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Week 5 [03.04-09.04.2017] Board Games – have we forgotten how good they were ?



20 years ago when someone told you that he wanted to play a game, the idea that went through your head was clear (either related with outdoor activities or some good classic board or card game). I think everyone used to play Eurobusiness (it was more popular in Europe because of its availability than Monopoly). That game despite of good fun also taught us how to be patient, taught us math through counting our assets all the time, geography - because we learnt names of the cities from every Europe’s corner. It also gave us one more thing – knowledge of taxes; if we do not think our decisions through, we could lose our money. That was a good startup for almost all of us.

Obraz znaleziony dla: eurobisness

http://img36.staticclassifieds.com/images_tablicapl/387887813_1_644x461_gra-eurobiznes-monopol-eurobusiness-hit-zawiercie.jpg

Years were passing by and we started to learn the rules of card games like Poker, Macao, War etc. They were fun and many people could play them at once. When TV consoles became available widely, games like Mortal Kombat, Fifa, Need For Speed were the main titles played 1-to-1. But there was one problem with that solution, only two players could play at the same time – everyone else had to sit and wait. Someone could say – a multiplayer via the Internet was available, yes – but that was not so enjoyable as meeting with all friends in one place.


https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.3Yoo9V17WPj1c5M27TkdIgEsCo&w=300&h=168&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&pid=1.7

For many years I have not even touched any board game. Something that was good 20 years ago, currently is boring. I have tried to play Eurobusiness a few years ago – as it was enjoyable for my grandson,  on the other hand, I was quite bored. A few weeks later I saw Monopoly Game Of Thrones Edition and 20 other editions like:
- Beatles Yellow Submarine Edition,
- Batman Collector's Edition,
- Grand Theft Auto Collector's Edition,
- Star Wars Complete Saga Edition.
It was mix of something good and something new but still not so enjoyable.

Everything changed when one weekend a friend of mine brought a game called Men vs Woman – Alias. And the good old fun came back  for 7 hours straight (4 vs 4 in each team). The idea of the game is simple – there are two teams – men and women and both of them are trying to guess the words of the opposite team. You could only use the description of word given on card. Through the whole game we had a lot of fun; female and male way of thinking differs;)

http://www.gryplanszowe24.pl/7157-7842-thickbox/alias-kobiety-vs-mezczyzni.jpg

In the women’s  group there were passwords like:
- Dribbling, Russian roulette, Operating System, Nitro, Diesel, Braking Fluid, RAM, Diablo.
On the other side:
Hybrid Manicure, Amethyst, Wave, Ayurveda, Pergola, Maybelline, Self-supporting stockings.
For example – explanation of the word "Mundial" by the women’s team was done using three words “Mammoth, soccer, goal” – no man would ever guess that and they did that in 5 seconds J Every few minutes there was a bonus round when both teams could guess and earn points. It is a game that I will for sure play a few more times more, I think it is more enjoyable than Taboo.

Questions:
1) Have you ever played Taboo or Alias ? Was your experience  similar to mine?
2) Do you have that kind of board game that could be played by more than 6 people at once ?

