Kings Court

Derek gives us a look at a game in the Hero Card system, Rise of the Shogun (http://www.tablestargames.com/shogun.html). The core dueling mechanic is used across a line of games and completely compatible with one another, but the board games each have their own unique flavor. This one is about the struggle for 12th century feudal Japan. We had a great time with it and are preparing for the next Hero Card system review. Also, be sure to check out the interview with game designer, Alexei Othenin-Girard (http://www.pulpgamer.com/2006/10/31/inside-track-004-alexei-othenin-girard/) for a behind the scenes look. Rise of the Shogun Publisher: TableStar Games (http://www.tablestargames.com) Designed By: Alexei Othenin-Girard Players: 2 (up to four with expansions) Ages: 12+ Play Time: 60 - 90 minutes MSRP: $24.95 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/riseoftheshogun.jpg)    

Good luck with your construction in this fault zone. If you think you can shrug off the risk and build the longest roads, you will do very well in Seismic (http://www.atlas-games.com/product_tables/AG1300.php). Jeremiah tells us about this great opportunity for a family game and is still working to figure out a good winning strategy. Seismic Publisher: Atlas Games (http://www.atlas-games.com) Designed By: Ted Alspach Players: 2-4 Ages: 10+ MSRP: $29.95 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/seismic.jpg)    

(http://www.pulpgamer.com/images/PG-KingsCourt_100x100.jpg) Is it really a game? It can be. Jeremiah walks us through a round of The Art of Conversation (http://www.taoc.com.au/Index.html). We had a lot of fun with this stack of conversation starters and agree it would make a great mixer for parties and other social occasions.     The Art of Conversation Publisher: The Art of Conversation (http://www.taoc.com.au/Index.html) Designed By: Keith Lamb & Louise Howland Players: 2-6 MSRP: $14.99 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/taoc.gif)    

(http://www.pulpgamer.com/images/PG-KingsCourt_100x100.jpg) Derek takes us on an Age of Discovery (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/phalanx/pages/pha6022.htm). Balance your fleet between the victory of oversea voyages and the trade contracts that will pay for them. This card game has some unique elements that brought us back to play several more games.     Age of Discovery Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com), Phalanx (http://www.phalanxgames.nl/index.php?language=en) Designed By: Alfred Victor Schultz Players: 2-4 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 45 minutes MSRP: $30.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/ageofdiscovery.jpg)    

Collect treasure as quickly as you can before you opponents take it away from you! You will find elements of strategy and luck in this easy to learn card game. Use your dice to bring cards in and out of play and manage the odds with your hand. Listen as Derek tell us more. Treasures & Traps Publisher: Studio 9 (http://homepage.mac.com/studio9inc) Designed By: C Aaron Kreader Players: 2-6 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 10-60 minutes MSRP: $12.95 (http://www.pulpgamer.com/webart/treasures.jpg)    

Derek reviews Alchemist (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/amigo/pages/asi5751.htm). It is a bard game of concocting potions. You represent your school at an alchemical contest, mixing potions and promoting your school’s favorite ingredient. This game does a great job of capturing the apprentice magician feel. Alchemist Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com) Designed By: Carlo A. Rossi Players: 2-6 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 50 minutes MSRP: $35.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/alchemist.jpg)    

Derek reviews Pillars of the Earth (http://www.mayfairgames.com/shop/product/3300-4499/pages/4103.htm), a board game based on the novel (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451207149?ie=UTF8&tag=pugathpagapo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0451207149) by Ken Follett. This one stood out as soon as we opened the box because it is absolutely beautiful. As we started to play we realized the game mechanics were just as masterful. We had a blast playing with it. You have to balance your spending, your resources, and your ability to convert those resources. There are branching strategies and always something to entertain your brain with. The theme is to work together to build a cathedral but it is your personal victory points that will grant you the win. Pillars of the Earth Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com), Kosmos (http://www.kosmos.de/) Designed By: Michael Rieneck and Stefan Stadler Players: 2-4 Ages: 12+ Play Time: 90-120 minutes MSRP: $49.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/pillars.jpg)   For today’s promo we revisit our friends at All Games Considered (http://allgamesconsidered.blogspot.com/) where they do just as the name implies.  

Jeremaih reviews Elvish Checkers. Its a an abstract strategy game stylized with a fantasy theme. This fun and simple game is played on a unique cloth playing board and designed with portability in mind. Elvish Checkers Publisher: Three Sages Games (http://threesagesgames.com/) Designed By: David Waino Players: 2 Ages: 10+ MSRP: $12.95 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/elvishcheckers.gif)   Today’s promo was for the Weekly Anime Review (http://www.weeklyanimereview.com). It is exactly what you would expect and a great way for us to get our anime education before heading to Anizona (http://www.anizona.com) next month.  

