OPERATION LUTTICH
Dion and I started this a ways back and I finally got around to closing this game out. For once, I got to damage units and then put them away nearly immediately. The allies won this one 4-2 and put me back into the lead 29-27.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Jan. 30, 2007 - Battle Cry Charles vs Jason
McDowell
I was able to press the attack a bit in this one and finally had a game where I was eliminating units. On the last turn, I mis-played a hill attack, And Jason told me to redo it. For once, the redo went spectacularly and I nailed 3 units to win the game 5-1. The score is now very close 75-74 in favor of Jason and the Confederates.
I was able to press the attack a bit in this one and finally had a game where I was eliminating units. On the last turn, I mis-played a hill attack, And Jason told me to redo it. For once, the redo went spectacularly and I nailed 3 units to win the game 5-1. The score is now very close 75-74 in favor of Jason and the Confederates.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Jan. 29, 2007 Hey! That's My Fish! - Review
Overview
Hey! That's My Fish is a fairly simple 2-4 player game where the objective is to acquire the most fish. The game begins by setting up the game board. The hexes are laid out (face up) in pretty much any layout that players want. The easiest way is to simply lay the tiles out in rows of 7-8. After the board is laid out, players take turns placing their penguin tokens onto different hexes. The number of tokens each player gets depends on the number of players in the game. Fish are printed onto the hex tiles that make up the game board. Each hex has either 1,2, or 3 fish on it. Once everything is setup, players take turns moving their penguins. The penguin must move in a straight line and may not move through any other penguin (including their own). They also may not jump any gap. The player then takes the hex tile which was vacated and places that in their score pile. Because the hexes come off the board, it is possible to cut sections of the board off from the other sections. If a section cannot be reached, it is removed from play. If a penguin is isolated on a hex island, he will likely take most of those tiles. Players need to evaluate their options so that their marker's access isn't cut off from the rest of the board while at the same time, trying to possibly isolate their penguins onto a large area. Once no more moves are possible, players count the number of fish that they have accumulated and the player with the most fish is the winner.
Components
The game comes with only a few basic components - hex tiles with 1, 2, or 3 fish printed on them and 4 sets of colorful wooden penguin shaped markers. The hex tiles are fairly standard cardboard and are sturdy enough to last for many playings. The box insert is fairly simple and not specifically designed to hold the tiles. The box is probably only slightly bigger that it needs to be. The instructions are simple and well done.
Highs- Easily learned by gamers and non-gamers
- Cute looking pieces make this easier to introduce to non-gamers, yet there is enough game here for true gamers.
Lows- When played by experienced players, it'll take longer to setup the game than to actually play it.
- The game is confrontational.
- Colors of the penguins include red and green, making this a non-friendly game for the color blind.
Conclusion
Hey! That's My Fish is a quick light game that plays well with 2, 3, or 4 players. It is simple to learn and still offers good tactical play options. This game works well as filler, with slightly more meat than some other light fillers. This also works well to introduce non-gamers and family members to tactical gaming because it is easy to teach and them theme is friendly and easy to understand. For hardcore gamer, this is probably a pass unless you need to have a game in your collection for playing with family. This is also good game for introducing kids to euro-style games. This one rates a 6.5/10 for me. I'm glad to have it for a quick game, but it is not going to find its way into my regular weekly game stack very often.
Hey! That's My Fish is a fairly simple 2-4 player game where the objective is to acquire the most fish. The game begins by setting up the game board. The hexes are laid out (face up) in pretty much any layout that players want. The easiest way is to simply lay the tiles out in rows of 7-8. After the board is laid out, players take turns placing their penguin tokens onto different hexes. The number of tokens each player gets depends on the number of players in the game. Fish are printed onto the hex tiles that make up the game board. Each hex has either 1,2, or 3 fish on it. Once everything is setup, players take turns moving their penguins. The penguin must move in a straight line and may not move through any other penguin (including their own). They also may not jump any gap. The player then takes the hex tile which was vacated and places that in their score pile. Because the hexes come off the board, it is possible to cut sections of the board off from the other sections. If a section cannot be reached, it is removed from play. If a penguin is isolated on a hex island, he will likely take most of those tiles. Players need to evaluate their options so that their marker's access isn't cut off from the rest of the board while at the same time, trying to possibly isolate their penguins onto a large area. Once no more moves are possible, players count the number of fish that they have accumulated and the player with the most fish is the winner.
