Review – Rory’s Story Cubes: Voyages

1 - 9 Players, Aged 6+ with a 2+ minute playing time

A game I first encountered in a meeting with Roger from Coiled Spring, Story Cubes is a game unlike any other I have reviewed, not least because it is not a game you win or loose, more than most it is a game that you can immerse yourself in and the fun comes from the journey.

Voyages is the is the second expansion set for Rory’s Story Cubes and was released in 2011, it builds on the concept found in the original set and expanded previously by the Actions set. This review set was kindly provided by Rory and The Creativity Hub

What follows is an overview of the game broken down into 5 sections: The Game Components, Setting Up The Game, How To Play The Game, What Did We Think? and finally Who Do We Think Will Like It?. So if you don't want to read the whole review scan down to the heading that interests you.

Games in a Pub - 5th August 2012

Feeding panda's and then a fantasy game with lots of dice

Once again I was not able to able to be with the guys and once again one of them stepped into the breach and picked up the mantle of scribe. On this occasion Stéphene was kind enough to take bring along some games, take photo’s and write the accompanying words. It was a real shame I wasn’t able to make it as having seen their first game at Essen last year, it was one I was keen to play and one that I suspect the Monday night group would enjoy.

Only 3 of us on Sunday which meant it was a great opportunity to get a couple of 2-4 player games out.

We started the evening with a game of Takenoko.

3 Games For Hot Holidays

With the schools having broken up for the summer holidays and many people thinking of escaping on holidays of one kind or another I thought it might be worth beginning an occasional series of articles on 3’s, with 3 Games for Hot Holidays.

The primary consideration for these games is the absence of cardboard (Tip - leave the cardboard boxes at home and just take the playing pieces in resealable bags) as anybody who has played a board game in the sun will testify to, let alone the need to be waterproof given cold drinks and frequent proximity to swimming pools.

Other considerations were the need to accommodate a varied number of people from 1 to 5 rather than normal 2 to 5, and short playing times given the distraction of books, sun and the inability to concentrate after retsina at lunch time!

My suggestions therefore are:

Match Report - 30th July 2012

All about games - Olympic or board!

As the group gathered it was no surprise that conversation turned to the Olympics both the highs and lows of Team GB so far, and what all agreed was a brilliant opening ceremony with Mr Bean’s contribution being one of the favourite moments for many.

Review – Hive Pocket

2 Players, Aged 9+ with a 20+ minute playing time

A review copy of Hive Pocket was kindly provided by the British designer John Yianni, and the team at GEN42 Games.

Hive was first released in 2001 with the monochrome version Hive Carbon in 2011 and two additional
insects the Mosquito in 2007 and the Ladybug also in 2011 and an iPhone / iPad version in 2009, there have been a number of developments since its initial release. Over this period it has won a number of awards including the Mensa Select Winner in 2006.

Given the success Hive has enjoyed the creation of this new smaller variant was a logical next step, and one that fans of the game may see as long overdue. Hive Pocket offers the same unique game but in a much smaller more portable package that makes me wonder if Army of Frogs may get the same treatment?

For those readers who have not encountered Hive before it is a tactile tactical 2 player game where players seek to surround their opponents Queen Bee using a number of different insects, each with their own unique characteristics. Obviously whilst trying to surround your opponents Queen Bee you are seeking to defend your own!

What follows is an overview of the game broken down into 5 sections: The Game Components, Setting Up The Game, How To Play The Game, What Did We Think? and finally Who Do We Think Will Like It?. So if you don't want to read the whole review scan down to the heading that interests you.