As posted on ButtonMasher

While digital games, aka video games are pretty awesome, there are some truly awesome gaming experiences to be had while removed from one’s television. I am talking about games you play on a table.  Crazy I know, but hear me out. The social interaction of these more traditional games is something that video games still don’t come close to (in my humble opinion of course). Over the next while I will be bringing some of the better examples to your attention. I know quite a few of the Mashers quite enjoy them already, but I get the impression most of you folks tend to stick to digital ones. I will discuss some of the better board games, card games and tabletop miniature games in the hope that by some slim chance you may be persuaded to give them a try. You might find you like them quite a bit.

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Last week I had my first Flames of War games.  While it is still early days as far as rule comprehension goes, I was honestly surprised by the level of awesomeness in this game. As mentioned in a previous post, I used to play 40k, Warhammer Fantasy, Necromunda etc etc, so tabletop gaming isn’t new to me. Even with this history, Flames of War still surprised me. We played through the Open Fire learning games, and finished the night with a small game of Free for All.

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Over the last couple of weeks I found myself thinking back the games I used to play as a “young adult” (read grumpy teenager). Mostly those of the tabletop variety, ie Warhammer 40k, Warhammer fantasy, Necromunda, etc. The more I thought about it, the more I started missing those times.  In particular the copious amounts of hours spent painting the little bastards. So, in the past weekend I walked into a shop and bought some things to paint, and some stuff to paint with. I spent the vast majority of Sunday painting and had an absolute blast.  It was a very relaxing experience, much more so than I remember. In saying that I used to listen to the gentle sounds of Pantera, Sepultura and the like while doing so.  I will be revisiting their soothing musical numbers next time…some things don’t change. (continue reading…)

Board games are  awesome. They have been around for quite some time, but have really come into their own over the last decade.  It seems that ever since Monopoly was invented, people  have deemed it unnecessary to innovate.

Well, that might be somewhat of an exaggeration, but really there weren’t too many new board games coming out that brought new ideas to the table (deliberate pun). There were a few really awesome ones before, but Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne really put board gaming as a hobby back into motion.

Life has been pretty busy over the last few months, which has meant precious little time for my usual activities (video games, reading up on crazy stuff on the net, updating this blog), but I have made some time for board games and I am stoked I that have. I am not exactly new to board games, but I have definitely had more of an interest in them over the last couple of months, and have acquired quite a number in that time. I will list a few of the top picks on the shelf with a brief explanation, though i will no doubt be looking at them a bit more closely over the next wee while as well as some of the other awesome games. (continue reading…)

Star Wars is awesome because it has cool space stuff. The original trilogy may very have the look that it does thanks to the concept art created by a man named Ralph McQuarrie.  As you scroll through them you will notice that they look an awful lot like the movies.  Or rather, the movies look an awful lot like his concept art. I hear he is somewhat of an inspiration to many of the great concept artists out there, and looking at these it’s not hard to see why.

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