A Progressive Top 10 to Introduce Player Interaction

Competition is at the heart of any game.  Indeed, it’s a characteristic that often defines the very word “game,” and separates the board gaming hobby from other leisurely forms of entertainment.  In some games, this is manifested in a cooperative element where players work together to beat the system.  Others instill a style of competition in which you solitarily strive to better your opponents at the same task, independent of any influence from each other.

But the great games include some form of direct interaction.  I’m going to attack you, steal from you, lie to you, block you, gang up on you, or generally wreak havoc on your pretty, well-laid plans of building a quiet cottage in the mountain meadows where the larks sing you to sleep in a gently swaying hammock on a warm spring day after sipping your sweet tea with mint.

Some people really like their sweet tea.

But, if you’re a gamer who appreciates direct interaction – even some old-fashioned, sucker-punching spite – just how do you entice wary casual gamers, younger children, or maybe even that hard-nosed Euro player in your group?  Well, you’ll have to ease them into it, of course.  So before you hit them with Bang!, Cosmic Encounter, or Diplomacy, here’s a list of ten progressively recommended titles to turn your peace-loving friend or relative into the Gordon Ramsay of gaming!

I've Got My Samurais On You (A Review of Shitennō )

Japan has been unified.  After years of turmoil and uncertainty, a new Shogun has brought the warring provinces under his control through cunning diplomacy and ruthless conquest.  But that doesn’t mean all the fun has to stop!  Now the emperor’s conniving court officials, governors, and generals squabble behind the scene – or rather in plain sight – for the Shogun’s favor.  Peace is such an illusory concept.

Invisible Hands (A Review of Lords of Waterdeep)

Dungeons and Dragons is a roleplaying game known for its fantasy basis, with players taking on the role of adventurers going on adventures, fighting monsters, looking for treasure, and getting themselves into trouble.  Sometimes these adventures spawn from rumors at the tavern, but often adventurers are hired by someone with lots of cash.

Lords of Waterdeep is a board game based in the D&D universe and gives players a chance to play as the rich folk who do the hiring, rather than the adventures.  These Lords seek political power through intrigue, manipulation, and of course paying parties of adventurers to do things for them.  They are the invisible hands pulling the strings behind the scenes. They are... the Lords of Waterdeep.

This Game is Watching You (An Interview with Jamey Stegmaier)

Jamey Stegmaier has a strong passion for creating games that bring people together in the spirit of fun, competition, and strategic thinking. With a lifelong enthusiasm for playing and designing board games, he runs the business side of StonemaierGames along with Alan Stone. Together through their start-up company, the two produced Jamey’s first published title, Viticulture. Stonemaier Games is seeking to publish Jamey’s latest design, Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia. Their Kickstarter campaign funded in, like, one hour (it was beast!), but it will still run through June 12. If you'd like to participate, there are still plenty of stretch goals to aim for and lots of neat-looking stuff that you can get in on! We asked Jamey a few questions about this title, and he was gracious enough to talk with us.

There's Some Ameritrash in My Euro! (a Review of Skagway)

Go north, to Alaska; go north, the rush is on!  With money literally lying on the ground, can you strike the mother-load and protect your interests in this ultimate symbol of the American dream?  Or do you want to control the town and its commerce, preying on the misfortunate miners whose hopes die in the frozen Yukon mud?  Either way, you’ll need all of your rugged frontierism and business savvy to succeed in this, the last great gold rush.

Somebody Set Up Us the Bomb (a review of The Manhattan Project)

Nations on the brink of war. Who will be the first to develop the weapon that will put their nation on top of the heap? Who will be the first to leave the other nations in their dust? Who will be the first to score enough points for the victory? Oh yes, by building bombs.

The Manhattan Project will help you answer that question. Is it any good? Find out below!

All Roads Lead to Victory Points (A Review of Milestones)

Roads and houses and markets, oh my! The Lord of the Manor has tasked you with developing his lands. But you’re not the only one with a fat government contract. As you all work to blaze trails, build settlements, and supply them with food, can you reach the choicest spots before your opponents? Gather material to build, but don’t get too greedy lest your liege decide to tax your excess. Because in this game, all roads lead to a non-descript medieval castle.

Guide to Gaming: Ameritrash vs. Eurostyle--What's the Difference?

When you enter the world of hobby board gaming, even for a quick visit, you will hear about a few different styles of board games. And of course they are referred to by names that don't mean anything unless you already know what they mean.

The styles and names I'm referring to are these: Ameritrash, Eurostyle/Eurogame, with the third option being Mass Market. The styles often collide and intermix, but knowing which type of game you like and what to expect from each type of game can help narrow down the choices when you're looking to try or buy a new game. The following descriptions are generalizations to help you get a feel for what each term means; by no means are any of these hard-and-fast rules, and there are many games that either break out of the normal mold or combine elements of both  Euro and American styles of gameplay.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (A Review of Tahiti)

Ever dream of lounging on a warm, sunny beach; next to a crystal, blue lagoon; with soft, black sand snuggling between your toes; and fragrant palms breezily swaying above? Well then, the beautiful island of Tahiti awaits! This South Pacific paradise has attracted Polynesians, explorers, and countless tourists for hundreds of years. Now Minion Games takes you there with their new and aptly-named title. There’s just one, small snag. You’re not there for a vacation. Unless you want to call it one of those “working vacations.” That’s right, you’ll be rowing until your hands are calloused from isle to isle, hoarding as many of the rapidly diminishing resources as you can before the whole volcanic shelf goes the way of Easter Island!

A Great City to Visit (A Review of Havana)

Havana.  “The Paris of the Antilles.”  A rich history of over 400 years and a luxurious diamond of recent memory.  Now it lay in squalor.  Years of economic hardship wrought by corrupt governance, depression, and the Revolution of ‘59 have left this once proud, exotic, and thriving port a mere shell of its former beauty.  Your task is to restore this Caribbean gem.  Will you emerge as Cuba’s greatest builder?  To do so, you will collect building materials, acquire workers, recruit friends, and even engage in some shady shenanigans.  At least one thing is in your favor – thankfully, Castro and his iron-handed regime are nowhere to be found.

Once Upon the Burg (A Review of Kingsburg)

It's a very lovely burg...

Sometimes you're competing to be king.  Sometimes you are the king, trying to subdue your neighbors.  And sometimes you're just trying to rule as much of the king's land as possible.

But in Kingsburg, you're out to expand the King's land, power, and prosperity.  You are one of the King's chosen leaders, sent out to tame the lands, build civilization, and destroy evil monsters.  In this case, though, you're not alone - the King and his advisors mean to help you as much as they can along the way.  Does this game have a glorious bounty, or will the kingdom crumble to dust?