News Bits: 6/24/2013

Indeed, the Origins info poured in this week. Here's the NEWS:

Asmadi Games demos Impulse [Link] A new game from Carl Chudyk! It's a 4x space game... But it's Carl Chudyk, designer of Glory to Rome, FlowerFall, and Innovation! Okay, sign me up, especially since it plays in 30 minutes. I can't wait to find out more about this one.

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.)

Planting Pips (a review of Garden Dice)

Kickstarter called 2012 "the year of the game," and with the number of successfully funded board game projects this year, that moniker seems apt. But it's not just the funding that's happening in 2012: the games are rolling out as well, and Garden Dice is one of the newest available from this crop. But is it worth grabbing your spade or hoe? Check out the review below!