[spielfrieks] Early Impressions for 2018

[[e-mail] [spielfrieks]]

As the group seems a little quiet at the moment, would anyone object to a little discussion on what games are shaping up for them, from Essen 2017 onwards?


If I was to pick 3 games from that period, they would be:


Nusfjord - mainly as I like it's compact play time, possibly due to familiar mechanics with a fresh(?) feel


Clans of Caledonia - I love how it uses some of Terra Mystica's mechanics and turns them on their head. If there are any detractors it is maybe a little too perfect, with nothing 'special' or new to draw you back to the game more often.


Queendomino - while to me Kindomino is the more elegant game, I think Queendomino shows the scope the designer was able to broaden the complexity of the game to.


Special mention: Through the Ages app - I continue to be stunned at the scale CGE were able to pull off here. A complex game implemented well - I would have expected many of the features it launched with to have 'come later' to manage risk.


Being in a part of the world where many European games can take a long time to make their way to commercial availability here (2016's Quest for El Dorado remains unavailable for example), would love to hear from other spielfrieks about what they have been sampling, perhaps even a commentary on their early perceptions of Spiel 2017 releases now that there has been time to play more of the games (maybe especially before reports from the Gathering of Friends or the Con season starts).


Regards, Richard in Australia

[Tedcheatham [e-mail] [spielfrieks]]

I recently got smitten with heaven and ale. If there is a down side, it is that I cannot find the theme. It is a solitaire puzzle with rondel timing for player interaction. But I like it. I did get a quest for el dorado and is is in stores here now. I like it because the wife will play.

Ted Cheatham

Post by ***@trouty.com [spielfrieks]
As the group seems a little quiet at the moment, would anyone object to a little discussion on what games are shaping up for them, from Essen 2017 onwards?
Nusfjord - mainly as I like it's compact play time, possibly due to familiar mechanics with a fresh(?) feel
Clans of Caledonia - I love how it uses some of Terra Mystica's mechanics and turns them on their head. If there are any detractors it is maybe a little too perfect, with nothing 'special' or new to draw you back to the game more often.
Queendomino - while to me Kindomino is the more elegant game, I think Queendomino shows the scope the designer was able to broaden the complexity of the game to.
Special mention: Through the Ages app - I continue to be stunned at the scale CGE were able to pull off here. A complex game implemented well - I would have expected many of the features it launched with to have 'come later' to manage risk.
Being in a part of the world where many European games can take a long time to make their way to commercial availability here (2016's Quest for El Dorado remains unavailable for example), would love to hear from other spielfrieks about what they have been sampling, perhaps even a commentary on their early perceptions of Spiel 2017 releases now that there has been time to play more of the games (maybe especially before reports from the Gathering of Friends or the Con season starts).
Regards, Richard in Australia

[Lorna Wong [e-mail] [spielfrieks]]

So of course I liked all the usual suspects, Gaia Project, Heaven and Ale, Nusfjord, Azul, Black Orchestra Pulsar 2849 might be in there but I have to get it to the table again.

Lesser known titles would include QE and Black Sonata

From 2018 I like Hardback and Powerships

Lorna
Sent from my iPad

Post by Tedcheatham ***@gmail.com [spielfrieks]
I recently got smitten with heaven and ale. If there is a down side, it is that I cannot find the theme. It is a solitaire puzzle with rondel timing for player interaction. But I like it. I did get a quest for el dorado and is is in stores here now. I like it because the wife will play.
Ted Cheatham

Post by ***@trouty.com [spielfrieks]
As the group seems a little quiet at the moment, would anyone object to a little discussion on what games are shaping up for them, from Essen 2017 onwards?
Nusfjord - mainly as I like it's compact play time, possibly due to familiar mechanics with a fresh(?) feel
Clans of Caledonia - I love how it uses some of Terra Mystica's mechanics and turns them on their head. If there are any detractors it is maybe a little too perfect, with nothing 'special' or new to draw you back to the game more often.
Queendomino - while to me Kindomino is the more elegant game, I think Queendomino shows the scope the designer was able to broaden the complexity of the game to.
Special mention: Through the Ages app - I continue to be stunned at the scale CGE were able to pull off here. A complex game implemented well - I would have expected many of the features it launched with to have 'come later' to manage risk.
Being in a part of the world where many European games can take a long time to make their way to commercial availability here (2016's Quest for El Dorado remains unavailable for example), would love to hear from other spielfrieks about what they have been sampling, perhaps even a commentary on their early perceptions of Spiel 2017 releases now that there has been time to play more of the games (maybe especially before reports from the Gathering of Friends or the Con season starts).
Regards, Richard in Australia