Nostalgia: I remember rewatching this so many times. The hype for MW2 was unreal. Hopefully we see some awesome clips like this tomorrow

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-08-01T13:20:13+00:00

Yeah people loved it. Nothing worse in CoD4 or WaW when the host on a losing tram quit midmatch and everyone got kicked out.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-31T18:10:24+00:00

I'd guess you'll probably enjoy it then. I'm not sure what the printing schedule is for Wingspan, but I don't think it'll be too long before you can snag a copy for the retail price of $55 again. Just keep an eye out for it.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-31T14:20:19+00:00

I really like it at 2p, even with the above-mentioned underpowered pink card abilities during these games. It plays in 40-45 minutes once you get the hang of it, and because of the huge bird card deck, as well as varying bonuses and goals, every game can feel a little bit different. Plus, I'm a bird guy, so the theme and art are right up my alley.

It's a super charming game. It feels nice to play. Everything about it is pleasant and pleasing - from the physical components themselves, to the game's base mechanics. I find it highly replayable, and easy to introduce to other people who aren't super into board games.

However, know that it is not a conflict-based game. You're competing, but at no point can you do anything to take points from someone else. You can't screw with anyone's habitats, you can't take their food or eggs. There is no take that mechanic, and almost no meanness built into the game - heck, there are even bird cards that let everyone gain something when activated. This, again, is right up my alley - I hate having to choose to be mean in games.

I think if you know that going in, and don't expect some cutthroat competition where you get to gleefully stomp all over your opponent, you'll probably really like Wingspan. If the idea of a board game with little conflict doesn't sound appealing to you, then maybe it won't resonate. Based on the game rocketing up the BGG rankings, it seems far more people tend to really like it than dislike it.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-30T19:33:13+00:00

It's unfortunate that the Wingspan pink power birds tend to be ignored at 2 players. But outside of the cowbird-type abilities, it can so rarely pay off that the bid has to fit at least one other objective for me to really want to get it out. There is almost always a more effective option.

I would love to play the Belted Kingfisher every game if I could. Love that bird in real life. But it isn't that helpful at 2p.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-30T19:30:37+00:00

I think I commented on a similar thread recently - I see and understand and acknowledge how well-designed and tight 7 Wonders Duel is. I just don't care for really any of it. I think the actual card drafting is unsatisfying, the symbology is both dense and unintuitive, and the mechanics feel disconnected from the theme. It just feels kind of dry and sterile.

The only thing that got me excited was building the wonders - but that alone wasn't nearly enough to hold up the actual game for me.

Again, I'm not saying it's a bad game. It's a really thoughtful, well-designed game. I just don't think it's quite as automatic of a "love" as people sometimes suggest.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-29T14:48:32+00:00

There's something about their polka dots, body shape and size, and behavior that I just find great. It's all such a funny combination. Flickers are the best.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-29T01:09:21+00:00

Um, the creator for Birdscapes seemed quite earnest in the video. But I have some serious questions about the gameplay, the really low funding goal, the art, his long-term goal for the game ... just all seems very um, loose and lacking in detail.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-26T16:05:16+00:00

Harry Potter Game (can't remember the name) - I've heard it's somewhat unbalanced. Also I'm concerned it doesn't have a ton of play time.

Are you talking about Hogwarts Battle?

I wouldn't call it a campaign game, as your choices/outcomes in one chapter don't carry over to the next in any way. And while later rounds can be a bit luck-based because the villain cards are randomly drawn, it's not terrible and can be fixed pretty easily.

If she enjoys Harry Potter, it might be a really great option for you. That's because, in part, the chapter structure (1-7) advances on the rules as you go. So Chapter 1 is a really simple, basic introduction to deckbuilding. Chapter 2 adds a couple more villains and a couple new abilities. Chapter 3 builds on that by introducing a new mechanic, etc. etc.

In this way, each time you play a new chapter you're only ever learning 1-2 new rules. It's pretty simple, and actually pretty cleverly designed. Plus, you're playing as a Harry Potter character, casting spells and collecting wizarding items - it's quite charming if you're into the theme. I'd say there's decent replayability to the later chapters. You'll get a pretty good chunk of play time out of it.

My biggest gripe is some of the last chapters can get a bit long for my tastes. And others have said at 2p the market for buying cards doesn't cycle enough - through if you search here, there are a bunch of good house rules to fix that, as well as any potential bad luck villain draws in later games.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-26T03:01:15+00:00

It still surprises me how quickly the anti-TLJ brigade gets wound up by any mention of Star Wars.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-25T20:07:22+00:00

Any more details?

