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David Ireland - Wavelength:
“You need to get more party games!” said clever David to cheapskate David.
“But I don’t like party games!” cheapskate David defended himself, thinking he was off the hook. Unfortunately, clever David was, well, clever.
“But what will happen when too many people arrive for game night? Will you play a game that isn't suited for the number of players? You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself!” At this point, cheapskate David started sweating. He knew where this was going and began preparing his “You cannot buy so many games in one month” lecture. He took a deep breath and then suddenly stopped.
What’s that? Is it a game-show? A board game?A game-show-like board game playable by 2-12 players with a spinning wheel? Both Davids were mesmerized, thinking every board game should have such a spinning wheel. Clever David obviously won again.
This inner conflict, which happens more than I’d like to admit, ended with me purchasing Wavelength. In this refreshing word game, two teams compete in a bullseye word game. Each turn, a team picks a player to be the psychic. He spins a half wheel to set the target on an abstract scale. The psychic covers the bullseye target, making him the only one who knows its location. His team must hit the target by positioning a spindle on the covered scale—the closer they are, the more points they score.
The psychic helps by drawing a card, each representing a random spectrum, like dark vs. light or good vs. bad pizza toppings. He then names something that sits on this spectrum exactly where the target is on the hidden scale. The team debates and sets the spindle, then the target is revealed, and points are awarded.
I enjoyed several aspects of this game. First, players can choose their level of engagement—guessing, giving clues, or just watching and laughing. This makes the game great for diverse groups. Second, it has a real game show feel. The parts are beautifully designed to be played from within the box, and the spinning wheel is awesome. Third, it's fascinating how easy it feels to guess and how hard it is to be the psychic. Try giving a clue for something that's 34% between a small and tiny object or 55% on a scale between real and pseudo-science.
I played it with friends, family, and kids, and it was fun, funny, and unique every time. Once again cheapskate David got a bit poorer and clever David was right... go clever David!
Tim Evans – Azul Mini:
One of the things I love about gaming is it’s a timeless hobby. You can pick up a “new” game on its initial release or years after it’s release and that memory and experience is completely your own. I’ll admit, I’m a late comer to Azul, a beautiful abstract puzzler which I recently picked up only days before flying out on holiday, but it’s fast becoming a favourite, particularly in its tiny “mini” package.
This version is in fact so small it could fit easily into my partner and I’s small hand luggage only allowance and make it’s way into our hearts nestled between us on a single cushion of a Bulgarian sofa bed.
Later this month I will be doing another blog to explore more of the mighty games which come in small travel size packages, but for now let’s focus on Azul.
A lot can be said about the tile collecting strategy of this game, the push your luck element of trying to pick up a certain variety at exactly the right moment before the other players can. Or the choosing how to best prioritise the various point scoring methods to make sure you only end the game when you’re ahead. Not to mention the game is still beautiful in mini size so it retains all of the charm if it’s original.
The game is very re-playable too. It takes only moments to setup, but the random nature of the tile drafting means it will be a long time before any two games play out exactly the same way.
The mini packaging comes with a handy score tracker built into each of the four player boards to make gameplay even easier, and each tile slot even has an indent to keep every piece in it’s place on the go. Combine this with a handy factory display tray and you could literally play anywhere. (we may even try it out on the flight home on a couple of tray tables)
So, if you’re in need of a deceptively simple puzzle game to pack away for your staycation, vacation, or even just to enjoy at home, check out the classic Azul in all it’s forms, but especially for me, Azul mini!
Neil Parker - Iki:
Iki is a game based on shopping. No seriously, it doesn’t sound much, but wait! Set in Edo, now known as Tokyo, the game is actually enjoyable to play. The game is set around a shopping area and players take it in turns, using an interesting mechanic to determine turn order, to visit shops and interact with the artisans. Players can set up shops through acquiring artisan cards and as other players visit them, they get more experienced and will eventually retire. During the game in the income phases, players earn points or resources from their artisans.
