One merely needs to read my LJ to know that I'm a game nut. :)
I would like to also point out that Settlers and Carcasonne are indeed in some Target and Wal*Mart locations as well as most B&N stores.
And oh yeah, traveling to Germany for Spiel is a double play since it's both travel AND game. :)
Apples isn't a gateway game, it's a party game IMO. Today's most usual gateway games are Carc, TransAmerica, and the ever popular Ticket to Ride. Pandemic has been picking up steam lately too.
Nice to know the addiction is speading to mainstream America. I actually picked up my copy of Dread Pirate at a Borders, and I want to pick up the Harry Potter Clue (the passages change like the stairways at Hogwarts), which I saw at Wal*Mart.
I see Apples as a gateway only because it's a newer kind of gameplay from classic American board games (of course now there are a slew just like it). If someone didn't already know Apples, it wouldn't be a bad first step to get them to start thinking differently about gaming.
Race is fantastic. That and Dominion are two great new quick games that are just wonderful. Race is a little hard to teach to newbies, but it's got great replay.
Wow, that's an impressive summary. There is a nice Wikipedia article on German board games, which I was able to understand a bit more because of your post. Yay!
All good choices! I'd recommend Apples to Apples, TransAmerica and Fluxx first, then move on to Carcasonne, then Ticket to Ride, then Settlers, then the world is yours! I might also add a few simple but fun card games:
Burn Rate or Management Material (funny office-themed games)
Five Crowns (not too dissimilar from traditional games like gin rummy, but with a twist)
Guillotine (very funny game!)
Pit (an oldie, but so much fun to play in a large group)
Rummikub (a gin rummy type tile game)
Pretty easy games that are different enough from traditional American games that you can easily wrap your minds around them but still get a feel for the differences (like gameplay, strategies, etc.). Best bet for anything mentioned is to read the box and see what appeals to you
( ... )
Comments 11
I would like to also point out that Settlers and Carcasonne are indeed in some Target and Wal*Mart locations as well as most B&N stores.
And oh yeah, traveling to Germany for Spiel is a double play since it's both travel AND game. :)
Apples isn't a gateway game, it's a party game IMO. Today's most usual gateway games are Carc, TransAmerica, and the ever popular Ticket to Ride. Pandemic has been picking up steam lately too.
Reply
I see Apples as a gateway only because it's a newer kind of gameplay from classic American board games (of course now there are a slew just like it). If someone didn't already know Apples, it wouldn't be a bad first step to get them to start thinking differently about gaming.
What's Pandemic like?
Reply
Reply
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
I agree about TransAmerica and Fluxx being good gateway games. And I also enjoy the cooperative games, especially Shadows.
Reply
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_board_games
Reply
Reply
Apples to Apples
Carcasonne
Settlers of Catan
TransAmerica
Ticket to Ride
Fluxx
?
Reply
- Burn Rate or Management Material (funny office-themed games)
- Five Crowns (not too dissimilar from traditional games like gin rummy, but with a twist)
- Guillotine (very funny game!)
- Pit (an oldie, but so much fun to play in a large group)
- Rummikub (a gin rummy type tile game)
Pretty easy games that are different enough from traditional American games that you can easily wrap your minds around them but still get a feel for the differences (like gameplay, strategies, etc.). Best bet for anything mentioned is to read the box and see what appeals to you ( ... )Reply
Leave a comment