This new "big box" game from Aaron Weissblum and Alan Moon (published by Uberplay) has potential to be a very big hit. I had a very interesting experience with this game.
The first time I played it, it was in essentially finalized prototype form. I really enjoyed the game until about part way through when I realized I had scored no (or almost no) points. The scoring is the product of two numbers and while one of my numbers was quite reasonable, the other was zero. For the rest of the game, I tried desperately to get the other kinds of scoring markers, to very little avail. I was crushed. I didn't think I had done anything wrong. I may not have played brilliantly, but I thought I played reasonably. I found it very unjust that through my unremarkable but tolerable play to get so completely trounced. I wanted to like it for the experience of the first half, but had a very hard time. I knew I'd give it another chance.
Tonight, I played the release Uberplay edition, which to my memory is the same as the version I played before. I did something different and right. I enjoyed the game all the way through the end, and not just because I won, although that didn't hurt. In any case, the problems I had with the game before may still hold (see below), but they may not, in which case the game is outstanding. The core mechanic is "offering" cards which other players then choose from. The order the sets are chosen determines the order in the next round of who gets to pick first. The cards let you build stuff and get scoring multipliers. Oh, and there are really nice wooden camels. Maybe not quite as nice as Durch die Wuste plastic camels, but very nice camels all the same.
The game seems to allow for a few different strategies as well as some interesting tactical play. There is a fair bit of luck in the card draws, but it doesn't seem to be overwhelming. It has nice player interactions and good decisions without lending itself to analysis paralysis. Overall, definitely recommended, though see the caveats below.
*But,* I need to play it a few more times. I've only played it twice. I worry that the luck factor may be more substantial than it seems at first, unduly hurting some players. When luck benefits one player disproportionately, that's not good, but it's usually worse if it particularly nails someone. Further, while most games I enjoy whether I win or lose, some very few are fun to win, but really irritating to lose. Kahuna for example. Winning Kahuna is quite satisfying, but losing Kahuna ends up feeling like you had no control whatsoever (and it's not just me). I worry Oasis may have this problem. But, I *really* enjoyed the second play and the first half of the first play, so I hope this stands up to more playings. It will certainly get more.
Monday, January 26, 2004
Adam And Eva
Adam and Eva is a new game in the Ravensburger "Fun for Two" series by Aaron Weissblum. This is "Balloon Cup" meets "San Marco". It's very good. There you go, that's all you need to know. Go get it.
Actually, it's not really that much like either of them, but they aren't absurd starting points. I'm not going to give my personal rewrite of the rules here, because I hate reviews like that. I'm sure someone else will review it and regurgitate the rules. You play cards, your opponent chooses who gets it. You win apples. This is a light game, lighter than Balloon Cup, but it's got some interesting decisions. It's got a fair amount of luck. The game is played over four hands and some hands are simply better than others and the timing of when you get a good hand can make a big difference. But, it's got a good bit of skill, and for a 20 minute game, it's at a level of luck I like.
The core mechanic is that you present a card, and your opponent chooses whether you or he gets it, where you're each only going to get half the cards. This makes for some interesting tactics and choices where you try to finesse your opponent into taking the cards that look good but aren't going to make a big difference.
If you like games that are light, clever, quick and have some subltety, if not substantial depth, you'll like Adam and Eva. It's certainly my favorite of the "Fun for Two" series so far (both Richelieu and Bakerstreet are good, but nothing particularly special, in my view).
Actually, it's not really that much like either of them, but they aren't absurd starting points. I'm not going to give my personal rewrite of the rules here, because I hate reviews like that. I'm sure someone else will review it and regurgitate the rules. You play cards, your opponent chooses who gets it. You win apples. This is a light game, lighter than Balloon Cup, but it's got some interesting decisions. It's got a fair amount of luck. The game is played over four hands and some hands are simply better than others and the timing of when you get a good hand can make a big difference. But, it's got a good bit of skill, and for a 20 minute game, it's at a level of luck I like.
The core mechanic is that you present a card, and your opponent chooses whether you or he gets it, where you're each only going to get half the cards. This makes for some interesting tactics and choices where you try to finesse your opponent into taking the cards that look good but aren't going to make a big difference.
If you like games that are light, clever, quick and have some subltety, if not substantial depth, you'll like Adam and Eva. It's certainly my favorite of the "Fun for Two" series so far (both Richelieu and Bakerstreet are good, but nothing particularly special, in my view).
