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Dale Yu: Games for the Summer House Part Two
OK, so last week, I posted a list of games that I am bringing to my in-law’s summer house after they had requested that I stock one shelf of their coat closet with games. I’ll be the first to admit that the list wasn’t necessarily ideal from my Eurogamer perspective, but I think that list fit the needs of my inlaws. I needed to include games that were familiar to Joe American. The intent of that list was not necessarily to introduce people to TGOO, but to provide boardgames that would actually be played. Furthermore, I was trying to use this opportunity as a chance to move some duplicate games out of my basement – which would both clean up some clutter as well as not cost me anything!
As I was constructing that list, I started to think about what games I’d like to bring up if it were my house, and the games would be used primarily by myself. The games on that list would be a mix of current favorites, old classics and some gateway games (as I’m certain that many of my guests wouldn’t be familiar with TGOO). There would also have to be games that I can play with my kids. Here’s what I have come up with:
GATEWAY GAMES
Carcassone - This game is still probably my favorite gateway game. To me, this game has the perfect blend of easy-to-grasp rules, pleasing artwork, short gameplay, and excellent replay value (for the veteran gamer). Oh, and it’s cheap! This would be the first game chosen without a doubt. I feel that this is a game that both gamers and non-gamers can enjoy.
Ticket to Ride - I still see Ticket to Ride as a gateway game, but I find that the strategy with the tickets can really confuse some newbies at times. Nevertheless, it is a very accessible game, and one that I haven’t grown tired of despite many, many plays. Furthermore, it helps attract non-gamers because they are familiar with the US map, which is one less obstacle to jump over.
Ingenious - This abstract game is perhaps the easiest game on the list to teach. I have always liked the beautiful way that the gameboard grows during play. This game has the added bonus of the partnership play with four players. Of the Knizia games, this one might actually be my favorite.
Showmanager - While some may debate whether Showmanager is a gateway game, this is another old favorite that I turn to when people ask to see the kind of games that I play. Of the four “gateway” games on this list, this is clearly the hardest to pick up quickly. However, it’s still an easy game to learn and gives a good glimpse at the strategy that lies within our hobby.
Gemblo - Another colorful abstract game that seems to draw people in. I debated for a long time whether to bring this game or Blokus – as my kids are very familiar with Blokus. However, they’ve been able to pick this one up fairly easily, and Gemblo has the big advantage that it plays with 6 and that it scales a little bit better for 3.
Qwirkle - One of my most played games from 2007. This game can be described to a non gamer as “Scrabble but with shapes”, and with that explanation, most people can quickly grasp what’s going on. The biggest problem (for me) with this game is that you have to keep score on paper somewhere, but I’ve added a nice 4-track cribbage board to my game which allows everyone to peg their own score and allows everyone to see the scores at all times.
Can’t Stop - A classic from Sid Sackson. The version I would bring up would have to be the classic red octagon. This push-your-luck game is another game that is easy to teach, quick to play, and allows even a beginning gamer to compete right off the bat.
GAMES THE KIDS LIKE
Viva Topo - This Selecta game makes the cut because it is the rare children’s game that also plays just as well with adults. My children are steadily improving in their risk assessment as they continue to play the game. When they started, they would mostly get the smallest pieces of cheese as they were afraid of the cat catching them – but now, they are competing with me for the whole rounds of cheese!
Crokinole - A dexterity game that can easily be introduced in a few minutes, yet can occupy your time for hours. It seems to have the same appeal that billiards has, but takes up much less space. The biggest downside to Crokinole is that it is at its best only with 4. Admittedly, I do have a 3-player Crokinole board as well, but the angles aren’t quite the same with this configuration.
Ubongo - This puzzle game has gone over really well with the kids. I’ve found that they compete fairly well on the easy side while I’m doing the harder side. The scoring is still a bit wonky and random, and there are times that I simplify the scoring so the kids can handle it better. But overall, this is a nice way to spend time with the kids.
PARTY GAMES (sort of)
Password - This is one of my favorite ways to wind down an evening. Games of Password have moments of intense concentration (and frustration), but they are also generally filled with laughter at ridiculous clues and even more ridiculous answers. Currently, I prefer the older versions of the game (from the 60s) as they include all sorts of words that are less common now.
Wits and Wagers - This is a great game to have around as it leads to boisterous fun. Additionally, it can scale to fit any number of players, and that’s nice to have as well. It never fails to be amusing/hilarious to hear the players try to explain their answers when they have been far off the mark.
MY OWN FAVORITES
Tichu - Tichu is probably my favorite card game of all time. Admittedly, the subtleties of play take a while to pick up, but it’s still a fun ride with non-veteran players. Luckily most people are familiar with the traditional game Asshole, so I usually only have to teach the special cards and bombs before we can get started. The most important thing to do, IMHO, when teaching Tichu is to just have people concentrate on being the first to go out. Only after they’ve played enough to be comfortable with going out do I start to teach scoring.
