More "Try before you Buy" games I'd like to play

 

I do enjoy some Feld and I hear this is a good one. I like what I see but the game seems really brutal on players and gives them limited choices so that they're always suffering no matter what they do. Not really in to game like that, but I'd like to try it out all the same just to see. 

I've always had a soft spot for Queen Games and this one appears to have the makings of a "keeper" in my collection but for some reason I can't explain, I'm not on board just yet to pick up a copy before I check it out first. 

60 minis, easy rules and set up, quick game play. $25. REALLY tempted to go ahead and pick this one up. But is it too simple a game without much replay-ability? I'd love to find out first before I purchase.

 I almost pulled the trigger on Kickstarter for this one back in the day but help off. I like "Architects" but Paladin's looked atrocious and made me wary about picking this one up. All in all, it does look appealing and I wouldn't mind playing it before making a definite decision. 

Have a good weekend folks!

Tips for TI4: The Federation of Sol

 The only humans in the game and (what I feel) are the weakest of the bunch. That's not to say you can't win with them. I did. But it was without much help from their abilities to do it. 

You can spend one strategy token to place any 2 infantry onto a planet you control and you get one additional command token back per round. This is nice, but it's a tech that everyone will eventually get early on in the game so it doesn't give you that much of an advantage. 

The Commander allows you to place an infantry on one planet you control (per phase) and the Hero let's you take back all of your command tokens from the board and place them back onto your board. 

This doesn't really impress me unless you have some big crazy plan to mobilize your troops again. I used it after everyone started passing at the end of the phase, so that I could essentially get another turn uninterrupted by others. That was nice and it was a very productive round for me but overall I didn't feel like they were that powerful or balanced to begin with. 

So as for strategy, I guess take Rex and pray you can stock it with enough troops until trouble starts coming your way. I was lucky in the game I played with them because the other 4 players in the game got too involved with their own conflicts that they forgot about me fortifying Mecatol Rex before it was too late. 

If I get them again, I'll gladly accept the challenge but I really hope that doesn't happen when playing against my very tactical nephew. 

Time Stories Revolution: Experience (No Spoilers)

 So if you loved the meta story within the series (which I did) you must get this. It's an add on to the game when it continues the meta story, plus gives you a little "after adventure" at the end of every expansion you play. (except Damien) 

It follows after what came in the book and Madame. And it answers a LOT of questions. In fact, (minor spoilers) green slime and the reason we had to get time cubes and given a reason. 

Also, the events of Madame's ending are explained in thorough detail, leaving (in my opinion) no further questions unanswered. While it doesn't make up for the poorly executed ending to Madame, it was nice to at least get that information now. (They knew fans were livid)

With this add-on, the game let's you take on a character who, over time, will gain special abilities during the run of a game and afterwards in the mini-game of the future when you return from a mission. 

There are 9 story cards and after each game you play (in the Blue Cycle) you'll get to read more of how the meta story unfolds. 

So far, I like it. But so far we've been extremely fortunate by what card situations we've received.  

I look forward to see if the creators have taken more time and effort into the story since they obviously were lost in it towards the end. 

Get this if you care about the meta story. Honestly, I wouldn't be playing this season if it weren't for this. 

Tips for TI4: Sardakk N'orr

 The first species I ever played with and I lost....because I failed to stay true to what the species did best. 

War. 

This group has only one trait. A +1 in all battles for ALL units. It's insane. 

Playing with them, I never lost a battle. If I had stuck to battles I'd be undefeated today in this game. 

The Commander allows you to send troopers not only down on the planet you occupy in space, but in the next tile as well! Allowing you to conquer more planets within the same turn. The Hero allows you move your forces anywhere on the board after capturing a planet. This could lead to you taking 2 home planets on one turn. (if possible) I can't tell you enough what a boon that would be for the player. 

With this race, you fight and then you fight again. There's a few warrior races in the game but this one is a juggernaut. If I had marched straight down to Mecatol Rex at the beginning of the game, no one would've challenged me. They're just that powerful. 

Time Stories Revolution: A Midsummer's Night (No SPoilers)

Anyone out there a fan of Shakespeare? I'm not. But I still loved this expansion. 

I imagine someone who does, will LOVE this game. Even if they've never played Time Stories before. I also bet they made a lot of references to the situations and characters of his plays that flew right over the heads of my group. (who also don't care for Shakespeare) 

This is one of the few expansions that take you to "AT" or Alternate Time. Something we haven't seen since "Prophecy of Dragons" and like that game this was open world. 

The game uses "mcguffins" throughout the entire run that for us, didn't come unraveled until the very end because we didn't realize we had the items needed to trigger each card in our collection. 

