Our monthly game night at the local Jet Coffee is getting more popular as we get closer to the Southern Board Game Fest in March. Sagan, who runs these meetups, sometimes sets up friendly tournaments. Last Friday, we had a special session featuring a game I was really excited to try.
Compile is a two-player card game designed by Michael Yang. The theme is about two AI computers trying to understand human emotions. Each player tries to “compile” one of three emotions by using cards from a small deck. The game mixes the three chosen decks together, and players use a hand of cards to compete.
I couldn’t stay for the whole tournament, but I played a warm-up match against Sagan’s wife, Emily. The game was very close, but I managed to win with my final move. I stayed afterward to help teach new players. I was impressed by how quickly everyone learned the rules. The gameplay is simple: you can play a card to a lane to trigger its effect, compile a lane if you have enough strength, or refresh your hand back to five cards. The real challenge comes from analyzing your hand and managing your cards well.
Orapa Mine was the next game Sagan taught me. He described it as a better version of Battleship, and he was right! Each player secretly places five objects on a hidden grid. Then, players take turns shooting a “laser” straight down a line on the grid, either up and down or left and right. The other player tells you where the laser ended up and what color it is.
Since the shapes we pick have different edges—straight or angled—the light will either bounce back or hit something and bounce in a new direction. If it hits multiple buildings, it gets a combined color. These are the only clues you get, so players have to quickly figure out where the mines are located. The turns are fast, there are cool combos, and the themed decks add interesting card play. I really enjoyed it and might get a copy to teach my sons.
Because the game looks so colorful and cool on the table, it attracted a lot of attention from people walking by. It was hard to talk while playing, though, because it is one of the most brain-melting games I have played in a while, especially for a game that only takes about twenty minutes. I would definitely play this again.
Finally, we played our first game of My Island, just the introductory scenario. I won’t go into too much detail since it is a legacy game, but if you have played My City, you understand the concept.
Players discover an uncharted island and score points by placing tiles that fit the spaces around the island. Just like its predecessor, the choices are easy at first but become more difficult as the game progresses. I played with my son, his wife, and SneauxBunny—the same group that played Ticket to Ride Legacy (minus my son Jack)—and they loved it. We will play the campaign over the next few months, and then I can discuss it more.
It has been a solid start to the year for gaming. Euro Monday is coming up next, and I can’t wait to bring the game I have planned to the table! It will be the first time I have played it in a long time.
Until next time, laissez les bon temps rouler!
