Entry 105- Astronomy Fluxx

        Almost a year ago, way back with Entry 55, we discussed two different Fluxx games. One of them belonged to Looney Labs educational Fluxx series that left us, well, underwhelmed at best. 

        This week we are revisiting the Fluxx educational line with one whose theme caught my attention more than the previous one. 

Astronomy Fluxx (2020) 

BGG Description 

Fluxx is a card game in which the cards themselves determine the current rules of the game. By playing cards, you change numerous aspects of the game: how to draw cards, how to play cards, and even how to win. At the start of the game, each player holds three cards and on a turn a player draws one card, then plays one card. By playing cards, you can put new rules into play that change numerous aspects of the game: how many cards to draw or play, how many cards you can hold in hand or keep on the table in front of you, and (most importantly) how to win the game. 

Astronomy Fluxx takes you to outer space, featuring stunning NASA photographs of planets and other astronomical objects. Learn about space and humankind's space flight history in this latest installment in the educational Fluxx series. 

Weight 1.4/5

Our Take on the Game 

        Even though our take on Math Fluxx was not favorable at all, we really enjoyed this one in the educational series. 

        This game does not use any creepers which does add more to the other versions of the game but is not needed at all for the educational series. 

        What stands out to me more than anything is the fantastic photos of space used for the keeper and goal cards. Being someone who loved studying the stars and the “space race” and all things from the heavens growing up, this game would have made a great addition to my learning (if only it was created 30+ years ago). 

        Some of the other cards in the game further add to learning astronomy by names of the cards and/or abilities on the cards (don’t want to spoil them for you). 

        The last thing to point out, is that just like the other flux games, it is easy to learn and fast to play. One of our games was over on the third turn because of the lucky card draw that happened. 

FAMILY GAMER VERDICT 

        We rate this game an 8 out 10. 

        Unlike the previous educational Fluxx game, this one was a complete 100% hit for us. 

        I know that I will be using this game as part of my daughters schooling in the near future. 

LETTER TALLY 

A: 2 – Architects of the West Kingdom, Astronomy Fluxx 

E: 1 – Elfenroads: Elfenland 

G: 0 - 

H: 1 – Hamlet: The Village Building Game 

J: 0 - 

K: 1 - Kingdomino 

L: 2 - Long Shot: The Dice Game, Legendary Encounters: Firefly 

R: 0 - 

U: 0 - 

Z: 0 -

Entry 104- Elfenroads: Elfenland

        If you have the 2015 edition of Elfenroads, you will see the wonderful artwork of one of our favorite local (Seattle area) artists who has done artwork for various Dominion expansions, Mystic Vale, Edge of Darkness, Rurik, and most notably Magic: the Gathering. Who is this artist I am speaking of? Ms. Alayna Lemmer-Danner. Whom we have actually met in person and adore her because she was very nice and kind to everyone she interacted with. 

        Now back to the game; Elfenroads is a “bigbox” that contains all three games in the series which are Elfenland, Elfengold, and the new Elfensea. We have had this game on our shelve for a few years and just now have gotten around to trying it out. For this entry, we will just discuss Elfenland since we have not played the other games as of yet. 

ELFENROADS (2015 Edition) 

BGG DescriptionDescription 

from the publisher:

Elfenroads (or Elfenland Deluxe) combines the previously released Elfenland and Elfengold, along with the new Elfensea. 

In Elfenland, young elves have to pass a very special test before they are accepted as grownups. All elf girls and elf boys receive a map of Elfenland, and they have to visit as many famous towns in Elfenland as possible, using the common types of transportation: dragons, unicorns, giant pigs, elfcycles, troll wagons, magic clouds, ferries and rafts. These types of transportation, however, are available in limited numbers and can be used only in specific regions. Thus, an exciting race starts among the elves to find out who will make the best use of the available transportation. The one who visits the most towns wins. 

Elfengold, an expansion for Elfenland, adds gold coins to the game that players use to bid for the Travel Counters and other new items. It also adds Gold Value Tokens to the towns that indicate how much gold players earn for visiting a town. Two magic spells and a new obstacle — a Sea Monster — are included as well as two round cards to allow for longer games up to six rounds. 

In Elfensea, as in Elfenland, young elves have to pass a special test before they are accepted as grownups. The same rules apply in Elfensea as in Elfenland, except as described in the rules. The game board map is different, and the common types of transportation — dragons, unicorns, giant pigs, magic clouds, whales and rafts — differ somewhat as well. As in Elfenland, these types of transportation are available in limited numbers and can be used only in specific regions. Thus, an exciting race starts among the elves to find out who will make the best use of the available transportation. The player with the most points wins. 

