Looking for some games which can be played with non gamers when they're round for an evening. Ideally up to 6 player kind of thing and nothing too geeky by way of mechanics or requirements. Probably steering clear of some of the classic steretypes such as dungeon crawls etc.
Obvious one which I've played with people in the past and has been a great success is ticket to ride. Really simple and contains some nice varied tactics that you can take plus that always vital element of screwing your opponents over!
I've had a look on the OG Store and I see there are a bunch of games advertised at the moment-
Cargo Noir, Pirates Cove, Merchans & Marauders and so on. Has anyone played any of these, know if they're what I'm after?
Open to any suggestions so anyone able to help?
Dave
Here is what I would recommend..
Out of the new releases:
Cargo Noir (from the guy who wrote shadows over camelot) - looks fab!
Merchants & Marauders
7 wonders (won all the awards at the Essen game convention this year)
Out of the classic Range:
Puerto Rico
Carcassone
Settlers of Catan (my all time favourite)
Mystery Express (cluedo on the orient express)
And if they are happy to play a bit of Cthulhu madness, the excellent Mansions of Madness, which is essentially Cluedo in a haunted mansion, where the players have to solve a mystery, actually solve real physical puzzles, fight off mad cultists (very simple combat mechanic) and avoid going insane..
Very easy to learn rules, can be played a bit like an RPG, if everyone gets into it and reads out all the descriptions on cards etc, and can be played multiple times with different stories & maps, ace minis which can be painted very nice and involves murder mysteries, so the ladies will love it, all sets in the glamorous 1902's with a cast of ladies and gents of all ages and occupations to play as....
Cheers Ol,
There is also another game I've played before and I've forgotten it's title. Basically it's the reverse of cluedo. You have to murder the guy when nobody else is able to see you.
Used a deck of cards with rooms, weapons and defensive cards to reduce the damage of an attack.
Room cards allowed you to move your character or the murder victim to a room.
Weapons increased your attack otherwise it was a strength 1 attack
Also some sort of movement mechanic but can't remember exactly how it worked.
Attack was very simple as in take total attack value and each player could throw defense cards, if it was zero the attack failed, greater than zero you killed him and won the game.
Played that myself I think, but not a clue what it was called.....
munchkin?
I'd vote carcassone, without any expansion its a really good non-gamer game.
Talisman is my favourite for turning people to the dark side...
Recently was introduced to Pirate Flux, after the initial "WTF" found that super easy to pick up and fun! (yes I am a gamer, but a crap one, so if even I can get games quickly, its a good thing! :D )
Ticket to Ride is a very good game for getting non gaming people into board games, especially Europe but USA is good (though a little less forgiving.) and of clourse goes up to 5 so good for large numebrs.
I would suggest Pandemic as a team co-operative game in a real world modern setting can entice people in and working together against the game will bridge downturn between players turns as you all discuss what to do. Although it says 4 player max you can play upto 5 but it is a a bit harder. Also game mechanics are pretty simple.
Dominion is probably a game I'd recommend, its a very simple turn based card game with lots of card combos and tricks that people can pull off, it also allows for non-interactive play, or aggressive interraction or a mix. The expansions help bring more to the combo building. Can go up to 6 (need 2 sets though) but downtime can be a problem in this case, especially with new players.
Carcassonne is very good and simple to play, but does get a bit repetitive after a while. Ivanhoe and Bohnanza are good quick card based games and can go to 5 and 7 players.
Settlers is a funny one, once people start doing well the others suffer and end up unable to do anything, its very much like monopoly in that sense (7th edition to an extent as well.) I wouldn't use this to introduce your friends as it might put them off.
Dave ended up buying Cargo Noir, have you played it yet buddy? What did you think?
Quote from: fatolaf on April 14, 2011, 03:45:20 pm
Dave ended up buying Cargo Noir, have you played it yet buddy? What did you think?
Not yet mate, not buying anymore games now but if my gaming buddy buys it will try it out.
Quote from: fatolaf on April 14, 2011, 03:45:20 pm
Dave ended up buying Cargo Noir, have you played it yet buddy? What did you think?
Played a few games with both 2 and 5 players. Realised we played it wrong in allowing sale of some duplicates in a mixed bunch but it still flowed nicely. Good balance of screwing folk vs just hoarding stuff and games were all fairly close regardless of tactics.
Good game for non gamer types as not too complex but requires some tictacs.