Survivor 44 Review

 Well....I guess.

Jam jam, was funny but I don't think deserving to win. 

It was nice in some way that everyone was very civil and respectful during tribal council and they knew it was "just a game" but I do miss the hurt feelings of betrayal the show used to carry. 

The season as a whole was "meh". Carolyn was insane but entertaining. But once again, no one stood out from this season. Jeff Probst kept begging people to apply to be on which makes me wonder if less people are applying for the show these days. 

I HATE that they don't do a reunion show. There's a lot of people I would've like to have seen again but didn't make the jury so weren't in the finale. Though the fake idol reveal was done by Jeff, Matthew should've been the one to reveal it. 

From a recent interview with Probst, it doesn't look like Survivor is ever going back to that format because....well, it's cheaper this way. Which is the REAL reason no matter what they say.

To be honest, I'd like to play but the game has changed SO much that I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much. Meaning, the players seem...lame? Maybe I should apply. With such soft players I might stand a chance!

I'm not looking forward to 45. It appears to be more of the same. But I'm enjoying the foreign versions of Survivor right now so I've got plenty of seasons to watch until 45 premieres. 

Boardgame Purge 2023 (13)

 

Great battle game but at it's core it was nothing more than that and I've grown as a gamer since first acquiring this into my collection. It came with a super rare promo card which added to its value. 

This was an economic game that only I enjoyed. I couldn't get anyone to be excited about it as I was. It was like pulling teeth to get people to agree to play with me, so I sadly let it go.  

Boardgame Purge 2023 (12)

Great game but has a BAD runaway leader problem. I'm not sure if the new version fixed that or not but this game has MASSIVE value and it was a no brainer to let it go. 

I enjoy the game, but it's for kids. And I have several other kid games in my collection so I decided to part ways with it. 
 

Boardgame Purge 2023 (11)

Another game I love but rarely hit the table. Plus, my nephews never figured out how to be subtle and lost terribly each time. Trade value was high, so I let it go. 

 Fun pick up and deliver game but like I said earlier, I have too many "filler" games so this one had to go too. 

Boardgame Purge 2023 (10)

Bible version of Pandemic. Loved the game but coops and my group never got a long so I had to purge it. I did think twice before pulling the trigger on this one. 

 No one cared about the game but me. Megan will NEVER play it, which was the final nail in it's coffin. 

Boardgame Purge 2023 (9)

There's only one strategy in this game. Build the entire set of one colored cow and cash it in. I wish there was more to this game but thee isn't. Great ideas, awesome look...but it's the same strategy time and time again. 

 This game is worth tons because it was a DisneyLand exclusive I picked up years ago. Trade value was high so I cashed it in. 

No regrets for this roll and move snore fest of a game. 

Have a good weekend folks!

Boardgame Purge 2023 (8)

This one lost it's luster for me over the years. I hate how one player can ruin it by only going to one site over and over again to dig, making it impossible to score most of the museum cards at the end. The trade value was high, so I parted ways with it.  

 At it's core, it's a card game. I liked the theme but it wasn't enough to save it from the purge. That and Megan never once cared to play it with me, which was the initial reason I'd bought it in the first place because I was looking for games I thought she'd enjoy. 

Little did I know the only thing that would bring her happiness is the nights I don't have a game group over. 

Boardgame Purge 2023 (7)

Yes, even my beloved Queen Games weren't immune to the purge this time around. This was one of my lowest ranked Queen game so I knew I couldn't play favorites and let it go. 

 Simply put. I wanted the Queenies for the game and they're unattainable so I let the game go. Just like Cubo, I liked the game but the queenies would've made it better if I could have gotten my hands on them. 

Boardgame Purge 2023 (6)

My nephews refuse to play this game ever again. I don't know why, but they hate this dice rolling area control game. Yet that was only half the reason I let it go. The other was that I have a lot of these filler games and needed to get rid of a few. 

It doesn't clear up much shelf space but oh well. 

