by Adam Daulton
I made a New Year's Resolution to play through my whole collection of games. Then I'd decide if I should keep the game or not. I'll also tell you how long it had been since I'd last played the game, and my updated rating. Some of them I'd be playing with my 9-year old daughter and would capture her thoughts. She'll give us her favorite part of the game, her least favorite, and a rating on a 1 to 3 star scale. I might also throw in some pictures I tweeted as well, just for funHere is where we are this month.
Total Games in Challenge: 284 (Started at 283)
Total Games Played: 58
Percentage of Challenge Complete: 20%
Games Played This Month: 22
The Games from this Month:
A Study in Emerald (second edition)
Time Between Plays: 1 Year 5 Months 17 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 8
Keep or Release: Keep - because I can't afford the first edition. If I had a choice I'd get the original and get rid of this one. If it happens in the future that would be great.
Kemet
Time Between Plays: 5 Moths 20 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 7
Keep or Release: Keep - for now. My buddy Daniel really loves this one, but he has his own copy. I enjoy it, but I've been enjoying it less, and honestly it is a tough one to get out with my group outside of Daniel.
[twitter=https://twitter.com/AdamDaulton/status/1091907950199881728]
Caverna: The Cave Farmers
Time Between Plays: 1 Month
Previous Rating: 9
Updated Rating: 9
Keep or Release: Keep - because technically this is my wife's game, but also because I do really like it. Enough I made a foam core insert for it to make it easier to get to the table. A nice flexible worker placement game.
High Society
Time Between Plays: 7 Months 2 Days
Previous Rating: 9
Updated Rating: 9
Keep or Release: Keep - such a great game! One of my most played of all times. Also, have many memories of playing this at Gen Con, youth retreats, and family gatherings.
Glory to Rome
Time Between Plays: 8 Months 16 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 9
Keep or Release: Keep - This one just gets better with more and more plays. Wheels within wheels. It isn't for everyone, but for me Chudyk is a master.
Hey, That's My Fish!
Time Between Plays: 7 Months 2 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 7
Keep or Release: Keep - This one has been a consistently played game throughout the past decade. My kids have enjoyed it (especially Ella) and because it is so simple and quick we can play it about whenever.
Kaylee: Favorite Part: That my dad and sister like it. Least Favorite: That you can't steal fish from other players. :star:
Saint Petersburg
Time Between Plays: 2 Years 3 Months 13 Days
Previous Rating: 5
Updated Rating: 5
Keep or Release: Release - This is one that I got because friends liked it and sometimes you build your collection on games friends like, but after playing it again, I'm just done with it.
Codenames: Duet
Time Between Plays: 2 Months
Previous Rating: 7
Updated Rating: 8
Keep or Release: Keep - Krista and I are so terrible at this game, but we still do enjoy it quite a bit. I still haven't had a chance to try it as a 4 player team game, but I think it would also shine there.
High Society
Time Between Plays: 5 Years 5 Months 2 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 7
Keep or Release: Release - This one has some sentimental value to me as I bought it at my 2nd Gen Con back in 2006. I've played it a lot and my copy is worn as a game should be that has enjoyed lots of plays, but it is time to be done. I didn't play it for five years and I'm not sure I'll pull it out again this year. Still a solid game though!
Kaylee: Favorite Part: I like that I tied with mom. Least Favorite: I didn't like the special powers. :star::star:
Chess
Time Between Plays: 1 Month 10 Days
Previous Rating: 6
Updated Rating: 6
Keep or Release: Keep - I have a nice wooden set that I'm pretty sure that my parents gave me. Kaylee has been in chess club at school and is really enjoying it and getting better at it as well. Still prefer Hive.
Kaylee: Favorite Part: I like using the Queen. Least Favorite: That you can't move the way you want. :star::star::star:
My Little Scythe
Time Between Plays: 3 Months 5 Days
Previous Rating: 7
Updated Rating: 6
Keep or Release: Keep - We've gotten a lot of play out of this as a family. My youngest who is five years old really loves it - even if she doesn't fully understand it. It is just a bit too much set up and a bit too light for me to fully love it.