For example say, one card says "You need the Golden Apple (Item 7) to get Item 18" And when you get Item 18, it turns out to be another item you next to get Item 42 and so on and so on. 

We thought we were stuck at the end because we'd been everywhere. That's when I realized someone in my group didn't realize he had the item we needed to start the chain of events. When we discovered that, the game ended in under a minute of fast and new found information coming in one after the other. 

I'm sure that's not how it was supposed to go but for us it was a lot of fun. Like previous expansions of the game, I'd play this one again in a heartbeat. Maybe next time we'll have someone who like Shakespeare enough to geek out and show us all the connections to his works within the game. 

I should also mention the twist at the end was incredible. I loved it. And even rewards the player playing the "meta story" BIG TIME at the end. 

But I'll talk more about that tomorrow. Overall, this expansion was another hit for the series!

 

Tips for TI4: The Clan of Saar

 Another unique race in the game that has an ability like no other. It's the only race that can continue to achieve objectives even without it's home world. 

Their factories are also the only ones in the game that are mobile and they gain a trade good for each planet they take over. I've won the game with them due to this. 

Commanders allow fighter and infantry to automatically go to any of your space docks when produced and your Hero completely obliterates anyone next to one of his space docks. 

In one word: Brutal

This is such a great race to play because you don't have to constantly guard your home planet. It doesn't matter. Plus, moving your Space Docks is probably the most powerful ability you have. I've never used the Hero's ability but it's a no brainer you would use it against Mecatol Rex or someone's home planet. 

Funny thing is, of everyone who's played this race, NONE have let it slip out what they're hero can do. They like to keep it as a secret weapon. It's become an unspoken code between players who have been that race before never to mention it to another. But with a movable space dock, forces are readily available to you, just about wherever you go. And that's why it's easy to win with this group.   

Time Stories Revolution: The Hadal Project

 NO SPOILERS

In this first adventure into the Blue Cycle you travel back to the year 2099 NT (I say "back" because you start farther in the future) to stop a virus from killing everyone on earth. 

Wild they came up with this story in 2019 huh?

Anyway, you're a team trying to find the cure and to do that, they game switches a few things up and gives you another way of playing Time Stories you never really thought of before. In fact, I thought it was quite genius myself!

I will had it to the franchise, I'm amazed at how they continue to amaze you with different ways to change up the basics of the game. Its what makes it so exciting for me today!

And though these are all individual adventures with NO over-arching meta story like in the last season (Also referred to as the "White Cycle") it isn't exactly true. There are trace elements of the meta story that you'll only experience is you play with a companion expansion to the game (which I'll talk about later this week)

Overall, I thought this story was good and a solid game. One of the things I failed to mention the blue cycle has is the EXCELLENT "interaction cards" 

Now, when you talk to a character on a card each and everyone of the players could (and most likely will) have a different discussion with them. For example, I may talk to this kids on the street who just sticks his tongue at me and walks away, while the next person does it and the kid decides to give him information....or an item!!!

I REALLY like that. And it takes the game to an entirely new level. Now one card doesn't say the same thing to anyone who accesses it. You may have several people who need to talk to an individual before getting the most out of the situation. 

Pretty smart. 

This expansion is well down and worth playing if you're interested in the series.  

Tips for TI4: The Naaz-Rokha Alliance

 When reading about them I didn't think they were that much to go off on. I went on to win with them the first time playing the expansion. 

They are masters of exploration. They pull 2 cards from the research deck whenever they explore a new planet. Their mechs can fight in space (not just on the planet) And most importantly, it only takes 2 shards (instead of three) to gain a relic. This was awesome. 

With my Commander unlocked I could re-explore any previous explored planet when I gained it from another player. The Hero allows you to take advantage of 2 secondary abilities of any unplayed Initiative cards AND allows you to gain another RELIC!!!

I lied earlier, because now that I remember I had 4 relics in the game (double the average in a game) when I played as this race. To my knowledge besides the Empyrean they are the only other race in which exploration is their power. 

And you can win by constantly exploring planets and gaining the bonuses that come out of it. It's a slow burn as first but by the end of the game I was able to pull away with a small lead in the end. 

Time Stories Revolution: Damien

 I usually do these reviews on my YouTube channel but since I've talked to death about it on there, I thought I'd switch things up and talk a little about the "Blue Cycle" or "Season 2" of the story here. 

NO SPOILERS

Damien was the promo game that was released before the actual games came out. Though hard copies exists they're very hard to get a hold of. Thankfully I got mine brand new for $35 and couldn't believe it. 