 Wonderful game but for some reason my nephews struggled with the concept. I don't think it's heavy enough for adult gamers so I released it from my collection. 

Boardgame Purge 2023 (5)

In our last session my nephew and I discovered an unfortunate broken rule in the game. You don't have to put your soldiers out on the wall. In fact, it makes no sense to do it in the first place where they can be injured. 

Instead, keep them inside the walls and only use them for invasions. Buy tons of mercs, have them fight and keep your score low enough to never get sacked! Once we saw that was the easiest path to victory that everyone should take, the game was over for me. 

Lovely worker placement game but I bought Atelier I knew this game was doomed. It's only played once a year so it had to go. 
 

Boardgame Purge 2023 (4)

 

Lovely game, with only 3 actions to choose from on a turn. Beautiful board, fun game....and the AP of my gaming group when playing this was OFF THE CHART! 2 1/2 hours each time and I have no idea why. But instead of being the light fun game it was designed to be, it became a drag every time I brought it out. 

Don't know why my group had so much trouble with this simple game but I couldn't take it anymore and had to let it go. 

Recent addition that wasn't getting to the table as much as the year before. I also hate the player colors in the game. Very bland. I also felt there wasn't that much of a difference between the planets you scored so the game didn't seem to have much replayability. 

Have a good weekend folks, I'll be back with more next week!

Boardgame Purge 2023 (3)

 

My gaming group hates coops. So I had to shed a few from my collection. I hate this was one of them but there was no interest. My dreams of playing with the "Dirty Cop" scenario was never going to happen so I gave up on the dream. 

Roll, move, fight. Great minis. Simple fun. But I have several other "simple fun" games already and didn't need this one anymore. 

Santa Bowl Update V

 Can you believe it's already been another month closer to the Santa Bowl? 

Today I just wanted to show you what's come in!

It doesn't look like much but it's 48 flags for the big game!

My last ones we used were Green and Yellow, these are blue and red. I tried finding a red/green combo but it didn't exist. So these should do fine!

We're a long way off but each month the big day is approaching!

Boardgame Purge 2023 (2)

 

I have Super Battle. It's the better game. This one's great...if you don't own Super Battle. It was time for it to go. 

Fun game but just like a lot on this list it was only getting one play a year and wasn't worth keeping space on my shelf. 

Boardgame Purge 2023 (1)

 So what games left my collection due to a massive trade?

Here we go!

I have Conquest of the Empire, which is just a better produced game. Honestly, I would've kept this one if it didn't have paper money that was all the same color, a score track and specific colored pieces for vehicles so "hoarding" wasn't an issue in the game. 

So this one had to go. 

It was hard to get to the table. No one wanted to play it with me anymore and the chances of having that epic 6 player game was never going to happen. It's trade value was more worth than keeping it on my shelf and forcing it on my nephews once a year. 

Noble Knight Games

 I made the biggest board game trade EVER with this company and I have to say....it was worth it. 

No fuss, easy and super nice people. I'd definitely consider a bulk trade with them again in the future. It's just easier than trying to sell games individually, or give them away (which is what I used to do)  

At least this way, I get to thin out my collection AND grab a few new board games for it too. 

Awesome company. If you haven't considered them in the past, I encourage you to do so if you want to dump some games out of your collection. You'll get around 60% of their worth in trade (less for garbage games) but they take it all and I'm not complaining about that!

I plan on talking about all the games I let go starting next week. 

But until then, have a good weekend folks!

May the Fourth Go to a Galaxy Far Far Away

 And so we've arrived once again at a "Holiday" I never cared about even when I was a Star Wars fan. 

But it won't stop all the text messages I'll get today, giving me the same message because everyone knows I (used) to love Star Wars. 

Sure I still love the old books but any new content I couldn't care less about. 

Oh well...Cinco is tomorrow and Megan's going to be bugging me to go out to a Mexican restaurant with HALF the town that night!?

