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Mad Libs The Game Review

Branding Longhorn a Top Two Player Game

Longhorn

Designed by Bruno Cathala

Published by Blue Orange Games

2 Players

10 - 15 Minutes

Variable Movement, Set Collecting

(8/10 Stars)

I am a huge fan of great two player board games.  With a full-time job and kids at home, there just isn't as much time for getting a group together for games.  Often it is just my wife and I who will pull out a game.  Some other 2 player games we enjoy are Jaipur and Pagoda.  Longhorn published by Blue Orange Games and designed by Bruno Cathala (also designer of Five Tribes) is now another favorite 2 player game of ours.

Longhorn is a quick (10 to 15 minutes) strategy game for 2 players in which each player takes on the role of a cattle thief.  The game mechanics and components are really great.  The theme works well in the game and the action tiles fit that theme well.  That being said, the game still feels pretty abstract to me.

The game's mechanics are what really make this game a winner.  Simple to teach and play, and yet providing some strategic depth.  The game plays off of a somewhat similar idea from Bruno's other game, Five Tribes, although still very different.  Both games have an aspect that to me seems like a bit of a tip-o-the-hat to Mancala, which works out nicely because the game mechanic while fresh has a similar well developed feel to it.

Pick up all the cattle of one color and move the player token a number of spaces equal to how many cows you took.  The game ends if someone is caught by the Sheriff, a player is able to get all the cattle of 1 color (9), or what happens usually - the player token doesn't have any legal moves.

The other interesting thing about this game is that as you take cattle of one color, you are getting more points, but you are also degrading the value of that cattle too!  Cattle are only worth $100 times the number of that cattle color left on the board - so if all the cattle are taken, you may have 6 cattle in that color, but they would all be worth $0.00!  Players also need to be careful with placement of the player token to think ahead of possible future moves for your opponent.

The game is just the right length for this type of game and the box is perfect size for the components and for travel.  The cattle meeple are fun and if you like 2 player strategy games, I highly recommend Longhorn and that is How Lou Sees It!

(I was provided a free review copy of this game from Blue Orange Games.  There is a more detailed video review below.  If you liked this video review, please like and follow me!)

Cherry! Foot! Ghost! NADA! Great Fun!

NADA!

Designed by Thierry Denoual

Published by Blue Orange Games

2 to 4 Players

10 Minutes

Dice Rolling, Quick Matching

(7/10 Stars)

This, believe it or not, is my very first Blue Orange game review (and I have only played one other Blue Orange game prior to this - Pengoloo, which I purchased for my daughter on a whim - great little memory game by the way) and I am very excited to be discovering this new-to-me game publisher.  Doodle Quest is one game from Blue Orange Games that is getting a lot of attention and I haven't had the chance to play yet.  Any way, back to NADA!

NADA is a fantastic little dice game.  The object of the game is to roll dice and then at a quick glance be able to identify a match (a picture on an orange die matching the same picture on the white die).  The first player to shout out a correct match gets to claim all of the dice with that symbol.  If there are no matches, be the first player to shout NADA! and you get ALL of the currently rolled dice.  The game is so simple, but if you like games such as SET, Tenzi, or if you are just looking for a nice little family dice game, I think you will really enjoy NADA!  The game comes with a few different ways to play that are fun, or you can make up your own as well.  The quality of dice is great, and the game is very portable as it comes with a nice mesh travel bag.  The game consists of 36 dice with 12 different symbols.  This is such a great little game and that is How Lou Sees It!

(I was provided a free review copy of this game from Blue Orange Games. I will be reviewing Longhorn from Blue Orange Games very soon as well. There is a more detailed video review below.  If you liked this video review, please like and follow!)

Planes, Trains, Cars, and Karma

Carmarace (Stage 1)

Designed by Luca Caltabiano

Published by Board to Death Games

2 to 6 Players

90 Minutes

Card Movement, Take-That, Race

(6/10 Stars)

Carmarace was one of my very first Featured Kickstarters when I started doing so on my blog back in August of 2013 (you can find my first Kickstarter type interview with Carmarace's designer Luca at this LINK). Boy does time fly! I apologize for getting this review of the final product out to you so late in the game, but I think that Carmarace successfully accomplished what it set out to do, and they created a high quality board game that has solid game play mechanics, funny card text, and is a good time as the game provides lots of player interaction - not to mention laughter.

