Every 100 Games Series - The Legend of Landlock

My 5,700th game played was one with my oldest daughter who is 5 years old. We pulled out The Legend of Landlock, a game that was given to us by a friend whose kids had out grown it. So read on to see how this game stacks up from my point of view and from a kids point of view.

Game Play
This is said to be a 2-4 player game, but it really is just a two player tile laying game where players are creating a grid. On the tiles are roads and rivers. One player is playing as water and one player as land, trying to make long routs, form islands, and generally manipulate their land type on the map. After the whole grid is complete, players score points based upon how long and many their particular terrain type is and a winner is declared. The game we played took about 15 minutes to play.

Components
The components are there. The game was originally made in 1988 and you can tell a bit. The art is unassuming, the tiles while they work aren't exactly the thick quality you'd find in Carcassonne or Forbidden Island. However, there isn't anything wrong with them either. There are not any other components in the game.

Strategy & Tactics
There is actually quite a bit of strategy and tactics in this game. More than I expected. Drawing a single tile a turn though can limit how much you plan, but not any more than other tile laying games. This is a very abstract game of push and shove, setting up what you need to happen and preventing your opponent from doing exactly what they want.

Overall
I was pleasantly surprised by this game. I think it is a game that for the most part the best player will win everytime and feels more like a classic game of Othello or Checkers rather than a small kids game as it is packaged. However, kids can enjoy the game, all the tiles match up and so make for easy placement. My daughter enjoyed our play of it, but has yet to ask for it again. So I guess this one was a solid game for me, just not one that has been overwhelming us. There are other kids games that we prefer and also other abstract games that we prefer.

Recommendations
Carcassonne Players - This isn't as fun as Carc. It is a bit shorter and only two player. It is much more simpler though, so perhaps a good gateway for a kid into Carcassonne.

Non-Parents - If you don't have any kids, I don't think I'd get this game. There are many better abstract 2 player games out there to enjoy before this one.

Kids Who Love Theme - This is also a non-recommendation for me. For instance Candyland, as horrible as it is, is much more thematic of a game. The Evening in the Stable another simple roll and move type game is much more thematic. If you kid isn't playing to play a game, but is instead playing to enjoy a story, then Landlock isn't the game for him or her.

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews. All images are from BGG and if you follow their URL you can find them there.

Every 100 Games Series - Felix: The Cat in the Sack

Felix: The Cat in the Sack was my 5,600th game played. I got it in a math trade earlier this year and have played it at least 10 times since then many times with my family. This is what I think about this small card game.

Game Play
Felix is a simple auction game that can be quite punishing. Players place down cats, dogs, and rabbits to bid "mice" on. The trick is that at the beginning of the auction only one of these animals (and their corresponding point value) are face up. As players drop from the auction they get paid money by the bank, with more money being paid the longer you stay in, with the last player then paying the bank their final bid for the whole lot. Some of the animals are worth positive points, others are negative, and others discard the positive and negative point ones. The person who has the most points from auctions they've won plus leftover money wins the game after 8 rounds!

Components
There aren't a whole lot of components to this game. 45 tarot sized cards with different colored backs and 9 unique pieces of art on the front of cute and cuddly cats, dogs, and a pink rabbit. Then for the mice (money) they give you green and black plastic discs which are horrible. I always use my poker chips if not travelling with the game. Then finally a chunky wooden sack to indicate who is the first player each round. There really isn't a whole lot to the game when it comes to components, but the cards are nice and big and the art is really cute and light as it should be.

Strategy & Tactics
This game rewards bluffing and knowing your opponents willingness to bid high. You've got to be extremely careful not to get stuck and bid all your money in an early round, thus forcing you to drop out of the auction. Realizing when to play your big positive and negative cards, especially when you are further down in the auction and so can lead players on, is key to the game.

Overall
I really like this game. It is right up there with other filler level games that have some fun mechanics that make them extra special. I've been able to play it with my 8 year old niece and it has been a hit at family gatherings and also has gone over well with gamers. I've laughed until I've cried playing this game on those occasions where someone has just been absolutely screwed by overbidding and getting a slew of negative cards (I've been on the receiving end of that too). Felix will be in my collection for a long time for sure!

Recommendations
Filler Lovers - Get this game. If you are a fan of High Society, No Thanks, For Sale, Money, and other such fillers then you'll love this game.