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Similar Games
While to some extent this is an old practice, increasingly there are many games being republished in slightly variant forms of previous versions. In some cases, the change is only thematic. In other cases, there are minor changes, and yet others that are dramatically different. How could these similar games be generally described? Here are some of my thoughts, and I'd welcome comments below.
What I really want is a nice easily understood set of terminology to describe these kinds of relationships. So, just as we compactly say "Kingdoms is a rethemed version of Auf Heller und Pfennig" or "Democrazy was inspired by 'Das Reglen Wir Schon?'", I want a way to say "Battle Line ________________ Schotten Totten" to someone who is unfamiliar with one or the other and be understood. "Expands upon" or the like doesn't seem to quite cut it. Similarly, fill in the blank "Ghost Chase ___________ Scotland Yard". One could use "was developed from", but that also feels awkward.
This is the most trivial and obvious relationship two "similar" games can have. Many would (reasonably) argue that they are in fact the same game. I'm only including games here where the mechanics are identical and the components are identical in the context of gameplay.
Feuerschlecker, Flea Circus
Drahtseilakt, Relationship Tightrope
Auf Heller und Pfennig, Kingdoms
Bonobo Beach, Cronberg
and many many more
This category needs a name. Games where the game has changed because of distribution of cards, layout of the board or other parameters, but the rules are almost untouched.
10 Days in Africa, 10 Days in the USA
These two have almost identical gameplay (Alaska and Hawaii having slightly special rules in the latter), but the map on which they're played is different.
Great Dalmuti, Corporate Shuffle
With the exception of a couple of additional cards, Corporate Shuffle is exactly Dalmuti with a slightly changed card distribution. The extra cards don't quite qualify it for the "Plus" category below, but it could be described both ways.
This category needs a name. Games where the game has changed the distribution, layout or other parameters and has changed the rules as well, but they remain substantially the same.
10 Days in Africa, Europa Tour
Risk, Risk 2210, LOTR Risk
Thie category needs a name. Games where the rules are essentially a strict superset of those in another game. Frequently, this manifests itself as a game where certain cards have special powers or the like. Minor rule changes are sometimes needed to accomodate these additions.
Attacke, Ivanhoe
Schotten Totten, Battle Line
Flinke Pinke, Thor
This caegory needs a name. This includes games that went through more development or were otherwise reworked. Mayb this should be more than one category.
Lowenherz, Domaine
Carcassone, Carcassone: Hunters & Gatherers
Muscat, Message to the Czars
Pacal, Pyramiden der Jaguar
This category needs a name. Maybe this should be in the same category as Inspired, below.
What's That On My Head?, Code 777
Speed, Top Speed
Often games inspire other games. Sometimes this inspiration leads to specific rules or components to be carried over, but more often it is simply the general idea or "feel" of the game.
Das Reglen Wir Schon?, Democrazy
Carcassone, Carcassone: The Castle
Flinke Pinke, Quandary, Thor, Loco
Europa Tour, 10 Days in Africa, 10 Days in the USA
Scotland Yard, New York Chase, Ghost Chase
Grand National Derby, Titan: The Arena, Galaxy: the Dark Ages
Zirkus Flohcati, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Card Game
Isi, Morisi
What I really want is a nice easily understood set of terminology to describe these kinds of relationships. So, just as we compactly say "Kingdoms is a rethemed version of Auf Heller und Pfennig" or "Democrazy was inspired by 'Das Reglen Wir Schon?'", I want a way to say "Battle Line ________________ Schotten Totten" to someone who is unfamiliar with one or the other and be understood. "Expands upon" or the like doesn't seem to quite cut it. Similarly, fill in the blank "Ghost Chase ___________ Scotland Yard". One could use "was developed from", but that also feels awkward.
Retheming
This is the most trivial and obvious relationship two "similar" games can have. Many would (reasonably) argue that they are in fact the same game. I'm only including games here where the mechanics are identical and the components are identical in the context of gameplay.
and many many more
"Different components, same game"
This category needs a name. Games where the game has changed because of distribution of cards, layout of the board or other parameters, but the rules are almost untouched.
These two have almost identical gameplay (Alaska and Hawaii having slightly special rules in the latter), but the map on which they're played is different.
With the exception of a couple of additional cards, Corporate Shuffle is exactly Dalmuti with a slightly changed card distribution. The extra cards don't quite qualify it for the "Plus" category below, but it could be described both ways.
