way too often. At least if you're a scientist. And if you drink potions. Alchemists is basically a medieval version of my career as a research scientist, where I do two things very well: mixing shit together, and being wrong.
The theme of the game was super strong - we got drawn right into mixing a bunch of bs ingredients and sucking down Rennaissance-ass potions.
Oh did I mention the purpose of the game is to win? It is.
For us, the game was pretty heavy, but the manual was really helpful. Examples of what you learn from each potion gave us a good starting place for figuring out the alchemical formulae of each ingredient. Since we were eager to start doing things, we ignored a couple mechanics, particularly selling potions, undercutting each other on potion selling, or buying equipment. We barely published theories until nearly the last turn when we realized that's one of the few ways you get winnage points. BUT HOLY COW PIES filling out our deduction charts was so satisfying.
"goddammit Charles, stop pissing into my potions."
I felt like the equipment was hella strong. Not only do they just give you victory points for owning them, but the special abilities let you get an extra action (of which you have only a few to begin with) or save one of your ingredients when you make a potion. The moral of the story is to buy things all the time.
Concepts we definitely want:
The companion app for this game is mufuggin sweet. Since each of the 8 ingredients have a unique "alchemical trait", playing the game without the app requires an additional non-player dude to serve as a gamemaster. They have the unenviable job of using a deduction chart hidden from all players to determine what type of potion each player brews when they concoct up a concoction. The app makes it so you can play the game with one less friend, and who doesn't like a little spring cleaning anyway?
The companion app for this game is mufuggin sweet. Since each of the 8 ingredients have a unique "alchemical trait", playing the game without the app requires an additional non-player dude to serve as a gamemaster. They have the unenviable job of using a deduction chart hidden from all players to determine what type of potion each player brews when they concoct up a concoction. The app makes it so you can play the game with one less friend, and who doesn't like a little spring cleaning anyway?
Aim your phone's camera-hole at a pair of cards, and *SHABLAZZ!!* suddenly your $500 text-sending-machine tells you what kind of potion you made. Each set of formulae and alchemical compositions are attached to a unique room code, so every player can use their own cellular device. HOW. FUCKIN. NEAT.
I'm thinking that a download-worthy app will either simplify the complexity of menial / unfun game tasks or add something to increase the entertainment value of the game by utilizing outside media. Having a written description of in-game characters has served tabletop gamers well for years, but being able to incorporate living, realistic characters who are talking words at you? WELCOME TO THE FUTURE.
I'm thinking that a download-worthy app will either simplify the complexity of menial / unfun game tasks or add something to increase the entertainment value of the game by utilizing outside media. Having a written description of in-game characters has served tabletop gamers well for years, but being able to incorporate living, realistic characters who are talking words at you? WELCOME TO THE FUTURE.
No comments:
Post a Comment