Clarification Needed: Points Rummy Doubt on TajRummy Platform
<div><p>I've been enjoying playing Points Rummy on the <a href="https://www.tajrummy.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">TajRummy platform</a>, but I've encountered a situation that has left me a bit confused. I'm hoping some of you experienced players can offer some clarity.</p>
<p>In a recent game, I found myself in a position where I had completed all the necessary sequences and sets required for a valid declaration. However, I was unsure about the scoring and penalty system in a specific scenario.</p>
<p>Here's the situation: I had melded all my 13 cards into valid sequences and sets, including at least one pure sequence and two or more sequences overall. However, I noticed that one of my sets included more than four cards, and I had used jokers to complete it.</p>
<p>My question is, does having a set with more than four cards impact my score or penalty in any way? Specifically, does using jokers to create a set with more than four cards affect the calculation of points for my hand?</p>
<p>I've reviewed the rules provided by Taj Rummy, but I couldn't find a clear answer to this specific scenario. I want to ensure that I understand the scoring system correctly to avoid any confusion during future games.</p>
<p>I appreciate any insights or explanations you can provide on this matter.</p></div>
Dale Yu: Review of Maps of Misterra
<div>Maps of Misterra Designers: Mathieu Bossu, Timothee Decroix,Thomas Cariate Publisher: Sit Down! Players: 1-4 Age: 10+ Time: 45-60 minutes Played with review copy provided by Flat River Group (distributor) Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3vPJSKh In Maps of Misterra, you play as … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2024/03/18/dale-yu-review-of-maps-of-misterra/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></div>
New Looks — and Old! — for Robo Rally, Acquire, Heroscape, Risk 2210 A.D. & Nexus Ops
• In addition to this item, in August 2024 Renegade will release Robo Rally: 30th Anniversary, with this edition of the Richard Garfield and Michael Davis design being for 2-8 players, with four new double-sided game boards, wooden tokens, pre-painted robots, dual-layered player boards, and a US$120 price tag. • In June 2023, Renegade announced that it had received a license from Hasbro to bring HeroScape back to market, and now it's unveiled plans for doing so, with the Heroscape: Age of Annihi
Preview: Acornism
<div>Designer: Kotori Artist: Kotori Publisher: PhantomLab Players: 2-4 Time:15-20 minutes Age: 5 + Acornism is a sweet little tile placement game coming to crowdfunding near you. I was provided with a nearly finished prototype. The components include nicely illustrated tiles … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2024/03/18/preview-acornism/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></div>
Identify a variant of Rummy where hands' size are random
<div><p>Thins is a variant of Rummy for 2 or more players, where each player starting hand size is random.</p>
<ul>
<li>Deck: regular deck with Jokers.</li>
<li>Deal: The 1st card in the deck determine the number of cards the 1st player receives face down. The next card up and that is the number of cards the dealer or player #2 receive.
<ul>
<li>opening a face card (K,Q,J,T) is worth a 10-cards hand and an Ace is worth a 21-cards hand.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Jokers and duces are wild. A wild card can be replaced with the proper card.</li>
</ul>
<p>What is the name of this game? Any insight will be greatly appreciated.</p></div>
Looking for the name of a card game we used to play with at least 2 people
<div><p>Play with a regualr deck of cards with Jokers. The dealer turns the 1st card up to the player on the left. That is the number of cards the player receives face down. The dealer then deals the next card up and that is the number of cards the dealer or player #2 receive. if the up card is an A. The player receives 21 cards face down. Jokers and duces are wild. A wild card can be replaced with the proper card.</p>
<p>Any insight will be greatly appreciated.</p></div>
Dale Yu: Review of Xylotar
<div>Xylotar Designer: Chris Wray Publisher: Bezier Games Players: 2-5 Age: 14+ Time: 30 minutes Played with copy provided by publisher In the card game Xylotar, you’ve found the long lost xylotar schematics from the instrument original designed by Bobby McColdsnap … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2024/03/17/dale-yu-review-of-xylotar/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></div>
From GAMA Expo to Gen Con 2024: Arcs, Harvest, AI Space Puzzle, The Gang & More
<div><p>by <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/blogger/17/w-eric-martin">W. Eric Martin</a></p>
<div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/6880038"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/f97Nqau89BZsKt2n27zrZg__small/img/ETTcC9Lte7BAIuX-WygMMdBKbw8=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic6880038.png" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7962719"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/ydwU0FMlRVa6wt8tOu1tgg__small/img/9hYAUB4S9PHAVvUoPEcaRm7jHIg=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7962719.jpg" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8074402"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/ASfodd97x0-Y0i3JG29Pfg__small/img/xFFFPGA0pS1MuN_Cj1ZV0Map1T8=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8074402.jpg" border="0"></a></div>• A decent portion of my notes from GAMA Expo 2024 consist of updated release dates for games, along with what's debuting at Origins or Gen Con since most of what's shown is coming from U.S. publishers.
