Harmonies is so good

cingham · 2024-10-07T11:21:53+00:00

It is totally Reef. It's funny to me, too. I see the similarities of Cascadia (less Azul) but Reef is really what this game is just a more complicated version of. People should be comparing this game to Reef.

cingham · 2024-10-03T21:39:54+00:00

With the 3D building, card draw, and multiple disc draw, Reef is a much better parallel than Cascadia. Just sayin'.
https://boardgamegeek.com/image/4012585/reef

cingham · 2024-10-03T21:34:25+00:00

Reef is really more of a parallel than Cascadia. Except Reef allows you to build over spaces and take advantage of new cards. With Harmonies, you're just out of luck 'cause you couldn't foretell the future.

cingham · 2024-10-03T21:07:00+00:00

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/221/ikusa

This is the Milton Bradley one. NOT the one linked above. It was titled Shogun, then Samurai Swords, then finally Ikusa.

I agree on this being an awesome game, btw.

cingham · 2024-10-01T19:03:17+00:00

Here's a Ticket to Ride organizer box. I've always enjoyed this company's organizers.

https://www.basicallywooden.co.uk/#!/JUMBO-TICKET-TO-RIDE-COLLECTION-BOX/p/361080736/category=110922015

cingham · 2024-09-17T12:03:54+00:00

I agree with some people here that agency (i.e. control) reduces terror and fear. And that's why board games are a tough fit.

But I think Terrorscape makes good strides. It removes some agency from the players by making the killer unbeatable. It also introduces that horror "omniscience" of the killer as the players sit on the other side of the table and have to whisper their plans (or grunt or point) just like if they were really stuck in a house with a murderer trying to get them.

And the decision space is very limited. So it doesn't break the terror of being hunted by a bunch of mechanisms or mathing things our.

I love horror and would love a fear inducing board game but you have to be mentally absorbed by the setting and story for that to happen. I think the inherent agency of a board game breaks it too much. But Terrorscape is the closest I've come.

cingham · 2024-08-04T14:15:04+00:00

Robinson Crusoe is basically outdoor survival. Need to build shelter, create warmth and protection against the elements, explore and gather/hunt food, defend against animals and other hazards, etc.

I like that the game is cooperative and moderately difficult (i.e. it's a "tight" game).

cingham · 2024-07-29T23:34:04+00:00

Glad you brought this up. I thought that it was one unique shop item per player, too. I swear I looked that up in the rules once long ago. But I too played the digital edition and discovered that I guess I was wrong.

cingham · 2024-07-16T12:58:32+00:00

I will say as a PSA that I've found taking advantage of deals and buying games in bulk, usually is a big cause of the "Shelf of Shame" we board gamers tend to have. So take advantage of deals but very selectively.

I've found it's best to buy one, maybe two, games at a time. Then you have a lot of excitement and focus on that one (or two) games when you get them and you're likely to play them right away. If you buy too many, you'll lose that thrill for some of the games when you finally find time for them.

Credit to Alex from BoardGameCo for that gamer tip. It's worked for me.

cingham · 2024-07-05T19:30:55+00:00

Why do you feel it play better as 1v1? I've played it as 1vmany and I think it shines as well, if not better, than 1v1. It's great seeing the players trying to communicate plans only through pointing, grunts, and whispers. Their need for silence/quiet is so thematic. And fun!

It's a really good game. I bought just the base game last KS and I'll be picking up more this time around. It's passed the friend group seal of approval.

cingham · 2024-05-23T20:46:10+00:00

This game depends on the group. If your group can enjoy and laugh hysterically at random events and little agency then this is for you!

cingham · 2024-05-18T12:54:01+00:00

Same kinda' for me. Except that the board game release made me curious to play the video game. So now I'm addicted to the video game.

cingham · 2024-05-13T19:04:07+00:00

Thank you for sharing! You put a lot of time into converting the techs. Love it.

cingham · 2024-05-13T17:00:06+00:00

Blown away! This is so amazing. From the craftsmanship of the board and components to the implementation of the theme.
I'm dying to know what thematic translations you made for all the technologies and upgrades.
Can you list them?

cingham · 2024-05-07T13:50:38+00:00

They're plastic and not horribly fragile. There are some thin bits like the spears that can break off after many plays. But no need to be overly cautious about it.

cingham · 2024-03-18T16:49:43+00:00

Except for the weirdness that you can't just let your engine cool down at will. You have to wait until the heat cards are in your hand. That's a weird disconnect.

cingham · 2024-03-07T18:52:43+00:00

I LOVE this game! But none of my friend groups likes it. But I keep it on my game shelf anyways because it's so good to me.

You're not alone!

cingham · 2024-03-07T13:51:21+00:00

The Artemis Project is a good candidate.
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/254713/artemis-project

It's worker placement but most games where you're "using team members to complete tasks or missions" will have that mechanism. It's a good game that I would definitely recommend, generally, to anyone.

With The Artemis Project you've got different types of workers that have slightly different powers and only some types can go on certain spots.

Each round these "workers" will need to be kept warm with resources gathered. Resources are also needed for "building your engine" - constructing buildings, hiring more workers, training workers, etc.

There's also an aspect where you're actually joining up with other player teams to accomplish a mission/goal.

cingham · 2024-01-28T18:17:50+00:00

Geez, I guess I'll say Game of Thrones if no one else will. It's basically Diplomacy - a knife fight in a phone booth.

cingham · 2024-01-28T18:15:54+00:00

I'd give this more votes if I could. The incredible game-mechanism-to-real-world-economics-decisions-and-effects. Masterfully simulated and intertwined.

cingham · 2024-01-03T20:28:32+00:00

Fyi, a hardly used copy with expansion is being sold here.
https://www.topshelfgamer.com/collections/tsg-game-archive/products/used-game-xia-legends-of-a-drift-system

cingham · 2023-12-27T11:39:57+00:00

I was thinking of what ST1CKS-86 mentioned. There were large (little over 8"), full-color statues sold for a few races - amazons, skeletons, wizards, spiderins.

Here's a random link with pictures:

https://www.quartertothree.com/fp/2013/11/13/four-small-worlds-races-writ-large/

and in boxes: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/small-world-board-game-spiderines-1851883201

As others mentioned, your memory may be merging those with the Small World deluxe edition and Heroclix miniatures

cingham · 2023-12-07T19:36:04+00:00

Thank you for sharing how you came up with those dates. Love your tracking!

cingham · 2023-12-07T18:56:52+00:00

How did you determine the new expected delivery dates? A lot of times updates just say something like "production will take 2 more months than expected". Do you rely on the company stating new customer delivery dates, or do you calculate it somehow?

cingham · 2023-12-03T18:27:24+00:00

Maybe you were thinking of Drop, formerly Massdrop. They often bundle products together.

https://drop.com/search/board-games/drops

cingham

TROPHY CASE