Auction Haters - Move on. This is an auction game and one that might make you hate auctions even more, since you are bidding most of the time on blind information.

Grinches - If you can't laugh at your plight, then you won't like this one. However, if you enjoy laughing at your plight, realizing it'll be over in 20 minutes, then this one will be for you. Sometimes you just get burned in this game and sometimes you don't. It is light fun, so feel free to laugh it off.

Cat Lovers - Just for the art, you should get this game and stare lovingly at the cuddle critters.

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews. All images are from BGG and if you follow their URL you can find them there.

Every 100 Games Series - Heroes Wanted

In the past week or so I've attempted to stop littering, bust bootleg DVDs, and keep all the crazies in the asylum of Zeta City. One of those plays of Heroes Wanted was my 5,500th game played and so my 55th review in this series of reviews.

Game Play

In Heroes Wanted players take on their alter-ego roles of such as Captain Rocket or DJ Volcano and attempt to gain the most fame in four different scenarios. The hero that gets the most fame then gets to join the Zeta City Super Hero Team (think Avengers, just more awkward). Players do this by first choosing their hero, which has top half and a bottom half, and will be unique every game. Then a villain is chosen in a similar way to the heroes, so it'll be unique all the time and you'll end up with villains like Baron Von Skunk or Big Bad Beast terrorizing Zeta City. Then you choose your scenario, set it up, and play the game.

Each hero gets 7 cards, with one they can get later on, and each turn they either play a card or rest. If they rest, then they get to pick up all the cards they have played in the previous turns (think Mission Red Planet). Those cards allow the heroes to move around, attack the villain, henchmen, or underlings, maybe even attack other heroes and use your super power to reach the goals of the scenario. Once all heroes have taken their turn the villain attacks, heroes take damage or prevent it by playing more of their cards, and the next round begins.

Components

The action card backs are upside down, but I probably wouldn't have noticed if I didn't know that going in. Other than that this game looks fantastic. The art is perfect for bringing out the light and crazy super hero theme. The cards are excellent quality and I really like the board design that explains the scenario in a newspaper format, but at the same time is useful for actually playing the game. The henchmen and underlings are all unique wood shaped pieces. If I had a complaint at all it would be the extremely small threat marker (I replaced mine with a black wooden train). I also like that they fit a ton of stuff (it weighs a lot) in a box smaller than the normal "Ticket to Ride" sized box one usually expects with this level of game.

Strategy & Tactics

There can be strategy in this game, because for the most part the villain moves in a pre-determined format, but overall I think it is more of a tactical game. Assess the board, make your move, knock out a henchman, damage the hero, whatever you can do and try to set yourself up for the next turn. There are headlines in the game (essentially goals) in which not only do you get more points than your opponent if you complete them first, but it also gives you another bonus off your hero card. Timing when you get these headlines and thus the extra bonuses can be extremely important and strategic part of the game.

Overall

I'm really loving this game so far. I've yet to play with the quirks, which are basically funny roles the heroes must play, turning the game into an even lighter fare. I want to play with these sometime soon, but have yet to do so. As for the rest of the game, it is my favorite super hero game that I've played. I like the tactical play of it and love that I'm a different and odd hero fighting a different and odd villain. I'm also impressed with going the scenario route, instead of a the same city map over and over, it makes the game even more unique. Heroes Wanted is a game that I'm glad I wanted enough to kickstart and now own.

Recommendations

Super Spouse Gamers - This is one to pull out if your spouse is a super gamer. The best part about it is that you can avoid the player vs player attacking that in the game and just play it as a more competitive co-op.

Comic Book Fans - Personally I think this is the best super hero game available right now. I'm not into co-ops like Sentinels of the Multiverse. Legendary is a good game, but not really one that jumps out with the theme, then there is DC Deckbuilder which is a joke as far as the super hero theme goes.

Villain of Strategery - I can see serious strategy gamers being a bit turned off by this one. One of the types of heroes roles dice for their super power, the quirks could really bother such a person (which is one reason I haven't used them quite yet), and the PVP can throw wrenches in your plans.

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews. All images are from BGG and if you follow their URL you can find them there.

