GamesReviews written by WadeMonnig
This is not Kemet. This is not Root. What it is is a much more accessible -dare I say- gateway type of experience. Conqueror:TC feels like, and this is not a slam against it, a refinement of Dudes on a Map games back before the term Dudes on the Map was even invented. (Are we still calling them Dudes? Is it people on a map now?).
don't wanna know your name
'Cause you don't look the same
The way you did before
Okay, you think you got a pretty face
But the rest o' you is out of place
You looked all right before
We had a number of “High Five” moments when figuring out a particularly perplexing puzzle. I wouldn't suggest it as a starting point for the Exit series, but it is a fun experience if you have found yourself addicted to Exit.
Kosmos may have been aiming for a more relaxed version of the escape room genre with this release but it misses that mark.
Even at it's best, with the right group and the right player count (which isn't easy to achieve), You: Superpowered never excels as a roleplaying game, a social deduction game or a party game.
If the original The Quest for El Dorado didn't exist, I would recommend The Golden Temples without hesitation. The Golden Temples is different but it is not necessarily better than it's predecessor. The Quest for El Dorado teaches you deck building, gently nudges you into exploring it's depths, and let's you simply glance at the board to see who is winning. The Golden Temples addresses the few perceived shortcomings of QED like masking any runaway leader until the last few turns and gently shifting away from the importance of Blocking. I like to think Dr. Knizia said “Fine, I'll fix those “issues” you had with The Quest for El Dorado” fully knowing that The Golden Temples would be a slightly lesser game.
If you are a fan of Fluxx and Fluxx's ever-changing rule set, Star Trek: Voyager Fluxx will slide effortlessly into your collection. Combine it with the original Star Trek Fluxx and Star Trek: TNG Fluxx to recreate those one-shot cross-overs. Hell, combine it with Deep Space Nine Fluxx for that crossover no one ever wanted. Love it or hate it, it's still Fluxx...only powered by the adventures of the USS Voyager.
If you have never tried an Escape Room game, The enchanted forest is a great jumping on point. If you haven't played one recently, it is worth snatching up just to experience the great strides that have been made in the genre.
Splinters of Aeth smash into the shard, destroying terrain and strategies with equal aplomb. Cosmic Frog is a game of barely controlled chaos that delights as it keeps you on the edge of the universe and the edge of your seat. With absolutely stunning art and a fantastic play mat, every element of this release is quality.
Despite having a literal list of things that I don't like/didn't think would work (Math/Memory/Judge/Co-operative party game), I have had a surprisingly good time playing Pavlov's Dogs.