What I Think about Monopoly Deal Card Game

Yes. I shouldn't be talking about any Monopoly games here, especially the blog title named Monopoly Killer. As you can see, I grow up with Monopoly, I had 6 different set of Monopoly games and one of this card game with me currently, but I will never play them again, except in some strange or force situation.

I talk about this card game is because of its really different than the usual Monopoly gameplay and its gameplay is really cut-throat in some way. Not just because it's just a card game, its gameplay is totally different than the old Monopoly too. No auctions, no roll and move, no going to jail and of 'cos not a single bad roll that ruin everything. It's a Set Collection + Hand Drafting game, but in a family friendly and lighter flavor.

It borrow the theme from Monopoly and no dice involve, that's a good news. The game is simple enough for anyone to pick up within 5 minutes, yet strategic to play with (for the first 2 rounds), but you will leave it on the shelf soon enough. It's not deep enough for hard-core gamers to dig in, simple tactics and heavy luck on the card draw will bored you soon enough.

House rules might change the atmosphere of the gameplay, especially if you leave out the chaotic and over-power spoiler cards (Deal Breaker) out of the game.Play this with your kids or any non-gamers will slowly lure them into this gaming hobby. It's a great gateway card game for them.

The best thing in Monopoly Deal is the playing time, short! 10-20 minutes, what a great filler game while waiting for others to come for the real gaming session. You can even play this during your lunch hour or on the small table at the cafe. It came within a small card board box, easy to carry around. The box contain one sheet of good explanation rules and 100+ standard quality cards.

There is tons of other card games similar to this and even better than this, so why bother picking this up? It's cheap! You don't even need to sleeves it 'cos it's so cheap. If the cards are ever wear off, just trash it and buy a new one.

The over-power DEAL BREAKER cards.

Pros:

- Short and ideal play time

- Easy to pick up rules

- Easy to carry around

- A game that is for everyone

- Not the usual Monopoly game anymore except the title

- High player interaction

- Cut-throat

Cons:

- Still with a lot of luck factor

- Not strategic enough

- A game that is not for everyone

- Cheap box storage

- Monopoly is the name of the game

- Some over-power cards can ruin the game

- Gets boring after a few plays

My BGG rating: 5/10

10-20 minutes gameplay is the winning point for Monopoly Deal.

What my friends think about it:

Phang: Still a lot of luck. Boring after a few plays.

ET: Me and my sister play this alot at home when we got nothing else better to do.

EM: I always beat my sister, so I love this game.

Beh: So cheap! I'll buy one.

Adam: Start off very nice, ends up on the shelf with dust.

Arthur: I carry it around everyday. Wanna play it now?

Jeremy: Too simple. I want challenge!

Kachat: It's Monopoly! I'm a Monopoly collector you know.

Great Review from others:

- Hiew's Gaming Blog

- Drake's Flames

What I Think about Power Grid

I used to hate mathematics while I was still at schools 'coz I'm suck in that. I always failed most of the exams, and I not sensitive to all those numbers stuff. But when it comes to real life, everything is in numbers! Your life spend, salary, buying stuff, counting victory points when gaming, etc.

Then why I pick up this game, Friedemann Friese's Power Grid? It's a mathematics board game after all, most of the gamers called that. I found out I love this game actually, not becos of its mathematics matter but it was quite a cut-throat game after all. The theme is OK but the mixture of mechanics are just outrageously genius.

My gaming group like to outbid others on the power plants auction phase, buy off all the resources in the current market if can or block off others during the network building phase. That's whats it's all about in Power Grid. The game is always tense and challenging from the start until the end and it works extremely well with whatever numbers of players you got.

The best strategy in Power Grid is to keep everything of yours in balance. The money, power plants' output power, city networks and even a single resource matter. You have to plan ahead and read your opponents' mind, very often. That's the key to achieve victory in Power Grid.

Most of the users in BGG claim that Power Grid is lack of player interaction, and I don't agree on that. My gaming group do make a lot of noises during the course of gameplay due to its gentle & subtle cut-throat level.

This is one of the most balanced game ever designed, it always allow the weakest player to act first and throw the strongest player to the back and go last, it letting the weakest player has a chance to compete with others. That's what most Euro Games are all about, no one gets eliminated during the course of game.

The box come with a nice illustrated double sided map board (USA & Germany) which allow you to play whichever you feel comfortable, one deck of weird size power plant cards & over 200 nice looking wooden pieces. I always like wooden pieces, it just feels great when holding it in hands, rather than plastic. The only complaint I have with Power Grid is the paper money, I just hate its cheap quality.

There is tons of expansions for Power Grid, but most of it are a game board/map, with some different rule changes. So, you'll never felt boring using the same map again. These expansions are cheap, so don't worry.