Comments

Unknown said…
I've never stopped playing board games, they're still great fun for me. From more than 10 years such classics as Ludo or Monopoly are still my favourite ones, I just slightly change the rules. And it has been a long time since I ceased playing computer games.
I played Taboo but I didn't enjoy it very much, I don't like such word finding games in polish at all. My favourite ones are the ones where you could buy sth, sell your posessions, negotiate and earn money.
Unknown said…
Board games have never been broing for me. When I travel I always play Monopoly. At home I have a lot of board games for many players. List is too long to write. But the best and the most upgraded is Talizman: Magic and Sword. I could play it the whole day and not finish. I have never realised that you can develop a board game so much. It is a little like mmorpg for comupter. Fact is that basic version costs 170zl and I think that it is not enough. There are more than ten extensions. I have most of them but you can't use all at the same time because it is too complicated. I spent a lot of many for it and I don't regret. I have played Taboo it's good game but I have nver played Alias. I would like to try.
Unknown said…
I started playing board games quite late - when I was around 22. My friends decided to start a shop with board games. I have to admit that I wasted so much time of my life playing video games, never knowning that much better alternative is cheaper and much more available than computer games. Now I consider board games better type of entertainment than video games and play it quite often. My favorite games usually take 2 - 4 people, however I have been playing games that need much more people. I never played Alias. I used to play taboo when I was younger, but memories are blurred and I don't remember how it went. My favorite game for more than 5 people is The Resistance and Avalon. Both games are focusing on team choosing who will go on a "mission". Bad guys are among "good" guys and try to convince them that they should go on mission and sabotage it. It is really enjoyable game and I would recommend it to anyone who has group of more than 5 friends to play.
Anonymous said…
Once me and my friends went on a trip because we'd like to spend New Years Eve somewhere together. I remember that it was very cold and we had to spend time inside our little house because of bad weather. One of my friends brought Taboo game. We had a lot of fun playing it, especially that there was about 15 players.
Personally I haven't ever heard about Alias game.
Unfortunately I have no games at home because I'm a single child. My parents didn't buy my such games because they didn't have time to play with me and I couldn't play on my own.
Unknown said…
I really enjoyed Taboo game. Some people associations were really funny and it was easily visible to have got best contact with whom - because they were able to guess the answer just because one, for rest of the people, unrealted word, for example, they guessed "horse" by telling to group "cow" -
immediately!
I've got some board games, but I'm not sure if any of it is for more than 6 people. When I'm playing with friends we sometimes make groups, so everyone can play. One of our favorite games is "Cluedo" (do you know it?). Great game for 4 players is "The Witcher" - we still don't know how it works, but we really enjoy playing it.
I've never played Taboo or Alias, but it sounds like a fun, so I will try, for sure! :)
Since I remember, I play with my brother in Magic and The Sword, but not the new version, which is mentioned few post earlier. We've got old version from 80s - and to be honest - this is the best board game ever. Of course, in my opinion :)
Wojtek Kania said…
My favorite board game is Monopoly. I spent hundreds hours playing Monopoly. I think board games should evolve. In my opinion it is possible to make tablet's version of them. I love iPad's version of Monopoly. Anyone who's play in this game knows that it's impossible to play of it in train, plane, etc. Now I only grab iPad and I can play Monopoly everywhere.
Michał Pycek said…
I remember similar topic before... I enjoy board games when I play them with my friends and family. I have not played the games you have mentioned in the article, however Alias sounds interesting. I have played different board games requiring many players in order for every person to be involved and have fun. Monopoly, Dex it, Ego - I can recommend these.
Unknown said…
I like board games because you could integrate with people and it's good idea for friday nights :) My favorite board games are Game of Throne, Monopoly, DiXit or Citadels. In many board games I played at fantastic conventions and I got to know a lot of new people. I played in Taboo but I never heared about Alias. I like board games that forces us to think strategically. Contrary to appearances it can be very developing way of spending time and by the way it's great fun.
Unknown said…
Personally I've played Taboo. For me it's a great game to play at party or anywhere where many people are playing. On the other hand I also think that it may become boring quickly.
