How long can I keep up with “clever” titles that tie together all of my purchases in a post? Probably not much longer, though I’m going to give myself the benefit of the doubt this time. A sale at Snakes & Lattes and a restock on a game Steff’s wanted for months rounds out this pick-up post.
From the publisher that brought us Ticket to Ride is Small World. In this 2-5 player strategy game, players command armies across a world that is too small to contain everyone. Having been sold on this being a lighter family game, Steff and I were taken aback by a steeper-than-expected learning curve and fiddly rules that make the phase past the initial hurdle tough as well. Is this worth the trouble?
A little while back, Steff and I participated in the World’s Biggest Brain Scan. We strapped these fancy headsets on while scientists tracked our brain activity while we watched commercials. At the end of it, we got paid for our time in cash. With 401 Games just around the corner, guess where our brain scan money went?
Playing to one’s nostalgia can go a long way. Case in point: Boss Monster. Driven by a Kickstarter campaign, the cross-section between video game and board game players donated a remarkable $215,056 when the game only had a $12,000 goal. While I didn’t even know about the game until I saw someone’s copy of it at Snakes and Lattes, it immediately piqued my interest with its evocative box art. Clearly there’s excitement around this game that I – or many others for that matter – couldn’t resist. Does this physical game based on digital themes make for a product worthy of a high score?
First announced over a year ago, Yomi, is finally headed to the iPad on April 17th. This card game that aims to simulate the one-on-one fighting game experience is one of my favourites, though finding the opportunity to play my physical copy has proven difficult to say the least. While the game is set to come out at the cost of $9.99, which may be high for some, this is a steal compared to spending $100 for the physical set. Also, for an additional $9.99, you’ll get access to the 10 new characters that have yet to receive a boxed release.
The first in the Forbidden series of board games makes its way to the iPad courtesy of Button Mash Games and Gamewright. In it, you and your team of adventurers are trying to gather four mystical treasures while the island you’re standing on is sinking. Can you make it off of the island with the goods before everything is submerged by the ocean?
Steff and I’s latest trip to 401 Games proved to be a fruitful one. Our haul from this one features a strategy game from the makers of Ticket to Ride, a Kickstarter-funded card game, a board game designed by Richard Garfield of Magic: The Gathering fame, and a dice game that’s barely a game.
This year will be the second annual International Tabletop Day. Founded by Geek & Sundry of Tabletop fame, this is a day meant to celebrate the awesomeness of board games and card games. There are a ton of official and unofficial events happening around the world which should be fun to take part in. Head over to the website and track one down near you.
I’m actually getting my brain scanned on the morning of for research purposes, but I may make a stop at my local board game store afterwards to check out what’s going on. Also, Steff and I might host our own board game day at our place with everyone that’s coming with us for the brain scan. You don’t need to give me excuses to play more board games, but I’ll gladly take this one!
If memory serves me well, I’m pretty sure Blokus was one of the first board games to make the jump to iOS. Despite all of the positive things I heard about it, I never bothered to give it a chance until I played and bought the physical game. At first, I downloaded the free version to try it out and was immediately put off by the ad implementation. I understand the need to include ads to subsidize a free version of the game, but the full-screen video ads that would interrupt my game every three moves or so are obnoxious. Instead, I put down the $1.99 to play uninterrupted.
Up until now, the Spider-Man universe hasn’t been well represented in Legendary and its expansions. In particular, this has proven to be problematic for Peter Parker in the main game. Since he’s been the only playable hero from that universe, he hasn’t been able to trigger any specific Spider-Man alliance bonuses. Paint the Town Red is the answer to that dilemma. As a “small box” expansion, you’ll get five new Spider-Man heroes to battle against Mysterio, Carnage and their cronies.
In Third Person 