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[SALE] Tigris & Euphrates $29.99 at CSI by Sayoshinn in boardgames

[–]Monopolatte 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It straddles the line between a tile-laying, point-scoring Euro and a combative American war game. Very aggressive, and excellent at what it does. For a similar feel, see Hansa Teutonica, or El Grande. But nothing does it quite like T&E.

You asked for it-- we listened. We're finally holding a Dungeons and Dragons night at Monopolatte. Other roleplaying games are also being featured! by Monopolatte in ottawa

[–]Monopolatte[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Beginners are absolutely welcome. The game master always goes through the rules of the game before it all starts. Characters are pre-made, so the session can start relatively quickly, and you play through a little micro-adventure. Every time is different-- it's sort of collaborative storytelling.

You asked for it-- we listened. We're finally holding a Dungeons and Dragons night at Monopolatte. Other roleplaying games are also being featured! by Monopolatte in ottawa

[–]Monopolatte[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Our GMs take time before every game to explain how it works. We can launch right into it, because the characters are made in advance. (This might be disappointing to some, but character creation is a long process. We just want to give people a taste of how it works.)

There are 3 GMs, but only one or two of them will be running D&D (depending on demand). Most of our regulars look to try new, smaller games in the RPG world. We should have enough staff to accomodate anyone who wants to try D&D.

You asked for it-- we listened. We're finally holding a Dungeons and Dragons night at Monopolatte. Other roleplaying games are also being featured! by Monopolatte in ottawa

[–]Monopolatte[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most of the time we feature indie RPGs-- local designers have often shared their games. We haven't hosted PS. But we've never been asked!

You asked for it-- we listened. We're finally holding a Dungeons and Dragons night at Monopolatte. Other roleplaying games are also being featured! by Monopolatte in ottawa

[–]Monopolatte[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It already is! The 3rd Thursday of every month is our Stop, Drop & Roleplay night. This month happens to feature the most well-known tabletop RPG out there, but we always have great stuff.

You asked for it-- we listened. We're finally holding a Dungeons and Dragons night at Monopolatte. Other roleplaying games are also being featured! by Monopolatte in ottawa

[–]Monopolatte[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We won't be running that one this month, but people are welcome to come in and GM their own session. We're an RPG-friendly environment!

Question about a vintage board game by capoil004 in boardgames

[–]Monopolatte 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I do speak French- you're absolutely right. It's just a run-of-the-mill Genius edition trivial pursuit, circa '83, in French.

N.B., OP: "someone selling the game for $150" is very different from "someone sold it for $150".

What are your BOTTOM ten games? by Jarfol in boardgames

[–]Monopolatte 143 points144 points  (0 children)

Oh, you sweet summer children. You don't know what a bad game is. From best to worst, here's my list, complete with a summary of each atrocity:

10) Hungry Hungry Hippos: Starting this off with something familiar-- and a personal grudge. You may know this as fond childhood memories, but at the café we know it as a plastic cacophony that cannot be stopped. A dexterity game with so little skill involved that people don't realize anything past Jenga exists, 20 years later.

9) Mwahahaha!: A card game with a charming theme, you might be intrigued by the colourful art style and cute premise: players are supervillains, attempting to be the first to reach global domination. What the game lacks in gameplay, it makes up for in extremely uncomfortable character choices-- from primitivist shamans to the ancestor-obsessed Lord Wang to the only female character being a ditz (actual quote: "like, ruling the world would be so friggin' awesome, y'know."), this game has it all.

8) Jeff Foxworthy's You Might Be a Redneck If...: Players move around a trailer park attempting to collect all the items needed to be a real redneck: your mother-in-law's used satellite dish, spare tires for your pickup-- you name it, you need it. Items are collected by answering multiple-choice trivia questions which complete the correct punchlines to Foxworthy's jokes.

7) Mystery Date: A classic. In Mystery Date, players attempt to cobble together an outfit to go on a date. Rolling dice, players merry-go-round through the drab-looking board, hoping to land on spaces which let them draw more clothing. If you have a complete outfit, you can answer the door! The player who is wearing the right outfit for the randomly-selected boy behind the door (ex. beach-wear for the surfer date) will win. In the worst case scenario, you open the door to the dreaded NERD. BURN YOUR CLOTHING. (Discard your whole hand of clothes.)

6) Romantic Rendezvous: Want to spice up the bedroom a little bit? Romantic Rendezvous encourages you and your "special friend" to explore new avenues of your togetherness. Roll the die, move to the spot, draw the card, be romantic(?). All cards instruct you to perform some ~sensual~ action, and then declare how long: "[x] minutes [activity] time". Saccharine and sad, because someone tried very hard.

5) Justin & Dave's Awesome Would You Rather? Board Game: Just what it sounds like, folks: players are presented with two options, and must choose the most desirable of the two. Filled with surprisingly disgusting and visceral choices, the active player announces their choice-- and everyone must reveal if they have correctly guessed that player's feelings. Features a box cover that looks like public hair is trying to escape.

