Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Expansions Coming This Year!

I realized last week that the games I'm most looking forward to this year are all expansions or sequels.

In no particular order, they are as follows:

Gosu 
I really like this game (and need to spend some serious time writing about it in the not-too-distant future - if you're not playing this game, you should be). The upcoming Gosu: Kamakor's Treaty looks to be just as good. In fact, this may be my most-anticipated expansion of the year (ahead of even Dungeon Twister, which I, personally, find shocking).

Preview material on the expansion reminds me of Three Dragon Ante and its expansion - whether you are using the expansion or not, you'll still have the same number of cards in play.  It's a matter of deciding which ones to use that makes for a hugely variable and interesting game.

7 Wonders
I haven't received my copy of the base game, yet, but that hasn't kept me from enjoying this game. The expansion doesn't look like it throws any particular curve balls, but it also seems to make money more important.

Dixit
I didn't expect to like this game in the first place.  Then I was concerned about the expansion. Now I'm really looking forward to Dixit Odyssey (don't hold me to that title, either). More art and some variant methods of play?  Sign me up! I'll admit that I was a bit hesitant initially about having a new artist, but Marie Cardouat is still doing the coloring, and the new artist ... well.  You'll see.

Dice Town
This game still catches me off-guard with how much fun it is. Having recently seen the rules for the expansion (which includes the infamous Indian Die), I suspect that this will kick the fun up a bit. Even if you choose not to use the Indian Die, there is a lot going on in this little box. Panning for gold, Outlaws, Ranches ... I sincerely hope this one is a big winner.

Dungeon Twister
You shouldn't be surprised to find this one on my list. LIDT Members have had a bit of preview info made available to them (but I'd love some more ... ). The most common rumor is that it will include the (much-desired) Master of Time as a character. Which would be really sweet, considering how hard he is to come by, otherwise.

Cyclades
Okay, I'm not sure if this'll be this year or not. But the preview information that's leaked out so far on the expansion sounds really good. Cyclades was the best game I played last year. And it's a game I still love.

Claustrophobia
If ever there was a game that was crying out for expansion ... I enjoy this game. Unfortunately, my two-player time isn't what it used to be, so I have to schedule this one if I want to play. Having seen all the scenarios that are on the website, I can see a lot of potential for this one.

So seven games with expansions due this year. And all of them are either published by Asmodee or distributed in North America by Asmodee. Meaning that I'll likely be demoing all of them at GenCon this year.

I can't wait.

3 comments:

  1. The Master of Time sounds like it would pretty intense to play in a serious game. Stress inducing!

    I think it would be particularly good in a computerized version of the game so everything would be automated versus fiddling with chess clocks or stop watches.

    7 Wonders is a game I have considered trying to get for my school club. I'm hoping someone is demoing it at Origins this year so I can see it first hand.

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  2. I think Asmodee will be at Origins - Stephan has been there for at least the last 2 years.

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  3. 7 Wonders expansion looks so-so, but I expect I will grab a copy anyway.

    Gosu expansion looks really nice, I keep looking on the Moonsters site at the new card artwork and have been impressed with what I have seen.

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