Brass Birmingham Grew on Me

The first time I played Brass Birmingham was with Tim and Brad and Tim was teaching it to us but hadn't played it much himself. I was completely in left field and didn't have a clue what I was doing.  It seemed like work instead of play because of the complexity of taking certain actions.  I even watched the YouTube video that explained how to play but I still felt lost.  The only thing I really understood was that it's good to take loans early.  I think it took us about 4.5 to 5 hours to play.  I lost to Tim won but Brad and I weren't way behind.  Tim focused on selling pottery and was successful at that which made the difference.  Plus the fact he got way more points for his network of boats and trains than I did.  This game was on my mind days later, and I wanted to give it another try knowing I could do better now that I grasped the rules.

There are cards that allow you to place goods in certain cities.  It's one of those games where you have a limited number of turns and you actually get to use other players canals, railways, iron, coal and beer.  It took me the whole first game to understand that concept.  It's to your benefit to be in or near other players cities and I was playing just the opposite along the lines of Ticket to Ride where it's better to be away from everyone else. The goal is to make the most money which translates to victory points.  It's straightforward in that sense because there are only two ways of making money:  either sell your goods and resources, or connect boats and trains to cities where goods and resources were sold.  There is much to remember in this game which at times can be frustrating.   Especially the part where after the first canal era ends (all the cards have been used up), all the boats and level 1 goods/resources are removed from the board and you basically have to start all over for the train era.  Plus, to lay track in the second era, the cost goes up!  After playing it again, I really liked it and bought it.  I liked it so much that I had a tournament among all the different industrialists (player tokens) over several weeks!  Doing that also helped me to learn the game better and try different strategies.

After each round when all players have had a turn, we get money based on our income level which goes up when you sell something and down if you take out a loan.  The best thing about loans is that you never have to pay them back.  It's truly free money to use.  You can't sell anything unless there is a line of boats or trains going from the city your goods are in to the market that will buy what you are selling.  These markets are placed around the edge of the board randomly each game.  The other requirement is that to sell goods (linen, pottery, or manufactured goods) you must also pay a beer (for the workers to enjoy).  On the other hand, resources (iron, coal, beer) are either used by yourself or other players, or if there are open spots in the coal and iron markets on the board, these resources are sold to the market.  Here's another rule that took me awhile to understand:  In order to use player's coal, there must be a line of boats or trains from the coal to the trains you are adding or the city in which you are placing a product.  Plus, you must use the closest coal supply--a player's coal or from the coal market.  On the other hand, iron is available to be used by all players on their turn without them being connected to it.  A player may use their own beer on their turn whether they are connected to it by boats or trains or not.  However, to use someone else's beer, the player must be connected to it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about this game if you have played it.  My friend, Nan, says she thinks it's easier than Ark Nova but I disagree.  

Watch this short video that explains it in a nutshell and gives you a better idea of how cool it looks:

 

Castle Panic is a fun co-op Game for the Whole Family

In Castle Panic, all players work together to kill off monsters before they destroy the castle in the middle of the board.  It's very easy to learn and play, but difficult to win!  Last Saturday we had six players and I thought for sure we would win, but sadly we did not.  

I think this game would work really well for families with children of all ages.  I think all six of us adults had fun playing it as well though.  There is a variation where one player actually controls the monsters.  I think it would be great fun for that one player, but don't see how he would ever lose.

This is the only co-op game I have. It's a very light game, but pretty fun.  Below is a short video explaining how to play.

Takenoko is Game About Caring for a Panda

Takenoko was one of the first games I bought when I first discovered the world of euro games.  It is very pretty and cute.  It's a game I really enjoy playing even if I lose.  Here is my list of good things I like about it:

1. 1.  Players create a garden by laying tiles throughout the game.
2. 2.  Each turn, players roll one die that designates one action they can take and then they get to choose two other actions from 5 different options:  place a garden tile, get a card, grow bamboo, have panda eat bamboo or take an irrigation stick.
3. 3.  Scoring is very straight forward.  Points shown on task cards are added up and players with the most wins.
4. 4.  Players lay down cards that they have completed so everyone can see how many tasks each has done and what their points are along the way.
5. 5.  Game goes fairly quickly when players are familiar with it.
6. 6.  There are lots of options on a turn so luck is minimal.  Of course, whenever cards are involved, there is always some luck; however, it is easy enough to get cards.
7. 7.  The set up is very easy and quick.
8. 8.  It's a pretty easy game to teach.

I can't think of anything I don't like about this one, just that sometimes I feel like playing something heavier that involves more planning.

Have you ever played this one?  If so, what do you think of it?

