My BF and I talk about how we think President Obama could become a gamer. Politics aside (not that I'm against talking about it, but because this is a gaming blog and a celebration of nerdom we'll avoid it), President Obama does represent nerdom well being that he is an intellectual president. He's interest in Harry Potter and other nerdy things does make me want to launch a campaign to teach him a board game or two (Then the question is which one? Small World? Carcassonne? Ticket to Ride?).
Of course there are some logistical issues behind trying to get the President into to gaming. For one how would you get him a game or two? If you send it to the White House, I doubt he'll get it. (DC Area people know these things; he wouldn't get it). Maybe the best way is to get a Senator involved in gaming first and then have them teach the President? Maybe Wil Wheaton needs to meet the President! Who knows?! Clearly we haven't figured out all the details yet.
If anyone has any ideas on how to introduce the President into gaming, let me know! I am certain once we taught him a game or two, he would be hooked!
Showing posts with label Ticket to Ride. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ticket to Ride. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Game Review: Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries
This afternoon I played Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries (TTR: NC). Full disclosure, both my BF and I have played Ticket to Ride (TTR) many times as a board and iOS game, as well as TTR Europe (TTR: E). We are also experienced gamers.
Much like the Switzerland (TTR: S) map I have played just in the iOS game, this version of TTR accommodates 2-3 players. This is what attracted me to purchase the game since I just have one gaming partner. The rules for Tunnels and Ferries are the same as TTR: E & TTR: S. Locomotive cards can be used for routes with Tunnels or Ferries, but not regular ones. The Ticket drawing is the same as TTR:S whereby returned ticket cards from your initial selection and any previous drawing actions are removed from the game.
If you know how to play any other TTR version, this will be an easy game to learn. You may have an initial minor issue with the Nordic geography , unless you know the cities in their native languages. Much like Europe, this does not detract from the game. Plus the ticket cards have little maps on them, do worse case is you find the destination cities that way.
The art and production value is of the same calibre as the other Days of Wonder and TTR games.
There is a fair amount of replayability to TTR: NC given there are 46 Destination (Ticket) Cards, but in my game we barely saw half of them.
The best part about this version of TTR verses the Original one and Europe is that the map is scaled to be more contentious with 2-3 players. (Again much like Switzerland).
Overall I would definitely play Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries again ... Especially since I ended up winning! Bonus!
Much like the Switzerland (TTR: S) map I have played just in the iOS game, this version of TTR accommodates 2-3 players. This is what attracted me to purchase the game since I just have one gaming partner. The rules for Tunnels and Ferries are the same as TTR: E & TTR: S. Locomotive cards can be used for routes with Tunnels or Ferries, but not regular ones. The Ticket drawing is the same as TTR:S whereby returned ticket cards from your initial selection and any previous drawing actions are removed from the game.
If you know how to play any other TTR version, this will be an easy game to learn. You may have an initial minor issue with the Nordic geography , unless you know the cities in their native languages. Much like Europe, this does not detract from the game. Plus the ticket cards have little maps on them, do worse case is you find the destination cities that way.
The art and production value is of the same calibre as the other Days of Wonder and TTR games.
There is a fair amount of replayability to TTR: NC given there are 46 Destination (Ticket) Cards, but in my game we barely saw half of them.
The best part about this version of TTR verses the Original one and Europe is that the map is scaled to be more contentious with 2-3 players. (Again much like Switzerland).
Overall I would definitely play Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries again ... Especially since I ended up winning! Bonus!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
iOS Games
As some of you may know some great Euro Games are available to play on your iPhone...and Android too, though I don't have one so I'll stick to iOS games. I am also going to only a few of my favorite iOS Euro Games since I currently have 18 (!) Apps in this category.
The first, and one of the best designed iOS games is Carcassonne. The App offered online play before Game Center, though now it uses it. The AIs are challenging and allow for solo play. There are also In-App Expansions available for purchase. The Solitaire game offers another dimension of replayablility. I would appreciate offering more expansions and even more AIs, but maybe that's because I play Carcassonne a lot. The Carcassonne is also a universal App, which is a big plus!
