The Joy of Gaming: December Challenge 2018 - Day 27: Elysium

Elysium is a game my husband absolutely loves. I watched him play it with my game club kids at a Lock-In last year. When I saw it on his list of "want-to-play-with-you" I knew it needed to be on here. I couldn't remember how heavy of a game it was, so I figured during my actual break would be a good time to break it out.

I think I enjoyed Elysium. My husband will tell you something different. My mood wasn't the best, so I might have emoted irritation rather than an appreciation for the game. I mean, goodness... I almost didn't get a picture of the game, we had already started packing up. Probably one of my most disappointing pictures.

After playing, though, I understand the points and how to manage my hand to really apply stronger combos. I also missed the things about there being X-amount of families, but we only use so many in the actual game. It's okay, though. I learn through playing.

The Joy of Gaming: December Challenge 2018 - Day 26: The Godfather

Finally got The Godfather: Corleone's Empire to the table. I'd been wanting to play it, plus it's Eric M. Lang, so bonus points on that one. Part of me was intimidated, because I thought it would be one of those super intense game, but it was surprisingly right up my alley from a strategy perspective. The game play time was really reasonable for two players. My husband and I were neck-and-neck at the end, but I pulled out a final dominating take-over. Sadly, though, I lost by $8. Boooo!!!

Hilarious sidenote: I joked about it being The Godfather Day to a friend and then AMC had The Godfather on ALL DAY! Thanks Universe.

At this late stage in the game, I am so happy about the amount of new games we've been able to play. I think my husband is, too, because it's rounding out his year with games that we hadn't even gotten to break out at all since buying them. Like The Godfather and Attack on Titan and Flick 'em Up. I can't express how glad I am that I made this for him this year. I might actually do it again for him next year.

The Joy of Gaming: December Challenge 2018 - Day 25: Flick 'em Up!

Flick 'em Up! is a game my daughter and I chose for my husband for.. Father's Day? Maybe? Could have been his birthday... Bottom line... it was a LOOOOOOONNNNGGG time ago. If I haven't said it before, I love how my calendar got quite a few games to the table that were new and that we haven't played before, but also got some old and favorites. My husband was thrilled to play a few of these with me. I'm starting to wonder what I can do for him for January, even though... well... we're getting into a pretty insane part of the school year.

Scratch that... every part of a school year is insane.

Flick 'em Up was an absolute thrill to play. I started out by learning it with my club kids, who adored it. I thought it would be a great game to play on Christmas Day, because my mom could handle it. Sadly, that didn't happen (back-dated entry), but we played it Wednesday. It was new to my daughter and she started getting frustrated when she felt she wasn't flicking the pieces good enough. My husband and I are pretty decent at this kind of game, but it was her first time. Luckily, despite my epic win against the two of them, she had fun and I think we'll be able to break this out a bit more and play some more scenarios.

Sidenote: I bought my husband Flick 'em Up!: Dead of Winter, because... Dead of Winter... zombies... you know... that kinda thing.

See that guy to the side on his back... yeah... my winning flick.

The Joy of Gaming: December Challenge 2018 - Day 24: Harry Potter - Hogwarts Battle

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle was a game I desperately wanted. Have I mentioned I love deck builders? Our friend had it and broke it out one of the times we were over. See, what I love about this friend is that he doesn't put up with hemming and hawing. He's like, "You like this game? We play this game." BAM it's on the table! Or, all of a sudden, you'll just be talking to him and he'll be subtly setting up a game, so when the conversation is done... BAM! There's a game on the table. He's like the Emeril of getting games to the table. I love it!

Back to the game, though. Our friend broke out the game and I thought it was just the coolest thing. I think it also convinced my husband that a copy would be a welcomed addition. We're only at Year 3 in the pack and we were doing really well with Hermoine and Ron, until Lucius Malfoy came onto the scene. AHHH!!! That guy did us in. So we'll have to try again.

The Joy of Gaming: December Challenge 2018 - Day 23: Attack on Titan: The Last Stand

TMI - Usually as I get ready for bed, I have my television on. On Adult Swim there have Anime on Saturday nights and I fell into watching Attack on Titan. It is so revolting, yet it drew me in. Bottom line, I'm kind of a fan. When I saw they turned it into a tabletop game, I was really interested. When I learned Attack on Titan: The Last Stand was made by Antoine Bauza and Ludovic Maublanc it became a must-add to my collection. We finally got a copy and this was my chance to force my husband to play it with me.

Loved the mechanics. Loved the asymmetrical quality. It reminded me of a more involved version of Jurassic Park: DANGER! With the one player playing the dinosaurs/titans and the other players playing the characters and using their designated skills. Attack on Titan, though, felt more involved and requires more strategy. I really am excited to break it out again. Our game went quickly but it was our first time.

Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2018 - December 23

Day 23: General Antoc Merrick

Harry Potter Funko Advent Calendar 2018 - December 23

Day 23: Christmas Sweater Ron Weasley

The Joy of Gaming: December Challenge 2018 - Day 22: Dead of Winter

I can't say enough about Dead of Winter. We played with some of the Long Night expansion materials. Cooperative games are something that I enjoy. We don't typically have enough people to play the traitor, but we have enough to challenge us with two people. This game, I lost one of my people to the bandits right outta the gate! A total Negan moment... "we have to make an example so you don't mess with us!" Hahaha! Ok, well... that wasn't really what happened, but I thought it was pretty great. I always make sure I play this game in the winter, just to be silly, so it was guaranteed to show up on this calendar.

I love this Crossroads mechanic so much, I am pretty excited for Gen7 and tried to win a copy, but with thousands of entries, there's no way I was getting it. Awe well.... someday.

Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2018 - December 22

Day 22: Christmas Moisture Vaporator

Harry Potter Funko Advent Calendar 2018 - December 22

Day 22: First Year Hermoine Granger

The Joy of Gaming: December Challenge 2018 - Day 21: Mystic Vale

I was introduced to Mystic Vale through one of our gamer friends and I just loved the concept. I like deck builders and the gimmicky slip cases for actually card building is really neat. Sadly, I had a bad run and my husband schooled me soundly by, like... 10+ points.

Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2018 - December 21

Day 21: Speeder Bike

Harry Potter Funko Advent Calendar 2018 - December 21

Day 21: Professor Severus Snape

The Joy of Gaming: December Challenge 2018 - Day 20: Karuba

This Karuba is the Card Game version and I gave it to my husband for St. Nick. I figured it'd be a good family game. I first tested it out on my game club, which was very slow going. It's a thinky game, which has a tendency to be challenging for my club kids sometimes. But playing it with my husband was fun. I love how frustrating making the paths in the game are, because you never know what you're going to get or what the best way to get to the temple will be. It's a mystery! It was a nice little game, though.

Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2018 - December 20

Day 20: Zeta-Class Cargo Shuttle

Harry Potter Funko Advent Calendar 2018 - December 20

Day 20: Nearly Headless Nick

The Joy of Gaming: December Challenge 2018 - Day 19: The Hare & the Tortoise

Tales & Games: The Hare and the Tortoise is a game that has been close to our heart since it debuted in 2014. We've taught it to anyone we know who hasn't played it. I use it in my Tabletop Game Unit and we play it in club. This was the game, though, that solidified for me how fast two-player games go. Well, not completely, but Parade and H&T played so quickly with two people. It's all good, though. This week is rough with it being the last week of school before winter break AND Christmas Eve being on Monday.

Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2018 - December 19

Day 19: AT-ACT Walker

Harry Potter Funko Advent Calendar 2018 - December 19

Day 19: Crookshanks