Here is a short video explaining how to play:  

My Current Favorite Game Is Ark Nova

Normally, I do not purchase games until I have played them first; however, I made an exception for Ark Nova.  I found it on Amazon for $58 after using my cashback bonus of $16 and ordered it for my husband to give it to my for my birthday.  After getting to play it at a library game day, I couldn't wait and asked him to give it to me for sweetest day instead.  My birthday wasn't until December so this way I got it two months earlier and have been playing it ever since!  

I like the theme of building a zoo with animals, buildings, conservation projects and sponsors.  It has a very unique scoring system with two scoring tracks:  conservation points and appeal points.  When the first player whose marker on the appeal track passes their marker on the conservation track, the end of game is triggered.  The other players get one last turn and whoever has the biggest difference between their markers that passed each other wins.

Players have five action cards (Association, Sponsors, Animals, Building, Cards) and can choose to play any of them when it is their turn.  Forming associations with zoos in other countries gives you discounts when placing animals from that country as well as giving opportunities to advance on the conservation track.  The Association action also helps players meat research requirements necessary to play certain cards and can give allow a player to hold 5 cards instead of only 3 at the end of rounds.  Sponsors give various benefits that can help players advance on both tracks.  Animals primarily give appeal points (more animals and different bigger animals attract more people to come to your zoo).  Acquiring animals to fulfill conservation projects is another way to get conservation points.  Players build enclosures based on animal sizes before they can place animals.  The cards action gives players more cards in their hand.  At the beginning, all players get two secret objective cards that give opportunity to earn conservation points at the end of the game but must discard one when any player reaches 10 conservation points.

When playing with beginners, they get an easier map that gives bigger benefits than some others.  Everyone can play with the same map or advanced players can choose from 9 other different maps that give different benefits.  This game works best with 2 or 3 players but I also enjoy playing the solo version if I have no one to play against.  The game lasts between 2-3 hours depending on the number of players.  

There are lots of decision to make along the way and players must manage their money to build enclosures and play the animals they want to put into their zoos.  I love playing this because it's fun to see your zoo develop.  Even if I don't win, this is a game I enjoy.  It's a challenge to make your turns count and be efficient.  It takes some planning ahead and is a race to get the conservation projects done ahead of your opponents if possible to get a choice of additional bonuses.

This is a game I play a lot.  I certainly got my money's worth from this one!  It can be a bit intimidating at the beginning because there are a lot of rules; however, they all make sense and it's worth sticking with it.  My one friend said "I really like this game!  I wish I had learned it sooner so  I could have been playing it all this time."

Check out this video to learn to play and get some tips:

So, have you played Ark Nova?  What do you think of it?  What is currently your favorite game?

10 Reasons Why I Like Playing Board Games

I enjoy playing board games.  There are so many more now than when I was a kid.  Pictured here is my collection but it is small compared to others I've seen posted on Facebook board gamer groups.  Growing up, my mom would encourage us to play board games at least once a week.  She loved Scrabble but we also played Rook, Canasta, Monopoly, poker, Pig, I Doubt It, Life, Chess and more.  There were four of us kids and every Christmas, each of us would get a new game for about five or six Christmases.  

I gave some of those old ones away to make room for my new ones.  I plan on blogging about different games in upcoming weeks because now that I am retired and have lots of free time, I invite people to come and play several days a week!

Here are several reasons why I love to play games:

1.  I am competitive.

2.  It builds friendships, it's very social.

3.  There are a lot of different types so I don't get bored.

4.  I like to share what I have with others so they can have fun too.

5.  I feel a sense of accomplishment if I build something like a zoo in Sanctuary or Ark Nova, like an estate in Obsession, like a cool forest in Forest Shuffle, like a city in Foundations of Metropolis or Foundations of Rome, like a vineyard business in Viticulture or a city in Everdell or Akropolis.

6.  It helps keep my mind active.  Some games involve planning ahead or thinking of words.  Learning new games helps fight against Dementia and Alzheimers.

7.  Sometimes, I just want to relax and have some fun with games of luck like Quacks, Paper World, Pit or UNO.

8.  Sometimes, if I don't feel like watching TV or going to bed, I'll play a solo version of a game.  Games I have that have solo versions included are First in Flight, Ark Nova, Sanctuary, Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Dune Imperium, Wyrmspan, Everdell and Viticulture.

9.  I like a challenge.  

10.  It is cheap entertainment.  My most expensive game is Obsession incl. expansions for $170 but most are in the $40 or less range.  Some games can last from 1-4 hours depending on the game and number of players.  If you compare the cost of eating out, going to the theatre or movies, attending a professional sporting event, or golfing or bowling, I get more for my buck in hours of entertainment with board games.

So, let me know if you like playing board games and which ones or why in the comments.