Part two of my personal look at Huzzah 2015, this one is the lengthiest, by far, of the three.
Day 2, Saturday May, 16th 2015
Saturdays at every convention are always the busiest and it's no different at Huzzah. Day Trippers (people who come for but a single day), arrive in a steady flow. Anxious to make the most of their time, they hurry and hustle to renew acquaintances from years past, get their badges, and say hello, before running off to the tables for a game or two. I generally do not like crowds , or people for that matter, but these convention goers breathe a measure of excitement into the air upon arriving which can be contagious. Children, eyes wide with anticipation impatiently hop from foot to foot, waiting to get on with the fun. While the busy Game Masters smile patiently as they explain the rules.
Day 2, Saturday May, 16th 2015
Saturdays at every convention are always the busiest and it's no different at Huzzah. Day Trippers (people who come for but a single day), arrive in a steady flow. Anxious to make the most of their time, they hurry and hustle to renew acquaintances from years past, get their badges, and say hello, before running off to the tables for a game or two. I generally do not like crowds , or people for that matter, but these convention goers breathe a measure of excitement into the air upon arriving which can be contagious. Children, eyes wide with anticipation impatiently hop from foot to foot, waiting to get on with the fun. While the busy Game Masters smile patiently as they explain the rules.
One of the things I like to do most at Huzzah is to walk around between the various tables and drool over the thousands of beautiful miniatures. This usually occurs between games I am signed up for and it is time well spent. Because, I appreciate the wonderful attention to detail, historical color schemes and creative landscapes all crafted with care. If you have never stood before a table with 400 carefully painted soldiers positioned to recreate one of the great battles of history, I believe you are missing out. This is art to me, and it pleases me to see so many examples in one place.
Note to self, get more photos next year.
Note to self, get more photos next year.
My morning game was Battle Tech Alpha Strike put on by Rob Marden. (no I’m not stalking him) This free for all of Mechanized robot combat was a lot of fun, and Rob managed to keep the game rolling along even when two of the younger players (who I secretly named Stinky and Needy for obvious reasons) began to lose focus. Everyone had four Mechs on their team each one progressively stronger than the last. You started with your smallest unit first, and when that one died on your next turn your next to smallest randomly entered the arena etc. etc.
Meanwhile, everyone else is entering the arena and attacking each other continuously. Oh and did I mention that the inner walls of the arena changed height randomly every turn as well? There really is no place to hide. A fast, large, group game that kept me focused even through Stinky and Needy’s antics. My bad luck was that once my very slow heavy Mechs came out later in the match I ended up getting initiative almost every turn, which meant I had to move first. This allowed everyone else to simply run out of my range and pick at my robot at a distance. At least I got to knock Needy out of the game before I got killed.
Just in time as I needed a smoke and a drink badly at this point.
Hanging about and waiting for my next session, I struck up a conversation with a gentleman named Leo who was running the 86' Mets vs. Red Sox World Series Game. Leo is passionate about the hobby and has been involved in miniature war gaming for over twenty years.
As we chatted I mentioned that Mike and I had tried to sign up for his game for the Sunday morning time slot but didn't make it in time and it was booked up. Leo told me just to stop by later and if he had time we could do a quick unofficial game anyway.
Wow! I promised I would, and rushed off to the next game in my line up 1775: Rebellion.
I have wanted to play 1775 for a couple of years now, and though we as a group had one rather poorly executed attempt awhile back, I thought it deserved another once over. That and Academy Games had just announced their next title using the same mechanics for the Viking invasions of England. If the rules flowed smoothly I would jump on the wagon and buy the medieval version.
Just in time as I needed a smoke and a drink badly at this point.
Hanging about and waiting for my next session, I struck up a conversation with a gentleman named Leo who was running the 86' Mets vs. Red Sox World Series Game. Leo is passionate about the hobby and has been involved in miniature war gaming for over twenty years.
As we chatted I mentioned that Mike and I had tried to sign up for his game for the Sunday morning time slot but didn't make it in time and it was booked up. Leo told me just to stop by later and if he had time we could do a quick unofficial game anyway.
Wow! I promised I would, and rushed off to the next game in my line up 1775: Rebellion.
I have wanted to play 1775 for a couple of years now, and though we as a group had one rather poorly executed attempt awhile back, I thought it deserved another once over. That and Academy Games had just announced their next title using the same mechanics for the Viking invasions of England. If the rules flowed smoothly I would jump on the wagon and buy the medieval version.
