Have you played any games lately? No, I'm not talking about your "mama's games" - games like Monopoly, Life, Clue, etc. - I'm talking about REAL games...games that are a part of the "game revolution" that has taken place over the past 10 - 15 years. If you don't know what I'm talking about...READ THIS. If you have a family with older children (starting ages are from 8 - 10 years old in some cases), or if you get together with other people on a social basis...you MUST try some of these games!
Real games are games like Settlers of Catan, Puerto Rico, Carcassonne, Wallenstein, or a game like I played last night...Boomtown. What is Boomtown? Here's a description from the manufacturer of the game:
"There's gold in them hills! With that cry prospectors race westward and Boomtowns are established and the gold rush is on. In Boomtown, you must compete with your fellow prospectors in a mad scramble to find your fortune in gold, but watch out for highwaymen, card sharks and crooked politicians. There are many ways to make a buck in Boomtown.
Aim of the game: The players are prospectors, trying to find gold and get rich. Every turn, mining concessions are auctioned. Then gold is found on some concessions, depending on the die rolls. Players can also act as highwaymen, tavern owners, and politicians. Through many means are fortunes won. At the end of the game, the player with the most influence, the best mines and the most gold wins."
I sat up last night until 1 a.m. and played with my wife, my dad, my brother-in-law, and my son. It appears that my son and brother-in-law lost the game because they couldn't stay out of the saloons...and my wife lost the game because she (nor I) thought I was really in the running to win. My dad lost the game because it looked like either he or my wife would win...and she took him out.
So...guess who came out on top? ME:)!!!!!!!! I beat my wife 73-72 (gold pieces)...and thus, established myself as the Boomtown king...rich, and powerful...and yes, I slept well, I always do when I win. If you want a fun game to play...buy Boomtown and try it with some friends...it'll be fun win or lose...although, I can't actually speak for the losers ;).
Update on Thursday, January 5, 2006 by
fr'nklin
My Dad is an all time great "gamer". When it comes to strategy games he is a legend. He started me playing Avalon Hill war games when I was in the 7th grade because he felt it would teach me critical/strategic thinking skills...not to mention he got to order lots of GAMES! So, if you go to this site you can read about his 10 best game destinations (a game travelogue), his criteria for a great game, and of course, he will tell you about his favorite games of all time. If you're not a "gamer"...now is a good time to start!
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A few years ago I picked up Diplomacy from Avalon Hill - a great negotiation game. No dice or any luck factor, beyond your own skills in diplomacy. ;)
Hey, you absolutely must buy a few games:
1. Settlers of Catan (all time classic)
2. Puerto Rico or San Juan (SJ is the card game version of Puerto Rico...I prefer SJ, but either is great!).
3. Attika - 2 player game that is FUN.
I always thought Diplomacy was a great game. My Dad starting me playing Avalon Hill wargames when I was in the 7th grade because he believed it would help develop my mind to THINK...and of course, gave him a "legitimate" excuse to buy games!!!!
Look, go to my Dad's site and check out what he has to say about the best games. He is an all time great when it comes to board games and strategy games. Here's the link:
boardgamegeek.com/geeklist.php3?action=viewlists&username=Frank+Hamrick
My wallet hurts. ;)