"Different components, similar games"
This category needs a name. Games where the game has changed the distribution, layout or other parameters and has changed the rules as well, but they remain substantially the same.
"Plus"
Thie category needs a name. Games where the rules are essentially a strict superset of those in another game. Frequently, this manifests itself as a game where certain cards have special powers or the like. Minor rule changes are sometimes needed to accomodate these additions.
"Rework"
This caegory needs a name. This includes games that went through more development or were otherwise reworked. Mayb this should be more than one category.
"Derived"
This category needs a name. Maybe this should be in the same category as Inspired, below.
Inspired
Often games inspire other games. Sometimes this inspiration leads to specific rules or components to be carried over, but more often it is simply the general idea or "feel" of the game.
Uncategorized "similar" games
Monday, January 12, 2004
Bus and Crocodile Pool Party
I finally got around to playing Bus, which I've wanted to play for several years. I enjoyed it.
I had heard some bad things about Crocodile Pool Party. I've played
it a few times now. Don't believe the bad things. It's a cute light
abstract that feels like an appropriate depth for its length.
I had heard some bad things about Crocodile Pool Party. I've played
it a few times now. Don't believe the bad things. It's a cute light
abstract that feels like an appropriate depth for its length.
Friday, January 2, 2004
Year To Year Comparison2003
Last Year's Hits
Essentially all of last years hits still get played, some substantially more than others:
ElectronicCatchphrase, TransAmerica, Crokinole, Puerto Rico, Zirkus Flohcati
SpinBall, LOTR:TC, Bluff, For Sale, Battle Line
Knockabout
Geister, Lord of the Rings, Industrial Waste
Year to Year Trend
Year Games New Diff Ses Ppl
1997 ~30
1998 ~100
1999 ~150 63
2000 301 112 141 126 129
2001 712 172 266 175 165
2002 650 161 279 163 241
2003 552 128 272 129 180
I'm rather impressed to see that despite substantial variation in
number of games played over the past 3 years (>25% variation), the
number off different games played has been very consistent.
Year Metric
I started playing German-style games around '97-'98 then seriously in
'99, so this covers games that get played pretty much every year.
Seeral games on the "5 years" list obviously have been played every
year since I discovered them and some of those in the "4 years" list
only came out 4 years ago. It pleases me to know there's a solid core
of 25+ "perennials".
GAME # OF YEARS MISSING
PLAYED YEARS
RoboRally 7 none
E&T 6 1997
En Garde 6 1997
Bluff 6 1997
Modern Art 6 2002
Elefantenparade 5 1997,1998
Take It Easy 5 1997,1998
Samurai 5 1997,1998
Basari 5 1997,1998
Ricochet Robot 5 1997,1998
Apples To Apples 5 1997,1998
Ra 5 1997,1998
Lost Cities 5 1997,1998
Caesar & Cleopatra 5 1997,2002
Settlers 5 2000,2002
Set 5 2001,2003
Showmanager 4 1997,1998,1999
Carolus Magnus 4 1997,1998,1999
Alladin's Dragons 4 1997,1998,1999
Zapp Zerapp 4 1997,1998,1999
Flinke Pinke 4 1997,1998,1999
Barbarossa 4 1997,1998,1999
Vinci 4 1997,1998,1999
Space Beans 4 1997,1998,1999
Mole Hill 4 1997,1998,1999
Lord of the Rings 4 1997,1998,1999
Traumfabrik 4 1997,1998,1999
Medici 4 1997,1998,1999
Schnaeppchen Jagd 4 1997,1998,1999
Carcassone 4 1997,1998,1999
Speed 4 1997,1998,1999
Battle Line 4 1997,1998,1999
Can't Stop 4 1997,1998,1999
6 nimmt4 1997,1998,1999
Wildlife Adventure 4 1997,1998,2003
Ursuppe 4 1997,1998,2003
Acquire 4 1997,2000,2003
Manhattan 4 1997,2000,2003
2003 Games Report
Overall summary
2003 was another good year, though again the second year in a row with
a total decline in number of games played.
Details
More2003 Statistics
Thursday, January 1, 2004
Game Metrics2003
I like game metrics. "Best" is a word that can mean lots of different things. Game metrics provide a nice way of describing what "best" means, more specifically. Here are my top games for 2003 by a number of metrics:
(Rating-Offset)*Total Time
(distinct months in which the game was played)
See the 5sAnd10s2003 list
Basically, total time spent playing with an offset to accomodate short games.