A free print and play version is available on Space Cowboy's website if you want to play it. 

Revolution makes many changes to the original game in that now there aren't any "runs" play happens over a single run with small "resets" throughout the game. 

Dice rolling is gone too and instead is a point based system with a random deck of cards to determine the outcome. 

Damien is a prequel to another expansion set to come out later this year....they think. It's actually been delayed for over a year and no one knows really why but the story takes place in the 50's as a group of kids try to track down the mystery of their friend Damien who disappeared. 

It takes about an hour to play and (like all demos) gives you  a taste of the mechanics and elements of the game. 

The new rules I'm not a fan of. I enjoyed dice rolling over card selection because at least you have some sot of interaction with the outcome by rolling your own die. Here you have a pre-determined card flip give you the pass/fail result and its anti-climatic in my opinion. That's the worst thing about this new version.

On the flip side, we did enjoy the game. It appears to move more quickly and not drag. The story and clues were interesting in this one, where you had to pay close attention to all the details in the game to resolve the end game "puzzle". 

It's not really a puzzle but more of a quiz to see how well you took notes. I liked that. Damien isn't worth tracking down a physical copy of but if you feel like making a nice print and play, it'll set you back around $30 at Office Depot. 

Up to you whether you think it's worth it. 

 

Tips for TI4: The Nomad

An expansion species I find very different from all the other. During set up, you have 3 agents instead of one. Giving you various traits at the beginning of the game. Plus, every time a vote goes your way, you get a trade token. 

It may not sound like much, but I have a plan on how I would play them if given the chance. 

The Commander once unlocked allows you to build your Flag Ship for free. Making one of the most powerful units in your army expendable and no cost to you. The Hero (for one phase only) can move your flag ship again and again, ignoring previously place tokens. 

And THAT is where you'd have to plan your power move at the end of the game. Go on a rampage and tear through the galaxy one that one turn to accomplish anything you needed. I've seen only 1 person play as this species and they never used any of their abilities so I'd love a crack at seeing what all potential lies unlocked with them. 
 

Things I don't miss due to COIVD (5)

 

I don't miss going to the movies at all. 

Sure it was fun when they were re-playing old movies. In fact, 2020 was the best year for movies that I can ever remember! But unless Hollywood goes crawling back into the shells again, I doubt the classics will ever come back. 

I'm content just sitting at home and waiting for everything to come out streaming. 

Have a good weekend folks!

Tips for TI4: The Nekro Virus

 Easily the most feared species in the game. Players avoid them at all cost (unless they're stupid) because like the Borg in Star Trek, all they have to do is destroy one of your ships and they can copy any tech you have regardless of perquisites needed to obtain. 

They don't vote on the council, so you predict the way the vote will go and get rewards if correct. This is a very powerful tool in the game because you can "target" another player by predicting they'll win it only to ensure the other players (maybe even you) make sure you don't. 

And if you ever take advantage of the "Research Tech" ability, it gives you 3 extra command tokens instead. Allowing for more actions in the round. 

A dangerous foe to say the least. Commanders let you draw an Action Card whenever a new tech is acquired. Heroes allow you to copy a species specific tech and converts the resources of whatever planet you took that round as trade. 

This crushing opponent can only win one way. Endless warfare. I do nothing but attack anything in my path when I'm this group. And most people avoid you in the first place, leaving valuable planets for you to take with firing a shot. 

The longer the game goes, the more their victory is inevitable. My nephew played with them last time we had a session and figured this out about halfway through. It's the closest I ever came to losing a game. If he'd have seen that strategy one round earlier, he would've won. 

That being said, I hope he never plays with this race ever again. 

Things I don't miss due to COIVD (4)

 It was cancelled this year, much to everyone's dismay but mine. I'm not sure if I'll be lucky enough to have it cancelled back to back years but if so it'll be the only shining light for me in this dark time of ignorance. 

This is a pointless celebration, that has ugly colors and makes you wait out in the freezing cold for hours just to get a few plastic beads.....no thank you. If only this holiday could disappear forever...then I could say "something good came out of COVID"

Tips for TI4: The Naalu Collective

 Hands down this is the most aggravating race I've ever had to oppose in the game, because regardless of who takes the 1st initiative token...you ALWAYS go first. Another power they have to to always get out of a fight with anyone. Making them slippery for the Nekro Virus to catch. 

For these reasons they've always annoyed me when playing against them. But that's not all. Their Commander allows you to create 3 fighters per build instead the average 2 and their Hero forces EVERY player in the game to issue them a Promissory Note. 