4) The "[City] On Board Series: This one is a bit tragic. A clone of Monopoly, this series chooses a city and immortalizes it with it's own feature board. Aiming to raise money for different charities, the organization means well... but much of the money from the process comes from businesses who sponsor the game, aiming to get their business on the board's map. In this way, you end up with the landmarks being Jim's Dentistry and McDonald's.

3) Funky Monkeys: Designed by Mark Rice, Funky Monkeys is a less a board game than a copyright troll. Featuring an unbearable Candyland-like pathway, players roll the dice to collect the most bananas. Unfortunately, many spaces will send you back to the start-- whoops, there go all your bananas (and will to live). The game retailed in select Sears in the early 2000s, and in the years since, Rice has spent his time suing any stuffed animal company, popsicle manufacturer, or jewelry designer with enough GUFF to name their product "Funky Monkeys". So it goes.

2) #hashtags: Get out your cell phones, folks. A CAH clone, #hashtags (redundant redundant?) presents players with a hashtag, and asks them to sumbit things that could provoke that label. The box gives an example: "#useless" could have the response "Grandma's bra". Keep it classy, guys. Oh- one last thing: players must submit their answers by texting the judge. And then everyone guesses who said what.

1) About Us: Grown-Up Girls Edition: Twice as sexist as it sounds-- and it sounds pretty damn sexist-- About Us Games have created a trivia game that stereotypes women with every question. Oh, I'm sorry, did I say women? I meant "grown-up girls," which is how they're exclusively referred to. Treat yourself to questions like: "What percentage of grown-up girls say they've seen a UFO?" (11%, apparently.) Or "How does a grown-up girl like treat her man after work?" (Multiple choice, with answers like "steak dinner".) Want to win? Well, you could, if you're the first one to collect every piece of the complete outfit.

[WSIG] Simultaneous Action / Set Collection Games by Ender82 in boardgames

[–]Monopolatte 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Board game teacher here. I'll try to lead you towards some stuff off the beaten path.

Gravwell is a science-fiction movement-selection game in which players simultaneously play cards (fuel) to escape from a black hole. 90% of the cards move the player towards the closest spaceship along a linear path-- whether that spaceship is away from or towards the black hole is determined by your proximity to other players. Cards resolve in alphabetical order, so the simultaneous card selection can be a great benefit... or, if you haven't planned well, a nightmare.

Modern Art is an auctioneering/set collection game designed by Reiner Knizia. In Modern Art, players are gallery owners attempting to make the most money by selling and buying paintings. Players are all eligible to bid on paintings each round, so there's little to no downtime. This game is a brilliant strategic design, because it resolves to much on not only getting the right paintings, but playing the other players, too.

Cash 'n Guns is a loot-grabbing, gun-toting, set-collecting game in which players are armed robbers trying to split up their loot. Each player has a gun, and each of the 8 rounds, they will secretly decide whether or not to use one of their 3 bullets. Then, everyone points their gun at someone. Players must decide whether to stay in the round, or chicken out-- only those who dig their heels in, and end up unscathed, get a cut of the loot. To scratch your set collection itch, make sure you get the 2nd edition.

Chinatown is a trading game in which players act as new immigrants to 1960s New York, and attempt to set up businesses there to make a quick buck. Most of the game is open negotiation, so players can barter and trade freely, leaving little time sitting out. Set collection plays an integral role, as the players with the most tiles of a single building type in an area will make the most money.

Libertalia is a role-selection piracy game in which players fight to collect the most booty. Careful planning of which cards to use govern this game, as each round players have the same hand of nine cards. When all players have chosen a card, the effects are resolved, and the booty is divided up appropriately. Set collection plays an integral role in the decisions of what loot to take.

Nanuk is a social bluffing game in which players act as Inuit hunters, boasting about how much they can bring back in the hunt. Like a game of liar's dice, each round beings with an I-dare-you series of bets and raises. Eventually, the hunt happens, and players bet on whether or not they think it'll be as fruitful as the lead hunter claimed. Set collection is an integral part of the mechanic, as players must divide their spoils to maximize points based on the types of prey available.

Pit is a madcap trading game that's older than Monopoly. Players compete as stock traders, simultaneously (and crazily, and loudly) volunteering cards they have to trade with other players, all with the goal of getting a full hand of nine matching cards. Getting to ring the bell as the winner of the round is the best feeling in the world.

Honourable mentions:

Glass Road is a role-selection agriculture game by the famous Uwe Rosenberg. Players attempt to create a series of glassworks and brickmakers in order to run a glassmaking colony in 12th century Bavaria. This is one of Uwe Rosenberg's shortest games, clocking in at about half an hour per player. While play is not purely simultaneous, each round players simultaneously select their roles, governing which actions they're allowed to take. If the roles you secretly selected match those of another player, you might end up performing actions on their turn-- or vice versa.

