April was the Cheyenne Gaming Convention, with lots of good stuff. I'll particularly mention: Condottiere, Euro Games: As often happens, this was brutally tight. After the first year, I was sure I was out of the running. Yet I ended up coming back from the dead to win in year 5 or 6. One of my favorite area control games. The White Castle, Devir: New to me. I think this might be shorter than it should be, but it was tense throughout and with only nine actions per player, every single play was crucial. Deus, Pearl Games/Asmodee: Also new. Kind of ugly, but really interesting game play. There's a tension between scoring and ending the game that makes for a solid endgame, and the decisions on each turn are quite good. For Ticket to Ride, it sounds like you were playing with the 1910 expansion (which I always do and strongly recommend). Full-size cards, more tickets, and both the longest route and most tickets completed cards (IIRC, it's the Mega optional version of the game). I also recommend the 1912 expansion for TTR Europe.
Condottiere is one that I have heard good things about for so many years, but it seems like it's never in print... The White Castle is one that I am very intrigued by, but it does seem to be a common criticism that it ends a little too early. And that sounds right with Ticket to Ride, we are in total agreement on the 1910/1912 expansions as must-haves, I just forgot what variants it actually added since I've always just thrown in all the destinations and played with longest route. Thanks for watching! -Ryan
That's awesome! I definitely am intrigued by that game and the possibility of solo with the expansion, it just is hard to pull the trigger when I don't think I'd have the opportunity to play two player very often. But maybe the solo experience would offset that! -Ryan
@@RollsInTheFamily I've only ever played it solo. It is highly tactical but there are strategies than can be learned after you've played it a bunch of times. The better you know the cards and have memorized them the more effective your tactics/strategies will be. Many people feel the bot is unbalanced because you get crushed at the beginning but part of the strategy is getting the bot to eliminate as quickly as possible so that you can slowly build yourself up and make a 2nd-half come back. I find it very fun and usually play it over the course of a few days (it is nine rounds). It seems that playing against others would be a completely different tactical/strategic experience. Some who started by playing a lot with others THEN try playing the solo sometimes don't seem to like the differences (e.g., saying it feels unbalanced) but if you start with the solo (and learn to like it) and then transition to playing with others, that seems to be an easier transition. It's a cool game. Against the Shadow also allows for co-op. And they're releasing an expansion this summer with a bunch of new paths, battlegrounds, and character cards, etc.
Great summary, thanks! I'm definitely a big fan of the subject matter (and have and enjoy War of the Ring, the LotR LCG, and Journeys in Middle-earth) so it will have to be one I keep considering, especially if the expansion content proves to be strong. -Ryan
It was a light month of gaming over here too, so I didn't really get multiple plays of the same games. But, here were some of my favorites: We had a great play of Nemesis. Not one we can get to the table often, but it is such a great experience! My wife and I had a little stay-in date night where we tried one of the Exit games for the first time! The Abandoned Cabin was a delightful little mystery! And, lastly, I got to try Star Wars Unlimited for the first time. It was a great little game, but not one I'm going to sink money into.
@@RollsInTheFamily touche 😅 but not this month. I actually just played Last Light for the first time this week and that was a blast! Have you guys had a chance to try it yet?
@@RollsInTheFamily Definitely agree on Splendor Duel! If you're only playing 2p then that's the definitive version for sure. Some extra powers, better balanced cards and multiple ways to win; it makes it feel pretty dynamic as you can swindle a win out from your opponent's nose.
👇Let us know! What was your top play of April?
April was the Cheyenne Gaming Convention, with lots of good stuff. I'll particularly mention:
Condottiere, Euro Games: As often happens, this was brutally tight. After the first year, I was sure I was out of the running. Yet I ended up coming back from the dead to win in year 5 or 6. One of my favorite area control games.
The White Castle, Devir: New to me. I think this might be shorter than it should be, but it was tense throughout and with only nine actions per player, every single play was crucial.
Deus, Pearl Games/Asmodee: Also new. Kind of ugly, but really interesting game play. There's a tension between scoring and ending the game that makes for a solid endgame, and the decisions on each turn are quite good.
