The Tao of Gaming

Mainly a travel day, and catching up with old friends. I did get in a game of Struggle of Rome. It reminds me of Settlers of the Stone Age. Struggle didn't particularly grab me; I was mainly chatting with people.

And I played Race for the Galaxy. Big Surprise. However, the real news is that the artwork is stunning. I'm not the type to buy original game art, but this would be tempting.

Sleep now, game later. And yes, I only played two games.

I played some games yesterday; mainly interested in Through the Ages. To be specific -- We played a 4-player, 2-era game (the full game is three eras), using the advanced rules (of basic, advanced, full).

Our game took about four hours, plus forty minutes or so for rules. Interesting, if not completely absorbing. It really does seem like many of the basic ideas (if not mechanisms) map to the Sid Meier computer game Civ. The main idea, a Showmanager-esque track where you buy advances, works well. The resource management seems to work.

In broad brush-strokes, there's something here. If the full game consistently takes six hours, that's a serious obstacle. We could shave it down with a play or two. I missed the chance to purchase this when Funagain got fifty copies earlier (in that I could have, but decided to sleep on it). I keep hearing it will be out next year. Now that I've played it, I still feel a small twinge at not buying it, but no overwhelming anguish. I look forward to trying it again once or twice during the week.

Others have expressed concern on balance. Given 300 (more?) cards, with probably 150 different effects, I won't speculate. Others have fallen out of love with this after 3-5 plays (but not many). I could be one of those. I'm flaky that way.

I also tried Glory to Rome, which is in the San Juan / Race for the Galaxy family. Given how I feel about the other two, its tough to claim an opinion. There are many more 'moving parts' in Glory to Rome (something like a eight roles, and cards can be in hand, on the table, in the stockpile, clientele, being built, built, or in the vault. Given the bewildering array of options, take the opinion of anyone who has played once with enough salt to keep deer through the winter.

That being said, my impression of "Too many notes" feels right. The complexity feels needless, and out of place in this genre. If you have 30 (San Juan) to 95 (Race) cards that break the rules, simple rules help. I'll play again, and likely several more times, but I suspect I'll be sticking with the other two. I'm also prejudiced against the artwork. It lacks San Juan's simplicity, or Race's stunning clarity. This is more cartoony and Groo-like. It distracted. [I may find Race's art distracting once it's published ... I'm used to the simple interface].

Interestingly, J feels quite favorable towards Glory to Rome, so we may pick up a copy anyway. [I'm told there will be a newer edition that fixes quite a few things, and clarifies other points, so I can wait].

Is there buzz on Notre Dame? I hadn't heard anything, but as the latest Alea game I imagine others have.

Nice and solid. Resource management at heart; but a fresh feel. Only played one game, but I'll certainly be trying it again, and I suspect this will have lots of fans. My early guess includes me in that group.

Notre Dame reminds me of El Grande, without area majority. You have 9 action cards. Each round you get three at random, then draft. Pick one and pass to the left. Then two rounds of playing action cards (we're in Fairy Tale Territory here). After three rounds you have a special scoring (for the Notre Dame Cathedral) but you have plenty of scoring during the turn (a much higher percentage). After two actions each player can pick one of three people and buy a favor (if they have money). [Six of these people repeat each 3-turn round, the other nine appear once, but are sorted into A, B and C, so you know vaguely when they'll show up].

You manage money, cubes, plague (plage rats), actions, some movement. Lots of simple interlinking systems. Many different ways to score. I think the mild randomness will keep this fresh longer for many people (as well as keeping the game moving).

It won't be out for a month, so I have time to mull it over -- but I'm probably buying Notre Dame,

Got to play this twice. The rules are online somewhere (you can probably find them on the geek). I like it (of course), but I think the random element will make it more accessible. My first game was over fast, no prestige buildings. My second game lingered, and changed quickly ... we almost ran out of gold cubes early on, and then they became very precious as all the mines shut down and buildings were bought.

The (little) bit of luck may increase the replayability for those burned out; the shorter play time may entice those who thought Caylus too long.

Lots of gaming, and the computers here flake out. Anyway, I'm not up on hot news, as I've mainly been playing long games that have been out for a while. A few more games of Through the Ages, Seven Ages, and Notre Dame.

I also tried a learning game of Pax Romana. (Only the strong may play). Interesting ideas, but long. Given the chaos & time involved, it seems inferior to something like Seven Ages, but I had fun. Another experience game. Who knows, I may get to play again.

I'll probably really organize my thoughts next week, although there's a chance I'll post again before then.

Dead Sunday morning (as always) and an hour before my shuttle, so in no particular order:

• Tried another game of Glory to Rome, and picked it off the prize table. Have to play this a few more times ...
• Played Wikinger twice (basic rules only) ... that's probably worth a few more plays, with the advanced rules.
• You know, Descent still had a large following here. People who normally cap their Euro-games at 2 hours don't mind playing that for 8 hours. And I saw some amazing tackle-boxes to hold & sort the components.
• It turns out that I'm the blurb for the 2nd edition American Megafauna. Who knew? [I didn't, and that's been out 6 years.] I wonder if I'm on the box for 3rd edition.
• I finally played Hossa (informally). I expect I'll be asked to return my curmudgeon reviewing credentials shortly.
• I have some concerns with Caylus Magna Carta (four plays), but I need to think about it.

More in a day or two.

So, here's the final count (no number means a single play).

• Race for the Galaxy (10) — I'll be getting this, which will hopefully be out in early July.
• Notre Dame (5) — I like it, Jacqui likes it. Probably doesn't play well in mixed company, and has subtle luck.
• Caylus Magna Carta (4) — An almost certain purchase, but some issues (I'll probably post them later)
• Factory Fun (3) — Good, spatial game. May purchase.
• Through the Ages (3) — After two [four-player] games, I liked it, but felt better about my decision to pass on purchasing last month. After a three-player game, I was less sanguine. May purchase, if I get the chance.
• Yspahan (3) — There were ~10 copies on the prize table, and they went fast. I was hoping to snag one. Now I'll probably break down and buy it.
• Celebrities (2)
• Glory to Rome (2) — May be too complicated. Art not to my taste. But a good game might be hidden in there. I'll need a few more plays to find out, but I got a copy (off the prize table).
• Poker (2)
• Wikinger (2) — After an R-rated game (Heavy Violence, Extreme Losing), I tried it again a few days later. Not a purchase, but I'd like to try the advanced game, which may change that decision.
• 7 Ages
• Category 5
• Fairy Tale
• Hossa!
• Ideology: The War of Ideas -- Ugh.
• Igel Ärgern
• Pax Romana — Long and Chaotic? That makes it an experience game. There are parts to like, a few pet peeves to hate, and I wouldn't mind spending another day or two on this one.
• Phoenicia
• Puerto Rico
• Scepter of Zavandor
• Struggle for Rome — I thought Stone Age was OK. I thought this was OK. So if you really like Stone Age, try this.
• Titan
• To Court the King
• Venedig — OK, not exciting. I'd play this again, and can now try it on BSW. Perhaps it's deeper than I give it credit for.

I bought a copy of Civilization (which I disliked the last time I played it, but I routinely play longer games now, so I figured I'd give it another chance) and San Marco (which I've only played once, and figured I'd give another chance).

Anyway, deeper thoughts about individual titles over the next few days.

Update: I finally went and answered questions in the comments. And I linked all the games to their respective geekpage.