Valerie Putman: Prose on Cons—The Gathering of Friends
Pre-Day 1: Thursday, March 29, 2007
I met several friends at the airport and then we went back to my house for dinner and some Wii gaming. The real stuff would start soon enough. Between Wii Sports, the Monkey Ball mini games, and Wii Play, we had plenty of choices for pulling muscles we didn’t realize we had and lots of laughter.
Day 1: Friday, March 30, 2007
I picked up several more friends at the airport and started the Gathering off with my first game, Yspahan (which already feels like an “oldie but a goodieâ€?). Next I played the prototype of Martin Wallace’s Age of Steam (3rd edition?). (Sorry, as with most prototypes, I can’t say anything more.) After that I ran into Jay Tummelson who taught one of his new releases, Kriemer’s Wikinger. I ended the day with one of Friedemann Friese’s prototypes that I *really* liked.
Day 2: Saturday, March 31, 2007
My first game was Zooloretto, which is basically Coloretto the board game. Then it was a game of Descent. Poor Janet Moon was trapped in her hubby’s spider web for over two hours. Thankfully she had two ferrets (tee hee) to send around—but it was still quite painful. My last game of the day was another Friedemann Friese prototype.
Thoughts on the new games (that I can talk about)…
Wikinger Players buy tiles and Vikings using a fun dial that determines constantly changing prices. Then players build islands and defend against ships in order to earn money and score victory points. The game was fairly light, but we didn’t get a chance to learn the advanced rules, which seem to add quite a bit to the game. The theme didn’t really match the mechanisms, so if you’re looking for a Viking game, this isn’t it.
Zooloretto It’s Coloretto the board game, with pizzaz. Players turn over tiles with zoo animals and place them in trucks for shipping, select a truck to be delivered to their zoo, or spend money to improve their zoo or buy animals. It’s this last option that really adds more depth to the game when compared to the card game. Players are still rewarded for collecting sets and punished for having a little bit of everything. Players can still push their luck and collect lots of animals or play conservatively and bow out as soon as a truck has a desirable specimen. But the board game definitely adds additional tricks, gimmicks and options that add nicely to the Coloretto experience.
Sorry, no pictures yet… My camera battery is charging.
I’d rather be gaming!
Valerie Putman
© 2007 Valerie Putman
Posted by Valerie Putman on Apr 1, 2007 at 12:00 AM in Columnists, Valerie Putman / 1830
Comments:
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Is Kriemer your shorthand for Kramer and Kiesling, Valerie? :-) Actually, the game is by just Kiesling for a change. I don’t really care if it’s Viking themed or not, so I still want to try it out. I should see you tomorrow night or at least on Monday, if I decide to hit the hay uncharacteristically early tomorrow. I can’t wait!!! Posted by Larry Levy on Apr 1, 2007 at 12:26 AM | #
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I thought I was lucky to able to take off two days so I could make it up by Tuesady evening, but I’m already jealous of you full weekers. While seeing friends is always the real appeal of conventions (for me at least), I’ll have to say that I’m awfully psyched about the gaming this time. I’ve hardly played anything since AGF in October, and certainly nothing new. There are dozens of buzzed about games I’m really looking forward to getting a chance to play. Posted by Jay Bloodworth on Apr 1, 2007 at 06:55 AM | #
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And you’ll find the rules to Zooloretto are fantastically translated. I hope. :) See you Tuesday! pk Posted by Patrick Korner on Apr 1, 2007 at 01:36 PM | #
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LOL...Kriemer. That’s funny. I was being )so careful about getting the ie in the right order that my mind just went on autopilot for the rest. Clueless, indeed. I’d go back and edit it now, but I think it’s a bit too late. (And it was definitely a bit late when I wrote it in the first place!)
Update:
Posted by Valerie Putman on Apr 1, 2007 at 06:03 PM | #
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I’m stinkin’ jealous that all of you are playing games while I’m helping my wife put paving stones in the garden. Grrrr. Posted by Mark "Fluff Daddy" Jackson on Apr 1, 2007 at 06:05 PM | #
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What Fluff said...although substitute “sitting at work” for “helping my wife put paving stones in the garden.” Posted by Jon Theys on Apr 2, 2007 at 08:19 AM | #
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Oh, shit. I just realized...is it too early to complain yet? I know we’re not supposed to wear white before Easter, but when does the whining about not being in Columbus traditionally begin? Anyone know? Valerie, do you have any idea? You girls typically keep track of the unwritten “things you just *don’t* do” rules (e.g. the aforementioned white before Eater thing) better than us uncivilized troglodytes… Posted by Jon Theys on Apr 2, 2007 at 08:23 AM | #
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Jon,
Posted by Valerie Putman on Apr 2, 2007 at 09:00 AM | #
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Right-o. In that case, I rescind and retract all previous complaining, whining, jealous side comments, not-quite-under-my-breath mutterings, put-upon pouty faces, and that full force kicking-and-screaming-on-the-floor fit I threw on Friday night. Sorry ‘bout that. Y’all have a blast, and keep the reports coming! I wish I could be there, at the very least to start another game of R&B with you at 11pm. Game on! Posted by Jon Theys on Apr 2, 2007 at 09:22 AM | #
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