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Gareth Madeley
United Kingdom
Wirral
Merseyside
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As I look at the games I like to play (or really want to), I see a very eclectic mix. From 18xx to "Thematic" games like Battlestar Galactica, from economic games like Outpost and Silverton to games like Here I Stand. What is the connection to this random collection?
An obvious narrative arc.
Battlestar Galactica and wargames obviously have this as they are based (some more heavily than others) on a particular theme. I always remember the fact that the Admiral jumped us too far on the first jump leaving our fuel supply crippled in BSG. I remember one of my solo plays of Here I Stand, the Schmalkaldic League started on the second turn and the Protestants struggled to take control of the two Electors they didn't have (on the Western border) to get the extra troops.
I enjoy playing Silverton (even solo) due to the narrative. With players starting in particular cities, the railway connections people build spider-web across the map. The claims people want change as their railway system develops.
And 18xx? Many people would say it's very abstract, and component-wise? They're probably right, but it is incredible to see how the game develops. From the first companies to launch to the rail tiles and station token placement, these are part of the "story" of an 18xx. 18EU, for example, tells the narrative of minor companies attempting to connect to each other to develop into lucrative major companies. 1841, a game I really want to try, tells of the development of railway companies in Northern Italy during the Wars of Italian Independence.
I'm looking forward to A Few Acres of Snow which should be arriving soon, maybe that will be a deck builder with an actual narrative.
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