Thursday, April 30, 2009
Introducing Carcassonne Big Box 2
Rio Grande Games released a special Carcassonne Big Box 2!
This Big Box is the same size of the previous, but with a slightly different component mix. Thus, it has a box liner designed with spaces for all the components. This big box includes the basic game, Inns & Cathedrals, Traders & Builders, Princess & Dragon, Abbey & Mayor, River 2, Count, King, and Cult. (Cost around SGD $165!)
Thursday, November 13, 2008
New Game Preview: Wasabi!
Z-Man Games have recently released Wasabi!, a new game about Sushi making! http://www.zmangames.com/boardgames/wasabi.htm
Here's more information on this fun game:
Designed by Joshua Cappel and Adam Gertzbein
You are an apprentice to a great sushi master, and you have spent the last ten years honing your skills in preparation for this day— your final test before earning the title of expert chef: Itamae-San.
Sushi is about culinary expertise, and you must always strive to master your skills while serving an array of vivid colors, mouthwatering tastes, and creative combinations. The test will be difficult. You must compete against the other hopefuls, all working in the same confined area to produce recipes of varying complexity. Only one of you will earn the respect of your teacher, and the revered title of Itamae-San!
CARDS
SOME RECIPES
Designed by Joshua Cappel and Adam Gertzbein
You are an apprentice to a great sushi master, and you have spent the last ten years honing your skills in preparation for this day— your final test before earning the title of expert chef: Itamae-San.
Sushi is about culinary expertise, and you must always strive to master your skills while serving an array of vivid colors, mouthwatering tastes, and creative combinations. The test will be difficult. You must compete against the other hopefuls, all working in the same confined area to produce recipes of varying complexity. Only one of you will earn the respect of your teacher, and the revered title of Itamae-San!
CARDS
SOME RECIPES
THE INGREDIENTS
Contents:
board, 72 Ingredient tiles, 40 Challenge tokens, 52 Recipe strips, 10 cards, 4 bowls, 4 menu screens, wooden Wasabi! cubes, rules,
No. of players: 2-4
Ages: 10+
Playing time: 30-45 minutes
Price: USD$34.99
Wasabi! will be here really soon and Budget Board Games is proud to introduce this really fun game at a special price of SGD$45. There are limited sets so please reserve your set soon!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
New Game Preview: Galaxy Trucker
Rio Grande Games recently released Galaxy Trucker, a much sought after game which has being out of stock for some time!
Here is more information on it:
Corporation Incorporated is an interplanetary construction firm that buildssewer systems and low-income housing on the less-developed planets of the Galaxy. For years, Corp Inc. has tottered on the brink of bankruptcy: transporting building materials to the edge of the Galaxy, where the need for their services is greatest, is a risky business.
The company was saved by a few visionaries on the board of directors. Instead of shipping materials to the Periphery, they reasoned, why not build the materials into spacecraft and let them ship themselves? Furthermore, why hire pilots if there are nut-cases who will do it for free?That’s where you come in. Just sign the contract, and you gain unrestricted access to a Corp Inc. Warehouse.
Build your own space ship from the available prefabricated components, and fly it to the Periphery. Of course, you may have to eat a loss, but any profi ts you make along the way are yours to keep, and Corporation Incorporated will pay you a bonus for quick delivery.It’s possible that you will end up with an insurmountable debt and fi nish your days panhandling on the streets of Deneb III, but if Lady Luck should smile upon you, you just might find yourself among the 10 billion richest people in the Galaxy!
Awards
2008 Spiel des Jahres Recommendation.
You can watch the video review here: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/312046
Here is more information on it:
Corporation Incorporated is an interplanetary construction firm that buildssewer systems and low-income housing on the less-developed planets of the Galaxy. For years, Corp Inc. has tottered on the brink of bankruptcy: transporting building materials to the edge of the Galaxy, where the need for their services is greatest, is a risky business.
The company was saved by a few visionaries on the board of directors. Instead of shipping materials to the Periphery, they reasoned, why not build the materials into spacecraft and let them ship themselves? Furthermore, why hire pilots if there are nut-cases who will do it for free?That’s where you come in. Just sign the contract, and you gain unrestricted access to a Corp Inc. Warehouse.
