Here are the rest of the games I played in the first quarter of 2004.
Abilene -- It's got a lousy reputation, and it ain't wonderful, but it ain't bad, either. The earlier Hexagames version (which I have) only handles 2 or 3 players, but has different (simpler?) rules and attractive wooden pieces. I'd like to try it again, if only with my kids. Rating 5
Africa -- It's never stopped being a favorite of mine. Exploration games should have a fair dose of luck in them. Rating 9
Aladdin's Dragons -- This was quite a bit better than I'd remembered. I'd be happy to try this again, and it might make a decent Game of the Month for us. Rating 6
Alhambra -- Although I usually side with those that prefer the simpler version of games with multiple editions, but this time I'll go with Alhambra over Stimmt So! The walls don't bother me, same with the tile-laying portion of the game, and I really like the graphic presentation. Maybe that's because I really want to see the real Alhambra castle someday. Rating 7
Amun-Re (2) -- Would you believe these were my first plays of the game? Yep, somehow I missed this one entirely when it came out. I liked it okay, and the durability of the monuments between the two game halves won theme points with me, but it's just got too much going on at once, and with another involved Knizia scoring system. I know everyone else likes these, but it's tempered my enjoyment of some of his games, like this and Ra. Rating 6 (Don't ask me why I enjoy Wildlife so much more when it's got many of these same features...)
Big City (5) -- This has settled in to become a distinct favorite of mine...as long as you play with 2-3 players (or maybe 4). I really enjoy the way you can change the character of the game whether you build up a long, skinny city with lots of edge spaces, or a more dense layout with lots of contested center areas. Rating 9
Bonobo Beach (2) -- It's so short & easy, it's really a filler. (Notably shorter than Auf Heller und Pfennig.) Rating 6
Cabale -- I had high hopes for this colorful abstract, and in fact it went over well with gamers. But it's a bit heavier, with a need for more lookahead than I like. That will limit its play with nongamers (like at work), or with my kids. Rating 6
Caprice (2) -- In contrast, I didn't expect much from this one, and only ordered it due to a big sale. Turns out it's more to my liking, with imperfect information, quicker play, and great pieces. Won't be for everyone, certainly, but this is a good one for me. Rating 7
China Moon -- This I didn't care for at all. I suppose I have to be fair and imagine that had it been in a classy wooden presentation I might've had a better time. Maybe. Reminds me of the parts of Hare & Tortoise I don't like. Rating 4
Die Fugger (2) -- If I had more time, I'd write a full review of this game. I think it's quite good, distilling a speculation & investment system to an effective card game core. I'm anxious to try it as a 2-player game, as well. Rating 7
Die Schatzinsel (2) -- An almost unknown game, I bought it on the strength of German reviews and its attractive graphics. I'd still like to try a few more times--its quick play is appealing--but it may end up on the trade pile. I need to upload some pics to BGG first. Rating 5
Dracula -- I was too tired when I played this to give it a fair evaluation. Although it starts out thematically, it develops into a longer cat & mouse game (almost a shell game) than I think it should. I'd rather have more fear of a sudden death (literally!) ending. Rating 6
Euphrat & Tigris (4) -- One of our Games of the Month. I went 0-3, but that doesn't diminish my enjoyment of the game. Although the conflicts have their own sort of complexity, it's really not too bad, and the scoring system is elegance & simplicity itself. Rating 8
En Garde -- I play a little of this one every year, and I always enjoy it. I'm looking forward to the new version for the its components more than the needless modifier cards. Rating 9
Entdecker -- Only one play of my favorite game so far? I'm still lobbying to have this as Game of the Month sometime, trying all versions of the game (Original, Original with Manu variant, my Original/New hybrid, and the New game). Rating 10
Entenrallye -- What an odd game. It feels like nothing else I've played, and that's probably it's strongest feature. That and the way the pace of the game accelerates at the end. Even though the decisions are getting easier, there's still excitement and drama as the race winds down. Good once in a while, but not one I'd need to own. Rating 6
Feurio! -- Sometimes the hype on these new games feels a bit forced, and I definitely feel that's the case here. Not that there's anything wrong with the game--it works well enough. But I don't find it exceptional, and there's a worrying number of folks that think the 1 tiles are too powerful. Rating 6
Finstere Flure (2) -- When I first heard about the game, I thought it would be overly mechanical, what with the programmed movement. Despite the buzz this game generated, I still think that's true. It's not a bad game, but most of its appeal is in the fun theme and excellent graphics, not the gameplay itself. Rating 6
For Sale (5) -- A solid favorite, still the best filler ever. (Yes, over High Society.) I'm glad it's getting reissued, and hope the new version has something unique about it, like allowing six players. Rating 10
Igloo Pop (3) -- Physically, it's a much smaller game than Zapp Zerapp, but don't let the lack of a board fool you. There are clever choices and challenges in this game that are equal in heft to the larger version. Rating 7
I'm The Boss -- For some reason, it takes people a while to play this game. It does with us, anyway. That's odd, because it's really a very simple game that shines when you play it briskly. Rating 8
King Me! (2) -- This is just a bit of fluff, but a good one. The delightful graphics are a big part of the appeal, which isn't meant as a slight at all. I love good graphics! This one is actually a little easier to play online, where your own pieces are privately highlited. Rating 7
