I Want to Make a Match 4 You

Day 36 - Match 4

Tonight's game is a nice mash up of Connect 4 and Tic-Tac-Toe. There are many different games out there that are very similar and only differ in how the game is presented. In Match 4, players take turn placing their colored pieces onto pegs (as seen in the provided picture). Players attempt to get 4 of their pieces in a row. This can be done vertically, diagonally, and of course horizontally on each level. I really feel that this game is a great improvement upon Connect 4 and provides a bit more strategy working with a nice 3 dimensional grid. The game is small and portable for traveling or taking it to the park or beach (the little pegs detach). I won tonight's game putting me only one win away from a tie with The Wife (what will tomorrow bring?). Match 4 is a fun 2 player strategic game that is definitely worth a try if you want to take Connect 4 to new dimensions.

I Want to Draw a Cat For You

I watch a show called Shark Tank where entrepreneurs reach out to these "Sharks" (or people with money to invest) for money and expertise to help their companies grow. One of the most interesting episodes included a guy who has a company where you pay him to draw a cat. You should check out his website, it's no joke. He is doing pretty well for himself making $10+ per cat he draws for you. Pretty smart little business if you ask me. Beware, you may get his silly jingle stuck in your head - or even better, his dance and that is How Lou Sees It.

Pantheon Is Restored To Glory

Day 35 - Pantheon
Designed by Bernd Brunnhofer

Mythology is more popular these days with Rick Riordan books about Greek and Egyptian Gods, many movies lately have also centered around mythology or ancient civilizations of that time period. It shouldn't come as a surprise then that a board game was created (last year) using that same mythology and ancient civilizations theme. Tonight's game is called Pantheon where players try and obtain the favor of the gods throughout the reign of different civilizations. There are a lot of components to this game and they are of great quality. When first opening the game and looking at the rules, one might be a little overwhelmed at first but the truth is, once you have read the rules and played through a game at least once it is actually fairly simple to understand and play. It took about an hour and a half for The Wife and I to play this game the first time through, but my guess is that a two player game would be around an hour (maybe even a little less).

The Wife and I really enjoyed Pantheon. There are a few different routes to get your victory points and you will want to try and get victory points in each category. You score some points throughout the game as you play but the game is primarily scored at the half-way point and again at the end of the game. I feel that the game has good replay value with how the board is set up each epoch (or round) and with the random selection of the civilization played that round as well. When you win over certain gods, they will help you greatly in your pursuit to establish yourself and obtain victory points (they can be pretty powerful, surprise surprise). Pantheon is a game for 2 to 4 players and will range from about an hour to an hour and a half with more players. A well thought out strategic game that is different from anything else I have played and that is How Lou Sees It.