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The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) rated Schotten Totten / Batleline in Tabletop Games
Mar 9, 2018
simple (2 more)
elegant
travels easily
Simple, Elegant, Abstract battle card game, Battleline (the newer version) has some additional complexity
we take this with us on vacation, it's a 2 player game with just a deck or cards and 9 markers, which you can leave and home and pick up rocks or shells on the beach and use those... it's had to head and is as simple as playing a card and drawing a new one to replace it, the strategy comes from when you chose to put a card in a specific spot, and playing the odds, it's quick mayb 15 minutes per game, so we usually play best 2 of 3. but we have played marathon games of best of 11. A drink in one hand and the game on the table is nice way to enjoy the beach side resort, watching the sunset drop between turns. but maybe that's just me.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The 5th wave (2016) in Movies
Jun 13, 2018
Thick-headed attempt to secure a slice of that lucrative post-Hunger Games YA demographic pie wastes the talents of Chloe Grace Moretz, Liev Schrieber, and various CGI technicians. Aliens show up and start conquering the world really slowly, starting by shutting down Instagram and moving on to floods, bird flu, etc etc. Plucky teenage girl sets out to save her young sibling while juggling the attentions of a couple of carefully-differentiated young hunks.
Painfully obvious and derivative, leadenly assembled; mostly just plain bad. What moves it beyond the inept and into the realms of the regrettable is a plotline about child soldiers - if this is trying to make a real-world point it does so with incredible crassness, though it may well be the film simply doesn't operate on that level of awareness. So-so box office returns means it appears we may be spared the threatened sequels; who know, maybe there is a God.
Painfully obvious and derivative, leadenly assembled; mostly just plain bad. What moves it beyond the inept and into the realms of the regrettable is a plotline about child soldiers - if this is trying to make a real-world point it does so with incredible crassness, though it may well be the film simply doesn't operate on that level of awareness. So-so box office returns means it appears we may be spared the threatened sequels; who know, maybe there is a God.
Akward (448 KP) rated Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization in Tabletop Games
Jun 15, 2018
The most Civilization board game (2 more)
There is a ton of complexity that will keep it interesting for a long time
Variation of gameplay style (war, culture, technology, wonders)
The mechanics will likely be too much for most people (1 more)
A handful of the cards are not balanced well
Civilization in Boardgame Form
Do you like the video game Civilization? Then you will absolutely love this board game. Do you not love intense Euro strategy games? Then you will probably hate this game.
This game is very intense. There are a lot of mechanics, and a lot to learn. It follows the basic mechanics of the Civilization video game fairly closely, but even veteran Civ players took a while to learn it.
You also have to be comfortable with the game taking all day. The time estimate on the box is very wrong. Our first game took us three hours, and we only made it through the first age (there are three).
This game is very intense. There are a lot of mechanics, and a lot to learn. It follows the basic mechanics of the Civilization video game fairly closely, but even veteran Civ players took a while to learn it.
You also have to be comfortable with the game taking all day. The time estimate on the box is very wrong. Our first game took us three hours, and we only made it through the first age (there are three).
Tayla (27 KP) rated A Court of Thorns and Roses in Books
Jun 17, 2018
Characters (2 more)
Plot
Descriptive
Beauty Beast Meets The Fairy World
As shallow as this is, I’ve put off starting this book because the cover and title were not attractive to me. However, I’ve received a ton of recommendations and we chose this book for book club so I finally took the plunge. Long story short.. I shouldn’t have put it off! From the moment I started the book I couldn’t put it down. The entire time the book reminded me of Beauty and the Beast. Maybe a small part reminded me of The Hunger Games too.
I really loved how descriptive the author was. I had no problems visualizing the fairy world and all of the people in it. I even found myself rereading the descriptions because of how lovely they are worded.
Highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the fairy world and enjoyes escaping in a book to a magical place!
I really loved how descriptive the author was. I had no problems visualizing the fairy world and all of the people in it. I even found myself rereading the descriptions because of how lovely they are worded.
Highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the fairy world and enjoyes escaping in a book to a magical place!
Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated Children of Blood and Bone: Book 1 in Books
Jun 2, 2018 (Updated Jun 2, 2018)
I’ve been looking for a sci-fi/fantasy novel this good since reading The Hunger Games. So many books let me down, but this one it my new favorite.
Such phenomenal world building, weaving into the narrative rather than simply telling. Thank you Adeyemi for believing in the readers enough to trust that they can figure things out as the story is told!
So many of the books written for young adults now, especially those specifically designed as a series, fail to deliver characters that are nuanced instead of stereotypical. Adeyemi delivers. So many books work too hard to to extend the story into the next book; Adeyemi seems to effortlessly build the plot to a natural crescendo that, yes leaves you hanging, but with just enough resolution to be satisfied.
I am eagerly anticipating the next installment and, essentially, anything that this author puts out. She has a long career ahead of her, and I look forward to follow8ng her progress.
Such phenomenal world building, weaving into the narrative rather than simply telling. Thank you Adeyemi for believing in the readers enough to trust that they can figure things out as the story is told!
So many of the books written for young adults now, especially those specifically designed as a series, fail to deliver characters that are nuanced instead of stereotypical. Adeyemi delivers. So many books work too hard to to extend the story into the next book; Adeyemi seems to effortlessly build the plot to a natural crescendo that, yes leaves you hanging, but with just enough resolution to be satisfied.
I am eagerly anticipating the next installment and, essentially, anything that this author puts out. She has a long career ahead of her, and I look forward to follow8ng her progress.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Mask of Shadows in Books
Jul 10, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I first read the description of Mask of Shadows I knew I had to read it. It sounded absolutely fascinating and something just a little bit different than the normal Fantasy Young Adult novels on the market. The first thing that stood out to me was the gender fluid nature of the main character. It was well done. I loved the openness of this book and the fact that it wasn't highlighted too much. I loved how different Sal was and how the gender fluidity was there but more realistic in a sense.
