Essen 2008 | BoardGameGeek

Essen 2008

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

Recommend

This is a semi-private Essen 2008 geeklist. I won't publish it to the front page, but I won't make it completely private too, to allow geekbuddies (and other users) to comment on my Essen ramblings.

The point of this geeklist, is to keep track of the new games available at Essen 2008 that have caught my attention.

I won't be able to go, though. So even if I decide that I need to have some of them, I'll have to come up with alternative ways to obtain them.

2008 seems a particularly bad year, by the way. There really don't seem that many really interesting games available this year.

I'll update this list when I learn more about the games listed, or to list more potentially interesting Essen releases.

Items are arranged from most interesting (

) to least interesting (

).

edit 9/22
Due to unexpected circumstances, I won't be able to purchase any new games for at least another half year. Hence, this list is now a list of Essen08 games I'm considering to purchase at some point in the future.

edit 10/26
Essen is (almost) over. Time to rearrange the list with some new subheadings.

Your Tags:	Add tags Tags (separate by space):
Popular Tags:	[View All]

Edited Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:23 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:36 pm

1. Board Game: Origins: The Age of Reason [Average Rating:7.47 Unranked] [Average Rating:7.47 Unranked]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: ?

A must have, but very expensive (for a deck of cards) to order directly from Sierra Madre.

edit 10/26
Purchased by proxy.

2 comments [Hide]

Edited Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:24 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:16 pm

Michael Debije

(mi_de)

Netherlands
Eindhoven
The Netherlands

Yeah, how could you not get it? Probably can pick it up for you.

Posted Sat Sep 6, 2008 5:26 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

Arrived in mail today. Thanks!

Posted Wed Dec 24, 2008 9:50 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

2. Board Game: Agricola: Through the Seasons [Average Rating:7.22 Unranked] [Average Rating:7.22 Unranked]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

Free, and positively reviewed, hence:

edit 10/26
Well, I didn't manage to get this, but sooner or later someone will - hopefully - post a good scan I can print.

0 comments

Edited Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:27 am
Posted Tue Oct 7, 2008 10:45 am

3. Board Game: See you later ... [Average Rating:4.67 Unranked]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

postponed.

The following items are games I'll probably purchase in the near future.
A few were available at Essen, but some of them didn't make Essen anyway, so even a proxy couldn't have gotten them for me.

0 comments

Edited Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:09 pm
Posted Mon Oct 20, 2008 3:07 am

4. Board Game: Genji [Average Rating:5.96 Overall Rank:3089]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: $20
#players: 2-6
playtime: 45min

Must have (for personal reasons).

The Z-man games website lists November as the publishing date so it looks like this is not going to make Essen.

0 comments

Edited Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:44 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:23 pm

5. Board Game: Tales of the Arabian Nights [Average Rating:7.26 Overall Rank:210]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: $60?
#players: 1-6
playtime: 120min?

Dependent on rule changes, and artwork.

edit 9/3
Artwork previews here and here. Looks nice. And based on the accompanying text, there don't seem to be major rule changes.

edit 10/19
Based on everything I see/read, it's a slightly improved, but not really changed version of the original. I like the new artwork, and I like the original game. Hence:

Postponed until early (?) 2009.

2 comments [Hide]

Edited Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:39 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:30 pm

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

the map:

Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008 5:47 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Michael Debije

(mi_de)

Netherlands
Eindhoven
The Netherlands

Will this make Essen? I may add this to my 'look at' list.

Posted Sat Sep 6, 2008 5:31 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

6. Board Game: Omega Centauri [Average Rating:7.19 Overall Rank:3501]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: €38?
#players: 2-4
playtime: 60-120min

Sounds interesting.
SF civ game. Very short and probably too light for my taste though.
Need to read rules.

edit 9/3
I just read the rules. The short game lasts 60min; the long game 120min. It's a typical SF civ game. Simple economics, technological development, cultural development, building monuments, etc. Combat is deterministic, but seems a central part of the game. Components are wood and cardboard (no plastic!), and there is only one type of unit (fleet). Very interesting game. Looking forward to see more pictures.
Main drawback: probably too combat oriented.

edit 9/13
More and more artwork keeps appearing at the game entry. It all looks fine to me. Right now I'm mainly interested in what all of it together will look like in play. I'm still not entirely surely, but the game stays high on the list.

edit 10/13
Back of the box (for impression of artwork):

Did not make Essen.
Postponed until December.