Every 100 Games - Saint Petersburg

My 5,400th play was Saint Petersburg, which is a game that I've played several times over the past 6 or 7 years. I recently was given a copy as a gift (thanks Aristides!) and so played one of the "Best of Three" series my wife and I play on occasion. Here is the review of this older game that is coming back into print soon.

Game Play
Players are trying to score victory points by hiring workers, building buildings, and recruiting aristocrats to their side. I make it sound really cool, but basically it is a Euro game where you are managing your money to get cards to get money and points each turn. There are four phases each turn in which workers, buildings, and aristocrats all activate on their appropriate phase giving you their money or points. The fourth phase has upgrade cards, which upgrade the three types of cards, but that phase doesn't activate their abilities. Once a single type of card runs out, the game ends at the end of the turn, and the person with the most points wins. The end game scoring is the aristocrats, which the more unique ones you have, the more points you get.

Components
The box art and the card art is very Renaissance Russia. However, the board is really plain and pretty much not needed. This is a card game. The score track doesn't leave a lot of room for multiple pieces on the same space. Mostly this is a really plain game that if made today, probably would have a bit more flare.

Strategy & Tactics
You have to get some workers early to have a chance. The rule book even says get two workers on your first two rounds, so as not to fall behind. Then as you are purchasing workers and buildings you have to try and make the right tactical choices each round, depending on what you think your opponents might do, in order to save the most money and get even further in the game. Setting yourself up to get unique aristocrats by making sure you get a chance to buy one each round is important as well.

Overall
This game really falls short for me. I've tried it and tried it, but it just doesn't do it. You can make a single mistake in the first 3 turns and be out of the game. It snowballs so much that the single mistake is a huge disparity at the end. What makes it worse, in my opinion, is that sometimes you can get behind in this snowball game from no decision of your own. Rather just pure luck. If the start player gets a chance for a couple really cheap workers and you have to pay extra money for yours you are in trouble. It is even worse if they get an observatory on their first turn, thus getting another worker, and 50% more income than you going into the next turn. This game is just not one for me, though I'll keep it in my collection for those that do really like it in my group.

Recommendations
Dour-Faced Old Men - This is the game for you. You'll look especially dour playing this one.

New to the Hobby Gamers - New gamers to the hobby tend to try and go back and play the classics. Overall, I think many people would say this one is a classic, but I will suggest there are many other classic games to try instead of this one.

History Hipsters - Nope, this isn't for you either. It is too old, it is popular, and really it doesn't teach you a whole lot of history.

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews. All images are from BGG and if you follow their URL you can find them there.

Every 100 Games Series - 7 Wonders

I'm finally caught up with my reviews! My 5,300th game played was 7 Wonders on a Sunday afternoon with my buddy Ryan from Minnesota and my wonderful wife. I was surprised, I had not reviewed this game yet since it currently is my 4th most played game ever with 83 plays. So here is the review of a game that I've played many times, so you know that I know it in and out.

Game Play
In 7 Wonders 2-7 players, are controlling ancient civilizations building up their science, military, commerce, and industry, not to mention their specific ancient wonder like the Pyramids or the Colossus! It is a drafting game, simply meaning you get a group of cards, choose one, then pass the rest to your neighbor. It is all done simultaneously, so nobody has their own turn.This is done over three ages and the the scores are added up for the winner. You have to balance getting resources, in order to build better buildings in the future, with money to buy resources from your neighbors, with just working on your wonder to right your name in history! Usually games take about 30 minutes, with any number of players.

Components
The art in this game is what drew me in. I think it is absolutely great. It shows temples, market places, fortresses, and all the other ancient world buildings you would expect to see in glorious and detail color drawings. There are a ton of large Tarot sized cards, 7 wonder boards showing the wonders of the ancient world, and tokes for money and military points. The iconography makes sense for the most part, though it can be a bit overwhelming for a new player.

Strategy & Tactics
Without expansions, the game can be very much a tactical experience. You do need to take into account what you'd  like to do in the future and what your opponents are doing in order to at least consider taking a card that they want. However, the more of a specific type of card you get, the more likely you will get more of that type of card, since some cards allow you to build the next age's card for free. The game does seemed balanced, but like any other game, if you allow your opponent to do something unfettered, then you will probably lose.

