Happy New Year!

I am a little late to the greetings and salutations party, but I would like to say Happy New Year to all of my readers. I trust you all had a merry time and got to play as many games as you could handle. I also wanted to say a big Thank You to everyone who reads my little blog, to everyone who has been involved in posts and interviews and to all the people who have supported it and encouraged me since I plucked up the courage to create it, you are all brilliant!

Whilst I settle into a new year and a new life, full of fresh plans and the unknown, I thought I would share with you all some images of the games that I received for Christmas and my birthday - because sharing is caring, and I am way too excited about them all to be quiet about it :)

I am now the proud owner of the Ticket To Ride expansion India & Switzerland! A shiny new double-sided board with India on one side and Switzerland on the other. Towards the end of last year I found myself playing Ticket To Ride quite a lot, I even printed off some fan-made expansions that are available online to use, like the Emerald City and the London Tube map. There are many expansions of this game, all offering a variety of twists on the classic game that delight and engage. The route formations are different but there are also little extra bonuses in each game that keep you on your toes.

Due to my fondness of Forbidden Island I was given Forbidden Desert, it's thematic sequel, set in what appears to be the ruins of a steampunk-esque world in the heart of the burning desert. Players work together as adventurers trekking out to the desert to unearth a legendary flying machine that is buried under the ruins of the city. As time moves on the board changes; perils such as sandstorms and lack of water arise. With resource management, utilising your role's special skills and fast-thinking you can find the flying machine before you are buried under the vast heavy sand. We failed miserably on the first try as I died of thirst, but the second time we were victorious!

Ever since I played Waggle Dance at the board games cafe, Thirsty Meeple, I have yearned for it. This euro-style worker placement game has such a fun theme! Worker bees - what could be more efficient than that? Buzzing around making their honey. The goal of the game is to be the first one to make the most honeycombs. There are different options to choose from every round, you choose where to place your bees in order to optimise your results. Bees could be collecting nectar, making bee babies, expanding the hive...oh so many choices!

Ah, the gentle and scenic Tokaido is finally mine! Players take on the roles of travellers who are journeying across the East Sea Road, using their unique qualities to help them progress on their travels. On the road you may choose to linger at the hot springs, you may encounter a friendly stranger, or purchase a special souvenir, or perhaps gaze at the outstanding views. The most successful and well-travelled person wins the game, and the calm nature of the game makes everyone feel really chilled (even if they are losing).

One of my favourite set collecting and trading games is Jaipur, I discovered it on Board Game Arena last year. Players act as merchants trying to out-do each other through trading, selling and buying. The game has elements of risk and luck, as you wait with bated breath to see what the card deck has in store for you at the market. Will it be the sought-after and expensive diamonds or will it be plain old cloth? Using clever tactics you can still achieve greatness, even if you are stuck with cloth!

So those were my fabulous games of the season, and I intend to play them a lot more over the cold months to come. 

Thanks for reading!

Marisa xx

    

The Dice Saloon

Brighton is always an exciting and unique place to visit; with it's fusion of British seaside scenery, heady bohemian atmosphere and the colourful attractions that echo the city's nightlife. The lanes are bursting with vibrancy and flavour, even in the hidden recesses there are places to delight and tempt you (yes, Choccywoccydoodah, I am talking to you!). But now there is another reason to visit, and that is the new board games café - The Dice Saloon!

This establishment boasts a sizeable area at 2,000 sq. foot whilst catering for all forms of table top gaming, and hosting tournaments and events in their extremely comfortable setting. There are designated areas for war games, RPG tables and board games in the café. There is a growing library of games to play ,that has multiplied since my first visit. There is a shop section selling a vast array of games and war gaming merchandise and materials, and of course there is the café which offers delicious snacks and homemade treats. The friendly and knowledgeable staff make the experience even more memorable, as it feels like you are in your local games shop, chilling and playing fun games. There is something most familiar and welcoming about The Dice Saloon that makes me want to do the long drive just to spend some hours in that environment. There is a good selection of games in the library that whet a variety of appetites. Ah, I could quite easily camp out all day and night in a board games café, as long as the food keeps on coming to fuel me! Constant gaming and occasional eating are top priorities in my life right now. 

During my first visit to The Dice Saloon, a shipment of new games had just arrived and I was one of the lucky ones to unbox and play Blood Rage, which was great as I am still eagerly awaiting my copy. My other favourite game of the day was Forbidden Island and that has gone on my Christmas list!

Blood Rage is an epic strategic game with the mechanics of area control and card drafting. The beautifully sculpted miniatures and fine artwork make this game aesthetically pleasing as well as very enjoyable to play. I gained points by dying and having my warriors placed in Valhalla. Points for being killed? Yes please! Very handy for fodder like myself.    

  

Forbidden Island is a co-operative game. I love this game, not just because it has fantastic artwork and great components but because it plays so smoothly and the experience feels different every time. Players draw cards to reveal which part of the land will flood, the flooded tiles are then turned over. If they draw the same card again and it has not been saved then it sinks. You must collect ancient relics before the lands they are resting in sink, and you must keep the helicopter escape pad safe. This is great fun, a race against time and water.

I made a few purchases from the shop and topped up my pretty dice collection, adding some lurid colours to the jar. I have visited this cafe twice now, and hope to go there again before Christmas to take over another table for the day. The Dice Saloon is really is an excellent venue to visit, so next time you are in Brighton why not drop by, sink into the comfy seats and enjoy some games in good company.   

Thanks for reading!

Marisa xx