I have been playing some Race for the Galaxy (just the base game) on BGA with Jon and Yasmin. This is the game I have the highest play count for, at 2200+ games. Most of these were played against bots on the iPad. However I did play many 2-player games with my wife Michelle, many years ago. It’s nice to be playing a stretch with humans again. I find that I am more careful and deliberate compared to when I play with bots. This gives me a better appreciation of the game. It is a strange feeling playing with just the base game, now that I am so used to playing the first story arc with all three expansions. 

 

The user interface design in BGA is not as good as the iPad, but it is serviceable. 

 

 

Nippon is about the modernisation and industrialisation of Japan. A heavy Eurogame where money is tight and you have multiple things to worry about. As you play, you adjust how each aspect of your business conglomerate scores. You will want to do more of the stuff that will score more points for you. It’s not easy to need to commit early which aspects to focus on. 

 

 

The good old El Grande! Published in 1995, this is one of the most popular Eurogames of its era. Unfortunately it has never been quite my thing. Normally I wouldn’t suggest it, and I’ll only play if others want to. With this recent play, it was a bit more chaotic than I remembered. I also find it quite tactical. There will be big opportunities popping up unexpectedly, and you will want to grab them. I once chose a card which forced everyone else to send all their cubes back to the provinces. Everyone must have hated me then. 

 

 

Viticulture – the wine-making game. A worker placement game where some spots are available only during summer, and some only during winter.