0 comments

Edited Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:40 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:19 pm

7. Board Game: Nice Weather [Average Rating:5.58 Unranked]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: €40?
#players: 2-6
playtime: 90min? (60 min acc. Cliquenabend)

Interesting train game with a twist.
Need more info.

edit 9/4
I emailed the game designer about the game. He submitted the rules and some pictures to BGG and sent me a copy of the rules, which I printed and read immediately. Aside from some funny jokes, it's a serious train game with a lot of interesting elements. I'm very curious what everything will look like, but I do fear a color overload a bit. I like the theme though, and the mechanics. But I don't like the price. Nevertheless, the rating of this one goes up to:

edit 10/13
Back of the box (for impression of artwork):

edit 10/25
I hope to purchase a copy from the designer when he visits Tokyo next year.

5 comments [Hide]

Edited Sat Oct 25, 2008 2:05 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:26 pm

post-Essen syndrom

(Mondainai)

Sweden
Stockholm

The playing time varies dramatically. It goes up with the number of players, and also goes up the more experienced the players are. The playing time also depends on the starting configuration of the game board (this is randomized for each game, unless you agree on a certain setup in order to get a long/short game).

I can beat two beginners in 20 minutes, but once they have learned the game, it might take them 2 hours to kick my ass in retaliation. 60 minutes might be a good average though, if everyone know the rules.

Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008 11:26 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Michael Debije

(mi_de)

Netherlands
Eindhoven
The Netherlands

Any more details? How many copies available?

Posted Sat Sep 6, 2008 5:27 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

post-Essen syndrom

(Mondainai)

Sweden
Stockholm

100 copies will be made for Essen.

Posted Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:29 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Michael Debije

(mi_de)

Netherlands
Eindhoven
The Netherlands

I've now read the rules: what was it about it that attracts you, Lajos?

Posted Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:45 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

Besides the interesting theme: trains, route building, the effect of climate change, and lots of potential for screwing other players. It sounds like a fun train game with an original theme and a couple of nice twists. I may be wrong, of course.

What's your impression after reading the rules?

Posted Wed Sep 24, 2008 4:34 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

8. Board Game: Duck Dealer [Average Rating:6.46 Overall Rank:1787]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: €60
#players: 2-5?
playtime: 150min

New Splotter Game.
Duck Dealer is a game of involved, complex planning, set against a background of intergalactic trade. It is a game about recognizing routes, and developing profitable infrastructures; but above all, it's a game of racing your opponent to that one great opportunity you both see-- or does he have a different plan?
There's a picture of the prototype in this post.
Need more info...

edit 10/26
Mike's review.

0 comments

Edited Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:54 am
Posted Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:20 am

9. Board Game: Cut Up Shopping Spree Game [Average Rating:0.00 Unranked]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

cut-off point.

Games above this item are (relatively) likely to be purchased at some point; games below this item are (relatively) unlikely purchases, although quite a few of the games higher on the list may move up, depending on further information such as reviews, session reports and rating comments.

0 comments

Edited Sat Oct 25, 2008 2:02 am
Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008 8:29 am

10. Board Game: Confucius [Average Rating:6.99 Overall Rank:798]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: €40?
#players: 3-5
playtime: 90-120min?

The wishlist status of this game went from 4 to 1 and back again.
I think I read the rules once, and wasn't very enthusiastic about the game anymore after that.

edit 9/3
My level of interest in this game seems to go up and down continuously. After seeing it in Essen last year, I gave it a wishlist level 1, but downgraded it later. A first reading of the rules made me almost lose my interest because I thought it was too dry. Now I just read the rules again and I think it's a really interesting and original game. I very much like the theme too. Main drawbacks are the minimum number of players (3 - but I think it really needs more) and the artwork, mainly the board (which is surprising since I think that tabbysunlion really is a good graphic designer).

edit 10/29
The number of very positive comments by geekbuddies is increasing...

2 comments [Hide]

Edited Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:35 pm
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:21 pm

Michael Debije

(mi_de)

Netherlands
Eindhoven
The Netherlands

yeah, I was also a 'probably will get' to a 'nah, I guess not' back to, 'it has a good chance'. Given the lack of any real must haves for me (already have the origins expansion), I may come home with it so I come home with something.

Posted Sat Sep 6, 2008 7:37 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

If that's all you're planning to get, it's a really bad year!

