Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 29, 2024, 01:51:19 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Search:     Advanced search
we're back, baby
*
Home Help Search Login Register
f13.net  |  f13.net General Forums  |  General Discussion  |  Topic: The Boardgame Thread 0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.
Pages: 1 ... 34 35 [36] 37 38 ... 78 Go Down Print
Author Topic: The Boardgame Thread  (Read 585402 times)
Bunk
Contributor
Posts: 5828

Operating Thetan One


Reply #1225 on: January 07, 2014, 11:34:03 AM

Catan. It's pretty much just color coded.

"Welcome to the internet, pussy." - VDL
"I have retard strength." - Schild
dusematic
Terracotta Army
Posts: 2250

Diablo 3's Number One Fan


Reply #1226 on: January 07, 2014, 12:02:47 PM

Just got Pandemic.  It's ok, but a little boring after a couple plays.  I do like that it's cooperative.  I need to get BSG, that was the most fun I've had playing a board game since the days of Hero Quest.
schild
Administrator
Posts: 60345


WWW
Reply #1227 on: January 10, 2014, 01:45:31 PM

ghost
The Dentist
Posts: 10619


Reply #1228 on: January 10, 2014, 03:06:08 PM

That doesn't seem like your sort of game, schild.
MrHat
Terracotta Army
Posts: 7432

Out of the frying pan, into the fire.


Reply #1229 on: January 11, 2014, 06:59:19 AM

Just got Pandemic.  It's ok, but a little boring after a couple plays.  I do like that it's cooperative.  I need to get BSG, that was the most fun I've had playing a board game since the days of Hero Quest.

Doesn't BSG take like 4 hours?
jgsugden
Terracotta Army
Posts: 3888


Reply #1230 on: January 11, 2014, 02:17:56 PM

Just got Pandemic.  It's ok, but a little boring after a couple plays.  I do like that it's cooperative.  I need to get BSG, that was the most fun I've had playing a board game since the days of Hero Quest.

Doesn't BSG take like 4 hours?
90 minutes to 180 depending upon who you play with and how the game falls out (IME).

2020 will be the year I gave up all hope.
lamaros
Terracotta Army
Posts: 8021


Reply #1231 on: January 11, 2014, 05:15:45 PM

I like card games so I bought Coup, Love Letter, Haggis and Tichu.

Been so sick the last week I haven't played any yet, but hopefully will get to soon!

Played Agricola and 7 Wonders early last week. Agricola was fun but good god it's a crappy untidy and fiddly thing. Agricola might be a better game, but it could learn a lot from catan in making a more intuitive and pleasant playing experience. Now I get why people loved dominant species so much, it's Blizzard polish compared to these other favourites...

7 Wonders I just was pretty meh about. Nowhere near as fun as I'd hoped. I dislike games with such limited player interaction I guess. (I really don't get people who don't like interaction who want multiplayer games... here, lets take some of the skill out so you can read up at home and trick yourself into thinking you have a brain).
lamaros
Terracotta Army
Posts: 8021


Reply #1232 on: January 12, 2014, 12:22:43 AM

Also, in my sickness I foud the time/boredom to watch an episode of Tabletop. Wil Wheaton has anger issues?

Strong desire to play the panda eats bamboo game though!
MrHat
Terracotta Army
Posts: 7432

Out of the frying pan, into the fire.


Reply #1233 on: January 12, 2014, 07:02:30 AM

Also, in my sickness I foud the time/boredom to watch an episode of Tabletop. Wil Wheaton has anger issues?

Strong desire to play the panda eats bamboo game though!

I didn't get the hate for him really until I started watching that show.

I like the show, but while I could stand Wil and Felicia before, i'm firmly in the "JESUS CHRIST GO AWAY" camp now.

