Shogun

"Shogun" is a game set in the Sengoku period of fuedal Japan. Each player must develop his kingdom, build armies, supress peasants and engage in warfare in order to see who is the most powerful Daimyo. It is an interesting mix, a game involving combat - a wargame, and yet it includes many of the mechanics of the Eurogame. A popular (or not) feature of the game is the dreaded "cube tower" which is used to determine combat results. I enjoy the game of Shogun very much. Here is Lorena 21st of September. (Steve, Jim, Alvin, myself and Lorena playing).







Another game, this time with the Old Guard at Ians place on 07 December 2007. Jim, John R, myself, Ian and Chris struggled over who would be the mighty Daiymo. Chris and I in mid game.




A close up of the action. I am yellow, Ian red, Jim blue, Chris purple and John R black.




Ian near the end game, fortified by coffee, as the results come to hand. Victory - John R, in his first game too!

Settlers

Settlers of Catan is a great way to introduce new people to quality board games. Players control a settlement on the island of Catan and seek to improve their civilisation by careful expansion and trading. The game is meant for 4 to 6 players but here we are playing a two player version using two colours each.

This is our Settlers collection, including the basic game, Seafarers, both 5-6 player expansions and the seperate Settlers card game and extensions.

Parthenon

Building a civilisation in Ancient Greece. Trading with other players is necessary, dangerous voyages are undertaken. Who can bring the most glory by building the grand monuments?
In this game I am the player on the left (with the cards all in order) and opposite me played Alvin (with a more chaotic style). Lorena is middle right. We would love to play this game again soon, it's a lot of fun. Well we did play again! Here are Lorena, Bridie and Megan on 19th October at our house. I won this time, heh, heh, heh.....

Jenga

Jenga is a block building game, the blocks must be removed from lower in the tower and placed on top. Lorena carefully removes a piece.


Our niece Alison carefully places her piece on top.


Eventually it will become unstable and fall - thus a loser! Oops, looks like me!

Bitter Woods

Bitter Woods is a regiment/brigade scale wargame of the famous "Battle of the Bulge" which was fought in the Ardennes forest in December 1944. The Americans have to hang on grimly until their reinforcements and superior airpower can make itself felt. The Germans must attack hard to keep their enemy off balance. They have the units to do it, the SS panzers are really powerful. This is a well tuned game and a fine playing experience.
This is early in our first game and my German troups are on their way west!


Later in the same game and my offensive is pretty much at high tide against accumulating american assets (played by Jim).

Inka

We are hunting for Incan treasure, the first to collect his/her three treasures and then escape the labyrinth wins. But the walls can be moved by the players, there are snakes and other problems. A quick little game which Lorena and I play from time to time and at which she always wins!

Turning Point Stalingrad

This is more serious fare. Turning Point Stalingrad is an excellent game representing the struggle at the end of 1942 in the city. Chris is playing Russians and I the Germans. This is good, I prefer to attack!


The Germans (blue) have smashed their way past the Mayev Kurgan hill and on to the river. The assault on the hill is to commence shortly. A good game in any case but this time made better by the sweet taste of victory!

Caylus Magna Carta

Caylus Magna Carta is a simplified card game version of the excellent board game Caylus. We love both games. Players represent master builders competing for the Kings favor while constructing him a castle. Some difficult decisions to be made against tough opposition (Lorena).


We can even fit a game in at breakfast!

Railroad Tycoon

Railroad Tycoon is an excellent railroad empire building game. There is practically no luck involved and some tough decision making. Here are Jim, Ian, myself and Chris together for our first try out.


Making my move - constructing more railway!

Again in our first game with a close up of the action around Chicago. Chris (black) has constructed a fair network around Chicago and built a link all the way to the west. However the payoff is going to Jim (green) who is able to ship goods from Chicago all the way back to New York. He won the game.


Our second session, this time with Jim, Ian, Lorena, Tom and myself 31 Aug 07. This time I won by investing and constructing on the eastern seaboard. Lorena (red) managed to link New York and Kansas City. Ian (green) built around Chicago. My yellow trains can be seen on the left. There are plenty of "empty city markers" (the brown towers), this photo is near the end of the game.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is the first game that Lorena and I bought and played together. We started with the basic game and then kept adding on extensions. Each player in turn places tiles to construct the terrain (cities, roads, farms etc) or to block and hinder the other player. Here is Lorena pondering over her move.


Here a large game in progress.



Our Carcassonne collection including the basic game along with "Inns & Cathedrals", "The Tower", "The Princess & the Dragon", "Traders & Builders" and the "Count". Also (not shown) is the "River" and "King & Scout". You can mix and match the basic game with any of these, it is a bit complicated with all at once!


For variety we can play with some or other of the extensions but when we really want a challenge we can put all of them together. This is what we are doing here. The basic game plus the "Count" extension, "Kings and Robbers", "Traders and builders", "Inns and Cathedrals", the "Tower" and the "Princess and the dragon". It get's a bit complicated with all at once!