New games! (And gaming get-together at the end of the post)

[dagibbs]

I've got bunches of new games... many of them acquired at Le Valet D'Coeur, in Montreal, on this last trip.

Presents from my sister(s) for Christmas and/or my birthday (bought by me on their behalf):
Tantrix Discovery Game Pack. Yes, 56 more fascinating hexagonal tiles. If you thought 10 was easy, I've got more challenge for you.

Gloom. A game of morbidity. Can your family die more unhappy than anyone else's? A fun card game.

Maya. Building pyramids... it was on sale for $15.00, and I couldn't resist the bargain. Looks like it might be interesting.

Bought by me (on my behalf):

Gloom Unhappy Homes. A Gloom expansion pack -- adds support for a 5th player, and more ways to make people unhappy.

Trans Europa. I was looking for Trans America, which I have played and enjoyed -- it is, apparently, out of print but this looks like the same game, but with a map of Europe instead. Plays with 2-6, I've only played with 4 players and up, and it plays quite quickly and well with that number. (One of the main reasons I bought it.)

Dos Rios. "Two Rivers". Not sure how to explain it, but it is a strategy development game. Played it at a con, and enjoyed it.

Ricochet Robots. A puzzle game of figuring out potential paths for robots to reach a goal in fewer moves than the other players. A lot of fun for two, and works for a group as well. The game box says 2-infinity (well, not "infinity", it uses the little 8-flopped-on-its-side infinity symbol), and it really isn't upper-bounded.

And, bought for me by the wonderful leolac for my birthday:

In the Shadow of the Emperor. A Rio Grande game of building political power in historical Germany. From a read-through of the rules, it looks like it will be interesting at 4 and maybe 3 players, but probably not work as well for 2 players.

So, this all leads to me thinking that I need to have a gaming get-together, soonish. Well, as soonish as my schedule allows... which looks like Saturday, February 4th, and I'll say 1pm as start time.

Comments

[kattale.livejournal.com]

How close is Ricochet Robots to RoboRally? *intrigued*

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Almost completely different. With Roborally, you are essentially programming robots in a complex terrain from the cards in your hand, and guessing against other players programs. Every player is solving a different problem, and the problems interact. With Ricochet Robots, you have a non-complex maze, and robots that always move in a straight line until they encounter a barrier, and you have to maneuver a particular robot to a particular location, and all players are competing to come up with the best (i.e. fewest number of moves, not shortest total distance) solution. It is untimed until one player announces a solution, then timed to give other players a chance to "bid" with a shorter solution, but only a limitted time chance.

Does that clarify for you?

[kattale.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun!
I've never found a game to beat Robo-Rally, though. :( It's on my Ebay wishlist - it's been years and years since i played it (my friend even had 2 expansion packs!)

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I think Le Valet D'Coeur in Montreal had a copy of Robo-rally when I bought Ricochet Robots. In fact, IIRC, when I asked for Ricochet Robots, the guy working there first handed me Roborally, and I had to say, no that's not the game I'm looking for.

[kattale.livejournal.com]

AAAAAAAAARGH!!!
Do you remember how much it was? (I recall $500USD on ebay... sigh...)

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

According to their website:

AH95039 Roborally $54.95

Which was near the bottom of: http://www.levalet.com/ENGCAT/errframes.php?listing=HASBRO.HTM&menu=../MENU.HTM&basket=../LOGO.HTM

And, you they do mail-order from online ordering, too.

[kattale.livejournal.com]

Eeeeep! Must have!
Now all i need is money. *slaps head*
It's on my wish list!!!!