Ok, so as if these stats aren't strange enough, this is just weird, but it amuses me to present the data, so here we go:
HuberHappinessHeuristic
(Rating-Offset)*Total Time
- Amun Re
- Puerto Rico
- ElectronicCatchphrase
- Attika
- 6 nimmt!
- Finstere Flure
- Balloon Cup
- RoboRally
- Princes of Florence
- Crokinole
MonthMetric
(distinct months in which the game was played)
- ElectronicCatchphrase (10 in 2003, 23 ever)
- Can't Stop (6 in 2003, 18 ever)
- 6 nimmt! (5 in 2003, 20 ever)
- Light Speed (5 in 2003, 5 ever)
- Crokinole (4 in 2003, 15 ever)
- TransAmerica (4 in 2003, 11 ever)
- Puerto Rico (4 in 2003, 10 ever)
- Hick Hack in Gacklewack (4 in 2003, 10 ever)
- Mause Rallye (4 in 2003, 7 ever)
- Blokus (4 in 2003, 5 ever)
- Amun Re (4 in 2003, 4 ever)
Most Plays Metric
See the 5sAnd10s2003 list
Most Sessions
- ElectronicCatchphrase (14 sessions)
- Light Speed (10 sessions)
- Can't Stop (8 sessions)
- Attika (7 sessions)
- King Lui (7 sessions)
- Amun Re (7 sessions)
- Balloon Cup (7 sessions)
- Crokionle (7 sessions)
- Europa Tour (7 sessions)
- Zirkus Flohcati (6 sessions)
- 6 nimmt
(6 sessions)
- Finstere Flure (6 sessions)
Initiative Metric
Basically, total time spent playing with an offset to accomodate short games.
- Electronic Catchphrase
- Amun Re
- Puerto Rico
- Attika
- Finstere Flure
- Balloon Cup
- Crokinole
- 6 nimmt!
- Light Speed
- Can't Stop
Top 4 Games by number of players
- 2 player: Light Speed, Balloon Cup, Crokinole, Cathedral
- 3 player: Loopin' Louie, Coloretto, Can't Stop, Filthy Rich
- 4 player: Crokinole, Password, Attika, Can't Stop
- 5 player: Amun Re, Foppen, TransAmerica, Puerto Rico
- 6 player: ElectronicCatchphrase, 6 nimmt
, Call my Bluff, Split Second
Top Games by Day of the Week
Ok, so as if these stats aren't strange enough, this is just weird, but it amuses me to present the data, so here we go:
- Sunday: ElectronicCatchphrase
- Monday: ElectronicCatchphrase
- Tuesday: Light Speed
- Wednesday: Balloon Cup
- Thursday: ElectronicCatchphrase
- Friday: Loopin' Louie
- Saturday: ElectronicCatchphrase
5s And10s2003
My 20s, 10s and 5s list is essentially unsurprising. The last entry
(Trollig) is a children's memory game from Haba that has been a big
success with 5-year-old relatives. Those in italics are games that have been on the 5s and 10s before:
20s, 10s and 5s:
ElectronicCatchphrase (36), Light Speed (23)
Balloon Cup (10), Crokinole (10)
Coloretto (9), Amun Re (8), Europa Tour/10DiA (8),
Can't Stop (8), 6 nimmt! (6), Attika (7),
Finstere Flure (7), King Lui (7), Loopin' Louie (6),
Puerto Rico (6), Zirkus Flohcati (6), Hick Hack in Gacklewack (5)
Mause Rallye (5), Paris Paris (5), Password (5), Trollig (5)
(Trollig) is a children's memory game from Haba that has been a big
success with 5-year-old relatives. Those in italics are games that have been on the 5s and 10s before:
20s, 10s and 5s:
20+
ElectronicCatchphrase (36), Light Speed (23)
10+
Balloon Cup (10), Crokinole (10)
5+
Coloretto (9), Amun Re (8), Europa Tour/10DiA (8),
Can't Stop (8), 6 nimmt! (6), Attika (7),
Finstere Flure (7), King Lui (7), Loopin' Louie (6),
Puerto Rico (6), Zirkus Flohcati (6), Hick Hack in Gacklewack (5)
Mause Rallye (5), Paris Paris (5), Password (5), Trollig (5)
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