Carcassonne Central

Off Topic => Anything Else => Topic started by: Rich_The_Fish on February 12, 2018, 02:04:48 PM

Title: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 12, 2018, 02:04:48 PM
Hi folks.

I just wanted to let you know that Decar and I are meeting at Thirsty Meeples in Oxford next Sunday 25th Feb at 12pm. If you would like to spend the afternoon gaming with us then that would be great. I suspect we'll no doubt play Carc (apparently it's regarded as compulsory for a meet up with other forum members), but we're planning on trying some other games too from their extensive library.

However, because weekends are particularly busy, booking is an absolute must. With this in mind, please can you let me know by midday this Friday if you'll definitely join us (and how long for) so I can try and book a suitable table. A deposit is required to secure the table hence needing to know confirmed numbers. Prices are £6 for 3 hours, although this is reduced slightly if you buy food / drink, see http://www.thirstymeeples.co.uk/howitworks for details and we're likely to stay there for about 6 hours.

For those intending to drive, I found the park and ride sites (of which there are quite a few around the edge of the city, see https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/park-and-ride-locations) very handy. This was a lot cheaper than parking in town at only £2 for the day, with bus fare on top if necessary. Seacourt was handy for me and was only 1.5 miles walk from Thirsty Meeples.

Any questions, please just ask.

Cheers,
Rich.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Halfling on February 13, 2018, 03:09:02 AM
I will check the calendar and let you know.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Willem on February 13, 2018, 05:03:56 AM
I think i will be able to attend to, will confirm later!  :D
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Decar on February 14, 2018, 12:38:24 AM
Nice one Rich_the_fish!

Is the park and ride really only 1.5miles?  It felt much much further, I'd say the bus was compulsory!
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 14, 2018, 05:25:04 AM
Depending on time and weather, I'm happy to walk but make sure you wave if you go past on the bus!

Glad there might be a few of us meeting up.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: ooh_jim on February 14, 2018, 09:32:18 AM
I can't make this one, I'm afraid; but if anyone's ever visiting Sheffield, I can't recommend https://www.treehousesheffield.com/ (https://www.treehousesheffield.com/) highly enough. Great staff, food & selection of games :(y)
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rosco on February 14, 2018, 03:05:29 PM
I can't make this one, I'm afraid; but if anyone's ever visiting Sheffield, I can't recommend https://www.treehousesheffield.com/ (https://www.treehousesheffield.com/) highly enough. Great staff, food & selection of games :(y)
I was in Sheffield 2 weeks ago.  I will let you know next time and we can meet up.

Sent from my SM-A320FL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Willem on February 16, 2018, 04:22:13 AM
Just missed the time, sorry! Id like to confirm I'll be coming over next Sunday  :)
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 16, 2018, 04:59:27 AM
Id like to confirm I'll be coming over next Sunday  :)
No worries, glad you can join us and looking forward to meeting you. How long are you planning on being there - shall I book for 12-6pm (i.e. 2x3hr sessions)? Reason I ask is because I'll need to pay a deposit.

Just missed the time, sorry!
It was a relatively nominal deadline but I wanted to ring them before the weekend.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 16, 2018, 05:00:45 AM
Before I book, is anyone else intending on joining us next Sunday?
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 16, 2018, 05:16:33 AM
Before I book, is anyone else intending on joining us next Sunday?
Sent you a PM Halfling just in case you don't see the updates here.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Willem on February 16, 2018, 07:09:53 AM
Yes, I'll be there from 12-18  :D
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 16, 2018, 07:12:59 AM
Yes, I'll be there from 12-18  :D
Great, thanks for letting me know.

Unfortunately Halfling can't make it.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Decar on February 16, 2018, 12:30:54 PM
Great to hear you're joining us Willem!

Do you have any games we want to play (Other than Carcassonne :D)
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Willem on February 17, 2018, 01:14:02 AM
Haha, tbh, we almost always play carcassonne, or a spin off for it.
I like Isle of Skye, and Love Letter to  ;D
Do I need to bring anything? Or will they have enough there?
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 17, 2018, 01:22:04 AM


Haha, tbh, we almost always play carcassonne, or a spin off for it.
I like Isle of Skye, and Love Letter to  ;D
Do I need to bring anything? Or will they have enough there?

They'll be plenty of games there to choose from http://www.thirstymeeples.co.uk/games but worth checking if there's something specific (or new) you want to play. Both Isle of Skye and Love Letter are on the list.

