This month, I managed to play 34 games of 29 different titles, with 11 of them being new to me. The new games were:
== NEW GAMES ==
The Fox in the Forest – 1 play – 8
First Published 2017
Excellent two player only trick taking game with a very nice scoring mechanism where a bad hand can still see you coming out on top.
Codenames Duet – 2 plays – 8
First Published 2017
Two player or two-team co-operative version of Codenames. Works really well.
Zooscape – 1 play – 7
First Published 2015
Interesting set-collection game incorporating an I split / everyone chooses mechanism with a second-guessing element. Look forward to playing this again.
Sultaniya – 1 play – 7
First Published 2014
Tile laying game where you create a palace, aiming to create certain features and fulfil secret individual objectives. Gaining the favour of the djinns will help you in achieving your objectives. Really nice components in this game.
Welcome Back to the Dungeon – 1 play – 7
First Published 2016
Virtually identical to Welcome to the Dungeon. Not sure you need both but the game is still good fun.
Rummikub – 4 plays – 7
First Published 1977
Don’t tell anyone but I’ve never played this before. Picked up a cheap unplayed copy in a charity shop and the family loved it. Jan is happy to play this anytime at the moment. I really liked it as well.
Kribbeln – 1 play – 7
First Published 2016
Another roll and write (score) game with nice chunky dice. Close cousin to Yahtzee but some thought needed in getting your Kribbeln (wild) scoring lines filled in (ie don’t be too greedy with your first Kribbeln)
4 Seasons – 1 play – 7
First Published 2010
Very good two-player card game where the cards you hold can only help your opponent or increase the scoring opportunity of a suit (season). A different way of thinking about your hand is needed for this one based on incomplete but not completely random card knowledge.
The Lost Expedition – 1 play – 7
First Published 2017
Co-operative exploration game where you try to get your party of explorers all the way to El Dorado without them all having first succumbed to the dangers of the jungle. Nice thinky puzzle.
Legendary: Villains – A Marvel Deck Building Game – 1 play – 7
First Published 2014
Same game but where you’re wanting the villains to overcome a hero scheme. I was attracted more to the mix and match opportunity of teaming heroes and villains together but, ultimately, thought there is enough variability with just the heroes and the schemes in Villains seemed a bit naff.
Chariot Race – 1 play – 6
First Published 2016
This has the racing and attacking elements you’d expect in a chariot race and it plays in a pretty quick time but it fell a bit flat for me. It works but I’d rather just race than drop caltrops or throw javelins at my opponents.
== OTHER GAMES PLAYED THIS MONTH ==
2x Dungeon Raiders
1x Herbaceous
1x Formula D
1x Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
1x Rondo
1x Limes
1x Finito!
1x Arkham Horror: The Card Game
1x The Yeti Slalom
1x Can’t Stop
1x Elfer raus! Das Brettspiel
1x The Mole in the Hole
1x Friday
1x Pickomino
1x Onirim
1x Murdero
1x Qwirkle
1x Onitama
== STATE OF THE COLLECTION ==
I added 6 new titles to the collection and sold 49, which means my total collection now stands at 583. The new games were: Akrotiri, The Lost Expedition, Kribbeln, Rummikub, 4 Seasons and Codenames Duet.
My list of unplayed games dropped from 23 to 14 and my Game of the Month was Codenames Duet.