GWJ Strategy Gaming Group: Now Playing Midnight Suns

Bubblefuzz wrote:
Higgledy wrote:

I’m on Mac so I can only play certain games but I’m hoping to play some more this year.

Same and I have the added bother of having to stay on an older Mac OS for work software.

Console only strategy for me.

Which works this time around - we have Mechanicus already on Switch.

I'm on an aging Macbook Pro but I've been using Geforce Now game streaming (now a paid subscription but there's a free tier that allows you to play one hours sessions) for the last three years and it completely opens up my gaming options. I've also recently subscribed to Game Pass using their cloud streaming and it's ridiculously good value.

Edit: I haven't restarted Mechanicus yet as I'm in the middle of a couple of other strategy games. I should get around to it in the next week or two and will report back

Oh man is there a Fell Seal thread around here somewhere? It's been fantastic. Put in at least an hour every night. Excited about first temple mission tonight.

It's really scratching my SRPG itch. Guess I'll be waiting at least another month or two to buy Troubleshooter...

A friend of mine gifted me Gladius: Relics of War for Christmas and I've been dipping into it while playing Mechanicus. My word there's a good game......

Stele wrote:

Oh man is there a Fell Seal thread around here somewhere? It's been fantastic. Put in at least an hour every night. Excited about first temple mission tonight.

It's really scratching my SRPG itch. Guess I'll be waiting at least another month or two to buy Troubleshooter...

I've wanted to try Fell Seal, see it on switch sale quite a bit. Good to know it's doing the srpg business. If it gets the Strategy Group nod in the future might not be able to resist.

Neutrino wrote:
Bubblefuzz wrote:
Higgledy wrote:

I’m on Mac so I can only play certain games but I’m hoping to play some more this year.

Same and I have the added bother of having to stay on an older Mac OS for work software.

Console only strategy for me.

Which works this time around - we have Mechanicus already on Switch.

I'm on an aging Macbook Pro but I've been using Geforce Now game streaming (now a paid subscription but there's a free tier that allows you to play one hours sessions) for the last three years and it completely opens up my gaming options. I've also recently subscribed to Game Pass using their cloud streaming and it's ridiculously good value.

Might have to investigate, ta for the tips.

Bubblefuzz wrote:
Stele wrote:

Oh man is there a Fell Seal thread around here somewhere? It's been fantastic. Put in at least an hour every night. Excited about first temple mission tonight.

It's really scratching my SRPG itch. Guess I'll be waiting at least another month or two to buy Troubleshooter...

I've wanted to try Fell Seal, see it on switch sale quite a bit. Good to know it's doing the srpg business. If it gets the Strategy Group nod in the future might not be able to resist.

Fell Seal does have a thread. I'll leave you guys alone for the rest of the quarter then.

Arise thread for the April vote! Please list three games for our initial nomination round. Also, I'm going to update the rankings in the near future:

Here are my three pics:

Crusader Kings 3
Company of Heroes 2
Phoenix Point

Stele wrote:
Bubblefuzz wrote:
Stele wrote:

Oh man is there a Fell Seal thread around here somewhere? It's been fantastic. Put in at least an hour every night. Excited about first temple mission tonight.

It's really scratching my SRPG itch. Guess I'll be waiting at least another month or two to buy Troubleshooter...

I've wanted to try Fell Seal, see it on switch sale quite a bit. Good to know it's doing the srpg business. If it gets the Strategy Group nod in the future might not be able to resist.

Fell Seal does have a thread. I'll leave you guys alone for the rest of the quarter then. ;)

I knew there was a reason I picked up Fell Seal on Switch sale so nominations...

Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark
Wargroove
Tooth and Tail

Crusader Kings 3 (newly updated!)

Stars in Shadow

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak

I've gone through me Steam library and have picked three that I never spent much time on but would like additional motivation to dive into to see if it'll stick better this time around.

Big Pharma
Rise of Industry
XCOM Chimera

Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark
Crusader King 3
Company of Heroes 2

I'm going to stick with games that I already own and haven't got around to playing yet. I'll take a couple of games others have suggested above and add one that was in the Humble Choice back in Jan this year.