Posted Sat Sep 6, 2008 8:23 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

11. Board Game: Schwarzmarkt [Average Rating:6.12 Unranked]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: €27 pre-order advised
#players: 3-6
playtime: 60min

From clearclaw's list. Interesting trading game. Found rules on publisher website, but didn't read them yet.

edit 9/24
Read the rules. It seems a very interesting economic/trading game with lots of freedom and lots of possibilities for the players. I'm definitely interested in this game.

edit 10/19

I'm still interested, but the player count, and the relatively high price for what it is are somewhat dampening my enthusiasm.

0 comments

Edited Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:15 am
Posted Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:39 am

12. Board Game: Rice Wars [Average Rating:5.44 Overall Rank:6296]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: €35
#players: 2-5
playtime: 60-150min?

I like the theme, and I think I read the rules once. I don't remember anything about them though.

edit 9/3
I just reread the rules. It's a economic (agricultural) empire building wargame (sort of). It has many of the things I like: territory building, economics, etc. and a great theme on top of that. However, the economic system is extremely basic and ultimately it seems to be a game of armed conflict mainly. Moreover, the 'epic game' is only playable with 3-5 players, leaving just the short game for 2. Still, I'm very much interested in the game.
(There's a very positive review in German here.)
Main drawbacks: too combat oriented; limited options for 2 players.

edit 10/19
Based on various comments, my interest in this game started to decline. It seems to much like a relatively abstract wargame with only very minimal elements of economics and development. The fact that the 'epic game' is 3+ players only is also a big turnoff.

0 comments

Edited Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:50 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:28 pm

13. Board Game: Uruk: Wiege der Zivilisation [Average Rating:6.90 Overall Rank:975]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: ?
#players: 2-4
playtime: 30-60min

Civilization / card game. Need to know more.

edit 10/19
Rules (in German) available at the publisher's website. Rules will be available later in English and French as well. (Does that mean that the cards will also be available in multiple languages? Card names are now in German, but aside from that the game seems mostly language neutral.)
Based on a quick glance at the rules, it seems a rather light (and very short) card game. Interest is heavily dependent on the price (and on a closer reading of the rules). For now:

0 comments

Edited Sun Oct 19, 2008 3:59 am
Posted Thu Oct 2, 2008 8:51 am

14. Board Game: Container: The Second Shipment [Average Rating:7.23 Unranked] [Average Rating:7.23 Unranked]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: €12?

An expansion.
Interest is very much dependent on price.

edit 9/13
The ideas in this expansion sound interesting and the price is not so bad. Still I'm not sure though.

1 comment [Hide]

Edited Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:15 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:21 pm

Kevin Nesbitt

(otrex)

Canada
Ajax
Ontario

I believe that we're looking at about 11-12 Euros for the expansion at the show. This is not 100% certain, but it should give you a fairly good idea.

Posted Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:48 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

15. Board Game: Bushido: Der Weg des Kriegers [Average Rating:6.58 Overall Rank:2488]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: €35
#players: 3-6
playtime: 90min

A abstracted wargame set in medieval Japan with a sweet spot at 5 players. I like the theme, and the artwork looks OK (some examples here), but the player number makes it relatively unlikely to get played. Nevertheless, I'd like to know more.

edit 10/29
First rating comments are positive. I'd like to read the rules, however.

0 comments

Edited Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:38 pm
Posted Mon Sep 29, 2008 10:49 am

16. Board Game: Endeavor [Average Rating:7.57 Overall Rank:68]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: ?
#players: 3-5
playtime: 60min?

Will not be available in Essen.

Exploration and empire building.
Sounds nice, but a play time of 60 minutes?
Probably way too light for my taste.
Need to read rules.

edit 9/2
There's a bit of info in some threads at the game entry. It all sounds a bit abstract, but there are some interesting ideas. e.g. Actions depend on buildings. The designers wanted development to be an important part of the game.

edit 10/19
Interest declining (partly because of playercount).

Did not make Essen.

0 comments

Edited Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:36 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:23 pm

17. Board Game: Tokugawa [Average Rating:6.56 Unranked]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: €50?
#players: 2
playtime: 60min?

