The Tao of Gaming

Let's go to the tape...

I own Blokus (#60). Blokus is a good friend of mine. And, who knows, maybe it deserves to be on the list.

I own many of the Card Driven Wargames, and have even played a few, but I've never gotten to try Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage [#59]. Many people love it.

Wizard [#58] is a remake of Oh, Hell. I remember playing it once or twice and grad school and thinking .... "Eh, I could just play Oh, Hell!" Since we know that traditional card games can make the list (via Spades), is this game really that much better than the original? I seem to recall that some of the cards reminded me of the dots in Bridgette, you don't have to follow suit, but you lose the trick. A cute idea, but given that it'sabout getting the exact number of tricks (not most), a bit of a monkeywrench. I personally wouldn't put either on the list. But if I were, I'd stick with the original.

I dislike Schnappchen Jagd [#57]. Ok, dislike is strong. I can take it or leave it, and usually leave it. Some of my best friends play SJs (damn Papists).

I knew I was going to see Diplomacy [#56]. I didn't expect to see Larry's comment — "In my opinion, the greatest game creation of the first 70 yearsof the twentieth century."

I respectfully dissent. According to Calhammer, a correctly played game of diplomacy should never end, but just be an ever-shifting morass of loyalties and properties. [I actually got "Calhammer on Diplomacy" to read at the Gathering last year, I think it was in that, but it may have been from some nameless interview]. When a game's creator says the game shouldn't end, and says it glowingly, I think that should be a strike.

Besides, Bridge beats Diplomacy like a Red headed stepchild (or Turkey).

Wallenstein [#55] rocked my world, in the sense that we kept jolting the table and knocking cubes out of the tower. As a game, I haven't felt a strong urge to seek it out; I'd play it again if offered.

Can't Stop [#54]. I have a mildly snarky comment. Ooh, that would really punch it up. ... Adding a d20 joke would make it great. Damn, over the top. Your turn. (A fine choice).

One of the first games I reviewed, I've got no beef with Daytona 500 [#53], either.

Ricochet Robots [#52], in my world, was a flash in the pan. But I can see how others like it. Now that I think about it, it probably is my favorite puzzle game (over Black Vienna), since it doesn't require notes or tedious downtime. Still, 'My favorite puzzle game' is kind of like 'Buddy Hacket's family friendliest joke'. [Not counting Haggle. That's a puzzle/party game, and loads more fun...]

Go [#51] doesn't even make the Top half? Man the barricades! I'm not sure I'd list it in my Top 15, but I spent years of my life (and lots of money) trying to get good at this. [I didn't, so I'm reduced to bitterly posting a blog...]. I'm sure that somewhere, Go is just sitting back, listening to the other games crack wise, and thinking "This, too, shall pass."

More wacky hijinks tomorrow. [I need to get out and game].