Christmas is usually the most wonderful time of my year. The weather’s a little cooler, the Vince Guaraldi Trio is in full swing, and I have fantasies of having plenty of time to sit with friends, grab an ale, and play some games over the holiday season. This year fantasy has become reality, and I’ve had the chance to get some quality tabletop time in. I have “randomly” decided to share twelve (or a baker’s dozen) of games that I’ve played over the last two weeks, in case you’re looking for some ideas for the end of your gaming year.
1) 12 Days/Letters To Santa – Calliope/AEG
Two quick and fun Christmas themed card games that play fast and get everyone in the holiday spirit. I brought these out at the office party and everyone loved it. Either would make a fine addition to your holiday gatherings.
2) Battle Line – GMT Games
It takes about 10-20 minutes to play, and feels like poker with a spacial element, or like nine simultaneous hands of poker. I just discovered that there is an iOS app for it so I got some solitaire play in over the last week. Battle Line is a great two player game that is probably flying under your radar.
3) Ulm – R&R Games
A fresh, new, euro style game that plays in about an hour. I’m not usually a big fan of euros, but this one has straightforward scoring, relatively little down time, and a nifty puzzle like grid that is manipulated by players to determine what actions are available each round. That’s my kind of euro! A very streamlined and beautiful game you should check out.
4) Sun Tzu – Matagot Games
This two player game feels like an epic struggle of two armies in ancient China, but it plays in about 30 minutes. The mechanics combine area control and simultaneous card revealing to create a perfect marriage. Sun Tzu makes you think hard, trying to do some math and outguess your opponent. While that may or may not sound like fun, it definitely was! I can’t wait to play it again soon.
5) For Sale – Eagle-Gryphon Games
3-6 players buy real estate and then immediately sell it for cash. For Sale is a bidding game that feels a lot like poker because you have to manage your resources and read your opponents’ bluffing. A round plays in less than 15 minutes and it’s one of the best social games I’ve ever played. While it has been around for quite some time, I only discovered it a few weeks ago. If you haven’t played it, you should.
6) Fantastiqa – Eagle-Gryphon Games
This deck builder is about as perfectly themed as any game I’ve played. It has a whimsical, Narnia-esque vibe, where you may fight a dragon with a spatula and pail as your weapons. One of the coolest aspects is that players move around the board using their ramped-up decks to complete harder and harder quests. It is one of the first games I’ve seen that combines deck-building with board movement, and it does it really well. Fantastiqa has a unique style to go along with its unique name, and I highly recommend it.
7) Thunder & Lightning – ZMAN Games
A two player card game where one player is Loki and the other is Thor. Each player has her own deck of cards from which to draw. The art on these cards is wonderful. Somewhere shuffled in Thor’s deck is Odin’s ring and Loki’s deck contains Odin’s crown. Each player must protect his own item at all cost – since having it discovered costs you the game – while (obviously) trying to find the other person’s item or destroy their army. A great game.
8) Lost Cities: The Card Game – Kosmos Games
Somehow this Knizia-designed classic never made it to my table until last week. It is a tight two player game and a perfect one to bring a non-gamer into the fold. The rules are very simple; play a card, draw a card. The art is beautiful and a game takes about 15 minutes to play, but there is still a good amount of strategy and thought involved. My wife and I found ourselves wanting to play “just one more time” for almost an hour (not a metaphor).
9) Dragonwood – Gamewright Games
A perfect game that involves rummy/poker style card concepts (straight, flush, 3 of a kind). Players then use these concepts to acquire dice to roll against monsters, D&D style. A great family game that could be a nice gateway to RPGs. And the art is very charming.
10) Pairs – Cheapass Games
A perfect, simple, card game where players push their luck and try NOT to draw pairs. Players are trying to be the last man/woman standing. This game is comprised of a single deck of cards and easily transportable. This is one of my “go-to” pub games where the first person out of the round could take a drink or buy drinks for other players. It is SO simple, but the press your luck mechanic is very exciting when players start to get into it. Always a lot of yelling around the table when Pairs gets played. Also, they make several different decks with unique art to fit most any taste.
11) Dead Drop – Crash Of Games
Social deduction at its best. There are only 13 cards in the deck, but players are spies competing to identify the “drop” card and retrieve it before the other players. Players take turns exchanging cards with other players (or the table) in order to accomplish their goals. Games take a lightning quick 5 minutes, but you’ll probably want to play it over and over. A great filler or pub game.
12) Thieves! – Calliope Games
A relatively unknown card game that sets you as thieves robbing a bank and trying to have the most loot when the 7th getaway card appears. Unless the cops arrive first. When that happens you want to have the second most loot because the one with the most loses it all. Thieves is fast paced and contains some very slick “take that” strategy where you want to time it so your stash is strongest exactly at the moment the last getaway card shows up. It’s a very nice party game for 3-6 players.
Well, there you have it. No matter what games you play over the holidays, I’ll feel it…. like a Game Jedi – a thousand voices crying out in excitement – and it WILL be good. Have a happy holiday and keep on nerding on!
For these and other great games, check out www.dicedropgames.com.
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