The Big Board-Gaming Catch-All

My wife, brother, and I spent around 4 hours learning and playing Too Many Bones on Tabletop Simulator today. It was fun and confusing and challenging and really interesting. Ultimately we were crushed but when you come away from a loss like that just talking about what you'd do differently, it's a great sign. I'm ordering the base game tomorrow. We'd do Undertow but we really like Picket and Boomer. If we stick with it I'd love to add some of the other characters and expansions.

Cool, bit jealous!

Regarding expansions, the Splice and Dice expansion Kickstarter wasn't too long back.

There was a "TMB complete collection" tier...

Too Many Bones
TMB: Undertow
40 Days Add-on
Age of Tyranny Add-on
TMB Characters: Ghillie, Tink, Nugget, Gasket
Premium Health
Adventure Map 2.0
Ally Pack
Too Many Bones: Splice & Dice
TMB Character: Dart
TMB Character: Gearloc Council Internship Program
Trove Chest
All Unlocked Stretch Goals

Only US$ 530!

I'll keep on the expansion trail. Dice Throne has another one coming out, Season One Rerolled and Dice Throne Adventures.

Season One Rerolled is the beautification of the the original Season One release but in the Season Two aesthetic. I have talked on this thread in the past how much I enjoy Dice Throne and how well it plays as a one on one fighter with mitigated Yahtzee dice rolling but also has the versatility to play in teams or a free-for-all mode. There are some Tabletop Simulator workshops created, one official one not.

Season One and Season Two are fully compatible with or without the rerolled feature. Adventures builds on the existing heroes and turns it into a non-destructible coop adventure mode with loot and card carryover. There is an excellent Man vs Meeple video that takes you through a full 4 player round of the exploration phase and a round of the boss combat.

As for a stand alone "expansion" that is really just a new game, Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North looks fantastic. I like how they have worked to improve and refine the machanics. 51st State ---> Imperial Settlers ---> 51st State Master Set ---> Empires of the North. Something to check out for those going to Gen Con.

I got to play Star Wars: Outer Rim this weekend. It was the first time playing for all 3 of us and we all enjoyed it. It was a little long but we all agreed it got faster as we played more and became more familiar with it. Playing again, at least with 3 players, my guess is we'd probably take about 2 hours or a little longer.

Overall though we all enjoyed the game. I like these open sandbox games where you get to pick what you do to try and get the points to win. The pilot you pick plays into that as they have a specific ability that will make something easier to complete. I went with trying to complete jobs and deliver illegal goods. One of the other players when with bounties, and the third did a little of each. The score was close the whole time and in the end we were all within about 1 turn of winning.

None of us really went the route of combating the patrols or each other and I do think it would be interesting to see how that plays in with the other parts if you have a pilot stronger in that.

There were also some fun interactions such as one of the bounties at one point was for one of my crew members. Once we sorted out the rules on how that it works it led to some fun turns as I was running away from the player with the bounty, while trying to get to a job to deliver, while he was trying to catch up to get the bounty off my ship and avoid some patrols.

I'd gladly play it again if my friend who owns it brings it out.

Great post, jigsaw! I'm very curious about Outer Rim, but I already own a similar game in Xia. Seems like Outer Rim has more flavor, and Star Wars at that, but Xia is more wide open and has exploration, which I love.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

Great post, jigsaw! I'm very curious about Outer Rim, but I already own a similar game in Xia. Seems like Outer Rim has more flavor, and Star Wars at that, but Xia is more wide open and has exploration, which I love.

There is not exploring to find locations, you know where all the planets are on the track at the start, but you do have to kind of explore the contacts on each planet if you're looking for bounties. It is not really the same but might scratch a little of that exploration itch.

Watched a review of Outer Rim and I'm sold. It looks really good. I think I will try to pick up a copy.

Natus wrote:
Chaz wrote:

Brittania is very good. I haven't played in a while, and gave my copy to a buddy years ago. I could see buying it again if the price was right.

Just looked at the Kickstarter, AND OH GOD WHY ARE YOU ADDING MINIS? never mind, I wouldn't want that even if the price was right.

I don't need the new version since I barely play my FFG copy and I'm not a minis fan generally, but what's wrong with minis in Britannia?

Mostly because they're unnecessary, and might actually make the game harder to play. There's four player colors, but multiple different nations that you'll be controlling during the game. You'll probably have periods where you have units from two or three nations you control on the board at once, sometimes even attacking each other. It's actually important to be able to tell the nations apart.

With counters, they use the colors of the character art, but mostly different symbols, to make them recognizable. With minis, you're going to have to sort and track a half dozen different sculpts of dudes with swords and spears, and remember which is which. It's possible it'll be fine, but I've got a feeling it's going to be really annoying.

The newest CMON Kickstarter, Trudvang Legends, has launched. Theres a $10 discount for day-one backers.