Build your own space ship from the available prefabricated components, and fly it to the Periphery. Of course, you may have to eat a loss, but any profi ts you make along the way are yours to keep, and Corporation Incorporated will pay you a bonus for quick delivery.It’s possible that you will end up with an insurmountable debt and fi nish your days panhandling on the streets of Deneb III, but if Lady Luck should smile upon you, you just might find yourself among the 10 billion richest people in the Galaxy!
Awards
2008 Spiel des Jahres Recommendation.
You can watch the video review here: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/312046
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
New Game Preview: Chinatown
Z-Man Games has recently released Chinatown, a long sought after game which has being out-of-print for a long time!
Designed by Karsten Hartwig
New York in the 1960’s. A new wave of Chinese immigrants is moving into Chinatown. The adoption of the new immigration act has launched the district in a demographic boom! It now reaches Canal Street to the north and Bowery Street to the east. The immigrants, hard-working men and women, are arriving by the thousands to buy buildings, establish businesses and fulfill the American Dream! In this game, you are one of them. With all your savings in hand, the Big Apple is up for grabs! Will you know how to use your talents and acquire the most extraordinary fortune in America?
The board represents the New York Chinatown of the mid-60’s. It is divided into 6 districts containing buildings numbered from 1 to 85. A game is played over 6 rounds. In each round, the players receive income from the businesses they have managed to establish. To generate the maximum income, shops of the same type need to be built on adjacent buildings. At the beginning of each round, players draw new Building cards and new Shop tiles. They must then use their negotiation skills to acquire adjacent buildings and establish businesses. But it is not always that easy…In this game where everything can be negotiated, only the hard laws of the market prevail.
Designed by Karsten Hartwig
New York in the 1960’s. A new wave of Chinese immigrants is moving into Chinatown. The adoption of the new immigration act has launched the district in a demographic boom! It now reaches Canal Street to the north and Bowery Street to the east. The immigrants, hard-working men and women, are arriving by the thousands to buy buildings, establish businesses and fulfill the American Dream! In this game, you are one of them. With all your savings in hand, the Big Apple is up for grabs! Will you know how to use your talents and acquire the most extraordinary fortune in America?
The board represents the New York Chinatown of the mid-60’s. It is divided into 6 districts containing buildings numbered from 1 to 85. A game is played over 6 rounds. In each round, the players receive income from the businesses they have managed to establish. To generate the maximum income, shops of the same type need to be built on adjacent buildings. At the beginning of each round, players draw new Building cards and new Shop tiles. They must then use their negotiation skills to acquire adjacent buildings and establish businesses. But it is not always that easy…In this game where everything can be negotiated, only the hard laws of the market prevail.
Contents:
board, 150 wooden markers, 90 shop tiles, 1 year marker, 175 cards, linen bag,
No. of players: 3-5
Ages: 12+ Playing time: 60 minutes Price: $79.90 SGD Info from BoardGameGeek "This is a negotiation game in the truest sense of the word. In it, players acquire ownership of sections of city blocks then place tiles, representing businesses, onto the block-sections. At the end of each turn, each tile you've laid gives you some sort of payout, but completed businesses (formed of three to six connected tiles of the same type) pay quite a bit better. All these resources are dealt to the players randomly, however, so players must trade to get matching businesses and adjacent locations." This game is #2 in the Alea big box series. Awards: 2008 Årets Familiespill (Family Game of the Year, Norway) Nominee. 1999 Spiel des Jahres Recommendation. New stock will arrive at Budget Board Games in 2 weeks time. Please email us to reserve your set to avoid disappointment! Stock Update for Chinatown: Our first batch of China is overwhelming received, there is only 1 set left so please reserve your set soon!Monday, September 8, 2008
New Game Intro: Shadow Hunters
"Shadow Hunters" is a survival board game where three groups of characters, "Shadow (Monster like a Vampire)" "Hunter (exorcists)" and "Neutral (ordinary human)" struggle against each other to survive.