The reason for Iki being my pick this month is that I was pleasantly surprised how interesting, fun and elegant the game is to play. The components are nice to look at and use and there is an expansion available adding a harbour area and more options for play.
We did find the rules some getting used to but playing back-to-back games helped, firstly just a basic game and then using the expansion. There is good interaction between players as every turn you there is an incentive to visit shops and if you have what another player wants, you will benefit too. I like this in games. Whilst interaction isn’t always necessary, it definitely makes a big difference in some games and Iki has it at its core. We found it enjoyable as there are plenty of choices in game and having that element makes this game about shopping actually worth playing. But seriously, it’s a game that is more about collecting resources and drafting artisans and there is enough variably too to make this an engaging game that you’ll want to play. I’m certainly up for another game.
Slay The Spire - Seb Hawden:
I think felt the same as most people when Contention Games announced the Slay the Spire board game. I felt a mixture of “Here comes another video game cash-in” and “Why?” However, also like everyone else who has played it, my worries and ill feelings were swiftly bashed aside by what a wonderful adaptation this is. Slay the Spire: The Board Game is simply superb and in some cases, I think, better than the video game that inspired it. I adore Slay the Spire and I am ecstatic that the board game not only captures what I love but adds to it and tweaks it in a very loving way that is so true to the nature of the source material.
I think that Slay the Spire, the original, already being a card game helped but this game still could have ended up being a massive misstep. What Contention Games have done though is superb. They have minimized all the faff and hidden bits that the video game took care of to make a very easy-to-manage board game experience. The numbers are all smaller and some of the powers have been changed to make running the game a breeze. It's still Slay the Spire but it's board game Slay the Spire!
A die roll controls most of the game's variables, power activations and enemy actions and it feels so ‘boardgamey’. It's simply beautiful in its execution. Add to this the fact that the game is co-op and you have the Slay the Spire we all love, physically and also, truly, truly cooperative. I say this because there are a lot of games that tout co-op but they are not. Slay the Spire The Board Game had me and my group discussing tactics, using our powers to help each other and truly cooperating. It brings a whole new light to this game and it's glorious to behold.
Tom Harrod - Flamecraft:
Yes, I know Flamecraft (by Cardboard Alchemy) isn’t a new game. But the reason this is my Game of the Month is because it was a new game to my niece and nephew, last week!
They’re ten/eight years old, respectively. Now, I have introduced them to a plethora of gateway games, before. They’ve played the likes of Quacks of Quedlinburg, Carcassonne, Ticket To Ride, Formula D, and many more. I’ve umm-ed and ahh-ed about which title to pick as their first foray into ‘next-level’ games, though.
By that, I mean lightweight Euro-style strategy games. I wanted to get this decision right. My fear was, if I picked something too complex too soon, would it turn them off ‘grown-up games’ for good? Fortunate for me, Sandra Tang’s adorable art style had them hooked the moment we began set-up. Theme and setting is crucial to getting kids invest their concentration into longer games.
Flamecraft, for those who haven’t played, is a worker placement game set within a charming dragon town. All the businesses have human owners with small dog-sized dragons as their colleagues. You visit a different shop each turn, and you pick one of two options. Either: gather goods there and take advantage of a dragon colleague’s ability. Or, you enchant a card (fulfil a public contract) by spending goods and earning points. Of course, most points wins, like 99% of strategy games on the market.
This was my niece and nephew’s first attempt at juggling basic resource management. I was so proud of them for digesting it straight out of the gate! Flamecraft won’t overwhelm seasoned board gamers. It’s simple worker placement. But it's a perfect candidate for introducing younger players into the strategy scene. I knew I'd got it right when they asked to play again. My niece even asked me, “Are there other games like Flamecraft?” Yes, yes there are! Welcome to the wonderful world of light-/medium-weight Euro games!