Is it the only show that does what it does?  I watched some penny arcade sponsored one and they showed the whole game for an hour and they all looked bored playing (Space Cadets).  Then I watched a few episodes of Miami Dice and its just not the same.
schild
Administrator
Posts: 60345


WWW
Reply #1234 on: January 12, 2014, 11:14:39 AM

They're the worst and actively make me dislike "non-competitive" board gamers even more. Why the quotes? Well, casuals are always so unbelievably competitive but not good enough to actually be competitive. It's ok for our natural drive to be winning.
Ragnoros
Terracotta Army
Posts: 1027


Reply #1235 on: January 12, 2014, 01:03:20 PM

Is it the only show that does what it does?  I watched some penny arcade sponsored one and they showed the whole game for an hour and they all looked bored playing (Space Cadets).  Then I watched a few episodes of Miami Dice and its just not the same.

Try Shut Up & Sit Down. They don't actually sit down and play a whole game, but explain the mechanics well, and give good reviews.

Older Episodes: http://shutupshow.tumblr.com/episodes
New Stuff: http://www.shutupandsitdown.com/

Owls are an example of evolution showing off. -Shannow

BattleTag - Ray#1555
Hawkbit
Terracotta Army
Posts: 5531

Like a Klansman in the ghetto.


Reply #1236 on: January 12, 2014, 01:58:12 PM

I find Watch it Played to be the one I align with the closest.  He's playing games the way I do, with my kid.  I think Rodney does an excellent job with describing how a game plays.  Little to no ego, but you will have to put up with cute kid antics.  Oh, and -10 points to Gryffindor for being Canadian. (kidding!)

I returned Arkham Horror and picked up 7 wonders and Whitechapel.  I'll agree with the sentiment above about lacking player interaction in 7W.  However, the speed in which the game plays is really what makes up for the faults.  It takes us as long to set up the game as it does to play it.  Makes for a great weeknight game.  We haven't been able to dig into Whitechapel yet, though.  It appears to deserve a bit more of our time than the average game.
« Last Edit: January 12, 2014, 02:00:13 PM by Hawkbit »
lamaros
Terracotta Army
Posts: 8021


Reply #1237 on: January 12, 2014, 02:04:59 PM

They're the worst and actively make me dislike "non-competitive" board gamers even more. Why the quotes? Well, casuals are always so unbelievably competitive but not good enough to actually be competitive. It's ok for our natural drive to be winning.

I'm not really sure I get the break point. How often you play, what you like to play, how competitive you are and how good you are are not necessarily related.

In Whitechapel you need a few of the extra rules to give the police a chance, unless you have a large skill disparity. Both aren't 'easy' to play brilliantly, but Jack is not as demanding mentally and the game already skews in his favour.
« Last Edit: January 12, 2014, 02:15:54 PM by lamaros »
jgsugden
Terracotta Army
Posts: 3888


Reply #1238 on: January 13, 2014, 09:14:44 AM

I try to avoid games longer than ~ 75 minutes unless everyone in the game is a serious gamer for the reasons schild mentioned - the lack of competiiton from "casual gamers" in longer games reduces the joy of playing, and they lose interest too often and make the endgame more random than it should be.

2020 will be the year I gave up all hope.
lamaros
Terracotta Army
Posts: 8021


Reply #1239 on: January 27, 2014, 03:24:45 PM

Happened to be in Melbourne over the weekend, with the cheapest gaming store around, so I bought some stuff:

Rex
Chaos in the Old World
Kemet
Forbidden Desert

Forbidden Desert is sadly missing a piece of the board, I guess I have to contact the publisher about that. Pretty annoying, though less so as I got it for half price as the tin was dinged.

Played Rex twice with the family. First game was six players and everyone was learning. Was a bit of fun though it worked into a 3v3 pretty early and didn't chance. After about 3.5-4 hours we had to abandon it as we had a dinner reservation. I would say that most enjoyed it though. Played again the next day with five, with one new player. Was a much more tricky game going on, with a turn four victory to a Hacan Lazax alliance due to some poor play on my Dad's behalf (took half his stack from a fight with Hacan - which he then lost - into a fight with Lazax which I was also in, which he also lost), compounded by a mistake by myself (thinking that he went to fight the Lazax for a reason I thought he had the strategy cards in place to win, when Lazax used most of his units in battle with me I choose not to use my traitor card and let Jol Nar mop up his last two. Except he didn't actually have any useful strategy cards, and misunderstood the tactical retreat card to give Lazax the sector). Then my brother used his betrayal card to win solo. Game only went for about 1-1.5 hours the second time around.

