Hi, it's me at the end of 2017 and back again with a short (hopefully) summary of my 2017 gaming life. It's been a fun ride, lots of interesting things (games) and I honestly guilty with all those whole year acquisitions. 2017 is my first year (if not 2016) of married life and it really changed the table for me. I tried to maintain my gaming sessions though it's been significantly decreased from before. It just had to happen, none could say otherwise and I could live with that. But lets just say that I keep on clinging with at least the true nature of myself, a board gamer (fan, player, collector and enthusiast). So I've been recently busy with my VLOG, reviews and other things. Now the end of year will mark my next (new) step on this board game industry, hopefully things will be smooth and rewarding.
So let's keep on talking about 2017 cause it's still hot from the oven. I've been tracking my monthly loot for over 2 years or so and it's awesome (no matter how you may see it). My collection is keep on growing (not gonna spill the bean here, let's say I am proud and shame at the same time). But in this post I will mention exclusively for the ones in 2017.
JANUARY
Starting off 2017, January was not really that special. I only got Round House and Legends of The American Frontier which admittedly I did not enough table time for these two. Round House has nice looking mechanic of rondel action selection though it seemed lack of solid balance on the actions. While Legends of the American Frontier was a journey game where players can feel or create or play as the life of an American living on the Frontier, not an easy one I guess back then (I just recently watched A Million Ways to Die In The West). It really puts the game in the push your luck element with character building into a simple enjoy-the-game-experience rather than the game mechanic and point rewards. I could play this with my afternoon tea (if there's such thing).
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FEBRUARY
Now this was one of the best of 2017, due to my birthday and other things. I snatched a good deal of games in this month. My Anachrony Kickstarter arrived and it couldn't get any better. My best birthday gift after The Name of The Rose and Ladies of Troyes (these two were from my wife, so both trumped any game). I like Mindclash Games, had a very pleasant and satisfying experience with Trickerion and they did the same great thing with Anachrony. The Name of The Rose had been a long overdue game from Stefan Feld that I need to have, so it was a very great thing to finally own it. It's not like His recent games, it's definitely unique and we all like it. My next birthday gift was Troyes expansion, which I didn't see it coming. I am always a fan of Troyes and having the expansion is surely a great deal for me, my wife is the best! I also got Dream Home from a friend which she insisted to give me instead. Thanks to Her, she's always the best. I also found Oceanos to be interesting but sadly it's too simple for me. Not that I say that I didn't have fun playing it, since any game if fun if you play it with the perfect group.
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MARCH
Adrenaline. Yup just one. It's a good one. It's an Euro but feels very different, fresh and fun. It's an Euro disguising as Ameritrash. In the game players vie controls / majorities over the dominion of each other. Who beats the hardest to someone and else. Though it does not offer variable player powers but this offers variable weapon powers instead. Surely gonna keep this.
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APRIL
Gloomhaven! Yes this big bad-ass epic game finally arrived! (damn you postal office, it's longer than it should). My long wait Kickstarter game that I backed 2 years ago finally arrived. I shared some love of my life in this game and it didn't disappoint. It was good and I must admit that it beats Eclipse as my number one game of all time. But, hopefully Eclipse could beat it in the next 2018 with it's second dawn edition (yes, time to burn some money for it). And what better is, my wife turned out to like the game (to my surprise). I am looking forward to finish the game (or complete) with her, enjoyed our sessions together and currently waiting for removable stickers to arrive.
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MAY
We had some good games from South Korean trip. Those were Abraca...What! and H.I.D.E. I was quite surprise with HIDE, it was so damn good. Plays fast, simple and hilariously fun! Okay, it might be a silly game for some but this one rocks my boat so hard. Abraca...What is cute, simple and fun, but not spectacular. I also got Cottage Garden from a friend when she visited Europe. That time wasn't easy to get this game here. It's a multi player Patchwork, they said. Surely it's way more simple, but not better. I kinda disappointed with the lack of challenge on this one, hoping Barenpark would do the job. Indian Summer also released in 2017 Essen Spiel, but I think I had enough of Uwe's refurbish games.
