Session Report: February 5, 2004
Games Played: Domaine
Gamers: Jimmy, Geno, Marianne, Chip
When I arrived, there was already a game of Risk 2210 AD (or something) at the other table.
DOMAINE (1:22)
Jimmy: 22
Chip: 21
Marianne: 19
Geno: 16
We went over the rules quickly, placed our castles on the board and started in.
It wasn't long before I realized that I had placed most of my castles next to the same types of mines, limiting my potential income. Fortunately, everyone else had a similarly unprofitable arrangement.
As before, I tried to get a mine or two early. With the combined help of Geno (who suggested that Marianne place a border piece to help me) and Marianne (who complied), I was able to complete a domain shortly after Marianne finished hers.
After establishing my first domain, I was debating between concentrating my efforts on that single area or developing my other castles. My best games have always neglected one or two of my castles. For the sake of trying something different, I spread out, and defined all three domains. In retrospect, it didn't really buy me much.
Most of the game was very balanced and friendly. We all developed our domains by claiming neutral territory, rather than encroaching upon our neighbors. As such, almost every square was part of some domain, benefiting the players with castles in the center of the board. In fact, Marianne was able to claim a 15-point domain (although most of it was ripped away shortly thereafter).
The scores varied drastically throughout the game, which adds to the appeal of this game. In addition to Marianne's uber-domain, Geno had a very solid lead on the rest of us for most of the later half of the game. The last few rounds saw some vicious treachery and expansion into others territories, as we all opted to playing some cards (while greedily eying the "most gold" end-game bonus).
Domaine is my new favorite game, so I was happy when everyone agreed to play it. I'll be bringing it again soon, I'm sure. It seemed to be a hit with Geno and Jimmy, and even Marianne has said that she'd be willing to play it again.
Session Report: February 2, 2004
Games Played: Hick Hack in Gackelwack, Domaine
Gamers: Lowell, Marianne, Joyce, Sara, Josh, Chip, (Chris, Vitas, Lewis, Rob, Nancy)
Thanks to Chris for hosting.
HICK HACK (0:16)
Sara: 50
Lowell: 35
Chip: 30
Joyce: 18
Josh: 18
Marianne: 14
To get the ball rolling, I pushed for a quick game of Hick Hack. In a karma-induced reversal, I patiently explained the rules as Josh interrupted with questions (:
Not much to say about this quick light game - Marianne challenged every time, Josh bemoaned his fox-filled hand, and Sara quietly gathered chickens and feed for the win. Good way to start off the night as other gamers arrived.
DOMAINE (1:15)
Vitas: 22 (won)
Chip: 22 (lost)
Lowell: 16
Sara: 3
I really wanted to get a game of Domaine in, so I started it shortly after Hick Hack. It's a good sign of the game that Sara and Vitas (who had just played Domaine two days ago) were anxious to play again. Lowell was vaguely familiar with Lowenherz and picked up the rules quickly.
I sought out and captured two mines early in the game to get off to a good start. I didn't hold them for long before Lowell took them away from me. Lowell and I dueled over this rich plot of land for most of the game (including, I think, at least three treachery cards), while Vitas and Sara battled over the central city.
During the last few turns, I realized that my lead would be threatened if I didn't get one of the "most gold" bonuses at the end of the game. As I completed my third domain, I had to choose between spending 3 extra gold to enclose an additional forest or saving my gold for the bonus. I choose poorly. I didn't get the bonus, which allowed Vitas (with the 5 points bonus) to tie my score. As ties are broken my the most gold, Vitas won.
This is a great game. I hope to play it again soon.
Some monthly stats for January 2004
Total games played: 51
Unique games played: 26
Total gaming sessions: 17
Total Gaming Time: 32:39
Total Set-up Time: 3:53
Average Game Length: 0:38
Games played more then once this month (other then Magic):
(4 times)
Old Entdecker
(3 times)
Wooly Bully
Rack-O
(twice)
Frank's Zoo
Hick Hack in Gackelwack
Knights of the Rainbow
Lost Cities
nanuuk!
Scrabble
Land Unter!
New games this month:
Old Entdecker
Wooly Bully
Samurai
nanuuk!
High Society
Before I Kill You, Mr. Bond
Game of the month: Old Entdecker
I received a copy of the original Entdecker (in German) for Christmas. I've played the new version a few times and was excited about trying the original version to see the differences. The biggest difference, I think, is the settler's race for the huts (in the new version). I don't think I've ever really done well at the huts, so I'm happy to play without that complication.
The card that tracks money is a bit fiddly, I think, and it's not entirely clear which number corresponds with which hole. On the other hand, this hasn't ever been a problem during the game, so I shouldn't really complain.
According to my translation of the game, the player that places the friendly natives tile gets to take a discovery disc, but it doesn't say what to do with it. I've suggested that, if the player settles on that tile, than the player can put the discovery disc face-down under his/her token. When that island is completed, the discovery disc is added to the value of the island, and that player gets to keep the disc (even is he/she is not the primary discoverer of the island). This makes the friendly native a bit more valuable (though not as valuable as the ruins, usually).
PS2 Games played:
Rachet and Clank: Going Commando. It’s even better than the original. I've put in over 20 hours so far, and I don't want it to end!