Weight 2.27/5 

Our Take on the Game 

        Elfenland is a game by the great Alan R. Moon. You may recognize his name because of one of his greatest titles and game series created, Ticket to Ride. If you check out his BGG profile (click here) you will learn his fascinating story and a little more history of this game. 

        The game play is simple enough to understand and it doesn’t take long to play, only 3-4 rounds. We were truly surprised how much we enjoyed it. 

        In a nutshell, each round you start with drawing your travel cards, then drafting your travel counters. Next you plan your travel routes by placing the travel counters on the board and then you move your Elf boot from one location to the next by playing the appropriate travel card(s). The end of the round you can keep one unplayed travel counter and clear off the game board to go again. The winner of the game is the one who has the most of their town pieces collected. 

        Simple enough? Yeah, we thought so too. We do like that each terrain has its own travel requirements and restrictions as to who can use that area. Again, the artwork of this edition is just beautiful as well. 

 

FAMILY GAMER VERDICT 

        We rate this game an 8 out 10. 

        Don’t let the larger sized box scare you away from this game. The box is needed for the large and detailed game board. This game packs just the right punch for us and we are sure that you would like it too. 

LETTER TALLY 

A: 1 – Architects of the West Kingdom 

E: 1 – Elfenroads: Elfenland 

G: 0 - 

H: 1 – Hamlet: The Village Building Game 

J: 0 - 

K: 1 - Kingdomino 

L: 2 - Long Shot: The Dice Game, Legendary Encounters: Firefly 

R: 0 - 

U: 0 - 

Z: 0 -

Entry 103- Kingdomino

        This blog entry is inspired by our daughter. We were at our FLGS passing time after my wife and a member of our gaming family were able to get their hair colored (for free) at a salon who needed “test” subjects. 

        Our baby girl wanted to play a game before we left the store that she picked, not one that mommy and daddy wanted to play. Her choice was Blue Orange’s Kingdomino. 

KINGDOMINO (2016)

BGG Description 

In Kingdomino, you are a lord seeking new lands in which to expand your kingdom. You must explore all the lands, including wheat fields, lakes, and mountains, in order to spot the best plots, while competing with other lords to acquire them first. 

The game uses tiles with two sections, similar to Dominoes. Each turn, each player will select a new domino to connect to their existing kingdom, making sure at least one of its sides connects to a matching terrain type already in play. The order of who picks first depends on which tile was previously chosen, with better tiles forcing players to pick later in the next round. The game ends when each player has completed a 5x5 grid (or failed to do so), and points are counted based on number of connecting tiles and valuable crown symbols. 

Weight 1.22/5 

Our Take on the Game 

        We were surprised that our daughter had selected this game and for the most part, she was able to do the actions herself with little help. 

        The game does have some strategy involved because you have to pay attention to the 5x5 grid you are creating (7x7 in a 2 player game). If you place a tile wrong that prevents you from filling in the whole grid, you will miss out on points. 

        What we enjoy about this game is that there are two columns of dominos, one active side (where you place into your grid) and the other is the selection side for the next turn. Turn order, after the initial selection, is based on which of the next dominos you pick is at on the column (going from top to bottom). 

        Since the dominos are randomly shuffled into a stack, the next number of tiles to pick from is based on player count (3 players equal 3 dominos drawn); but wait, there is more. Of those dominos you draw, you then need to place them in numerical order from top to bottom. This means in a three player game, if your meeple is at the top of the placement stack and the next domino you want is at the bottom of the next stack, you will then go last on the next turn thus giving you whatever domino is left on the turn after. (I hope this makes some since to you as I am trying to visualize in my head what I just said). 

        Anyways, scoring in this game is easy to understand. The number of crowns in each connected terrain type times the number of tiles of that terrain is your score for that section. Do this for all terrain types and add up the total. 

        There are additional variants that you could play as well that adds a little more “spice” to the game as well as an official expansion to the game. 

FAMILY GAMER VERDICT 

        We rate this game an 8 out 10. 

        Kingdomino is a game that should be in everyone’s collection simply because it is an easy to learn, easy to play, and it is a great introduction to tile laying game. This game is a good one to play with younger kids too. Even though the age recommendation is for 8+, a three year old was able to play the game and even win (yes, our daughter beat us at the game). 

        If you like this game, then you should also check out Queendomino and if your tiny human is not ready for Kingdomino then there is also Dragomino (which is designed for younger players). 