Players are racing "across the country" (or a 6 panel game board) to get to a convention to get a limited edition collector's item. That is the theme anyway. The game does a good job at carrying the race feel throughout the game. The karma element provides great interaction and "take that" action.

The game is enjoyable. It seemed like the game took much longer than I was expecting (box says 45 to 60 minutes, but it takes more like 90 to 120 minutes) and even though I like the game play, quality of the components, and player interaction - I was ready for the game to end. Definitely one that I will play in the future, but I may play around with starting at a location closer to the convention to shorten the game length and that is How Lou Sees It! (Check out the more detailed video review below!)

I was given a copy of Carmarace by Board to Death Games for the purpose of this review.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Mai-Star

Mai-Star

Designed by Seiji Kanai

Published by AEG

3 to 6 Players

30+ Minutes

Hand Management

(9/10 Stars)

This little card game surprised me in a great way. I think the theme of the game may turn some people off to the game, but play it once and I think you will be hooked. The game is elegant. The artwork and quality of the components and rule book are fantastic. The core game play is simple and easy to learn.

Players pick 1 of the 6 different geisha to be for that game. Each one has a different unique ability that will make a great difference for that player if used wisely. This adds some variability to the game. The rest of the cards are either played as a guest providing money (victory points) and usually very important and powerful actions to help yourself or hinder others. Or, the same card can be played as an advertiser increasing your reputation in one of the 3 areas that will help you be invited by a guest.

The game mechanics are solid and it provides some really interesting decisions from you on what to play as a guest and what to play as an advertiser. How are you going to use your special ability to get ahead? Playing guest cards to score points is one thing, but I was surprised at how interactive this game is. Whenever someone is laying a guest, you may just be targeted and you may lose the powerful advertiser you just laid down, or maybe your newest guest leaves you, or maybe you have to draw additional cards.

The game is simple and yet provides many choices and lots of fun and that is How Lou Sees It!

Who is the Belle of the Ball?

Belle of the Ball

Designed by Daniel Solis

Published by Dice Hate Me Games

2 to 4 Players

30+ Minutes

Set Collecting, Card Drafting

(8/10 Stars)

One of my past featured Kickstarters, the Belle of the Ball has finally arrived and the party can now get started! I was able to interview Chris from Dice Hate Me Games and the designer Daniel during the Kickstarter campaign and I was very excited to see the final version.

Belle of the Ball does not disappoint - the game mechanics are well thought out and work very well, the components are top notch, and the artwork is just fantastic.  With all of that and a well applied theme, Belle of the Ball may just become your new favorite set collecting game.

With elegant simplicity, Belle of the Ball may just be the star of your next game night.  The game provides good player interaction and the guest cards have some pretty funny names that will have everyone laughing (or at least smiling).  The Belle of the Ball cards provide the needed variance and strategy as you each try and create the best parties.  Collecting guests that share similar interests, I think the theme fits really well.  I like that the game has some different advance variants that will ensure good replay value.  Well worthy of being featured on my blog, I say don't wait for an invitation - go get a copy for yourself and start your own party today!  And that is How Lou Sees It.

Mages Profit from Bluffing and Cheating

Cheaty Mages

Designed by Seiji Kanai

Published by AEG

3 to 6 Players

30 to 40 Minutes

Hand Management, Bluffing, Wagering, Take That

(8/10 Stars)

Cheaty Mages published by AEG with original Japanese artwork.  This is a really fun and interesting strategic bluffing game with good player interaction.  The game is easy to learn and quickly enjoyed by a nice range of individuals.  While players make strategic choices and try and bluff their way to victory, the game also provides some luck element from card draws and sudden changes from certain spell cards.  The game is very fun and I would recommend to those who enjoy games such as The Coup, The Resistance, Killer Bunnies, and/or Munchkin.  Designed by the same designer who brought us the huge hit Love Letter - this is definitely another top notch game.  AEG also does a great job with the production quality providing a great gaming experience that you will not be quick to forget - unless a mage casts a forgetful spell on you that is...and that is How Lou Sees It!