This was horrible because you don't unlock your Hero till later in the game. After which, a few Notes have already been exchanged saving some of the more powerful ones in the players hands. You'll get the best ones if you hold out long enough. 

When playing against them, I consider them the toughest opponent in the game. My nephew's first time to ever come close to winning was with this group and with that "0" initiative, he almost won it all. 

I haven't played with this race yet but when I do any smart player will quit the game before it starts. 

Things I don't miss due to COIVD (3)

 The ones around here are ALL the same. Junk venders wanted to sell useless nick nacks. Unbearable heat and over priced junk food. 

SO many have been cancelled this year and I don't miss a single one. If I want to by a necklace made from hemp, or a frame made from scrap wood, I'll just go to my nearest junk dealer. 

Tips for TI4: The Embers of Muaat

 Another race that EVERYONE loves to play with (including myself) mainly due to the fact that they start with one of the most powerful ships in the game...a War Sun. In addition to being the ONLY race to have the ability to fly through Supernova's they can also (as an action) remove a strategy token from their board to build 2 fighters and 1 destroyer and place them with the War Sun. 

If War Sun isn't enough for you, look what their leaders do:

Commander: Spending tokens from your strategy pool gives you a trade token. 

Hero: You can cause a planet to go supernova with your War Sun. (Except for a Home Planet or Mecatol Rex) 

Pure genocide. 

This is NOT a race to take lightly. Everyone in the game is on high alert when it comes to them. Most players won't get a War Sun in the game and if they did, it wouldn't be towards the latter half of the game. You START with one. Nuff said. 

Use this War Sun to your advantage to gain a quick early lead and once others gain the ability to challenge you in combat, coast for the last few rounds picking up enough point to cross the finish line before them. 

That simple. 

Things I don't miss due to COIVD (2)

 The county fair. Rickety rides that provide a built in safety hazard and cost WAY more than it's worth. I hated going to these every year and thanks to COVID, it looks like I'll get to go another year without them. 

Just something else to be thankful for. 

Tips for TI4: The Mentak Coalition

 One of the coolest races I've yet to play with. 

In battle your cruisers act like Destroyers and get "first attack". But the coolest ability they possess is that they're pirates. And any neighbor who accumulates more than 3 trade during card #5's action, you can steal one trade from each player. 

I love that. Very thematic. Every time I see people play as them they ALWAYS forget to do this. Just recently, the player playing as them didn't remember to do this and I always felt like it was detrimental to your game. 

Their Commander is powerful in that every time you win a battle the loser MUST give you a promissory note. Their Hero allows you (for one combat) to replace any players ship (you destroy) with one of your own, anywhere else on the board. Pretty cool. 

I find this race intriguing because they have so much opportunity to shake things up during the game. They feel like the Barony of Letniv but a little more devious. I would always use their pirating ability and unlock my Commander as quick as I could so as to collect those wonderful Promissory Notes. Attacking the same player again and again would be brutal because it would only force them to continue to give you more and more powerful notes you can take advantage of in the future. 

Like true pirates, you would prey on the weaker smaller armies across the board and THAT is why this is the perfect game because it forces you to stick with the theme of your race. 

Have I mentioned already how much I love this game?  

Things I don't miss due to COIVD (1)

 

I'm glad the circus has been cancelled for the past 2 years. They cost too much. Sell cheap garbage at high cost and really don't deliver anything you haven't already seen before. Maybe this will kill of this old past time for good. 

Tips for TI4: The Mahact Gene-Sorcerers

 In our most recent game, this was the race I played as...and it was the only thing that gave me the win. 

This group is ruthless. Where other "1st level" leaders help opponents, this race helps only itself. When attacking or attacked, you keep on of their tokens permanently in the game in your fleet supply, which allows you to allocate your other tokens on your playing board. 

Also, when you have one of their Command token on your board, you also possess the power of that races Commander as well. (which is nuts powerful) The Commander of this race allows you to activate a previously activated tile.... which is HUGE. And the Hero allows you to spawn anywhere on the board and attack another player without them having the option to retreat. (even with an Action Card) 

In our last game, everyone wised up to me and started taking out my forces all across the board. I had only my home planet and the one next to it are all that remained under my control...I should've been dead in the water. 

However, I realized I obtained just about everyone's token and with it, the power of their Commanders. I came back with a vengeance, using each of their advantages against them in battle. My Hero won the day when I was able to conquer a home planet and achieve a Secret mission to win the game. 

Let me be clear. Without the race, I would NOT have won. Only the groups combined attacked made me go full Super Sans on them in the final rounds of the game. I don't believe this race could ever be truly eliminated from the game because of this. 

