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.

2014 Netrunner Regional Tournament in Louisville

If you want a report about an awesome regional winning session, you probably should look elsewhere. Well, not probably, you should absolutely look elsewhere. This will document as best as I can remember my middle-of-the-pack experience. I kept notes, but lost them, so if I forget your name or how things went, then well you can fill us in. Thanks for playing everyone. I had a good time and appreciate it.

A crazy start to the day, as I had a funeral to go to, which can always be tough and emotional draining. Then I drove from Indy to Louisville, just as fast as I possibly could, walking in to the store right at 1pm when the tournament was to start. Eating only some trail mix and a banana from 8am until 8pm. Not a good idea. This meant I played my first 2 rounds in dress clothes, before I had a chance to change at the Chinese restaurant. 

The bathroom at BlueGrass was just too busy all the time to get in. I played with Gabe & Replicating Perfection.

Round 1 – Jacob (Andy/TWIY) Current Prestige: 1

He chose to run first and we slogged out a 60 minute game. He siphoned me several times, keeping my money low by trashing my Sundews and Health Clinics. Eventually I stabilized though and scored a Future Perfect to bring the score to 5 to 3 his lead. I was now starting to sit in the money, with hardly any time left, he started running hard at R&D, a little recklessly, but it made sense to do so, and was able to see 3 cards at a time, avoided all my Shocks & Snares & Fetals to steal a Brain Trust for the win. We then switched sides, with 5 minutes left. I quickly scored a Beale, he quickly scored an Astro, I then snagged an NAPD from his hand for all my money with Sneakdoor, after seeing it earlier and not being able to get it. Then time was called and that was it. Jacob was real cool, we talked quite a bit throughout the day, and he bought a playmat from me.

Round 2 – Stephen (Noise/RP) Current Prestige: 3

I played RP again this time first, but this time it was much quicker, and with Noise’s money problems, and lots of agendas in my hands, I was able to win rather quickly. I don’t think Stephen expected that last double advanced agenda to be a 3 pointer. We switched and went for another marathon against his RP. I trashed things left and right as much as possible, got a 4-0 lead, but eventually started losing the attrition rate. Then I should’ve attempted to steal what I thought was a NAPD advanced once. Didn’t have the money, so I didn’t try. Turns out it was a Nisea II, which essentially ensured he’d score the next turn for the win. Stephen is from Carmel, near me, so I hope to play him some more locally.

Round 3 – Isaac (CT/TWIY) Current Prestige: 7

Early Sundew behind RSVP, 2 agendas in hand, and just a Yagura protecting HQ. The bluff worked well, he didn’t stop my economy, but rather played some PrePaid, and built his rig as quickly as he could. I was able to win handily, since by the time he got the rig really up and ready, I had all the agendas I needed and lots of money to protect them. We switched then, saying this ought to be a fast game. Took us nearly 40 minutes and I don’t think we were playing slow. Gabe just wasn’t finding the agendas and either was TWIY. Lots of back and forth, keeping me out of HQ, then using Sneakdoor, then switching to attacking R&D. Finally was able to get the win something like 7 to 5.

Round 4 – Ross (Kate/ETF) Current Prestige: 7

I’d met Ross before, but we’ve never played. He beat me 7-2 after just absolutely creating a 5 ice server on R&D. I was able to get in quite a lot early with an R&D Interface out, but only stole a single 2 pointer. He then kept me out of both HQ and R&D with a couple Quandrys, no breakers to be found for me. My RP game just hurt against his Magnum. Both Magnum and Whizzard really kill RP and that was the case with this one. I did score a Future Perfect and started getting a lot of money late, so I felt like this was a close game, but in reality I needed a few more turns to gain complete control and those turns didn’t come to me. Godo job Ross with the win.

