Board/Card game suggestions

[Rechan]

If you are going to get Fluxx, I'd recommend eschewing the vanilla version and going for one of the themed versions. I've got Zombie Fluxx and Monty Python Fluxx, both of which I like better than vanilla. Monty Python's my preferred version, both because I prefer the theme and humor and because I think it makes more creative use of keepers and creepers.

Are the other ones full versions, or just expansion packs with a couple of cards?

 

[RodneyThompson]

Are the other ones full versions, or just expansion packs with a couple of cards?

They are full games that are also compatible with one another (so you can mix them up and play, but it adds to the game time). For my money, I prefer Zombie Fluxx.

Also, let me second Three Dragon Ante. Ignoring the fact that we publish it, I think it's a great card game that is fun and pretty straightforward. The big downside is you need something to act as poker chips (I use poker chips...shocking), but pennies/nickels will work if you want.

 

[MerricB]

They are full games that are also compatible with one another (so you can mix them up and play, but it adds to the game time). For my money, I prefer Zombie Fluxx.

Also, let me second Three Dragon Ante. Ignoring the fact that we publish it, I think it's a great card game that is fun and pretty straightforward. The big downside is you need something to act as poker chips (I use poker chips...shocking), but pennies/nickels will work if you want.

I'll add my vote to Rodney's for 3DA. It's a great game (that I also play with poker chips). Very easy to learn, great fun to play, and allows enough strategical and tactical play to be interesting to a wide variety of players.

I'm also very fond of Chrononauts - much more so than Fluxx, of which it is a cousin.

Ticket to Ride is brilliant as well. Plays in about 45-60 minutes, and very easy rules to learn. 2-5 players.

Cheers!

 

[Jan van Leyden]

I'm missing three games on all the lists given here, though I don't know wether they are available in the US. As the material (apart from the rules) is completely language independent, a foreign language version would suffice as well.

1. Transamerica: very easy and clean track-building game with high variability. Can be played with 2-6 players, 4-5 being the optimum number. One round takes some 10 minutes, three to four rounds are usually needed to complete a game. Very easy to grasp and beginner-friendly; new players usually ask for this game to be played at the next session.

2. Viva il Re: players get a card with six (?) of 14 (?) pretenders to the throne. The pretender-pawns are placed on a simple track by the players. On your turn, you move any one pretender up on space on the track. When a pretender reaches the last space on the track, players vote whether this guy will be the new king. Each player has voting cards: one "yes" and three "veto". Without veto the rouns ends with the new king. Players score points for the position of their pretenders. If at least one veto is played, the affected pretender is removed from play, the veto cards are discarded and play continues. One round lasts until a new king has been elected (1-5 minutes); the whole game consists of three rounds. Easy to grasp bluffing game.

3. Metro: another track building game, this time thematising the buiolding of the Paris Metro. A bit more involved than Transamerica. Metro has been our favorite introductory game for years.

Ah, still another one:

Piranha Pedro: Cool little bluffing game with lots of actual stones. Fun to play with the material, though probably rather expensive to ship.

 

[Stormtalon]

Ooh, Gloom sounds fun.

The names of some of the cards are the best part about the game -- "Pursued by Poodles," "Betrayed by the Butler," "Menaced by Mimes" -- the list goes on. It even encourages you to come up with a short tale behind each misery you heap on your family members.

 

[Asmor]

The names of some of the cards are the best part about the game -- "Pursued by Poodles," "Betrayed by the Butler," "Menaced by Mimes" -- the list goes on. It even encourages you to come up with a short tale behind each misery you heap on your family members.

Also worth noting that Gloom is created by none other than Keith Baker of Eberron fame.

 

[Rechan]

This might sound like an odd question, but are there any games which are good ice breakers to play with someone (more than likely a girl) whom you don't know/barely know? Something you can just drop on a table and play between the two of you casually?

Ahem.

 

[JiffyPopTart]

One could say the same about Uno. But oddly, I had a lot of fun with Uno (except for the one game that took about 30 minutes to resolve).

I WOULD say that same thing about Uno.

The difference is in fluxx you end up drawing 10 cards, passing one to each neighbor, playing 3, and putting the rest back on top of the deck. This just makes the time until someone wins at random take that much longer than UNO.

DS

 

[Asmor]

This might sound like an odd question, but are there any games which are good ice breakers to play with someone (more than likely a girl) whom you don't know/barely know? Something you can just drop on a table and play between the two of you casually?

Ahem.

Sounds like a job for Busen Memo (NSFW).

It's a mammary game. I mean a memory game. Stupid Freudian slips.

 

[Rechan]

The names of some of the cards are the best part about the game -- "Pursued by Poodles," "Betrayed by the Butler," "Menaced by Mimes" -- the list goes on. It even encourages you to come up with a short tale behind each misery you heap on your family members.

Would that be the same as making up a story for M:tG cards or how things play out in Munchkin, or is it easier with Gloom somehow?