Shazamm!
August 20th, 2004I just finished a PBW game of Shazamm! with Michael at Boitajeux.
I cannot beat Bruno Faidutti’s description of the mechanics. The PBW implementation is smooth and easy to understand with Google Language Tools doing the work. I enjoyed it very much for slapstick. Michael hated the luck factor. I admit there is lots of luck involved, but ultimately both sides have the same resources, so the end of the game could be skilful, particularly if you choose the variant that gives both players their full complement of spells immediately.
I won, which pleased me, as Michael is always a tough opponent. The only other two-player game I have won against him was Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation. Maybe it is significant that these are both bluffing games?
I will probably buy Shazamm, particularly as the components look good, but I do not get too many opportunities to play two-player games, so I will have to think about it.
August 23rd, 2004 at 08:16
Is there an English version available? Not that that I would buy it but the text on the cards is enough to put me off anyway (I don’t generally like doing paste-ups)
As you say far too chaotic for my liking (sour grapes probably because I lost although if you want to play a good bluffing game I’m quite happy to sit down for a poker session with you….).
Michael
August 26th, 2004 at 21:03
There is not an English version, but I think there are paste-ups available. I don’t think it is a big problem as the cards are easy enough to decode with schoolboy French.