If my group tries that again and I'm not this race....I'll be in a whole heap of trouble.  

So long for now Chuck!

 The girls love Chuck E Cheese but last month when we went it was horrible. 

The pizza (which is usually good) sucked. It took twice the amount of time to come out (and we were the ONLY customers in the store) 

The staff was extremely rude. When rides didn't operate, they never came to look at them, when my girls ended up with 196 points and both wanted rinky-dink toys, the guy wouldn't allow them to round up....4 tickets. 

And even though we were the ONLY ones in the store, the manager scolded me for not wearing my mask. (something I saw her pull down and walk around in the kitchen when she thought no one was watching)

Thankfully Megan said we would wait (a very long time before coming back) Because me? I wouldn't come back again even if they paid me! 

Tips for TI4: The Barony of Letnev

 Another race I've played with before that I enjoy a lot. To me they appear to be one of the more "balanced" races in the entire game. 

Trade is essential to get however because for each 2 trade you use during combat, you're allowed to reroll any number of dice. Plus the size of your fleet is always +2 to the tokens you have in the area. Allowing you to have many more ships than your opponent in most cases, during combat. 

During battle with your Commander whenever you sustain damage you gain a trade token and your Hero can (for one entire phase of the game) have an unlimited number of ships in one army....and THAT is when you make your big move. 

Whatever it is you want, whether it be a home planet or Mecatol Rex, you can get it with that card. This is another warrior race that possesses a lot of tricks up their sleeves. They also have some tech specific to their race which makes them extra cunning in battle. I love playing as them and I avoid combat with them if ever another player has them instead. 

When played right, you shouldn't lose that many times in battle during the game. So pick which battles you want to engage in...and dominate the game. 

Odysee

 Just found out about them last month and what I've seen so far, I like!

Much better than YouTube in a lot of ways. Thinking of starting a new channel on there. 

Check it out. 

Tips for TI4: The L1z1x Mindnet

 Another cool race that spells their name with numbers, which I always found interesting. 

When you gain control of a planet with a PDS canon or space dock, you switch it out with one of your own at no cost and all of your ships can bombard a planet during a ground battle. 

These people thrive on conquering worlds and that's exactly what you need to do to win the game. My nephew loves this race due to their warfare nature and discounted Dreadnaughts. I've played with them as well and breaking down planet after planet with this race is an indescribable thrill. 

Your Commander unlocked means no one is safe from your bombardment, even if they have the "Planetary Shields" technology. Your Hero can move any number of ships to an area carrying no ships, so be wary of other players who carelessly leave their home planet unguarded because no one is around. And if you happen to take that players home planet. I doubt they'd ever be able to take it back. Rendering them helpless for the rest of the game. 

This race is BRUTAL and should be played with aggressively if you want to win. 

What I miss from Taco Bell

 The Volcano taco was THE BEST thing Taco Bell had going for it. I never crave the Bell anymore but when it had this on the menu....I couldn't resist! 

I wish they'd bring it back someday. Nothing else they've come out with since has brought me the urge to go here as much as this item did. 

Also it was fun going through the drink thru and calling it a "pink taco" and having them go ahead and take your order.....loved it. 

Tips for TI4: The Universities of Jol-Nar

 I love this race. Every player does. 

They're the tech nerds. You can always use the primary ability of the Tech Action regardless on whether you claim it or not. And you'll never have to claim it because someone ALWAYS gets it every round. So you'll be getting tech upgrades faster than anyone in the game. You can also ignore one prerequisite item for tech, allowing your to bounce around the tech tree. However, due to all of these incredible powers, you're a -1 in combat. 

The Commander allows you to re-roll once in battle each round. Their Hero allows you to trade your existing tech for any new ones if you want, which would completely throw the entire group off balance and your path to victory in a different direction altogether. I love it. 

The way to win is through technology. Don't let the -1 in combat bother you. You'll be the most advanced race in the game guaranteed. No one will be able to stop you whatever tech goal you decide to go for. You will ALWAYS be the superior race when it comes to tech and people will fear you because of it. 

Sure they may have more power but battles look like a hundred of them with swords and you with a machine gun on top of a hill. The possibilities to victory are endless.  

"New" Coke Zero

 Coke Zero started off in a black can and slowly moved back to red as the original color of the main drink. Now it looks almost identical to the regular can. So much so, that when looking for it a few weeks ago I couldn't find it until Megan pointed the new design out to me. 

They say it's a new flavor. But has it changed?

Yes! And it taste more like regular Coke. I'm not sure how they pulled it off. But it's pretty good. Glad I tried it!

