Game Session

Tonight was a smaller group, but we got to play what I think are three good, solid games. We started with Gheos, a game I had not played in a couple of years, and now I remember why I liked it so much. Kind of like the old computer game Populous, you control the face of the land in laying tiles to create islands and continents, and then in an omnipotent way start civilizations. As turns progress you split land to cause migrations or join land together to start war. Each turn you select followers from civilizations and if you time it right they will score you points during an Epoch. Very engaging, thought provoking, and even chaotic with the changing landscape. Pretty quick to play also.

Then for a filler we played Through the Desert, and with 4 players I forgot how quickly the board fills up. I didn't pay enough attention and forgot to connect my caravans and finish sectioning off board space, and before I knew it the game was over. Definitely has a different strategy depending upon the number of players you have.















Lastly we finally dedicated time (3+ hours!) to a full game of Battlestar Galactica. I am still getting the hang of some rules which caused a little delay, but for me the time seemed to fly fast as I was not a cylon and couldn't figure out for sure who was. The theme of the game grips me as I loved the ScyFy TV series. My character was Admiral Adama, the first time I haven't been a pilot. Some players didn't like the game, but it was great for me. Both Cylon players were not selected until the second round of identity cards, and then they revealed late in the game when it was too late to stop the humans from making the jump from Kobol. We didn't have much opposition, but still were only a few points of fuel or cards away from defeat.

That's me as Adama in the brig to end the game as we made the last jump./

 Gheos
1- BrettH, 2- Nate J, 3- Josh D

Through the Desert
1- Josh D, 2- Tim R, 3- Brett H, 4- Nate J

Battlestar Galactica
W- BrettH, Tim R, Tyler H
L- Nate J, Josh D

Strategicon: Gamex 2012 Day 2

Today's games at the convention were MUCH better and way more strategic. When I first arrived I spent some time at the flea market and was able to pick up NinjaBurger for Caleb as he liked it. I then went right into some events.

ENDEAVOR: I picked up this game at SaltCon but have never played it, so I went to a "Gaming 101" session to learn how to play it, then I played in the tournament. It is a very elegant game requiring balance and timing, much like Egizia. You are in Europe and acquire buildings that give you abilities to contribute to colonizing and adding to shipping lanes to reach other regions such as North America, the Indies, etc. As you do so you increase in your ability to build, increase population, wealth and prestige. There are a variety of mechanics and strategies to gain victory points. Very strategic with interesting decisions, I was enthralled. I made it to the finals of the tournament, but then got bombed by greater competition and came in 4th again. I can't wait to play this again.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: I absolutely loved the TV series and heard great things about the game, but have never been able to get a group together to play it fully. This was the opportunity. It takes a few hours to play, and is a great cooperative game with a traitor element.You play a character from the series, and have to overcome a variety of crisis, fight off cylon ship attacks, and jump the fleet to get closer to Kobol. And do that with 1-2 cyclons hiding among you and trying to thwart your efforts. There are great mechanics in the game by which all contribute skill cards to overcome the crisis, but cyclons can add the wrong cards without revealing who they are. In our game the humans (I was one) had a fairly easy time with the crisis, and it seemed the game was in hand even when the cyclons were revealed. But then it went downhill without the traitors really doing much Galactica was destroyed before they could make the final jump. This game is not for everyone, but great with the right crowd that is invested. I own the game and can't wait to play again.

I played Starbuck and am in the Viper with a red disk underneath to the rear of Galactica.

The FTL drive was damaged (front of the ship) and kept us from jumping.

TOBAGO: I love this game and think it is genius in its design, so we checked it out of the game library and I taught it to Nate & Tyler. We had a good time and it played well, they seemed to enjoy it. No game is ever the same so it stays fresh.

RA: Another game I own but have not played and have wanted to. One of the Startegicon staff taught it to us, and game designer Tom Jolley joined us. Ra is an auction game of tile collection for sets. The cool part is the auction and the sun tiles you use, it plays very smoothly and easily. I like the design (Reiner Knizia) and would definitely play it again.

Played some great games today, and even had the opportunity to chat for about 20 minutes with game designer Richard Borg and he gave me some tips and how to deal with publishers.

Add more BSG, please

 BSG marathon today on SciFi channel put my DVR on overdrive. The original series ran from 1978-80, with a heavy Mormon influence from creator Glen Larsen that he seeped (sometimes poured) into the series. Battlestar Galactica was originally pitched under the title "Adam's Ark" and I remember watching the original series as a kid and following commander "Adama" lead the 12 lost tribes to find earth. The colonies originated on a planet called Kobol (hie to Kolob). Besides Adama, there is a commander Cain, and Lucifer is a Cylon (robot) aid to Baltar. Angelic beings visited the wandering space ship colonies, and at one point told them "As you are now, we once were; as we are now, you may become" (nod to Lorenzo Snow). In that same episode the angelic beings tell the pilot Apollo the body that he perceives is "a reflection of intelligence. My spirit, if you will" (D&C 93?). I recall the meeting of the quorum of the Twelve in the colonies, and in the series premier captain Apollo was married by Adama "not only for now, but for all eternities." Even the word "sealed" was used. The fighter pilot helmets had a heavy Egyptian look to it, a wink to the Book of Abraham.

The new series still has some of those references watered down (Adama, tribes, gods, council of the 12) but incorporates much more from Greco-Roman mythos and is much edgier and adult. There are even stronger religious themes with the resurrection ship that allows the new Cyclons to effectively become immortal. Strong story lines and character development make it a popular series that wraps up with its last 10 episodes starting tonight. Who do you think the final Cylon model is?