They've got a small shops too, but I'm planning on ordering a few things online this weekend (bigger selection and are very reasonable btw) and picking them up on day.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Decar on February 17, 2018, 02:49:53 AM
Their game selection is like Dumbledore's library...there's not much they don't have.

We should give quadropolis a go, that's quick and easy to learn/explain.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 17, 2018, 04:09:11 AM
Not ideal, but table booked for 3 people 12-3 with 1 hr gap and then 4-7 (no suitable table avail 12-6). They could do 1-7 if that's preferable so let me know - it's not ideal breaking in the middle but it does give us an opportunity to stretch our legs, get some fresh air and maybe some grub.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 17, 2018, 08:57:33 AM
Yay, they've got Azul in their library. Really want to try this if we can.

Their game selection is like Dumbledore's library...there's not much they don't have.
Apparently over 2,500 games and counting!!!
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 19, 2018, 02:51:57 AM
Magic Maze has appeared on my social media feeds recently. Looking forward to giving this a go at some point to see if it lives up to the hype. Check out the DT video https://youtu.be/bQ40KfmBdiM
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Decar on February 19, 2018, 03:08:35 AM
Not ideal, but table booked for 3 people 12-3 with 1 hr gap and then 4-7 (no suitable table avail 12-6). They could do 1-7 if that's preferable so let me know - it's not ideal breaking in the middle but it does give us an opportunity to stretch our legs, get some fresh air and maybe some grub.

Happy to stop and find some lunch, probably sensible!

Would like to try Azul,  I have packed Mint Works too, but that might be a good after party game  :(y)
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Decar on February 20, 2018, 08:30:09 AM
I'd like to give Photosynthesis a try too
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 20, 2018, 08:34:42 AM
I'd like to give Photosynthesis a try too
Yep, I'd definitely be up for that too.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Decar on February 26, 2018, 06:56:35 AM
Big Thanks to Willem and Rich The Fish for a successful day yesterday!

I hope you managed to get to your destinations safely.

We managed to play quite a few games:  Nmbr9, Photosynthesis, Azul, Isle of Skye, Love Letter, Sagrada, Quadropolis, Azul again, Carcassonne and a quick game of Mint Works.

I took a few photos so will share those over the next few days and write up a couple of the games I remember.  BTW: I was cheating in Photosynthesis: you're not allowed to act on the same space more than once a turn  >:(

All in all a great day - Thanks a lot for coming!
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 26, 2018, 11:37:32 AM
Had a really enjoyable day, thanks so much for meeting up. Hope you all made it back without incidents.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Willem on February 26, 2018, 12:40:51 PM
Yep! Big thanks to both Rich and Tom! Had lots of fun, trying out quite a few games that were new to me, and some Ive played before.
Travel back was better than expected, just over 2 hours drive, was perfect!
Definitely worth a repeat one day!
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on February 26, 2018, 12:41:22 PM
Don't forget Forbidden Island
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Decar on March 02, 2018, 05:46:45 AM
Finally got chance to share some photos of last weekend:

We started with the lovely Photosynthesis:
(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_123841.jpg)(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_130429.jpg)
It was really great seeing the trees take shape and spread across the map.  I really liked the artwork.  I felt like the game could have easily gone on for a lot longer, the advanced rules add an extra round.  I liked the balance of scoring big points infrequently vs. little points every round. I ended up taking a copy home with me.  Willem won this one, I scored the same number of points but cheated on some rounds regarding growing and scoring.

Next up was Isle of Skye.  I've only played this once before (with Rich the Fish) and I definitely preferred it on the second play.  I think having Willem explain the rules helped a lot.  I'm never sure how much strategy is important in this game, I ended up scoring a lot of points due to having gold in the last round:

(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_135919.jpg)

Next up was Azul, this is great fun.  It's got a pleasing tile drafting mechanic, and I liked how scoring is calculated.  I wasn't so keen on the lack of direct player interaction, but it was quick to play.  Willem was the master tile layer I believe, but a significant margin.

(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_143620.jpg)

I missed a photo of Love Letter,  it's a really fun game and not one I'd get to play very often, as it needs a few players.  I was fairly hopeless at it, but it's fun none the less!

