For those who like games to be done in less than an hour that are easy to learn and play, Through the Desert would be a good one for you. It plays up to 5 players, is a quick setup, easy to teach, easy to play. All you have to do is take turns placing two camels on the board wherever you wish as long as they are next to your other camel of that color. The object of the game is to get the most points by (1) having the longest caravan in a color; (2) Acquiring watering hole points; (3) by sealing off a territory from other players; and (4) getting 5 pts. for putting a different color camel next to a palm tree. The game ends as soon as all the camels of one color have been placed on the board.
Here are a few tips for winning that I have picked up by playing the game:
1. Have your caravans break off in different directions to avoid getting blocked in.
2. Try to block out other players.
3. Try to get at least one camel next to every tree.
4. Try to get a few territories blocked off.
5. Try to get the longest caravan for several colors.
I always get a thrill when I get a bargain on a new game by winning the auction on Ebay for it! My latest game acquisition is Great Western Trail and it is on the heavy side. It's always fun to punch out the pieces and get it set up for the first time. This is one I heard good things about and appealed to me when watching the reviews of it on YouTube, so I took the plunge and bought it. It took me two days to get everything punched out, set up and get through the rules. There's a lot to it but think it will be a great game once me and my friends learn it. There seems to be lots of ways to get points and lots of options along the way. I am excited to learn how to play it and be able to teach it to others soon!
If you know how to play this, please give me some tips in the comments. Also, if you would like to play this with me, let me know!
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:
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 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. Players create a garden by laying tiles throughout the game.
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. Scoring is very straight forward. Points shown on task cards are added up and players with the most wins.
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. Game goes fairly quickly when players are familiar with it.
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. The set up is very easy and quick.
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?
