Essen 2009 Report
Chief EGG Head
United States
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My view on Essen 2009, will update as I go along. Please note that comments on new games are my first impressions and are not based on playing complete games several times but rather based on explanations thru translators and playing a few rounds.
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1.
Board Game: Jet Set
[Average Rating:6.82 Overall Rank:886]
Chief EGG Head
United States
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My flights this year involved a stop over at O'Hare where I fortuitously ran into Greg, James, Jim and Scott who were all on the same flight to Dusseldorf. Greg had brought...
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2.
Board Game: Straw
[Average Rating:6.14 Overall Rank:2419]
Chief EGG Head
United States
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which we managed to play a few hands of before we boarded. Scott had brought several rule sets to learn on the plane as he prepped for his duty at Rio Grande's demo area and game me a brief synopsis of a few.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Since my flight arrived at 7 am my room was not quite ready so I spent the morning wandering around. I went to Gruga park which is next to the Messe. It was a nice and sunny but cool day here.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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At the hotel ran into none other than the BGG crowd as they were prepping for their booth and joined them for dinner at the Chinese restaurant across from our hotel. Luckily my hotel lights up at night so I can find it easily. More to follow!
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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I've added a bunch of pics to my gallery and will integrate them into the list as I have time and get a chance and to hopefully check out some of the games. But in the mean time, for those of you that can't wait http://www.boardgamegeek.com/images/user/933
Sorry if some are blurry, poor quality etc.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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I actually had a chance to play this ealier in the year. It's a light, (in case you were misled by the name
 ) fun filler. You toss your coasters into the circle trying to keep your coasters showing to earn points. I already purchased this one earlier
Ted and his helpers
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Now, I like race games, in particular, horse racing games. The designer explained this one to Jonathan and I. It has 3 levels of play, a strategy version involving all the various cards, a family version which eliminates some card choices and a party version which is mostly betting. The cards allow you to own stables which may bring you more profit, other cards affect the speed of your horse or other horses both positively and negatively. There are also cards which may counteract the cards. Cards are also involved in movement as well as dice. The artwork in this game tipped me over the edge towards buying and I have added it to my horse racing collection. The artwork has that kind of Edward Gorey feel to it. Looking forward to playing a whole game.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Played the prototype for this highly anticpated game. It's a cute take on the dungeon crawl reversing the usual roles so you are trying to keep those pesky heros out of your dungeon. Have to say I was really impressed by the minion-eeples
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Fairplay's list at the end of day 1. I added a few more pics to the gallery.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Hm, must have forgotten to take a picture while I was playing. A nice pick up and delivery game, reminds me very much of Auf Achse. I played a 2 player game. This is action point based to build trains, move etc. A bit of blocking of routes but not too much.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Hm, couldn't find this in the database. I think it was called Seven Hills from one of the Korean companies. Roman themed. An area control based game driven by collecting melds. The cards also have special actions such as being able to take someone else's pawn off the board or drawing extra cards. A bit like Web of Power with special card powers.
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12.
Board Game: Tobago
[Average Rating:7.21 Overall Rank:207]
Chief EGG Head
United States
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Of the games I tried so far, this is one I quite enjoyed playing. You searching for treasure. The mechanism involves playing cards to narrow done the location of the treeasure. All players can play these clue cards on any of the 4 possible treasures. If the treasure is located you draw treasure cards based on the number of clues you have played for that particular treasure. Nothing terribly complicated and rather tactical, The bits are very nicely done. Tobago was a nice gaming experience that has appeal towards a wider audience, nongamers family fare. A 3 player game with Eric and Jonathan. I couldn't resist and got a copy.
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13.
Board Game: Havana
[Average Rating:7.00 Overall Rank:452]
Chief EGG Head
United States
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Played Havana with Eric and Jonathan. Seems like light fare, plays very quickly. You play cards which control turn order and your ability to get resources. You buy/build buildings for VP. Game ends when one player reaches the VP goal.The card mechansism of play is interesting n that you initailly play 2 cards to determine player order and then thereafter play 1 new card to replace one previously played, so other players can guess where you might fall in turn order.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Ra with new double sided tiles and Ankhs.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Hm, what to say? Not my type of game. Kind of like Diamant in that you push your luck to get points. Then you can buy special cards or abilities to get more points. You can also buy VP cards with the points. The theme is you are trying to earn therapy points for the psycho pets.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Card based placement game. Seems to play very fast. You have secret goals and also all earn points on certain placements as well as bonus for longest connection. Feels kind of like TtR only you have different shapes you have to use instead of track.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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So unforutnately didn't get much gaming in this day. Our timing was off and all the tables seemed full. I was busy trying to make sure everything will fit in the suitcase-Fitss has nothing on this task!
Did get to try Insula. One of the many dungeon crawl type games out this year. The art is unusual and I liked the way the tiles and cards looked. It's short and not that difficult to grasp the rules. You can play somewhat cooperatively or not. We only played the base version, there is a more advanced version where the monsters are more difficult to defeat. I liked it, but not quite enough there for me to buy (still looking for my non-existent ideal fantasy game).
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Tried to help Chris and Mike out at their booth a bit. No new games from them this year but a new expansion for Jet Set.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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A mini exp for jet set, picked one up, a deal at 1 euro!
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20.
Board Game: Valdora Extra
[Average Rating:7.25 Unranked]
[Average Rating:7.25 Unranked]
Chief EGG Head
United States
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So no major hit yet seems to be the general consensus this year, it seems to be the Year of the Expansion.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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ok, not officially an expansion, but since I just bought the kit, it feels like one.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Got the pack including with all the mini exp included.
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Bought the expansion for Cocktail's Kaleidos too, definitely Year of the Expansion-naturally right after I swore I was never getting anymore expansions!
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Chief EGG Head
United States
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Ok,last day of the fair for me. Had a quick explanation of Hansa teutonica. Sounds interesting with connecting cities and area majority playing a role. Not a new or exciting theme. You can develop your board and earn mor actions and points as you go along. Picked it up.
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Posted Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:05 am
with envy 
