Off Topic => Off Topic => Topic started by: Jazz Paladin Productions on May 24, 2016, 07:59:34 PM
Title: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Jazz Paladin Productions on May 24, 2016, 07:59:34 PM
So lately, I've deviated a bit from a favorite past-time of playing video games. The reason why has more to do the the sense that in general, I am not finding a whole ton of new games that seem interesting--even though I opted into the KS for Bloodstained, about the only things I really have played are classics like Baldur's Gate (EE) , Outrun: Coast to Coast, and various classic rpgs/castlevania titles...Maybe the only thing I'm interested in for the future is the new Zelda...
So instead, I've been delving into board games. So far, I am finding that I love D&D 5E (much better than 3rd and 4th editions!), and recently discovered Mage Knight. I've pretty much been playing Mage Knight for almost 6 weeks every night with my wife, and am loving the variety, balance, and many choices there are to make during the game.
I am curious as to what other games people out there are playing and loving. I just invested in the upcoming Super Dungeon Explore : Legends , and am also considering Shadowrun : Crossfire.
Would love to hear what everyone else plays.
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: TheouAegis on May 24, 2016, 10:27:59 PM
SORRY! Fire & Ice
.... We play it as a drinking game. At some point we're probably going to play Nightmares or whatever - some old game that you played along with a VHS movie.
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on May 24, 2016, 11:02:58 PM
The only board games I play are generic ones like Monopoly (several variants) and Clue.
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Dracula9 on May 25, 2016, 12:39:00 AM
Chess for life.
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Abnormal Freak on May 25, 2016, 01:27:58 AM
I really like Betrayal at House on the Hill. It's an old spooky house exploration and stats building game where you initially work together with the other players, and then toward the end of the game a traitor is revealed (or sometimes it's kept a secret) and any number of bizarre scenarios are set up with unique game rules, like escaping the mansion or stopping the villain. Probably the weirdest scenario I've played is a mad scientist shrunk the other players and we had to roll dice to start up a toy plane and attempt to fly out a window...
Besides the myriad scenarios, the board is made up of tiles that you place on the table as you move along, so the layout of the house will always be different. This fall they're releasing an expansion pack with more scenarios, room tiles, and a fourth floor—the attic. Cannot friggin' wait fer dat.
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on May 25, 2016, 02:17:44 AM
Betrayal at House on the Hill I saw a group of people play that on youtube and I was intrigued enough to search for a copy of the game in my country. However, I was dismayed by the price the sellers want (way too overpriced).
It is great that they are releasing an expansion pack. It would make the game much more exciting and fresh with new scenarios.
Castlevania fans might like the game, especially when the haunting starts!
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Dracula9 on May 25, 2016, 02:30:36 AM
Ooh, that reminded me.
Settlers of Catan, too.
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Belmontoya on May 25, 2016, 03:17:19 AM
Castlevania fans might like the game, especially when the haunting starts!
Sounds fun, I'll have to check it out!
Catan is good as well, but the 3 player minimum ruins it for most of the nights when it's just my wife and myself.
Even though Mage Knight can be long (3+ hours), it's a fun experience throughout. Seriously doubt we'd be playing it so much lately if it weren't.
Things I really like: Random monsters/land terrain layout/unit and spell availability -- never the same game twice Different characters to use with different play styles and skills/abilities Being able to steal/use other players skills if the other player elects not to use them PvP if you want to get downright nasty with your opponent Lots of different scenarios and play modes
Also thinking about Arcadia Quest, but I already invested in the new Kickstarter for Super Dungeon Explore : Legends. Both are basically board game clones of monster smashers like Gauntlet. But the other thing that's nice about them is that they come with a boatload full of minis that you can also paint for fun. Also comes in handy for Dungeons and Dragons minis if you need them and don't want to fork over a ton of money.
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Jazz Paladin Productions on May 25, 2016, 08:58:14 AM
Betrayal at House on the Hill I saw a group of people play that on youtube and I was intrigued enough to search for a copy of the game in my country. However, I was dismayed by the price the sellers want (way too overpriced).
It is great that they are releasing an expansion pack. It would make the game much more exciting and fresh with new scenarios.
Castlevania fans might like the game, especially when the haunting starts!
This. Shit goes down at haunting
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Ratty on May 26, 2016, 05:45:53 PM
I love watching the Dice Tower top 10's (really top 30s since it's 3 guys top ten lists) and lusting after games I can't afford lol. They review pretty much everything that comes out as well. I want to get more into board gaming but can't afford it at the moment. Here's an essential resource for reviews/pictures/documents/price checks/fan made content though http://www.boardgamegeek.com/ (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/)
Tom Vasel, Zee Garcia and Sam Healey have great chemistry/banter, I can and have listened to them talk about games for hours. By the way Dice Tower reviewed the new Star Trek re-skin/streamlined Mage Knight coming out next month ("Star Trek Frontiers") and liked it but for my money it doesn't look near worth the $80 asking price.