Another one of my favorites are the Ticket to Ride Pocket App (Original & Europe). Although it will be annoying I'll have to by a separate app if, and when, I get an iPad. Both Pocket Apps offer In-App Expansion purchases available. It's Game Center supported which means you can challenge your friends to an online game.
I recently started playing Le Havre on my phone. For a more complicated game the designers did a good job of making everything easy to find and use. I recently discovered that you can enlarge the goods you're currently holding. It also has Game Center support.
My final favorite iOS Euro game I'll mention is Ascension. Even on the iPhone it is easy to use. Game Center support and Expansions add other dimensions to playability.
In general all iOS Euro Games (and all iOS games for that matter) should have the following features:
1. Game Center Support. No other system will do since Game Center is now default on the iPhone.
2. Excellent sophisticated multi-level AIs. I don't want too easy, or too hard AIs. I want them to have multiple strategies. I also don't want to beat up on just the human players.
3. Replayablility. This can be achieved from special solitaire games, multiple variants and/ or expansions. This is key if you want me to spent more than 99 cents on your app!
4. Universal App. As someone who is considering at some point (hopefully) purchasing an iPad I don't want to have to buy another app just for the iPad.
5. True to Original Euro Game. I don't want a "dumbed-down" version of an awesome game.
iOS gaming will not replace my board gaming, but it does solve my problem of lack enough people for a regular gaming group. This is especially true for Small World... That is whenever I buy an iPad since there is only an iPad only App. Sad. I think it could be on the iPhone. They manage to do it with Tikal. So I would think Small World wouldn't be that much harder.
What's your favorite iOS Euro Game App? Looking for a gaming buddy- leave a comment with your Game Center Screen Name and I'll connect with you.
The first, and one of the best designed iOS games is Carcassonne. The App offered online play before Game Center, though now it uses it. The AIs are challenging and allow for solo play. There are also In-App Expansions available for purchase. The Solitaire game offers another dimension of replayablility. I would appreciate offering more expansions and even more AIs, but maybe that's because I play Carcassonne a lot. The Carcassonne is also a universal App, which is a big plus!
Another one of my favorites are the Ticket to Ride Pocket App (Original & Europe). Although it will be annoying I'll have to by a separate app if, and when, I get an iPad. Both Pocket Apps offer In-App Expansion purchases available. It's Game Center supported which means you can challenge your friends to an online game.
I recently started playing Le Havre on my phone. For a more complicated game the designers did a good job of making everything easy to find and use. I recently discovered that you can enlarge the goods you're currently holding. It also has Game Center support.
My final favorite iOS Euro game I'll mention is Ascension. Even on the iPhone it is easy to use. Game Center support and Expansions add other dimensions to playability.
In general all iOS Euro Games (and all iOS games for that matter) should have the following features:
1. Game Center Support. No other system will do since Game Center is now default on the iPhone.
2. Excellent sophisticated multi-level AIs. I don't want too easy, or too hard AIs. I want them to have multiple strategies. I also don't want to beat up on just the human players.
3. Replayablility. This can be achieved from special solitaire games, multiple variants and/ or expansions. This is key if you want me to spent more than 99 cents on your app!
4. Universal App. As someone who is considering at some point (hopefully) purchasing an iPad I don't want to have to buy another app just for the iPad.
5. True to Original Euro Game. I don't want a "dumbed-down" version of an awesome game.
iOS gaming will not replace my board gaming, but it does solve my problem of lack enough people for a regular gaming group. This is especially true for Small World... That is whenever I buy an iPad since there is only an iPad only App. Sad. I think it could be on the iPhone. They manage to do it with Tikal. So I would think Small World wouldn't be that much harder.
What's your favorite iOS Euro Game App? Looking for a gaming buddy- leave a comment with your Game Center Screen Name and I'll connect with you.
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