ARPC's Board Game Cafe (just no cafe)

Those who have gotten within ear shot of me in the last couple of weeks will probably have heard the words , 'SETTLERS' 'BANG' 'CITADEL' about as much as they hear 'GOSPEL' 'CHRIST' 'PREDESTINATION' if they attend ARPC regularly.

Consumed with near evangelistic zeal, we have become the nightmare of game cafes around Singapore by offering free, unlimted play hours, no corkage on BYOs and great game-mastering. The only amenities lacking are unwashed sofas that have cushioned the butts of about 1000 other people.( and you pray that they all remembered to wear panties)

No longer the realm of nerds clutching game manuals thicker than my skull, interactive board games that go beyond dice throwing and counter moving have been the rage for folks with great social skills but poor FRAG ability. Those who possess the reverse hang out at dimly lit ghettos, picking acne and noses inbetween mouse clicks with little opportunity for social interaction apart from the '&%*$ you! You stole my FRAG/ +4 toothpick/ 2000 polygonal drone worker'.

Having said all that, I must confess that I meet up with a group of friends regularly to prove our alpha maleness through proxy armies of Space Marines and Orks. The real purpose is not in trashing each other's armies, but to check out each other's [PC] hardware. We figured that this was infinitely preferable to guzzingly beer and sticking our asses out the windows of a Mitshubishi Colt at the confused souls in Changi village.

In any case, for those who have never tried a game session with us, I would urge that you not wait for an invite and just email or call me.

Settlers of Catan

3-6 player vie for control on an island by collecting and trading resources to build up their settlements. Plan your settlement and start accumulating the resources you need. Beware the robber and be prepared for lively trading.Game designed for ages 10 and up so I don't figure anyone saying that they are too dumb to play.

Bang (aka I Shot The Sherrif)

3-8 players in High Noon showdown. Outlaws and Lawmen play Bang! Cards to shoot each other. Drink Beer to replace hit points and hop on horses to stay out of the reach of firearms. All manner of event cards to cause even more mayhem. Think Murderer, but with great variations. Patience required to figure out the game rules such as shooting distance but not impossible to master for anyone above the age of 12.

Citadel

2-8 players vie to build their township. Every turn they take on unique roles such as the assassin, the architect or warlord, each with special abilities. Accumulate gold to build or destroy opponent's town. Pay attention to special buildings that will give you the winning ledge. Game rules are pretty straight forward, but beware provoking the envy of other players by building too quickly. Again, high intelligence is not a pre-requisite.

Take Five

2-6 players takes turn to play cards from their hands. Place the cards in columns of 5 to collect points. Beware about completing columns with negative points. Gameplay is simple, but strategy is complex when you have to consider how your opponents are going to play their cards. Likely to be the shortest game.

Comments

[Raymond Tan]

Why not consider Contract Bridge as well? Cheap props ($1 for a deck of cards?), easy rules, most complex strategy card game in the world. http://rtan.net/bridge/