<br>
<br>For example, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/35585/cole-wehrle">Cole Wehrle</a>'s <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/359871/arcs"><b><i>Arcs</i></b></a> from <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/25624/leder-games">Leder Games</a> will debut at Gen Con 2024, as will the co-operative poker game <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/411567/gang"><b><i>The Gang</i></b></a> from <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/123/john-cooper">John Cooper</a>, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/2201/kory-heath">Kory Heath</a>, and <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/37/kosmos">KOSMOS</a>.
<br>
<br>• <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/134528/taylor-reiner">Taylor Reiner</a>'s <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/415981/seers-catalog"><b><i>Seers Catalog</i></b></a>, another Gen Con 2024 debut along with <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/102135/christopher-wray">Chris Wray</a>'s <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/414302/xylotar"><b><i>Xylotar</i></b></a>, includes fourteen extra cards compared to the earlier edition of the game, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/369509/whats-left"><i>Of What's Left</i></a>. <i>OWL</i> contains four special powered cards, with each player getting one of them at the start of each round, whereas <i>Seers</i> contains many more...which can be a bad or good thing depending on whether you prefer to play against known unknowns or against developer-injected variability.
<br>
<br>• Yet another Gen Con 2024 debut is <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/30869/trey-chambers">Trey Chambers</a>' <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/395623/harvest"><b><i>Harvest</i></b></a>, which <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/31523/keymaster-games">Keymaster Games</a> had <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/150695/prepare-new-harvest-roll-new-realms-and-profit-nuc">previewed</a> at Gen Con 2023. The circle of promotion will soon be complete...
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8092349"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/YhtQbAWTs7ZvNM-6rq93KA__small/img/GZg_VejYynOMoG-ilN-iFGs36hg=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8092349.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center><center><i>Mock-up at GAMA Expo 2024</i></center>
<br>• And how about one more Gen Con 2024 release: <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/383064/ai-space-puzzle"><b><i>AI Space Puzzle</i></b></a>, which I first covered in October 2023 and which <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/2726/portal-games">Portal Games</a> is bringing to markets outside of Poland.
<br>
<br>In this 2-5 player co-operative game, most players take on the role of people who have been evacuated from Earth on spaceships and one player performs as a distressed AI that has partially malfunctioned. Its task is to help passengers during this difficult journey, and to do so it must try to create an effective communication system so that the passengers can be directed to the proper rooms while holding the correct security keys. The AI player uses various tokens to convey the required combination of colors and pawns, but the meaning of the tokens is up to the players to decide.
<br>
<br>The game includes dozens of scenarios with increasing levels of difficulty, each with new challenges that you must overcome to survive. Beep boop!
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8092387"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/HZTV-gtj0rM6u5pzaJ8Q1A__small/img/BMY1nI_iMvrsHfc-aGvaQo4dkXg=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8092387.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center>
<br>• <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/402302/wandering-towers-mini-spell-expansion-3"><b><i>Wandering Towers: Mini Spell Expansion 3</i></b></a>, which consists of two spells released separately in Germany by ABACUSSPIELE, will hit the U.S. retail market in May 2024 courtesy of <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/30958/capstone-games">Capstone Games</a>.
<br>
<br>• Additionally, Capstone has licensed <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/2/reiner-knizia">Reiner Knizia</a>'s <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/116954/butterfly-garden"><b><i>Butterfly Garden</i></b></a> — first released as <i>Indigo</i> in 2012 — from <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/8291/korea-boardgames">Korea Boardgames</a> for release in North America in September 2024.
