lost in games

2011 was finally the year when me and my boardgames group finally settled down into a consistent schedule of at least 1 weekly session and on occasion 2.  As a result, we not only managed to play a lot more new games than in 2009 but also replayed some of them a few more times.

The group is also increasing in numbers and i really hope that in 2011 we reach that critical mass of people needed to play games that are best played with more players.  It also increases the likelihood that someone will be available when i want to play a 2 player game.

I was going to write a single post about all the boardgames i played in 2010 but because it would be too long i am going to split it into two parts. The first part is the Boardgames i Enjoyed and the second Boardgames i did not enjoy.

Boardgames i enjoyed

Unfortunately there was not a particular game that i can say i “loved playing” although there were many which i enjoyed. I have put in brackets the number of sessions i played each game.

Dominion (1) - This is one that i bought two years ago after hearing great things about it but never managed to play it. We finally had a session in December this year with Michalis and Martin (2 of my boardgaming buddies) and it proved to be really good. Although i detested the shuffling, especially when in the middle of my own turn, i liked the pace and decision making it required. It seemed that were a lot of different winning strategies one could try and different combos of cards.

It was only 1 game so i am not sure whether it really is that open ended in terms of winning strategies but that was the impression i got. It’s definitely a game i would like to play more often, especially as you can change the available decks and also we don’t play a lot of card games.

Agricola (3) - Similarly to Dominion, i bought Agricola two years ago but only managed to play it late in 2010. It’s very good as well and i liked the theme as it’s different to what we usually play.  The options of what actions to take combined with the occupation/minor improvement cards you hold in your hand can seem overwhelming but it gives the game more replayability i think. It also, again like Dominion, gives me the impression that it allows players to follow different paths to victory.

Galaxy Trucker (3) -  In my search to purchase boardgames that are different to the usual boardgames i already own, i bought on ebay a used Galaxy Trucker. What can i say. I have certainly not played anything like GT before and it’s great fun. The frantic search of components during the building phase and then waiting for those events to take place which slowly destroy the spaceship is truly hysterical at times.

The only issue i might have with the game is that (as many people have said) it will be beatable after several plays. Once you get comfortable with the events and know how to build the spaceship, players that are experienced in GT will be able to finish the journey comfortably. So although i am enjoying it right now and will definitely aim for more playing time in 2011 it’s a game there is a risk that i will stop playing at some point.

Traders of Carthage (3) -  The surprise game of 2010 for me. I wanted a light hearted card game and stumbled upon Traders of Carthage. It’s a wonderful game which i played with 2, 3 and 4 players. The 2 player is considerably more tactical and enjoyable as you have more control of the ships’ movement and what goods you are transporting. Almost perfectly balanced in time, randomness and decision making.

Long Shot (2) -  Both times I played Long Shot (4 player sessions) was with non-boardgamers and we had a great time. It’s a very light game but the theme and components really give you the sensation of a horse race. It’s a game i wish i could play more often with many of my non-boardgamer friends.

Dungeons & Dragons: The Castle of Ravenloft (1) - Castle Ravenloft was the last board game i played this year. I heard great things about it on the GamersWithJobs podcast and decided to take the plunge when i saw that Bookdepository.co.uk was shipping it free to Cyprus. Upon reading the rulebook i was genuinely disappointed as it looked too light and even boring. My worry was that if i did not like it i would find it extremely difficult to sell it if i did not like it since the box i big and very heavy which would mean high shipping costs.

Again i managed to gather 4 non-boardgamer friends and played the 2nd scenario.  It took us 3hrs but it did not feel long at all. It felt like we were in an adventure with our 4 distinguishable (to an extent) heroes. I would agree that it is still light but the experience of playing compensates for it. Like Battlestar Galactica, the rules are not that great, but with the right crowd you can get an awesome experience. This one will see the table often i think because a lot of my friends will be willing to play it.

My life has always been about constants. My hobbies ever since I was just a child have always been the same. Football, books and finally of course videogames.

There have been many guest star activities such as tennis, mountain biking, watching hockey, comic books, gym and most recently running. But I had and have no illusions as to the future of most of these. They will be on and off whenever I am in the mood or even give them up entirely never to return to them again.

However, recently there will be one more addition to my constants. This is the world of board games. Ever since I played Catan on the XBLA I have fallen in love with them and begun to expand my horizons in this very geeky and niche form of entertainment. I had previously had flings with games such as Diplomacy, Acquire and of course Risk. But they were just summer flings. Loved them for a while but then suddenly it was all over. Just like that.

But now it’s back because of board games released on the Xbox Live Arcade service this past year or so (Lost Cities, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride). The XBLA has managed to bridge the gap that existed (i.e. no other people around me playing) by giving me the opportunity to play and enjoy these. Even single player against the AI is a viable way to play although not ideal. Getting friend to play with locally is though.

Many people criticise videogames for turning more and more people to anti-social behaviour. The best answer to this is how games can also “push” people into being more social and opening their eyes into new experiences and opportunities.

For some it might have been the Rock Bands and Guitar Heroes. A rekindling of teenage love for guitars and drums maybe. Or even the house parties that have been organised with these music themed videogames at the heart of entertainment. Or the Wii bowling and Olympic event tournaments. Couple against couple!

For me it’s the desire to now organise weekly board game nights with friends and also play by email sessions with distant friends.

Thank you videogames for making me more sociable.