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Jazz Paladin Productions on May 26, 2016, 07:01:32 PM
Tom Vasel, Zee Garcia and Sam Healey have great chemistry/banter, I can and have listened to them talk about games for hours. By the way Dice Tower reviewed the new Star Trek re-skin/streamlined Mage Knight coming out next month ("Star Trek Frontiers") and liked it but for my money it doesn't look near worth the $80 asking price.
Dice Tower is really helpful and informative, love their stuff.
I am doubting that the Star Trek : Frontiers can live up to the original Mage Knight, and I really wish that were not the case, because I am huge Trekkie. I am curious as to what Tom and the gang think of it.
Mage Knight and its first expansion are very well worth it though. Countless hours already lost on it, and it never feels the same twice. So much randomness ensures that no two plays are ever alike by a long shot, but you still have a lot that you can control via your decisions. Again, probably the most balanced board game of the type that I've yet played.
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Ratty on May 26, 2016, 07:53:13 PM
Tom is the only one who's reviewed it so far https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FIuHpyBASs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FIuHpyBASs) he feels it's superior because he thinks "the theme works better" though from the sound of it I believe that really just means he personally enjoys the theme more. They stripped out or slimmed down some of the mechanics of Mage Knight which may make it slightly more accessible to a wider player base, but also could cut down on the variety. They might add a lot of that back in with a future expansion(s) though.
Tom likes it but I see a lot of people are unhappy with the screenshots used for card artwork (many of which are apparently recycled from the earlier "Attack Wing" game) but as I saw pointed out, nobody complained about screenshots for artwork in the BSG board game. It just feels like illogical snobbery because everyone likes to hate on WizKids. True the tiles are sparse but it's outer space, there's not a lot you could do there and retain functionality.
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Jazz Paladin Productions on May 26, 2016, 09:01:41 PM
Tom is the only one who's reviewed it so far https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FIuHpyBASs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FIuHpyBASs) he feels it's superior because he thinks "the theme works better" though from the sound of it I believe that really just means he personally enjoys the theme more. They stripped out or slimmed down some of the mechanics of Mage Knight which may make it slightly more accessible to a wider player base, but also could cut down on the variety. They might add a lot of that back in with a future expansion(s) though.
Tom likes it but I see a lot of people are unhappy with the screenshots used for card artwork (many of which are apparently recycled from the earlier "Attack Wing" game) but as I saw pointed out, nobody complained about screenshots for artwork in the BSG board game. It just feels like illogical snobbery because everyone likes to hate on WizKids. True the tiles are sparse but it's outer space, there's not a lot you could do there and retain functionality.
It's justifiable hate on Wiz Kids for some instances. It ruined at least one of the Mage Knight expansions (Shades of Tezla) from what I understand due to QC issues that were not corrected (tokens and cards ended up being a different shape/tint which made it obvious which cards and tokens were coming up in the pile...)
But after looking over the Star Trek : Frontiers a bit with my wife, we both agree that until STF comes out with expansions, it will be inferior for a few reasons.
1) It is taking a step backward in terms of character diversity. STF has only 1 unique card per player, as opposed to 2 unique cards per player in MK : LL .
2) No day/night cycle means less variety in terms of tactics to chose from.
3) Lush landscapes vs looking at all black : We agree that the ST theme works really well for this game, but staring at the vast emptiness of space doesn't seem quite as appealing...
4) I was kinda hoping for some unique hand art as well, as it is really good in MK. I can see why some people are miffed about this. It's not a deal breaker at all, but it would be nice. MK is very aesthetically pleasing.
5) Some of the more advanced scenarios are missing from STF. Tom said that the Borg are too easy. This makes sense, as the Borg cubes are the MK equivalent of cities, which are not terribly difficult to defeat. If they had made the Borg the equivalent of General Volkaire from the MK expansion, that would indeed be a very appropriate threat. Heck, in all honestly with all the advances that they made in MK: LL , there really is no reason why the improvements could not have been incorporated into STF in some sense. As it is, I am not too sure that STF will even sell well enough to get expansions. I would hope so, as that would give me some justification to get the game. As it is now , though, my wife and I think it's best to hold out and see if STF can at least manage to equal MK and its first expansion at some point in time. I'd love to take the Defiant out for a spin, butt heads with the Dominion and such.
Title: Re: Scratching your hardcore gaming itch...with board games
Post by: Jazz Paladin Productions on June 21, 2016, 04:56:37 PM
So...new games added to my collection that I have yet to play :
Shadowrun : Crossfire with High Caliber Ops expansion Thunderstone Advance with multiple expansions Commissioned
Indonesia (3rd ed) and Super Dungeon Explore : Legends are on order, but months away from delivery.
Very curious to see how Shadowrun plays out, supposed to be a tough-as-nails co-op deck-builder , but I am very curious to see how the continuity of using the same character between multiple games and level-up mechanics play out.