I have a box of 2-player games I'd like to unload. It has 4 Kris Burm games: YINSH, GIPF, DVONN, ZERTZ, and one of the expansions. It also has Day and Night. The thing is I condensed them to fit in one box, and the originals are long gone. As long as you make an offer that covers shipping, they're yours.

forlorn1 wrote:

I know I'm way behind the times, but I picked up Tiny Epic Galaxies and hope to play it over the break with family. They tend to be scared of complexity in games, so we'll see. It looks really straightforward and fun to me.

If I have to suffer another session of Trivia Pursuit, someone is leaving in an ambulance (probably me from hitting my head into the wall repeatedly...)

Having just played TEG on vacation with family, I bought it immediately because I loved it so much. Played a few games ranging from 3-5 players. Got it at home, played a few times solo - haven't been able to conquer the 3rd hardest board yet. But I bought the expansion today and am looking forward to that.

Saw they were making Tiny Epic Mechs and was immediately intrigued, so I watched a well done review and play-though, then pre-ordered it. Seems really nifty and I dig the "programming" aspect.

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/3D4U9rd.jpg)

Anyone keen on a blind play test? I’ve got a game that is at the sell sheet and pitch to publishers / investigate Kickstarter stage and if anyone is keen on giving it a go with print and play with dodgy placeholder art I can pm links to the manual and card sheets.

Components are 108 cards (plus reference cards)
4 tokens (keepers or cubes will do in a pinch)
1 6 sided Die.

Copy from Sell Sheet:

Players: 2-4 designed to integrate a 5-6 player expansion
Ages: 10+
Time: 20 - 30 minutes

Mechanics:
Card drafting
Hand management
Simultaneous Action Selection
Grid Movement
Take That

Components
110 Cards
4 vehicle tokens
1 D6

Madlands is Dieselpunk themed Racing game Where players have to assess their position on the track to make tactical choices to win the race while hurting their opponents chances with a light take that element by filling their decks with sub-optimal damage card.
Random themed hazard events provide rubber banding to keep all players engaged.

EASILY EXPANDABLE

SMALL FOOTPRINT

Themey fluff from intro in the manual:

In this grim alternate Diesel Punk future gangs race.

They race for Prizes, they race for glory, but mostly they race for survival.
Get your crew together, customise your rig and see how far and fast you can go through vicious dust storms and swamps of toxic sludge while being hunted by dangerous megafauna, voracious cannibals and the biggest threat to your survival. Your fellow racers.

Strip down the wrecked rigs of those that have gone before in your attempt to survive the wasteland and get to the finish. You might find the gear you need to give you the edge, or a lone survivor looking for a lift, but remember nobody rides for free and someone may have booby trapped that tasty rig you’re trying to strip down.

The first rig to make it off the end of the track and to safety is the winner.

Welcome to the Madlands.

The time is nigh! Who all is ready for GenCon? This will be my first year attending and I'm very much looking forward to it! I believe I owe someone a game of Valeria at some point in the weekend.

Board game sell on amazon.
spend all the money

Baron Of Hell wrote:

Board game sell on amazon.
spend all the money

Millennium Blades is a steal at $47. It's a fantastic game if you've ever played a CCG. It really captures the feel, and condenses it in a 2-hour experience.

I hear Palace and Between Two Castles of Mad Kind Ludwig are good, but I haven't had a chance to play. Two Castles stands out because it's a 7-player game.

The Tea Dragon Society Card Game is charming as heck. Maybe a bit simple for strategy gamers, but the aesthetics make up for it. It's interesting as a teeny deck building game. Read the book if you ever get the chance.

Among The Stars is a cheap as I've ever seen it. It's like 7 wonders, and is a good intro for higher-level strategy games.

I haven't heard of a bunch of them. I'd be interested if any stand out.

Delbin wrote:

I hear Palace and Between Two Castles of Mad Kind Ludwig are good, but I haven't had a chance to play. Two Castles stands out because it's a 7-player game.

I can vouch for Between Two Castles. You're only directly interacting with the people immediately adjacent to you, so scaling it up to 7 players doesn't make it drag. You're also genuinely cooperating with your neighbors, but in a way that avoids one person driving the whole game. And it doesn't use any kind of traitor mechanic either. It's a unique and refreshing dynamic that I thoroughly enjoy.

Got my Bargain Quest kickstarter. I've already played a friends copy so I know it's solid. I grabbed it because I think my wife may dig it and it's light enough that I reckon I could get the 7 year old into a game.

Prozac wrote:

Got my Bargain Quest kickstarter. I've already played a friends copy so I know it's solid. I grabbed it because I think my wife may dig it and it's light enough that I reckon I could get the 7 year old into a game.

Mine comes today, too! Super excited.