Warband: Against the Darkness (Preview)

(8/10 Stars)

Warband: Against the Darkness

Designed by Micah Fuller

Published by Dyskami

2 to 5 Players

60 Minutes

Action Point System, Area Control, Set Collecting, War

Featured Kickstarter

Warband provides variety, balance, and many different ways to victory. This is a preview with prototype components that was provided to me from Dyskami. This game is currently on Kickstarter as of today (9/1/14) there are 13 days days remaining. Players pick 1 of 10 different races each with a special ability that help provide different strategies and help with replayability. Players choose how to advance or improve their race according to the 4 different actions available to the players. Tax, train, scout, and fight your way to victory. Great artwork (I wish there was more). Small cards (not my favorite). Seems well balanced and provides lots to think about without being too heavy to bog you down. Check it out and that is How Lou Sees It! (See video review below with some pictures after that - enjoy!)

2 Player Setup

2 Player Setup Close Up on Realm Board

Starting Player Board (Elves)

Game In Progress 

Rulebook

GEM (Preview)

(7/10 Stars)

GEM

Designed by Chris Handy

Published by Perplext

2 to 4 Players

15 Minutes

Bidding, Card/Resource Management

Featured Kickstarter

GEM is just one of the microgames in the Game O Pack series published by Perplext and designed by Chris Handy. All the games in the series are amazingly created to be the size of a pack of gum and this "gem" really packs a strategic punch! I am really impressed with the small size and yet the utility of the cards. The artwork is simple and works well with the simple game play. The game is a bidding game where players bid for gems. Players then reinvest in their own gems to gain more bidding power, but the game is all about balance. Only gems that have been invested in will score you points at the end of the game. You can find a great instructional video produced by Perplext teaching the rules underneath my review video. You can check out the Kickstarter page for more information on GEM and the other games in the series. Such a great little strategic game and that is How Lou Sees It.

How Lou Sees It: GEM Preview


Instructional Video

Bite Sized Sushi

Sushi Go!

Designed by Phil Walker-Harding

Published by Gamewright

2 to 5 Players

15 Minutes

A Card Drafting Game with Set Collecting

Great Artwork, Simple, Quick, and Fun

Card drafting set collecting card game that is fun for both young and old. The mechanics and rules of the game are really simple allowing kids to completely understand and enjoy the game quickly while the game provides enough enjoyment that adults will be asking for seconds too! The game is as simple as choose a card from your hand and reveal that card at the same time as the other players reveal their card. You add that card to your play area and pass the remaining cards to the player to your left and play all over again. You continue until all the cards have been played - score that round and play another. Save room for pudding as that is the only card that stays from round to round and isn't scored until after the third and final round.

Easy to teach and play this is a great family or light card game for all ages. I like the playful artwork and the utility of the cards. 7 Wonders may be another game you have heard about - it uses the same card drafting mechanic of choosing a card and then passing the remaining cards to another player. This game mechanic provides a lot of strategy in such a simple idea. Do you take what you need now? Is there another Sashimi card out there and I should take one in hopes of getting 2 more? Wait...if I don't take the pudding card the next player will and they will make me have the least. The game is like its artwork - simple, clean, and fun. I highly recommend it with 7/10 Stars and that is How Lou Sees It!

I was provided a review copy of Sushi Go! by Gamewright free of charge. This has no impact on my review of the game. Please check out my other reviews and follow me on Twitter (@landonsquire)!

Love Letter: Legend of the Five Rings

Love Letter

Designed by Seiji Kanai

Published by AEG

2 to 4 Players

20 Minute Play Time

I recently received the Legend of the Five Rings version of Love Letter. You can see my review of the game Love Letter here. I am unfamiliar really with AEG's Legend of the Five Rings, but I will say that I enjoy this version. It really isn't too different from other versions - it really just comes down to the artwork on the cards and this version provides some really great artwork and good utility and that is How Lou Sees It.

Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings

Designed by Tom Cleaver

Published by AEG

2 to 4 Players

45 Minutes

Deck-Building and Set Collecting

A very unique deck-building game. It provides a new feel as it mashes together deck-building with set collecting. It provides an interesting balance of utilizing cards in your deck and putting those same cards from your deck into your tomb for points. Very enjoyable. Took longer than I expected to play and it felt like there were many difficult choices to be made. I'm excited to see how the game develops with time and that is How Lou Sees It!

I was provided a copy of this game by AEG for review.

My Card Sleeves Bit Me!

Get Bit! (Deluxe Version)

Designed by Dave Chalker

Published by Mayday Games

2 to 6 Players (Although the game is really designed for 4 to 6)

20 Minutes

Push Your Luck, Hand Management, Player Elimination

Sometimes you just need a good quick game where you can laugh and not take it too seriously. "Get Bit!" is such a game. Each turn you choose a card and then simultaneously reveal that card with the other players. Players have 7 cards numbered 1 through 7. Playing a low number means that you move first, but that isn't a good thing in this game as you are all in a line swimming away from a hungry shark! If you pick the same number as someone else, neither one of you will move and all the other players will swim right past you and you may lose a limb.

This is the deluxe tin edition - which may lead you to ask what is the difference between this and an original version. Each game includes 6 guys ready to be torn limb from limb and a set of cards for each. Oh, and the shark - a very hungry one. With the deluxe tin version you get - well, a tin for starters. I like tins. They are sturdy although they don't really stack well. This tin and the artwork is great. The deluxe version includes stickers that can be applied to your little swimmers too with a few different ones so you can customize them. I really like the fact that the guys have faces and personalities.

The game play is simple to learn and play and it really is a fun filler game or family game. The game is quick to play and it sure is fun to tear off limbs of the little guys. The game is an elimination game, so you may have someone get eliminated early on and sit out doing nothing - on the other hand, the game is pretty quick. I enjoy the game, but I did feel that it may be a little too random. Your played cards stay in a pile in front of you until you are either bit or you have played them all - then you get those cards back into your hand. So, there seems to be some strategy or memory involved of what has been played. If you like a good strategy game with little luck, I wouldn't recommend this, but if you want a fun quick game where you push your luck and tear off limbs of little guys swimming away from a shark - well, then this is a perfect game for you and that is How Lou Sees It!

Also, I wanted to note that Mayday Games provided this complimentary for a review along with some card sleeves for my Dominion game. They are very nice quality sleeves designed to fit the cards perfectly - and they do. I don't really play with sleeves, but I tried them and they are nice. They were very slippery on one another though and I kept dropping them as I tried to shuffle them. The other thing is that they don't fit back in the original card divider that comes with the game. I see the benefit of sleeves with games such as Dominion though where you will shuffle the cards frequently - and well, Mayday sleeves are nice quality and are available to fit many different games nice and snug. Great fit and great quality sleeves indeed! Thanks Mayday!

Hanabi Is On Fire!

Hanabi

Designed by Antoine Bauza

Published by RandR Games

2 to 5 Players

25 Minutes

Cooperative Sequence Deduction and Memory Set Building Card Game

Oooo....Awwww...Ooooo...Awwww. Firework displays can be some of the most amazing and impressive shows to watch in the night sky. There is always a lot of excitement in the air, along with all the ash of course. Hanabi is also a pretty exciting experience and fun for the entire family.

Hanabi won the Spiel des Jahres (or Game of the Year award in Germany for 2013) and for good reason. Being a set collecting game where you are all holding cards away from you so that all the other players can see your cards and you can see everyone else's cards except your own - I have a hard time saying that the theme really thrives in this game. The game is a set building game where you have to play in order cards in each color 1 to 5. I like that the goal is simple and the game play is very easy to learn and play too. You can either give a clue (if a counter is available), play a card to the center, or discard a card (gaining back a counter). So simple!

The blue counters are limited however, so you may need to make a best guess to discard a card to gain one back for the team. If you choose a card to play to the center and it's wrong, Ssssss, the fuse shortens - you have 3 chances for a mistake. The clue giving can be very strategic, but it can be hard sometimes to not give more information than you can. 

The game is light and is very enjoyable, but some may have a hard time with the game if they don't have a very good memory or are not very good at making logical deductions. For me and my wife however, this is a perfect game. It definitely is going to be different with 2 than it is with 5, but I have enjoyed both ways and will continue to do so. Lots of fun. I do need to mention however that the cards just barely fit in the box - too tight for my liking. I don't know if it is just my copy of the game, but it seems to me that they should have made the box slightly bigger. The counters are good quality though and so are the cards. This game is definitely worth your while and that is How Lou Sees It! 

Dread Curse

Dread Curse
Designed by Stuart Sisk
Published by Smirk and Dagger Games
3 to 8 Players
30 Minutes
Press Your Luck, Take That, Variable Player Roles, Pirates

Introduction/Background
When I think Pirates, I think Johnny Depp, Treasure Island, Blackbeard's Ghost, Treasure Maps, Treasure, Parrots, monkeys, Black Spot, and Arrgh, talking funny - just to name a few. Dread Curse is a great bluffing, push your luck, round role picking game and it is something I now think about when  think Pirates.

Components and Rule Book
Very nice quality components from the box to cards to tokens. Nice vinyl type of finish. All the components are top notch. I only wish the coins could have been made of metal, but considering the price point, the tokens representing coins are a nice thick cardboard that seem to hold up well.

The rules are pretty simple and the rulebook does a good job. I was a little confused at first about how the monkey worked with past coins and why that element was there and a few minor things here and there that definitely took a play through to understand.

Game Play
The game play is really simple at heart. While some of this varies depending on the role you have, the idea is that you draw draw a new coin from the center and you will also steal coins from others. Almost all the coins are good, but there are also some nasty cursed coins (2 black spots and a lead slug) to be very scared of. If you end the game with a black spot, you lose. If you have a lead slug, it will be very challenging to overcome the negative points.

I like how the game begins. One black spot is pulled out with other coins one for each player and these are shuffled and dealt. The player who starts with the black spot starts the game as the Captain. This starting mechanism helps the game along so that it is exciting right from the start and to me just makes sense thematically.

The different roles available throughout the game are all pretty cool. Some roles are definitely desired over others during different times during the course of the game. This sets us up for another interesting part of the game. Once each round of hoarding and stealing treasure is complete, and each player chooses if they want to pay the monkey for a Pirate's Code card, the players then have the choice to either stay in the game or cut and run with what they have. Those who decide to stay will then use the coins they have acquired thus far to bid for the captaincy. The higher players bid, the more likely they are going to be the Captain or snag a more beneficial role that they need.

Some of the special "cheats" from the different roles include the coveted "Cook" who can exchange a token from their stash with one in the bag - perfect for getting rid of that pesky Black Spot. The Captain is all about taking treasure as he can draw up to 4 coins and he must steal 2 coins instead of the normal 1. So, as I mentioned, some cards are better than others at different points in the game. The Captain is great at the beginning to acquire lots of treasure quickly, but later on, you run the risk of taking a Black Spot.

I like how the game flows and all the mechanics work pretty well. The Pirate's Code cards really add to the "Take That" element of the game. Sure, the whole game you are stealing coins from one another, but some of these cards can get really mean. They can have game changing effects if utilized at the right time and can definitely swing the game.

Final Thoughts
My entire gaming group really had a good time with this game. You have the role selection element with bidding which is pretty interesting and is reminiscent of another game I enjoy, Citadels. It has a Take That element that you also have with Citadels or with games like Munchkin or Killer Bunnies. The Pirate theme fits really well and the quality of the components is fantastic. If you are playing with lots of people, players will most likely have some down time as they choose to play it safe and leave with their winnings. Depending on the game, those people could be waiting a while. The game provides a really fun time for a small group (probably best with 5 or 6). I would highly recommend this game to those who like Citadels, Munchkin, Killer Bunnies, Incan Gold, and Pirates. Those who don't really like those sort of games or the Take That attitude that this game has, may want to steer clear. I give Dread Curse 2 Fingers Up or 7 out 10 Stars and that is just How Lou Sees It!