Lastly, note that Friedemann Friese's game are always green in color, he uses green a lot in his games, and even his hair is green in color. Punk is not dead!

I can't imagine a green haired punk designed this awesome game.

Pros:

- High production quality

- Quite easy to pick up

- Brain burner

- Mostly no luck involve

- Tense gameplay

- Reasonable price

- Subtle level of cut-throat

Cons:

- Rulebook needs more work

- The paper money are just sucks

My BGG rating: 10/10

One of the most play game of my gaming group, play it whenever wherever if we have the time.

What my friends think about it:

Phang: Simply the best game I've played.

ET: I like cut-throat games.

EM: I like this game 'cos I always win.

Beh: I'm not a gamer but I would definately buy this game.

Adam: Yeah baby! It's Power Grid time again!

Chang Yi: Do I asked a lot of questions during the game? Sorry, I don't fully understands the rules.

Jeremy: This is a mathematics game and I'm good at it.

Tat: Wow! I didn't know there is such a economy game that is better than Monopoly.

Kultur: Capitalism!

York: I'm new to this, don't bully me, OK? (He wins in the end)

Junnu: Not that interesting, I feel sleepy.

Great review from others:

- Drake's Flames

- Board Games with Scott

- Hiew's Gaming Blog

What I Think about Space Hulk (3rd Edition)

Space Hulk, a Warhammer 40K universe themed 2-players game that was published by Games Workshop. My first get-to-know-him was through Board Game Geek. I was impressed by the pictures that was posted in the picture gallery by the users. The toys that came with the box are just telling me "YOU MUST BUY ME!!!". And then, I did.

It is an Ameritrash game, but it's from UK, strange isn't it. Nevermind this topic, straight to the game. I never regret I bought this 3rd edition, it was a gift to me, for a life time. With the thickest board and insanely detail miniatures, it worth all the money you paid.

I spend 1 hour to assembly all the figurines and felt the sense of accomplishment deep inside my heart, and just can't wait to play it with a friend.

Finally I got the chance to try it out. Done scenario 1 & 2, done being the Genestealers & Terminators. And I love this game! Even the combat result were purely depends on the lucky roll of dice (normally I hate Dice Rolling combat system). Yes, it is a game that depend on luck when it comes to combat. But who cares! Look at all those superb finishing of the miniatures! Check out the awesome arts on the thick boards! Nevermind the dice roll. I can accept it.

Too bad I don't have a big table that I can set up the game, I have to play it on the floor every time. Too bad I can't carry it around to play with friends 'coz it's too heavy to do so. Too bad I can't bring out to gaming night all the time 'coz it's only for 2 players.

Teaching this to any hard-core or casual gamers would be easy. Its simple to pick up gameplay & rules really help a lot which it doesn't mean there is no strategic play or hard decisions to make (not that deep if compare with other euro games).

The theme of the game is really strong in Space Hulk, you could end up breathless, especially as the Terminators player. You feel hopeless when your last sergeant have to face a swarm of Genestealers slowly approaching through the tight corridors. Some lucky dice rolls could make you jump up to celebrate for it.

Final word, it's out of print becoz it's a limited edition game. Buy this if you see this on the shelf of your LFGS. Buy this if its price is not over $100. It worth every penny you spend.

Look at all those stuff that came with box! Amazing isn't it?

Pros:

- Top notch production quality

- Easy to learn rules

- Theme suits gameplay

- You get to assembly and paint the figurines (optional)

Cons:

- Expensive

- Too bad you can't have it. It's a limited edition.

- Need a large table to play with

- You have to assembly and paint the figurines (optional)

My BGG rating: 8/10

Large table needed, or just play it on the floor.

What my friend think about it:

Adam: Wow! Nice miniatures you got there.

Beh: I like games with not lots of text in it.

Max: You thought you're the only one who got it? I got it too.

Great review from others:

- Drake's Flames

- Knights of the Cardboard Castle

- Mini War Gaming (part 1)

What I Think about Dominion

Keep on shuffling your cards during the course of the game, draw 5 cards and play it. What's the fun in it? That's what I first had in my mind after I finish watching all those video reviews ofDominion on YouTube.

But then I had a chance to try it out at one of the designer's board games cafe in town and felt in love with it. The Deck Building concept of Dominion is just brilliant! Pure genius I must say.

Donald X. Vaccarino used the old CCG Magic: The Gathering (I'd never played this and never will 'coz I'm no rich man's son) deck building idea and transformed it into this fine LCG. With Card Drafting & Hand Management as its engine, the game is just intriguing.

Over 500 cards came with the box, with 24 different Kingdom Cards to choose from (only use 10 for each game), the game will never be the same each time you play. This is what makes the game shine.

The fun fact in Dominion is how you decided the randomness of your card draw by building your own deck and of coz executing all the actions into combo(s) and extra buy(s). The game can be cut-throat, polite or tricky, you decides it. I prefer building up my opponent's card deck with curses.

The cards art are good in some and OK with some, the quality are in good shape but too much play will make it wear off quickly, that's why sleeve is a must. But after you have sleeves up all the cards, the problem come, the shuffling problem and the storage problem (default card holder that came with the box can't fit it all back in there). It just so hard to keep on shuffling during the whole game, cards can easily slips off from your hand. Anyway, the choice is yours, sleeves it for its protection or don't sleeves it for more easier handling. I had sleeves mine, how about you?

The game learning curve is one of the easiest ever, just 3 phases, A, B & C! Action, buy & clean up. Even a retarded can pick it up within 5 minutes. Some cards are filled with text, that only causing problem for the first timer. After a few rounds going on (approx 20-30 minutes per round), you can even play the game with your eyes covered, I mean you can ignore all those text 'coz you are already familiar with the card's action.

Easily set up the game, everyone sit down with the starting 10 cards (3 estates & 7 coppers) and you are ready for the amazing kingdom building experience, although the theme were fully ignored by the players all the time. And then painfully separating all the cards after a game. Nevermind all that pain (in the ass), let's just have FUN!

Pros:

- High production quality

- Well organize component storage solution

- Easy to learn & play

- Light and balance between strategic & luck

- For all ages

- A good filler game between 20-30 minutes

- Addictive (exercise your hand with shuffling cards)

- Every game will not be the same with lots of cards combinations from the base set

Cons:

- Cards' edges easily wear off after heavy play.

- Lots of card sleeves needed

- Not interesting with 2 players game

- Only support 4 players

- Low player interaction (sometimes not)

- Clean up after a game would be a pain in the ass

- Theme will be set aside during game play

- Addictive (ass feel sore after the game)

My BGG rating: 10/10

What my friends think about it:

Phang: This is genius. Another round? My butt will be sore later, but nevermind.

ET: I don't like the theme. Dry.

Adam: Witch! Ahahahahah!

Max: Is the LFGS still open? I wanna buy Intrigue later.

Jeremy: Wait! I'm thinking about my combos and extra buy now.

Arthur: Who the heck design this? Is he human?

Great review from others:

- The Dice Tower Review with Tom Vasel

- Drake's Flames

- Board to Death TV

What I Think about Ticket to Ride

I always hated train games, it's complicated & heavy, making me headache whenever I look at the board, lots of bits and a lot going on which I dunno what's really happening. Most of all, I hate the theme, it's just so dry and keep me away from it.

Hard learning curve is another problem of train games, but it's a very good for burning your brain. Those who love strategic & low luck factor will love train games, if they can accept the "Train" theme. But train game, nah, it's just not my cup of tea.

But Ticket to Ride totally change my point of view against train games. It's light, fast pace, strategic with some acceptable luck factor, light cut-throat level, sometimes tense & mostly fun! A true gateway train game for all ages. It makes me wanna get into those more involve train games. Of coz you can't compare Ticket to Ride with all those serious train games out there, it's 2 total different kind of game. But at least the theme is the same, building route for trains.

Okay, here's a intro of the designer. A 2 time Spiel des Jahres award winner, Gathering of Friends organizer, he is Alan Moon, the designer of Ticket to Ride. Ticket to Ride combined card drafting, set collection, route building & hand management mechanics very well.

It's so easy to learn and play. You can teach new player within 5 minutes, that's awesome. There is only 3 steps to remember when play, collect color train cards, select route ticket cards or building your train route on the board, and that's all for the game.

Well, after like 20+ plays, it's getting kinda boring actually. The strategy and other players' moves are predictable. It's a great filler game especially play this with non-gamers, they'll love it. Most of all, Ticket to Ride is way way way better than Monopoly.

One more thing, the cards in the base set are kinda small in sizes, but the Ticket to Ride USA 1910 expansion fix the problem. Anyway, it still playable with small size cards.

Pros:

- High production quality

- Well organize component storage solution

- Nice cards & board artwork

- Easy to learn & play

- Light and balance between strategic & luck

- Better than Monopoly

- For all ages

- Fast pace, a game between 30-45 minutes

- Can be play with at most 5 players

Cons:

- Gets boring after 20 or 30+ play

- Not interesting with 2 players game

My BGG rating: 8/10

What my friends think about it:

Phang: Too much luck, but it's way better than Monopoly. Gets boring easily.

ET: Fun! My non-gamer sister will sure like this.

Adam: It's kinda cut-throat actually, that's why I like it!

Suki: It's so childish, can I play some more involve game?

Max: It's just OK, not that I will buy this ASAP.

Great review from others:

- Board Games with Scott

- Hiew's Boardgame Blog

- Board to Death TV