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JUNE
This month was probably the biggest loot of the year. Sadly not my proudest loot, how can you beat April's Gloomhaven? "
There was Vinhos (also a belated birthday present from a friend, she's the best!) though it's not a Kickstarter version. I wasn't into wine and things so hadn't fully wrap my head into the game just yet. Oink Games invaded, I had Insiders, Fake Artist, Pyramid's Deadline and Startups to fill the lineup. Also Strawberry trios arrived from Kickstarter, these were some of my KS disappointment, simple and filler games surely but they just didn't click with me. I also got a great deal with CV which I had an eye for quite a long time thanks to Minions and Co. And last but not least, I managed to get my hands onto three of Hisashi Hayashi's games, Rolling America, Emperor's Choice and Junglila (so fulfilling).
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JULY - AUGUST
Nothing! Yep, really nothing. It's a hiatus for me, preoccupied with Gloomhaven at that moment and satisfied with it. I guess it's a good thing (thankfully / sadly it's just a temporary).
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SEPTEMBER
Back on track in September. Heavy hitter games were arriving such as Lisboa (Kickstarter edition) The 7th Continent, Dice Forge and Tales of The Arabian Nights. I bought Stronghold on impulse which up until now haven't hit the table (guilty). The 7th Continent was a roller coaster, I enjoyed hours of it though there still hundreds of hours of it. Haven't clear the first curse yet after 3 plays and I am ashamed of that. Lisboa doesn't disappoint, I like it so far. Tales of The Arabian Nights offered something different in the storytelling genre and I shattered the game's bad image from my wife's, which is a good thing. Dice Forge is solid, clever and nice looking dice customization game and it also plays fast.
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OCTOBER
Finally I completed my Eclipse expansion with Shadow of The Rift. It's a life achievement. Now my next life achievement is to get this game played on the table (and also get the second dawn edition and trade this edition away). I got a mixed feeling with this and whatever I feel about it, I need to get that second dawn edition, absolutely and definitely.
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NOVEMBER
Essen 2017 was on the air and I was lucky a friend brought me back Rajas of The Ganges (not my first pick of Essen 2017 releases but it still good). InBetween is Stranger Things The Board Game and I satisfied with it. Not the best but it's good enough, not for everyone but good for me. I also got Near and Far which aside from being quite expensive I could snatch it with the help of my friend on Monopolis Game Store. They're awesome and you should check them out. Dogs Kickstarter arrived and it's lovely. It has many flaws but we still love it, cause we love dogs (apparently). Flatline was a joyride, it was fun and chaotic, but firstly I got it because of those colorful custom dice.
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DECEMBER
Not the best of months since I really expecting another game to arrive. But I had to be content with these, Otys, Ex Libris and Gloomhaven 2nd printing KS fulfillement. Ex Libris was good, I like it and keeping it on my collection. Though I couldn't justify the expensive price with it's components, of course it has custom wooden meeples but a million for it (its surely against my logic). Gloomhaven 2nd printing fulfillment just consists of reprint rules and scenario book. I also got the solo scenarios but that's just for the sake of completion. I also had Isaribi when a friend of mine decided to release it. It's another addition of Hisashi Hayashi's games into my collection. But luckily in the last minutes before the month and year ends, a good game joins into the fray, Pulsar 2849 is mine. Though I wasn't really keen on the game due to its space exploration theme, the game designer's was the one that redirected me back to get my hands on it. He's the designer of Shipyard which is one of my wife's favorite games of all time. So I jumped on board to get this one for her (its a strong alibi) even though she's not really fond with its theme.