Tips for TI4: The Emirates of Hacan

 Another race I've never had the pleasure of being but would LOVE the opportunity. First off....because they're a race of lion like species....and that's cool no matter what you say. 

You get to replenish your commodities for free. You can trade with anyone on the board not just those who are next to you. And only you can trade Action Cards when negotiating a  deal. They are the masters of trade. 

Your Commander allows you to count trade goods as 2 additional votes. You Hero allows you to produce as many units as are allowed per Fleet board....at no cost. An incredible ability. 

The first time I ever played this game someone one with this race, so I know exactly what you need to do. Win by trade. 

Trade can be resources and Influence x2. With it, you not only have boundless resources at your disposal but you become a threat in the political realm too. You carry the most potential for trade and everyone will want to make a deal with you. Take advantage of that until they realize their gain was half of your success to the top. 

By the end of the game, it was evident the girl playing this race was going to win. She was so powerful, she couldn't be stopped. I've been enamored with them ever since.

Look at that face.... I ain't lion!

Fireball Island: Formosa?

 One of my favorite board games slyly released a mini-pack expansion in another country under the radar with NO announcement. 

Don't know too much about it but that it consist of these 5 cards. I wonder if they'll provide an english translation in the upcoming expansion once its announced? 

Interesting none-the-less.  

The problem with the gaming community

 Recently, Suzzanne Sheldon of the Dice Tower falsely accused someone of being a white supremist without proof. She continued her crusade until she got the CEO of the company eliminated from boardgamegeek and kicked out of Gen Con. 

I've never liked her and this shows exactly what a horrible hateful low life she really is. 

Evil people like her is what will kill this industry I love. 

I hope the masses wake up and understand that bullies like this should be stood up to and we shouldn't tolerate their gatekeeping of the community.  

 They're everywhere these days. 

The say everyone should wear a mask and be careful, yet when they don't think the camera's on you see they really don't care. 

Over the past week's I've seen Mayor's, Governors and even hypocrite friends out on town without a mask, showing they really don't care about the masks they continuously preach about to others. 

They won't go to church for "safety concerns" however, they'll go out to eat with 12 others friends in a crowded restaurant, not post any pictures but get busted on the website when they post the birthday party photo. 

Hypocrites. Plain and simple. 

Tips for TI4: The Empyrean

 I remember when I first read this race, I didn't think they were that powerful....then I saw them in action in one our games. 

First off, unlike every other player, Nebula's do not stop their movement. You can also move through or allow others to move through your ships in space if you wish. Something that NO tech will allow you to do in the game. 2 players can't even agree to do that on their own. They MUST fight if their two armies cross paths. 

You also have 2 species specific promissory notes  which would be very attractive to any player to obtain. 

Their commander allows you to reclaim your command token if ever another player enters into the same space. So essentially you are getting an extra action for anyone who attacks or moves past you (potentially) 

Their hero allows you to place and explore extra frontier tokens from the supply to all ships located on "space" tiles only. 

The frontier tokens as more powerful than the planet ones and require a special tech to be able to research them. A tech that this race begins the game with. 

Strategy? Explore every square part of space, acquiring excellent bonuses along the way before anyone else can claim the technology. Win the game through negotiation, since you won't be perceived as that big of a threat.  

Also, dark shards are the most coveted in the game since they count as "wild cards" to obtain relics. Combine this strategy with exploring planets and you may end the game with a record amount of Relic cards, which are the most powerful ones to obtain in the game. (most times you only can get one or at the max 2) It wouldn't surprise me if this race was able to collect 4 or more during the game. 

I think everyone would underestimate this race until it was too late and suffer the consequences. I remember my nephew got them and figured out the strategy about halfway through the game. He could have one if only there had been one more round in which to score. That's when I realized how good they really were. 

Jaws The Revenge (Novel review)

 Whew....and you thought the movie was bad. 

The book is based off the original script which had major changes to it during development. 

Interestingly, the book makes more sense as to why the shark pursues them halfway around the world into warm waters. And Hoagie is given a way more in depth plotline in it. 

But overall, it's a boring read. The story drags really bad and is uninteresting for 2/3 of the book at least. 

I'd even say that the movie (though non-sensical) is better. And that's saying a LOT. 

Oh well. At least I'm done with the series now and don't have to read it ever again. 

Have a good weekend folks! 

Tips for TI4: The Ghosts of Creuss

 Probably the top race I've never played that I would DIE for. 

You get to use both A and B wormholes interchangeably during the game. In addition, you get a +1 movement on ALL you're ships when traveling through a wormhole. 

