SPACE BEANS -- Rio Grande Games

Card Game
2-6 Players -- 10 to adult
play time: 45 minutes
publisher: Rio Grande Games
list price: $14.95
author: Uwe Rosenberg
artist: Bjorn Pertoft

"The Universe is filled with infinite bean fields.  Join the voyages of the galactic bean traders in their search for valuable SpaceBeans.  Lightyears from earth, they travel among the stars to bean fields where no man has gone before.  the trader who finishes the voyage with the most valuable SpaceBeans is crowned the "Lord ruler of the Beaniverse.""

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Even with six players, this game didn't take 45 minutes.  Thirty minutes, tops.  We found this to be a fast-paced, enjoyable game.

I've not played any of the 'bean'-type games, though I am familiar with them.  I picked this one due to the sci-fi theme, which appeals to me and to my sons.  However, my boys don't enjoy it nearly as much as my wife, daughter, and I do.  The three of us have played this quite a bit since Christmas.

There isn't a lot of strategy involved in this game -- collect beans, cash them in when you can.  Cash them in early and get fewer points, or hang on to try to get more points -- but there's just enough to keep it interesting.

We play this fast, barely time to think, and our speed helps to keep our interest. We play and pass the cards quickly, thinking and planning ahead and only the unusual draw will slow it down. The sci-fi theme is totally unnecessary -- it's a chance for some fun art.  It makes me wonder if the other bean-themed games are played differently or are they very much the same, with different themes.

I'm disappointed that my boys aren't as interested in this game, as it is difficult to find games for five players, though my youngest (10 years old) did play with us again this evening and seemed to enjoy himself much more.

I anticipate that this game will get a lot of play time in our house ... it's quick, it's easy, it's fun.

Recommended, with four stars!

****

TURN THE TIDE -- Gamewright

Card Game
3-5 Players -- 10 to adult
play time: 30-40 minutes
publisher: Gamewright
list price: $6.88 - $14.95

A simple, nautical, lighthouse themed game.  The tide is rising, you must keep your life preservers afloat by playing a better card than your opponents.  The player with the highest tide at the end of each hand, loses a life preserver.

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This simple card game, which I picked up as a stocking-stuffer from the great folks over at Funagain, has quickly become a family favorite.

First: as a family of five, it is often difficult to find games that all five of us can play -- so many games out there are for four.  It was, I admit, one of the main reasons for selecting this.

The play moves quickly and easily.  The rules are quite easy to understand:  There are two tide cards face up.  Everyone selects a card to bid for these two cards and all plays reveal their bid at the same time.  The high bidder gets the lowest tide showing.  The SECOND HIGHEST bidder gets the highest tide showing.  Players check all the tides showing on the table (you cover any existing tide with your most recently purchased tide) -- the player with the highest tide showing loses a life preserver from their stock.

There is enough strategy that the older members of the family can plan and play, and yet it's simple enough that the youngest member (10 years old) can play competitively as well.

There's also enough change in the play for each hand, and enough randomness to assortment of cards that play will change slightly with each hand and each round.

As the most experienced gamer in the family, I quickly caught on to a strategy that worked extremely well for me (assess what my opponents are likely to do and don't spend my high cards early when there's a greater chance that I won't win the bid).  If others start to play as I do, I'll have to reassess my own play ... which will keep it interesting for me.

I give this four and half (of five) stars.  Highly recommended for family play!

****½

Welcome

Welcome to my game closet. I have a blog for the books I read (moderately well updated), a blog for the theatre I see (moderately well updated), and a blog for the videos I watch (not well updated). My other passion is playing games. Board games, card games, video games (not so much), so it struck me over the holidays that I should be writing down my reviews of some of these games.

Like most of my other blogs, they aren't really for general consumption, more for my own personal list-keeping, but you're welcomed to browse!