Gaming Week Wrap-up (July 2, 2006)
Last week, we hosted a gaming session for San San and Dendy. We did You are Bluffing and then Settlers of Catan (since we are in SOC mood nowadays).
Dendy and San San playing You're Bluffing
A quick wrap-up of the gaming last week. Monday I met Marcus at Amcorp and since he has another friend Derrick with him, we decided to do a quick round of 3-player Puerto Rico at Starbucks. Well, both of them were new to Puerto Rico so it was more like a learning game for them. Another 2 converts for Puerto Rico.... :)
Other than that, it was a quiet weekday... with the Dark Side (work) being strong and the World Cup matches on almost every nite, it's hard to put in much time for gaming. My Ozzie gaming buddy, Yee Seng, is back for his holiday last Sat but have not even met him till today, much less game with him. Duh...
SETTLERS OF CATAN QUALIFIER
Saturday was SoC Qualifier over at the Boardgamecafe.net centre. A smaller group of participants this time around (compared to the last two batches from Games Circle and Toybox) but we enjoyed ourselves while competing for the 2 qualifier places. Kudos to lady gamers as this qualifier saw a qualifying round with all-ladies in one table!
The All-Lady Catan table
Finally Alan Woon (Landak Gamers) and Foo Tun Ching (Games Circle Gamers) won the two seats but not without a closely contested fight from the other two players, Lai Wah and Kok Keong.
Alan (left) and Foo both qualified for the July 29 Finals
More pictures and reports here.
Next week SOC moves to Starbucks in Bangsar Village. This shall the last 3 qualifiers so if you have still not qualified, what are you still waiting for? Details here.
After SOC, some gamers hang around for a few sessions of boardgames. We did a few rounds of Pickomino and China before we adjourned for dinner.
4-player China, a rethemed version of Web of Power
After dinner, some left while three of us stayed to do our 1st game of Havoc, the 100 Years War.
Havoc is a poker-variant battle card game, similar to Battle Line (another Knizia favourite of ours). It is designed by KC Humphrey but the game is distributed exclusively by Funagain and hence it's not as widely available as the other games.
We had two sets shipped in on special order last month (one set went to my buddy LostBoyz) and myself only had the chance to play it yesterday. A quick run-thru of the gameplay, lining up the 9 battle cards in front of everyone and off we go for our 1st battle.
Havoc features some very beautifully designed card depicting the troops you can recruit
My quick comment? It's definitely a meatier game than Battle Line, even less luck-dependent on card draw and best of all, it can fit 2-6 players (unlike Battle Line which plays only 2). Battle Line is still easy, faster and fun to play. But Havoc allows you more strategic options as you plan and manage your hand over 9 battles.
In Battle Line, you fight for 9 flags
So the verdict is: Get Battle Line if you are playing primarily two players (and want a lighter game) but a better option is to get Havoc which can play 2-6. Even better - get both games! Hah..
If you are looking to get Havoc, drop me a note. We may ship more sets in next time.
btw have you entered the competition for the chance to win a FREE Cleopatra game? If not, pls do so. Closing date is July 3rd.
WORLD CUP 2006
And as we approach the final straight for the World Cup (Germany playing Italy on Tue while France take on Portugal on Wed). Then the BIGGIE on Sun. Monday morning might see lots of sleepy workers. :P
NEW GAMES
Next up, I'm sure everyone's waiting with bated breath for Caylus, Tempus, Thurn n Taxis and Cleopatra & the Society of Architects.. all playing in M'sia on 15 July (or thereabout lar).