Building a new computer (finally). What games....

bbmike · November 04, 2016, 07:36:59 AM

Just built a new rig about a month ago. I also loaded graphic intensive games on it to see how they looked/played. It was awesome! Then I went right back to playing turn-based 4x games and old games like Imperialism and Birth of the Federation on it. :P

bboyer66 · November 04, 2016, 09:26:21 AM

Witcher III gets my vote.

Moreb · November 04, 2016, 03:42:19 PM

Quote from: jamus34 on November 04, 2016, 05:01:43 AM
Can it run Crysis on max settings?

(Sorry, couldn't resist >:D)

Not sure yet. It's still being shipped.

Quote from: bbmike on November 04, 2016, 07:36:59 AM
Just built a new rig about a month ago. I also loaded graphic intensive games on it to see how they looked/played. It was awesome! Then I went right back to playing turn-based 4x games and old games like Imperialism and Birth of the Federation on it. :P

You know that's right. I played the hell out of Imperialism II.

Gusington · November 04, 2016, 05:52:22 PM

BBoyer you scamp!

Bison · November 05, 2016, 12:09:07 PM

Moreb did you decide on any board games for the kids yet?

Moreb · November 05, 2016, 08:01:04 PM

You know that kind of went by the wayside for now. I got him a couple simple ones but his attention just wasnt there. Im thinking next year after he matures a bit more. I did look into all the suggestions and have those bookmarked because they were right up my alley on what I think will be compelling. Thanks for reminding me about those, especially with Christmas coming up.

Con · November 05, 2016, 08:41:41 PM

I just got these games for my almost 5 year old boys. They are doing quite well with them (apart from the usual crying and screaming if they don't win followed by intense pouting and whining). But these are necessary skills to become good miniature wargamers in the future!

Actually my main goal is for them to have fun playing, learn how to handle losing, and to respect the rules because no one likes playing with cheats (unless they are on your team because then they cheat for us - you know like pirates) :arr:

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41916/magic-labyrinth

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/93688/sneaky-snacky-squirrel-game

Moreb · November 06, 2016, 07:35:50 PM

Those look good for entry level especially The Magic Labyrinth.

This is the one I think he'd like too as suggested by bayonetbrant.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41010/my-first-carcassonne

I also really like the look of this but it would have to be later.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/100901/flash-point-fire-rescue

With maybe this one before Flash Point

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/125921/catan-junior

and another co-op like Flash Point with probably a steeper curve
?
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/65244/forbidden-island

Bison · November 06, 2016, 07:56:25 PM

Forbben Island is a great coop game with kids.

Nefaro · November 06, 2016, 08:53:59 PM

Dungeonquest from FFG has been a huge hit with the under age 10 kids. After playing it a couple times, that is always the one they want to play.

It's an updated version of the old '80s boardgame from Games Workshop (and a small Swedish or Norwegian company prior to iirc).
It's basically a much more filled-out version of TSR's old Dungeon. Similar, but with more variety in what you find in each room. A press-your-luck race to gather loot & get out before inevitably dying.

There's a lot of different parts, but the game play pretty much breaks down to this:

1) Decide which exit to take, out of your current dungeon room, OR search for a secret door.

2) Draw a random room tile and place in new location (I put the tiles in a small bucket, but a box lid would work although there are quite a few). The young'ns love doing this for some reason. Drawing a surprise every turn. ;D

3) You read the room type results off and draw a card from the associated deck to see what the player found in the new room.

4) Roll/Fight any bad encounters, and/or draw loot card for treasure found.

5) Next player goes.

The thing that makes it popular with the kids is that there really aren't many tough decisions to make, or very many at all. The reading of the room tile types and cards can be done by an older person playing because there is no hidden information (which makes competitive games difficult).

Also.. there is no direct player-vs-player confrontation; it's a race down a very deadly gauntlet, so the players are still pretty much trying their luck against the game system instead of getting stomped by a player opponent's devious tricks.

The turns also go by pretty fast, as long as there is no combat vs a monster encounter (doesn't happen too often). Long turns, and the resultant down-time between their own, is often a big negative due to short attention spans.

jamus34 · November 06, 2016, 09:33:24 PM

I was actually looking for a new game to play with my oldest 2...anyone have experience with this one? They are 10 and 7...I've been playing Carcassonne with both of them, chess regularly with the oldest and also starting to teach the 7 yr old chess.

Anyone have any experience with this???

Moreb · November 06, 2016, 10:13:42 PM

Quote from: jamus34 on November 06, 2016, 09:33:24 PM
I was actually looking for a new game to play with my oldest 2...anyone have experience with this one? They are 10 and 7...I've been playing Carcassonne with both of them, chess regularly with the oldest and also starting to teach the 7 yr old chess.

Anyone have any experience with this???

No, but it looks like a great game for kids and adults. After looking at this and others I'm convinced I need to dedicate some effort guiding him towards more thought provoking activities such as board games. We see him at least once a week, sometimes more.

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/124708/mice-and-mystics

Nefaro · November 06, 2016, 10:19:28 PM

Quote from: jamus34 on November 06, 2016, 09:33:24 PM
I was actually looking for a new game to play with my oldest 2...anyone have experience with this one? They are 10 and 7...I've been playing Carcassonne with both of them, chess regularly with the oldest and also starting to teach the 7 yr old chess.

Anyone have any experience with this???

I've seen mixed reviews about it. Some love it... others not so much (including kids?).

From what I recall, some of the criticism was due to the game using canned episodes. Like playing through a linear story, but once you've played the few missions included, the replayability may lack some surprises.

Never played it. Was kinda popular for a time, after it came out, so it must be enjoyable if you can get into the theme & story line setups. :)

Moreb · November 06, 2016, 11:01:25 PM

QuoteFrom what I recall, some of the criticism was due to the game using canned episodes. Like playing through a linear story, but once you've played the few missions included, the replayability may lack some surprises.

I'm not sure if you noticed this but it seems they sell several chapters as addons and a couple well received full expansions with Mice and Mystics: Downwood Tales being the most popular. It looks like the Chapters are cheap but the expansion not so much. The contents seem well made.

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/124708/mice-and-mystics/expansions?pageid=1

Bison · November 06, 2016, 11:14:31 PM

I play a lot of games with my kids. We should start a thread in the board game section to gather and pass around thoughts. I've got a fairly extensive list of games that we play at the house and have played at the game store.

Meh started a thread in the boardgaming section. http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=18165.0 I enjoy this topic a lot.