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8092365"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/A9a09vhE2aQgjeIQHICgeQ__small/img/OXWErMIusVVWSDq5nTLLV5-UYpw=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8092365.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center><center><i>Mock-up at GAMA Expo 2024</i></center>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8092371"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/vmtE53KGeHZmxd7pWtazfA__small/img/9EMMNc7cdYdV5eMlnBTtnioZO1s=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8092371.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center><center><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/319910/pagan-fate-roanoke"><b>Pagan: Fate of Roanoke</b></a> <i>is another upcoming Capstone release, due out in August 2024</i></center>
<br>• The eight titles in Chris Handy's Pack O Game: Set 3 from Perplext — <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/396335/bog"><b><i>BOG</i></b></a>, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/396337/far"><b><i>FAR</i></b></a>, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/396338/irk"><b><i>IRK</i></b></a>, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/396334/mad"><b><i>MAD</i></b></a>, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/195454/nut"><b><i>NUT</i></b></a>, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/396339/sly"><b><i>SLY</i></b></a>, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/396332/win"><b><i>WIN</i></b></a>, and <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/396333/yet"><b><i>YET</i></b></a> — will hit retail in April 2024.
<br>
<br><center><div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7640453"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/K19fcNORVAr5H--5Ft8IpQ__small/img/2wnh8PVIPeaDpJaKqJVLvM2Wm48=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7640453.jpg" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7642058"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/XOW5vvRQkzF9azhFRj9kGQ__small/img/a27KAbw23F9d11R-xrxszbXwrqI=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7642058.jpg" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7642187"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/XZ267UU3KZRPQ_YPujulBg__small/img/4K-Nqh0T5gn0dtx6le0MbXRxqm4=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7642187.jpg" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7640448"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/t0y3RNr9tX3Ccla4_bblOw__small/img/UuX38QgU_VpC5kiWPJTOsdQak0U=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7640448.jpg" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7641003"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/ilFZ0pFvcsLmwHcjvLKRvA__small/img/JcTKApk-CL3AUPA7B8YKCb6JFdY=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7641003.jpg" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7642052"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/g_VUou5IRmsSTFmcoG-o0A__small/img/AHxeEnueyyQe4_Wd-uhpu3fg2S4=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7642052.jpg" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7642087"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/9it-OKpOT4ZYGfQIyLboGQ__small/img/LtFs7fkPnfPAL4o4r2riYgeaZOQ=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7642087.jpg" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7642062"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/FxWU6_sBPq1i9tZL00MkKg__small/img/GaY4kAceNxeY5ZrkXZFYMME4q6g=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7642062.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center></div>
Brit tourists warned over bizarre law at popular holiday destination where it’s illegal to carry 120 playing cards
If you are caught with 120 playing cards in Thailand, authorities have the power to throw the book at you. The country has strict no gambling laws - and people with over 120 cards must register ...
Dale Yu: Review of Sandbag
<div>Sandbag Designer: Ted Alspach Publisher: Bezier Games Players: 3-6 Age: 15+ Time: 30 minutes Played with review copy provided by publisher You’ve joined a hot air balloon festival in which the goal is to go higher than your opponents. Dump … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2024/03/16/dale-yu-review-of-sandbag/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></div>
My 20 Favorite Trick-Taking Games (Article by Chris Wray)
<div>I last published a list of my top 20 trick-taking games back in 2021. There have been several additions to the list, in large part due to the recent explosion in interest in the mechanic. Without further ado, here is … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2024/03/16/my-20-favorite-trick-taking-games-article-by-chris-wray/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></div>
Defend the Dictionary, Let Loose Your Water Dragon, and Fuse Forgeborn on Whitefang Pass
Every deck produced is unique, and to play this lane-battler card game, each player shuffles any two decks together, then plays. Each turn you play only some of the cards in your hand, then discard the rest — and each card you play has its higher-level counterpart added to your discard pile, so your deck scales up in power over time. • Stone Blade will follow this release in July 2024 with Shards of Infinity: Saga Collection, which contains the Shards of Infinity base game from Gary Arant and Ju
Make a Grand Plan for New York City, Experience a Western Twilight, and Await Stellaris
• At GAMA Expo 2024, Uwe Eickert gave me a rundown of what's coming from Academy Games, with the biggest and most anticipated title being Stellaris: Infinite Legacy, which was crowdfunded in April 2021 and which is scheduled to reach backers in Q3 2024, along with the Empires and Frontiers expansions. I talked with Eickert a bit about the delays related to this project, with the bottom line being that licensed projects can be far more complicated than they appear on the surface for all sorts of
Brit tourists warned over bizarre law at popular holiday destination where it’s illegal to carry 120 playing cards
BRIT tourists have been warned they could face up to 10 years in prison for carrying a seemingly innocent holiday essential.