Agricola - OK, this is clearly not a gateway game. But it is one of the two most versatile games that I currently play. While I can be happy playing the Family Game, I love the nearly infinite variety of setups in the Full Game as well as the ever-changing challenge of how to play each game. As an added bonus, the solo version of Agricola will be good for those long nights when I’m up there alone.
Dominion - And what list of mine wouldn’t be complete without Dominion? As with Agricola, this game merits its place due to its replayability – the huge number of different combinations of cards makes sure that I don’t tire of the game (even after many, many, many plays).
So, that’s my current ideal list (though it is subject to change as early as next Essen!) – what would you bring if you could?
Until your next appointment,
The Gaming Doctor
© 2008 Dale Yu
Posted by Dale Yu on Jul 23, 2008 at 01:00 AM in Columnists, Dale Yu / 780
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1860: Railways on the Isle of Wight
1860 is the token 18XX. At its sweetest ideal with 3 players it scales well to 4. Nicely meaty, suitably vicious and conniving, and filled with juicy temporary emergent alliances more than most 18XX without the collusive failings of a game like 1856. Age of Steam is simply a given though I’ve not played for almost a year now. I probably won’t start playing again for another year or a little more, but the return will be sweet. It is hard but I will wait. I like and own Gemblo but I adore two player play-two-colours Blokus. That’s the ne plus ultra for me. Gemblo is nice, Blokus is better. I do like Crokinole but Carrom does everything Crokinole does, but better for me. Deeper, more rewarding of skill, far more positional etc. Crokinole is a nice game but Carrom is the real deal. Intrige doesn’t fit any of the other standard models but does cover the 5 player gap well in a short playtime along with a solid dose of real decisions. Liar’s Dice simply because it is flexible, inoffensive and potentially raucous to keep the kids happy. Lords of the Spanish Main is the current favourite game. I’d happily play it every night and come back for more. Chewy, long, and remarkably simulationist while retaining gaming goodness. Some sort of card gaming good is de rigueur. Njet covers 4 players well enough with Mu covering for 5 players. 6 is a bit wobbly for Mu but is also a bit wobbly for most (good) card games. Oh well. 6 players can split into a pair of 3 player games. Roads & Boats is not the best choice for a hearty logistical game, I’d prefer Neuland (with the first edition rules of course), but Roads & Boats offers player count and scenario flexibility along with a (usually) more relaxed approach that could better suit away-from-home gaming. The standard card deck is simply for the great slew of games that covers and the resulting approachability for guests. While I prefer the tactiles of Kem cellulose acetate decks, Kem’s jokers are non differentiable. Conversely Copag’s jokers are differentiable, so they get the nod. Sticheln is my favourite card game—for 3 players. Of course it is on the list. TwixT—sometimes there are only two. It is tempting to throw something like King of Siam in here which also offers player count flexibility (and a fine game it is), but TwixT’s longer legs give it the nod. Wabash Cannonball (or Pampas Railroads). Wabash Cannonball is preferable simply for the smaller play time and I’ve a fair bit of length above. I’d also like to throw in a few other games in the class if I could, things like West Riding or something from this year’s Essen set, but Wabash Cannonball will be enough for now. Ohh, and of course a set of reasonable poker chips, undenominated, 7 colours, and scaled for an 1860 bank or anything smaller. Ideal would be an equivalent to my 340 chip set. Posted by J C Lawrence on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:42 AM | #
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Desert Island Games For Other People? Hehe DIGFOP Posted by Terry Bailey Sr. on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:46 AM | #
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Terry, sort of… This isn’t really a desert-island list because the list above isn’t just for me… It’s a list for me and the potential guests (many of them non-gamers) at my mythical summer house. Once I win the lottery (so that I can afford the summer house), the list will likely be easier to make as I’m hoping there will be some lottery proceeds left over to duplicate my entire game collection from home to make it easier on me to decide! Dale Posted by Dale Yu on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:04 AM | #
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I’m not sure how appropriate it would be, but if I were including party games, I’d have to add Time’s Up. It’s easily my all-time favorite and is based on a standard parlor game, so it isn’t that tough. Anyone who likes charades will be able to understand and love Time’s Up. And while I’m a big fan of gameshows, I always found Password a bit sedate for my tastes. I’d have to substitute The Greatest Game Show Ever (TM)--The Pyramid! The latest one I’ve played (which I think was labelled The $25,000 Pyramid) actually included cards for the bonus round, which is the best part of the game. It played great, so this would be a must for my gaming shelf--assuming I could find a copy! Posted by Larry Levy on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:21 AM | #
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Larry, Times Up! almost made the cut, but I find that I don’t enjoy it as much. Of course, YMMV. However, in general, I don’t like Party Games, which explains why my “Party Game” list is filled with a bunch of games that aren’t really Party Games! Hmm, well, I might have wanted to add Thingamjig too—but I guess it missed the list (this time) Dale Posted by Dale Yu on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:02 PM | #
