Well, we're halfway through 2013, let's take a look at what's been played in qzhdad world and try a little prognostication. My logged played here at BGG include my face to face completed games and some of my games on ACTS (mostly Titan and Twilight Struggle). I don't log my plays at isotropic, yucata, mastermoves or any of my various roborally-esque sites here. I may do another post about that activity later.
My only dime so far is Magic: The Gathering ith 15 games. My son has taken to this game again. (~8 or 9 years ago, it was the spur that drove him to think reading was actually something that he should learn, he was tired of memorizing what the cards did.) I think this is partially because he joined a club at school and partially because he consistently kicks my butt. I have (re)proven the fact that I just can't build decks and he's turned out to be pretty decent at it. I originally sold most of my cards when I realized that I had the cards to build any legal deck and still couldn't do better than middle of the pack at tournaments. (This was just a little before Legends came out.) Well, I've not gotten any better. So I will probably play some more games of this with him, but he's supplying both decks.
Several nickels, so far, including Suburbia with 8, Race for the Galaxy* with 7, Mutant Meeples with 6 and several with 5; including 7 Wonders*, Copycat,Get Bit!*, Ground Floor, Innovation* and Loopin' Louie.
*including any combination of expansions
Suburbia comes out often as a filler, it's one of John's favorite fillers. I don't think I'd ever want to play a while day (or even an afternoon) of this one, but as an opener while waiting for more expected gamers or a closer before calling it a day, it's ok. One problem with playing as a closer, is keeping everyone focused to get all the points from when other players are on turn.
Race for the Galaxy remains my answer when anyone asks what my favorite game is. It goes to an 11 in the ratings (Ok, it's not allowed, but I certainly would, if I could.) I don't think that I've ever turned down a chance to play and can't see doing so. I've not played it as much this year on BoardGameArena since I discovered Innovation on isotropic, but may be showing up there more soon.
Mutant Meeples was a lot of fun until my son got unbeatable. OK, I think he still can be beat, but I've not seen it for several games. The problem with this game is the learning curve. People that have played once or twice are just going to wipe the floor with first timers. Unfortunately, this means that depending on the temperment of those first timers, there may not be a second time. I actually should try to drag this out again and see if the disparity exists with a couple months between games.
7 Wonders is probably the best game I've ever played for seven. True there aren't many competitors at that size, but it works very well down to four or five and is decent with three. I fully expect this to dime this year. I picked up Cities, but haven't tried it, yet. I do enjoy playing with leaders.
Copycat may dime, but probably not. I do enjoy it, but not sure I enjoy it 90-120 minutes worth. There are other games that I'd rather play of that length like Goa or Taj Mahal or multiple games of Race or Dominion. After teaching it several times at Origins last month and still seeing new strategies work, I'll definitely play it when suggested, but may not suggest it often.
Get Bit! is perfect for a fast light game especially with more than four players. Who can resist the cute little figures with removable limbs (and I haven't even bribed my sticker-putter-on person to do so, yet.)
Ground Floor is an intriguing puzzle game that I can't figure out. In my five games, my best finish is second and that was in a 3-er. Other than that I haven't finished in the top half. (I do maintain that I was doing well in one game before we got recession, depression, depression and recession at a very bad time for me...) I'll still gladly play it, but not sure I'll ever be good at it.
I've only played Innovation five times this year with cards, but suspect that I am triple digits on isotropic. I really do enjoy it and it's one of the few games that I keep upstairs. (I have one shelf with a little spillover upstairs, the rest of my games are in the basement.)
Loopin' Louie is always fun, but for some reason doesn't often make it to the table. Other new fillers, I guess and because it works best with exactly four makes it harder to slot in.
Games to watch
Keyflower is becoming a favorite even though it only has three plays so far. Not quite kicking myself for not opening it until a few weeks ago, but probably lost some opportunities. If I get significant input into selection, this one will probably dime.
History of the World, King of Tokyo and Love Letter all have only two plays so far, but I think that they will all nickel this year. My son first tried HotW and likes it, so it's a meaty game that he and some of my other mitspieler will play for an afternoon. King of Tokyo was always one that my son liked and I finally picked up a copy. I don't have Love Letter, yet, but it will be in my next order for sure. We discovered it Sunday of Origins and even my oft reluctant to play wife had fun with it.