Two-player game. Limited edition at Essen (99). Possibly interesting, although the BGG game description sounds awfully abstract. Expensive though...
From Cliquenabend: "Samurai" ist im kriegerischen Japan vor etwa 400 Jahren angesiedelt. Zwei Spieler versuchen die jeweils gegnerische Hauptstadt, Tokyo bzw. Kyoto zu besetzen. Eroberte Provinzen liefern unterschiedliche Ressourcen, um Truppen aufzubauen und zu unterhalten.

edit 10/9
There's a link to the rules (in German) at the Cliquenabend page mentioned above. It seems a somewhat abstract wargame, with terrain and weather (!) effects, but with only very minimal economics. Hence, I don't think it's really my kind of game. 'Final' judgment depends on a closer reading of the rules, of course. For now:

0 comments

Edited Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:11 am
Posted Mon Oct 13, 2008 1:07 pm

18. Board Game: Days of Steam [Average Rating:6.02 Overall Rank:2558]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: ? (usually around €30, but this one might be more expensive)
#players: 2-4
playtime: 60min?

A short tile-laying train game with interesting elements in the description. I need to know more though. For now:

edit 9/26
Some info from Stratamax: Get dealt a hand of tiles. Lay tiles to build the common network. The tiles also load steam (movement points) onto your train. Move your train to pick up and deliver goods. Bonus points for delivering different colors of goods and for creating circuits of track. Build efficiently, move efficiently, know when to take a chance on a blind draw versus a known draw for a town and its goods, and when to risk derailing your train from going too fast around curves in order to save time. Of course it's not that easy as other players can play inconvenient track in your way.
Sounds interesting...

(Wasn't available at Essen.)

edit 10/27
First review. Seems much too short, and much too light for my preferences, and according to the reviewer, it really needs four players. Dropping like a brick:

0 comments

Edited Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:52 am
Posted Sat Sep 13, 2008 9:18 am

19. Board Game: Constantinopolis [Average Rating:7.20 Overall Rank:570]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: ?
#players: 2-5
playtime: 90min?

Need more info.

edit 9/4
There's some info in this post and some further down in the same thread. It seems very much like a somewhat heavier, bigger, and more complex Puerto Rico. It sounds somewhat interesting although the comments about the possibly scripted nature of the game worry me a bit.

Postponed to 2009.

0 comments

Edited Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:38 am
Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008 9:00 am

20. Board Game: Ad Astra [Average Rating:7.02 Overall Rank:410]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: ?
#players: 2-5
playtime: 90min

Space exploration / civ game? Possibly interesting, but need much more info.

edit 10/19
Faidutti gives a short description here, and there are some pictures of artwork here.
Economic space exploration game with terraforming, various resources, and alien artifacts. Key mechanic seems to be somewhat similar to Puerto Rico's role/action mechanism.

Only a prototype at Essen?

edit 10/27
Some comments here. Sounds very interesting. Awaiting more info:

edit 10/28
A first short review here. It's very light and short. And furthermore, there will be plastic minis. Hence, dropping like a brick:

0 comments

Edited Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:14 am
Posted Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:09 am

21. Board Game: Steel Driver [Average Rating:7.14 Overall Rank:356]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: ?
#players: 3-6
playtime: 60min?

Maybe.
Need to know more.

edit 9/3
H'm, reading the info on the warfrog website left me unenthusiastic.

edit 9/24
Read the rules. Some very interesting elements and ideas, but it left me with a strong feeling of 'is that all'. More interesting than I previously thought, but too light, and too short. It rises a bit on the list though.

edit 10/19
Can't shake of that 'is that all' feeling...

0 comments

Edited Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:29 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:29 pm

22. Board Game: Burger Joint [Average Rating:6.29 Overall Rank:2491]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: $20-25?
#players: 2
playtime: 30-45min?

Two player game about competing fastfood chains. Intriguing. Need more info.

0 comments

Edited Thu Sep 4, 2008 11:42 am
Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008 8:56 am

23. Board Game: Le Havre [Average Rating:8.09 Overall Rank:6]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: ?
#players: 1-5
playtime: 75min?

Shipping game. Possibly interesting.
Need to read rules first.

edit 9/3
After reading more about the game, my interest is declining. It all sounds very dry and abstract, and there doesn't really seem to be anything new about the game.

0 comments

Edited Wed Sep 3, 2008 7:43 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:25 pm

24. Board Game: Roll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age [Average Rating:7.06 Overall Rank:250]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: ?
#players: 2-4
playtime: 30min?

Interesting idea, but - like most dice games - probably not worth my money. (Apparently very expensive too.)

