“Do we have a venue this month?” asked adult man child Gavin (he will give me grief for that. Oh wait he already gave me grief on the Wednesday).

Such an innocent question. But relevant.

The “refit” at The Luxe has been a tad longer than the estimated 1 week when it was started at what now seems an eon ago. So we have been improvising with using a local school on an adhoc basis. But it’s use is reliant on a club founder/member.

It also helped remind me if we had a positive answer to the question that an event needed setting up pretty quickly.

After a group messenger chat between Gavin, myself and Jonathan we had a venue for the Monthly meet-up. It was time to get the word out to club members.

Wednesday evening, Jonathan had unlocked, and was ready for members to arrive. But he’d forgotten one important thing on Monday when he answered in the positive. No kids at home, meant his partner was expecting to go out. You know, be adults for a rare occasion. Apparently playing board games isn’t on the radar for going out. Hopefully Jonathan wouldn’t be residing in the metaphorical dog house too long.

Not long after my arrival. Katie and the usual suspect arrived.

Whilst waiting for their other members to arrive we started a game of No Thanks! I made a major boob at the start of the game, I hadn’t realised Katie hadn’t played before! The number of games we have played and with who, I had just assumed we had played the game with her before. So after a quick run through of the rules play started.

While we were playing the other members arrived. One of whom bought a very pleasant surprise with them. That surprise being in the form of Ice Blasts, packets of sweets, tea bags and coffee for those that wanted a hot beverage. Wow! Colour me grateful and impressed. So I think a big big thank you is in order for Nathan and The Luxe Cinema for their generosity.

The new arrivals formed a second play group and after some chat and a sushi supper for a couple of them , started playing some games (and you can see which ones at the end of this post along with some photos).

After 2 games of No Thanks! the honours where shared between The Usual Suspect and myself.

Our groups second game of the evening was Men at Work. Which Jonathan had tried at UKGE and liked so much he bought a copy.

Jonathan and I disagree about this game. But there is also some common ground. Which is we both think that the game is fun. Where we disagree is that I prefer Tokyo Highway. I think Tokyo Highway is more tactical. And I enjoy that element more.

Don’t get me wrong there are some nice extra elements to this game. Such as the deck of cards that control what action you have to do on your go. Some of the actions can be quite fiddly. Basically you are either placing a worker or a girder on your go. But placing that worker could be made more complicated by the fact you have to also balance a brick and/or a steal bar on that worker. The cards also tell you the colour of girder(s) that you have to use as well. So the worker may have to be placed on only a white girder on your turn.

I like how you have 3 lives, that you track using little card board contract tokens. You lose a life if anything touches/falls to the ground on your turn or you control the building site. As soon as something falls off, control passes to the next player, you lose a life, and the next player has to clear up the debris before they can take their turn.

Not sure how I feel about the bonus point mechanic, that kicks in once a particular card appears in the deck. You earn these points for adding a new highest point to the structure.

The records show that Katie won this without losing a life. She was the last one standing.

Our next game was a blast from the past, a game that hadn’t seen the table for 3 years. That game was Traders of Osaka. It’s still a good game. I still think that the payday scoring is over complicated. But from last place The Usual Suspect managed to grab the win with a couple of really well times paydays that saw him grab lots of victory points.

Whilst the others played Throw Throw Burrito (it looks a very exhausting game, and not my cup of tea), Katie and I played Penny Lane. For much of our game Katie had the lead on victory points and I thought I was going to lose the game. But I did manage to catch up and trigger the end of the game. My last action was the top decking of a building that allowed me to complete a victory point icon, taking me to 11 points. Katie sitting on 8 points at that moment, managed to then grab a final 2 points taking her to 10. Talk about lucky. I basically top decked the win with my last action.

Thanks to Nathan I can share some of his photos that he took from the evening as well.

A great evening, I think everyone had a good time. Once again a big thanks to The Luxe for their generosity for providing the refreshments for the evening.

Games Played: No Thanks!, Men at Work, Traders Of Osaka, Penny Lane

Games Played by others: Get Bit!, Dead and Breakfast, Throw Throw Burrito

Last night at the Fenland Gamers temporary home for gaming we held a Friday evening gaming session.

Our main game of the evening was a long over due to the table favourite of both Jonathan and myself, Viticulture.

Checking with my game stats this hasn’t hit the table for 14 months. I like that the app I use allows me to check this sort of thing out (I have about 4 years worth of data now). However in situations like this you can’t help feeling guilty when you see just how long it is between plays of games you really like.

We played just the basic essentials version (without any Tuscany stuff other than that included in this edition already) plus the Moorland Visitors shuffled in. Although funny story Jonathan asked about that whilst we were playing and I had no idea. But Jonathan recognised one or two of the cards. So they must have been shuffled in!

Jonathan won with a no wine production strategy. Gaining that victory point each turn from the turn order track, and various visitor cards. I think he completed a single order. I finished a whole 4 points behind him, which an extra couple of actions would have been closed and forcing the tie breakers. I’m not sure the usual suspect really got the harvest/wine/order side of the game. He came in a far and distant last.

