14cross

The first time I played Race for the Galaxy I didn’t understand what all the hype was about. But the second time I played I had to teach someone else and it was then that I understood the strategies involved with this game…and I was hooked! This game is great with three or more players but does have a fairly steep learning curve. The cards are good, not great, quality so I recommend getting protective sleeves. The iconography takes a couple of games to get used to but there are cheat sheets to help until you are used to it. I highly recommend this game!

I like games with at least some strategy. But this game is all luck! You roll dice, you draw cards from a deck. You roll dice to battle. There is no real thinking that goes on in this game. I give it five stars because I am a sucker for fantasy themes but that’s it. If you are looking for a mindless game with a fantasy theme then search no more. Otherwise, search elsewhere.

Switzerland has a smaller map, meaning it has fewer routes. So it is best played with two or three people. Locomotives are handled differently than in other games. They can only be used on tunnels. Fortunately there are many tunnels on this board. I must say that this is my favorite of the TTR series, though I have not played Marklin yet. I hear it is great too!

Inns and Cathedrals adds more player interaction and increases the values of your roads and cities if they are completed. The Inns double the value of any road they are on as long as the road is completed. The Cathedrals are interesting because they can both help and hinder. If you complete a city with a Cathedral in it then you get three points per tile and shield. But you can also use it as a weapon against your opponent by placing it in one of his cities, thus making it a bit harder (especially toward the end of the game) to complete the city and denying him any points for that city if he does not complete it. I like that this expansion creates even more player interaction. Worth the price!

Sebring has a great map because there are some long straightaways that allow you to get out that sixth gear die and roll! Chicago is great because of the new elements it brings to the game (jumps, twists…) and the many turns. You will use up a lot of wear points trying to successfully navigate this track. Sebring and Chicago is a great expansion. Buy it!

It is interesting that the game description says, “…not every planned use is well thought out or successful…” that how I feel about this expansion. It was a waste of time and money. Catapult adds too much randomness to an otherwise very good game. I enjoy Carc because it makes you think. Catapult ruins the whole Carc experience. Avoid this one.

Power Grid is easy to learn but requires a lot of thinking as you play. It is a money and resource management game that is without equal. You are always thinking ahead as you decide what power plants to purchase, what resources to buy and when to buy them, what cities to purchase and power, when to change positions on the turn order track…the list goes on and on! There is so much to do and only a limited time to do it this one sees a lot of playing time when we get together. Buy it!

as far as Civ games go this one is the best! Great for three or four players, there are multiple ways to win some are easier than others but a lot have to do with what civilization you play and what resources you have. But you must pursue multiple victory conditions at the same time and be willing to change tactics in the middle of the game if needed. You must also be willing to attack other players to weaken them so that they don’t accomplish their objectives.

I bought this game after playing it at a game night with friends. I wanted a game that my wife would play. She doesn’t like deep strategy but likes games with a lot od interaction. Ticket To Ride is about her speed. This one fits the bill. There is some strategy involved as you decide where to strengthen your ship and try to figure out where your opponents will dock next. There is lots of interaction with other players as you battle on the high seas almost every turn. And there is the element of luck with rolling the dice to determine the outcome of battles. It is great fun for everyone!

i picked this one because we get together often with family and my 9 year old nephew always complains that our games are too complex for him to play. Not this one! The rules are easy to learn but the game is a lot of fun! You feel like a race car driver taking the turns, shifting gears, speeding down the straightaways. It is loads of fun for up to 10 people. But the closer you get to 10 people the more fun it is!

i really enjoy this game because of it’s rich theme and well written rules. I like how the scenarios introduce a couple of new rules each time so that you don’t get overwhelmed with the rules. The figures are fantastic and the board tiles look great. The only downside to the game is the setup time. If you can get past that then I highly recommend this one!