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Dean Gregory (18 KP) rated Hive in Tabletop Games
May 25, 2019 (Updated May 25, 2019)
Perfect information strategy (4 more)
Portable
High quality pieces
Easy to learn with plenty of replay value
Can be played on relatively small tables
Potentially biased towards whoever starts first (1 more)
Limited defensive tactics without certain add-ons
A Modern Chess
Hive is a fine example of a game that is easy to learn, but difficult to master. The premise is simple - use your bugs to surround your opponents queen bee while preventing them from doing the same to you. The playing space, referred to as the Hive, is defined by the pieces themselves, without the need for a board.
I've come the think of Hive as Chess Lite. This is because it has a similar sort of depth, in that the key to success lies in the player's understanding of each bug's strengths and weaknesses in a given situation. Also, one of the focal points of the game is trapping a particularly vulnerable piece - the king in Chess, and the queen bee in Hive.
One of the best aspects of the game is how it adapts to the space it is played in. Players have a degree of control over how the Hive grows as they place their pieces and move them around. This means if you play on a small table, you can easily make the game fit. However, some games I have played have ended up getting a little out of control and outgrowing the playing space, which ruled out some moves available.
There is a travel version of the game available in which the pieces are about a third of the size, but even in the full size version, it lends itself to travel fairly well. Both versions of the game come with handy travel bags which take up little space, so for the gamer on the go, this one would certainly suit your collection.
One minor gripe I have is that the way the pieces move around and affect each other leads to only a handful of defensive strategy, which means that particularly for more experienced players, the game can be heavily skewed in favour of whoever goes first. However if you're willing to invest in it a little more, there are a few add-on pieces available that can mitigate this somewhat, while also adding more spice to the game.
Overall, this has proved to be among my favourite and most endearing games I own. It is endlessly replayable, the components are a joy to hold and use, it appeals to both my casual gamer friends as well as those who enjoy a deeper strategy experience, and while it offers plenty as a base game, the add-ons really work as wildcards to change things up.
Highly recommended.
I've come the think of Hive as Chess Lite. This is because it has a similar sort of depth, in that the key to success lies in the player's understanding of each bug's strengths and weaknesses in a given situation. Also, one of the focal points of the game is trapping a particularly vulnerable piece - the king in Chess, and the queen bee in Hive.
One of the best aspects of the game is how it adapts to the space it is played in. Players have a degree of control over how the Hive grows as they place their pieces and move them around. This means if you play on a small table, you can easily make the game fit. However, some games I have played have ended up getting a little out of control and outgrowing the playing space, which ruled out some moves available.
There is a travel version of the game available in which the pieces are about a third of the size, but even in the full size version, it lends itself to travel fairly well. Both versions of the game come with handy travel bags which take up little space, so for the gamer on the go, this one would certainly suit your collection.
One minor gripe I have is that the way the pieces move around and affect each other leads to only a handful of defensive strategy, which means that particularly for more experienced players, the game can be heavily skewed in favour of whoever goes first. However if you're willing to invest in it a little more, there are a few add-on pieces available that can mitigate this somewhat, while also adding more spice to the game.
Overall, this has proved to be among my favourite and most endearing games I own. It is endlessly replayable, the components are a joy to hold and use, it appeals to both my casual gamer friends as well as those who enjoy a deeper strategy experience, and while it offers plenty as a base game, the add-ons really work as wildcards to change things up.
Highly recommended.
Walkr - A Gamified Fitness App
Games, Health & Fitness and Stickers
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Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Color Out of Space (2019) in Movies
Nov 10, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
Color out of Space Is a film based on a H.P. Lovecraft staring Nicholas Cage so you know it's going to be weird.
So, tell me if you've heard this one before. A meteor lands on an isolated farm and the farmer and his family have to fight off what it brought with it. If this sound familiar then that because it's been used so often it's become a common Sci-Fi trope but, all tropes have to come from somewhere and the works of Lovecraft have interwoven themselves into many modern works. I mention this because, as well as it's main premise, there are a lot of familiar scenes and concepts. You see creatures that remind you of the 'Thing' and transformations reminiscent of the original 'Quatermass Experiment' as well as creepy kids and a well but you have to remember that Color out of Space is most likely the source material and not the other way round (The Thing it's self is filled with Lovecraftian ideas even though it's based on a story by different author.)
As the films title hints, the actual creature is a color (or Colour if you're English) which is a strange concept in its self and the effects it has on the world around it only unfold slowly but, like in the other films I've mentioned, they end in horror (and body horror).