Such a great, great game.

Our second and last game of the evening was Citadels.

Now I won this. But an interesting question happened at the end. I triggered the end of the game with 7 buildings. However on the final turn of the round Jonathan was the warlord and destroyed one of my buildings. It wasn’t clear whether Jonathan destroying my building stopped the end of the game or we finished and scored.

I ruled the game ended, because it had been triggered on my turn. And there wasn’t anything that said otherwise. And that Jonathan was only denying me points in the end scoring.

A great evening gaming, with classics hitting the table, one long overdue. And thanks to Jonathan for the photos above.

Games Played: Viticulture, Citadels

Friday evening saw Jonathan, Diego, myself and the usual suspect meet up at a temporary gaming space to have a club gaming session.

Yes our regular hosts The Luxe are still going through the drawn out pains of their refit. So have no seated area for us to play in. I had during the afternoon, and on the way to the gaming session tried to get my gaming table from them, but they were shut. Which was a bit odd, because they were still showing films. It was also damn inconvenient. Although on my way home I did see a member of staff in the reception area.

Our first game of the evening was The River. A new game to me. Last September at the damp squib Tabletop Gaming Live I was able to get a play of it on one of the demo tables.

Jonathan picked this up second hand at the expo. I think it was even sealed! I’m glad he did.

So what do we have here with The River? Basically it boils down to two mechanics worker placement and engine building. Both mechanics I love.

Naturally the point of the game is to score the most points. And you do this by constructing buildings (that have a resource cost to build, and have a point value that’s scored at the end), which gives you a bonus token (worth points, unless you get a zero value one), have matching terrain tiles in a column, and the good ol’ swap resources for points. Some of the terrain tiles also give bonuses at the end, such as points for certain types of terrain. Or the one that helped me out, that made all bonus tokens worth one extra point (yep I didn’t mind zero point bonus tokens).

Those bonus tokens, are interesting as a mechanic. Only about half are worth any points, with half worth zero. The top of the pile is worth the most (6 points, and only one of those) then they decrease in value, until they are value less. Construct a building and take the top most token. So it pays to construct quickly to maximise the points you get for doing it. I had a really explosive first round and built a building and grabbed the 6 value token way before the rest were ready. I don’t think they built until round two.

The game also plays fairly quickly. Which is nice.

As your engine gets stronger I like how you lose workers at certain points. So like Wingspan, as certain actions get more powerful you get less of them to do.

This is a fun, solid intro style worker placement/engine building game.

For the record and the history books I won.

Our second game of the evening was Imperial Settlers: Roll and Write. Diego chose this one because he wanted to try it. Since I shared my thoughts about the game Portal Games have released rules so that the Adventure mode pads can be used in multiplayer games. You can read those rules here. It was kind of fitting that the history books will sing about Diego’s glorious empire. Yep he won.

We finished off the evening with another new game for me, Rhino Hero.

Mash UNO with a dexterity game and you have Rhino Hero. I think that says all you need to know about the game.

I enjoyed the game. Just as I did years ago my game of Exploding Kittens. I’d play it again. But it won’t find a home in my collection or list of games to add to the collection.

After going to extra time, and then penalties, Diego won.

It was a fun evening, great company. Great to try some new games. I think next time to balance things out, we should try and get games not played for a while to the table or something from our piles of shame.

Games Played: The River, Imperial Settlers: Roll and Write, Rhino Hero

Another month, another second Wednesday, another monthly meet up. This time for the month of April. Funny that. It also happened to fall on my brothers birthday, Happy Birthday little bro. Enjoy your last year of being in your forties.

Our first game of the evening was a learning game of the hidden role game Hail Hydra!

I still don’t think this game has been officially released in the UK, for whatever reason. Which is a shame I think it would sell well. I got my copy when it came out in the US last year. And it’s been sitting in the pile of shame ever since. Getting it to the table isn’t helped by the fact its minimum player count is 5.

While waiting for the others I set the game up based on the first time play rule sheet they include. Which is one of the things I like about the game. This is a read along, rules light version of the game that works really well. I liked how it taught the basic rules and flow of the game. And sets up using the full rules nicely. That step between the two rule sets is not big. With only a couple of small differences to learn.

Hail Hydra! is a fun game. Particularly a fun hidden role game.

I can see Gavin and John’s point about if you are consistently voted out of a mission of the game not being much fun. Although you are able to thin out your unwanted cards. I suppose the difference between this and games like The Resistance is the duration of a mission is longer in Hail Hydra! Not by much. But I think it felt longer for those sitting out. Plus those shield agents should of done a better job of not looking shifty.

The one time use character powers were an interesting addition to the full game. Although I think only two of us used our abilities.

Yeah this will hit the table again.

Our second and final game of the evening was Wingspan.

What can I keep saying about the game? Nine plays since getting it is massive really. I know John has played it more because he gets to play at home too. But even then compared to some online we have barely played the game.

