The following is simply a reposting of the session report for my local group's latest game session. I always feel session reports are meant for your own group, not necessarily everyone else that might read a weblog. But there's no harm in posting them. I only mention it here in case my writing style doesn't really welcome the outside reader. I only post these reports externally once in a blue moon, but we actually meet weekly.
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Santa Clarita Boardgamers
9/8/2004
Ryan Davis came up to join us for Game of the Month, Anno 1503, and some others. Our regular Ryan and Erin were there, and Greg was the fifth at my place last night. Ryan had even offered not to come if he'd be the 5th player on a 4-player game night, but I told him to come along anyway. We did just fine, and I figured he was jonesin' for some games.
First up was La Strada. I sat out to let the others play, especially Greg who owns it as well but had never played! It's one of those good welterweight boardgames that's got more to it than a filler card game (at least in production, maybe not gameplay or strategic depth). The game has a reputation as being skewed toward the first player, or at least away from the last. This game didn't quite match that pattern, with the #2 player coming in first, followed by players 1, 4, and 3. I'm not sure if this game will be a keeper for me or not, but for the time being I'm glad to own it.
After that Ryan D, Erin, and I broke out Anno 1503. The other Ryan blitzed us through the rules, and we were off. It's really a straightforward game. I'd heard the semi-snide comment a year ago that this game could've been called "The Settlers of Puerto-decker" due to its use of familiar systems from other games (two of the games from the same designer, Klaus Teuber). Well, yeah, that's reasonably accurate. I don't think this game's going to light anyone on fire, but it's definitely pleasant and very playable. I suppose I was a little underwhelmed, though that's more due to overexpectations than anything else. I'll be happy to play it again, and to try to do a little better.
Over on the other table, Ryan W and Greg W broke out Heroscape on its grand scale. I think Erin called it a "total dorkfest," or something, but even I know she means that in a good way! I think I'm getting to be too much of a stick-in-the-mud to get into it myself (yeah, despite snapping up 4 boosters of Pirates of the Spanish Main), but you have to admire the audacity of the whole thing. Those terrain pieces, the comic book array of warriors from all time periods, the quality and quantity of miniatures, the through-the-legs Line Of Sight rules!!... This is definitely Heroquest or Battle Masters for the 21st century, maybe more than that.
After Anno there was a little time to squeeze in a game of Coloretto. I guess other folks aren't as wild about the game as I am. I know they like it okay, but I think it's one of the best fillers in years. Would love to play it regularly, just move it along quickly. I spotted the translation to the freebie "expansion" is now on Boardgamegeek, and read through it a few weeks ago. As expected, it's entirely unnecessary, but harmless and offers some slight changes to the game. I think it would be worth a try sometime.
Heroscape was still being carefully put back into its box, so there was time for another all-time favorite filler, For Sale. I'm glad Uberplay is reissuing this one, and they took my friend Bob's suggestion to modify it for six players. At this point, I hope Uberplay just does a good job with it. For a company that started out so strong, they seem to have made some missteps lately. The original games haven't impressed me, and those commercials are tough to watch. Anyway, in For Sale I now like to keep track of the buildings I buy as well as the checks they're sold for. What I'm looking for is how much my score in the latter (which matters for winning the game) comes close to the previous total. Usually I'm "selling for profit" quite a bit, but that's because my habit is to settle for some of the lower-valued buildings. It's a lot easier to "sell" a 2-Building for a check worth 8 than it is to sell a 14-building for a check worth 20.
The closing game was one we all got to play together: Royal Turf. I'm always just so-so on the game when it's suggested, then I find myself having great fun playing it. The little game just has a wonderful pace, good drama, and even some real strategy. There's inevitably a good dose of laughter throughout, always a good sign with me.