Iron Harvest
Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark
Rise of Industry

Company of Heroes 2
Sins of a Solar Empire
Remnants of the Precusors.

Pavlov's House (Really good solitaire resource allocation strategy game set in Stalingrad. Fend off German attacks while supporting a forward fortified position in the city. Based on real events. *NOT* a traditional wargame at all. Also not a puzzle game. This is one we could maybe dedicate a month too, rather than 2 or 3.)
Crusader Kings 3 (have not played much lately, it deserves a good thrashing)
Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark (just have not dug into it so yeah I should)

Robear wrote:

Pavlov's House (Really good solitaire resource allocation strategy game set in Stalingrad. Fend off German attacks while supporting a forward fortified position in the city. Based on real events. *NOT* a traditional wargame at all. Also not a puzzle game. This is one we could maybe dedicate a month too, rather than 2 or 3.)

Pavlov's House has been on my radar since the digital version was released. Once I've got through some of the games in my Steam library, I'll be getting it. I'll put it on my list next for the next round if it doesn't get selected this time.

I've been tempted to buy the physical Pavlov's House box, now that it's easier to get over here. That'd be interesting. Digital / tabletop crossover for the club pick.

The digital version is much cheaper and part for part, rule for rule identical to the board game. Not an adaptation, just the board game on a screen with a good AI backing it.

Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark
Company of Heroes 2
XCOM Chimera

1 I've played but didn't finish
1 I've beat but would play again
1 I've never played but own

Either way maybe going with the group could help

Fell Seal
Phoenix Point

Robear wrote:

The digital version is much cheaper and part for part, rule for rule identical to the board game. Not an adaptation, just the board game on a screen with a good AI backing it.

Yeah sometimes I just like the board game touchy feeliness. You're right though, this is a pricey game on the table, might be one where the app'd do.

Or to try the game out before investing in the hardcopy. Which is very high quality and attractive, with a good feel to the components.

Thanks guys for the nominations so far. I forgot to say a deadline so nominations close tomorrow (3/23) at 9 p.m.

Hi all, sorry for the delay. Was going to tabulate everything yesterday but the power’s been out and it’s a little tough doing this on my phone. I’ll have the slate of candidates ready this evening (hopefully).

No rush, JD. Enjoy your weekend.

It's crazy busy at work so for now all my spare time is either a) blowing up WW2 tanks in Warthunder or b) playing DW2.

That said I did want to give some anecdotal feedback on Frostpunk, something my 12yo boy has been putting some serious hours into this last week or two.

I totally bounced off of it when I first installed it (courtesy XBGP). But the boy has not only had several playthrough attempts but also finished it on easy mode - and he's the archetypal young modern gamer who grazes on many games only to be distracted by the next shiny new thing his friends are playing together. As it involves more planning and decision making, it's actually an exciting development in his gaming tastes. Actually really keen to see whether this will whet his appetite to attempt some of the older games in my Steam library like Banished, Anno games etc.

Just as an FYI, The free Epic Game next week (from tomorrow) is Total War: Warhammer

And as another FYI, GOG.com are holding a games festival sale and as part of this are giving away copies of Thea 2: The Shattering for the next 24 hrs or so. You just have to sign up for their newsletter.

Guys thank you for your patience! Here are your nominees - please pick your top three by Saturday 4/2 at Midnight PST. We'll then have our final vote starting Sunday.

Big Pharma
Company of Heroes 2
Crusader Kings 3 
Fell Seal: Arbiters Mark
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak
Iron Harvest
Pavlov's House
Phoenix Point
Remnants of the Precursors
Rise of Industry
Sins of a Solar Empire
Stars in Shadow
Tooth and Tail
Wargroove
XCOM Chimera

Fell Seal: Arbiters Mark
Wargroove
Pavlov's House

Dropping my own nomination of Tooth n Tail for Pavlov's House, keen to try it.

Top choice is:
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak

Also willing to play (since I own them)
Company of Heroes 2
Sins of a Solar Empire

Did they add a single player campaign to Sins?