On The Table – September 2022
I have been rather tardy in reporting to you my gaming over the last few months. Life does have its little habits of getting in the way. Despite being the month of my birthday, September was a quieter month for me overall. As usual I’ll link to any reviews I’ve done, the BGG listing, and let you know if I mostly played it on a digital platform.
7 Wonders Duel
Still a great civilisation builder in a lunchtime. Recently picked up Pantheon, the gods focused expansion, which I really want to get to the table soon. I hope it spices up the game without massively adding to the playtime, as Duel is a laser focused experience that doesn’t want baggage.
Agricola (BGA)
I’ve really warmed to this after playing it a bit for a new podcast project. It’s understandable why it was such a hit and why it remains an evergreen title with multiple releases.
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Back playing one of my favourites in a run through the Innsmouth Conspiracy. I’m playing Sister Mary and I am really enjoying the Blessed mechanic. Just a shame it won’t really see much use outside of the Innsmouth set as is the way with Arkham mechanisms.
Azul
Looks sweet and smooth on the outside, is spiky and mean on the inside. I love this game and it truly feels to me like a modern classic with an easy to learn, difficult to master feel to it.
Beyond the Sun
A teaching game of the physical copy of the game at Juniper Green club. I like this even more in real life. The graphics design leaves a bit to be desired on the board, but the game plays well and the way the resources move between different places feels a lot more intuitive in the physical version.
Brass: Lancashire (Tabletop Simulator)
A classic economic game that I enjoy a lot more than I thought I would. It’s another older game played for a forthcoming podcast project. It’s a really interesting game full of interesting mechanisms that mesh together into quite a puzzle.
Hardback
One of my current favourites for games night. Interesting, fun to play, the element of creation, and the joy of deckbuilding. It’s a great package as well, put together with care and attention with just enough production quality to make it sing.
King of Tokyo
A constant companion in my collection and I can’t ever see that changing. Bold, brash, with just a touch of strategy in the right places.
Tigris & Euphrates (BGA)
Just a stone cold classic and probably Knizia’s finest game. I will snap this up should anyone see fit to get a reprint out there. A true must=play if you have any interest in the history of games.
Viticulture: Essential Edition (BGA)
Viticulture is fine. It’s not very interesting to me, and I don’t find it as compelling as Agricola or Feast for Odin. It sits in that category of worker placement games where I just feel like I am going through the motions without the setting or theme really coming through.
Zuuli
I was surprised by how much I liked this small game of drafting and zoo building. Just enough tactical bite to give it an edge over favourites like Sushi Go.
