LogFAQs > #943213152

Grand Kirby posted...

I really like these writeups, so thank you for doing them. Normally it makes want to get interested in trying out new games but for obvious reasons it's going to be a while before that happens...

Thanks! I only discuss 'cause I love doing it. And also because like you, I'm desperate for gaming...

One thing I've noticed is there are a fair amount of games I really enjoy that aren't on here, so I wonder if you've never played them or if you just don't like them that much. I haven't played a large amount of board games so I could understand if if we just have different libraries and tastes

I actually ranked pretty much every game here that I've played on more than one separate occasion; the games at the bottom of the list I pretty much actively dislike! So the ones you've listed, I haven't played more than once, but I can opine.

Haven't even heard of: Push, Impact
Push looks a little like Uno? But it sounds less punishing and more push-your-luck-y, so I might compare it more to Point Salad - which I love.

Impact sounds pretty awesome. I do enjoy dexterity games - though I think in general I prefer real-time to dexterity as a chaotic mechanic. How do you find the intersection between dice randomness and dexterity in this game?

Played once: Lords of Waterdeep
So this probably wasn't optimal, because I played it at a meetup with six people and at least one or two people I didn't particularly like. We played with the Scoundrels expansion, which from what I hear is pretty mandatory. Among worker placement games, I don't think it did anything to distinguish itself - it was mainly collecting cubes? I believe the Scoundrels mainly added some Intrigue card draw, which I found mostly a distraction rather than additive.

I didn't find a ton in the game to love. That said, circumstances are what lead to the enjoyment of a game. I kind of suspect that it's way better at three or four players with everyone taking snappy turns - there are very few games that I don't enjoy more played that way!

Heard of, but haven't played: Villainous
As mentioned before, the theme is a negative to me. I actually do like the majority of Disney movies I've seen, especially their songs. From what I hear about this, it's probably not up my alley, but

Played several times: Spyfall
So this is a little weird, because I've never played the physical game of Spyfall (which I have to imagine is cumbersome). However, I've played it plenty online. I've enjoyed it for sure - like in Dixit and Decrypto, I enjoy the "communicate something, but not everything" incentive, which essentially forces you to hope that people will get what you're saying... but not the wrong people. One of my issues with Spyfall that makes me reticent to suggest it all the time is the lack of structure. It does rely heavily on its players to give it even a modicum of fun. But even well-intentioned players can be kind of awkward accusing one another, and with only one spy, it can often just be luck if you happen to get asked a question too early, and you're basically outed. And then there are the games that feel like they go on a little too long, when the spy is asked a question last and has blended in already.

So I guess it's a weird thing to criticize for a 5-8 minute game, but I wish Spyfall had more of a real "story-arc" that developed. The best social deduction games IMO do have that. Spyfall often feels like "'kay, lucked by" or "oops, got caught too soon." When it fires and there's genuine confusion and close calls, though, it can feel really clever. (It can also just lead to a good amount of laughs when people ask bizarre questions! "What's that smell?")

If you want to hear my opinions on them I'd be happy to expound on them further when I have time.

Of course, whenever you can! I'd also be interested to see which of the games that did make it on my list are your favs.
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yet all azuarc of all sorts are more or less capricious and unreliable - they live in the varying outer weather, and they inhale its fickleness