Did anyone end up getting Bloodborne? Last day for upping pledge on monday. Still sitting on my $1, not sure if I should. There seem to be a perception that CMONs games are not particularly good. On the other hand, it is Bloodborne

Shadout wrote:

Did anyone end up getting Bloodborne? Last day for upping pledge on monday. Still sitting on my $1, not sure if I should. There seem to be a perception that CMONs games are not particularly good. On the other hand, it is Bloodborne :)

I stuck with my early bird. Having second and third thoughts, but it's too late. Just going with the base pledge.

Shadout wrote:

Did anyone end up getting Bloodborne? Last day for upping pledge on monday. Still sitting on my $1, not sure if I should. There seem to be a perception that CMONs games are not particularly good. On the other hand, it is Bloodborne :)

Like most companies, CMON's games are a bit hit and miss. Blood Rage is brilliant. Rising Sun is fine, with the right group. Arcadia Quest is tons of fun. Zombicide is a bit meh, though it has its fans. As someone who can't stand the video game, I still found their Bloodborne Card Game to be quick to learn with interesting mechanics and a reasonable swing.

I do feel like their Kickstarters are a bit more focused on the Bitz, rather than the game itself, but that certainly seems to be how most of the big company KS's are headed.

I know he's polarizing sometimes, but frankly, I'll play anything that Eric Lang has a hand in designing. He's got a pretty high rate of success by whatever nebulous metrics my enjoyment uses.

Feegle wrote:

I know he's polarizing sometimes, but frankly, I'll play anything that Eric Lang has a hand in designing. He's got a pretty high rate of success by whatever nebulous metrics my enjoyment uses.

For me, I'll be *curious* to play anything Lang designs, but I wouldn't plunge in without some research. He's had some outstanding hits, but also a lot of clunkers, like most designers.

Lang's next game was announced during Gencon this weekend. It's called Ankh, set in ancient Egypt, and rounds out his "strategic trilogy" with Blood Rage and Rising Sun. No details on the gameplay yet. Kickstarter later this year. I'm intrigued but I'm still not sure Rising Sun was worth it to me.

Blood Rage is brilliant. Rising Sun was a dud for us. Hopefully Ankh is more like the first than the last. Lang is anything but consistent.

Natus wrote:
Feegle wrote:

I know he's polarizing sometimes, but frankly, I'll play anything that Eric Lang has a hand in designing. He's got a pretty high rate of success by whatever nebulous metrics my enjoyment uses.

For me, I'll be *curious* to play anything Lang designs, but I wouldn't plunge in without some research. He's had some outstanding hits, but also a lot of clunkers, like most designers.

Just to re-emphasize - I'll play anything he designs. He's also a friend of several friends, which means that I don't often have to purchase his games to have access to them - odds are good that someone in my local circle will buy a copy of whatever his latest work is.

Back from Gencon impressions:

Finger Guns at High Noon is hilarious fun.

Secret Hitler remains the cream of the social deduction crop. Playing SH with people who are really good at SH is intense.

There's a new game coming out called Time Chase which combines trick-taking with time travel. It's pretty great.

Horrified is also pretty good, for having the feel of a mass market product.

Jaws is the best game you can buy at Target right now, and is fantastic with 4 players.

I still don't understand middle-aged men dressing in Japanese schoolgirl outfits.

Ive had a fun weekend playing Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle Earth by Fantasy Flight Games with my wife and Brother. It's a cooperative, fully app-assisted game of exploration and adventure.

The app guides your adventure and applies some wonderful techniques best suited to a computer to make missions randomized, branching, simplify setup without giving away things like a full map, and to track some small things that we expect to end up coming back, like finding a special horse we expect to show up again at some point.

The DNA of the game seems to be a combination of a few previous FFG games. Mansions of Madness has the party moving around a map, searching for clues, making tests etc. These elements are in this game. Arkham Horror Card Game has you manage a deck of cards for a character and pass/fail tests against various stats. I bounced off AHCG twice because I didnt really enjoy the core play mechanics, especially when it comes to drawing cards to pass skills. Somehow this game does it better. For example you start with your basic equipment and one core skill equipped. Every round you get to draw 2, keep one to put in one of your ready skill slots, put the other on top or bottom of your deck. You have no 'hand' just a deck. When its time to test a skill, you draw cards based on the stat being tested, looking just for one of a few symbols on cards and you can also utilize your readied abilities, passive abilities of your characters, etc.

Gameplay ends up really quite fast, you do a lot more in your 1-2 hours than, say, Gloomhaven. In fact we were playing our first mission within about 10 minutes of sitting down with the app and my brother as the pseudo-GM. A brief explanation and some character choices were enough to get going.

I found it really enjoyable and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed any of the games already mentioned or other games involving exploration and adventure, like Guns n Glory, Legends of Andor, or Eldritch Horror.