GamesReviews written by Ryan B.
One of the few games that I have received, played and then sold it away. I really don't like the player set-up for the game or the fact that the game dictates what side of the board you can play on at any given time. It seemed entirely too programmed for me.
The artwork and components are good and I can see it being a plausible game for some gamers.... being that it has a lot of nice expansions. Quantity over quality of gameplay being the "order" of the day, I suppose.
All in all, just nothing there to write any memoirs about... in my book.
Pandemic is a cooperative game that has a lot of flexibility from game to game. The theme is a little challenging to get people on board with.... but the artwork, title and gameplay ultimately make this game click with a larger audience. I would say it is a good game... a nice co-op. But it only just a decent game overall. I would give it 3.5 stars.
Diplomacy is the father of all negotiation games...with a little history to boot. Just a joy to play.
This is a reasonably fun game to play, I suppose, and in one aspect it does a good job of making you feel the theme through its very nice components. At the same time, you sometimes feel that the game system is playing you a bit and that it in some respects it almost feels like a card game. Not good. However,it is the "traitor" aspect of the game that saves this one and gives it a solid extra point for introducing a unique social aspect into the game.
This is largely a cooperative game where everyone works together to win.
Pirate's Cove kinda represents Days of Wonder in their heydey. This game is great family fun and really does a great job of evoking its theme. Fairly simple, a ton of fun just to hang with people and play, this game is highly engaging and will set up a very enjoyable game night, regardless of who you want to have over.
A true *gateway* game to be sure; with maybe a little more complexity.
I could almost rate this one a three but it really is closer to a two. A soulless Euro with a theme that seemed pretty cool at first... but definitely less so as time passed. Shakespeare, The Bard Game is similar to this one... but also more fun than this one too. This is yet another "historical" series game from the company and did more than anything to wipe the luster off the mojo that is Days of Wonder.
And so for that, we have to throw this one to the lions.
I actually enjoy Cleopatra as a game and think it has some interesting mechanics with some nice game play potential. But mechanics do not solely make up a game. Does the game lack soul? I do hate that the box is used as a component of the game, so your game box now takes increased wear. That not nice for keeping the game nice. But the cardinal sin of this game, in my opinion, is the components. Yes, there are a ton of people that think they are cool. But logistically it makes it very difficult to play the game. It just takes up too much room and it is sometimes hard to see over all of the pieces.
And while it may be one of my favorite games, I can't say it is the deserving of the highest score on F:AT. The game is a little too chaotic and the ability to ask questions to find your way to victory is just a little too weak. That can be fixed with a house variant or two... but why should I have to get involved in game design? Ya know? Even so, the game is fun to play, it creates some great social moments and the theme is chain off fantastic! I would like to see a little less luck involved in the game. However, it seems very popular among the people who I played it with and the it just sets everybody into that perfect "mystery mood..." Great artwork and components.
Yea, Yea. I hear the detractors saying it is too light. But when I write reviews I basically write them on the response I get from friends when I bring a game to the table. And every time I bring this one to the table, it is always well received. Men, women, family, young, old, hip and the not so hip... I have tested this game out on many different types of people and this is one of the few that I am asked: "Hey, where can I buy this game?" Simple, fun and thematic with its cool plastic trains and excellent production values, there is much not to like about this game.... unless you are into a deeper type of game entirely.
Anyway, this is a true *Gateway* game. We play it about two or three times a year and I have personally enjoyed playing it every single time.
I found that this game can have a tendency to be a little dry to some people... especially women who are not already predisposed to any sort of *engineering* bent. It has a cute theme however and I have discovered that our "Type A" female guests who like it seemingly like it most for the cuteness of the robots. As for the game itself: it is a clever design and is a true pre-thinking game... somewhat cerebral. Its a good "mellow" game to wheel out on occasion to counter-balance the high energy action *party* type of games.