A fair amount of gaming, but having just gotten Netflix, I've been catching up on TV and movies instead of posting.
Thanks to Larry for describing the differences between Steel Driver and Wabash Cannonball in the comments. Despite liking most of Wallace's games, I haven't gone out of my way to keep up with his newer stuff ... in fact, the reviews tend to knock me out. But I'll have to give it a try.
I also want to congratulate Alexfrog for the imminent publication of his first game, Homesteaders. I just skimmed the rules, but our tastes for heavier games so closely match that I'll get a copy.
On the gaming front -- Playing Automobile again cements my feeling that it's solid. Our group seems to be fairly conservative, we probably average less than one unsold car per player per round, and sometimes miss selling a few cars. That may also be the nature of 5 player games, a bit more conservative (since pushing production only hurts 1-2 of your opponents, and risks getting stuck yourself, it would be more viable with less opponents). Again, I have a vague concern about the scripted nature of play ... it would be nice if something changed in the setup each game (beyond the tiles). Still, happy to have a local copy.
My first play of Snow Tails didn't disappoint. A nice change of pace from Ave Caesar. Finally had a chance to use a takeover in the new Race expansion, but it was so late that I had a better play available. Playing with the goal cards and takeovers adds time to the game, perhaps too much. Normally I'd be playing this to death, but with so many new games (and new local gamers) it's hard to get to the table. And with Pegstivus showing up this week, I doubt that will change. (The name comes from Festivus, specifically, "The airing of grievances."