COLONY is the latest deckbuilder from Bezier Games (Suburbia, Ultimate Werewolf). It combines the fixed-asset mechanics of games like Dominion (the cards you acquire each game don’t change) with the dice-rolling player interactivity of games like Machi Koro.

In the game, players are leaders of different post-apocalyptic societies, competing over scarce resources like food, scrap metal, and uranium. Each turn, dice are rolled which signify these resources, then take turns selecting them for their warehouses. Afterwards, these dice are used to purchase different additional cards, allowing players to vie against one another for the most in-demand resources.

Players begin with four cards, a supply exchange, a warehouse, and construction and upgrade depots, and use acquired resources to purchase additional cards throughout the game. In addition to adding extra game interaction, the purchasable cards also provide victory points- 16 points and you win!

Overall, Colony has a lot going for it in terms of replay value, player interaction, and skill-focused play with just enough variance. However, it does fall a little short in terms of translating the theme of the game into the mechanics. There’s nothing in the mechanics of the game that differentiate the resources, beyond what is required to purchase other assets. However, the mechanics themselves succeed in delivering a comprehensive game that allows for a good amount of strategy, as well as plenty of opportunities to interfere with your opponents. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a mid-range complexity deck builder that has a high level of player (read more...)

What’s that sound coming from the ventilation shafts?  Legendary Encounters is a cooperative, deck-building game where players team up to survive and defeat the Alien (like the movies!) assault. Each player has a role, and players draft “character” cards to build their own personal decks that are used to search for and battle aliens, recruit new characters cards, and to assist other players on their turns. The game comes with four scenarios that correspond to the Alien movies, and can also be played by randomizing the encounters and characters.

This game will appeal to players who like the Aliens theme, deck building games, and cooperative games. As you play, the suspense builds and tension mounts until you finally – if you survive long enough – meet the boss alien. Player interaction is encouraged and essential – special “coordinate” cards played from your hand on another players turn boosts their ability to attack or recruit cards.

The Bits:

The game comes with 600 cards and a nice, visually appealing and well-organized play mat. With the cards sleeved, the box is only about half full so I anticipate future expansions (and that makes me happy). The art is very nice comic-style images depicting familiar faces and elements of the movies. The text readability on the cards is much better than in the “Marvel Legendary” game. Included in the box are divider cards to use after you’ve sorted the cards – I found that after I labeled the dividers the setup goes fairly quick (say (read more...)

This is one of my favorite deck builders.  It’s a fun, quick play with a fair amount of player interaction and a great theme.  The comic theme is well integrated with heroes, villains, super powers and locations that are all part of the DC universe.

The art on the cards is really great using the look from the comics.  We don’t have the cards sleeved because there are so many, but it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea if you were going to play a lot.

The rules are short and easy to figure out.  This game is pretty light and you can be playing in about 15 minutes including set up.

The goal of the game is to amass the most victory points based on the values of the cards in your final deck.  The higher the victory point value of the card, the more ‘power’ it costs to get it.  Super Villains are the highest value.

Each player is a Super Hero and gets that hero’s super power to use during the game.  You can be Batman and get bonuses for equipment, or you can be The Flash and get to draw an additional card each time you get to draw, etc.  Each Hero has their own special talent.  I’ve been Batman several times in a row and it never fails that the person to my right buys all the equipment cards!  On purpose??

The big money points are in the Super Villains that the players are working to defeat.  (read more...)