Settling Catan

Perhaps the game most responsible for a resurgence of board gaming enthusiasm (at least in the States) is Settlers of Catan. In fact, it seems strange not to have begun any discussion on modern games with Settlers of Catan (sorry, readers; I've let you down). In many ways, it is the great gateway game--a way to introduce people who think all board games are like Monopoly, Life, or Clue to enjoyable games that involve (gasp!) interesting decisions to make on every turn.

Like Mary Poppins, Settlers of Catan is practically perfect in every way--elegant, simple, intuitive, interactive, and fun. But, again, like Mary Poppins, even practically perfect can get old. And like Mary Poppins sings, while a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, you don't always want to drink medicine.

Riding the Train

To keep up the streak, here is another Monday board game review.

I first played Ticket to Ride (the original, U.S.-map version) a few years ago. I liked it, but for whatever reason, I forgot about it. (It might have been the severe beating I took the first time I played.) Then for my birthday, my sister bought me Ticket to Ride: Europe, which, as I mentioned before, has started a gaming renaissance with me. In fact, the first weekend I had it, Abby and I played seven times, and it has been a frequent guest at our dining room table since.

The Best of 2010

It's surprising that it's already that time, but it is now appropriate to reflect on 2010, separating the wheat from the chaff, as it were. I mentioned in my last post that, despite my having read more books than I think I've ever read in a year, this wasn't a fantastic year for reading, which is disappointing to me (especially since, on top of that, I didn't reach my goal). Still, I'll pass on what I thought was best, and there really were a few gems--it's just that choosing my top five was easier than it should have been.

As usual, for all of these lists, the main criterion for inclusion is not that something was released in 2010, but that I acquired it in 2010. From these lists you will be able to see how woefully behind the times I am. Also, I didn't see very many movies this year, so take my movie selections with a grain of salt. Commentary follows where it is merited. (If you're interested, here is my list for 2009.)

Board Games for Two

Recently I've renewed my interest in board games, specifically strategy (and mostly Euro) board games. There are several reasons for this. One is my colleagues' seemingly inexhaustible enthusiasm for Cosmic Encounter (an enthusiasm I moderately share). Another is that my sister and brother-in-law got me Ticket to Ride Europe for my birthday, which is excellent fun (and which I prefer to the game's American counterpart, in part because of the enhanced rules, but mostly because I get to feel classier traveling around Europe instead of the U.S. It feels more exotic, and since I'm not likely to be able to visit Europe anytime soon, the game lets me pretend). And finally, sometimes I just need to escape. Life is hard sometimes, and a good game with good friends is good medicine.