The story takes place in a forest of devildom.You assume one of the three groups of characters concealing your identity from others' judgment.
Identify!
You are a Shadow, a creature of the night, or a Hunter, a human whose job is to destroy supernatural creatures, or a civilian, a normal human just caught in the middle of this ancient battle. But your identity remains secret until someone outs you through your actions and through Hermit cards or you reveal yourself to use your special ability. The key to victory is to identify your allies and enemies early.
Survival!
Once your identity is revealed, your enemies will attack without impunity using their special abilities like Demolish, Teleport, and Suck Blood or equipment cards such as the Rusty Broad Ax or Fortune Brooch. This ancient battle comes to a head and only one group will stand victorious – or a civilian, in the right circumstances, might claim victory.
The Components:
1 Game board - functions both as a battleground where the characters duke it out and a HP track to indicate the health of each character.
6 Area Cards – each card has a number (or two) and its own special functions
10 Character Cards – in 3 different fractions: Hunter, Shadow and Neutral
16 Hermit Cards – help you to ‘guess’ the identity of another player
16 White Cards/ 16 Black Cards – provide you with an assortment of “Equipment” and “Single-Use” cards to aid you or hinder you in combat and survival.
16 Wooden Marker – come in 8 colored-pair, one serving as the “Player Piece” on the battleground area and the other as the “HP Piece” on the HP track.
8 Player Card – come in corresponding colors with the wooden markers
1 4-side Dice/ 1 6-sided Dice – use for movement and combat
This new game uses mechanics similar to "Citadels" , "Bang!" and "Munchkin". A good new addition to the "Hidden Identity" genre of games which caters to a large group of 4 to 8 players!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
New Game Preview: Race for the Galaxy
Rio Grande Games has reprinted Race for the Galaxy, which is a red hot game now in the US!
Read further on to discover why is it so addictive and why is it challenging Magic: The Gathering number of plays each week!
Game Description
In Race for the Galaxy, players build galactic civilizations by game cards that represent worlds or technical and social developments.Each round consists of one or more of five possible phases.
In each round, each player secretly and simultaneously chooses one of seven different action cards and then reveals it. Only the selected phases occur. For these phases, every player performs the phase’s action, while the selecting player(s) also get a bonus for that phase.
For example, if at least one player chooses the Develop action, then the Develop phase will occur; otherwise it is skipped. In it, each player may simultaneously select a development from his hand of cards to build. After revealing the cards, each player adds his development to his tableau of cards on the table and then discards cards from his hand equal to its cost. Each player who chose Develop discards one card fewer as his bonus.
Explore allows a player to draw cards and select which of them to add to his hand.
Settle allows a player to place a world in his tableau. Some worlds produce goods, represented by face down cards, when Produce is selected. These goods can be discarded for victory points or sold to add cards to the player’s hand by selecting Consume. With cards, players can settle new worlds and build more developments, gaining both victory points and card powers that provide advantages in certain phases.
The player who best manages his cards, phase and bonus selections, and card powers to build the greatest space empire, wins. The winner is the player with the most victory points.
History
Race for the Galaxy's development began when Thomas Lehmann started work on a card game version of Puerto Rico in parallel with Andreas Seyfarth's own. Their independent efforts resulted in some degree of collaboration, and though some of Mr. Lehmann's design ideas did not make it into what eventually became San Juan, he continued to develop his concepts, exchanging the theme and incorporating elements from an unpublished customizable card game he had previously designed.
For a more detailed narrative from the designer, himself, please see these three articles at Boardgamenews.com:
1. Race for the Galaxy Designer Preview #1
2. Race for the Galaxy Designer Preview #2
3. Race for the Galaxy Designer Preview #3
Comparison to San Juan
Race for the Galaxy benefits from an unusually thorough development process, involving thousands of test games and the deliberate design of an unusually coherent iconography (by onigame and the graphics designer, Mirko Suzuki) as well as a unique approach to player interaction that prevents direct conflict and encourages "parasitic conflict".
Two yet to be released expansions adding new cards, concepts, and starting planets, and supporting up to 6 players, are already completed.