Manitou -- Hadn't played this one in years, and it settled in right where it left off. More outstanding graphics, and interesting gameplay that some feel is just too dry. I don't, however. Rating 7
Maya -- Our game was marred a little by a mistake, a story that I've heard more than once. Are some games more prone to unrecoverable errors than others? Despite some parts of this seeming to be original, the entire experience feels like a recycling of other game ideas. That's okay, they're generally good ideas, and the theme (while not really realized) is appealing. Rating 7
Medici (2) -- Lean & mean auctions, with some sensitivity to luck as the cards are flipped. Nonetheless, this game is the king of the mechanic in my book. Rating 10
Mü -- Just about everyone in the group has been taught this game, so now maybe it won't be quite the challenge to bring it to the table. Plus, someone else bought a copy. I often forget that the penalty for missed contracts isn't too terrible, and that bidding high (either to gain points for yourself, or deny them to an opponent) is a vital part of the game's strategy. Rating 8
Nautilus -- I'd been wondering about this one for a long time, and now I don't have to anymore. It's okay, and if I already had my own copy I'd be pushing to get it to the table occasionally. But I don't, so I'm content to play this game once in a while. An interesting attempt at merging a very calculated economic system with the vagaries of an exploration system--I'm not sure either is completely satisfying. Rating 6
Oasis -- Another game with new-itis. That is, it's getting lots of buzz right now mostly because it's new. I don't think the whole thing hangs together as neatly as it should, and that parts that do work well could be stripped down to a card game. Chris Brooks nailed it in his weblog. Rating 6
Pass the Bomb -- Yet another game I traded away, only to repurchase later. Fast fun, played with vulgar words, fake words, or "straight." Rating 7
Pirate's Cove -- Kind of like Nautilus, I'd been half-avoiding this one despite my interest. Unlike that other game, I really enjoyed this one! It helped to wait for the nice, English-language edition from Days of Wonder. The game is shorter and lighter than it looks. All of those components are just toys for a game that's very simple at heart. Rating 7
Poker -- I was never a regular poker player, but I've had fun with the game during college, with family, and before boardgames. This was my first chance to play a session in a long, long time. It was also my first exposure to Hold 'Em. I've gained a little more appreciation for that particular poker game after playing it on my Palm, though I still miss the dealer's choice nights where we played lots of 7-card stud, as long as people didn't pick many (or any) wild cards. Rating 8
Ra (2) -- I'm enough of a curmudgeon to complain a tiny bit about the complicated Knizia scoring. Yeah, it's right there on the board and gets to be second-nature soon enough, but that doesn't change the fact that it's the mark of a mathematician. However, I think the sun tile auction system is pure genius, making this an outstanding auction game. Hopefully it'll be reprinted someday so more people can afford it. (Those ebay prices are crazy!) Rating 8
Rosenkönig -- Dry and abstract, but I enjoy the gameplay anyway. I'm sure the wonderful artwork and physical production wins me over, too. I read somewhere that playing with a closed hand of cards gives you a much lighter game that still works well, maybe better. Need to try that. Rating 7
Samurai -- This is clever, but it raises "turn angst" to an almost painful level. Really, it diminishes my enjoyment of the game, though that probably says more about me than the game itself. The game is beautiful, so it certainly scores points with me for that. Rating 7
Scotland Yard -- I came to this one late, this being only my third game--the first was last year. It really holds up, and makes for a very unique experience. Rating 7
Scrabble -- A favorite for my wife & I. Rating 7
Streetsoccer -- Fantastic little game, I really hope it gets made into a cell-phone version. Could be very popular and a gateway! Rating 8
Taboo -- Still one of the best party games around, made even better with that cool electronic gizmo (mostly for the tense music & sound effects). Rating 8
Tongiaki (3) -- Played three times because it's quick, this is another game I think is a flash in the pan. There have been some valid concerns raised about players getting hosed based on tile flips or other things beyond their control. It's not that the game is bad, I just think it needed some more development before published. Rating 6
Traumfabrik -- Wow, I forgot I'd played this one. That's my trouble with this one, I always forget about it, despite enjoying it so much. An English edition would've been fantastic, but even in the German it's wonderfully thematic. Rating 8
Tyros -- Ryan and I both got interested in another look at this game last month. I'm surprised it didn't get more attention. It's really pretty clever. I think the mechanics are odd enough that people won't "get" it on the first try, then not stick around for another. They should! Rating 7
Was Sticht! -- A card game I'd wanted to try for years, but always was intimidated by the description. The part about drafting your entire hand made me believe everyone should be able to track all of that information. Yikes! Turns out it's not that demanding--you don't need to track that info to play. Maybe you need it to win, I'm not sure. So it was easier than I expected, but still kind of overwrought for the enjoyment I think I'd get out of it. Rating 6
What's That On My Head? -- Deduction games aren't my thing, but the chance to wear a goofy headband?... Now that's different--I'm in! It was okay, actually, but went on a little long. Rating 6
Zapp Zerapp -- Still delightful. The production is excellent, of course (Zoch can do no less), and it showed everyone that there are always new game mechanics out there. It just takes some real talent to uncover them. Rating 8
Zirkus Flohcati -- Finally I played this game. A Knizia filler card game, I thought I'd be all over it. Instead, I found it merely harmless. Rating 6