That's Quite The Line-Up (A Review of Battle Line)

In ancient times armies would line up on opposite sides of a battlefield before a conflict.  Perhaps they would give speeches to encourage their troops or taunt their opponents while they waited for the coming battle.  At least that's how things work in Battle Line.  The sides are clearly drawn up and troops are sent into battle one at a time, patiently waiting for the enemy to show up before the fighting begins.  Can you win this very neat and organized battle?

Don't Prussia Your Luck (A Review of Leuthen: Frederick's Greatest Victory)

Warfare in the Age of Reason.  Now that’s a fun oxymoron!  I mean, what exactly about standing perfectly still, shoulder-to-shoulder, in well-dressed ranks trading volleys of musket fire sounds reasonable to you?  At any rate, the period receives little attention in war gaming.  Thus, one of the more brilliant military tacticians in history, Frederick der Grosse, is often ignored.  Too bad.  Because he didn’t get the moniker “Great” for nothing.  One of the ablest practitioners of “less is more,” he expanded his tiny nation threefold and created a new kingdom almost entirely through the use of the small, yet superb, army inherited from daddy.  Always outnumbered and strategically besieged, he nonetheless won victory after victory through decisive action and expert maneuvering with the best drilled and most disciplined troops on the continent.  Now you can fill his boots.  Or get kicked by them.

Bird Herding (A Preview of Emu Ranchers)

Emus are a cranky lot.  You’d probably be, too, if you were a flightless bird.  I mean, as some unfortunate evolutionary defect, not only do they pine away their days jealously watching their aviary brethren soar high, like nature intended, but now humans want to herd and pen them, like common cattle.  Why?  I don’t know.  There’s not much meat upon them.  And they’re ugly.  Must be for the feathers.

[Ed. note: This is a preview of a non-final, non-production prototype of the game. Our opinions reflect that of the game at the time we played it; the final product may feature some slight variation in game play, art, and components.]

These Mushrooms Aren't Going To Cook Themselves (A Review of Morels)

 

One does not simply stumble upon a Morel. You must search deep in the woods, making sure that it is not one of many false morels first. Then it should be handled and prepared with the utmost care so that you preserve its unique flavor. Only then can you play this game. Come back when you are ready to take mushroom foraging more seriously.

Are You Ready for Some Football? (A Review of 1st and Goal)

Are you a loyal fan of the home town team?  If so, no doubt you bleed the home colors and root for your boys (or girls) through think and thin, victory and defeat, glory and agony.  But yet, every so often (or more), watching your team on the TV, you just know that you could play better or make smarter decisions.  If only you were calling the shots and given the chance to slip that jersey on and get in the game.  Well, now is your chance!  R&R Games’ family-friendly design puts you in charge on the sidelines.  Make the call to roll, pass, and kick your way to victory!

Napoleon Complex (A Review of War & Peace)

"I saw the crown of France laying on the ground, so I picked it up with my sword." ~ Napoleon

It is said that the only man in history to have more works written about him than Napoleon is Jesus.  Appropriately enough for his God-sized ego, his times will forever be named after the little emperor who seized opportunity from turmoil and changed history forever through blood and steel.  An untold number of games have also covered the wars and battles of this era.  Recently, Worthington Games has offered a new title of grand, epic strategy covering the entire period from 1805 to Waterloo.  Will history repeat itself?  Choose your side to reenact this period which witnessed some of the greatest and most terrible military campaigns of all time.

High Stakes Poker (A Review of Vampire Empire)

An evil has infected the city!  Roaming the streets and its foreboding castle's halls, disguised as normal townsfolk, vampires walk amongst unsuspecting mortals.  Will these vile creatures lure and trap the land's innocent souls?  Or will the humans successfully reveal their dark identities and hunt them all down before its too late?  In this new release from Stronghold Games, you have the chance to accomplish either.  So channel your inner Nosferatu or Van Helsing and enter the realm of Vampire Empire.

Guide to Gaming: Two's Company, Three's a Crowd--Good Games for Two (and More)

This is a gaming blog. I don't think I need to sell you on the pleasures of gaming. We all know this simple truth: life is hard sometimes, and a good game with good friends is good medicine.

Of course, finding friends to play games isn't always the easiest. There are the occasional (or even weekly) game nights, but the friends most readily at hand are likely found in the home. The friend I play games with the most (and also my favorite gaming partner) is my wife, but finding a good two-player game can be difficult, especially if you want to maximize your gaming dollar. I don't often buy games that don't have a two-player mode (unless they are obvious group games, like The Resistance), and a good two-player mode is often what keeps games hitting the table and off my BGG trade list. Since I've had some false starts and some successes, I thought I'd put together a brief guide for others who might be in the same boat.

