Dude! Take Your Turn!
A Gaming Life
Combat Commander Pacific – After Action Report – Scenario F – Stalemate
Sometimes when you’re playing one of the most fun games on the planet (a slight exaggeration, but not much!), things just happen in a way that doesn’t benefit you.
It’s not exactly random chance, because often the luck evens out during the course of a game.
But maybe just one thing breaks against you, and things steamroll from there.
Sometimes that’s me, and sometimes it’s not.
Welcome to another tale from the Combat Commander ladder, that great monthly tournament run by the unequalled Patrick Pence, he of Patrick’s Tactics & Tutorials fame.
He is famous!
He definitely has more followers than me.
Ok, that’s not saying much, but he still has a lot.
In September and October, we move from the European battlefield to the Pacific, so everybody has to relearn rules that they haven’t used in 10 months.
Especially when there are caves involved.
This month’s opponent was Doug L, a guy I played against in March 2024 in a Sea Lion scenario that was also a blast to play.
This month’s scenario has a force of US Marines storming the hills on the island of Peleliu against a small Japanese force that were hiding in a bunch of caves.
Don’t forget that you can always click on a picture to blow it up
Both sides have scouts, so they could set up their mortars out of line of sight of the enemy and still rain fiery death (or, in my case, smoke) down on them.
The Japanese (white, Doug) set up first and Doug concentrated them mostly on the big hill in the centre of the map, with his only leader (other than the Scout) looking down and leading a big Japanese machine gun.
The Japanese Scout was up on the north on another tall hill.
The Americans (green, Me) set up 3 hexes from the left side of the board and were basically hiding in the jungle for the moment.
I had Sgt MacGowan and three squads in the south, hoping to storm the middle hill, while the bulk of the firepower was grouped with Captain Van Dyke.
That firepower included a huge .50 Caliber MG that could wreak havoc.
The American scout was situated so he could have the mortars fire smoke both at Atsuda and the Scout as well, aiding in the American advance.
Three special rules, but literally none of them came into play this game.
First, the Japanese can give up initiative to activate all Japanese units and they can form fire groups even if they are not adjacent.
Secondly, the Americans can give up initiative to get access to a naval bombardment, a 13-firepower Artillery attack (otherwise the Americans cannot get artillery at all).
Finally, Captain Van Dyke has a +2 strength in melee.
After setup, the Americans went first.
Could I pull this out? I got annihilated as the Americans by my friend Michal the last time I played this scenario.
Let’s find out!
Read MoreElevating Card Play – Up or Down Review
Relatively quick card games are my bread and butter on work lunches, though of course we also make time for some other shorter games (like Cascadia).
One game that was not on my radar at all until I saw the Boardgame Geek GameNight! crew play it was a card game about building elevator shafts called Up or Down.
After playing it, I have to say that this is the best game about building elevator shafts that I have ever played.
(as an aside, can I just say that it’s so amazing that GameNight! has the wonderful Deborah Ann Woll on it sometimes? It’s really cool seeing her play games, and I have to admit that her being on this episode is what brought me to it)
Anyway, Up or Down was designed by Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer with artwork by Marek Bláha, Kwanchai Moriya, and Jina Rueter. It was published by Capstone Games in 2024.
In the game, you are playing cards in either ascending or descending order into one of your three elevator shafts.
If you can’t, or want to start a new one because you’re already at three, then you can scrap one of yours and discard the cards.
Those cards still get you a point each.
Remember that horribly named The Game card game where you are trying to get rid of all of your cards by placing cards in an ascending or descending order pile?
It’s kind of like that.
How is it?
Wow, I never knew how much I loved elevator shafts.
Read MoreBGG Top Games – 4601-4700
After a week where I literally had not played any of the games in the Boardgame Geek century I was talking about, this week is going to be huge!
Well, maybe not huge, but we’re back to at least a few.
That will probably be welcome to those of you who read last week’s post.
Of course, one of these games was played over 10 years ago, so there won’t be much memory regarding that one.
Before we get into that, though, let’s check in on our two experiments to see where they are now.
The Game Makers (from Bezier Games) ended up at #2991, breaking into the top 3000.