(http://www.pulpgamer.com/images/PG-KingsCourt_100x100.jpg) Jeremiah reviews Iliad (http://www.asmodee-us.com/games/iliad/iliad.php). Its a card game about the legends surrounding the Trojan war. Through a series of sieges you battle for victory points, carefully choosing what armies to apply and when. This game has an interesting blend of mechanics than even achieves a bit of a poker feel but is clearly about war.     Iliad Publisher: ASMODEE editions (http://www.asmodee-us.com) Designed By: Dominique Ehrhard Players: 2-6 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 45 minutes MSRP: $21.99 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/iliad.jpg)   The promo you heard today was for the Bobby Blackwolf Show (http://www.bobbyblackwolfshow.com). It is not just a podcast, but a weekly live radio show on video games.  

Derek reviews Catan Histories Struggle for Rome (http://mayfairgames.com/). It is a board game that brings the Settlers of Catan feel to the historical fall of the Rome. Instead of placing tiles, the European map is already laid out in traditional Catan hexes. Struggle against your opponents to sack Roman cities and start building your new civilization from what little is left of the old empire. Struggle for Rome Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://mayfairgames.com/), Kosmos (http://www.kosmos.de/) Designed By: Klaus Teuber Players: 3-4 Ages: 12+ Play Time: 90 - 120 minutes MSRP: $49.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/struggleforrome.jpg) (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/doesmygeek.jpg) Today’s promo is for Does My Geek Look Big in This? (http://www.doesmygeek.com) It is an absolutely fun blend of role-playing and beer. Does My Geek was named the official podcast of Gen Con UK (http://www.consupport.com/index.asp?Con=61).

Derek Reviews Ave Caesar (http://www.asmodee-us.com/games/ave-caesar/ave-caesar.php); a chariot racing board game. This game is less about speed and more about positioning and cutting off your opponent. This game is easy to learn and play. We found this to be a great choice for company of mixed maturity. Ave Caesar Publisher: ASMODEE editions (http://www.asmodee-us.com) Designed By: Wolfgang Riedesser Players: 3-6 Ages: 12+ Play Time: 30 - 60 minutes MSRP: $44.99 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/ave-caesar.jpg)   For Battlestar Galactica fans like ourselves, we played a promo from the Combat Information Center (http://www.alanlight.com/cic/cic.htm). Alan Light discusses BSG with the listener community. They certainly pay attention to the details of the show and have a good time.  

Jeremiah reviews Misson: Red Planet (http://www.asmodee-us.com/games/mission-red-planet/mission-red-planet.php). This is a board game about 19th century Mars exploration. You are constantly engaged while sending rockets to Mars to collect resources from it’s surface. Jeremiah refuses to send this one back for Don and Derek to try, insisting on having it to play again and again. Mission: Red Planet Publisher: ASMODEE editions (http://www.asmodee-us.com) Designed By: Bruno Cathala & Bruno faidutti Players: 3-5 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 60 minutes MSRP: $44.99 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/redplanet.jpg)     (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/sokimage.jpg) The entertaining promo on todays show was Sons of Kryos (http://www.sonsofkryos.com/). They put together a great show full of useful information. Be sure to check it out.

Jeremiah reviews Figaro (http://www.davincigames.com/page_eng.cfm?sez=01&gioco=figaro); an easy to learn yet deceptively complex card game. Your play represents that of a mischievous jester that is stuck with the king in a lonely castle. Your challenge is to stay out of trouble, at least more so than your opponents. This one is going to get played over and over again. Figaro Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://mayfairgames.com/), daVinci games (http://www.davincigames.com/index_eng.cfm) Designed By: Reiner Knizia Players: 3-6 Ages: 8+ Play Time: 3-6 MSRP: $20.00 (http://www.pulpgamer.com/webart/figaro.jpg)    

Derek reviews Anasazi (http://www.phalanxgames.nl/layout/games/games_view.php?language=en&id=30&gamelanguage=en); a board game of exploration. Steer expeditions and loot ancient treasures from the cliff-dwellers of the US southwest. This game beautiful and sets up a little differently each time. Anasazi Publisher: Mayfair Games (http://mayfairgames.com/), Phalanx Games (http://www.phalanxgames.nl/index.php?language=en) Designed By: Klaus-Jurgen Wrede Players: 2-4 Ages: 10+ Play Time: 30 minutes MSRP: $30.00 (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/anasazi.jpg)    

Derek reviews Palabra (http://palabragame.com/); a card game all of us played and thoroughly enjoyed. Palabra is a cross of words, rummy, and poker. It does a great job of bridging the gap between the verbally elite and the rest of us. Palabra Publisher: Palabra Enterprises (http://palabragame.com/) Players: 2-6 Play Time: 20-30 minutes MSRP: $20.00 (http://www.pulpgamer.com/webart/palabra.jpg)