Modern board/card games

[RizzoTheRat]

Slightly off topic...

I know quite a few board game shops have gaming evenings, but I found a board game shop and café in Haarlem (Netherlands) recently, where you can try before you buy, or just go in with a few mates for a coffee and a game.

Anyone know of anything similar in the UK? I found this hunting around online but there's not many there and nothing in my area (Aldershot)
https://www.bestplay.co/uk-board-game-cafes-find/
https://meeplemapper.com/cafes/

[Sway]

RizzoTheRat said:

Slightly off topic...

I know quite a few board game shops have gaming evenings, but I found a board game shop and café in Haarlem (Netherlands) recently, where you can try before you buy, or just go in with a few mates for a coffee and a game.

Anyone know of anything similar in the UK? I found this hunting around online but there's not many there and nothing in my area (Aldershot)
https://www.bestplay.co/uk-board-game-cafes-find/
https://meeplemapper.com/cafes/

In Chichester (and recently, they added a store in Winchester) there's Comics Games and Coffee, who have a large rack full of different games available to play for a quid a seat. Great coffee, good guys, lots of stock. Chichester store is tiny though!

Disclaimer - happy customer of theirs most weeks, but in no way connected to them other than spending lots of dosh there!

[RizzoTheRat]

Oooo, I'm going to be in Winchester in a few weeks with a friend who likes the odd game, I'll see if I can pop in there, thanks.

[ecsrobin]

And I popped into a new shop last night in Exeter, Sword & Board who have a big collection and I think £2.50 for a table per hour (iirc)

[Nom de ploom]

Travelling man Leeds, nottingham york and newcastle I think.

great bunch of lads and I know the owner - comic books and games and cards and stuff

[mikeyr]

Board game cafe in central Southampton too, hundreds of games, decent food and drink.
http://www.boardinthecity.co.uk/

Only issue is they've been broken into three times in last 6 months. Our workplace slings a lot of business their way which probably helps keep them afloat.

[anonymous-user]

221B Baker Street gets a hearty recommendation from me. Similar to Cluedo but miles better IMO!

[mikeyr]

Jbeale96 said:

221B Baker Street gets a hearty recommendation from me. Similar to Cluedo but miles better IMO!

We've got that, like it but not great with just two players.

[ecsrobin]

I know a few regulars on here are Hampshire / West Sussex based. Currently there’s an exhibition on at the Novium museum in Chichester about board games (from the V&A) amongst the classics and the modern games was the prototype and first sketches of Pandemic.

[ecsrobin]

I know it’s been quite quiet in here for a while however Tesco direct has 50% off games including:

Carcassonne
Catan
Pandemic
Pandemic emergency
Machi Koro
Star Wars X-Wing
Codenames
Cash n guns
Star Wars imperial assault
Ticket to ride
Ticket to ride europe
Splendor

https://www.tesco.com/direct/toys/toys-for-18-year...

[putonghua73]

ecsrobin said:

I know it’s been quite quiet in here for a while however Tesco direct has 50% off games including:

Carcassonne
Catan
Pandemic
Pandemic emergency
Machi Koro
Star Wars X-Wing
Codenames
Cash n guns
Star Wars imperial assault
Ticket to ride
Ticket to ride europe
Splendor

https://www.tesco.com/direct/toys/toys-for-18-year...

Aside from Star Wars 'X-Wing' Core Set and 'Cash & Guns 2ed', looks like RRP now. I use a mixture of Amazon and Board Game Prices to benchmark, then look on eBay. I have 'The Castles of Burgundy' en route to me either Thursday or Friday to play with my partner. But I was nearly tempted by 'Mage Knight'.

However, the next purchase will definitely be 'Twilight Struggle' (deluxe edition), which is currently my No.1 or 2 board game, to play with my mother's partner. Bought the Steam version 2 years ago and want the cardboard version because it is that good (for my tastes).

[Adam B]

ecsrobin said:

I know it’s been quite quiet in here for a while however Tesco direct has 50% off games including:

https://www.tesco.com/direct/toys/toys-for-18-year...

Monopoly and two paddling pools

[Anubis]

My brother decided a game of Scrawl would be funny. Within the first 5 minutes everyone was saying they would buy the game as well.

We bring it to friends houses and they too now have it. It’s so good, funny and it’s great for breaking the ice with new people as everyone ends up laughing.

Link

You pick a card from a huge stack, it can be tame or rude. You decide which one you want to draw - e.g. galactic knockers. Angry beaver. Fast grandma.

You then place a blank card on top of your drawing and pass it on. The next person looks at the card under it; if it’s a picture they must try and write what it is. If it’s a description or word they must draw it. Pass it on until it goes around (everyone has a card of their own which they end up with). The ending is showing everyone the drawings you did and descriptions of them.

Well...that’s how we have been playing it. Always funny seeing your own mother draw “tickle the pickle” and made for some very very funny evenings.

[Testaburger]

Games have had something of a revival in my life. Great thread. Here’s my go-to list of late.

Board games:
Ticket to ride (Europe) - it is fantastic.
Tokkaido - a (very) Japanese game, and much the better for it.

Card games:
UNO
Sushi Go!
Slamwich
Monopoly Deal
Gin Rummy

All great for a quick 30 mins.

[ecsrobin]

My biggest struggle at the moment is finding time to play some games. I have picked up 3-4 which I haven’t even played yet.

Cash n guns (half price from Tesco)
Takenoko (got 1 game in)
Dare to dream (Kickstarter arrived)
Star munchkin

We have a few local games shops but they seem to be for the more serious gamer.

[Nom de ploom]

i haven't played these two but my gaming mad mate recommends Azul ( a tad abstract but worth it and better for it) and Vikings Gone wild.

if there are any reviews of said two pop 'em on here.

[Mopey]

I’m wanting to expand my collection- I love ticket to ride, Catan, Agricola etc.

What is Caverna like? What about scythe? Has anyone played either of these or similar.

Also I’m still tempted by pandemic legacy but not jumped in yet.

[mikeyr]

Unrelated to last post but we've ordered Lords of Xidit this week as is a tenner on Amazon! At that price looks like a must buy!


https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KN0LW1I/ref=cm_sw_r...

[mikeyr]

Mopey said:

I’m wanting to expand my collection- I love ticket to ride, Catan, Agricola etc.

What is Caverna like? What about scythe? Has anyone played either of these or similar.

Also I’m still tempted by pandemic legacy but not jumped in yet.

Have you played stone age?

[AshVX220]

Sway said:

Anyone else finding loads of awesome new games to play?


At home since Christmas we've discovered Carcasonne, Battlestar Galactica, Exploding Kittens, Cards against Humanity and have just bought Disappearing Island from the new game/comic/coffee shop nearby.


Seems the last few years has seen a big rise in new, high quality games pitched at all levels, ages, and tastes. We (two adults, two pre teen children) are loving the variety and improved dynamics compared to classics like Risk/Monopoly/Game of Life etc.

Who else is getting addicted to a quick game of an evening?

How did I not know there was a BSG board game?! Gutted as it seems hard to come by the English version without spending a small fortune.

In the spirit of the thread though, I got Star Wars Rebellion a while ago, excellent game based on the PC game Star Wars Supremacy. On the down side, it takes a long time to play (6-8 hours) so possibly not the sort of thing you can do on the fly, plus it's mainly for 2 players.