. lol. But before we ruined I must say this game is fun. I thought a bean trading game would be dumb, but I highly recommend this if you have atleast three players.
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wife -
sis -
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23.
Board Game: Tikal
[Average Rating:7.40 Overall Rank:107]
robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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Okay, its official...I am addicted to math trades. Really wanted this game, because i love tile lying games.
Just got through our first two games last night, and the game is pretty good. Its quick, has nice components, my wife likes it (although I think she is now comparing everything to Carcassonne), and the strategy is nice but not overwhekming to be unfun. Seems like a great 2 player game, I actually think any more players would make this super crowded. And the board is nice to look at when the game is over.
me:
wife:
edit: we have had this game for a while now, and although we still enjoy it, it doesnt see much table time. I think my wife perfers games that have cards in them somewhere. (Carc being the exception)
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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My wife likes Carcassonne so much she asked me to pick up a couple more expansions...heres one...gets here on Tuesday. Carcassonne got her the same day as Bohnanza and Fifth Avenue...we havent put this one down long enough to try them.
This expansion is great, I like I&C a tad bit better, but both will probably never leave the original game for us. I keep forgetting to draw that extra tile for my builder. The more tiles the better though!
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robert cabrera
United States
Chesterfield
Virginia
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for 4 dollars this was a no brainer to add too....now I wish I could find the mini expansion for sale. This one seems to make the games larger by spreading the tiles out more. Wanted to implement a way to actually have the rivers seperate, maybe mix a spring in with the normal tiles.
Must have though...the more tiles the better!
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Posted Sat Jul 28, 2007 1:07 am
...I mean it fun for my kids to play with the camels. If I had to do it again, I would have bought Hacienda or something else with similar mechanics.
Wilmington
North Carolina
You're the first person I've seen that's said your introduction to hobby gaming was through Carc & SoC on the XBox. I wondered if those games would attract video gamers to off-line gaming, or be enjoyed in the main by folks who've already played them in meatspace.
Assuming that you are not, indeed, a beautiful or unique snowflake, I hope we'll see many more visitors and emigrants from XBox Live.
Lacey
Washington
I lived in Moscow, ID for many years and while there is a great gaming community up there the gaming stores are hard to come by. There have been four or five in the past 10-15 which have all come and gone. I'd check out:
http://p088.ezboard.com/bdamommasboyzforums
Most of them are tabletop miniature gamers, but many of them have board game interests. Good luck.
I love you list as I'm slowly getting my wife and family into boardgames as well. I've bookmarked it and will be coming back to look for updates.
Chesterfield
Virginia
Cheektowaga
New York
Hit Thoughthammer.com and get a copy for your kids. They will LOVE it.
And after a couple beers you should try playing it with the wife and sister once the kids go to bed
Lacey
Washington