LobsterTrap is a small, invitation-only game convention held outside Boston each fall. This year's edition took place last weekend, and I was fortunate to attend and play 11 games which were new to me -- and a total of 26 games. Of the new ones, my favorite was Cash 'n Guns, a game in which the players are all criminals trying to divide the loot from a robbery. If you've ever seen the film "Reservoir Dogs," you know the theme of Cash 'n Guns.
Each player gets a deck of eight cards, including two "bang" cards, one "bang bang bang" card, and five "clic" cards. Players choose which card to use and simultaneously point their guns at one opponent. You're then given a chance to run away and avoid wounds -- but doing so also means you won't get to share in the loot.
Adding to the game is the fact that one player is a cop working undercover and trying to get the police to raid the gang's hideout.
I played Cash 'n Guns, designed by Ludovic Maublanc and published by Repos Production, three times and loved it each time. It's a violent game -- players aim foam handguns at each other, and killing opponents is part of the game -- so it won't appeal to everyone. But so long as your opponents can have a fake gun pointed at them and still laugh afterwards, it's very enjoyable.
Other games I played at LobsterTrap include Aargh!, Ahoy, Amun Re, Ave Caesar, Beowulf: The Legend, Big Kini, Boomtown, Diamant, Geschenkt, High Society, Himalaya, Lucca Citta, Mamma Mia!, Money, Money Doesn't Stink, Oodles (twice), Royal Turf, Sag's Mit Symbolen, Sushi Express, Texas Hold 'Em Poker, and Traumfabrik.
Beowulf, designed by Reiner Knizia and published by Fantasy Flight Games, is an epic game, designed to recreate the adventures of the warrior from English literature. It's something of a cooperative game until the end, when one player wins. Early reviews have been mixed, but I enjoyed it enough to want to play again.
Himalaya -- an updated version of a game originally published in 2002 -- was the heaviest strategy game I played. Players try to build influence in three categories: economic, religious and political. The endgame scoring is interesting: First, the player with the least religious influence is eliminated. Then the player with the least political influence is eliminated. Finally, the player with the most economic influence (of those remaining) wins.
In the Texas Hold 'Em Poker tournament, I was eliminated sixth out of 18 players -- not a good showing at all.
Overall, LobsterTrap was an incredibly fun and relaxing weekend marked by great games being played with great friends. Thanks to the organizers for inviting me, and I'm looking forward to next year.
Comments