Overall
I love 7 Wonders. Without a doubt one of the greatest games of all time in my opinion. I remember playing it for the first time at GenCon on a prototype version and immediately trying to purchase it from them there, even though none were for sale. What really makes it shine is that 7 players can play it, it is a deep filler game, and it only takes 30 minutes to play even with that many players. They are going to do 7 expansions for it (at least that is what I've heard) so there will be plenty of variability if you want it. Though I've only bought the Leaders expansion and am happy with just it.

Recommendations
Family Gamers - Surprisingly to me, this is not a great family game, unless your family are gamers. I've played it a few times with my family and icon confusion ensued. It became more of a stressful game than a fun game at that point.

Civ Games Fans - I think this is a try before you buy. In my mind most people looking for a civ game want a deeper game than this, but if you are looking for a civ themed game, then for sure pick this up, because the art really gives it that feel.

People Who Don't Like Confrontation - This game is perfect for you. There is some military in it, but you don't get to choose who you fight and it isn't that personal. So let your war mongering husband (which often is me) build that huge military. He can't wipe you out anyways.

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews. All images are from BGG and if you follow their URL you can find them there.

Every 100 Games Series - One Night Ultimate Werewolf

During Geekway to the West, I played this game 12 different times. One of those times was my 5,200th played game. One Night Ultimate Werewolf was the go to filler for me during that convention, since so many people already know the basic premise of the game and we could get it going quickly.

Game Play
Well, if you've ever played Werewolf/Mafia, then you know the basic premise of this game. There are hidden roles such as werewolves, seer, villagers, masons, town drunk, and other roles that are dealt out to all the players secretly. There are also three roles that are put in the center that nobody knows about. Then everyone closes their eyes, werewolves open their eyes to see who the other werewolves are, other roles do various things such as switch with another player, look at other player roles, open their eyes to see who is on their team, etc. Once all the special abilities have been taken, the game begins. Basically everyone talks and vote simultaneously for the person they think is a werewolf. Whoever gets the most votes is lynched and the game is over. If a werewolf dies the villager team wins. If a villager dies, the werewolf team wins. That is it. Usually takes about 10-15 minutes and doesn't even need a moderator like the regular version of Werewolf!

Components
There isn't a whole lot to this game. Just some rules and role cards with cute art on them. They are more like tiles than cards, which if it is anything like my copy of Avalon, will see a lot of wear. Perhaps regular sized cards that could be sleeved would've been better. However, the game only costs like $12, so just buy another copy if it gets too worn out.

Strategy & Tactics
You got to be a good liar or be able to read other people. The same things that apply in regular Werewolf apply in this game. You try to catch people in a lie, try to see where they slipped up in telling their story. Perhaps it is you who takes a chance and says you are the Seer, hoping against hopes that the Seer is one of the 3 cards in the middle and nobody else can refute you. The game is all about the slow con or the fast one.

Overall
I loved this game for several reasons. It is very fast. It doesn't require a moderator, which though fun, can be a big downside in regular Werewolf. There are enough variety in the roles to give each game a different and fun feel. There is no player elimination, which can be a huge downside in regular Werewolf. To wrap it up, this game is absolutely great and for the price, I don't think you can go wrong, unless you absolutely hate hidden role games.

Recommendations
Resistance Owners - This is me. So this recommendation is to me as well as others. Buy the game. Sometimes people get tired of playing the same lying, hidden role game out there. This one gives you options.

Regular Werewolf/Mafia Players - I'd say get this as well. It might not be the same as Werewolf, but if you only have 8 players, I think this is a better choice. Even if you have 10 players, I still think it is a better choice, simply because of player elimination. I'm not sure I'll ever play a regular version of Werewolf again.

Honest Abe Gamers - Don't bother. Still lots of lying in this one. So if you don't like doing that or just are really poor at it, then you might skip this one. Sometimes it is a good thing to be a good liar or maybe it is a good thing that you are a bad liar?

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews. All images are from BGG and if you follow their URL you can find them there.

Every 100 Games Series - Arctic Scavengers

Back in March, I made the best math trade of my math trade career and got several games I enjoy quite a bit. One of those games, which also happens to be my 5,100th game played, is Arctic Scavengers. A deck-building game, where players are placed in 2097 during the next ice age and where over 90% of the population has died off leaving everyone else to scavenge for survival!