Instead, I'd rather slide by Taco Bell and call it a night instead. We'll see how it goes. 

Virginio Gigli

 My favorite designer. I love all the games I have of his so far (and plan on eventually getting them all but the one from Haba) 

I think he's amazing! Each game is great in its own way. I look forward to seeing what he comes out with next because whatever it is....I'm buying!

New Found Glory: Make the Most of It

 I've been a long time fan of this band and the only one that beats them is Weezer in my opinion. I got around to listening to their newest album last month and....it's not for me. 

A very mellow mature sound that is unplugged and a far cry from their punk style albums. I get it. They're getting older and appreciating slower paced music. It's not a bad album but nothing you can sing along with your friends in the car to. 

I'm glad they're still making albums...I just hope this is it for their "mellow" stage. 

Zebrahead LP's II and III

 One of my favorite bands and I haven't kept up much with them lately, so finding out they released a few LP's in the last year or so was a pleasant surprise when I decided to revisit their music lately. 

I have to saw, both albums aren't that bad and have a few winners in each of them. Not crazy about the art but then again, Zebrahead is anything but repetitive in their album covers. 

Overall, it was fun and I'd definitely listen to both of them LP's again in the future.  

NEW Ghost Flavor reviews!

 They've been out for a few months, but I've only recently come across them to try them out so I wanted to give my review of them both.

This is the best Cherry Limeade I've ever had. Better than anything at Sonic where the drink first originated. It taste like actually Cherry and Lime juice were added into the drink. Amazing how fresh it tastes!?!

Certainly one you should try out. 

And certainly another flavor you should try if you like sour. It's not that sour but tastes exactly like a sour green apple!! I was shocked when I tried it!

I don't know what Ghost is doing to make their drinks taste so authentic but they're certainly leading the "Energy drink" wars in my opinion. This is some of the best stuff on the market! If it wasn't so expensive to get, I'd be drinking it a whole lot more!

The disappearing Game Group

 There was a time where I had 8 people in my gaming group and I split them up to come over every other week. For a long time I was even entertaining 6 at a time with a 2-player table to rotate out of. 

And for Zombiegeddon I had 16 people playing at the same time!!!

Today I have a fraction of the gaming group now. 

2 couples left. 4 total. And one couple is leaving at the end of the year. 

Of my nephews, only one still plays with me. 2 are completely out and another will only play if there's no video games or YouTube's videos around to watch. 

I'm trying to get my nephews friends into playing more. We played TI4 last year and Time Stories this year. I introduced them to other games one night but haven't had them over since (due to school and other activities they have)

I'm a little worried on what to do if my gaming group goes away. 

My girls turned 4 but are a long way from playing games on a regular basis with me. At the very least they could stat playing some of my vintage games (which is something) but it'll be another 6 to 7 years until they're old enough to play older games with me. 

Just have to hold on until then...

The problem with Dice Tower

 

Just finished watching their Top 100 they did at the first of the year and I couldn't stop shaking my head. 

These guys list exclusive, foreign or kickstarter releases that most of the public doesn't have yet. Deluxe or special editions of a game are mentioned in each video making the statement clear "they're better than you"

Then they make fun of the people's Top 100 like a bunch of snobs looking down from their castle and scoffing the "common man's" taste. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not much for other games people love but to make such an arrogant Top 100....I don't think I'll be able to watch this again. It took me weeks just to make it thru this years and that's only because I felt like I had to. 

How can someone so involved with the business be so out of touch with its fans of the hobby?

Happy Birthday to the Pumpkin Heads

 Doesn't seem that long ago when they looked like this. 

Now I have two 4 years olds. 

And they're both stinkers but Daddy loves them!

What's planned for today? Well...probably McDonald's Happy Meals, then the playground, then spankings when the get home for fighting with one another. 

Happy birthday girls!

Things on BGG that annoy me.

 I love this website, but there are certain things I find annoying when looking at making trades on the site.

