What kinds of games do you like, and why?

Outside of RPGs, I really like small force war games (things like Kill Team and Frostgrave). They have a low entry cost and, due to the small size of warbands/teams/etc, I can assemble, paint, and field a force inside of a month (assuming I manage my free time well). I like some older war games, as well. I'm a big fan of some oldies from Standard Games (Outremer and Dark Blades, particularly). Sadly, those are out of my reach currently (they're worth a lot of $$$).

From about 2004 to 2014 I was very involved into miniature wargaming. I played 40k, Warmachines, Infinity and several niche wargames like Freebooters Fate, Pulp City and
Dark Age. I organized events, leagues and tournaments. I did demos.

During that period I had given up on RPGs. It was too difficult to find good players and maintain a stable group. It was much easier to find wargamers for 1 vs 1 games. I also did not play board games. I was happy gluing, painting and playing miniature wargames. It was a fun period until it wasn’t fun anymore. Constant edition changes, army list changes and new stronger units destroyed my enthousiasm.

In 2014, I bought and tried D&D 5e. We played for six months but soon the same problems of keeping a stable group together happened. I gave up on campaigns. Instead I organized one-shots of various RPGs. It was an interesting time. That is how I found a group willing to commit serioulsy to a D&D campaing. We played for one year and it was great, just like the old times in the 80. But Covid and a divorce between two players put an end to that.

That is when I look at my large collection of games and remembered I used to play Barabarian Prince, an 80s solo adventure game with a map. A quick search on the internet showed me how to play almost any type of game solo. EUREKA.

To funny thing, is that without trying, I’m now in a stable RPG group, we play board games from time to time, I play with my wife and I play solo games weekly. I occasionnaly play historical miniature wargames against a select group of players. Mostly Dark Age and Antiquity. It’s a good life.

Lastly, if a game is only played using cards, I'm less likely to enjoy it. I tried liking CCGs, Living card games and other types of card games but I just zone out.

Last time I played computer games was Diablo II and Champions of Norrath. I'm not even tempted to try the latest Balder's Gate. I was never into pinball machines, arcade video games, console or computer games.

RPGs: I like them to have magic/super natural, but also more low magic if that makes sense. Grounded in realism and not over the top. Medium crunch and Im not a fan of roll low games.

Board: mostly kids games now. Before kids we played more but dont have the time. We tried to play Jaws of the Lion, but cant keep it set up without the kids messing with it.

War: i really want to play skirmish games, buy them, watch YouTube about them, heck even tinker on rules for them, but never play them.

Video: two player coop my girlfriend and I can play. Right now that means Borderlands 1 on her old Xbox 360. We have a switch so occasionally play Mario Kart with the kids.

"Strategy without tactics is the longest road to victory, but tactics without strategy is the quickest path to defeat" - Sun Tzu, likely.

I am an extrovert so solo gaming isnt preferred. I very much like the shared experience. I like games with repeatability where each game is satisfying. If a game has diminishing returns im not likely to take it up. The former is often things such as card games like cribbage, Eucher, Hearts, Rummy, RPGs, board games etc... The latter is things such as legacy board games, MMORPGs, Open world video games, competitive card/war games etc... I dont say never to the latter, though I usually like them conceptually then often they fall apart in execution.

So, building a basic foundation in which a complex set of aspects can be layered on top of is something I really appreciate. Gimmicky, ever changing rulesets with collector pieces and hyper competitive play in mind is the fastest way to loose me. Which is likely why I've fallen out of MMOs and never got into Magic the Gathering (or any collectable card game). Some of the most absolute classics havent changed in years, decades, or even centuries.

My most satisfying experiences are those in which all players have at least a basic understanding of the fundamentals. An even playing field that is won out through strategy and a pinch of luck. Some folks play to win through forming distinct advantages. This tactics driven play is what I was referring to in the opening quote. If your tactical technique fails, and you simply lose becasue you dont grasp the fundamentals, thats not my type of gaming partner. Some games encourage a never ending meta arms race which some folks find appealing. I am not one of them.

So lets get to some examples.

The board game id put on the throne is Diplomacy. It's a simple game in which a map of Europe is laid out. Each player is trying to conquer territory to win. Each army is worth a single point, so you need to double your efforts to conquer. The true heart of the game, however, is you cant do it alone. You must interact with the other players forming alliances, breaking them at key points, and surviving the process over and over until somebody conquers the map or a stalemate is agreed upon. Elegant, classic, and strategy driven from start to finish.

The war game I cant get enough of is Classic Battletech. A deep and rich setting about war in the 29th century and beyond. Developed back in '84, Classic Battletech formed a basic foundation for a war game in which mechs armed with a series of different weapon types must manage their heat and units as they spiral out of efficiency. Its deep and nuanced for a wargame. It splits the difference between tactics driven play and foundational strategy that has changed very little in the 40+ years its been around.

Alternatively, Battletech Alpha Strike was developed to be more int he vein of modern miniatures war game. Taking after games such as 40K Kill Team and Star Wars X-Wing, this simplified version allows large force battles to be fought in 45-90 min. Here its key to find a tactical advantage because its game over if you dont. Its been silo'd into a hyper competitive tournament format that allows easy entry but quick burn out. While I clearly prefer the depth and longevity of Calssic Battletech, I apreciate that the IP can foster more than a single fan base and supply many gamers with great experiences.

Lastly, I like games that have engaging stories and mechanics. Video Games such as Mass Effect and The Last of Us where playing to the next cut scene is a real joy to see where the story is going to go. In the case of Mass Effect having some control over the main character and how details emerge in the story is absolute delight. GHames like this take a lot to develop and are few and far between. Which is why I dont play video games too often anymore. In the case of RPGs, I like games not just with great settings, but settings in which the developer puts a lot of effort in building out with adventures. I know this can be hard for developers as the crumbs of the pie are small after D&D gets its share. Though, I really dig Pathfinder even if PF2 is not a game I particualrly like. Like Battletech, im a sucker for a classic solid foudnationaly built game, so Traveller the RPG has remained consitently a favorite of mine for those reasons.

-Cheers

Beyond ttRPGs...

CCG - Commander/EDH MtG

Deckbuilder - Ascension

Cards - Bridge, Rummy 500, Multiple Solitaire, Cribbage (and haven't regularly in ages but Canasta and Euchre)

The comfort level with the game, the just sitting around talking, and the trash talking.

Just a note: when talking about wargaming, you really need to make it clear if you're talking about miniatures games, hex-and-chit games (or their equivelent) or both. While there's some overlap, they're almost separate hobbies.

For boardgames, I'm really into dungeon crawlers. Like, REALLY into them. I've donated 2/3 of my collection over the years to make room, but still have a walk-in closet full of them. Darn you HeroQuest for starting this!

For CCGs, I play Lorcana with my wife, but my current favorite is Sorcery thanks to their "no digital art" rule.
Example:


For video games, I'm currently cursing my way through Silksong. I've never loved and hated a game so much.