Game Play
Arctic Scavengers is a deck-building game, where players spend food or meds to purchase from pre-set piles of items and tribe members. They then use these various items such as rifles, toolkits, spears, with their new tribe members like the thugs or scouts to fight over other important tribe members or items in the contested deck. Then when you play with the expansions that are included in the game, you can also build buildings to store cards, have a leader that gives you a special ability only, and several other tweaks to the game. The game ends when that last contested card is taken, which happens each round by comparing the fighting ability of the tribe members, and then players count up their population points which are on tribe members. The person with the most points gets the win.

Components
This has the worst box insert ever. A game like this, with lots of cards, needs a good insert, but though there are spaces for all the cards, the box insert with the extra boards makes it so the box won't shut and sticks up maybe an inch. So I cut as much off the bottom of the insert as possible, however that still didn't work. Right now I have the cards in baggies. I'm going to make my own insert. As for the rest of the game, a few card board pieces, but mostly cards. The art is sort of dark, matching the theme, but I like it. Quality of the cards is nice as well.

Strategy & Tactics
There seems to be a lot of strategy this game. You can try and win by getting a lot of strength to fight for the contested cards at the end of the round, which can result in a lot of points, but are more random. You can just work on getting the big point scoring options on the board or try and win the three different majorities in buildings, tools, and meds if you are using the expansion. You always have the option of trashing cards, so that makes for a lot of great decisions as well.

Overall
I really like this game. I've yet to play it with 2 players, but with 3, 4, or 5 players I enjoy it a lot. Currently for 2014, it is my favorite new-to-me game. It fits a great spot in my collection and is the next step in deck--building for those not-so new players out there. The theme is really carried out I feel in the game, simply by having that contested deck that players fight over. When you do that, it really becomes important to read the starting player's bluff to know if you should fight over that card. Digging in the junkyard, which I haven't even mentioned above, is also very thematic as you can get junk literally and nothing else. This is a game that will continue to remain in my collection for a long time.

Recommendations 
Dominion & Ascension Owners - Get this game if you can find it. It fits that different spot between the two. Dominion has all its cards out at the beginning, Ascension is random every round, this is right in-between with lots of player interaction for a card game.

Thematic Fans - I think you can pick this one up. It isn't the 3 hour slug fest you are used to getting in on, but it is still a 45 minute slug fest with some good theme.

New Gamers - I don't think this is for new gamers. You'll probably want to start with Dominion or Ascension in the deck-building category first. Then if you either don't like those or have played those out, then you can go to this one for more complicated game play or another twist to see if you like it.

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews. All images are from BGG and if you follow their URL you can find them there.

Every 100 Games Series - Love Letter

I've now played 5,000 games since March of 2006. That is a whole lot of games. If you like numbers, let me break it down for you. That is 625 games a year, 52 games a month, 1.71 games a month. Now some of those games took 4 or 5 hours to play, one of them 8.5 hours, but most of them are of the under one hour variety. The 5,000 game played was Love Letter by AEG.

Game Play
Love Letter is part of this new "Micro Game" trend going on, where a lot of game is made from a small amount of components. In Love Letter there are 16 cards, numbered 1-8, that have some special powers. The goal is to be the person with the highest numbered card at the end of the round or somehow knock your opponents out through the round so that you are the only player left. If you do either of these things, you get a point, and the first to 4 points wins. A turn is simply draw a card, play a card, that is it. Extremely simple game.

Component
As I said above, only 16 cards come in the game, with some red cubes to indicate score. That is it. The original version of the game came in a bag. Now they have multiple versions of the game and all of them are available in a small box. I personally purchased the original Japanese art version of the game, because at that time it was the only one with a box, but I like the Tempest branded artwork best.

Strategy & Tactics
There aren't a lot of choices in this game. Since you just draw and play a card. However, it is all about odds. You know there are exactly 5 soldiers, so if you've seen 4 other soldiers already, then your opponent has less of a chance of having a soldier. This game is more about playing your opponent, with what card you have, than it is about the deep developed plans of an ultimate world victory.

Overall
I think Love Letter was a good purchase for me, but it won't ever be in my Top 50 Games of All Time (said with a deep echo-y voice). I've found that the game can take too long for what it is. I got it for a quick filler that is really simple to explain, sometimes though the filler portion doesn't fit is, as I've played a couple games that lasts 45 minutes. Usually, I'm not a house rule type person, but I've started house ruling this one to play only to 3 points and sometimes 2 points. Which, in my mind, means the game didn't accomplish what it was intended to accomplish.