I’m writing this on Thursday lunch, and it’s up to 2988.
Is it slowing down, or that just because it’s less than 24 hours later? I do know it was moving up faster previously.
And at the time of posting, it’s currently at #2958, which appears to be almost a complete stop!
Will that change when more of them get out into the wild?
Maybe.
The other experiment is Wingspan Pocket.
When last week posted, it was at #1783 and moving up fast.
Less than 24 hours later, on Thursday, it’s at #1768.
I doubt this one is slowing down, but we’ll see!
At the time of this posting, it’s at #1649, which means it’s not rocketing upwards anymore.
Maybe just a slower burn?
We’ll see where it ends up.
This week’s century does give me a bunch to talk about, as I have played five of the games and own three of them.
And I’ve played all the ones I own!
With a slight caveat, which you’ll see when I talk about it.
(That’s not always the case)
Keep in mind that these rankings can change over time, so if you come here to find that game your 15-year-old son just introduced you to (even though he’s not even been born yet as I write this), it may not be here!
With that, let’s begin.
Read MoreGarphill Games News – New East Empire Game! And Paladins Stuff
Double post day today, but I didn’t remember that the Garphill Games announcement Youtube was going live today.
There was some really exciting news in this one, especially the new East Empire game!
There are some other announcements, like a couple of card games, the Spirited expansions and the like.
But two big ones are the ones I want to talk about.
Read MoreDinos Dinos Everywhere! – Final Girl – The Raptor Games Review
We are now down to it.
The final Final Girl feature film left for me to play, though I do have three vignettes to play.
Series 4 is now over with the release of The Raptor Games, a film where you are on an island facing not just a pack of vicious raptors that can tear you limb from limb, but also a T-Rex who, if he gets out, could chomp you with one bite.
(You can click on a picture to expand it)
The Raptor Games was designed by Byron Jorjorian and A.J. Porfirio, with art by Tyler Johnson. It was published by Van Ryder Games in 2026.
Unlike The Green Terror, there isn’t really a thematic disconnect of “why are you actually on this island?” or anything like that.
Hell, Jurassic Park (and others films in the series) had kids in it.
From the title of the film and at least one Event card, it looks like there are actual survival games on this island, which is pretty cool I guess.
Essentially, you are on an island facing off against a voracious pack of raptors, with more of them hatching and joining the pack all the time.
The island also has an active volcano and a lone T-Rex locked in a pen, just itching to get out.
Poor thing is all by itself!
Together, this can make for a horrifying combination.
Read MoreFriday Night Shots – The Art of the Pass
Last week, I talked about people intentionally breaking a game by doing something that doesn’t change the game state.
In the post, I referenced everybody in a game of Terraforming Mars just passing as their first action, which doesn’t do anything to make the game advance.
That made me think about games that actually have some benefit when you “pass” or end your round or something.
Then I thought “Dude, why are you wearing shorts when it’s 50 degrees out?”
I had no answer for that. I’m just weird.
I also thought “hey, that’s a great idea for another post!”
And here we are.
Many games have round structures where, when you pass, you are out of the round. You’re essentially saying “I have nothing left to do while all of these other people have tons to do so I’ll sit here and twiddle my thumbs.”
Terraforming Mars is one of those games!
But I do like these types of games for one reason: It’s a great time to say “I’m passing, so I will go to the bathroom while you all take the rest of your turns. I may be a few minutes but I know you all won’t be done yet when I get back.”
But not every game is like that.
In fact, some actually give you some benefit!
What do I mean?
Let’s take a look.
Read MoreBGG Top Games – 4501 – 4600
We have reached the midway point of the 4000s in the Boardgame Geek game rankings, and we have also hit another milestone.
I have not played or do not own any of the games in this century.
I know I said originally that I would probably stop when I hit that point, but I have looked ahead and there are some good centuries coming up.
Not to mention the fact that there are some interesting tidbits in this century that I would like to play, or will be playing eventually.
So there is that.
Not to mention the fact that I’ve been encouraged to keep going by friends of mine.
But yes, I am going against what I have said before.
Exactly.
Before I get into the nitty gritty of this post, though, we have our experiments to look in on.