Round 5 – Martin (Andy/GRNDL) Current Prestige: 9

Martin had just built his runner deck that day. I don’t remember much more, but I didn’t get Account Siphoned, I won relatively easy with this one. Despite Security Testing giving him a lot of money and making my 3 Shocks in archives just worthless. That is something I’m going to need to deal with in the future. The second game was ridiculous. I didn’t start with my Plascretes, but I did have a lot of money cards and Hostage. Got Pro Contracts going, drew threw over half my deck, and didn’t get a Plascrete. I’d saw a Sea Source early, couldn’t Siphon him, he had over 50 credits. I was screwed. He went to 4 points, then advanced advanced something in a 4 ice server. I ran R&D score 1 point. Ran it again scored another 2 pointer. Ran it again, nothing. Ran the remote, went through all the ice. Realizing I’m dead anyways, hit a double advanced Junebug. Talk about slow playing me. I still lost on the double Scorch next turn anyways over the single Plascrete I had finally found.

Round 6 – Charles (Kate/BABW) Final Prestige: 13

Charles was fun to play and talk with. We both knew we were out of it. I won the first game with only installing a single Knight. He was playing a vegan Weyland, but I was dancing around Scorch anyways. He scored a Hostile. Then he scored a Government contracts. I had already scored a 3 pointer from R&D top deck earlier. He installed advanced advanced something behind a rezzed Wall of Thorns and an unrezzed inner ice. I installed a Knight, moved it to the unrezzed ice, took 18 off Kati, and Inside Jobbed leaving me with 3 cards, but a Plascrete out. Stealing another 3 pointer. He Power Shutdown my Knight. I ran Archives, forcing him to use Jackson and put some agendas back into R&D, then used Same Old Thing to get back into R&D with Inside Job, saw 3 cards thanks to R&D Interfaces, and got the last agenda for the win.

Summary

I had a good time, the day was extremely long, and I don’t ever want to show up right at start of tourney having not eaten and in dress clothes again. I really missed Femme Fatale in my Gabe deck and though I know people really like the Knights, I’m not completely sold on them. RP did about what I expected it to do, losing to heavy Siphoning and Parasite recursion with Magnum. Overall I was happy with it, though long playtime really hurt me round 1. Thanks to BlueGrass Magic Shop and those running the tournament. See you all at GenCon…maybe…if I get in on Friday.

P.S. I sold some promos I had for like $45, so that made for the trip, which is nice.

100th Geocache

So normally I post about Every 100 Games that I've played. This time I'm going to post about the 100th geocache we found. It'll only take a couple more years for my 200th one. Geocaches are more rare in my house than board games.

We went out for an evening of geocaching as a family. It is a bit hard to get 3 kids in and out over and over again from a van, but we were able to find 4 caches and had a DNF (Did Not Find) on one cache where it looked like the fence row had recently been cleaned out and thus probably caused a cache casualty. The 100th find for us was Heavy Metal out in McCordsville. It is on a metal bridge over a creek. Just a simple car key magnet stuck to the guard rail.

I like bridge caches, perhaps not as much as my wife likes the actual bridges, but I do enjoy them. However, my favorite caches are cemetery ones, where you can wonder around and see all the grave stones and think about the lives those people led and search for the oldest stone. Those caches tend to be nice and peaceful, though I've found a couple near a busy road that weren't so much.

The geocaching adventures continue and I need to find 24 more to meet my year goal. I'm hoping to put out my very own cache soon and also send a few more travel bugs into the wild this year. The picture below is after our 101st find, which was out at the McCordsville Cemetery.

Top 50 Board Games of All Time - 2014 Edition (Part 2)

If you haven't already seen it, please give Part 1 a look. I really enjoy doing this list each year and find it interesting. Something I didn't mention last time, but wanted to be sure I emphasize, is that this list is my personal taste. It also probably could change according to how I'm feeling on a given day. I think that I could probably add/remove about 10-20 games from the list (at least the lower portion) and still be satisfied. I also think I could probably reorder them as well and be satisfied. Just as a reminder, the number in the parenthesis is the highest that game has ever been on my Top Board Games of All Time lists!

25. Battle Cry (#25)
In the same spot as last year, this is a wonderful game. I really probably should pick up Memior '44 and see if it replaces Battle Cry, since it is the same system, but I like that this doesn't have any expansions. It is just a simple war game. I recently read Shiloh, 1862 by Winston Groom and it has really got me wanting to play this one again. I want to experience, in a very abstract and fun way, the Hornet's Nest in Western Tennessee and attempt to route the Rebels in that battle!

