GamesReviews written by WadeMonnig
The not insignificant learning curve coupled with gameplay that doesn’t make it exactly stand out in a crowded field can make it a hard sell for getting table...err...time. I love the novel concept but no matter how many times I dived back into the time maelstrom, the game ended up (re)playing out like a typical area majority game set on repeat.
Matt Fantastic put on his prettiest dress to sprinkle Cosmic Encounter pixie dust along with some Coup glitter into a princess potion that embraces a “girly” theme at the exact same time it sweeps the legs out from underneath decades of ogling the female form over function armor.
Since the Seasons of Inis expansion adds five modules of which I will always use four of (when applicable a.k.a. A Five Player Game), the rating is pretty much a forgone conclusion. As with most sleek expansions, I wouldn't hesitate to add everything but the Seasons Module to even an introduction game. If you have EVER not been able to play Inis because of the four player limitation (which has happened to me on more than one occasion), you know why I picked this expansion up. I wouldn't say everything else is gravy but that is the meat of the reason of why I purchased it. As with most of the expansions for the Madagot trilogy, it is a bit on the pricey side (MRSP is $49.99 U.S.) but I feel it was well worth it.
Noah's Olympics
A Fire in the Library might be a relatively simple push your luck game but it is way more fun that it has any right to be. Radical point spreads are to be expected and just as radical come-from-behind victories should be expected as well. The low-key strategy mixes well with the high-key luck aspects to deliver a fire hot experience.
Skull King is one of the better trick taking games I have played. The wide range of player counts (two to six) it accommodates is a definite plus. It is something new to break out that has the appeal of the familiarity of trick taking with the flush of something different because of the unique/eye catching deck and varied power cards. And the bidding mechanism means there is more to it than simply getting dealt the best cards. It’s a favorite of Pirates, even those landlocked here in the states. Savvy?
You bring it out, teach the basic game to everyone and you can sneakily add in other rules if you are looking for that something extra. Expect to hear comments like “I HATE this game….let’s play it again.” This is my favorite Grandpa Beck game to date. It is family friendly while not requiring you to be friendly to your family.
The 5th/10th Doctor Expansion is the epitome of a simple “More Stuff” expansion. Some of the new cards do feature the Dalek icon that indicates they offer more than the typical challenge. But what you won’t find is the additional/optional rules or suggestions for extending/reducing playtime like those found in other GF9 expansions. But it did succeed in having me dust off my copy and put the TARDIS though it’s paces again...and now I want to rewatch the 5th Doctor’s episodes in their entirety.