Kaylee: Favorite Part: Nothing. Least Favorite: There is nothing I like about this game. I especially don't like delivering four gems or apples. :star:
Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia
Time Between Plays: 4 Years 7 Months 23 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 6
Keep or Release: Release - I'm not sure why I rated this one an 8 previously. The pieces are really nice. The game play though just doesn't do it for me. Seems impossible to catch up and I guess in the end doesn't excite me.
[twitter=https://twitter.com/AdamDaulton/status/1094681100516052992]
Lunch Swap
Time Between Plays: 10 Months 3 Days
Previous Rating: :pepper:
Updated Rating: :cinnamon:
Keep or Release: Keep - My own design that is a print-on-demand. Super light filler.
Kaylee: Favorite Part: It makes me hungry! Least Favorite Part: Getting the Worst Lunch. :star::star::star:
Le Havre
Time Between Plays: 2 Years 9 Months 17 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 8
Keep or Release: Keep - I'm surprised it has been this long between plays. This is a great game. Plays very well at two players, where most of my plays have come at, but also I have enjoyed it with more players though it does increase the length significantly.
[twitter=https://twitter.com/AdamDaulton/status/1099785727016079360]
Scythe
Time Between Plays: 2 Months 15 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 9
Keep or Release: Keep - I'm playing in two different Rise of Fendris campaigns! I've purchased the upgraded goods and now own all the expansions. I played it five times this weekend alone. I knew I'd enjoy this game when I first played it, but with the expansions it's staying power has increased.
The Battle of Five Armies
Time Between Plays: 1 year 1 Months 3 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 8
Keep or Release: Keep - This is one I'm keeping for now. If space was a premium for me, which it isn't, I think I'd get rid of it in favor of War of the Ring (Second Edition). What is nice about it though is it does play relatively quickly, I love the way damage adds up on armies, and the build up is fast.
Star Wars: Rebellion
Time Between Plays: 9 Months 9 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 9
Keep or Release: Keep - This is Star Wars in a box. Even though this play was not with my daughter, I have promised to teach her this one this year and can't wait until we get to play it together. I'd like to get the expansion - just for the new battle system that comes with it.
[twitter=https://twitter.com/AdamDaulton/status/1097593406476480513]
Days of Ire: Budapest 1956
Time Between Plays: 1 Year 3 Months 15 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 8
Keep or Release: Keep - I love the unique theme. I love the art. I also really like the game play. I got a chance to play the Revolutionists this for the first time and while I prefer to play the Soviets, I'd gladly play the Revolutionists again.
1960: The Making of the President
Time Between Plays: 1 Year 7 Months 2 Days
Previous Rating: 9
Updated Rating: 10
Keep or Release: Keep - I've decided that this was is legit a 10 for me. I really do like the tug of war. I do like the card play and that I can sometimes prevent events from happening, but often have to choose which one I'll have to let go off. The aesthetics of the game are great too. Staying in the collection forever.
Warhammer: Invasion
Time Between Plays: 1 Year 6 Months 5 Days
Previous Rating: 10
Updated Rating: 10
Keep or Release: Keep - I've got so many good memories of this one. Got a chance to play it with Sean again and we said we'd try to get together once again this year for a two player tournament. I have 10 decks built and just treat this one like a board game nowadays.
Kingdomino
Time Between Plays: 3 Months 4 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 8
Keep or Release: Keep - This is a great little filler. Played it with my three kids tonight for the first time and even though the younger two didn't have a true understanding on how to win they understood how to play.
Kaylee: Favorite Part: It has the color blue in it. Least Favorite Part: It is really hard to get a perfect square. :star:
[twitter=https://twitter.com/AdamDaulton/status/1100552331156955141]
Downforce
Time Between Plays: 3 Months 16 Days
Previous Rating: 8
Updated Rating: 7
Keep or Release: Keep - This one continues to fall for me a bit - though tonight when we played with the five year old it was great. Part of the reason it is falling is that I feel like whichever car is winning after first bet will win the race. However, playing with the five year old really added an element of chaos into the game and we had a lot of lead changes.
Kaylee: Favorite Part: The cars racing around the track. Least Favorite Part: That the cards only go up to $6M. I want to spend more on cars. :star::star::star: