by Tom P
Ok, I admit it, I failed. Failed to keep up my intended daily account of my first Essen experience, and to be honest failed to keep much of a cap on my spending also :DAs I write I'm sitting in the Airport at Dusseldorf tying to calm down after a manic four days of rushing around, getting lost, playing the dexterity game 'How many games will fit in this bag?' as well as many of the other games acquired at the most intense gaming experience of my life.
Frustratingly slow internet at the Essen Ibis put paid to my updates, but it's been a remarkable few days. After the full impact of Thursday I returned for the whole of Friday and even managed to play a few games at the booths in addition to succumbing to even more temptation. I found the experience a lot more leisurely and was able to take in more of the atmosphere rather than be bombarded it, even checking out some of the smaller stalls now I'd picked up the main games on my list, although I was gutted that Japon Brand had sold out of the brilliant R. The second hand stalls at the back of Hall 4 also provided some very pleasing moments as I found older games on my wish list for nice prices, although the highlight in that respect was probably this morning finding Tongiaki for €4.50.
And so to gaming. We (many of us from London on Board were staying in the same hotel) managed a few games on Thursday evening but there were even more to try come Friday night, after a much-needed pit stop at Essen's finest Mexican restaurant. After a late night, preparing for our bi-annual Eastbourne gaming retreat, Saturday was spent eschewing the crowds and focussing on getting some play time.
For my part, I managed, among others, to get first plays of Amber, The Cave and Goblins, Inc., which could be one of my favourite new games, despite expecting to hate it when I first noticed it in the pre-Essen lists.
There were also multiple plays of Tokaido and River Dragons, although the giant board of the latter at the fair was so much more fun :D
Tokaido was interesting. I couldn't decide if there was much of a game in it before the fair and missed the preorder as a result. However I managed to get a game at the booth and bought it instantly. Yes, it's gentle and the main selling point is the fabulous artwork but I've enjoyed every game so far and had a great time playing, so happy i managed to get one before they sold out.
My only gripe with that game and quite a few others I bought is the frustrating waste of packaging space used. The box can be about 80% thinner for what you get in it which is just annoying - especially when space is at a premium both in my bag and on my game shelf! I also noticed a lack of bags in many games, the main offender being The Cave which has loads of small bits and not one bag included in the box.
Well, in any case I had a lot of fun, and finished the night playing Coup and We Will Wok You, the former a brilliant bluffing game and the latter a ridiculous card collecting game.
I even managed to return today for one last round of the halls checking out the final day reductions. Reef Encounter for €10? yes, please.
I'm sure there will be more to reflect on but for now I'm a little bit fuzzy. I've certainly had a brilliant time and glad I finally get to wear the microbadge :D 2013? We shall see. I need to get the rest of these new games played first, that could take some time...