24. Ra (#19)
For games that take at least 60 minutes, I'd say that Ra is in the top 5 of the most played games at my game group. It is an absolute classic game that has been out for 15 years this year. 15 years of making the excruciating decision of when to spend that tile to collect the lot. 15 years of running the gauntlet and pushing your luck trying to get as many tiles as you can into your greedy paws before the final Ra tile comes out! Such a great game!

23. The Castles of Burgundy (New)
This or the next game below probably are the ugliest games on the list. However, the game play is beautiful. This is a game that has been eligible for a couple years, but hasn't made the list yet. The more I've played it though, the more I've realized how much I like how dice rolling has been combined with good strategy as I build my own board up with buildings, fields, and ships. Stefan Feld's best game and one that is really good with two players. Also, really fun to say the German version name, which I own. Die Bergen Von Burgund!

22. Hansa Tuetonica (#12)
The highest ranked game on this list that I don't own. Not exactly sure why I don't own it. It is a great euro that doesn't have once thread of theme, but is liked by the group well enough, so would be played. I just have never got around to purchasing this one. I think the thing I've liked best about this one is the "group think" of it. I've played with several different groups of players and what one group thinks is way over powered, really isn't, and another group does something else that they think is weak. This is an excellent game with lots of strategy.

21. Endeavor (#14)
A game about building and shipping in the colonial age. Basically the same theme as Age of Empires III, but much much less of an epic feel. Endeavor is one of my wife's most requested games and is one that I'm really happy to own and play. It is odd though that I don't get to play it nearly as often as I'd like, since on our game days Krista will often play it while I'm watching the kids, and we rarely play the same game twice in a single day. I need to get this to the table soon!

20. Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game (#9)
A dead CCG that I still enjoy about once a year. I wonder though, as I've done before, if this game and a couple others are on the list because of they type of game they are, rather than the specific game that they are. I just like the idea of two people customizing a game and then playing it against each other. This one is LotR so it gets a huge bump and it still is a great game as I experienced twice at GenCon this past year.

19. Traders of Carthage (#16)
This game has been on the list since the beginning and will continue to be. The way each card does simple things, but at the same time does everything in the game makes it so cool. If it wasn't for the weird scoring mechanism, I think this game would be a great gateway game. However, because of that, I usually reserve it for my wife and I on a quiet evening.

18. Omen: Reign of War (New)
This game is so cool. The art is great. The game play is great. The options of how to play it are great. It is a two player battle card game that takes about 25 minutes to play. It allows for all kinds of CCG like abilities, but doesn't have the collect-ability of a CCG. They only made 500 copies of the version I own and I don't think they are making more, so if you are interested look on eBay. But you should look on eBay. Seriously. Look. Now.

17. King of Tokyo (#15)
This is now my go to gateway game. Anyone and everyone can play this one. If you are six years old or up you'll play it and you'll love it! So says I. Especially since Yahtzee is such a well known game, which makes this so easy to teach, but opens up the thought that there is much more out there than Yahtzee. I always prefer to play the Kraken. So I can yell, "RELEASE THE KRAKEN" as I smash your monster's face.

16. The Resistance: Avalon (#16)
I used to love playing Werewolf/Mafia while I was in college and also on youth trips with highschoolers. I never play Mafia anymore. The Resistance does all that in a shorter time and without player elimination. The absolute lying and manipulation of the game give tension to it. Even though you think you can trust someone, there is always that slight doubt in the back of your mind they are just playing you and ready to double-cross you up for the win.

15. Dominion (#5)
I've really cooled on Dominion recently. Even with owning 4 expansions, it doesn't have the draw to me. However, I still enjoy the game. Also, I've played it well over 200 times, so it deserves a high spot on this list. This is still the best deck-building game in existence and the only one that makes my list. I also think this is a great gateway game for new players.

14. Suburbia (New)
Not only is this game new to the list this year, but I've now got the expansion too. This is a tile laying game of city building. You build parks, government buildings, subdivisions, and stadiums. People come and go from your city as your reputation rises and falls. The game plays very well with 2 or 3 players and is still quite enjoyable (though a bit more chaotic) with 4 players. If you want SimCity the board game, this is what you should play.