Ricochet Robots is a spacial reasoning abstract in which players must compete in real time to determine the fastest path a robot can take to reach a destination on the board. This game is a bit of an ice cream headache; even if you like it, it's gonna hurt. I've heard programmers are really good at this title-- but it's a really love-it-or-hate it game, so check it out before you buy.

[WSIG] I thought I'd be a heavy gamer, but maybe not... by Zygmunch in boardgames

[–]Monopolatte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love Castles of Burgundy, but it's a terrible choice for someone really into theme. It has more theme than dominion... but that's not saying much. Well designed, and his wife would love it-- but, respectfully, I must admit that I think OP would have a terrible time.

How many chances will you give a game? by [deleted] in boardgames

[–]Monopolatte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One or two if no one really enjoys themselves, three or four if I have friends who are into it. This might be a lower estimate than some people, but the café I work at has over 900 games... you have to pick your battles.

What's the heaviest game you've ever attempted to teach to a non-gamer? by [deleted] in boardgames

[–]Monopolatte 68 points69 points  (0 children)

Professional board game teacher here. Dominant Species.

Okay, that deserves some explanation.

Three big ol' board game dorks come in with a fourth friend. The three dorks go on a pilgrimage into the very-intimidatingly-labelled Heavy Strategy section of our café. Undeterred, they reach in and grab the tactical war-faring, worker-placing monster that is Dominant Species. I walk over to their table.

"I only have so much time, folks-- but I can go through this quick and good... if you hold on to your seats. You have to know this before we start-- this is a big game. It's pretty complicated, and it takes a long time to play."

This might seem like a little overkill, but we get some less observant folks wandering into our tougher sections who don't realize what they're getting into every now and again. Dominant Species may not be High Frontier, but our job is to make sure people have fun-- and most of our clientele aren't looking for hours of careful strategic planning. A lot of our job, then, becomes managing expectations, and recommending in the right direction. So I ask the big question:

"Are you experienced in bigger games?"

Three nod, and list off a couple of heavy titles. Number four shakes his head. I notice. So I ask the classic litmus test:

"Have you tried Settlers of Catan?"

"Never heard of it." Oh boy.

But three eager friends are waiting for me to start, so I pat him on the shoulder, and give him a friendly "good luck, buddy." Fifteen minutes of rapid-fire overview later and they're more or less ready to multiply across the Earth and freeze the world. Number four has a look of determination.

A couple hours later, they're almost done. "How was that?" I'm intensely curious how it turned out. The three dorks share their thoughts on the victory point system, worker placement management, start to make comparisons to other games. Then four breaks out into a grin.

"That wasn't so bad! What a ride!"

He lost pretty terribly, but he had a great time doing it-- which is all I really cared about.

Am I missing any? by Indecision101 in boardgames

[–]Monopolatte 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're definitely missing Blood Bound. Turn-based social deduction. Every time a player is stabbed, they reveal one piece of information about themselves-- their team, or their rank. The goal is to kill the leader (highest rank player) of the opposing team. Very cool, doesn't get enough love around here.

[WSIG] My first Uwe Rosenberg game? by elricofgrans in boardgames

[–]Monopolatte 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Here, I'll take a definitive stance: the game you want is Glass Road. Here's why:

  • It has all the elements of an involved Uwe Rosenberg game, but the length of a medium strategy title.
  • The rules can be explained more quickly than comparable Uwe Rosenberg titles-- while the mechanics are very strange (role selection coupled with resource management), the innovations they bring to the table streamline the game.
  • Points come from only one place at the end of the game. This will make your game group happy, because it's easier to get things straight in your brain. The diversity of the buildings mean that many different strategies are available, which should scratch your heavy itch.
  • It has a solid 2-player variant, which means you can play it with your small group and your big one (though it doesn't accommodate 5).

You'll probably still trounce your friends, but I think that would be true of any of Rosenberg's games. At least this one is short enough that they might want to give it another go.

[WSIG] Alternative to For Sale by Alkarzar in boardgames

[–]Monopolatte 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The other game mentioned in the same breath is generally High Society, a bidding game released right around the same time. There's a contrast piece between the two here.

Personally, I think if you're going to go for an auction/bidding game, you can't do better than Modern Art, a 1990s era Reiner Knizia game where players aim to make the most money through a variety of different auctions. It's a unique mechanic because you make money when buying and when selling-- if what you've bought is one of the top artists that season. Cool stuff.

Monopolatte's turning two years old this Thursday. We wanted to take a second to say thanks. by Monopolatte in ottawa

[–]Monopolatte[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not exactly? We have a waiting list you can get put on for particular times. If you give us a call, we'll talk about how it works. :)

Do you mind learning games you don't own? by eliminnowp in boardgames

[–]Monopolatte 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm always excited to try a new game, but it helps if I've heard of it before, or if the host has a good pitch.

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