(Only a prototype at Essen?)

edit 10/27
The first review and pictures revive my interest a tiny little bit.

0 comments

Edited Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:02 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:28 pm

25. Board Game: Planet Steam [Average Rating:7.49 Overall Rank:249]

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

price: ?
#players: 2-5
playtime: 2-4hrs?

Economic steam punk SF game. Sounds interesting.
Still very little information available.

edit 9/4
Found some information on the Ludoart website. Length of the game is OK, but the board and some of the components look horrible, and make the game look more abstract than I like (see pictures below). However, according to the components list, (almost) everything will be cardboard and wood (no plastic!).
There's a video explanation (in German) at Cliquenabend. The box and board are huge.
The game may be expensive though, since only a limited edition (999ex.) will be made and sold at Essen. I'll surely have to read the rules of this one before making a decision, but possible high price and look temper my interest a bit. Moverover, based on the video overview, I sincerely doubt whether there's anything really new or orginal about the game.

0 comments

Edited Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:00 am
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:27 pm

7 comments [Hide]

Post Comment

Dave L.

(Emile)

United States
Portland
Oregon

Thanks for this list Lajos. I'll keep checking it to see if something new pops up that I haven't heard about - but the early previews indicate a continuing, terminal slump for slow games. Scope and scale are clearly and sadly out of fashion, and, like you, I have seen little that catches my eye. I'm enthused about Splotter making games again, although a space exploration theme makes me pause a little.

I think I'm more interested in Martin Wallace's After the Flood than Steel Driver, although I don't know if it's an Essen game. Designed for three though, which makes it very enticing. The early word on Confucius from my trusted sources is very good and has made it a must-get for me. But it looks like overall, more slow game hope may have to rest on multiplayer wargames, so I've got my fingers crossed that we'll see the reprint of Angola one day.

Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008 6:49 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Show 2 more comments...

Dave L.

(Emile)

United States
Portland
Oregon

For me, two and three player games are totally separate entities form each other and from 4+ games, but then I am a bit of an Orthodox 'sweet spotter'. Three is a hard number, especially in a game with high interaction. I almost never play any of my games anyway, so it doesn't matter much in the end.

I think I will also keep an eye on Island Fortress and The Princes of Machu Picchu. I believe Huang Di has some core mechanisms that I don't love and I wonder if it is thematic at all, but it appears to at least be a solidly middleweight Euro. The short playtime of Machu Picchu has me concerned that it will be far too streamlined.

Edited Fri Sep 5, 2008 5:34 pm
Posted Fri Sep 5, 2008 5:34 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Dave L.

(Emile)

United States
Portland
Oregon

Also to mention - I have a bit of a soft spot for StrataMax games. Although they are fairly abstracted, they tend to have interesting mechanisms and unusual themes. This year they are putting out Days of Steam, a track-laying and hand management game, and are producing 500 copies at a higher production value than their usual. Perhaps an attempt to break through in the market a little, since their past games were of poor physical quality and never got much notice. Days of Steam is 2-4 players, 30-60 minutes. Seems too short for my tastes, but I'll be keeping an eye on it.

According to the BGG database, they also have two other games coming out - Cheshire Ring and Churchill and the Glorious Revolution. The former is apparently another short game, but the latter is billed at 120 minutes and set in 1688 England. It appears both use the traditional StrataMax color-faced dice.

Posted Mon Sep 8, 2008 3:49 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

(Lajos)

Japan
Tokyo

I think we agreed before that the slow games movement should support small and independent publishers. A fondness for Stratamax is therefore quite appropriate for a slow gamer. Personally, I always look at Stratamax's new games with a very sympathetic eye. Congo Line, which they published a few years ago, is still the best short train game I ever played.
I didn't see their line-up for this year before, and I must say that it's looking quite interesting. Days of Steam may very well end up high on my list, but the other two will probably not make it, even though they are interesting.
Thanks for remembering to check out Stratamax.

Posted Tue Sep 9, 2008 12:30 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Michael Debije

(mi_de)

Netherlands
Eindhoven
The Netherlands

Eklund is bringing a new game, designed by his son Matt, called Kriegbot. I have the rules and the components to look through, and it looks like smash-'em-up fun with the Sierra Madre touches. A definite buy for me: not normally your style, but thought I'd bring it to your attention. It'll be their standard ziplock format game.

Posted Tue Sep 9, 2008 3:34 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote