AGAD is Finally Settled

Day 70 - Settlers of Catan
Designed by Klaus Teuber

After 70 days of a game every night, we finally wrap up this project with one of the greats, Settlers of Catan. Tomorrow night I will be writing a summary or review of the A Game A Day (AGAD) project, but for tonight I write a short review on one of the major players in bringing the popularity of board games back to the U.S. and the game that introduced many to the wonderful German strategy type board games. Catan won the German Board Game of the Year (Spiel des Jahres) award in 1995. I still remember the first time I played Catan. It was like nothing I had ever seen before and I was addicted (more on this tomorrow). Some of the key elements that set the game apart include its great replay value with different board set up each game. The game still has the luck element with the die roll, but strategy is key to winning. The game has great player interaction as players trade resources and use knights to steal goods. Players strive to gain the most victory points by building settlements, cities, longest road, and buying development cards. The game is very easy to understand and it is really fun. I do have a few issues with the game. My main issue with the game is that only 3 to 4 players can play the game as-is (you can purchase an expansion for 5 to 6 players). I actually own The Rivals for Catan (a 2 player card version - which is also really fun) so I can play with The Wife all the time. There are other expansions for Settlers of Catan (including an expansion with a 2 player variant), and I have played a couple of them that really change up the game and make things more entertaining. I highly recommend the game to everyone and that is How Lou Sees It.

Free Comic Book Day 2012 and Day 2 of AGAD

Free Comic Book Day is tomorrow everyone! Don't forget to check out your local participating stores to get your free comic books. The Avengers came out to celebrate today.

Day 2 - The Rivals for Catan
A game designed by Klaus Teuber


The Rivals for Catan is a fun 2 player card game version of Settlers of Catan. The card game uses the same general idea as the original Settlers game where you expand by building roads, settlements, and cities to be the first to obtain a set amount of victory points. The game uses square shaped cards for just about everything with 2 dice and 2 wooden marker tokens. It uses a pretty Ingenious system for keeping track of your resources (turning your region/resource cards 90 degrees to either gain or spend them) making good use of the cards. The game also has good flexibility and a great replay value with the addition of three different "expansions" or eras that can be played with. For a shorter game, you can play with just the basic deck cards, and for something new you can add in one of the different "era" decks adding a nice variety. You can also play with all of the era card decks for a longer experience. The game takes the general theme and idea of Settlers of Catan the board game and makes for a great 2 player version that adds variety and a bit of different strategy to the mix. It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to play and the length can vary with how many victory points you are playing to according to the different cards used. The game tonight was a good one and there always seemed to be a lack of sheep on both ends during the game. My wife had the Strength Advantage and I had the Trade Advantage. The game was very close at the end, but my wife pulled it off a turn before I could. That makes us both 1-1 as I continue on my A Game A Day (AGAD) quest. Fans of Settlers and newcomers a like will enjoy this fun card game and that is How Lou Sees It.