Still dirty that I didn't use my traitor card, would have had a very good chance to win in alliance with Letnev (I was Sol) otherwise...

A very good game as far as I'm concerned so far. I would probably play it back to back all weekend if I could find the people / get away with it. That we managed to keep engaged for four hours in a learning game with my GF, sister, dad, brother and B-I-L was pretty surprising to me, the GF even enjoyed it!
Ghambit
Terracotta Army
Posts: 5576


Reply #1240 on: January 28, 2014, 07:45:34 AM

I try to avoid games longer than ~ 75 minutes unless everyone in the game is a serious gamer for the reasons schild mentioned - the lack of competiiton from "casual gamers" in longer games reduces the joy of playing, and they lose interest too often and make the endgame more random than it should be.

This problem has less to do with "casual gamers" then it does with many people just not knowing how to be entertained unless it's slapping them on the face.  (porn pun intended)
Boardgaming is not for folk who can't entertainment themselves.  I mean really, it's a board... with bits and rules 'n stuff.  There's only so much direct enjoyment you'll get out of it, especially if it's an epic-style game.

"See, the beauty of webgames is that I can play them on my phone while I'm plowing your mom."  -Samwise
Ingmar
Terracotta Army
Posts: 19280

Auto Assault Affectionado


Reply #1241 on: January 28, 2014, 02:48:47 PM

I try to avoid games longer than ~ 75 minutes unless everyone in the game is a serious gamer for the reasons schild mentioned - the lack of competiiton from "casual gamers" in longer games reduces the joy of playing, and they lose interest too often and make the endgame more random than it should be.

This problem has less to do with "casual gamers" then it does with many people just not knowing how to be entertained unless it's slapping them on the face.  (porn pun intended)
Boardgaming is not for folk who can't entertainment themselves.  I mean really, it's a board... with bits and rules 'n stuff.  There's only so much direct enjoyment you'll get out of it, especially if it's an epic-style game.

That's not really germane to his point. If it's a 3 hour game, you're an hour in and it's obvious you have zero chance of winning, it isn't very entertaining - the only reason to keep playing is often to not ruin everyone else's fun. And it isn't much fun for the guy just dominating everyone, either. Competitive board games need at least a semblance of skill parity with the players to be much fun if they have a long play time (outside of a tournament type environment.)

The Transcendent One: AH... THE ROGUE CONSTRUCT.
Nordom: Sense of closure: imminent.
jgsugden
Terracotta Army
Posts: 3888


Reply #1242 on: January 28, 2014, 04:40:27 PM

... Competitive board games need at least a semblance of skill parity with the players to be much fun if they have a long play time (outside of a tournament type environment.)
With two exceptions:

* Games where the win progress is hard enough to see that you still feel like you have a shot - no matter how bad you were worked over.  For example, Let's say that instead of scoring points in Carcassone, you instead earned cards that had random point totals on a bell curve of 1 to 5 points.  Even if someone doubles your cards, you mightfeel like you have a chance to get lucky and outscore them... That type of 'randomness' does not sit well with many experienced gamers, but it does keep the newbies in the game because they can't see how bad the final beatdown will be as easily.

* Games with self balance like Power Grid - each round the team in the 'rear' gains advantages to help them catch up ... at least on the surface of the game.

2020 will be the year I gave up all hope.
ghost
The Dentist
Posts: 10619


Reply #1243 on: January 29, 2014, 07:54:53 AM

I try to avoid games longer than ~ 75 minutes unless everyone in the game is a serious gamer for the reasons schild mentioned - the lack of competiiton from "casual gamers" in longer games reduces the joy of playing, and they lose interest too often and make the endgame more random than it should be.

This problem has less to do with "casual gamers" then it does with many people just not knowing how to be entertained unless it's slapping them on the face.  (porn pun intended)
Boardgaming is not for folk who can't entertainment themselves.  I mean really, it's a board... with bits and rules 'n stuff.  There's only so much direct enjoyment you'll get out of it, especially if it's an epic-style game.

