I’m a gamer, always have been. Problem is for a large number of years that’s really just consisted of the video variety. That’s a huge mistake on my part, to not enjoy the video game’s analog brethren… the board game. There’s actually a vibrant and intense board game world out there that’s been pushed to the sidelines by game players such as ourselves for too long. In this column I’ll be diving into this world, looking at games that hopefully you’d like to try out for yourself.

As my exploration into the world of board games goes on, I’ve now played enough games that I find myself gravitating towards certain genres. While I’d love to get into some deep deep strategy games with tons of minatures, I know I don’t have access to people to play against so for now I’ve shied away. As I’ve been slowly roping my non-gaming friends into the hobby along with me, I’ve been staying more towards the casual/gateway types of games. So, for now, games like Battlestar Galactica will just have to stay on the shelf.

But that doesn’t mean the games I’m currently playing aren’t fun, interesting or devoid of strategy… far from it! They just tend to have a lower gaming experience requirement, having easier rules to explain and understand… and playitmes nowhere near some of the crazy wargames. Enter Abandon Ship. (more…)

I’m a gamer, always have been. Problem is for a large number of years that’s really just consisted of the video variety. That’s a huge mistake on my part, to not enjoy the video game’s analog brethren… the board game. There’s actually a vibrant and intense board game world out there that’s been pushed to the sidelines by game players such as ourselves for too long. In this column I’ll be diving into this world, looking at games that hopefully you’d like to try out for yourself.

Our look into the world of board games just keeps on trucking! Last time we talked about the light bluffing game Cloud 9, and while this weeks game is made by the same company, they really couldn’t be any more different (except in the fun department. ZING!) Party games are pretty much defined by two elements, very easy to understand rules and can handle a ton of people at once. Word on the Street is just that kind of game. The rules take about 2 minutes to explain, and can handle two teams as large as you want playing against each other.

I’m a pretty non-competitive person. I mean I enjoy competition, it’s just at the end of the day I don’t mind if I win or lose (it’s probably why I was never good at sports). Sure I love to win, but I don’t need to win to have a good time. Which is a good thing, because while I really enjoyed Word on the Street I can honestly admit to totally sucking at it. (more…)