The plot was intense and it kept my attention. I loved how it was Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones meets Selection. It was interesting to read and it had some twists and turns that had me on my toes.
Ultimately, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure.
When I first read the description of Mask of Shadows I knew I had to read it. It sounded absolutely fascinating and something just a little bit different than the normal Fantasy Young Adult novels on the market. The first thing that stood out to me was the gender fluid nature of the main character. It was well done. I loved the openness of this book and the fact that it wasn't highlighted too much. I loved how different Sal was and how the gender fluidity was there but more realistic in a sense.
The plot was intense and it kept my attention. I loved how it was Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones meets Selection. It was interesting to read and it had some twists and turns that had me on my toes.
Ultimately, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure.
Anna Marie Green (7 KP) rated the Xbox One version of Prey in Video Games
Jul 15, 2018
Excellent Graphics (4 more)
Character
Puzzle Challenge
Game Difficulty
Fun Mechanics
Can be Predictable (1 more)
Wonky Objective Icons
Don't Turn Away
Prey is the sequel to half-life that we'll never get from Valve.
Whether you want to sneak past a Thermal Phantom or atrack a Technopath head-on (which I do not recommend), Prey packs a flexible and versatile gameplay experience with difficulty levels that make you feel like a champion. The maze of Talos is bound to hold dark secrets, tragedies, and ridiculous jokes that will keep you entertained when you're lost for the 18th time.
With a great soundtrack that keeps you on you toes, monsters that scare the living daylights out of you, and that Bethesda charm that causes cups to vibrate (it's definitely more of a feature in this game— you'll see what I mean) Prey is one of the best games of 2017 and deserves some love in 2018.
Mooncrash is a terrifying and equally enrapturing DLC.
Whether you want to sneak past a Thermal Phantom or atrack a Technopath head-on (which I do not recommend), Prey packs a flexible and versatile gameplay experience with difficulty levels that make you feel like a champion. The maze of Talos is bound to hold dark secrets, tragedies, and ridiculous jokes that will keep you entertained when you're lost for the 18th time.
With a great soundtrack that keeps you on you toes, monsters that scare the living daylights out of you, and that Bethesda charm that causes cups to vibrate (it's definitely more of a feature in this game— you'll see what I mean) Prey is one of the best games of 2017 and deserves some love in 2018.
Mooncrash is a terrifying and equally enrapturing DLC.
Fantasy at its finest
Every girl dreams of being thrown into a mystery full of magic, love and wonder... but at what price?
Scarlett dreams of the world of Caraval for years, begs for them to visit so she can see the show. Finally she is accepted to attend a private show with her sister before she is to be married to a man she has never even met.
She is thrust into a world of adventure with her sister and an unlikely companion, but the unlikely one is always the one you should watch out for.
After her sister is kidnapped Scarlett what complete the game is get her back unharmed. This book if full of mind games, magic, and plenty of adventure. It is sure to keep you interested until the last page. I for one can't wait to read the next book!!
Just remember, all the best books have a suprise twist at the end!
Scarlett dreams of the world of Caraval for years, begs for them to visit so she can see the show. Finally she is accepted to attend a private show with her sister before she is to be married to a man she has never even met.
She is thrust into a world of adventure with her sister and an unlikely companion, but the unlikely one is always the one you should watch out for.
After her sister is kidnapped Scarlett what complete the game is get her back unharmed. This book if full of mind games, magic, and plenty of adventure. It is sure to keep you interested until the last page. I for one can't wait to read the next book!!
Just remember, all the best books have a suprise twist at the end!
Akward (448 KP) rated Above and Below in Tabletop Games
Aug 4, 2018
Design is awesome (2 more)
Mechanics are fun and easy to teach
Mechanics have lots of replayability
Above and Below is a great introductory game to adventure mechanics. Nothing in the game is difficult, and players can feel accomplished, even in their first game. But there is also enough variety to allow for great replay ability and to still keep the game interesting for experienced tabletop players.
And oh man, is the design awesome. You'll be amazed at the level of detail that went in to the cartoony graphic design.
Ultimately, the biggest downfall is the lack of adventure stories. You might think I'm crazy, because there are 208. But in just a few games, we managed to replay quite a few stories. This is less than ideal, because not knowing the outcomes of the stories is integral to the gameplay. Perhaps this is something that the expansions fix, but I have not played them.
And oh man, is the design awesome. You'll be amazed at the level of detail that went in to the cartoony graphic design.
Ultimately, the biggest downfall is the lack of adventure stories. You might think I'm crazy, because there are 208. But in just a few games, we managed to replay quite a few stories. This is less than ideal, because not knowing the outcomes of the stories is integral to the gameplay. Perhaps this is something that the expansions fix, but I have not played them.
The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) rated Munchkin in Tabletop Games
Oct 5, 2018
The most popular terrible game since monopoly
This is a game where you stab your friends in the back as you play king of the hill essentially. people gang up on the leader, and the game only ends when someone take a substantial lead.... which means the game can and does go on, and on, and on, and on, and on, until people get frustrated and don't want to play any more and give up and let someone win.... kinda like monopoly.... If you like these games, go out and get one of the 15,000 expansion and themed versions.... if you like boardgames to be strategic and have challenging choices and interesting mechanics, look elsewhere. I've played this game 4 times over 10 years, and each one reminded me why I didn't play it for so long between.... I will not be tricked again. I veto this on game nights.....