Some of the significant differences between San Juan and Race for the Galaxy include:
ROLE SELECTION
San Juan: Players pick roles one at a time in turn order. A role that is picked is unavailable to be picked by other players. Each role has exactly one advantage for the one who picked it.
RftG: Players pick roles secretly and simultaneously. Multiple players can possibly pick the same role. Some roles have two advantages of which the player who picked the role must choose one.
THEME & GAMEPLAY
San Juan: Tightly linked to Puerto Rico creating a gameplay experience that feels like a lighter, faster version of the boardgame.
RftG: Space theme that is completely divorced from its Puerto Rico roots allowing for some divergence from the original's gameplay.
6-COST CARDS
San Juan: Their only function is to generate end-of-game victory point bonuses in exactly the same spirit as the "big buildings" of Puerto Rico
RftG: Function as end-of-game victory point bonuses but also provide benefits and advantages during gameplay
EXPANDABILITY & PLAYERS
San Juan: As of now there are no expansions announced and number of players is limited to 2-4
RftG: Two expansions already designed and planned to be released in the future. The base game is 2-4 players but the eventual expansions will increase that to 1-6 players.
For Puerto Rico lovers, Race for the Galaxy is in my opinion a better reproduction of Puerto Rico as a card game than San Juan due to RfTG having a Produce/Consume cycle much like the Craftsman/Captain roles in Puerto Rico. The use of the VPs and goods on the planets are so much like producing goods and the Trader/Captain roles in Puerto Rico.
Race for the Galaxy is currently my most played and liked game and I recommend it because:
1. RfTG plays fast. A typical game for seasoned players lasts 30-45mins.
2. RfTG is also a very "combo" like play game. It plays like a CCG game like Magic the Gathering but you don't need to collect it!
3. RfTG encourages dynamic play. Each game plays differently and leave you with the "I want to play again" feeling!
4. RfTG is playable up to 6 players with the 2 new expansions. This is a plus point for bigger player groups who like quick and strategic card games!
Some warnings too about Race for the Galaxy:
1. The space theme seem to turn off some players.
2. There's a steep learning curve to understand the game and get use to the icons. Typically you need 2-3 games to understand and play it.
Read further on to discover why is it so addictive and why is it challenging Magic: The Gathering number of plays each week!
Game Description
In Race for the Galaxy, players build galactic civilizations by game cards that represent worlds or technical and social developments.Each round consists of one or more of five possible phases.
In each round, each player secretly and simultaneously chooses one of seven different action cards and then reveals it. Only the selected phases occur. For these phases, every player performs the phase’s action, while the selecting player(s) also get a bonus for that phase.
For example, if at least one player chooses the Develop action, then the Develop phase will occur; otherwise it is skipped. In it, each player may simultaneously select a development from his hand of cards to build. After revealing the cards, each player adds his development to his tableau of cards on the table and then discards cards from his hand equal to its cost. Each player who chose Develop discards one card fewer as his bonus.
Explore allows a player to draw cards and select which of them to add to his hand.
Settle allows a player to place a world in his tableau. Some worlds produce goods, represented by face down cards, when Produce is selected. These goods can be discarded for victory points or sold to add cards to the player’s hand by selecting Consume. With cards, players can settle new worlds and build more developments, gaining both victory points and card powers that provide advantages in certain phases.
The player who best manages his cards, phase and bonus selections, and card powers to build the greatest space empire, wins. The winner is the player with the most victory points.
History
Race for the Galaxy's development began when Thomas Lehmann started work on a card game version of Puerto Rico in parallel with Andreas Seyfarth's own. Their independent efforts resulted in some degree of collaboration, and though some of Mr. Lehmann's design ideas did not make it into what eventually became San Juan, he continued to develop his concepts, exchanging the theme and incorporating elements from an unpublished customizable card game he had previously designed.
For a more detailed narrative from the designer, himself, please see these three articles at Boardgamenews.com:
1. Race for the Galaxy Designer Preview #1
2. Race for the Galaxy Designer Preview #2
3. Race for the Galaxy Designer Preview #3
Comparison to San Juan
Race for the Galaxy benefits from an unusually thorough development process, involving thousands of test games and the deliberate design of an unusually coherent iconography (by onigame and the graphics designer, Mirko Suzuki) as well as a unique approach to player interaction that prevents direct conflict and encourages "parasitic conflict".