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"Monstermaler” by the German design triumvirate of Andrea Meyer, Friedemann Friese and Marcel-André Casasola Merkle would be a great fit for every summer home, beach house, and mountain cabin. It’s incredibly small (just a note pad), cheap (3 Euros) and crazy fun. I know Schmidt now has a small-box version as well, but it’s still practically unknown in the U.S. Posted by Jeff Allers on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:13 PM | #
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Joe American says not too bad, Dale. But here is my list: Gateway Games
1. Scotland Yard
Games Kids Might Like
1. Chateau Roquefort
Party Games
1. Partini (Parker Brothers)
Posted by Ryan B. on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:21 PM | #
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I’d have to include No Thanks! due to its easy portability and appropriateness for a wide range of folks. Posted by Matt J. Carlson on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:40 PM | #
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Dale, You were right, this is closer to the list I had expect for your in-laws summer house. Let me ask you this: If instead of doing it on the cheap you had been given a $300 budget to stock your in-laws summer house, isn’t this closer to the list of games you would have bought?
The following 4 games I have introduced to several groups of casual gamers with much success:
I’m not trying to say that these are the only or best games for casual gamers. I’m just saying these are the ones I can personally vouch for. I hope to have more in the future. The biggest ‘crash and burn’ I ever had trying to introduce a game to casual gamers was Call My Bluff (aka: Liars Dice). Maybe it was a mistake to try to introduce it so late at night when thought processes can be a little hazy. None of the players had ever heard of playing liars poker with dollar bills. Even after playing 2 turns, I realized that none of the other players had a clue about how the game worked. <sigh> Posted by Eric Clason on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:10 AM | #
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Eric, no this still isn’t what I would have brought to the in-laws house even if money wasn’t an object. Again, you have to remember that I was asked to bring games that they would play, not games that I would play. It would have likely then included brand new versions of Risk, Monopoly, Clue, Scrabble, etc.... most likely in the new Bookshelf boxes. Eurowise, I might have been tempted by get a T:TR, but again, if it wouldn’t get played unless I was there, I might as well just continue bringing mine up when I come. Updated copies of Blokus and Rumis would have also made it (if I were shopping at Target). Electronic Catchphrase may have also made the cut. Carcassone, Wits and Wagers, Acquire, Scrutineyes, GriddlyHeadz, and Scattergories would have likely still made the cut… The rest of the stuff would have been given to Goodwill.
Sorry to still be a realist
Posted by Dale Yu on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:14 PM | #
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There are multiple forms of realism. Were I stocking games for a non-gaming friend’s house I’d likely pick something not entirely unliked your selection. However in such a case I also wouldn’t expect to ever play the games so I’ve a much more free rein. Now if I’m stocking for myself, presuming my own vacation home, then my list will look a lot more like what I posted. In that case my realism can take a very different cant: First I can specifically choose to play games with people who will play the sorts of games I prefer and simply skip the rest of the population, and second I can provide a small baseline of games I won’t mind dropping into but which more importantly can keep other people suitably occupied while I do or play something else. Posted by J C Lawrence on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:47 PM | #
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JC, totally agreed. My initial list (last week’s column) is for a house where I’m at less than 7 days a year. It is occupied by my in-laws and their guests for about 4-5 months. As such, the games I chose to fulfill the request are more suited for that population. When I do go up, I generally bring up a crate of my own games, though they often stay in the car as the in-laws aren’t much into gaming anyways. Dale Posted by Dale Yu on Jul 24, 2008 at 05:42 PM | #
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>Eurowise, I might have been tempted by get a
Dale, I’m curious why you believe your in-laws wouldn’t play T:TR without you. I know of at least 2 instances where I introduced T:TR to casual gamers and they later, not only played it when I was not around, but actually introduced it to others. Posted by Eric Clason on Jul 24, 2008 at 06:16 PM | #
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Eric, if you’d ever meet my in-laws, you’d know the reason :) Not a single one of them likes doing or trying things that they think they will fail at. Heck, my wife won’t even play games. Not even the children’s games with the kids! It’s a losing battle to try to get them to play Euros, so I generally don’t even try anymore. Remember that I’m about as passive as you can get about trying to convert people to gaming—a new person is pretty much going to have to ask me about the games before I even think about showing them one… Dale Posted by Dale Yu on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:00 PM | #
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