Components
The game comes with only a few basic components - hex tiles with 1, 2, or 3 fish printed on them and 4 sets of colorful wooden penguin shaped markers. The hex tiles are fairly standard cardboard and are sturdy enough to last for many playings. The box insert is fairly simple and not specifically designed to hold the tiles. The box is probably only slightly bigger that it needs to be. The instructions are simple and well done.
Highs- Easily learned by gamers and non-gamers
- Cute looking pieces make this easier to introduce to non-gamers, yet there is enough game here for true gamers.
Lows- When played by experienced players, it'll take longer to setup the game than to actually play it.
- The game is confrontational.
- Colors of the penguins include red and green, making this a non-friendly game for the color blind.
Conclusion
Hey! That's My Fish is a quick light game that plays well with 2, 3, or 4 players. It is simple to learn and still offers good tactical play options. This game works well as filler, with slightly more meat than some other light fillers. This also works well to introduce non-gamers and family members to tactical gaming because it is easy to teach and them theme is friendly and easy to understand. For hardcore gamer, this is probably a pass unless you need to have a game in your collection for playing with family. This is also good game for introducing kids to euro-style games. This one rates a 6.5/10 for me. I'm glad to have it for a quick game, but it is not going to find its way into my regular weekly game stack very often.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Jan. 22, 2007 - Memoir 44 Charles vs Jason
Ardennes - Peiper
Chalk up yet another victory to Jason. This time he waxed me 6-3. I'm still unsure if my approach to playing against Jason is flawed, or I get lucky at the wrong times, if everything so far has favored the Axis (maybe Jason is just better at the C&C games than I - nah, that can't be it). At any rate, we move on 107-93 Axis for the war
Chalk up yet another victory to Jason. This time he waxed me 6-3. I'm still unsure if my approach to playing against Jason is flawed, or I get lucky at the wrong times, if everything so far has favored the Axis (maybe Jason is just better at the C&C games than I - nah, that can't be it). At any rate, we move on 107-93 Axis for the war
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Jan. 21, 2007 - Hey! That's My Fish
I pulled out Hey! That's My Fish to teach my mother tonight. Its quick and easy to teach and play and I wanted to see how it went over with a non-gamer. I'm not sure she was overly interested, but it was quick and easy as I figured it'd be to teach. My mom even held out for a win 49-46.
Jan 14, 2007 Cribbage
I realized that I missed posting about this playing. My family plays a lot of standard card games, Cribbage being one those games they enjoy. My wife, Stephanie, had never played before, so my folks sat down to explain the game to her. My dad went through the basics of the game (scoring, and the flow of the game) and then we jumped right in. Much to our surprise, Stephanie picked it up immediately and only asked a couple questions - mostly checking to make sure she was throwing the right card to the crib on the first few hands. Now, my wife isn't dumb by any means, but if you've never played the game before, the flow of the game, and the scoring can be a bit strange. I never saw my wife mis-count a hand, and she played fairly decently tactically. We ended up playing boys against the girls, and my father and I had a run of decent hands that allowed us to win 121-111. Since it was late, we only played the one game, but I'm sure there will be more coming soon.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Jan 20, 2007 - Twilight Struggle Charles vs Jason
We finished another Vassal game of Twilight Struggle today. This time around I was the Soviets, and I pressed to score as quickly as I could. A few lucky cards let me take control in Europe and I got the score to +12 USSR after the second turn. To start the third round, I drew the Europe scoring card which I played in the headline phase. Jason's headline didn't stop me or help his European position and I grabbed 8 points for having domination and 4 battleground countries to end the game.