After lunch we opened Forbidden Island - a game I shockingly had never played before.  We took it easy and had plenty of turns left for a victory:
(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_163302.jpg)

Next up was Quadropolis, I apologise now for my terrible explanation of the rules.  Much like Forbidden Island the game tidies itself away, which is a big plus in my book.  I also like how there are a set number of rounds.  My quadropolis was more of a over-populated dystopian nightmare where the populace fight over the food in the only shop and forage in the grasslands for wild rabbits:
(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_171143.jpg) (http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_171652.jpg)

Next up was Sagrada, and though I want to like this game, I think this sitting confirmed my feelings.... the numbers never come up you need, when they do the colours aren't the ones you want.  It's essentially a random luck-fest and difficult to know whether placing a die in a slot was skill or chance.  I'd like to have more manipulation mechanics and for them to be less expensive.  I also don't like the colour palette: would you like to be:  reddy-blue, or bluey-purple or purpley-red?

(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_175012.jpg)
I'm just bitter because I came last:
(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_175535.jpg)
However Rich got to hold the Winner Card  :(y) :(y)
(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_175553.jpg)

Time for another game of Azul,  what I liked about this one is we all managed to score a lot more points.  I think I pushed too hard on the penultimate round and was in a poor position to maintain my lead, ended up losing again!

(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_181703.jpg)

We couldn't leave without playing Carcassonne, so we did  :D

As I recall Rich the Fish could have taken a very nice big farm away from Willem, having already taken it from me  >:(  but thought better of it because I pointed out the killer move:

I'll have to be happy knowing that in this photo it at least it looks like I've perfectly balanced my meeple on the scoretrack on top of Rich's
(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_184033.jpg)

Great to see such a well worn set of tiles....makes me wonder how a completionist would ever cope  :'(

Willem had to leave us, he had to be home and up at 5am, so Thanks again for coming.  I got a quick game of Mint Works with our last 10minutes, which we both struggled with our economy.  Rich ended up getting the Gallery, which scores a star every round, which meant I was against the clock and though I scored 7 points, Rich managed to score 8 on the same turn:
(http://tehill.net/carcassonne/fun/meetupOxford2018/20180225_190049.jpg)
I really enjoy a quick game of Mint Works, it's a refreshingly fast worker placement game.

As you'll see a wonderful selection of games. I'm looking forward to the next one  :(y) :(y)

Thanks again Willem and Rich the Fish, and extra thanks for organising the bookings too Rich!
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Rich_The_Fish on March 02, 2018, 01:13:10 PM
Thanks once again to both of you for travelling to meet up for the day. I really enjoyed it and the 7 hours just flew by, but at least we got to play loads of games and had a fab mid afternoon meal at Byrons. Cheers for the photos and write up Decar. Hope to see you both again soon.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Foggy-Balla on March 14, 2018, 01:30:02 AM
I'm relatively handy for Oxford.  Please let me know if another of these events happens, it would be great to learn from some experienced players!
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Decar on March 14, 2018, 01:31:55 AM
Will do Foggy, but I'm not sure what you'll be learning  ;D
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Foggy-Balla on March 14, 2018, 04:14:57 AM
Will do Foggy, but I'm not sure what you'll be learning  ;D

Oooh, I don't know.  The ways of The Force?
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Decar on March 14, 2018, 04:15:43 AM
I wouldn't mind giving X-wing a try ;D
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Foggy-Balla on March 14, 2018, 04:56:37 AM
I wouldn't mind giving X-wing a try ;D

I do own it, & strangely enough a few expansions.  In its most basic form (two TIE Fighters & an X-Wing) & using quick start rules it can be played just about straight from the box.

In fact the day I bought it I did.  My wife's car broke down in a Costco car park so we took shelter at their "cafe", ordered pizza & The Boy & I played there & then...
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Decar on March 14, 2018, 06:08:47 AM
Could be a great for a future meet-up; how well does it support a few more players though?!
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Foggy-Balla on March 14, 2018, 06:18:14 AM
Could be a great for a future meet-up; how well does it support a few more players though?!

I've only played two-player with The Boy.  The basic stuff is Imperials vs Rebels, & then I believe there are Bounty Hunter additions (we have a SLAVE-1) which could make a third force.  The counters are marked with pilot names/ship numbers so guess it would be possible to have a big melee with more than three players.
Title: Re: Thirsty Meeples visit on Sun 25th Feb
Post by: Decar on March 14, 2018, 09:09:19 AM
Some people on BGG suggest, you can pair up and tag team it; so 2 X-wings vs 4 TIE  for a 4player game.  Or just take one ship each.  Imagine that gets a bit dull once you've been wiped out in the first 10 mins.