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April 13th, 2005After my last post there was a natural lull in my gaming activity, but then my project manager came down with a nasty case of appendicitis a month before our go-live date. He is the kingpin of our project, so I was deluged with work. He came back last week, so work has finally returned to a manageable level.
I will discuss the games I have played briefly:
I played this at my friend Michael’s house. We all enjoyed it very much. The theme is a little rocky at times (how can developing Pro-Sports make you better at capturing cities?). It is also long, 4.5 hours, and a badly worded card, the Internet card – funnily enough, wrecked my game. Otherwise, this was rewarding. It is not particularly dense, after a while it actually felt quite freewheeling. I would rather play Die Macher, but it was still a lot of fun.
If it were not for the swivelling floors, this would be a vanilla arena-brawling game, but having to think ahead to see how a shifted floor could make or break your game is fascinating. Maybe a sci-fi theme would improve it. I kept thinking that something along the lines of Warhammer 40k would have been a more suitable backdrop. I am suprised Bruno Faidutti has not put this in his Ideal Games Library. It is French and just the sort of game he enjoys.
After a second playing, this was still long, dry and bitchy. I like negotiation games, but this one seems to involve a long stream of low-grade nastiness. I respect this game’s design, but I will not suggest we play again.
Age of Steam PBEM
I have cut out all my pbem games, except for Age of Steam, which has gone up to three simultaneous games.
Havoc
Chris Brooks asked me to help playtest Havoc, a prototype he has mentioned several times on his blog. It is a poker-like variant on Ivanhoe, which arrived in perfect time after my group’s disillusionment with their favourite light game. The components were of fantastic quality, and superior to most professional games. With the last few months’ lack of gaming time, I only played it once, but we all enjoyed it. The rules could do with a bit of polishing, but otherwise it is ready for publication. I will certainly buy a copy.
I am going to Swiggers tonight. I have not been to a games club since I was about 17, so I am looking forward to it. Unfortunately, it is on the other side of London, so I doubt if I can go often, but it is worth a look.
April 13th, 2005 at 16:15
Manifest Destiny: there are indeed some distinctly tenuous links with theming in the progress and breakthrough abilities but to talk about “capturing cities” is also well removed from the concept of the game. This is not about combat but securing the market for the type of goods that particular region specialises in. I won’t try and argue the pro-sports bit because it is still flimsy but there is a bit more sense to it. It is definately a game I would play more often if I had the time and familiarity with the cards would certainly help – I am still surprised I was able to win even after the depression card (along with one other that I can’t remember the name of) was played against me on the same turn near the end.
As far as PBEM is concerned, in addition to seven Age of Steam games I’ve recently started a game of 7 Ages using Cyberboard. My one play of the game ftf left me thinking this could be something special but I don’t think I was prepared for just how good it would be. A superb experience so far and one in which I go to bed every night thinking what tomorrows moves will bring. I really can’t see me tiring of this.
Let me know how Swiggers goes. I may be able to make it occassionally if you go again
April 14th, 2005 at 15:10
I suppose you are right about my capturing cities comment, but, from a theme standpoint, it feels more like capturing a city in a wargame than anything else.
7 Ages over Cyberboard sounds good. Please let me in the next time you play.
Swiggers was good – see above. It would be great to meet you there sometime.
April 18th, 2005 at 14:46
Good to see you back in business Iain. I’m interested in your Manifest Destiny experience. I love Civilization, am ambiguous about Advanced Civ, and hate Age of Renaissance with a passion. I heard that MD is AoR-lite, so wasn’t interested. But maybe you can put me right?
April 18th, 2005 at 15:19
Thanks Peter.
Sorry, but I’m not really the person you should ask, as I have not played either Civ, ACiv or AoR. Judging by the time they take to play, I doubt if I ever will…
Manifest Destiny was quite good though. I enjoyed the theme, and it’s great to play a game with dice again. The only real problem is how long it takes to play.
We must hook up to play a wargame or two some time. I’ll have to reserve some time the next time my wife goes away.
April 19th, 2005 at 11:09
Yes Iain that would be good. I’ll wait to hear from you when your parole comes up.
April 25th, 2005 at 11:44
Hi Peter,
The short answer to your question is that if you hate Age of Rennaisance then you will not like Manifest Destiny. I can give you details if you like but the systems are basically the same with some streamlining and re-theming.