The other board game I know is 5 seconds. It's also great for big group of people. There is an board with pawns and fields. Every person has his own pawn and before it will be moved, the owner has to answer a question in 5 second. Then his pawn is allowed to move one field forward. Questions are very easy and they're a kind of "List three thing that..." It's very easy, but sometimes 5 seconds is not enough.
Taboo and Alias are similiar in many ways but I have liked the second one far more.
I have played Cluedo but not the board version - we have played a version in escape room when you are being a part of crime solving team or part of the act. When I will have a change I will try the board version too. I have never heard of Witcher board edition but I do not like the computer game, so board version does not sound too exciting for me. But who knows maybe I will try it someday.
There is always time to catch on on many things :) It is good when many friends are around - we have tried Twister many times especially when we came back from a club it was hilarious experience :)
Could you send me some links, how the edition of the game you are talking about looks like ? I cannot find it.
Maciej Główka said…
I've never played Alias, it sounds really enjoyable and fun! I played Taboo few times, I wasn't so amazed with it. I think that idea, in which men team tries to find out women specific words is brilliant. I play board games from time to time. I prefer games up to 4 people like good old monopoly, Catan, Terra Mistica. Unfortunately it is quite hard to find more than 6 people to play some board games :(
I didn't play those two, but I did play a lot of other board games and I enjoy majority of them. Monopoly is just an example from top of my head, but I'd recommend especially Talisman (board game) for fantasy fans. It depends on which edition you get, but I'm quite sure you can play with more than 6 people at once - I play myself exactly in 6-players parties.
Unknown said…
I never played in men vs. women- alias. Sometimes I like to play eurobusiness. For me it's still a cool board game. I also liked to play Chinese game. More I prefer card games. My favorite card game is Poker. This is the best card game. I like makao too.
I often play poker online, of course, for virtual money :)
Unknown said…
Yeah, we bought Alias game 2 month ago, and it brought us so much fun, that I first time heard my stepfather laughing.
It's a nice topic to discuss, because I think that most of that games were forcing you to think deeper - what I can't say about the 90% of mobile games. Children are not playing chess anymore - this game is too long and too hard for most of them, and no one cares :(
I'm sorry I wasn't playing Taboo or Alias , but I played similar games e.g. Monopoly , we played a pretty big company and it was great fun. I think that Board games will never go out of fashion or something to replace in these games, there is definitely a charm .
I really like playing board games with my friends. Sometimes we organize a meeting only to play board games all night. I have played Taboo it is fun to play, but it's not my favorite. A really good game, that have simple rules to learn in short time, and you can have many hours of good time spend is Codenames. You can play in more than 6 people, the more people play the more interesting it is. My personall recomendation :)
I rarely play any games, board or computer.
But if I had to choose I’d definitely choose board games.
I love playing monopoly with my friends, probably because you can get money from your friends :D
That’s also why I like card games like poker or blackjack.
I really love board games, especially if I play in a big and friendly company. Unfortunately, last time I played a few years ago, but with pleasure would have corrected this defect:)
I think board games will always be popular, as it is a part of childhood that brings happiness and joy.
I have played taboo once or twice but that was long time ago. I don't often play board games, but when I do they are giving me a very good time, I think that mostly because of people I was playing with not the game itself. Game I've played most is monopoly but to play monopoly you need to have a lot of time, because one game can last for many hours. Maybe I will try to play more board games in next months.
Also like the tablet edition, there is no need to count the money all the time, getting new houses, selling them if you need more money. Just pure classic fun. And it's also a lot faster than usual board round.
Will look at the last two. Thanks
As I see they're less popular through the years but there is still hope it will get better. People are getting more alienated and stared on the phone day by day.
If you have a lot of friends and there are more women at the party I can recommend Twister, lot of great fun and combinations that normally would not go :)
Are you talking about this one ?
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/178900/codenames

