The month started off really well with something that Charlene, Ben, and myself had been wanting to do for a year or two now. That was to play all four roll and writes by Ben Pinchback, and Matt Riddle.

But after such a great start the rest of the first half of the month has seemed like a struggle to get any gaming in. But I have, and here is what I’ve played so far this month.

The Quadrilogy

Fleet the Dice Game: The one that started it all. It’s fun. It’s definitely not a roll and write aimed at noobs to the genre. I’d say it’s intermediate level. The two sheets each player has might seem a bit intimidating, especially to new players. You can get combos but they are not excessive.

Three Sisters: This is one of the contenders for most complicated roll and writes going. It is so combotastic. It can get so hard to track what’s going on they give you a space on one of the sheets for notes! Granted it’s not a big space but still. Add in the two mini expansions and this game has a lot going on. Eight rounds, five actions per round, plus combos. It’s possible to get some insane turns where you are doing so much because you are comboing off.

Motor City: I felt a bit frustrated with the game. The previous time I played this I’m sure I did better progressing along the various tracks. But it’s still fun to play. It shares a similar draft action selection mechanic with three sisters. It also feels a little less combo focused.

French Quarter: Probably the least combotastic of the four. For me this is probably the weakest of the four. But it’s still fun.

FYI my rankings in order of least to best is, French Quarter, Motor City, Fleet the Dice Game, and at the top of the pile Three Sisters.

The rest of the month

Satori: worker placement but with no locking out locations. Each location can be selected no matter how many times it’s been used in the round. Which is kinda nice. But also removes a pressure and tactic from the game. But it’s a solid game. You can see one or two of its mechanics have been influenced by other games like Dune Imperium. And they have been implemented and integrated well with the rest of the game. This is well worth playing again.

Netrunner: this really is such a great two player game. So glad to be playing it again.

Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle Earth: this was a close game I almost destroyed the one ring. Sadly Saurons forces managed to take over middle earth. We played with the new Allies mini expansion and the two promo tiles. The Allies added a tiny little overhead, but had an even bigger tactical impact. Deciding which ally to use and when can have a major impact on the game. It was Marcin playing a second ally that allowed him to steal victory.

Tokaido Duo: a first play of this two player “version” of Tokaido. I really liked it. The dice drafting mechanic makes for some great decision making. Including having to hate draft despite really needing to take one of the other dice. You really can’t afford to concentrate on one particular path. You need to make in roads on all three with a preference for one of them.

New arrivals to the collection

Thought I’d add this section to the round up.

• Forest Shuffle: Dartmoor
• The Gang
• Halo Flashpoint Feet First Into Hell expansion
• Netrunner System Gateway – Remastered Edition
• Alien Evolved RPG (kickstarter all in pledge)