I've got the urge to add some more games to my collection. I usually am able to resist these urges by telling myself that I own a ton of great games that I don't play as much as I want as it is, so why spend money adding to my collection while so many of my other great games are just sitting dormant and collecting dust?
Well, I think it is time to take a hard, long and honest look at my collection to see just how many good games I have that I am just dying to play. I will systematically go through each and every game that I own and assign a grade, based upon the following 5-point scale:
5 - Great game. Can't imagine ever getting tired of this one.
4 - Good game. Always willing to play.
3 - Decent. Usually willing to play, but will always prefer to play something else.
2 - Dull game. Would probably only be willing to play if my kids really want to.
1 - Why do I have this game? Will probably never play again.
Okay, bring on the games...
Adel Verpflichtet - This is a game I purchased just to fill out my Alea collection. I definitely have to be in the right mood to play this glorified version of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Score:
3.
Agricola - This hugely popular game is fun and will always be a welcome addition to my collection, though I don't enjoy it as much as I used to. Score:
4.
Attika - Fairly light, with plenty of luck, which means it's not one of my favorites. I have no idea why I bought this one. Score:
3.
Attila - This was one of my very first game purchases back when there wasn't that big of a selection to choose from. While it was fun at first, there have been so many quality releases since this came out which has pushed this one to the fringes. Score:
3.
Bang! - Only good in the right group of people and if in the right mood. Score:
3.
Blokus - Decent social game for 2 or 4 players though fairly cut and dry. Score:
3.
Bohnanza - Much like Bang!, this is a fun card game if in a playful mood with a large group. Score:
3.
Caesar & Cleopatra - This is easily one of my favorite 2-player games. Score:
3.
Carcassonne - Hugely popular game that is not very popular with me. I think I played it too much when it first came out. As a result, I just don't have much desire to ever play this again when there are so many other games to play. Score:
2.
Chinatown - Like Adel Verpflichtet, I only bought Chinatown to complete my Alea collection. I have only played this game once and can't remember anything about it, other than it was somewhat chaotic as the trading was an absolute free-for-all. Score:
3.
Cold War: CIA vs. KGB - A decent 2-player game which moves fairly quickly and is very easy to play. Score:
3.
Die Macher - This wins the award for my least-played game. I've only played it once, but that one time we only got halfway through the actual game. I did enjoy it, though it is ridiculously complex and can take 3-4 hours to play (and that doesn't include the 45 minutes it takes to explain the rules). Would love to play this if given the opportunity. Score:
5.
El Caballero - Solid game that is not as much fun as it should be. Fairly difficult to figure out with the game ending right at the point where you think you are starting to make sense of things. Score:
4.
El Grande - This is a wonderful game and is definitely in my top 10. Always up for playing this one. Score:
5.
Formula Dé - Filler filler filler. And not very good filler at that. Score:
2.
Goa - My first impression of this game was not very favorable, but I have grown to appreciate it. Always up for playing it. Score:
5.
Hera and Zeus - Here is another game that I just haven't played enough to make a good judgment. It's a card game very similar to Stratego. Score:
4.
Inkognito - I bought this game in a rare moment of weakness. It's pretty bad. Score:
1.
La Città - Very tough game and one I always enjoy playing. Score:
4.
Lost Cities - Very enjoyable, very light, but one I have over-played. Score:
2.
Löwenherz - Strong game which for whatever reason always gets lost in the shuffle. Score:
4.
Maharaja - Oh yeah...here is another one of my all-time favorites. Score:
5.
Modern Art - Lots of strategy, but does not resonate with me as much as it used to. Score:
3.
Power Grid - Fun and frustrating, just the way a game should be. Score:
5.
Princes of Florence - A beautiful game which has always been in my top 10. Score:
5.
Puerto Rico - These games that start with P are tough to beat. Score:
5.
Ra - Light, but enjoyable...always fun to play, though can be frustrating if you pick up a Ra every turn. Score:
4.
Ricochet Robots - Is a great niche game for parties and introducing people to a different way of thinking. Score:
3.
Royal Turf - Like Robots, Royal Turf is great for parties and for people who like the idea of betting on a longshot. Score:
3.
Samurai - This game has been a steady grower for me, even though the scoring is a bit fiddly. I consider it a filler and one of the best in my collection for 3 players. Score:
3.
Seafarers of Catan - An expansion of the "one" that started it all. If I have to play a Catan game, this is my preferred way to play. Score:
3.
Settlers of Catan - The One. However, I have moved on in my taste of games and I no longer enjoy some of the aspects of this game. It will forever hold a soft spot in my heart though. Score:
2.
Stephenson's Rocket - I have only played this game once, but love train games and definitely would like to give this a few more plays before I decide how much I like it. Score:
4.
Stratego - Easily my favorite childhood game. Score:
2.
Taj Mahal - There are so many different things to like about this game. I have a hard time believing that I could ever get tired of it. Score:
5.
Through the Desert - This game is true to its theme in that it is pretty dry. Like Samurai in that I consider it to be a quality filler game, which works well for any number of players. Score:
3.
Ticket to Ride - Fun family game which can also be played cutthroat if you are in the mood (I never am). Score:
3.
Tigris & Euphrates - I have a love/hate relationship with this game. I love its depth and subtle strategy, but I hate how hard this game is for people who have never played before. A steep learning curve really keeps this game off the table and that is a shame. Score:
4.
Torres - This can be a great game with the right mix of people. It can also be a disaster if any of the players are prone to AP (analysis paralysis). Score:
3.
Traders of Genoa - I should like this game more than I do. My wife loves it. I love the trading tower concept. However, I have become severely disenchanted with the overall gameplay. Score:
2.
Union Pacific - Another train game. Similar to Acquire (which is a good thing) with pretty fast gameplay and a frustratingly random end-game mechanic. Gets bonus points for being able to handle 2-6 players and is fairly easy for newbies to pick up. Score:
4.
So what have I learned from this exercise...must get more games!