LETTER TALLY 

A: 1 – Architects of the West Kingdom 

E: 0 - 

G: 0 - 

H: 1 – Hamlet: The Village Building Game 

J: 0 - 

K: 1 - Kingdomino

L: 2 - Long Shot: The Dice Game, Legendary Encounters: Firefly 

R: 0 - 

U: 0 - 

Z: 0 -

Entry 102- Architects of the West Kingdom

        My apologies for the blog being posted late again, lately it has been a struggle for me and I am doing my best to keep my heart and mind working together as one. Whenever I have thoughts in my head about what I want to write about, I grab my computer and then I go blank because other thoughts invade and overcome what I was going to do. So now, I am focused on completing this one and starting the next. Time for the game… 

        If you love the artwork of The Mico and like the North Sea series from Garphill Games, then you are in for a treat with the first game in the West Kingdom series.

 
ARCHITECTS OF THE WEST KINGDOM (2018) 

BGG Description 

  

Architects of the West Kingdom is set at the end of the Carolingian Empire, circa 850 AD. As royal architects, players compete to impress their King and maintain their noble status by constructing various landmarks throughout his newly appointed domain. Players need to collect raw materials, hire apprentices, and keep a watchful eye on their workforce. These are treacherous times, and rival architects will stop at nothing to slow your progress. Will you remain virtuous, or be found in the company of thieves and black marketeers? 

The aim of Architects of the West Kingdom is to be the player with the most victory points (VP) at game's end. Points are gained by constructing various buildings and advancing work on the Archbishop's cathedral. Throughout the game, players need to make a lot of moral decisions. However, only at game's end will their virtue be judged. A few underhanded deals here and there might not seem like much, but fall too far and you will be punished. The game ends once a set number of constructions have been completed. 

—description from the publisher 

Weight 2.75/5 

Our Take on the Game 

        Even though the game is only five years old, a lot of people will consider this a “classic” worker placement and resource management game. 

        We love that up front you get all twenty of your workers up front, unless you use the variable player powers which you may not have all at the very start but can get them back. This means you can start planning your turns right away and even look ahead to a certain point. But of course, there is a catch. 

 

        What is this catch you might be asking? Well, this game you can gather groups of your opponent’s workers onto your player board which allows you to later send them to the guardhouse to earn money for each one you send there. However, if your workers are gathered and you don’t want your opponents to earn money from them, there is a way to get them all back by taking a certain action at the guardhouse, of course it will cost you money. 

        Learning the iconography of the game is easy. The only language dependent item in the game is the rulebook. All the actions you can take is shown by the various icons on the game board, yes, even all the cards are that way. 

        Gaining needed resources in this game is something that we absolutely love because unlike a lot of the worker placement games, if another player is in the spot you want to go to, so what, you can still go there as many times as you like (the only exception to this is the black market spots which only one meeple can be there at a time). The more workers you have in the locations, the more actions or resources you can take. 

        To help you build the various buildings (green cards that are in your hand) you may need to hire various apprentices (blue cards). Each type of card also provides you various other abilities to help you win the game. 

        Even though points are not tallies during the game, all game information is public and you can look at what the other players have done to gauge where you stand against them. 

        You might be wondering at this point how does the game end? The answer to that is by filling up the guildhall with your workers. Now I need to explain the guildhall I suppose. 

        This is the location of the game board in which you “sacrifice” your workers to construct your building cards or to work on the cathedral. The “sacrifice” is that you do not get those workers back when you get to gather your meeples. The guildhall is also the way to track how close you are to triggering the game end. The more players you have in the game, the more workers are needed to fill the hall. 

        Our second two player game of Architects of the West Kingdom lasted around thirty minutes because we focused heavily on constructing buildings and working on the cathedral so we filled up the guildhall really fast. 

        One last thing to note, since it was mentioned in the BGG Description, is virtue. Virtue is gained and lost in various ways but mainly by card actions. For the most part, you will want to stay towards the middle of the virtue track which allows you to visit the black market and to build the cathedral. Too much virtue and you can not take black market actions but will earn you extra victory points at the end of the game. Too little virtue and you can not build the cathedral and you will subtract victory points at the end of the game, however, a plus side to that is you also pay less in taxes.

FAMILY GAMER VERDICT 

        We rate this game a 9 out 10. 

        The game is one that will get tabled over and over and not because it is on our 10x10 Challenge for this year. Since our first few plays, we have introduced others to the game with much success. The addition of the expansions is next on our docket for this game which adds more and interesting elements to the game play. 

        As stated in the intro, if you are a fan of the Mico’s artwork, you will love all aspects of the game. If you are not a fan of his work, I am sorry, but we think you still will like the gameplay. 

LETTER TALLY 

A: 1 – Architects of the West Kingdom 

E: 0 - 

G: 0 - 

H: 1 – Hamlet: The Village Building Game 

J: 0 - 

K: 0 - 

L: 2 - Long Shot: The Dice Game, Legendary Encounters: Firefly 

R: 0 - 

U: 0 - 

Z: 0 -