I think I've played it before but it was many years ago. I remember some game where you have to catch the other spy. I think that was it.
Poker and Blackjack is just pure fun and adrenaline rush. But it is best in a mini casino when all players are equal (no one has to host the game all the time) and stakes are higher. And remember - the Casino always wins.
The charm gets weaker year by year - hope they will last as long as possible. Especially they are playable everywhere and do not require power, internet or anything else like normal computers/tablets.
Yeah I've tried to teach my grandson chess and he said it is lame after about 30 minutes of playing it. Kids get tired of something that is not mega multimedia these days. I'm pushing him into Sudoku right now - maybe he will give it a try and get over after longer period of time :)
And good to know that you've got good experience with Alias - had the same and was also shocked by the quality of game play.
Poker and Macao - can't count the time and money spent on them. And I'm not talking purely virtual :)
Are you talking about this game ?
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/27627/talisman-revised-4th-edition

How long is the usual gameplay ?
Is is easy to try one first time or you have to know strong basics of it ?
If you like the idea of Taboo you will really get amazed by Alias. 6 people are ideal for it, but the team can get much bigger or smaller if you wish. 2 vs 2 can get a little boring as I think, you need a lot of different points of view on the same word/subject.
I will have a quick check how fast can it get boring these weekend. There are two big UEFA Champions League matches on this Tuesday and Wednesday - me and my friends promised our other halfs that they will watch all of them with us and in exchange we will play with them on Friday, so I will get you noticed how it went. Last time it was 7 hours. Let's see how will this go now. Now it's Taboo, Alias and Blok Ekipa mixed. But first - Champions League - GO REAL !
Few titles I didn't know about. Will have a look - especially Citadels looks promising. Thank you.
Usually I haven't play mmorpg because I didn't have that much amount of time to play it. Also they were not easy to play with people who knows completely nothing about it. I would like to try it sometime but much time would have to be spent - but who knows ? Maybe some power outage will do the job :)
From your description, you are strategic game lover. Used to love them in the past, but now they just need to much attention and time for me to finish and I just cannot afford too much of it on current daily basis/schedule.
Unknown said…
I absolutely love Alias! when I lived in my home city, we made the alias night every Tuesday. My friends was gathering together and we could spend many hours playing at the bars or someone's home. So many emotions, screaming and couple fights:)) good old days

And I am the one, who had never tried Monopoly
Magdalena Popek said…
I have never played Alias but I've played Taboo a few times in group of 8 (4 vs 4), just like you played Alias. For the first time it was extremly difficult for me, as I have never played such game before. But after some time it got a bit more easy. And I loved it.
I usually don't like playing games that take forever to finish - I just get bored. However if a game requires group work it gets much more interesting for me.
KamilG said…
I didn't play any board game described in this article. The game which rivet my attention the most is Alias.
Description of this game was so interesting that I'm going to try it out with my friends.

About a month ago I played board games with friends in a pub which was practically place where people could play games.
There were shelves filled by different games, after short research, we chose Camel Up (polish name: Przebiegłe Wielbłądy). Each player had cards, so-called coupons
that could bet on a winning camel. The person who picked up the most money from coupons, won.
I totally recommend this game to anyone who likes logical and gambling without risk of losing real money.
I haven't played taboo or alias, but I love board games! I prefer to play board games with elements of RPG, but simplier games with lesser list of rules are always welcome in my circle of friends. We often spend time on playing board games. Our favourite is Talisman. Boarding games are one of option for spending a nice evening.
Vyvyan said…
I love to play board games, but they are so expensive that i can't afford them often.
I played taboo a lot but I got bored because I played with the same group of people and I learnd how they explain things. So it was to easy for me. I like challenge.
Personally I have Alchemics, Monopoly Star Wars, Camel Up, charades for bigger group of people.
Adam Paśniczek said…
Last time I played board game called "kolejka" it was very good. The rules are simple, you have to catch as many products as you can according to the card you have drawn. Before your oponent does. The story is set in PRL times. Thanks to this game I appreciated more board games. I remember that you can play in 6-7 people which means good fun.
I also played in taboo once I liked this. But i think this game can get boring quickly. It is good at the event from time to time.
Unknown said…
Haven't got a chance to play those games you mention but Scrablle or Monopoly is something I've spent quite a lot of time on.
Unknown said…
Of course I still play video games, they never stopped being fun. I think I played Taboo once but can't really remember anything about it in particular. The name Alias also rings a bell but can't remember playing it. As for games for 6 players (or even more) I have Might & Magic: Talisman, but I still find good old games like Scrabble fun.
Unknown said…
Board games is good when you met with your friends or familiy and you want to do something interesting. Also computer games are interesting but a lot of people play it daily so its not something new. Computer games is better then board games because you dont have to met with other people to play on it because you can play online with people around the world also with your friends when you live in other country or city. I mostly play computer games because my friends live in other country and its really hard to met with them and play board games. We really prefer poker
Bartosz Łyżwa said…
Ohh I love board games and I used to meet with my frirends and play those games. I've already played Taboo but I've never played Alias. I know many games for more than 6 players like Mafia, Hitler. I love two games - Catan (Osadnicy z Catanu) and Wsiąść do pociągu. It's the best way to meet friend without smartphones, tables, computers, just board games and us :)
Unknown said…
Actually I rarely play board games. I've played Taboo few times and it was fun.
Nope, I don't know any other games.

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