UK tourists warned carrying 120 playing cards in Thailand is illegal
Known as the "Playing Cards Act" - which been in place lace since 1935, it is illegal to possess more than 120 playing cards.
The Six of VIII (Game Review by Chris Wray)
<div>“The reign of Henry VIII is one of the most fascinating in English history. Not only was it a time of revolutionary political and social change, but it was also dominated by one of the most extraordinary and charismatic men … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2024/03/14/the-six-of-viii-game-review-by-chris-wray/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></div>
Invest Wisely in Stalk Exchange, Bounce Across the United States, and Embrace Dadada
"PU", then an image card, then assign this image to the sound and say its name: "PU!" The next player then reveals an image, and if they agree that "PU" is a suitable name for the depicted object, they slide it next to "PU" and say "PU!"; otherwise, they flip a new sound card and place the image there: "PEH!" Repeat this for some number of sounds and images, then lay out other images without designating a sound for them The active player then secretly chooses one of the images and names it using
Darth Maul, Captain Phasma, and War of the Ancients
<div><p>by <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/blogger/17/w-eric-martin">W. Eric Martin</a></p>
• <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/29313/osprey-games">Osprey Games</a> — publisher of <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamefamily/63557/series-undaunted-osprey-games"><i>Undaunted</i></a>, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/127493/bolt-action"><i>Bolt Action</i></a>, and <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/381435/general-orders-world-war-ii"><i>General Orders: World War II</i></a> — has announced a new conflict game for release in Q4 2024: <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/415838/battalion-war-ancients"><b><i>Battalion: War of the Ancients</i></b></a>. Here's an overview:
<br><font color="#2121A4"><div class="quote"><div class="quotebody"><i>Take charge of the formidable Roman legions and their allies. Command the powerful crossbowmen of the Han dynasty as they traverse unfamiliar deserts. Steer the renowned Greco-Bactrian cavalry, and fight for every oasis. Direct Hannibal's diverse array of mercenaries, elephants, and the Sacred Band of Carthage.
<br>
<br></i><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8091755"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/i38Sbt0z4upJloTLK4mdYQ__small/img/Y-twGW20QMppWWNqIV6t5ll3PTc=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8091755.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center>
<br>To lead is to walk the tightrope. Choose a faction, consider its ranks, assemble them into units, and as they fight, carefully balance their orders and sustain your forces in the field. The unique traits of each rank tile will make your units stronger, but combine too many and your units will become unwieldy.
<br>
<br><i>Battalion: War of the Ancients</i> is an accessible two or four-player game. Command a wide range of units from four playable historical factions, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Employ faction-specific tactics cards to outmaneuver your opponents. Compose your unique forces with rigor. Judge the tempo of battle with precision. Seize victory for your people!</div></div></font>
<br>This game is designed by <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/7640/paolo-mori">Paolo Mori</a> and <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/12749/francesco-sirocchi">Francesco Sirocchi</a>, and from the description it seems reminiscent of their <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamefamily/4563/series-pocket-battles-z-man"><i>Pocket Battles</i></a> game line from Z-Man Games, which was released from 2009 to 2014.
