Games
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I pay attention to the forums at Ars Technica. Ars is probably the most profound collection of computer nerddom on the Internet that's not totally overrun by chaff (I'm looking at you Digg) and trolls (I'm looking at you Slashdot). There's a forum there for nothing but cooling off your PC. Like we talk about Modern AT, they talk about fans and coolant. It's intense.
The GESC (Gaming Extra Strength Caplets) forum is where I spend most of my time. mostly lurking, reading the insane debates between PS3 and XBOX360 partisans, looking for news on Wii, DS, and old Mac games like Diablo. Recently, two threads have appeared there from folks looking for boardgames--extending their recent video game experiences into the tabletop realm.
I HAVE TO SAVE THEM.
In the first thread, the OP posted this:
so after becoming fast addicted to advance wars: dual strike on the ds, and seeing BobDole's sweet setup im jonesing for a good live board game session. im probably limited to one with minimal (2-3 hours) set-up/learning curve, and one that doesnt need more than 4 people since im thinking thats my max of friends that i can trust to commit to it.
Advance Wars is basically a tactical wargame. Capture factories, build units, blow up bases. What is recommended to this guy in the first 15 posts? ROBORALLY, CARCASSONNE, GHEOS, SETTLERS OF CATAN (WITH SEAFARERS!!!!), MYSTERY IN THE ABBEY, PUERTO RICO,and POWER GRID. Thankfully some folks mentioned TITAN, LORD OF THE RINGS, STAR WARS: MINIATURES, JUNTA, and TWILIGHT STRUGGLE. But they were getting washed out in the stream of oh-you'll-love STONE AGE and anything on BrettSpielWelt responses. I had to wade in there with this salvo:
Jesus, Puerto Rico? This guy likes Advance Wars DS and you're recommending Puerto Rico?
Ignore half of the comments in this thread.Here's what you need: TITAN. Mentioned above. It's getting re-released and it's fucking amazing.
Here's what you'd love but will never find: SPACE HULK and/or MUTANT CHRONICLES: SIEGE OF THE CITADEL. They're out of print, but they rock so hard your brain will kick your head's ass. Other recommends for the game boutique crowd:
VIKTORY II
NEXUS OPS
STARCRAFT: THE BOARDGAME
Things you can get right now, at Target, or TRU or whatever: Star Wars Risk: Clone Wars Edition is a clearance item at TRU. It's goddamned dynamite, especially compared to crappy regular Risk. This is 4-players. If you'll have 3 or 5 players, then get the SW:Original Trilogy Edition instead. Even Risk itself was recently updated, and largely "fixed" with Objectives, keeping it from taking forever.
Check out Fortress: Ameritrash when you've become addicted to the hobby like the rest of us.
That was thread one. A few days later, another user asks for recommendations for a neophyte gamer:
I pass by this store "X9 Games" every time I go to the movies. FYI, This is a type of place where greasy teenagers go to play D&D/MTG, but I always get sucked in looking at all the cool fantasy/tactical board games there. Usually my girlfriend tries to hurry me out of there, but I keep thinking I'd like to get one of those games and play with a small group of friends (<6).
A bit about me: I'm 25 and a computer programmer, but I've never played D&D or any RPG/tactical style board games. But they look like so much fun I just want to try one.
I was wondering if I could get some recommendations about good games that are fun for novice-to-intermediate players?
Again, note the request in there for RPG Tactical gaming. He mentioned his girlfriend a few posts later, and you know what comes next. LOST CITIES, TICKET TO RIDE, CARCASSONNE, BOHNANZA, and SETTLERS OF CATAN. Only SETTLERS is even close to what he wants, and it's not very close. What the hell, people? I replied:
Is anyone even reading the OP's in these goddamned board game threads? The other guy liked Advance Wars DS--and folks recommended PUERTO RICO. This guy specifically says he wants an RPG tactical game and you come up with LOST CITIES. Christ.
You'd be better off with Knizia's LORD OF THE RINGS, the co-op adventuring game to start if she digs that theme. Then graduate to RUNEBOUND or RETURN OF THE HEROES. FURY OF DRACULA might be good if you have more than 2 players. If SF is more her bag, I would wait for BATTLESTAR GALACTICA coming out soon.
If she's smoking hot she'll like either DESCENT: JOURNEYS IN THE DARK and/or ARKHAM HORROR.
I have to save these people from the BGG crowd all over the Internet. They are getting their peanut butter in my chocolate.
