by Tony Boydell
I'm only slightly-a-bit of a snob and mostly-a-bit of a giggling schoolgirl when it comes to games and Essen Spiel. The combination of adoring doe-eyed fanboy, collect-a-holic and a slush fund make for a full trunk of multi-coloured, multi-materialed goodness come the Ferry trip home.This year my shopping list comprises the following chewy (and roughage-filled) goodness:
[1] Tokaido - a Zen gaming experience from the man who made card-drafting hip again? I enjoyed his interview on the Opinionated Gamers earlier this year (check it out: http://opinionatedgamers.com/2012/04/11/the-art-of-design-in...) and like his thematic approach. The whole presentation is gorgeous. PRE-ORDERED AND PAID FOR.
[2] Eclipse: Rise of the Ancients - more sci-fi goodness for the best game of the last couple of years? PRE-ORDERED (€40 to pay)
[3] Power Grid: Northern Europe/United Kingdom & Ireland - promo cards, the new UK board and - oh - everything in that scrummy green livery. And to think a few years ago I treated with PG with an apathy verging on disdain!
[4] Keyflower - a wonderful game that has allowed me plenty of opportunities for shameless name-dropping, boasting and ever-such-a-little gloating. I even managed to worm my way on to the box art! Feeling toasty in the reflected glory of Mssrs Breese and Bleasdale.
[5] Peloponnes: Goat Expansion - I really like this game. I have all the other bits and pieces. I don't play it enough. Tony = completist (and optimist) - €7 to pay.
[6] Ginkgopolis - Pearl Games have a pedigree to be sure and Troyes gets a lot of satisfied play 'down our way', so this new city-building/tile-laying/VERY colourful diversion seems worthy of a demo. €35 'put aside but with no guarantee'.
[7] Trains - Mr Hisashi meets Dominion. String is, like, so old hat - deck building trains is where it's at. €52 pre-paid.
[8] Uchronia - I live in hope that Mr Carl Chudyk might turn up to this type of thing just the once and I'll be able to shake him by the neck and ask him for 5 years of my gaming life back.
[9] Among the Stars - 7 Wonders in space - see my notes about the bloody Bauza above. Pre-ordered and paid for (along with the Drum Roll expansion).
[10] Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar - Ok, I fought the tide of buzz on this for the LONGEST time but finally succumbed when I saw the final components coming together on Facebook (Paul G: I'm looking at YOU).
As usual, I shall also be lurking amongst the second-hand dealers of Hall 4 to pick up those staples that have somehow eluded my wallet AND taking a small financial punt on random shizzle. I'd like to get a copy of Spellbound (if only for Vicki Paull's excellent art) but I know nothing about it at all apart from that it contains figurines that look unsettlingly like a hard stool and costs €60+ - that, however, is what the Wednesday setup (scrounging) day is for!