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Message: <blockquote data-quote="payn" data-source="post: 9827016" data-attributes="member: 90374">"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</blockquote>

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