Two yet to be released expansions adding new cards, concepts, and starting planets, and supporting up to 6 players, are already completed.
Some of the significant differences between San Juan and Race for the Galaxy include:
ROLE SELECTION
San Juan: Players pick roles one at a time in turn order. A role that is picked is unavailable to be picked by other players. Each role has exactly one advantage for the one who picked it.
RftG: Players pick roles secretly and simultaneously. Multiple players can possibly pick the same role. Some roles have two advantages of which the player who picked the role must choose one.
THEME & GAMEPLAY
San Juan: Tightly linked to Puerto Rico creating a gameplay experience that feels like a lighter, faster version of the boardgame.
RftG: Space theme that is completely divorced from its Puerto Rico roots allowing for some divergence from the original's gameplay.
6-COST CARDS
San Juan: Their only function is to generate end-of-game victory point bonuses in exactly the same spirit as the "big buildings" of Puerto Rico
RftG: Function as end-of-game victory point bonuses but also provide benefits and advantages during gameplay
EXPANDABILITY & PLAYERS
San Juan: As of now there are no expansions announced and number of players is limited to 2-4
RftG: Two expansions already designed and planned to be released in the future. The base game is 2-4 players but the eventual expansions will increase that to 1-6 players.
For Puerto Rico lovers, Race for the Galaxy is in my opinion a better reproduction of Puerto Rico as a card game than San Juan due to RfTG having a Produce/Consume cycle much like the Craftsman/Captain roles in Puerto Rico. The use of the VPs and goods on the planets are so much like producing goods and the Trader/Captain roles in Puerto Rico.
Race for the Galaxy is currently my most played and liked game and I recommend it because:
1. RfTG plays fast. A typical game for seasoned players lasts 30-45mins.
2. RfTG is also a very "combo" like play game. It plays like a CCG game like Magic the Gathering but you don't need to collect it!
3. RfTG encourages dynamic play. Each game plays differently and leave you with the "I want to play again" feeling!
4. RfTG is playable up to 6 players with the 2 new expansions. This is a plus point for bigger player groups who like quick and strategic card games!
Some warnings too about Race for the Galaxy:
1. The space theme seem to turn off some players.
2. There's a steep learning curve to understand the game and get use to the icons. Typically you need 2-3 games to understand and play it.
New Game Preview: World of Warcraft Adventure Game
Fantasy Flight Games just released a new World of Warcraft Board Game named "World of Warcraft Adventure Game". (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/wow-adventure/index.shtml)
Here's some info on it from Fantasy Flight's site:
Only one hero can be the greatest adventurer in Azeroth — will it be you?
World of Warcraft: the Adventure Game is a fast-paced game of danger, conflict, and heroes. 2-4 players engage in a struggle for glory and valor as they travel the East Kingdoms of Azeroth battling monsters, completing quests, and vanquishing each other in their bid for supremacy!
- Fast paced immersive action with four unique heroes
- Battle monsters as well as your fellow players
- Innovative game design with multi-tier encounters and quests
For more info about the game: http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/wow-adventure/about.shtml
Also, here's a nice review of the game at boardgamegeek: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/328043
All our new WOW: Adventure games are sold. If you want a copy, do email us to order for a restock of it!
Only one hero can be the greatest adventurer in Azeroth — will it be you?
World of Warcraft: the Adventure Game is a fast-paced game of danger, conflict, and heroes. 2-4 players engage in a struggle for glory and valor as they travel the East Kingdoms of Azeroth battling monsters, completing quests, and vanquishing each other in their bid for supremacy!
- Fast paced immersive action with four unique heroes
- Battle monsters as well as your fellow players
- Innovative game design with multi-tier encounters and quests
For more info about the game: http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/wow-adventure/about.shtml
Also, here's a nice review of the game at boardgamegeek: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/328043
All our new WOW: Adventure games are sold. If you want a copy, do email us to order for a restock of it!
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