Heart of the Machine

[  Mood: Amused ]
The team was assembled at Chez Gates, i.e. my friend’s basement equipped with huge game table and minifridge stocked with much, much beer. I had recently quit smoking and was gnawing on nicotene gum, otherwise all was well.

We started with TCI’s ZombieTown ( http://www.twilightcreationsinc.com/zombietown/ ). None of the local crew had played it, but we were aided by KC representative Corey, who had. It is a fun area and resouce aquisition game that reminded me of TCI’s other game Zombies!!! but with a finite timeline and the ability to attack the other players. The first game went in fits and starts, mostly because we were learning the rules. The second game was much more brutal with me and Corey being at war because of proxemics and Craig and Mitch being at war because, through a use of cards I tossed them at each other knowing they would fight. Meanwhile, Sherman holed up in one house and much like Fort Apache, the Bronx, created an unbreachable stronghold. He left only occasionally to stomp zombies and raid the house next to him that I had abandoned in my warfare with my other neighbor Corey. Sherman went on to win. I hate him.

The lessons here; don’t get greedy and save the combativeness for the end game. The over all verdict from the crew was that it is a good, very replayable game. We are still learning the strategies and I forsee it being played again in the future.

We next moved on to Fantasy Flight’s Arkham Horror. ( http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/arkhamhorror.html ). We just played the core game with out any of the expansions. After ZombieTown it took a few reminders to the crew that this was a COOPERATIVE game and we weren’t out to shaft each other. Once that sunk in there was some pretty serious team work. Considering our Great Old One for the evening was Azathoth the need for this was pretty obvious. It is a complicated game, no way around it and we hosed a few rules (monster types specifically) but for the most part we got it right and played honestly.

Arkham Horror is a blast, no way around it. Playing co-operative in a board game is an unusual treat. Add in the mythos and I, for one, am in love. We had some tense moments, like when ‘The Stars Are Right’ card was in play and an Avatar of Nyarlthotep was prowling the streets was making travel difficult. But a lucky card draw and a selfless sacrifice of an ally (Ashcan Pete misses you Duke ole buddy!) led us to eventual victory, even with big daddy A two doom counters away from waking and half of the town closed because of terror.

One phrase; sorcerous, deputized, truck driving nun.

Arkham Horror is a blast, but be ready for it, the set up and take down of the game is VERY time consuming. Plus, the game itself is a pretty serious time sink. And we were only playing the CORE game with out either of the two expansions. It isn’t a board game for the faint of heart.

After AH we lost a couple of soldiers, Corey headed back to the bright lights and big city, Mitch headed for his matress at home. We had a new trooper though, Mike, who was seriously into Munchkin ( http://www.sjgames.com/munchkin/game/ ). More beers were opened (more nicgum chewed) and we fired up Super Munchkin.

Fun mechanics, a very fast playing speed and elements of co-operate vs. screw your neighbor. It wasn’t working for Craig, but I have kind of a fondness for SJGames so I liked it. Round one went quick and we were on to round two. Doing Fantasy Munchkin. I have to say I liked the fantasy version more than supers. (You had to play the race card didn’t you? Stupid Halfling) I see myself probably going out and buying at least fantasy and cthulhu munchkin.

After that the crew departed and I and the host went to an offsite location to have a couple of shots and analyze Game Night 1. I would say overall a success. I had a very good time with both Arkham Horror and ZombieTown, and look forward to playing them both again.

Next on the menu, When Darkness Comes ( http://www.twilightcreationsinc.com/wdc/ ) and Pirate’s Cove ( http://www.piratescovegame.com/ ) Yar!