<br>
<br><center><div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/550588"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/53EJR0wv427IWGBARpLoCQ__small/img/j2EXZgLpnTc2v4ADBrtgecnn3uU=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic550588.jpg" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/719281"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/vwXIkF4N2_5PLd0MDLvzUw__small/img/L01U5ae12NIjaUQ2WrMq5S8Rn4Y=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic719281.jpg" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/1216376"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/ojmV7EeY-LxUcf9RLxFMCg__small/img/Vv57J0WcZ0fuh_JQhhZ2bpY_t7w=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic1216376.jpg" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/1924439"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/obx0JrqdedBDFkoKJOZTUQ__small/img/uU3myFQRtARSePQzYLfxwKaUR5g=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic1924439.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center>
<br>• To follow up <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/156463/more-villainous-yet-sweeter">a post from January 2024</a>, Ravensburger has now revealed the <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/358800/star-wars-villainous-power-dark-side"><i>Star Wars: Villainous</i></a> expandalone title that it hinted at previously, with <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/417130/star-wars-villainous-revenge-last"><b><i>Revenge at Last</i></b></a> featuring Darth Maul and Captain Phasma as the two new villains that you can embody.
<br>
<br><i>Star Wars Villainous: Revenge at Last</i> is due out in July 2024, and while Ravensburger didn't announce any details of their objectives, I'm sure both characters start by climbing out of a pit.
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8091825"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/W8X9uX57mWIsSopzlvfAIw__small/img/3B7Am6hVPcg0-QKBl8_K-1yL1zM=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8091825.png" border="0"></a></div></center></div>
Seers Catalog (Game Review by Chris Wray)
<div>Author’s Note: In the interest of fair disclosure, a game I designed (Xylotar) is being published by Bezier Games in coming months. Additionally, the designer of this game (Taylor Reiner) is a member of The Opinionated Gamers. In spring 2016, … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2024/03/13/seers-catalog-game-review-by-chris-wray/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></div>
Game Previews from GAMA Expo 2024: Rivages, Château Combo, Temple Code, and Ink It!
<div><p>by <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/blogger/17/w-eric-martin">W. Eric Martin</a></p>
<div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7923094"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/fNQTbeViCmenJsMoOzSKnQ__small/img/2bvVgt9gsiWjeHJGDrFBOJcoQng=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7923094.png" border="0"></a></div>At GAMA Expo 2024, I took tons of pics and notes, but I also got to play several games as well, so let me give you first impressions of a quartet of French games due out in 2024 that will likely end up seeing print from other publishers as well. Thanks to Matthieu Bonin for introducing these titles to me!
<br>
<br>• We'll start with <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/111737/joachim-thome">Joachim Thôme</a>'s <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/409581/rivages"><b><i>Rivages</i></b></a> ("Shores"), which I first <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/156098/go-island-hopping-gain-favor-queen-and-eat-mountai">wrote about</a> in January 2024. This May 2024 release from <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/28651/catch-games">Catch Up Games</a> is a draft-and-write game. Yes, the pool of X-and-write games is expanding with this one featuring some mildly interactive elements.
<br>
<br>Each player starts the game with a laminated island card, one of 25 in the game, and with two laminated hand cards. On a turn, choose one of the top unmarked symbol rows on one of your hand cards, then use those symbols to mark matching spaces on your island.
<br>
<br>To start, you choose one of the two ship icons on the island, then mark hexes adjacent to this ship or already marked spaces. For each landscape symbol on a hand card, you can mark an available matching landscape hex on your island. White spaces can be marked by "spending" any landscape symbol on a hand card, then you get the bonus on that space: a scroll (worth 1 point), a spyglass (which lets you mark any available space immediately), a statue (which lets you mark an available space on a separate bonus board), a blue bag (which allows you to draw a bonus tile from a bag that you can spend when you wish), a gold symbol (as at the top right of the island card below), or other stuff.
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8085186"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/ZvwCY4tew4JSfSAEhD4pXg__small/img/frXSqVsVUbYz6lnXi7X2W9u70zg=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8085186.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center>
<br>Why are you doing all of this? To score points, of course. Each island card has scoring conditions printed on it. On the card above, the first brown area I cross off completely earns me one scroll, a.k.a., 1 point; the second brown area filled will earn me 2 points. Crossing all four gold symbols earned me 3 points, and each had a different landscape under it, which meant I spent a few turns to mark it.
<br>
<br>After each player has chosen a symbol row, marked it, and crossed off the appropriate spaces on their island, they pass the hand cards left, then choose a top unmarked row on one of the cards they receive and keep repeating this process. If you receive a hand card that has been marked through completely, discard it and draw a new one from the deck. When you get to a certain point in the deck, the endgame is triggered.