That's it for now, but maybe I'll do another one on games with 2-4 plays this year that probably won't nickel and why later.
My only dime so far is Magic: The Gathering ith 15 games. My son has taken to this game again. (~8 or 9 years ago, it was the spur that drove him to think reading was actually something that he should learn, he was tired of memorizing what the cards did.) I think this is partially because he joined a club at school and partially because he consistently kicks my butt. I have (re)proven the fact that I just can't build decks and he's turned out to be pretty decent at it. I originally sold most of my cards when I realized that I had the cards to build any legal deck and still couldn't do better than middle of the pack at tournaments. (This was just a little before Legends came out.) Well, I've not gotten any better. So I will probably play some more games of this with him, but he's supplying both decks.
Several nickels, so far, including Suburbia with 8, Race for the Galaxy* with 7, Mutant Meeples with 6 and several with 5; including 7 Wonders*, Copycat,Get Bit!*, Ground Floor, Innovation* and Loopin' Louie.
*including any combination of expansions
Suburbia comes out often as a filler, it's one of John's favorite fillers. I don't think I'd ever want to play a while day (or even an afternoon) of this one, but as an opener while waiting for more expected gamers or a closer before calling it a day, it's ok. One problem with playing as a closer, is keeping everyone focused to get all the points from when other players are on turn.
Race for the Galaxy remains my answer when anyone asks what my favorite game is. It goes to an 11 in the ratings (Ok, it's not allowed, but I certainly would, if I could.) I don't think that I've ever turned down a chance to play and can't see doing so. I've not played it as much this year on BoardGameArena since I discovered Innovation on isotropic, but may be showing up there more soon.
Mutant Meeples was a lot of fun until my son got unbeatable. OK, I think he still can be beat, but I've not seen it for several games. The problem with this game is the learning curve. People that have played once or twice are just going to wipe the floor with first timers. Unfortunately, this means that depending on the temperment of those first timers, there may not be a second time. I actually should try to drag this out again and see if the disparity exists with a couple months between games.
7 Wonders is probably the best game I've ever played for seven. True there aren't many competitors at that size, but it works very well down to four or five and is decent with three. I fully expect this to dime this year. I picked up Cities, but haven't tried it, yet. I do enjoy playing with leaders.
Copycat may dime, but probably not. I do enjoy it, but not sure I enjoy it 90-120 minutes worth. There are other games that I'd rather play of that length like Goa or Taj Mahal or multiple games of Race or Dominion. After teaching it several times at Origins last month and still seeing new strategies work, I'll definitely play it when suggested, but may not suggest it often.
Get Bit! is perfect for a fast light game especially with more than four players. Who can resist the cute little figures with removable limbs (and I haven't even bribed my sticker-putter-on person to do so, yet.)
Ground Floor is an intriguing puzzle game that I can't figure out. In my five games, my best finish is second and that was in a 3-er. Other than that I haven't finished in the top half. (I do maintain that I was doing well in one game before we got recession, depression, depression and recession at a very bad time for me...) I'll still gladly play it, but not sure I'll ever be good at it.
I've only played Innovation five times this year with cards, but suspect that I am triple digits on isotropic. I really do enjoy it and it's one of the few games that I keep upstairs. (I have one shelf with a little spillover upstairs, the rest of my games are in the basement.)
Loopin' Louie is always fun, but for some reason doesn't often make it to the table. Other new fillers, I guess and because it works best with exactly four makes it harder to slot in.
Games to watch
Keyflower is becoming a favorite even though it only has three plays so far. Not quite kicking myself for not opening it until a few weeks ago, but probably lost some opportunities. If I get significant input into selection, this one will probably dime.
History of the World, King of Tokyo and Love Letter all have only two plays so far, but I think that they will all nickel this year. My son first tried HotW and likes it, so it's a meaty game that he and some of my other mitspieler will play for an afternoon. King of Tokyo was always one that my son liked and I finally picked up a copy. I don't have Love Letter, yet, but it will be in my next order for sure. We discovered it Sunday of Origins and even my oft reluctant to play wife had fun with it.
That's it for now, but maybe I'll do another one on games with 2-4 plays this year that probably won't nickel and why later.