by Jon H.
I have been taking part in the BGG Secret Santa for the last five years now. It is always really fun and exciting. Fun to taunt your target and exciting as you wonder what your Secret Santa might get you. I am a very talkative Santa and I have been lucky that most of my targets enjoy my correspondence. I have never really had a talkative Santa myself, which is absolutely fine, because every Santa I have had has been great. But this year, my Santa took the proverbial cake.I received a large package from Miniature Market last Saturday. I opened it up and found that I had been matched with the most generous of Secret Santas. Now before I list the contents, remember that the only requirement of the gift exchange is that you spend $50 (not including shipping) and try to use the person's wishlist. Here is what my awesome Santa sent me:
Seikatsu - I have already played this three times. Super short but enough meat on the bone to challenge even the most hard core gamer. Beautiful components as well.
Shogun - This is one of the first games I ever played when I got into the hobby. I have several buddies that would love to play this again. This is the perfect game for my Gen Con group.
Fields of Arle - I have already played this three times as well. A great 2-player Agricola-light experience. Great to play solo too.
Lisboa - A heavy Vital Lacerda game that is absolutely gorgeous. I have it setup right now in my office trying to learn how to play. It will be a bear to learn and teach, but man it is feeling like a great game experience so far.
I know right!? Way above and beyond. I hope he/she is reading this so they know how excited and appreciative I am. Thanks Secret Santa!
I am scheduled to start a Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 group on Tuesday. I have never played a legacy game and have actually shied away from them. Something about tearing up or putting stickers on components really bothers me. I decided to fight through my misgivings and give it a shot. Who knows, maybe I will like it.
I played one "new to me" game today; Mystic Vale. I loved the art but not the game. It was ok, but the card building aspect really didn't grab me. I felt like it wanted to be MtG with some Splendor thrown in. I would play it again because I feel like I missed something this time around, but I won't ask for it.
Thanks for reading!