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8085187"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/2qbS7x_sIXj1c2trEHPqYA__small/img/DqoLotZHAYPMPfSGeTsSMZ7kkrQ=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8085187.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center>
<br>Whenever you mark the second ship on an island — which you can choose to do on any turn without needing to X a path from the first ship — at the end of that turn, you draw a new island card, then start marking that island on the next turn. Having a bonus blue bag that lets you mark all of a brown area, but the brown areas don't score anything on your current island? Maybe you want to seek new land! Playing in a two-player game with no desert symbols on the cards you're passing — and you really need desert to score — head to a new island!
<br>
<br><i>Rivages</i> feels akin to <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/8347/phil-walker-harding">Phil Walker-Harding</a>'s <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/270673/silver-gold"><i>Silver & Gold</i></a> in how you have intermediate goals, then skip to a new card, but in this design you can island hop more frequently to focus on what you want or make the most of what's available — and the game includes a bonus for whoever visits the most islands, giving you extra incentive to be flighty.
<br>
<br><div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8088909"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/HyO2k52oCdNe0kMdTPcJoQ__small/img/HuE3QX-O83rEtFKlzLlYiOdG0uo=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8088909.png" border="0"></a></div> <div style="display:inline;"><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7570100"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/ttq_EqttUCe6_bSOpP92jA__small/img/nsPYxYtaojJn8mQMsloUoRWF6GE=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7570100.png" border="0"></a></div>• <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/385761/faraway"><i>Faraway</i></a> has proved to be a big hit for Catch Up Games, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/158298/dive-thematic-integration-board-game-design-and-po">winning a 2024 As d'Or</a> among other things, and the publisher has a game with a similar feel coming in September 2024: <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/416851/chateau-combo"><b><i>Château Combo</i></b></a> from the design team of <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/119408/gregory-grard">Grégory Grard</a> and <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/64917/mathieu-roussel">Mathieu Roussel</a>.
<br>
<br>The game lasts nine turns, with each player drafting a card each turn to build a 3x3 grid. Players start with two keys and some money, with three cards revealed from each of the gold and silver decks. An administrator stands at the end of one of the card rows.
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8085273"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/nF5bau5TGVQiVdpx5YjUVw__small/img/nUglkYZSSUFkt_ANWLcfnnXtess=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8085273.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center>
<br>On a turn, you spend money equal to the cost of one of the three cards in the administrator's row, then add this card to your grid. Most cards have an effect when they enter play, earning you money or keys based on what you already have in your grid, although some cards have an ongoing effect, such as reducing the price of cards you acquire in the future. Cards have 1-2 symbols on them, with six symbols in the game (military, clergy, etc.) All cards have an endgame scoring condition at the bottom of them, and some cards have a small arrow on them to indicate that the administrator changes rows when you choose this card.
<br>
<br>If you wish, you can spend keys at the start of your turn to discard and replace the three cards in the administrator's row or move the administrator to the other row. Alternatively, you can take the top card of the deck and place it face down in your grid, earning five coins and two keys immediately, while giving up any other benefits of that card...although you might have a card in play that earns you points for having a face-down card, just as I did.
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8085271"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/ACSZr0f0lrTlkn55LFod1w__small/img/oyNP7bSMe2Unj-uApk6pWwkX9EM=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8085271.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center>
<br><i>Château Combo</i> plays in 20-30 minutes, is for 2-5 players, and feels like a prime example of what I saw a lot of at GAMA Expo 2024: quick-playing, puzzle-style games with just enough interaction to make you care about everyone else at the table, while also allowing you to just keep your head down and do your own thing should you wish.
<br>
<br><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7942803"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/eNVZmRV3niNcaQ1EQ2jMJA__small/img/ZeIadYUzAh93Dii3jIaZQz4foPY=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7942803.png" border="0"></a></div>• Following the 2022 release of <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/356123/turing-machine"><i>Turing Machine</i></a>, designer <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/61192/yoann-levet">Yoann Levet</a> is suddenly popping up everywhere with deduction games, as with <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/410378/temple-code"><b><i>Temple Code</i></b></a>, a game for 1-4 players that <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/30007/bankiiiz-editions">Bankiiiz Editions</a> will release in May 2024.
