Haven’t played it in a long time, but I agree with your thoughts. A solid member of the SdJ noms over the years!

Very eager to try Alibis from @allplay.bsky.social after hearing @boardgamebarrage.bsky.social cover it. The description at first sounded like a competitive version of So Clover. While it’s coop, the original rules were competitive, so it’s got some flexibility in that regard.

So Clover has made it to the table twice this last week. As time passes, it doesn’t “come to mind” as much when picking a game to play, but its effect is as strong as ever. You feel clever, there are very funny moments.

My take is if we have 2-4p, So Clover is the pick. Just One then is for 5-7p.

I was also reminded of how FR is the gamer’s version of Rack-O. My parents have played a lot of Rack-O in their time, but I’m not sure if they’d get “over the (familiarization) hump” fast enough with FR that it gets into their rotation.

Wondering if Greek Legends could possibly help with that.

Layout of cards on the table at the end of Fantasy Realms. Cards are laid out in a grid of sorts - fantasy illustrations with text. Game box stood up behind the cards for purposes of the picture.

Did Fantasy Realms again. I’m not sure if this actually makes sense, but I kinda want my son (10) to play it enough to have an informed opinion on it before trying the Greek Legends edition.

Yes, I bought the Greek Legends edition.

But now I’m wrestling with what to do with my copy. The truth is that it won’t get played. My copy of Smartphone Inc doesn’t really get played, but it would get played 10 times before HC would. So HC probably becomes my next “game I’m selling despite quite liking it”. We’ll see

It took us some time, but we got a session arranged - my house, his copy (since his was opened). 3p, everyone’s first play.

I don’t typically seek out heavy games, but I enjoy jumping in every so often. And this was fun. Some really smart mechanisms and satisfying loops.

After a year+ of owning Horseless Carriage, I finally played it. But it wasn’t even my copy! 😆 I bought a copy from the Game Nerdz deal of the day, which was a shockingly low price at the moment. 8 months later, I learned that another member of my game group was in almost the exact same boat.

My copy actually arrived today 😎 Thanks for the timely writeup - even more excited now!

Yeah, it wasn’t advertised as 2nd ed or updated or anything, but the product image (Amazon) of the back of the box showed the angled planets.

(I avoid Amazon when I can, but it was the only place I could find to buy it!)

So yeah, I ended up getting Orapa Space. My daughter and I played its inaugural run today, loved it!

Also played today: 2p Magical Athlete with the 5yo who’s obsessed with it, Dutch Blitz after dinner with extended family, and my wife and I taught Botswana to our neighbors.

That’s a great lineup! I’d be eager to get both of those played again

How did you like it? It’s one of my favorites (but my wife didn’t find it as enthralling 😆)

Oh! And I delivered my custom-packaged Splendor to my niece and her husband. (Components taken from a new copy, rewrapped a Take 5 box with my graphic design, new 3D-printed insert, sleeved cards.) Their reaction was gratifying.

I may have more of those projects in the future 😏

Over the course of the week, taught my mom Magical Athlete and taught my brother’s family Hot Streak. Rounded it all out with my dad teaching me Kings in the Corner and then we played that old standby Qwinto.

End of game layout of the board game Abducktion. Ten little mini ducks on my player board, three unused action cards face-up, and the four scoring cards I achieved in the game, stacked in an offset. And then the teal, rubber UFO that contains the supply of ducks.

After I put my son to bed, my parents were excited to teach me Abducktion. They received it as a Christmas gift from my uncle, and I’m glad he gave it to them - it wouldn’t have been on my radar, but it’s a great game for them to have in their rotation.

Visiting my parents currently, the 5yo is tagging along this time. He brought Mantis to teach them, we played two rounds last night. I think it’s a great game for these type of situations.

Other games played this weekend: 8p Ice Cool (only 3 rounds), and cousins came over to teach us Flamecraft.

Solid week of board games. Just didn’t get Quacks played, which is my wife’s pick for this “round” of family picks.

Taught the in-laws Botswana yesterday, a 5p session. (And yet always 3 rounds! 🤷🏻‍♂️) They liked it. And for me, the design continues to impress.

My daughter continues to dominate, and I will never do better than 3rd place!

A most unexpected game pick today - played Fantasy Realms with my 10yo son. It was great to brush the dust off. I’m now considering picking up the new Greek Legends version, a theme that would appeal to him more.

Yes, I’m much more inclined to try those now!

For as much Take Two/Bananagrams I played growing up, I’m really surprised I don’t have more spelling games on my shelves…

Cards laid out at the end of a game of Paperback. Fame points organized for counting in front of each player, central “offering” of cards left over from the game.

Finally got around to playing to playing Paperback, one of the senior-most shelf of shame games at the time. Play 1 was fun, got to see the arc, and left us wanting more. Play 2 was more competitive, and I think everyone came away a fan!

My first session of Cyclades, at a friend’s house. Lots of cool ideas to appreciate, but not completely my thing. Would definitely be down to play again, though.

Orapa Mine has proven addictive on BGA. While I wish it was more available to buy, I see mostly good things about the follow-up, Orapa Space (which is more readily available in the US). I’ll probably pick it up.

I backed this the second I saw the notification! I generally don’t back things, and when I do, I hem and haw over it. But BoN was automatic.

Week/round 2 picks are:
- Magical Athlete, played yesterday
- Hot Streak (modded again), played today
- Azul, played today
- Splendor
- Quacks (wife’s pick)
- Paperback (my pick)

Wish us luck!

- Magical Athlete
- (A modified version of) Hot Streak
- Sea Salt and Paper
- Colt Express
- Thurn and Taxis
- Botswana (originally Courtisans, but I called an audible for my own pick)

Randomly have the bug to microblog, so why not.

Trying a new thing where each week, each family member picks a board game they want to play, and we try to get them in within the week. Took us 8 days for round 1, but we got in:

Little plastic planes on a map of Europe.

Turned into an aviation themed day yesterday! Played Airlines Europe with the game group, first play for everyone. I’d say it lived up to expectations nicely 😁

Finished (successful) board state of the board game Sky Team, box cover stood up just behind it.

Completed our first yellow-difficulty landing today. Sky Team would certainly be an interesting SdJ winner!