Recommendations
Ladies - Yes, I'm going to stereotype here, after all isn't that what my recommendations always are? I think ladies would like this game. The theme of a princess and love letters, the very fast explanation of rules, this one has gone over well. Even with my mom, who avoids games like the plague unless they are word games.

Fire Fighters - That's right. I've always wanted to recommend a game to fire fighters. I'm going to recommend this one for no particular reason.

Hardcore Gamers - This is probably a pass, unless you are going to keep it like me, not for playing with gamers of any sort. Just for family gatherings. It doesn't fit the filler time frame, it isn't that strategic, there are just a lot of other options that accomplish your goals in a game day.

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews. All images are from BGG and if you follow their URL you can find them there.

Every 100 Games Series - Industria

I've fallen behind a bit in these Every 100 Games Series of blogs, but have been noting the game on my phone for later blogging. Well, I'm getting to it right now. The 4,900th game I played was Industria, in a Drury Inn & Suites, on the North East side of Indianapolis. Living the dream.

Game Play
At it's heart Industria is simply an auction game. The start players puts tiles up for bid, the others bid, and people win the tiles which help get them victory points. The theme of the game is getting technologies and buildings from early times all the way to the modern world. Many times you are trying to connect these technologies and buildings as you go from the top of the board down to the bottom of the board where the modern era is located.

Components
I like the board, but the other pieces are just ok. The small cardboard chits show the age of this game, which was made back in 2003. It also has that scoreboard, that instead of going around the board, snakes back and forth. Which makes for easy mistakes. Don't do that kind of score board graphic designers! Other than that, it gives you the stuff you'd expect in a game, so no real complaints there to stop someone from purchasing.

Strategy & Tactics
This game, just like other auction games where the first player chooses what tile to put up for auction, really hinges on choosing the right tile. You've got to time it right so that your opponents pay a premium for what they want to get, while at the same time you pay minimally to gain that economic advantage as the game progresses. There is strategy in planning for the future and making sure you are ready when that next technology comes up, but much of this game I think is on the tactical side of things.

Overall
I've played Industria two times in my life, both plays 5 years apart. I guess that tells you a little bit of my thoughts on the game. I've had access to it for most of those years, but really haven't searched it out. I like the theme of the game, though it is barely there, but I've been left feeling just so/so about the game as a whole. The auctions can be a bit repetitive, which in my mind, is the biggest detractor from the game.

Recommendations
Power Grid Fans - I think you should try this one out and play it. It has a lot of your favorite game in it, but does have a shorter playing time, so I'm guessing that this will be one you could pull out between your marathon Power Grid games on all the different maps.

New Gamers - Stay away from this one. It isn't that the rules are so complicated, but the ebb and flow of the game can be, which I don't think is great for new gamers.

Auction Lovers/Haters - If you spend your weekends in old barns scratching your cheek to indicate you want to bid on that old tractor, then this game is probably for you. All kinds of auctions and all kinds of fun! Though if that sounds horrible to you, well there really isn't anything else, so just avoid this game.

Every 100 Games Series - Omen: A Reign of War

My 4,800th game played was Omen: A Reign of War. A game published by Small Box Games and one that seems to have several editions and variations. The one I'm going to review though is the Olympus Edition.

Game Play
Omen is a two player card game about ancient times where you are competing to complete achievements of the gods while at the same time win battles over 3 different cities. On your turn you take 6 steps towards that goal. You draw cards or get money, play cards, activate your oracles, see you got an achievement, fight the city battles, and then sacrifice a card from your hand to either get more cards or more money. The game ends win one person achieves 5 of the 6 achievements or 2 cities are depleted. most games take somewhere between 10-30 minutes to complete.

Components
The Olympus Edition that I have comes in a simple box with gold lettering on just the front. The cards are all good quality cards and it comes with some really nice gold coins. The art on the game is really good in my opinion. It is very water-color looking and depicts all kinds of ancient heroes and monsters. I've sleeved my copy, because it is going to be played a lot and shuffled a decent amount as well. There are 66 unique cards, plus some extra spirit/hero cards as well.