The theme of colour, even in it's strange use here, leads to the film being pretty in parts and as the film goes on the landscape takes on eerie life of it's own very much like the Martian weed taking over London in 'War of the Worlds'.
The film it's self is odd, you keep expecting the main family to be one of those stereotypical dysfunctional family's but, every time they seem to falling apart they pull together and, even their decent into madness doesn't pull them apart. The whole thing is made even strange by Nicholas Cage who is his usual, over the top self; Throwing tantrums and monologing to people who aren't really there, although, I'm happy to say his performance is not as OTT as it was in 'Mandy' where he went full Cage (which was great for that film but Color out of space is slightly more subdued, slightly but not much.)
There is blood but most of the horror either happens off screen or is just implied and even the monsters are just there just to be seen, although they do have a point to the story.
Color out of Space is a good but slightly strange cosmic horror with Nicholas Cage being as strange as usual aided in his strangeness by Madeleine Arthur, playing his daughter, Lavinia. with the exception of Tommy Chong's Ezra the rest of the cast play it mostly straight.
So, tell me if you've heard this one before. A meteor lands on an isolated farm and the farmer and his family have to fight off what it brought with it. If this sound familiar then that because it's been used so often it's become a common Sci-Fi trope but, all tropes have to come from somewhere and the works of Lovecraft have interwoven themselves into many modern works. I mention this because, as well as it's main premise, there are a lot of familiar scenes and concepts. You see creatures that remind you of the 'Thing' and transformations reminiscent of the original 'Quatermass Experiment' as well as creepy kids and a well but you have to remember that Color out of Space is most likely the source material and not the other way round (The Thing it's self is filled with Lovecraftian ideas even though it's based on a story by different author.)
As the films title hints, the actual creature is a color (or Colour if you're English) which is a strange concept in its self and the effects it has on the world around it only unfold slowly but, like in the other films I've mentioned, they end in horror (and body horror).
The theme of colour, even in it's strange use here, leads to the film being pretty in parts and as the film goes on the landscape takes on eerie life of it's own very much like the Martian weed taking over London in 'War of the Worlds'.
The film it's self is odd, you keep expecting the main family to be one of those stereotypical dysfunctional family's but, every time they seem to falling apart they pull together and, even their decent into madness doesn't pull them apart. The whole thing is made even strange by Nicholas Cage who is his usual, over the top self; Throwing tantrums and monologing to people who aren't really there, although, I'm happy to say his performance is not as OTT as it was in 'Mandy' where he went full Cage (which was great for that film but Color out of space is slightly more subdued, slightly but not much.)
There is blood but most of the horror either happens off screen or is just implied and even the monsters are just there just to be seen, although they do have a point to the story.
Color out of Space is a good but slightly strange cosmic horror with Nicholas Cage being as strange as usual aided in his strangeness by Madeleine Arthur, playing his daughter, Lavinia. with the exception of Tommy Chong's Ezra the rest of the cast play it mostly straight.
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Productivity and Games
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Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Rookie Privateer (Privateer Tales #1) in Books
Jul 1, 2019
If you are looking for a good space adventure. Rookie Privateer is one for those young adults to teens. It about a group of kids. Well one teen that is looking for his future. He is currently stuck working with his father. He know not much to making money.
He seem to attract attention when something happens when he with is friends. What happens then goes not to be an adventure for him and his friend. Liam want freedom will get it? His friend Nick is set up for life. They are becoming Earth Mars Citizens. Someone or something is attacking their home. Will Liam reach the stars or will he not. He and Nick will they find out what the real world has to offer. Things begin to change and it changes them as well.
Find out how this book end. The authors does really well on the plot of this story. It bring you along for the ride. I could not stop reading and wanted more. What will happen to Nick James and Liam Hoffen? I hope to find out more by reading the next book. I just got to find out when it will be out. Great for teens and young adult readers. If you are into space or thrillers this really good for you as well.
He seem to attract attention when something happens when he with is friends. What happens then goes not to be an adventure for him and his friend. Liam want freedom will get it? His friend Nick is set up for life. They are becoming Earth Mars Citizens. Someone or something is attacking their home. Will Liam reach the stars or will he not. He and Nick will they find out what the real world has to offer. Things begin to change and it changes them as well.
Find out how this book end. The authors does really well on the plot of this story. It bring you along for the ride. I could not stop reading and wanted more. What will happen to Nick James and Liam Hoffen? I hope to find out more by reading the next book. I just got to find out when it will be out. Great for teens and young adult readers. If you are into space or thrillers this really good for you as well.
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