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It's been a good year. Hopefully 2018 will be the same or better. There are some Kickstarter games that I am currently waiting to arrive on 2018 (Brass from Roxley, Cerebria, Roll Player and Hand of Fate: Ordeals), including the one that was late for 2017 (I am waiting for you). And what other games that I will be getting, that list is surely interesting as hell, such as Agra, Flipships, Meeple Circus, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Santa Maria, and many more. So many games to get, so little time to play them all and limited cash to spend. What an irony!
So let's keep on talking about 2017 cause it's still hot from the oven. I've been tracking my monthly loot for over 2 years or so and it's awesome (no matter how you may see it). My collection is keep on growing (not gonna spill the bean here, let's say I am proud and shame at the same time). But in this post I will mention exclusively for the ones in 2017.
JANUARY
Starting off 2017, January was not really that special. I only got Round House and Legends of The American Frontier which admittedly I did not enough table time for these two. Round House has nice looking mechanic of rondel action selection though it seemed lack of solid balance on the actions. While Legends of the American Frontier was a journey game where players can feel or create or play as the life of an American living on the Frontier, not an easy one I guess back then (I just recently watched A Million Ways to Die In The West). It really puts the game in the push your luck element with character building into a simple enjoy-the-game-experience rather than the game mechanic and point rewards. I could play this with my afternoon tea (if there's such thing).
FEBRUARY
Now this was one of the best of 2017, due to my birthday and other things. I snatched a good deal of games in this month. My Anachrony Kickstarter arrived and it couldn't get any better. My best birthday gift after The Name of The Rose and Ladies of Troyes (these two were from my wife, so both trumped any game). I like Mindclash Games, had a very pleasant and satisfying experience with Trickerion and they did the same great thing with Anachrony. The Name of The Rose had been a long overdue game from Stefan Feld that I need to have, so it was a very great thing to finally own it. It's not like His recent games, it's definitely unique and we all like it. My next birthday gift was Troyes expansion, which I didn't see it coming. I am always a fan of Troyes and having the expansion is surely a great deal for me, my wife is the best! I also got Dream Home from a friend which she insisted to give me instead. Thanks to Her, she's always the best. I also found Oceanos to be interesting but sadly it's too simple for me. Not that I say that I didn't have fun playing it, since any game if fun if you play it with the perfect group.
MARCH
Adrenaline. Yup just one. It's a good one. It's an Euro but feels very different, fresh and fun. It's an Euro disguising as Ameritrash. In the game players vie controls / majorities over the dominion of each other. Who beats the hardest to someone and else. Though it does not offer variable player powers but this offers variable weapon powers instead. Surely gonna keep this.
APRIL
Gloomhaven! Yes this big bad-ass epic game finally arrived! (damn you postal office, it's longer than it should). My long wait Kickstarter game that I backed 2 years ago finally arrived. I shared some love of my life in this game and it didn't disappoint. It was good and I must admit that it beats Eclipse as my number one game of all time. But, hopefully Eclipse could beat it in the next 2018 with it's second dawn edition (yes, time to burn some money for it). And what better is, my wife turned out to like the game (to my surprise). I am looking forward to finish the game (or complete) with her, enjoyed our sessions together and currently waiting for removable stickers to arrive.
MAY
We had some good games from South Korean trip. Those were Abraca...What! and H.I.D.E. I was quite surprise with HIDE, it was so damn good. Plays fast, simple and hilariously fun! Okay, it might be a silly game for some but this one rocks my boat so hard. Abraca...What is cute, simple and fun, but not spectacular. I also got Cottage Garden from a friend when she visited Europe. That time wasn't easy to get this game here. It's a multi player Patchwork, they said. Surely it's way more simple, but not better. I kinda disappointed with the lack of challenge on this one, hoping Barenpark would do the job. Indian Summer also released in 2017 Essen Spiel, but I think I had enough of Uwe's refurbish games.