13. Puerto Rico (#2)
A very classic Euro. I think the decline in this is simply the games I get most excited about now days have more theme and more card play. I still love PR and still play it on a regular basis and I don't see it ever dropping out of my Top 50. It is a game that should be played by anyone that calls themselves a gamer and will always remain in my collection.

12. Small World (#6)
Combos and replayability. That is what I think of when I think of Small World. It's great fun having the Flying Giants attempt to corner the Wealthy Halflings. This game has been played a ton and perhaps that is the problem with its very slow decline, but this is one that I still love and the best part is that it plays very well with 2-5 players. Lots of expansions too.

11. 7 Wonders (#12)
A card drafting game where you build a civilization. Probably one of the more confusing light-weight games I play. This game has had great success with the game group, but not so much with the family. People seem to like it, just not understand it. Even though there isn't any confusing text or crazy combos. The art on the game is really good though and when you've finished the game, with all the cards spread all over, you feel like you've accomplished something.

10. Founding Fathers (#10)
I don't get to play any of my top games as much as I'd like, but this is the highest ranked one that I really feel that is the case. This one hasn't reach out and grabbed other people as much as it has me. Perhaps it is the theme, which for me is awesome, but for others seems really boring? Players attempt to become the most remembered constitutional convention participate by voting and playing cards to different areas of the board. This needs to be played more!

9. Android: Netrunner (#9)
I'm all in this one now. I've bought all the cards, have participated in store championships, regional, national, and world tournaments. I participate in a bi-weekly league. Sorta like church softball for geeks. It will quickly become my most played game sometime this year. The biggest downside to Netrunner is two decks need to be brought to tournaments, which drains a bit more time than my other favorite collectible games.

8. 1960: The Making of the President (#7)
Card-driven? Check. Two-player? Check. I feel like these are two elements I've come to really enjoy in games and 1960 has it. This is a tug of war game where you try to win the presidency as either Kennedy or Nixon. Fighting over the electoral votes, making sure you lead the issues to get momentum and destroy your opponents chances. That is what this one is all about.

7. Agricola (#4)
The slight fall might just be some slight burn out on my part. However, Agricola is one my Top 10 most played games and will always be one I absolutely love. Though some my find the farming theme dry, I find it so well implemented that I do feel like I'm farming. This also makes teaching it relatively easy, since it makes sense to those here in the Midwest that I'm teaching. I played Caverna this year for the first time, which is a sequel to this one, but for myself, Agricola continues to be my game of choice.

6. Sid Meier's Civilization (#4)
This is CivRev from the consoles brought to board games. I've now got the second expansion (not yet played) for it. I think my only complaint about this game is the learning curve for new players. This makes it tough to pick up new people, but usually I find once we do, they are hooked. Individual player powers, a cool tech pyramid, and watching your civilization grow keep me coming back for more in this wonderful game.

5. Chaos in the Old World (New)
This game has raced to this position for me. The theme will turn some people off, which I understand, but if you don't mind the theme this game is amazing. It is the perfect blend of chaotic dice rolling attacks, area control, and balanced card play. I've purchased the expansion for this during the year and it gives more of the same with more asymmetrical play that draws me to this one. This actually won the Game of the Year award for my game group this past year, competing against all the other "new to us" games.

4. Age of Empires III (#4)
There are just some games that click with me. By click I don't mean I'm good at them, but rather I mean that I just enjoyed it immediately. There is fun worker placement, some fighting, some player special abilities. If you enjoy any of those things, I suggest this game too you. Our group has a solid contingent of players who will play this anytime, so that helps me a lot in getting this to the table.

3. Warhammer: Invasion (#3)
This game was "cancelled" this year by FFG. Basically they aren't having any more expansions come out, but will still print what they've already produced. I probably have played in my last tournament of Invasion, but still have all the cards and will be keeping them. I love the fast in your face play. I like the art on the cards. I like the feel of the board game style play, with different regions to attack and play your cards. The best collectible game I've ever played.