That's not really germane to his point. If it's a 3 hour game, you're an hour in and it's obvious you have zero chance of winning, it isn't very entertaining - the only reason to keep playing is often to not ruin everyone else's fun. And it isn't much fun for the guy just dominating everyone, either. Competitive board games need at least a semblance of skill parity with the players to be much fun if they have a long play time (outside of a tournament type environment.)

Or you need a group of good friends that just like shooting the shit and hanging out.  I've played many a game where I was out of the running and just hung around for the craziness of some of my friends. 

In summary, it's all about the right group for you.  That is why I don't really dig convention gaming or 'tournaments".  You run into all sorts of weird assholes.
Sky
Terracotta Army
Posts: 32117

I love my TV an' hug my TV an' call it 'George'.


Reply #1244 on: January 29, 2014, 08:39:20 AM

That was the crux of the blood bowl thing for me. Though it was a video game, it's technically a board game :p

Playing against someone good like Iain, I don't care if he's stomping me. Sure, it's more fun to win, but we can shoot the shit and I can make him quote Bond villain lines. But against some random dude brought in to fill out the roster who plays competitively, I'm just watching my guys get stomped and hoping a couple live to earn some xp.

So as a 'filthy casual', the opponent matters. It turns a fun 'oh look, you got me good' game into a 'fuck this bullshit, I'll go do dishes' game.

(Sorry to keep using this example, it's not like I'm scarred about it; I just don't do a lot of multiplayer gaming so it stands out for me).
ghost
The Dentist
Posts: 10619


Reply #1245 on: January 29, 2014, 08:47:19 AM

I think that is why a good chunk of people hate dealing with groups in WoW or similar online games. 
lamaros
Terracotta Army
Posts: 8021


Reply #1246 on: January 29, 2014, 02:48:59 PM

Somewhat related:

Played Rex again with the random gaming group. Some played poorly (Understandable - was everyone's first game but mine) and were out of it pretty early on - and then sort of turned out (which didn't make a lot of sense, as there were still enough turns to do something). Made it a less fun experience overall (turn 8 win to Letnev - Hacan alliance, with Letnev betraying for the solo win. Letnev had jumped into a Hacan alliance, ditching Lazax, after Sol, Jol Nar and Xxcha had allied in round 4).

Having to rush through the last hour to finish before the place closed might also have been a contributing factor too.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2014, 03:24:16 PM by lamaros »
Soln
Terracotta Army
Posts: 4737

the opportunity for evil is just delicious


Reply #1247 on: January 29, 2014, 10:24:27 PM

Good article in WaPo via BBG on Volko Ruhnke.  Really worth a read.

In the world of war games, Volko Ruhnke has become a hero
Soln
Terracotta Army
Posts: 4737

the opportunity for evil is just delicious


Reply #1248 on: January 29, 2014, 10:30:51 PM

lamaros
Terracotta Army
Posts: 8021


Reply #1249 on: January 30, 2014, 12:25:04 AM

http://bgg.cc/thread/1111991/a-distant-plain-blew-my-mind

Not quite what I'd call an epiphany, but a positive review all the same.
Soln
Terracotta Army
Posts: 4737

the opportunity for evil is just delicious


Reply #1250 on: January 30, 2014, 10:49:25 PM

I won't do this all the time but FYI in stock.. Roads & Boats: & Cetera Expansion, New available at CSI ($42.99).  
Shannow
Terracotta Army
Posts: 3703


Reply #1251 on: January 31, 2014, 07:51:24 AM

Good article in WaPo via BBG on Volko Ruhnke.  Really worth a read.

In the world of war games, Volko Ruhnke has become a hero

Thanks for that. As a wargamer I still look at all those boardgamers with neckbeardery disdain..:D

Someone liked something? Who the fuzzy fuck was this heretic? You don't come to this website and enjoy something. Fuck that. ~ The Walrus
Ghambit
Terracotta Army
Posts: 5576


Reply #1252 on: February 04, 2014, 10:18:12 AM

Good article in WaPo via BBG on Volko Ruhnke.  Really worth a read.

