Garrett's Games and Geekiness: Recent Comments

Comment on Garrett's Games 298 - Contest, Cambria, Quebec, Kingdom Builder

Rick — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:37:38 GMT

Hi! I just learned about your podcast at BGG and it sounds great. I will have it to my list. How do I enter the contest?

Unfortunately, we aren't accepting entries anymore, but I am very glad to have you as a listener!

Comment on Garrett's Games 297 - Contest, Ticket to Ride India, China Maps, Stone Age Expansion, and Masters' Gallery

tomg — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:40:37 GMT

Hey folks,
I have a couple of quick comments on 297.
First, I can't wait to play the new TTR maps/games. We enjoy TTR in my family and the team version will allow me to legally help my son.
I really need to play China more. I like the game quite a bit. Maybe we can get a couple of games in this year Doug.
The Stone Age expansion sounds interesting. I enjoyed Stone Age the few times I played.
That's it from me.
Go Forth and Game,
tomg

Comment on Garrett's Games 296 - Best of 2011

Pedro — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:32:56 GMT

Greets from Portugal, this is a new fan of your episodes, glad to know you love the game Vinhos from a nice friend Vital. I think this year he will be releasing CO2, another "Vital" game, if you love Vinhos, you'll love this one too. Continue the good work.
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Thanks for the information Pedro! Another Vital game sounds fantastic.

Comment on Garrett's Games 285 - Live from Essen plus Fortuna and Kingdom Builder

games review — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:15:20 GMT

Queen Games' new Kingdom is great game. I just tried it.

Comment on Garrett's Games 281 - OlympOs, China online, and Biblios

tomg — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:20:48 GMT

Hi folks,
This was a very good episode. I liked your overview of Olympos. It sounds fun and I think my family would like it too. Biblios has been on my list for a while (as Scripts and Scribes). Thanks for the overview. I want it even more now. China is indeed a great game. I've only played it 3 times but I'm hooked.
On to the next show.
Go Forth And Game
tomg
www.goforthandgame.com

Comment on Garrett's Games 283 - Essen Preview

Antti Koskinen — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:20:22 GMT

I'm a bit disappointed that none of the Finnish designs made it on your list. There's quite a few really good games from Finnish designers this year.

I'll be there so I'll definitely drop by and give you the list of games you really should check out. ;)

Comment on Garrett's Games 283 - Essen Preview

Spencer — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:52:19 GMT

How much do you really love your nephews? From BGG (about Wilderness)...

"This game is hand-made at this stage, with beautifully carved and painted models. There will only be a few copies at Essen, and they will be in english. But, since each copy is made individually at the moment, I guess it would not be impossible to make a copy in german, if that is desired and ordered. The hand-made version will cost officially 190 euros at Essen (hopefully it will be a little bit less) and will include 13 different sculpted and painted models, 8 board segments, lots of cards and many other things, all gorgeous and well done. Be sure to check it out at Essen!"

Comment on Garrett's Games 282 - Eminent Domain & Essen

Seth Jaffee — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:28:31 GMT

Great review guys! I think you did a terrific job of describing the game.

I'm glad you liked the game, Doug. Sorry it wasn't more to Shelly's liking, but I'm excited to hear that you're looking forward to playing more.

Keep up the great podcasts!

- Seth

Comment on Garrett's Games 280 - Belfort and Puzzle Strike!

Seth — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 07:04:22 GMT

... It does mean fewer in front of you... DOES that make you live longer? I learned from a friend, and I think he said you lose if you have 10 total value of gems, not 10 gem tiles (then again, it was a while ago, and only once, so I could have it wrong).

In other news, I had posted that only 1/2 way through your podcast. Of course now I've heard the Belfort part, and I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for such a kind review :)

Comment on Garrett's Games 280 - Belfort and Puzzle Strike!

Seth — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:13:20 GMT

For Puzzle Strike, I think you start with a SPECIFIC 3 chips based on the character you choose, not a random 3 or a chosen 3... probably balanced that way. The video game has characters (like Street Fighter characters: Ken, Ryu, etc.) which have strengths and weaknesses. I believe Puzzle Strike's unique tokens are supposed to (and I think they kinda do) give you that feel of "this character is more defensive" or "this character is aggressive, but reckless" or something.

In the video game it's kinda like Tetris, but rather than different shapes falling, just squares fall... but then they group themselves into larger squares (if you get a 2x2 square of red gems, they become a bigger red gem)... when you 'crash' these gems, they go away (a la Tetris lines) - and it sends a bunch of junk to your opponent. Like Tetris, when your board is full, you lose. The object of course is to survive, and fill up your opponent's board so they fail.

Regarding your comment about the losing condition being 10 tiles vs 10 value worth... the reason you want to group up is no to survive longer, it's so that you can crash more gems at a time to send to your opponent. I believe you can only crash 1 gem at a time, so if you don't group up the gems, then you're just getting rid of 1 at a time (and they can send it back to you with one of those defensive tiles). If you group up the gems into a big gem, then you can send a BUNCH of crap at the opponent, and I think if they 'block' it only sends 1 little gem back (not the entire big gem, since you crashed it into lots of little gems). Not sure if that all made sense or not...

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Thanks for the comments, Seth. You are correct about the 3 chips, and that's what we meant. The 3 chips associated with a particular character can be chosen at random BY CHARACTER.

As for the gems, sure you want to group them to crash them to your opponent, but grouping them DOES mean that you have fewer in front of you, so you can last longer.