2. Railways of the World (#1)
Yes, it dropped one spot. This game is still awesome though with expansions, but dropped for me just because the base map is pretty much only good with 5 or 6 players. There is a map for every player count that works well though and I own several expansions. Laying track, connecting cities, and delivering goods makes you really feel as if you are running a railroad company. This game keeps the fun in railroad games, while not sacrificing the strategy. I consider this a "tier-two" level game. So if you like Ticket to Ride and want to experience more I'd suggest this one.

1. War of the Ring (#1)
Yes. It has become my number one game. Each time I play it, I think it couldn't get better. There isn't any game that I feel so immersed in the theme. The game many times comes down to the final sprint to Mount Doom as the Shadow grows across the board. This isn't a game for the faint of heart though. It does take 3-4 hours to play. There are a ton of rules that can be easily missed. However, the game gives you a ton of satisfaction. The action die selection is amazing, the card play is very important, and knowing where to spend your dice in order to at least make your opponent take time to prevent a city from falling or to at least put a few dice in the hunt pool. Play this game. Play this game with me. I'll teach.

If you've made it this far, then thanks. I appreciate you reading and hope you got an idea to try a new game with your friends and family!

Top 50 Board Games of All Time - 2014 Edition (Part 1)

This is my 4th year in giving you my top games of all time. This is of course completely subjective and whimsical list as was last year's list. This year I've decided to expand out to the Top 50 games of all time. I'm doing this for a couple reasons. First, I like to write about games. Second, I feel there are at least that many more awesome games to tell you about. As of writing this I've played 642 unique board games at least 1 time. So even doing the top 50 games for me is only the top 7.78% of the games. So they are all great games. The number in the parenthesis represents the highest that game has made it on my annual list. Without further ado, here you go!

50. Mission: Red Planet (N/A)
Basically combining El Grande (see lower down on the list) and Citadels this game hits a home run. You are sending steampunk astronauts to Mars to colonize the red planet, but you only play one character card a turn to do so. You only have 9 character cards total and cannot play one from a previous round until you spend a whole round getting them all back. Usually plays in 45-60 minutes and plays very well with 4 or 5 players.

49. Cyclades (N/A)
I have painted monster miniatures! This is a great blend of Ameritrash and Euro gaming. There is dice rolling and army confrontation, but at the same time auctions. The auctions are possibly my favorite part, because once you bid on the services of a specific god, if you get overbid you must choose a different god. This makes that decision of what to bid initially a very tough and fun decision.

48. Notre Dame (N/A)
The first of five Stefan Feld games you'll be reading about on this list. That is right. He designed 10% of my top 50 games. I'm a Feld fan. Notre Dame allows players to draft cards in order to gain influence in the burroughs around Notre Dame while at the same time making sure to avoid the rat plague that is constantly happening around them. The board is unique looking, which is what first drew me to the game, but the game play is what keeps bringing me back.

47. Pillars of the Earth (#19)
Down below you'll find a game that does a good job with implementing the book. This isn't that game, but it still makes for a great game. The expansion really is what put this one up here for me. Players are working on getting great craftsmen to turn resources into victory points, but it got a bit samey and predictable without the extra craftsmen in the expansion. That expansion adds the extra bit that makes the game very competitive and even more replayable.

46. Mascarade (New)
A surprise hit for me at GenCon 2013. You really need 8 or more players for this game. I'd suggest at least 10 to get the absolute best experience. For that reason, I consider this a gamer's party game, and one that I'll pull out when I have that many people and we'd rather not split into two groups. The bewilderment that appears on players faces as they try to figure out who really is the King or the Fool makes for a fun evening!

45. Dune (New)
I play this game once a year at Geekway to the West. It is a game that needs 6 players at least. It is a game that really does a great job of giving the feeling of the book Dune. This can be a very long game, it can provide all kinds of crazy surprises, but my favorite part of the game is the alliances. Alliances, you see, are actually binding for players. At least for a time. Then a game trigger happens (the Sand Worm comes) and you can get out of it. It makes it very fun to be stuck in an alliance with someone you don't want to be allied with and both of you realizing this thing isn't going to last!

44. Ninjato (New)
Ninjas in the night! Each player sends their bands of ninjas into various houses to steal precious goods. You then use those goods to buy off influential people or learn rumors to gain victory points. Ninjato is a game with such great art, game play that "fits" exactly the right expectations, and has such huge throwing stars that it is tough to go wrong with this one.