One of your special tech is a one time "C" wormhole you decide where to place. If playing with the expansion, you also get to place a "Y" hole anywhere you want during the game as well. 

Your Commander can restock one fighter per phase on to any of your carriers and your Hero....can switch any tile with one that has a wormhole on it. 

This race would be EPIC to win as. 

What you do, is unlock your special tech as fast as you can. Take Mecatol Rex, unlock your Hero and just when you're about to lose Metcatol Rex with an upcoming army.... switch out the tile and move it as far away from folks as you can. 

I know it's a lot but if played correctly, I think it'd be a win folks would talk about for years to come. 

Jaws 2 (Book Review)

 A few years ago I read the original novel while on our annual family beach vacation. 

This year I read the sequel by Howard Sackler and Dorothy Tristan. Peter Benchley (who wrote the first one) did not want to write anymore and even had regrets for writing the first novel since it led to the severe hunting of sharks afterwards. 

The novel's not bad and adds a lot you don't see in the movie. Probably what it does best if tie both the book and the novel all in one. 

For example, what's discussed in the novel but NOT in the movie is the affair between Brody's wife Ellen and Hooper. In this sequel it acknowledges that affair yet doesn't tell you what became of Hooper. (Hooper died in the novel but not in the movie)

I really liked that. 

Overall, a very enjoying read (though Brody doesn't discover the shark until the last 50 pages of the novel) 

Worth your time if you were ever interested in checking it out. 

Tips for TI4: The Argent Flight

 An expansion species that packs a HUGE punch in the game. 

In the political arena they shine, especially when playing the max players. They get a vote for every player in the game, including themselves. We played with 8 players when this species came out and they were UNSTOPPABLE in getting their way on most votes. It's had to be a joint effort just to take them down. And if you don't think you can win the game through politics....you don't know this game. 

Another cool thing they can do during a battle is decide which one of your big ships sustain damage during a battle. (when needed) That can be dangerous, because if it's between a destroyer or a Flag Ship and War Sun... because if they choose AND anyone (including the Flight) has the action card "Direct Hit" you're screwed. 

Really powerful. 

In battle, their commander allows you to choose one unit that rolls a bonus die. And their Hero can move any unmoved forces, anywhere on the board. That's a lot of power if used right. 

Here's the clear path to victory. Politics. Save you Influence heavy planets for the voting round and dominate the outcome to your liking. Or demand others give you things in exchange for swaying your vote, since whatever you say will most likely win. As for your Commander? Top priority is to unlock him and give your best ship the extra die. 

Everyone would think twice if your War Sun was more powerful than anyone else's in the game. 

I love political heavy opponents. I think this is another strategy that most players forget to take advantage of when they play.  

Pig (review)

 In this movie Nicholas Cage stars as a hermit living in the woods, who hunts truffles with his pet pig. When the pig is kidnapped in the middle of the night and stolen from his home, Cage must re-enter the world he abandoned over 15 years ago to find it. 

But his character "Rob" has a familiar past life that a lot of people in town know. 

This is actually a great film. Not Cage's best but surely up in the Top 5 for me. Cage plays a wonderful character and the mysteries laden throughout the film pay off in the end. Bit of a surprise for me because I didn't know what to think when I'd first heard of it. But it's a solid movie that's worth your time to see!

Tips for TI4: The Arborec

 I've never had the privilege of playing with the race but I will say they are one of the most underrated and under utilized races in our game. 

People who play them are always disappointed with their ability to only produce one infantry on a planet they control. 

But there's a simple strategy that would almost guarantee a win. 

At the start of the game, make a bee line for Mecetal Rex with your starting 4 infantry. Colonize it and every turn plant another troop on the planet. The longer you're there, the harder the planet is to be lost. This guarantees you a point every round on top of any objectives you accomplish in the mean time. 

Their Leader can produce an infantry on any planet that's attacked and their hero can produce anywhere on any planet they own, limited only to their resources. 

This is incredible. I'm shocked whenever I see people who don't see the obvious strategy here. If I ever get this race, it's exactly what I'd do. 

Val (review)

 A good thing on Amazon Prime is the documentary of one of my favorite actors. It's through his point of view but chronicles his life from childhood to his recent bout with throat cancer. 

Very interesting to watch. Lots of home videos (shot by Val) throughout his career that really make the documentary interesting. From childhood videos to behind the scenes of some of his hit movies, I think there's something for everyone to enjoy here!

I loved it. It also made me realize I need to start taking my video footage of the girls as they grow up. Those images and memories will be priceless in the years to come. 

