I like Runewars. A lot. I'm glad I have the original edition with nifty mountains.
Everyone who has played it loves it and asks to play again. And again.
It's gorgeous. It's epic. It's unpredictable. It's very replayable. Each race plays differently. Recruiting Neutrals is great fun. Anticipating the seasons, and deciding what to do (and worrying about what one's closest Threat might do) lends an air of war councils in the Palace and whispering counselors muttering "But my lord, what if . . ."
Runewars is all the more satisfying because I encased all the small cards in hard-sleeve tobacco card-sized protectors (which come with their own soft sleeve). They will last longer in this world than I will.
One could write a very colorful fantasy-realm epic novel using "Runewars" world as the setting and game events as plot developments.
It's faster and smoother than TI3. Which means we can play and eat dinner in the same room on the same day. Delightful.
I hear that someone didn't like it. I think he played it once. Perhaps twice. I might have missed something making my way through the cleverness and negative hyperbole. It was nice of him to share his views. Every gamer has one . . . view, I mean.
We played it once. We call that a "learning game."
Then we played again, had a real game, and began discovering both strategic and tactical alternatives. That's when two of us said at the same time: "When are we playing this again?!" The other two, slower in the reflex department, just nodded. Vigorously.
More plays, more board configurations (we rather enjoy "creating" the world each time), more discoveries about decision branches and their consequences.
We did, finally, discover something to be disappointed about: the game ends so soon. We could keep this up all day and then some. But, there is dinner to consider . . .
I like Runewars. We like Runewars. A lot. I'd encourage those who loathe the thing to do somebody a favor and trade, sell, or give away their copy. I'd encourage folks who haven't made up their minds to give it two plays, at least, with four players, before making a judgment.
Lastly, if the OP truly believes this is the Worst. Game. Ever. . . . neighbor, let me introduce you to "The Cattlemen."
Edit: P.S., you won't like "The Cattlemen." It has a random method for determining who is the First Player. Just to warn you.
Everyone who has played it loves it and asks to play again. And again.
It's gorgeous. It's epic. It's unpredictable. It's very replayable. Each race plays differently. Recruiting Neutrals is great fun. Anticipating the seasons, and deciding what to do (and worrying about what one's closest Threat might do) lends an air of war councils in the Palace and whispering counselors muttering "But my lord, what if . . ."
Runewars is all the more satisfying because I encased all the small cards in hard-sleeve tobacco card-sized protectors (which come with their own soft sleeve). They will last longer in this world than I will.
One could write a very colorful fantasy-realm epic novel using "Runewars" world as the setting and game events as plot developments.
It's faster and smoother than TI3. Which means we can play and eat dinner in the same room on the same day. Delightful.
I hear that someone didn't like it. I think he played it once. Perhaps twice. I might have missed something making my way through the cleverness and negative hyperbole. It was nice of him to share his views. Every gamer has one . . . view, I mean.
We played it once. We call that a "learning game."
Then we played again, had a real game, and began discovering both strategic and tactical alternatives. That's when two of us said at the same time: "When are we playing this again?!" The other two, slower in the reflex department, just nodded. Vigorously.
More plays, more board configurations (we rather enjoy "creating" the world each time), more discoveries about decision branches and their consequences.
We did, finally, discover something to be disappointed about: the game ends so soon. We could keep this up all day and then some. But, there is dinner to consider . . .
I like Runewars. We like Runewars. A lot. I'd encourage those who loathe the thing to do somebody a favor and trade, sell, or give away their copy. I'd encourage folks who haven't made up their minds to give it two plays, at least, with four players, before making a judgment.
Lastly, if the OP truly believes this is the Worst. Game. Ever. . . . neighbor, let me introduce you to "The Cattlemen."
Edit: P.S., you won't like "The Cattlemen." It has a random method for determining who is the First Player. Just to warn you.