43. Patrician (New)
One of the most ugly games in existence. There really isn't a theme either, but the fun game play provided in a 20 minute game pushes this game to one of the best. Players simply are trying to get the most pieces in towers they are building in different cities, while at the same time collecting cards. The twist is though that you only get the card from the city you just played in. So many times you might play in a city that you aren't trying to win, because you want the card that it provides for another city. This game shines with 3 players.

42. Smash Up (New)
There is no way this would've made my list after my first play. Probably not after my second play, but the more I've played this game, the more I've realized how fun I have playing it. Players take two factions such as Zombies and Aliens, mix their cards together, and attempt to capture basis by taking one action and playing one card. Very simple game play, but lots of combos that can come out of the game. The art is exactly the kind of art that I like too.

41. El Grande (#6)
This game is just a classic. Players are trying to gain influence in Spain by putting their guys in various regions. On your turn you simply take an action card, place your guys, and use the action. That is it. Extremely elegant game. Smooth playing and very nice looking for the simplicity of the game. It is now pushing 20 years old and still gets played on a regular basis in my house.

40. High Society (#15)
At one time this would've been in my Top 10. It is probably one of my top 10 most played games of all time still to this point. I just played it twice this past month. Players are trying to purchase the biggest and best stuff, while avoiding the bad things, but can't win the game if they finish with the least amount of money. Such quick and tough decisions!

39. Trajan (New)
Stefan Feld hits again. Mancala is an ancient game of moving stones from one cup to another. In Trajan, Feld took that mechanism, and implemented it wonderfully in a deep game. The theme really isn't there, but the strategy sure is available. You can plan your turns way ahead and attempt to get what you want such as sending military out, building in the city, or getting Senate votes in order to win rewards. Trajan plays very well with 2-4 players and so sees plenty of play.

38. Last Will (New)
The game where instead of getting money, you are doing all you can to get rid of your money. Once players wrap their minds around that then the game gets really fun. Players are going on ship rides, getting fancy dinners, buying and degrading houses, and generally living it up. Plays really well 2-5 players too.

37. Tikal (#18)
I've owned this game since 1999 or 2000 and I'll be owning it until 2099 or 2100. It is a beautiful game of exploring Mayan temples. The biggest problem is there is so much a player can do on their turn that you have a difficult time making a decision. That is why I started calling this game a light and breezy Euro game in order to encourage fast play. This is a classic.

36. Taktika (New)
The only dexterity game on the list. Taktika has players flicking wooden disks on the table, trying to block and destroy the other disks. I made my own copy a couple years ago, after playing it, but not being able to find an official version of the game. Mine isn't perfect, but it is fun!

35. Goa (New)
Combine some auction and actions and you got Goa. I really enjoy the flow of this game. If there is a downside, I think the action path is perhaps too powerful. Players, in my opinion, must at least do that path and others in order to win. Eventually though you trade your spices and boats to move further down on the paths and get the win. Pure euro goodness.

34. Imperial (New)
I traded this game away, for a game that isn't even on the list. I've played that other game more than I would've got this played, but I still would like to get this one back. Imperial is based in the pre-WWI world. Players control these world powers, raise their value, get the money, and burn them to the ground. I would compare this to Risk and Acquire mixed together, though it is better than both of those games. If you have 5 or 6 people willing to invest 3 hours in, then you should pull one out.

33. Keythedral (#17)
This game is where you build the board first, then play the game. Because of that it makes it really tough for first time players. If you can get past that though, this game is a really great gem. This is a Euro with direct interaction where you can really screw people over. I think it is good fun though and that is why it makes the list. Several years ago this game might've been in my top 10, with just too many games having come out, it has fallen here. Still a great game though!

32. In the Year of the Dragon (#11)
This game is really mean. Which is why I really like it. The one downside to this game, which might be group think, is that a first turn Double Dragon seems too powerful. I've thought about playing with a variant, but haven't done so yet. Players do everything they can to keep their people alive, but as you've played more and more, you realize that you'll lose those workers to the various disasters that happen throughout the year. When you finally come to this realization you can become a great player.