Tips for TI4

 

It's no secret that this is one of my favorite games of all time. And though I haven't yet made my list for my top Board Games for 2021, this stands a good chance of reclaiming the title. 

Something I've always wanted to do was give tips on playing the game. The best advice (I give to all players) is play into the strengths your race excels in. If you do that, you have a great chance at victory. But if you try to play you're own strategy (one you stick with every time because you think it'll work) You have doomed your chances entirely. 

But what are the strengths of each race? And what's the best strategy once you know who you're playing at? 

Well for the next few weeks, I want to give you my tips on how I've played these races in the past and with some of those I haven't played with (mainly in the expansion) give you tips I how I WOULD play them if I got them. 

I'll be including the expansion and leaders from each race as well. 

See you tomorrow for when the hourney begins!

Bliss (review)

 I decided to watch this due to the intriguing story from the trailer and Owen Wilson. 

Sadly, it's a mess of a movie that can't decide what it wants to tell. 

Owen Wilson is a guy living a crappy life until he meets Cruz, who appears crazy but convinces him (and the viewer) that he's living in a fake world. (like the Matrix but less similar)

The films puts out a lot of questions that never get answered, which turns the entire movie into a mess of cryptic shots and scenes that never pay off. 

Sadly, this one was a waste of time. If you're cruising through Amazon Prime....skip it.  

Board game group needed

 My board game group has fallen apart. Marriage, kids, college, jobs or just moved away. I don't have that many people to play with anymore. 

I knew it would happen after August. I should have started asking them to bring a friend to try and keep the fire going. 

Where am I going to meet new gamers? Work? Nope! And the only gaming store here in town is really just Magic and Minis. No actual board gamers. 

My nephews will play every once in while, but video games and stupid YouTube videos of this moron playing Minecraft occupy most of their time these days. 

Megan HATES the hobby and will only play simple roll and move games of her own. 

I got a slew of games in my collection....and a table for one. 

Cable Cutting

 We never watch cable anymore. It's worthless and overpriced. I'm done with it. Cancelled it last month, NEVER going back. 

Have a great weekend....I am. 

Welcome to the Dictatorship

 Kneel. Obey. Comply. 

Biden is intent to kill freedom in America and his first step towards a dictatorship started today. 

Skills I wish I had (5)

This is the talent I wish I had the most. I wish I was more of a handyman. These guys make things look so easy and though I'm willing to learn I'll never master half the things they do. 

YouTube videos DO NOT help. It appears every situation is different in my case when I need something fixed so I'm constantly looking for answers from them. 

By the way, it took 15 pictures to finally get one of these to load for the post today. I have no idea why. 

Skills I wish I had (4)

 

I wish I could draw....or have the patience to draw. Some folks have a natural talent for it but me? I really suck at it. 

I used to draw my own comics years ago and kind of want to pick the hobby back up but there really isn't anyone who'd read them anymore so I don't. 

When I've taken the time in the past, I've put up nice things here and there, but overall nothing amazing. 

I do miss drawing comics from time to time, but if I ever do it again it'll be when the girls get a little older. 

Skills I wish I had (3)

 Wish I knew more about for YouTube. I'd gladly learn if someone could teach me but sadly I don't know anyone who can. Sure would make my YouTube videos stand out. I pick up a trick or tip here of there but mostly I stick to what I know. 

And what I know....isn't much!

Happy Labor Day folks!

 Also my anniversary but no one really cares about that. :) 

For Sale by Clueless

 We looked at a house that I helped build in high school with the workers decades ago after the house had burned down years earlier. 

We'd known the owners and I'd always liked the house so I thought we'd make a bid for it. 

The lady who owns it is selling it on her own. According to Zillow she had it on the market for most of 2020, took it down and re-posted it back in May....with no For Sale sign in her yard and 95 pictures of the home. Of which, only 12 looked to be of the rooms. The rest? 40 pictures of her plants and another 43 pictures of various antiques and art in her house. 

It was obvious to me she didn't know what she was doing. 

But I knew the house and wanted Megan to see it. She loved it. The lady was nice and let us know the A/C needed to be replaced. ($14,000) The roof had also  been over 1 years since it was new and would eventually need a new one in the next few years ($35,000)

Due to those expenses and the fact she'd had it posted for so long with no interested, we decided to offer her $400,000. A fair deal. 

She came back with a counter offer $500,000.

She figured her house was suddenly worth more than the $450,000 she had listed it for over a year. 

She has no idea what she's doing. 

When looking at a new home folks, steer clear from the "For Sale by Owner" signs. It's almost a sure clue that the owner has NO clue what they're doing. 

We're looking at other sensible home owners to purchase from now.