In the world of war games, Volko Ruhnke has become a hero

Thanks for that. As a wargamer I still look at all those boardgamers with neckbeardery disdain..:D

This sums up his games (especially Labyrinth):


I didn't have a chance to play with him when I was in DC, but he was frequently at the FLGS's... explaining his game; he's very reachable, but articulating on his level is an obvious chore.  His games are masterpieces really, but that doesn't mean they're for everyone.  The most glaring problem is finding two equal minds who can grok his stuff quickly, sit down, and have a challenging/rewarding gaming experience.  More often then not, only one player really "gets it."  This means in reality that there's rarely ever a casual game unless you've got patient friends who are willing to spend sessions navigating the ins and outs.

This is the problem with most hobby games really.  Having a good gaming group is a special snowflake occurrence methinks.

"See, the beauty of webgames is that I can play them on my phone while I'm plowing your mom."  -Samwise
sickrubik
Terracotta Army
Posts: 2967


WWW
Reply #1253 on: February 04, 2014, 10:42:58 AM

Having a good gaming group is a special snowflake occurrence methinks.

YARP.

beer geek.
ghost
The Dentist
Posts: 10619


Reply #1254 on: February 04, 2014, 12:08:50 PM

Having a good gaming group is a special snowflake occurrence methinks.

YARP.

I think it's possible when you're younger or in college, but it certainly gets tougher as you get older, particularly if you aren't around many of your friends from that era.  I could go back to my hometown and have a game together in an hour that would kick ass. 
Sky
Terracotta Army
Posts: 32117

I love my TV an' hug my TV an' call it 'George'.


Reply #1255 on: February 04, 2014, 12:17:49 PM

Half of my gaming group is dead, the other half is in Arizona.
Ironwood
Terracotta Army
Posts: 28240


Reply #1256 on: February 05, 2014, 05:24:01 AM

That sounds like two ways to say dead.

"Mr Soft Owl has Seen Some Shit." - Sun Tzu
Bunk
Contributor
Posts: 5828

Operating Thetan One


Reply #1257 on: February 05, 2014, 07:30:24 AM


I think it's possible when you're younger or in college, but it certainly gets tougher as you get older, particularly if you aren't around many of your friends from that era.  I could go back to my hometown and have a game together in an hour that would kick ass. 

I have the fortune of still being friends with the guys I hung out with in high school, and most of us still living in the same city. It does make a difference.

"Welcome to the internet, pussy." - VDL
"I have retard strength." - Schild
Thrawn
Terracotta Army
Posts: 3089


Reply #1258 on: February 05, 2014, 07:47:29 AM

Got my expansion to Boss Monster last night.  Just read through the new cards quick, doesn't do anything to address any of the games core problems of sucking.  (Very random, almost no player interaction, play choices are always obvious, etc...)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the Universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
lamaros
Terracotta Army
Posts: 8021


Reply #1259 on: February 19, 2014, 11:29:35 PM

Played more games. Bought more games! Games.

Coup is growing on me. Still not loving it though. Played some others I'd not before. Key Harvest was better than Keythedral, but still too dry for me. Race for the Galaxy was better than I thought it would be, ugly as heck but im keen to gove it another go now i have half a clue. Enjoyed City of Horror a fair bit, which was a surprise.

Hot a game of Kemet in the ther week, was a bit underwhelmed. It was still fun, but not what I thought it would be like. A little too euro without much depth. Maybe it was just the learning game experience though.

Bought Archipelago, Mascarade, Nexus Ops, Love Letter (Japanese edition rules), One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Mice and Mystics...

Going to have to sneak them into the house so the GF doesn't realise how much I've spent/get a better paying job.
« Last Edit: February 19, 2014, 11:33:15 PM by lamaros »
Pages: 1 ... 34 35 [36] 37 38 ... 78 Go Up Print 
f13.net  |  f13.net General Forums  |  General Discussion  |  Topic: The Boardgame Thread  
Jump to:  

Powered by SMF 1.1.10 | SMF © 2006-2009, Simple Machines LLC