The Game Makers (published by Bezier Games) was at #3078 when last week’s post went live.
As I’m writing this on last Thursday, it’s currently at #3071.
Not much of a change in one day.
Today it’s #2991, so it’s broken into the top 3000!
The other experiment is Wingspan Pocket, a game that I can’t wait to arrive because it’s bundled in with some other pre-orders I’ve done and I’m waiting for them.
When last week’s post went live, it was at #2023. Almost in the top 2000!
One day later, as I write this, it’s at #1993.
Now, it’s at #1783.
Can you say “Top 100, here we come?”
I knew you could.
As I said, I don’t own or haven’t played any of these games, so let’s just get into the ones I find interesting to talk about.
Including one new game that I’m sure will also be rising up quickly, and one that I could play as early as this week (so actually I will have already played it by the time this posts) if Abi comes to game day!
(He didn’t come, so I still haven’t played it)
Keep in mind that these rankings could change by the time you read this, if you’re reading this in 2 years and celebrating the imminent arrest of Donald Trump.
Your favourite game may not be on here anymore!
Hopefully it’s gone upwards and not downwards.
With that, let’s begin.
Read MoreNew to Me – August 2026
After last month where I said that my “new to me games” list was slacking off a bit in 2026, August managed to bring six new games to the table!
That still only puts me at 46 new games where last year was 84.
I have a feeling I’m not going to make it!
But they have all been fun anyway.
If I can manage 6 of them per month on average for the rest of the year, I’ll do better than 2024.
August’s new to me games managed to squeak a final one under the wire on August 30, and it’s also the one that saved my job as cult leader.
Yes, the Cult of the New to Me wasn’t happy that every new to me game was published in 2026.
Until August 30 hit and I had a 2022 game!
They were still a little miffed, but they put down their pitchforks and torches.
I did see them flicking their cigarette lighters aggressively, though.
I should probably be better about that in September.
Who knew a cult leader was such a dangerous job?
Anyway, without further ado (all of my ado went on a trip to many lands without me anyway), let’s get started!
Read MoreRacing Robots – Into the Machine Review
There’s something to be said for a game where you’re not chasing the usual points to win the game. Where you’re just doing something and hoping you’ll win the game.
Of course, a good game won’t have you hoping. It will instead let you actively work towards that goal.
But it’s nice not to care about points at all, at least sometimes.
Basically all racing games are like that, and Into the Machine is a racing game at heart, though it is also an engine-builder!
Of sorts.
Into the Machine was designed by Kasper Lapp with artwork by Len H. Nicholas. It was published by Alderac Entertainment Group in 2026, or at least that’s when the Kickstarter fulfilled.
Quick story about how I got this, as it ended up being a gift by Alderac in exchange for an honest review, but it didn’t start out that way.
Instead, I did the Into the Machine Kickstarter solely for the expansion content for Smash Up, War Chest, and a mini-expansion for Space Base.
The description of Into the Machine didn’t entice me to actually want to spend money on it.
However, when the Kickstarter fulfilled and I got my expansions, I also got another box with Into the Machine in it.
I messaged them about it, saying I’d be willing to pay for it, ship it back (if they paid for shipping), or consider it a review copy since I do a boardgame review blog.
They said to keep it as a review copy, so essentially that’s what this is.
Now that I’ve played it a few times, what are my thoughts?
That’s what this review is about.
Read MoreFriday Night Shots – Breaking a Game Intentionally – Why?
It’s weird what you can find on the Boardgame Geek forums sometimes.
Usually it’s rules questions or reviews or comments about a game in a game’s forum on the site.
Many times, those rules questions would be quickly answered if they’d either do a cursory search or, I don’t know, READ THE FUCKIN’ RULEBOOK!
Anyway, that’s not what tonight’s post is about.
Occasionally there will be a post in a game’s forum that asks a question that nobody rational would ever have thought of.
It basically amounts to “what if all players did some thing that’s in the rulebook in such a stupid manner that the game state would never change and the game would never end?”
The game in question this time is Dnup, a card game from the designer of Scout that is actually brilliant.
In this game, you are trying to shed all of your cards from your hand.
Read More