What a week it has been! Well, actually it’s been two weeks since I was on a bit of a hiatus, but that’s besides the point. As GenCon creeps ever closer, it seems like the world of tabletop gaming is pulsing with barely contained energy. This week, I’ve dug up my usual array of news on roleplaying games, boardgames and 1 very intriguing Kickstarter project.
To get the ball rolling, I have to spread the word on a fantastic looking Kickstarter called Cthulhu Wars. I know, I know… It’s probably poor form to blend my journalistic integrity with religion, but just look at those game pieces! Fans of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos will likely be foaming at the mouth once they get their hands on these beauties (I personally plan to build a tiny altar to the Nyarlathotep model). Luckily, the game isn’t just pretty to look at – it’s designed by Sandy Peteresen who has danced with dark and elder things before when he helped design the infamous Arkham Horror. As of right now the game is well past funding and, while expensive, has a plethora of great pieces and some very exciting stretch goals.
Now, if the dread minions of Cthulhu weren’t enough to make you feel stressed and hopeless, let’s talk about Battlestar Galactica. The exceptional game of intrigue, betrayal and hidden toasters is getting it’s 3rd expansion later this summer. Dubbed “Daybreak“, this expansion adds a new mutiny mechanic that allows players to betray one another in new and exciting ways – all for the good of the fleet, of course. The decision of whether or not to mutiny rests on the shoulders of several new characters incuding Dr. Cottle, Hot Dog and Romo Lampkin. The game also includes a few new components to spruce up your existing copy of the main game – namely, Cylon Centurions! Keep an eye out for this one in Q3 2013.
Now, let’s take a break from all the scifi drama and enjoy a lighter bit of news. CNet recently reported the launch of Ticket to Ride of Android via Google Play. At $6.99, the game is only slightly less robust than it’s iOS counterpart – lacking local, pass & play multiplayer. It is also, unfortunately, optimized for tablet play (though it works pretty well on my own Samsung Galaxy Note II). Despite these faults, the gameplay is still incredibly well implemented. If you’re looking for a masterful rendition of a boardgame to take with you on your preferred mobile device, it doesn’t get much better than Ticket to Ride.
And finally, off in a galaxy far, far away we have another piece of news from Fantasy Flight Games involving the upcoming Star Wars: Edge of the Empire roleplaying game. It seems that aboard the space station of thieves and cutthroats known as the Wheel, rumors of a long lost Trade Federation ship are catching the attention of many a would-be treasure hunter. In the full length adventure Beyond the Rim, players will have the opportunity to seek out the fabled wreck of the Sa Naloar. If you think you’ve got the chops to brave the farthest reaches of space where even the Emperor fears to tread, then gather your crew and chart a course in Q3 2013!
Tabletop Term of the Week: This week, I’d like to share a term that is very near and dear to my heart – components! Components are very simply any and all of the pieces contained in any game. The board, the meeples, the chits and tokens all fall under the header of components. This might not seem like a very mystifying term, but it comes up fairly often in regular discussions on hobby boardgames and is worth having clarified. Plus, I’m a HUGE sucker for really, really good components.
That’s all for this week folks, but before I call it a day I’d just like to say thank you all for reading so far and if you have any feedback for me, I’d love to hear it. Want to hear more about a particular genre of game? Maybe you want the 411 on a certain publisher? Whatever the case may be, feel free to leave a comment or contact me via GonnaGeek. See you all next week!