Jan. 20, 2007 - Battle Cry Charles vs Jason
New Market
Well, we managed to finally knock off another game of BC after my last thrashing. It took me longer than I wanted, because all I really needed was some right flank cards to finish up. I finally drew one and got three good rolls to close off the game 6-4. That brings the war back a bit 74-69 in favor of those rebel scum.
Well, we managed to finally knock off another game of BC after my last thrashing. It took me longer than I wanted, because all I really needed was some right flank cards to finish up. I finally drew one and got three good rolls to close off the game 6-4. That brings the war back a bit 74-69 in favor of those rebel scum.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Jan. 15, 2007 - Samurai - MaBiWeb
Jason Sato started a game on MaBiWeb so that we could keep the AZ connection going as I moved on out to Nebraska. Dion Garner and Mike Gingold joined us in what ended up being my first ever 4-player win. Things were a bit all over the place, and I ended up being the only player to secure a majority in any of the three areas. Currently this one is buried in a packing box, but I may have to see if I can find it and teach it, as I really enjoy this game.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Jan. 4, 2007 Memoir 44 Charles vs Jason
Operation Sonnenwende
Well, we got away from the beach and it looks like it was enough for me to grab a couple points in a 5-2 win. Though not really closing the gap, I did manage to get back a little (gotta start somewhere). It looked like I was going to just do my regular (beat on a lot of units, and kill very few), but I managed to close the deal on a number of units on the last turn. The score is now 101-90 in favor of Jason (Axis).
Well, we got away from the beach and it looks like it was enough for me to grab a couple points in a 5-2 win. Though not really closing the gap, I did manage to get back a little (gotta start somewhere). It looked like I was going to just do my regular (beat on a lot of units, and kill very few), but I managed to close the deal on a number of units on the last turn. The score is now 101-90 in favor of Jason (Axis).
Jan. 4, 2006 Memoir 44 Charles VS Dion
Operation Cobra
This one went a bit in the opposite direction of the game I played vs Jason Maxwell back in October, as Dion (Axis) won this one 5-3. And just like that, Dion has tied it up for the war 25-25.
This one went a bit in the opposite direction of the game I played vs Jason Maxwell back in October, as Dion (Axis) won this one 5-3. And just like that, Dion has tied it up for the war 25-25.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Jan. 3, 2006 - Battle Cry Charles vs Jason
New Hope Church
Well, I didn't need that at all. This scenario essential set the Union up to be slaughtered. I had to cross wooded terrain to attempt a breach of numerous fieldworks. Jason? He just had to sit there and pick me off. Needless to say, the south pulled out a 6-0 victory. That pushed him ahead 70-63 for the war.
Well, I didn't need that at all. This scenario essential set the Union up to be slaughtered. I had to cross wooded terrain to attempt a breach of numerous fieldworks. Jason? He just had to sit there and pick me off. Needless to say, the south pulled out a 6-0 victory. That pushed him ahead 70-63 for the war.
Jan. 3, 2006 - Twilight Struggle Charles vs Jason
Jason and I started this game of Twilight Struggle as an effort to see how it played over VASSAL PBEM. There were a few gaffes with the interface, but overall it went pretty smoothly. Jason played the USSR and I played the US. He built up a good lead and never let go. Into the first part of the late war phase, Jason was able to get the War Games card out and end the game. We spent most of the entire game sitting on DEFCON 2. I also had a lot of control in the ME and all of Asia, except for Korea. Unfortunately, none of that scored me anything in points.
Jan. 3, 2006 - Memoir 44 Charles vs Jason
Operation Spring
Yet another win for Mr. Maxwell, this time a 6-4 stomping that wasn't that close. Axis ahead now 99-85.
In other news, I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and log all my PBEM and online games this year. This game was started last year, but shall go in the 2007 totals. I'm adding this to my links, but here it is again - my list of games played for 2007
Yet another win for Mr. Maxwell, this time a 6-4 stomping that wasn't that close. Axis ahead now 99-85.