1) When people "Want" something in Trade yet have NOTHING listed to trade it for. 

2) The want a top shelf game but only have versions of Scene It, Monopoly and other bargain bin crap to trade for. Like who would ever want to make a trade like that?

3) No response given for a suggested trade. Instead of saying "No thank you" and declining, they'd rather let it sit there and expire instead. What's the point?!

 

Why do I want this game?!

I love Catan still to this day. It's an excellent game and my only regret is not holding my annual "Catan-a-thon" in Januarys. (though when the kids get older I'm bringing it back I hope!)

With the base expansions its a game that never gets old. 

So WHY do I want the 3D versions of the game? I swear, if they come out with a 3rd 3D version featuring "Traders and Barbarians" and "Explorers and Pirates" I'll have to sell my car to buy them all. This game looks BEAUTIFUL but to get all 3 (providing the last one comes out) would run up to $900!!! I can't justify that?!?

 But I want the 3D version of the game....ooooohhhh....time to google "How to rob a bank"

Have a good weekend folks! 

Why would I want this?

 I love Viticulture. It's always been a Top 10 game for me (and continues to be) So why would I want a coop version of the game? I don't. 

It doesn't look like it adds that much and from what I've seen in gameplays, feels very easy to beat. Sure I was watching the first "level" of the game but if money is needed for space upgrades than why not sell all your land and max out the board at the very beginning of the game? 

Talking with me nephew about it and he agrees. It seems like an easy way to win every time. I could be wrong and I guess I'd play this at BGG Spring Con if I had the time but still....I don't see a need for this game. 

Maybe its just me. 

Marlowe (Review)

 This was Liam Neisson's 100th movie so I thought I'd try it out. His last 2 I watched have been underwhelming, so I was hoping this one would be better.

He plays a dectective in 1939 Hollywood, searching for a missing person for a rich mother and daughte connected to a film studio. The person may even be dead. 

The scenery, shots and set pieces for this movie look amazing! Really good looking film. 

Unfortunately that's the ONLY thing it has going for it. The characters are dull and the plot is dizzy to follow. Sadly, it was another stinker which makes me think he's done getting good roles anymore. Sure he can't do action like he used to, but it looks like he can't do drama either. 

PASS. 

BGG Spring Con Wish List (5)

 

Legacy game, meets mystery game, meets....Where's Waldo. This could be an excellent game but I really want to play it before making the plunge for all 3 games (plus mini expansions because I'm a completist)

Believe it or not, I bought this game on Ebay only to be scammed! Thankfully Ebay was able to get my money back and I've dropped the idea of adding it to my collection altogether because I think this is one I need to play before I pay. 

More than one person in my game group has asked me about this one. I'm not sold on it at all but again feel that maybe it's just because I need to play it. It's not the theme that turns me off it's just...the gameplay doesn't seem all that interesting. There's a lot of paths to victory but they don't seem to interact with one another that well unless you're an outlaw and another player is a lawman. 

Could be wrong, but I'd like to see. 

BGG Spring Con Wish List (4)

 It's all the "hotness" right now, which really doesn't interest me. HOWEVER, Renegade games DOES, which is why I'd like to give it a shot. I hear people calling it their greatest game ever and while I don't see it beating Raiders of the North Sea, I'll gladly give it a chance to shine on the table and see if it's really worth all the hype. 

I go back and forth on this game A LOT. Sitting down at the table with it is the only thing that's going to help me make up my mind. There's a lot I like about this game but I'm hesitant to go all-in until I try it out first. If its a keeper, I'll buy the expansions too without looking. 

(sigh) I LOVE Lord of the Rings. I LOVE board games....but this does not appeal to me one cent! I LOVE the artwork of the game! I love the minis for it! But the gameplay looks...AWFUL. But if someone's willing to sit down with me and teach it to me, I'm willing to give it a shot. I hope I enjoy it, because I REALLY want to like this game but it doesn't look like a game for me at all.