thread: 2008-08-31 : Killing Darlings
On 2008-08-31, Meguey wrote:
It ruled for Elliot (who is 8 and won both times with his *insane* army), Sebastian (who is 11), Glen and I (who for the sake of continuity are 29 and 37). I'd play again today, it was that fun.
It takes a little over an hour to play, and there is enough going on to keep everyone engaged, and everything doesn't quite happen at the same time, but close enough that you're watching everyone's play, not just your own.
One thing I liked was the way it generated a natural 'story', with the oldest child of the Emperor (chosen mechanically) having a specific role. In the first game, I was the Warrior Prince, and the oldest child, and I naturally went for military strength - only to be destroyed by my nearly youngest sibling's stealth army! In the second, my starting strength was the Great Speakers at Court - all politics - but I was the middle child, and it felt very different.
(Oldest child gets first pick of what's available each round, then next, then next. So it's cool to go first, because you get first pick. But it's cool to go later, because you can choose your battles or maybe snag something uncontested. I like it.)
