Golden Geek Awards

The 2014 Golden Geek Awards were given out at BGG CON last weekend! So I’m not sure this is really cutting edge news; the winners were announced back in February, but since that was 9 months ago I expect everyone has forgotten who won and I wasn’t around at the time to cover it anyway! So what the hey!

 

Board Game of the Year – Splendor

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]Taking home the biggest golden gong of the night is the appropriately shiny Splendor! A game all about collecting gems has done an impressive job of garnering awards. Splendor is probably my most played game this year, and I only got hold of it in July! Of course “most played” is a silly statistic that biases shorter games, but I do really love it (as I expressed in my review). A brilliantly elegant game, that is always terrifyingly tight. If it winning board game of the year isn’t enough to convince you then I suspect my words of agreement aren’t going to sway your mind. They totally should though. It’s awesome.[/two_third][/row]

 

Runners Up: Dead of Winter, Five Tribes

 

2-Player Game – Star Realms

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]Neeeaaaw! Pew pew pew! Booooom! That’s the sound of nippy little Star Realms blowing up the competition to take the 2-Player game of the year award. Star Realms is a very neat deck building game that leaps from the gate shooting and holds up right to the final turn. I’ve noticed over the last few months since I started playing this, you can really get a lot better at this game. One day I’ll get good enough to beat Marc. Damn him. We’ve not reviewed this yet but it is most certainly on my to write list; spoilers: I love it![/two_third][/row]

 

Runners Up: Imperial Settlers, Marvel Dice Masters: Avengers vs X-Men

 

Abstract Game – Patchwork

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]Abstract!? You’re sewing together a quilt! That’s theme! Yeah sure, like my stitch work, it’s a bit loose. I think there is a reason you don’t get tetrimino shaped patches in the real world, and buttons as currency makes me imagine I’m inside some teddy bear focussed children’s story. Clearly different people have a different line as what constitutes a theme. I’m happy to see Patchwork, also a dedicated 2-player game, win an award since I’m picking it up in the next month and like to hear it should be good! Hopefully I’ll get to review it in the new year sometime.[/two_third][/row]

 

Runners Up: Medina, Lagoon: Land of Druids

 

 

Artwork & Presentation – Abyss

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]Yeah, Abyss totally deserves this award! Just look at that box cover, I mean, seriously drop dead amazing artwork! It continues throughout the components too, with every card and board dripping with that under-the-sea vibe. Spilling over, you might say. Swimming in gorgeous art, in fact.[/two_third][/row]

 

Runners Up: Ticket to Ride 10^th Anniversary Edition, Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game

 

 

Card Game – Star Realms

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]Naturally, the unstoppable Star Realms also rode rough shod over its competitors to claim the Card Game category too, triggering its ally bonus to gain 5 influence.[/two_third][/row]

 

Runners Up: Imperial Settlers, Sheriff of Nottingham.

 

 

Children’s Game – Tales & Games: The Hare & The Tortoise

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]I do not have any children so my opinion on this choice is somewhat difficult to form. However, since this award is voted on by the community and a fair proportion will be without children of the right age, perhaps I can assume this winner is good for everyone! I’ve played runner up Ivor the Engine and enjoyed it. I see The Hare & The Tortoise is (appropriately enough) a racing game driven, by a set collecting mechanic, betting and variable creature powers, which should be enough to get anyone interested![/two_third][/row]

 

Runners Up: Doodle Quest, Ivor the Engine

 

 

Expansion – 7 Wonders: Babel

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]7 Wonders: Babel confuses everyone by adding in global laws that mess with the rules or scoring of the game. And I mean confuse in the best way! It changes up the gameplay, demanding new approaches. The second module adds Grand Projects, offering bonuses to those who commit resources to their construction, and penalties to those that shirked them if the project is never completed.[/two_third][/row]

 

Runners Up: Terra Mystica: Fire & Ice, Tuscany: Expand the World of Viticulture

 

 

Family Game – Splendor

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]More Splendor! Well, each award it wins makes the next one cheaper so…[/two_third][/row]

 

Runner Up: King of New York, Ticket to Ride: 10^th Anniversary

 

 

Innovative – Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]The crossroads system in Dead of Winter elevates it from just another zombie co-op (although still an excellent one) to an extremely thematic experience. Each turn and decision could see you triggering the Crossroads card held by the player on your right, forcing a decision upon you that will likely not only effect your character, but also the entire group! These aren’t just random events that crop up, they are determined by your own situation and choices, making the game a far more immersive experience than it would have been without them.[/two_third][/row]

 

Runner Up: Alchemists, Five Tribes

 

 

Party Game – Ca$h ‘n Guns (2^nd Edition)

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]Who can refuse the charms of pointing foam guns at your friends and family? Clearly not the voters at Board Game Geek! A wonderfully silly concept! Everyone gets to threaten someone each round over the available loot, but no one has enough bullets! Is the gun pointing at you loaded? Well? Do you feel lucky, punk?[/two_third][/row]

 

Runner Up: One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Sheriff of Nottingham

 

 

Print & Play – …and then, we held hands.

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]A two player game that aims to foster an emotional connection between players. The players must move through to the centre of a network cooperatively, but are only able to communicate through the use of Dixit style cards. An amazing concept that has since been picked up for a proper release courtesy of Ludicreations. I’m looking forward to receiving my copy in January![/two_third][/row]

 

Runner Up: Elevenses for One, 1066, Tears to Many Mothers

 

 

Solo Game – Imperial Settlers

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]Interestingly, no dedicated solo games made the list here! Is this a testament to the dearth of good solo games, or on the likelihood that a given player will have tried out a dedicated solo game compared to the solo variant of a multiplayer game? Either way, the winner Imperial Settlers is a light-hearted yet utterly brutal (at higher player counts at least) game of civilisation building, with the cutest jolliest artwork going.[/two_third][/row]

 

Runner Up: Legendary Encounters: An Alien Deckbuilding Game, Pandemic: The Cure

 

 

Strategy Game – Five Tribes

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]The meeple rainbow explosion that is Five Tribes is purported to feature one of the most Analysis Paralysis inducing mechanisms ever released, which as a long term sufferer of AP has me afraid to venture too close. Yet the plethora of options and the ever-existent thought that the next move could be amazing, if you could just find it, has seen this game reach great heights.[/two_third][/row]

 

Runner Up: Imperial Settlers, Castles of Mad King Ludwig

 

 

Thematic Game – Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]Urrrggggh! Dead of Winter is back to pick up a second award! The innovative Crossroads cards are all about the theme, so it is no surprise Dead of Winter also picks up the most thematic game prize, though the theme runs deeper than that deck of cards. You’ll be shivering at your table and worriedly eyeing up the windows as you play.[/two_third][/row]

 

Runner Up: Star Wars: Imperial Assault, King of New York

 

 

Wargame – Fire In The Lake

 

 

[row][one_third][/one_third][two_third]I’ve not played Fire in the Lake, my tentative steps into war gaming thus far limited to 1812: The Invasion of Canada. But if there is one series of games that has me tempted to explore father, it is the Counter Insurgency series, of which Fire in the Lake is the most recent addition. Focussing as much on the politics and history as the warfare, the game gives a clearer view of the Vietnam War than popular culture typically allows. The gameplay is card driven, the combat completely deterministic, but the depth of strategy is huge. Let’s just say, I wasn’t there man, but I heard it was superb.[/two_third][/row]

 

Runner Up: The Battle of Five Armies, 1944: Race to the Rhine