Strategy & Tactics
This game plays just like a CCG, but without all the collecting. You can even do a draft format in the beginning to set up your deck and play one deck vs another deck. If you don't have the time for that, you can just play for a sing draw deck between both players. There are plenty of tactical moves in the game, as ou get in those situations where you can only do what you can with the cards in your hand currently. However, I think there are also some really big strategic moves that come from the game. Especially the more you play and the more you know what cards are in the game. There are some really powerful cards that you need to plan around. Either your opponent having them or you using them to wipe the floor with your opponent.

Overall
I absolutely love the game. The art and the game play are right up my ally. Some of the specific mechanisms in the game I enjoy the most are the decision to use city cards (making them worth less points) or to not use them and making them twice the value at the end of the game. I like the crazy combinations that can come up as you play, either destroying your opponents, or snowballing your reinforcements into a huge force to take a city by force. The game play is quick and statisfy. When I hear someone say Omen, I know think that is a good sign that I'll have a chance to play a great game! Just so I don't sound absolutely over the top though, the one thing I'd improve with Omen is it's rule book. I still find things I've missed. Partly because of all the card interactions, but partly because I don't think the rule book is the best.

Recommendations
CCG Players - Buy it now! If you can find it. This is what you'd want and this is what you'd enjoy. Something to play during that bye round at a tourney of your favorite CCG.

Couples - This one has potential for gaming with your spouse. It isn't as number crunching as some of my other favorites like Traders of Carthage or Jaipur, so that can be a plus. However, it is much more combo-oriented, which I think can be a turn off for some people.

Hipsters - Get this game. You'll be one of maybe 500 people that own it. It'll take your hipster level to the next level.

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews.

Every 100 Games Series - Coin Age

My 4,700thth game played was a game of Coin Age drawn on a paper napkin in the cafeteria at work. While eating a $5.45 meal that consisted of 3 chicken strips and some french fries. That is it for $5.45!

Game Play
Extremely quick and simple. Players take coins, shake them up in their hands, and then SLAM them down on the table. Any coins that land with your side (heads or tails, duh) face up are used for actions. If all 4 coins are on your side you can place up to 3 of them on the map, but have to pay 1 to your opponent if you do place 3. If 2 or 3 show your side, you can place 2 of them on the map. If only 1 is showing your side, then you get to place it and move a coin on the map. If none show your side, then you get to remove a coin from the map and move a coin. That is it. Coins are valued from 1point (dimes) up to 4 points (quarters). At the end of the game, you get points for your coins on the map, and also can get bonus points by controlling regions on the map.

Components
This game was just funded on Kickstarter, so it'll have more official components, but it really is just a single card. Plus 20 coins. That is it. For my game I just drew on a napkin. This is micro game of all micro games. I really wish I'd taken a picture of the napkin we played on to show you, but you'll just have to live with these pictures. Simplest component game ever.

Strategy & Tactics
There is actually a decent amount of strategy in the game. At the end of the game, you really want your quarter controlling a spot on the map. Which is worth 4 points. However, quarters can't be placed on top of any other coin. So it needs to be a sneak play in order to be sure you get it on and your opponent doesn't have time to cover it up with any of the other denominations of coins. Then there are the region bonuses. Where if you control all the territories in a region, the points you score are doubled in that region. There is plenty of room for tactical and play in this game.

Overall
Honestly, I like deeper games. This was fine, but not the greatest thing ever. However, bang for your buck can't be better. I really did find it innovative (not the game play as much as the simplicity of components to get that game play). It only takes about 10 minutes to play, so it isn't one I won't ever play ever again, but I probably would rather play a few other 2 player games that last 10 minutes or at least mix them up a lot. It is tough to say anything negative about this game, as it does exactly what it sets out to do, what it sets out to do isn't my favorite type of gaming though.

Recommendations
Anyone & Everyone - This one is available for print & play. So why not try it? You don't even have to print anything off. You can just look at the map and draw it quickly like I did on that napkin. Then just get a $1.56 in change and control that napkin!

2-Person Lunch Groups - I only get 30 minutes for lunch at work, so some of the longer games out there wouldn't fit. Coin Age fits perfectly in that time and is easily portable in my pocket or lunch box. A solid game for lunch time with one other person.

Time and Money Strapped Game Hungry Fellers (or Gals) - It's the holidays. Everyone is really busy. Target gives your credit card out and you lose all your money. Well, get that change you never use, make this game, and play. It won't take any time or credit cards.

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews.