How to learn new rules - play the game yourself!

I've been dying to play Bang! for some time now - http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/3955 - it looked a little complex and I really needed to get the rules under my belt before introducing it to the family. It's a nice cheap little game that is very fast moving and can accommodate up to 7 players. Everyone takes the part of different characters in a Western shoot out - all the roles are secret, bar that of the Sheriff. The roles are a mix of Outlaws, Deputies and a Renegade. Also everyone gets to choose a character card that affects the game play. Then everyone gets a number of cards to play with that can help them or hinder the others before a Bang! card is played which is basically a shot at someone else in the game. Normally the Bang! cards have a range of 1 ie the player either side of you but alternate weapon cards and other game play cards can increase this.

I dug out the game the other day and sat down and played all 7 players single handed! No mean feat! But it got the rules down in my head and it's quite a fun simple and most of all quick game to play. It can last 20 mins apparently according to the rules. I would recommend it and I hope to get the family playing it soon and even organise a theme night with some of the local players - bring your own hat, badge and pistol!

Aquaretto arrives!

Following on from the very popular family game Zooleretto, we found out that Aquaretto is available - a Sea Park based version of the original game that is a full game with new rules in its own right or it can be added as a super-expansion if you dare to the original. I picked this up from our local game supplier battlequestgames, very helpful and accomodating Andy quickly turned around an invoice and I was able to collect it within an hour of ordering.

I had a quick look inside and the components were as good as ever for Rio Grande Games with solid pieces, fantastic art and solid wood Meeples - but the base board is grass?? What sort of water park uses a grass base board and solid water tiles? Not sure about that but that is just esthetics. Cannot wait to play!