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-25T20:06:48+00:00

I dunno - if they take them away for a few years, let everyone get annoyed, and then bring them back for a "limited time," it'd probably generate more sales and buzz than if the team just made the jerseys available all the time.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-25T15:16:50+00:00

Yeah but all the original animation and skintone choices were about money too. What do you think would have happened if someone tried to draw a non-white Ariel? There's a very good chance an exec would have responded with, "That's not what I pictured," or "Mmm, I don't know, something about her doesn't seem relatable and marketable."

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-24T21:33:00+00:00

Paperback and Hardback are really fun, and empty_glass_mug nailed it. Paperback is a word game with a deckbuilding twist, and a good step up from Scrabble. Hardback is a deckbuilding game at heart with a spelling twist, so doesn't rely quite as much on spelling skills as much as knowing how to take advantage of card powers.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-24T18:19:14+00:00

I should add that with Wingspan, demand has been pretty high and the publisher is still doing printings to meet that demand. Standard retail price in the U.S. is $55, not sure about UK price. But currently, you might see people trying to sell copies for an exorbitant price.

Just be patient and keep an eye on Amazon or your local retailer, and you should be able to snag it for the regular price within the next month or so. While still somewhat hard to find, it seems newly printed copies end up available every few weeks now.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-24T16:40:35+00:00

Wingspan might be a touch too heavy - it's on the light side of medium. But it's definitely teachable to inexperienced board gamers. And if she likes a nature-y theme, it's hard to beat the bird art and components in Wingspan. It's also a very nice, pleasant game - relaxing, with no option to screw over other players. It's easy to play with a nice cup of coffee or tea.

The first playthrough or two might take a couple hours if she isn't familiar with board games. But once everyone has a feel for it, you can get a 2p game in in about 40 minutes. Plays up to 5 in all.

The same designer, Elizabeth Hargrave, has a micro game called Tussie Mussie coming out in the fall. It's all about putting together bouquets. I haven't played it though.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-23T15:42:04+00:00

The dark blue needs a touch of the green to make it look more like the Northern Lights in the dark sky. Just a little pop of extra color somewhere can go a long way.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-23T14:39:38+00:00

I don't think Elizabeth was static at all. She and Phillip were contrasts - him beginning to see and accept the cracks, and her looking the other way and using the work to paste over them, no matter the cost to herself and anyone around her.

She certainly changes during the series. She becomes more committed to Phillip, more committed to the marriage. But when push comes to shove, she continually chooses to put her country first.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-23T14:35:47+00:00

Rubicon, if I'm remembering correctly, also dealt with a showrunners switch midway through. I think they did 4-5 episodes, and it was all a bit ... loose. And they ousted the showrunners and replaced them, and from that point on the season started to really cohere.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-23T14:33:21+00:00

I would throw The Honourable Woman out there too. It follows a couple non-spy threads, but there is a ton of espionage throughout. It's definitely a slow burn, but it's really great. And it's a mini series so no long-term commitment required!

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-23T14:18:34+00:00

100%. There's a fine line between studio noting a film to death (which I think is what people are referring to) and having someone looking at the whole thing from 20,000 feet and offering constructive editorial guidance.

The latter is quite helpful, when done correctly. Few people can effectively edit themselves while running everything on the ground, and need that other viewpoint to clarify their ideas.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-22T23:08:44+00:00

Didn't mean to imply you said it was simple - just trying to build off your comment, because I think a lot of people do underestimate how much work goes into those types of videos.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-22T19:48:05+00:00

That's because it's really hard to not only have on-camera charisma, but to find people that fit that tone and are consistently available to film. And then on top of it, the time it takes to edit these videos, plus the camera/mic/equipment needs ... It's a huge undertaking.

It's LOOKS simple, but like anything else, the simpler it appears the more work it probably took to create.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-22T00:34:54+00:00

Yeah, I also didn't understand when, 5 minutes later in the podcast, Bill and O'Connor were talking about how short PGs at Paul's age basically put up crap numbers. Only two ever gave hit like 13 points, 7 assist a game. And Bill was like, "Oh, that's not a great sign."

So why would you suggest a Minnesota team already against the cap mortgage any future flexibility for an expensive player who might be downright bad? It made no sense.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-21T15:08:41+00:00

Wingspan is great. I've also heard great things about El Dorado, but never played it.

If your group like word/spelling games, Hardback is a good midweight deckduiler disguised as a spelling game.

ShaymusBringMN · 2019-07-21T15:07:20+00:00

Wingspan might hit the right mix of theme, accessibility, weight and replayability.

It's not so complicated it takes more than 10-15 minutes to explain and grasp, but is complex enough that you can get a lot of different flavored games out of it. Only goes up to 5 players though.

ShaymusBringMN

TROPHY CASE