For Ticket to Ride, it sounds like you were playing with the 1910 expansion (which I always do and strongly recommend). Full-size cards, more tickets, and both the longest route and most tickets completed cards (IIRC, it's the Mega optional version of the game). I also recommend the 1912 expansion for TTR Europe.
Condottiere is one that I have heard good things about for so many years, but it seems like it's never in print... The White Castle is one that I am very intrigued by, but it does seem to be a common criticism that it ends a little too early.
And that sounds right with Ticket to Ride, we are in total agreement on the 1910/1912 expansions as must-haves, I just forgot what variants it actually added since I've always just thrown in all the destinations and played with longest route.
Thanks for watching! -Ryan
Biggest play for me in April was War of the Rings: Against the Shadow. Easy to set up. Crunchy decisions. Theme can't be beat. I love it!
That's awesome! I definitely am intrigued by that game and the possibility of solo with the expansion, it just is hard to pull the trigger when I don't think I'd have the opportunity to play two player very often. But maybe the solo experience would offset that! -Ryan
@@RollsInTheFamily I've only ever played it solo. It is highly tactical but there are strategies than can be learned after you've played it a bunch of times. The better you know the cards and have memorized them the more effective your tactics/strategies will be. Many people feel the bot is unbalanced because you get crushed at the beginning but part of the strategy is getting the bot to eliminate as quickly as possible so that you can slowly build yourself up and make a 2nd-half come back. I find it very fun and usually play it over the course of a few days (it is nine rounds). It seems that playing against others would be a completely different tactical/strategic experience. Some who started by playing a lot with others THEN try playing the solo sometimes don't seem to like the differences (e.g., saying it feels unbalanced) but if you start with the solo (and learn to like it) and then transition to playing with others, that seems to be an easier transition. It's a cool game. Against the Shadow also allows for co-op. And they're releasing an expansion this summer with a bunch of new paths, battlegrounds, and character cards, etc.
Great summary, thanks! I'm definitely a big fan of the subject matter (and have and enjoy War of the Ring, the LotR LCG, and Journeys in Middle-earth) so it will have to be one I keep considering, especially if the expansion content proves to be strong. -Ryan
Some standout games and first time plays in April for me were . . .
1. Power Grid
2.Attika
3. Hit Z Road
Wow some oldies! Power Grid is the only one I've played of those 3, but it's always nice seeing older games getting some attention. 👌 -Ryan
Regarding Obsession, Amelia says, "What!?! Tell Ryan I want to play that! That's so rude!" 😂
Haha it only goes up to 4 players and plays in ~2 hours so I guess we just haven't had the right opportunity for it to be an option. 🤷♂️ -Ryan
It was a light month of gaming over here too, so I didn't really get multiple plays of the same games. But, here were some of my favorites:
We had a great play of Nemesis. Not one we can get to the table often, but it is such a great experience!
My wife and I had a little stay-in date night where we tried one of the Exit games for the first time! The Abandoned Cabin was a delightful little mystery!
And, lastly, I got to try Star Wars Unlimited for the first time. It was a great little game, but not one I'm going to sink money into.
A light month of gaming, so only 40 games of Ark Nova? 😜
Nemesis has such a high ceiling for a fun experience, glad your session went well!
-Ryan
@@RollsInTheFamily touche 😅 but not this month. I actually just played Last Light for the first time this week and that was a blast! Have you guys had a chance to try it yet?
We have not! Seems like it keeps getting a lot of positive buzz though, so we'll have to keep an eye out! -Ryan
Splendor duel is the best version of splendor. It’s more thinky with multiple win conditions
That’s awesome to hear! You are making me think it might still be worth getting 🤔 -Daniel
@@RollsInTheFamily Definitely agree on Splendor Duel! If you're only playing 2p then that's the definitive version for sure. Some extra powers, better balanced cards and multiple ways to win; it makes it feel pretty dynamic as you can swindle a win out from your opponent's nose.