Some variants up for Tales of the Arabian Nights

Check out the Arabian Nights page on my website for 3 variants.

The game is looking more and more tempting.

On the right under "Downloads and Extras" -->

www.zmangames.com/boardgames/tales_arabian_nights.htm

MattDP wrote:

The game is looking more and more tempting.

QFT. If anybody has tried the solo game, post about it. If this game's solo variant is better than Arkham's, this is going to the top of my want list. (inadvertendly revealing the sad sorry state of me not having anyone to play with these days)

kookoobah wrote:

(inadvertendly revealing the sad sorry state of me not having anyone to play with these days)

Don't be sorry. Playing with oneself is a time-honoured way of passing the time amongst men of all ages.

The game is looking more and more tempting

Tom Vasel just put his stamp of approval on the game!!!

*roar of the crowd*

If anybody has tried the solo game, post about it. If this game's solo variant is better than Arkham's, this is going to the top of my want list. (inadvertendly revealing the sad sorry state of me not having anyone to play with these days)

It's basically the same as playing with a group, only it doesn't take as long and you read everything to yourself, which is pretty much what it's like playing Arkham solo.

Personally, I prefer ToTAN to Arkham. The stuff that happens to your character is much more interesting in the former (even if the gameplay is almost non-existent), and the latter never manages to end before I get sick of playing it (even if the gameplay is much better).

kookoobah wrote:

If anybody has tried the solo game, post about it. If this game's solo variant is better than Arkham's, this is going to the top of my want list.

Neither is 'better' for solo play specifically. As mjl said, both games pretty much play the same solo. The one advantage I'd give to AH in this area is that with TotAN, you have to be careful not to let your eyes skip ahead to the end of the paragraph or you'll see what rewards go with what choices.

Ultimately, I'd make the decision based on what kind of experience I'd want more often, because the games play very differently. I think the best way to distinguish the two is to say that:

1. AH plays as an adventure story with a modern style (tight narrative, related events, lower variety of events, focused) while TotAN plays as an adventure story with a more classical style (loose narrative, unrelated events, wider variety of events, unfocused).

2. You definitely have more control with AH, whereas TotAN is more something to sit back and experience.

3. AH has a lot more tension, whereas TotAN is very relaxed.

4. AH has fixed goals, TotAN is more of a "let's see where the journey takes me" kind of game.

5. AH feels like you're working down in the dirt, TotAN is a more distanced experience.

6. AH requires more player management, TotAN is easier to handle.

If I could only have one, I'd definitely choose Arkham, but I'm glad I have both so I can play what I want depending on my mood.