<br>
<br>The main part of the game is a deck of cards that each feature three different symbols in a row from a set of seven symbols. Each player starts with one card in a stand facing away from them, and your goal is to deduce which symbols you have in which order on your hidden card.
<br>
<br>At the start of a round, two cards are dealt face up in front of each person. The first player chooses a card in front of someone else, then everyone else does the same. You then take your chosen card and hold it directly above the card that you're trying to guess, seeing something like this:
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8085312"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/kQy3nwKrWtXEe1nQntoYOA__small/img/z3_1FNgIYDtEFnBdA-O4XMNjtjs=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8085312.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center>
<br>Each triangle means that the card you chose has a symbol in common with your hidden card, but that symbol is not in the correct position. Each circle indicates a correct symbol in the correct position. Which symbols in which positions? That's something you need to figure out by getting clues from multiple cards.
<br>
<br>Whenever you wish, you can guess what's on your hidden card. If you guess correctly, you receive a half coin and get a new card to guess; guess two cards correctly, and you win the game. Guess incorrectly, however, and you'll be given a new card to guess, wiping out whatever knowledge you had previously.
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8085311"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/2KMl0q3lVMXlgmc6_4wL1g__small/img/gGKBGywPKjdYgNev806dOZR2cDQ=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8085311.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center>
<br>The comparison with <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2392/mastermind"><i>Mastermind</i></a> is obvious, given the nature of the clues you receive about your hidden code, but <i>Temple Code</i> is competitive, with you racing to be the first to guess two cards correctly. If you want to guess without being absolutely sure, go ahead! Aside from the direct clues, however, you can possibly get hints of what's on your hidden card by the card that people first choose from in front of you. Normally you can't choose a card in front of you, but if that's the only choice available, then you must take it — and if possible, people wouldn't want to leave a card that gives you two clues.
<br>
<br><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/7856253"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/2HYjr63DZDjEaDcEeI9HuA__small/img/OqqdH9BZ4tX4itmN7V34tKt_VdA=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic7856253.jpg" border="0"></a></div>• <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/406278/ink-it"><b><i>Ink It!</i></b></a> from <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/157824/romain-clement">Romain Clément</a>, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/157823/kevin-gauvin">Kevin Gauvin</a>, and <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/30007/bankiiiz-editions">Bankiiiz Editions</a> is one of several "interpret the clue" games I saw or played at GAMA Expo 2024.
<br>
<br>In each of five rounds, one or more players take the role of captain (depending on the player count), then everyone else draws a word card from the deck, then creates an image representing this word using the included stamps, with the circle always being red, the triangle green, the square blue, and the rectangle yellow. You can use as many stamps as six minus the round number, so five stamps in round one, four in round two, etc. Depending on the player count, someone might need to create an image for multiple words.
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8087250"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/6o-o6dN74hVuJywiZj9spw__small/img/1PSW9YTrPCn0sFUuIAC6pWxv-Fs=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8087250.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center><center><i>Matthieu attempts to decipher my images</i></center>
<br>The captain then takes all of the word cards, adding some from the deck when playing with 2-3 people, then tries to associate each image with the correct word. If the captain gets them all correct, great! If not, note any errors — and if the number of errors in the game ever reaches the number of players, you all lose. If you make it all the way through round five when people attempt to convey an image with a single stamp, then the team wins.
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8087261"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/k_zB7hw-dT6s9khaeUFHSQ__small/img/RsKXK6ZUHFWbFyJxZWXdE5YGaTU=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8087261.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center><center><i>Not the official paper included in the box</i></center>
<br>You can't "paint" with the stamps by smearing them across a page, but you're open to using them in other ways, such as stamping overlapping images or going off the edge of the paper. It's interesting to explore how much you can communicate with only one or two stamps based solely on positioning on the paper. Of course you don't have to communicate much more than "not any of those other words", but unless you're part of a two- or three-player game, you don't know what anyone else is making, so you're ignorant of what that round's possible "conversation" will be.
<br>
<br><center><div style=""><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8087252"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/vDLfKGxo1zsIMskV3lq8iw__small/img/EumBN9J79QVfZM6Ij70nC42bmAc=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic8087252.jpg" border="0"></a></div></center><center><i>Down to a single stamp — what am I saying here?</i></center></div>