This was Gavin’s first play of the game and despite initial reservations about the game, he actually enjoyed himself. Plus scored a very respectable 72 points.

Jonathan continues his nit picking over the fine details, like he doesn’t like the little plastic storage containers you get and has replaced them with plastic card containers. But he’s not the only one that doesn’t get on with them. They are a bit like marmite. I personally love them. Jonathan is currently looking at ways to track whether you have activated the pink ability of a card between goes. He does have a point in a five player game with a lot of those out it can be hard to remember who has activated what. There is a suspicion that a player unintentionally (I’m giving the player the benefit of the doubt considering who it was, and I don’t think it was me) did one twice between turns. I have a solution for him.

I will close the post with the almost cliche about great company and great hosts. It may sound that way. But it’s true. The monthly meet up folks are always great to see, play with and catch up with. The staff at The Luxe are always welcoming and helpful.

Last Wednesday stood out from the other Wednesdays that occur during March by being the second Wednesday of the month.

That was an important distinction, because the second Wednesday of each month just so happens to be the monthly meet up for our gaming group Fenland Gamers.

Games that hit the table that night were Reykholt, Wingspan and Perudo/Liars Dice.

It was great to have a good turn out (for us) of 7. On the whole our monthly meet ups tend to be our best attended meet ups. With the Friday fortnightly meet up usually getting three or four people turning up.

According to the Facebook club page we have 107 members. But as the above paragraph implies very few active/participating members.

We’ve tried different days for the sessions, based on feed back from members. But they have seen lower attendance. Often with the members who suggested the particular day not attending.

I think if my maths is correct our current home for playing is our fourth since the clubs birth. We’ve been lucky and found generous hosts that have allowed us to game for free. The locations have been a school, pub, hotel and currently a cinema. All with free parking, and no charge to attend (it’s part of the groups dna not to charge for attending).

So it makes us wonder just exactly how do we improve engagement/attendance?

Anyway last week was a good week for gaming. Not only was it the monthly meet up, but there was also a Friday evening gaming session.

The evening started off with a game of Via Nebula. This time we played with the more advanced side of the board. Still a quick, fun game.

But the big story of the evening a new member turned up with their copy of Tokyo Highway. Jonathan had been keen on playing this game. The name hadn’t rung any bells with me. But when he described it, the penny dropped. I’d seen photos/posts of Facebook but not really paid attention to them or the name of the game.

As the amount of photos I took shows visually this game is great table top theatrics. It looks fun and chaotic at the same time.

I may be wrong, but I think this might be the first dexterity game to hit the table at a game night.

I liked this a lot. It was a blast to play. The rules are pretty simple. But there is a bit of depth involved. You are planning your turn and adjusting your plans before your turn based on the actions of those before you. Trying to optimise that scoring opportunity.

The fact you basically have two modes to the game as well is also nice. The basic set up and the more advanced that uses obstacles as well.

Plus I won the first game, and was first loser in our second.

A very big thank you to The Luxe Cinema and it’s amazing staff for once hosting us last week.

I have four Martin Wallace games in my collection. But only one of them hadn’t been played before.

Via Nebula had been on my radar a while before it finally joined my collection last year. An opportunity to get a second hand copy for a bargain price cropped up on the Facebook page I hang out on. I say hang out, more lurk waiting for bargains to appear.

Last night at the fortnightly Friday meet up of Fenland Gamers (hosted once again by the ever generous The Luxe Cinema) after nearly a year sitting on the shelf gathering dust, it finally had a moment in the spotlight.

As usual for us, this was a learning game. I had watched a rules video briefly during the afternoon, and scanned the rule book. So I felt I had a good grasp of the basic ideas and flow of the game. Specifics could be dealt with as we played.

Set up is a doddle. We used the basic side of the board as recommended for first plays.

The headline is we loved the game. Three of use playing the game for the first time, learnt the game and finished it in under an hour.

The rules really are simple and quick to learn. On your turn you get two actions to take from five available things you can do. Although one of those options takes two actions to do.

I really do like the combination of route building and pick up and deliver. You get some really difficult decisions to make. Because you might want to place a meadow tile to open up a path you need to get a resource back to your building site. But by doing so it also benefits your opponents. Possibly giving them a route they can use to get a resource they need back to their building site.

The same goes for exploiting resources. It’s these decisions that make the game more tactical and have more depth than first impressions give with such simple rules.

It’s nice that the points scored by completing contracts and exploiting resources is hidden. It’s nice having that bit of mystery.

There is a lot of replay ability in the game. The random position of resources during set up, the random private contracts, and deck of open contracts. No two games will be the same.

Via Nebula is a fun game that will definitely be coming to the table again. Despite Jonathan wining the game.

We finished off the evening with a couple of games of Batman Love Letter. The honours were split between The Usual Suspect and myself.

It’s getting a bit cliched but we had a great evening gaming, at a fantastic host The Luxe Cinema.