Just a note
to thank Assif for hosting a fantastic first game of the year!
As I’ve
previously stated, Assif took pains to study, understand and explain the rules.
The two Dans
listened carefully while I munched down revolting Twiglets and gagged (three of
four times) at the ultimately inedible Truffle flavoured ‘gourmet’ crisps.
(Apologies
for my ingratitude and terrible manners.)
I’m usually
baffled by the rules explanation portion of all of our games sessions and try
instead to learn as I go.
And though
this game had several similarities to some of the other ‘world/farm/city’
building games we’ve played previously, the only thing I really took in was
when Assif said:
‘The Mines
are useless’.
My twisted
thought process took this to mean ‘Assif wouldn’t try to get any of them and
therefore more mines for me’.
Also, if I
was lucky, the Dans would trust and follow Assif’s lead.
Using up all
my little die altering men in the first round, I managed to buy two mines and
one more in the second.
Ultimately,
all they did was to provide a small but regular income.
An income
that effectively gave me an extra turn or two per round.
Those extra
turns enabled me to buy five more tiles and so therefore gave me a hefty
advantage over everyone else.
Although I
did enjoy the final book-keeping phase, where my little black marker tromped
around the board overtaking Proper Dan and Assif, my victory was simply down to
a knee-jerk decision at the beginning of the first round.
Great game,
great night and great ‘Ron Burgundy’ joke, all provided by Assif!
:)
I'm not sure it was entirely due to the mines, but yes the extra purchase ability makes sure you maximise each round. The money is available in other ways though - e.g. Bank, selling goods. But, I think my complete lack of knowledge tiles might have cost me in the end.
ReplyDeleteSo, it is clear this is a clever really well balanced game, and as Dan missed finishing the game I headed over to his last night for a quick one-on-one. And again, the game worked perfectly.
Dan however won. By a good distance. But this time I put it down to him going first - not just that he got mines!