JUNE
This month was probably the biggest loot of the year. Sadly not my proudest loot, how can you beat April's Gloomhaven? "
There was Vinhos (also a belated birthday present from a friend, she's the best!) though it's not a Kickstarter version. I wasn't into wine and things so hadn't fully wrap my head into the game just yet. Oink Games invaded, I had Insiders, Fake Artist, Pyramid's Deadline and Startups to fill the lineup. Also Strawberry trios arrived from Kickstarter, these were some of my KS disappointment, simple and filler games surely but they just didn't click with me. I also got a great deal with CV which I had an eye for quite a long time thanks to Minions and Co. And last but not least, I managed to get my hands onto three of Hisashi Hayashi's games, Rolling America, Emperor's Choice and Junglila (so fulfilling).
JULY - AUGUST
Nothing! Yep, really nothing. It's a hiatus for me, preoccupied with Gloomhaven at that moment and satisfied with it. I guess it's a good thing (thankfully / sadly it's just a temporary).
SEPTEMBER
Back on track in September. Heavy hitter games were arriving such as Lisboa (Kickstarter edition) The 7th Continent, Dice Forge and Tales of The Arabian Nights. I bought Stronghold on impulse which up until now haven't hit the table (guilty). The 7th Continent was a roller coaster, I enjoyed hours of it though there still hundreds of hours of it. Haven't clear the first curse yet after 3 plays and I am ashamed of that. Lisboa doesn't disappoint, I like it so far. Tales of The Arabian Nights offered something different in the storytelling genre and I shattered the game's bad image from my wife's, which is a good thing. Dice Forge is solid, clever and nice looking dice customization game and it also plays fast.
OCTOBER
Finally I completed my Eclipse expansion with Shadow of The Rift. It's a life achievement. Now my next life achievement is to get this game played on the table (and also get the second dawn edition and trade this edition away). I got a mixed feeling with this and whatever I feel about it, I need to get that second dawn edition, absolutely and definitely.
NOVEMBER
Essen 2017 was on the air and I was lucky a friend brought me back Rajas of The Ganges (not my first pick of Essen 2017 releases but it still good). InBetween is Stranger Things The Board Game and I satisfied with it. Not the best but it's good enough, not for everyone but good for me. I also got Near and Far which aside from being quite expensive I could snatch it with the help of my friend on Monopolis Game Store. They're awesome and you should check them out. Dogs Kickstarter arrived and it's lovely. It has many flaws but we still love it, cause we love dogs (apparently). Flatline was a joyride, it was fun and chaotic, but firstly I got it because of those colorful custom dice.
DECEMBER
Not the best of months since I really expecting another game to arrive. But I had to be content with these, Otys, Ex Libris and Gloomhaven 2nd printing KS fulfillement. Ex Libris was good, I like it and keeping it on my collection. Though I couldn't justify the expensive price with it's components, of course it has custom wooden meeples but a million for it (its surely against my logic). Gloomhaven 2nd printing fulfillment just consists of reprint rules and scenario book. I also got the solo scenarios but that's just for the sake of completion. I also had Isaribi when a friend of mine decided to release it. It's another addition of Hisashi Hayashi's games into my collection. But luckily in the last minutes before the month and year ends, a good game joins into the fray, Pulsar 2849 is mine. Though I wasn't really keen on the game due to its space exploration theme, the game designer's was the one that redirected me back to get my hands on it. He's the designer of Shipyard which is one of my wife's favorite games of all time. So I jumped on board to get this one for her (its a strong alibi) even though she's not really fond with its theme.
It's been a good year. Hopefully 2018 will be the same or better. There are some Kickstarter games that I am currently waiting to arrive on 2018 (Brass from Roxley, Cerebria, Roll Player and Hand of Fate: Ordeals), including the one that was late for 2017 (I am waiting for you). And what other games that I will be getting, that list is surely interesting as hell, such as Agra, Flipships, Meeple Circus, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Santa Maria, and many more. So many games to get, so little time to play them all and limited cash to spend. What an irony!