In other news, I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and log all my PBEM and online games this year. This game was started last year, but shall go in the 2007 totals. I'm adding this to my links, but here it is again - my list of games played for 2007
Monday, January 01, 2007
Friday Dec. 29, 2006
Friday Dec. 9, 2006 - Gamer's Inn
In what looks to be my last game night with the AZ Boardgamers (at least for a while). I wanted to get in a few games that would round out my nickle list for the year (5 games played) as well as a decent game of Age of Steam.
The night started with Jason Maxwell and I sitting down for a game of BattleLore. Though a recent acquisition, this one hit my 5 plays for the year due to the popularity of the game system as well as the newness factor. We tried a map with a bit of everything and I wondered how much the creature (the spider) would impact the game. Turns out, we didn't find out. Jason went to town on me and put a 5-1 hurting on me. Luckily for me, some others showed up so Matthew Frederick and Steve Bauer joined us for a game of Age of Steam. Everyone let me pick the map and I waffled between trying out one of the Disco Inferno maps and going for a known quantity. I ended up sticking with Scandinavia. On the first turn, I had the chance to bankrupt Steve. I chose not to, so that Steve wouldn't be out immediately. However, I did get hosed a number of times later in the game. Jason won by a good margin. Next up was Antike, which Jason didn't care to play, so Erik Von Burg joined us for a little four player action. The thing I enjoy about Antike is that there always seems to be something new as far as winning goes each time I play. Erik found the beginner's luck and won his first playing. Next we sat down for a game of Tichu with Matt Cullinan, Matthew and Erik taking on me, Miles Antwiller, and Jason Maxwell. We started by going 1-2-3 for a nice 300 pt lead. The second hand was also in our favor, but during the third hand, it was discovered that Miles had grabbed Jason Sato's cards and Jason was trying to take off for the night, so we ended the game. Jason M, Erik, Matthew and I then ended the night by playing Ingenious in partners. Matthew and I vs Erik and Jason. I really like this game and got hot in the middle, getting 4 turns in a row and closing out a number of good opportunities for Erik and Jason. It was enough, letting us cruise to an easy win (one of the few that Jason didn't win this night).
In what looks to be my last game night with the AZ Boardgamers (at least for a while). I wanted to get in a few games that would round out my nickle list for the year (5 games played) as well as a decent game of Age of Steam.
The night started with Jason Maxwell and I sitting down for a game of BattleLore. Though a recent acquisition, this one hit my 5 plays for the year due to the popularity of the game system as well as the newness factor. We tried a map with a bit of everything and I wondered how much the creature (the spider) would impact the game. Turns out, we didn't find out. Jason went to town on me and put a 5-1 hurting on me. Luckily for me, some others showed up so Matthew Frederick and Steve Bauer joined us for a game of Age of Steam. Everyone let me pick the map and I waffled between trying out one of the Disco Inferno maps and going for a known quantity. I ended up sticking with Scandinavia. On the first turn, I had the chance to bankrupt Steve. I chose not to, so that Steve wouldn't be out immediately. However, I did get hosed a number of times later in the game. Jason won by a good margin. Next up was Antike, which Jason didn't care to play, so Erik Von Burg joined us for a little four player action. The thing I enjoy about Antike is that there always seems to be something new as far as winning goes each time I play. Erik found the beginner's luck and won his first playing. Next we sat down for a game of Tichu with Matt Cullinan, Matthew and Erik taking on me, Miles Antwiller, and Jason Maxwell. We started by going 1-2-3 for a nice 300 pt lead. The second hand was also in our favor, but during the third hand, it was discovered that Miles had grabbed Jason Sato's cards and Jason was trying to take off for the night, so we ended the game. Jason M, Erik, Matthew and I then ended the night by playing Ingenious in partners. Matthew and I vs Erik and Jason. I really like this game and got hot in the middle, getting 4 turns in a row and closing out a number of good opportunities for Erik and Jason. It was enough, letting us cruise to an easy win (one of the few that Jason didn't win this night).
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