January 2018 roundup

During January, I managed to play 20 games of 16 different titles, with just 1 of them being new to me. Having cleared my unplayed list at the end of last year, the only new game was:

== NEW GAMES ==

Nautilion – 2 plays –  7 
First Published 2016

I ran out of patience waiting for Z-Man to release this in the UK so ordered a copy from Amazon US and it arrived about a week ago. Really pleased with it so far. It’s a dice management game where you are racing to get your ship to the Abyss with a full crew before the Phantom’s ship reaches the Happy Isles and, presumably, causes bad things to happen. Two games using the base setup and the A (easiest) board have turned on the very last turn so it’s been quite tense and the harder boards and additional rules will clearly make it more challenging so it should get a few more plays yet at least. Rating may rise when the extra elements are added if they make the game more interesting, but it’s still an enjoyable and solid game already.

== OTHER GAMES PLAYED THIS MONTH ==

2x Can’t Stop
2x 20 Express
2x Pickomino
1x Coloretto
1x Zooloretto: The Dice Game
1x Träxx
1x Elder Sign
1x Straw
1x Rummikub
1x Limes
1x Finito!
1x Star Realms
1x Thurn and Taxis
1x Exxtra
1x Keltis: Das Kartenspiel

Played several games I’ve not played for ages. Thurn & Taxis hasn’t been played for over 10 years but is still great. Coloretto is still one of my favourite Michael Schacht games and it’s criminal that I haven’t played it since 2013 (also need to give Hansa another try before long). Keltis: das Kartenspiel and Exxtra are terrific light and short Reiner Knizia games that should be played more. I need to keep the older Knizia games in circulation, particularly as Doug Adams is embarking on a Knizia challenge for 2018 so I’m bound to be tempted to revisit some when he picks them out (Trendy is already on the list).

== STATE OF THE COLLECTION ==

I added only 1 new title to the collection (Nautilion) and reacquired one, Keltis: Das Kartenspiel which means my total collection now stands at 525.

My list of unplayed games is still at zero (Hurray!) and my Game of the Month by default (although it’s still worthy of the accolade) was Nautilion.