31. Gheos (#17)
Ten might seem a big drop, but remember, this is the best of the best. Gheos is basically a stock game with a ancient gods theme pasted on it. I really enjoy how the civilizations grow and wane as players take them over and pound their opponents into the ground. New players have a really hard time with this game, which might be one of the reasons that it dropped slightly for me.

30. Hive (New)
The only pure abstract game you'll find on this list. It makes me sad that my wife doesn't like it because it has bugs as the pieces. If it was something like knights or bishops then I think she'd play. Hive is a game like Chess, just with out the board, and way more fun and enjoyable to play in my mind. I own the first edition with wooden pieces, but would really like the bakelite version some day.

29. Dungeon Lords (#14)
The biggest problem with this game is that it pretty much is a four player only game. However, I like it so much when I do get to play it. Some really tough decisions, your dungeon crashing around you as the heroes just break it down, and chaos ensues. I really like this game so much, that it comes with extra advance options, and I haven't even broken those out yet. This is a game that makes me feel like I could do better, every time I play, which is a good sign.

28. Fairy Tale (#16)
Each player takes a card from 5 and passes the rest. Then you do it again. Then you do it again. Then you do it again. Then you are done. You play three cards of those you've kept. That's it. That is how you play Fairy Tale, but there are such interlacing of card ability and trying to make sure your opponents don't get the card they need. This game is one of those ultimate fillers that plays so fast, plays up to five, and is great to play while waiting on a bigger game.

27. Twilight Struggle (New)
Since I expanded this list to 50 games, I decided that I could include all games, even those games I hadn't played at least 5 times. Twilight is the best of those games. It is a two player, knock out, drag out fight in the Cold War. I love how much you hate having to play a card, knowing full well your opponent will capitalize greatly on it, but thinking they'll capitalize (ha, I just got it) less than on another card. This is basically a war game, so those who want the light fluffy stuff should look elsewhere.

26. Bruges (New)
Stephen Feld is one of the hottest designers out there. Not only is he a great designer, but he is also prolific. He came out with 4 new games alone in 2013! Bruges, of his games, in my opinion is the (second) best. It plays with good decisions, has fun and interconnected card play, and seems to have a wide variety of strategic options to win. It is one that if our good friends didn't own it and live 6 minutes away, that I'd being buying instantly. I still might buy it at some point this year, just because you never know when someone will move away and the game goes out of print.

Thanks for reading this far. I've already got my Top 25 ready to go, but have to actually write about them. While you are waiting you should go play one of these games I just told you about that are so good!

God's Glory, Love, and My Failure

Last Sunday I taught on God's Glory. It is really tough to define, but it is not only his character, his praise, his being, but it is how I live my life for his glory. Then after teaching this, the sermon that day was on 1 Corinthians 13 the "love" chapter. I left that day from church invigorated and ready to live my life this past week for God's glory and with love.

Well, then real life happens. The girls do not go to bed. They fight. They do not go to bed. They do not go to bed. Did I mention they won't go to bed?! I got angry and when I was disciplining them, even though it was appropriate discipline, I wasn't doing it for the glory of God or for the love of the girls. I was disciplining them because I wanted them to go to sleep and I wanted some peace. So really for the glory of me and the love of me.

Then the next day, while at work, I heard the song I've embedded below. I came home and apologized to the girls. Realizing that despite doing a good thing (disciplining my kids so they get some sleep and grow up healthy) I'd done it for the wrong reasons and out of the wrong spirit. Just like when Moses, after seeing the glory of the Lord (Numbers 20:6) struck the rock and stole God glory (Numbers 20:12), I'd done the same thing. Not only that, but I'd done parenting which is important and a God given task without love. So I'd become that sounding brass and clanging symbol Paul talks about in Corinthians.

Even though I'd done all this, God's grace still rains down on me. His grace reaches to me from as far away as I can get. His grace out runs, out shines, out gives, out loves, out does any and all my sins and failures. That is why I do want to bring him glory. That is why I want to love my kids with a Corinthians love. I hope to show my kids (and others around me) the glory and love of God. Despite my distractions, natural hypocrisy, and my own desires, God's grace rains down on me.