What Board Game Are You Currently Playing?

[nyys]

Originally Posted by B:T:L Matt

Hahma, I have never played RftG, but I can say 51st State does have a steep learning curve because of the extensive symbology. Once you get used to all the symbols, the game is tons of fun. However, it may put off some new comers. Although I must say that anyone who plays or wants to play 51st State should certainly grab The New Era because that expansion really improves upon the game.

Yep, all the symbols I think is why it's compared to RFtG. Funny thing about the learning curve though. 51st state came out in 2010, which was when I really hit my stride in branching out into games outside of HeroScape. There is definitely something to be said for being a veteran gamer and knowing how to interpret a rule book. Things that would have confused the heck out of me a couple years ago (with any heavier game) are no longer an issue. I think that's what happened with 51st state for me back when I first got it.

Up until last week I hadn't cracked the 51st state box since 2010 (nobody to play with and that feared learning curve). Granted I had been through the rule book before (and asked questions on BGG), but the game in general didn't seem nearly as difficult to understand as I remembered this time around, and my son, 10, took to it very quickly (still plenty for him to learn as far as strategy goes, but he got the bulk of it).

So with an experienced crew of gamers I think you'll be alright. Still a learning curve, but not quite as steep as I initially described.

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EDIT: The only down side to 51st state (and The New Era expansion fixes a great deal of this) is that it comes with a lot of really thin (difficult to pick up off the table) tokens. Tokens that probably deserve the lable of being too fiddly. The New Era expansion replaces many of thse tokens with nice wooden bits. I'll report back on the quality of the rest of the contents when it comes in this week (or maybe Matt can tell us now ).

[Hahma]

Thanks guys. It sounds like a fun game and symbols aren't usually the main problem I guess for our group considering some other games that we play with symbols. Ultimately since there are usually 12-15 people (and while the number stays consistent, the people can vary) at our weekly game nights, the biggest challenge for a game with a steep learning curve is that it's tough to get a few people to consistenly play the same game to get through that learning curve. There are always different games busted out or available every week, so there is a lot of temptation to try something new, different theme, or one that we haven't played in a while.

Maybe someday we'll see 51st State and I'll jump in on it if someone is willing to bring it and teach it.

[IAmBatman]

Ascension x2 last night, followed by Survive: Escape from Atlantis. Good times!

[Gurei-Ornery]

We played Survive the other day Bats and had a great time. I wish it could make it to the table more.

Played DC Card Game last night with my 6 year old daughter, she asks to play it every day. We used all 12 Super-Villians and ended up tied 75-75. I recounted but it was official. We were both . She was running around telling everyone. It was hilarious.

[IAmBatman]

Heh. After I won Survive 19-16-whatever our third friend had, when the friend with 16 had a 3 point explorer poised to depart, then my other friend selected the volcano on the first mountain tile to be turned over, my friend who finished with 16 is demanding a rematch next week.

[1Mmirg]

I'd like to play Survive again. We played it to death as kids. (My brother got it as a birthday gift or something.) We played a lot of games as kids (Shadowlord, Stay Alive, Trust Me, Stop Thief, Dragonmaster, etc.), but Survive was a real favorite. We may have played it more than anything.

And the new Survive is so much nicer looking. Quite sharp. Got to play it again.

[B:T:L Matt]

Originally Posted by nyys

Yep, all the symbols I think is why it's compared to RFtG. Funny thing about the learning curve though. 51st state came out in 2010, which was when I really hit my stride in branching out into games outside of HeroScape. There is definitely something to be said for being a veteran gamer and knowing how to interpret a rule book. Things that would have confused the heck out of me a couple years ago (with any heavier game) are no longer an issue. I think that's what happened with 51st state for me back when I first got it.

Up until last week I hadn't cracked the 51st state box since 2010 (nobody to play with and that feared learning curve). Granted I had been through the rule book before (and asked questions on BGG), but the game in general didn't seem nearly as difficult to understand as I remembered this time around, and my son, 10, took to it very quickly (still plenty for him to learn as far as strategy goes, but he got the bulk of it).

So with an experienced crew of gamers I think you'll be alright. Still a learning curve, but not quite as steep as I initially described.

-----

EDIT: The only down side to 51st state (and The New Era expansion fixes a great deal of this) is that it comes with a lot of really thin (difficult to pick up off the table) tokens. Tokens that probably deserve the lable of being too fiddly. The New Era expansion replaces many of thse tokens with nice wooden bits. I'll report back on the quality of the rest of the contents when it comes in this week (or maybe Matt can tell us now ).

I always recommend picking up New Era because the components are a huge improvement, replacing the rather small tokens. Plus, you now get a score board that also acts as a cheat sheet. Oddly, the score board was printed on the back of the 51st box. Also, New Era provides a single "HQ" type card for each faction's abilities, whereas 51st used 3 cards each. Lastly, New Era improved a handful of rules, adding in a few new ones as well, making the game noticeably better.

[robbdaman]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

Survive: Escape from Atlantis. Good times!

I've not played mine yet. Have the 2010 version with squids and 5-6 players expansion even so I must get it to the table soon. This Sunday for sure!

[Hahma]

Originally Posted by robbdaman

I've not played mine yet. Have the 2010 version with squids and 5-6 players expansion even so I must get it to the table soon. This Sunday for sure!

Survive is a fun game. Though when playing with my game group it's nice and cutthroat, whereas my twin girls (that will be 10 on the 21st) like to play nice and we don't see much shark attacks or whale boat destroying.

[Scapemage]

Originally Posted by robbdaman

I've not played mine yet. Have the 2010 version with squids and 5-6 players expansion even so I must get it to the table soon. This Sunday for sure!

Do you know where you can get the Squid expansion? I just got this game and love it, and am really eager for some squids.

[Dad_Scaper]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

Ascension x2 last night, followed by Survive: Escape from Atlantis. Good times!

Which expansions did you use with Ascension, if any? We really like the base game + Return of the Fallen, but I don't want to add too much gadgetry with the rules with other expansions.

Thoughts?

[IAmBatman]

My friend just got Ascension. I think it was just the base set, as he only had one box.