For Rebellion we had four and split into two teams. My faction was the English Loyalists and though rather fickle I feel they were balanced. Every faction had its strengths and weakness and at no time did I feel that any one group could simply sweep the board by being over powered. Sadly I do not remember the name of the gentleman who ran the game, who also was my team mate, but he was great at explaining the rules in an easy going way. I had a good time, to be sure and this game is rather fun over all. However, after about a half hour of play I could see that though it kept my interest, my friends at Booze & Board games more than likely wouldn't find it as exciting. Sadly, I am the lone history buff in the group.
After the game let out I ran into Mike who had been looking for me. His afternoon session had been rather short and he thought we should get some food. Which was a good idea as I needed to fuel up for my evening session. We walked outside so I could have a smoke and we saw Leo taking a break as well. I introduced Mike to him and after a bit of chit chat and a few laughs Leo asked us if we wanted to play a World Series game.
Food was forgotten immediately and we jumped at the chance.
After the game let out I ran into Mike who had been looking for me. His afternoon session had been rather short and he thought we should get some food. Which was a good idea as I needed to fuel up for my evening session. We walked outside so I could have a smoke and we saw Leo taking a break as well. I introduced Mike to him and after a bit of chit chat and a few laughs Leo asked us if we wanted to play a World Series game.
Food was forgotten immediately and we jumped at the chance.
We rushed over to the table and Leo showed us the basics and explained the rules. I was the 1986 Mets and Mike the Sox, which probably rankled him a bit but the game play was so dynamic any wrong footedness he may have experienced by playing as his rivals was quickly dispelled. We both found ourselves adjusting players on the field constantly to anticipate opposing batter's strengths and watching what the other was doing. By the end of the 6th inning it was all down to one play. Could the Sox change history? Mike switched up his batting order and a soon as he did I called in a relief pitcher. Needless to say the Sox would have to wait a couple more decades to take the title. This game is my top game of the convention, second only to Alpha strike. Extremely engaging and well thought out. If you ever get a shot at playing this game DO IT! you won't be disappointed.
We ate a quick meal at a local restaurant and then hurried back so I could set up the game I was asked to put on, Wizard's Quest by Avalon Hill circa 1979.
An oldie but a goody.
We ate a quick meal at a local restaurant and then hurried back so I could set up the game I was asked to put on, Wizard's Quest by Avalon Hill circa 1979.
An oldie but a goody.
I was rather nervous setting up, as I had never done anything like this before. Mike was a few feet away involved in a six person Firefly game which was a comfort. Mike has a calming effect on me, probably as he is such a good person that I am afraid to subject him to too much of my evilness. he might smite me or something.
Anyway, it was a bit of a bumpy start as I had one player drop before the map was laid out. He was very nice about it but I was beginning to worry that this was going to be a bust. Then two youngsters showed up and told me they had signed up for the game. Perfect! This title is great for kids and so it put me at ease a bit, knowing how much I loved this one when I was their age. The boys, Matt and Liam, took to it rather quickly, but the younger of the two, Liam really surprised me. I thought for sure the older boy was going to control the board easily. But that's the beauty, some would say bane, of Wizard's Quest, The random events and rolls of the dice turned the tables, and I saw Liam light up once he could see that he not only could win, but handily at that. It was a good match and they seemed to have fun. I was kind of dreading the end for I had resolved to retire my old game that night to the winner of the match. Liam pushed through and took the game, and I handed over my old friend to him with a smile. Hopefully Wizard's Quest gets some more table time in his young hands.
With that over I could finally have a drink, and I made sure I got one right off. A bit tired but happily so, for I had had fun the whole day through. With a goodnight and good luck, to Mike I wandered off to my room wondering if I'd ever get to sleep or would my mind race all night with everything I had seen and done that day.
End part 2
Cheers
AL
Anyway, it was a bit of a bumpy start as I had one player drop before the map was laid out. He was very nice about it but I was beginning to worry that this was going to be a bust. Then two youngsters showed up and told me they had signed up for the game. Perfect! This title is great for kids and so it put me at ease a bit, knowing how much I loved this one when I was their age. The boys, Matt and Liam, took to it rather quickly, but the younger of the two, Liam really surprised me. I thought for sure the older boy was going to control the board easily. But that's the beauty, some would say bane, of Wizard's Quest, The random events and rolls of the dice turned the tables, and I saw Liam light up once he could see that he not only could win, but handily at that. It was a good match and they seemed to have fun. I was kind of dreading the end for I had resolved to retire my old game that night to the winner of the match. Liam pushed through and took the game, and I handed over my old friend to him with a smile. Hopefully Wizard's Quest gets some more table time in his young hands.
With that over I could finally have a drink, and I made sure I got one right off. A bit tired but happily so, for I had had fun the whole day through. With a goodnight and good luck, to Mike I wandered off to my room wondering if I'd ever get to sleep or would my mind race all night with everything I had seen and done that day.
End part 2
Cheers
AL