What follows is a list (with some commentary) of good multiplayer games that are fun with two to help you get the most out of your gaming dollar. (I've also added a brief list without commentary of some two-player-only games that are worth your time.)

Alpine Excursion (a review of Ticket to Ride: Switzerland)

The Alps! Everyone loves the Alps, especially train enthusiasts. And what better Alpine vista is there than Switzerland's? The chocolate! The cheese! The lederhosen! (Though those are more in Germany. No matter.)

Such good cheer, and so widespread--so why is it so hard to get around? And why is Zurich so mired in bad train traffic? And why are the cards you need so very, very hard to find?

Ticket to Ride: Switzerland captures none of the feelings of Alpine goodwill but all of the excitement of a dangerous mountain train journey.

(Note: Ticket to Ride: Switzerland has been rereleased as part of volume 2 of the Ticket to Ride map collection--India/Switzerland. However, I have the original release, which is the Switzerland map all by itself.)

Raining Candy (a review of Piñata)

A swing and a miss! You love tugging that little line, drawing the bounteous piñata higher and higher as the blindfolded batter swings low. Or loosening your grip to ground the piñata as she swings high. You chuckle and chuckle at your clever dodges and revel in the laughter of the crowd. Until it's your turn at the bat.

Now the crowd has turned against you as you beat the air, hoping against hope that candy will shower you with sugar. You can taste victory...but can you find it in the dark?

Exciting Exploration (a review of Lost Cities)

You've got your compass. And a map. You wore your thick boots today, and your mother packed you a hearty lunch. Oh, and money: good, you've got that, much of it from wealthy benefactors who hope you will bring back artifacts of great worth from your time in the jungle. Or Atlantis. Or wherever you're going.

But wait--someone else is attempting a similar expedition? And how did they attract wealthy benefactors as well?

No matter. You will find and explore these lost cities and make a bundle while you're at it. At least if you can figure out the scoring formula...

No really, ALL the Creatures (A Review of Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small)

[Ed. Note: We'd like to welcome our newest reviewer to the team, whom will will refer to only by the mysterious name of "Andrew."  Starting off with this review of Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small, you're going to see a lot more of this guy around here.  We're excited to have him and excited that we keep growing so we can put out more of the highest quality reviews on the interwebnets!]

The concept of a farming simulation may seem incredibly boring on first consideration. But as anyone that has played or watched a game in the Harvest Moon series can attest to there is a certain charm that turns menial chores into addictive game play. I think part of what makes it work is the intuitive nature of a simple farming simulation. Everyone has a pretty good idea of what needs to be done around a farm to keep things running: grow some crops, manage some animals, clear out some space to expand for your growing family. It’s also fun to build something from the ground up and such a simulation literally lets you watch the fruits of your labor grow and multiply. As long as you keep things simple you’ve got a winning formula in an unexpected place.

Great Balls of Fire (a review of Dragon Clash)

We here at iSlaytheDragon love slaying dragons.  I mean, it’s in our name and everything.  But modern dragon slaying can be cumbersome and frustrating.  There’s a ton of bureaucratic red-tape to comply with the Endangered Species Act.  PETA is around every corning crying about draconum rights.  And have you seen the price of chain mail these days?!  So what’s the alternative to strapping on a broadsword and risk being charcoaled?  Why, to be the dragon, of course!  Dragon Clash pits you as one such ferocious beast in mortal conflict with another.  Will your might and magic triumph?  The best part is that no politician or activist can complain – I mean as a dragon, you’re only acting within your nature, right?

Medieval Love Child (A Review of For the Crown)

I, Chess, take you, Dominion, to be my lawful wedded wife, to stack and build decks with, for better draws and for worse, for lots of buys and just one, in the base game and in expansions, to sleeve and build custom inserts for; from this day forward until death do us part.

I, Dominion, take you, Chess, to be my lawful wedded husband, to line up and attack with, for sacrifices and promotions, for mobility and forced moves, in blitzes and in stalemates, to polish and place in felt cases; from this day forward until death do us part.

Nine months later…

News Bits: 2/11/2013

Big week for news, big week for Kickstarter. Check it out below:

Greater Than Games gears up for Galactic Strike Force [Link] The team behind Sentinels of the Multiverse, a well-regarded superhero cooperative card game (and one of the richest games I've seen in thematic detail), has announced a new co-op game, this one a deck-builder set in outer space. I've only played first-edition SotM, and while I liked it, it wasn't my favorite co-op experience. This game looks more my speed. I am definitely watching this one with interest and will let you know the updates as I see them.

Assemble Cards! (A Review of Super Hero Squad)

You’ve read their comics, seen their movies, daydreamed about them, and maybe even dressed up as them. Now, you can assume the powers of Marvel’s greatest and lesser known world defending crime fighters. The twist is that you have to fight each other – must be inspired by Marvel’s Civil War?! Do you have what it takes to don masks, capes, high-tech weaponry, and genetic-altering phenomena? Find out with the new Marvel trading card game, Super Hero Squad.

A Sophisticated CCG (A Review of Jambo)

Walking into the village on a pleasant, sunny day, you cheerily greet other passers-by with a smile and friendly, “Jambo!” (hello). You’re a simple trader, minding your own biashara (business), just trying to support your mke (wife) and watoto (kids). Buying hariri (silk) and manyoya (hides) at modest prices and selling them for higher sums, perhaps you’ll even earn a little extra to buy that shiny, new mkuki (spear) you always wanted. It is a concept as old as ustaarabu (civilization) itself. Is that too much to ask? But no, apparently the life of a simple trader is not so simple after all. That mbaya mtu (bad man) across the square has to go and send his tembo (elephant) rampaging over to upturn and trample your soko kusimama (market stand). What a maana mtu (jerk *loosely translated)! Well, how about you send your fisi (hyena) over to cause some mischief of your own. That’ll show him! Turns out, this trading business sure can be kata-koo (cut-throat).

FDQ: Two's Company

One of the hard, sought-after gems in our hobby is that perfectly balanced, two-player game.  After all, many of us game frequently with a spouse, lunch buddy, or child for which standard, 2-6 player titles just don’t seem to really “fit” well – despite that “2” on the box.  Multi-player titles might scale well, but opinions will vary wildly.  Personally, thanks to its board configuration, I don’t think you can go wrong with Small World in that department.

While I do play two-player games, those sessions are in the minority for me.  That said, I’ll always first recommend Cribbage.  This traditional card game (with scoring board!) is a bit clumsy to learn at first.  But if you have patience, it will reward you with a fun experience.  The three phases of discarding to the crib, pegging, and showing are all separate parts, yet interconnected in a manner that your decisions in one will affect the other two.  This creates smooth and tense game play which is affected by both strategy and luck of the draw.  A good indication of its strategic nature, typically experience will win.  With that and its mathy scoring, my kids are not keen on Cribbage right now.  Not for having me tried, though!

One two-player game that does hit our table frequently is Jambo.  This title pits two African traders against each other in trying to buy low and sell high six different types of wares.  There are cards that let you buy and sell, of course, but also ones that give you bonuses, allow you to manipulate the rules, and to even attack your opponent.  The rules are very simple, game length hits that “just right” mark for a two-player session, and the artwork is attractive.  It’s not perfect.  But it has a very good mixture of luck, strategy, flow, and interaction.

How about your two-player sessions?  Do you shoot for the traditional card games?  Do you prefer games designed only for a pair?  Or do you like standard, multi-player titles that scale well for two?  What do you say?

The Two-Player Bazaar (a review of Jaipur)

[Editors note: The following is a Nemesis Review, featuring opinions from our in-house eurogamer, @Farmerlenny, and his deadly enemy, the thematic, space-loving @Futurewolfie.  Make sure to read both opinions to get a better overall picture of the game!]

I had heard buzz around the Internet about a great two-player game called Jaipur, but I wasn't sure about it. Mostly because the pricetag was $25, the box was small, and the components, as far as I could gather, were a deck of cards (granted, beautifully illustrated cards) and a few stacks of pogs. But when I found it for a deal, I decided it was worth a try. And I realized just how foolish I was to balk at the pricetag, because this game is fantastic.

From Russia with Love: The Kingdoms of Crusaders (a review)

[Editors note: The following is a Nemesis Review, featuring opinions from our in-house eurogamer, @Farmerlenny, and his deadly enemy the thematic space-loving @Futurewolfie.  Make sure to read both opinions to get a better overall picture of the game!]

We here at iSlaytheDragon.com are always on the lookout for new and interesting games. So when the call (or rather e-mail) came in asking us to take a look at four Russian games published for the first time in English by Right Games, we could not refuse.

Each day this week we will be taking a look at the four games in turn and letting you know what we think about them. We will begin this series with a look at The Kingdoms of Crusaders.