May13 Written by:Boldo
5/13/2009 9:57 PM
While many people are not a fan of cooperative games I have always enjoyed them. From Lord of the Rings, to Knights of Camalot, and Betrayal on the house on the Hill there has always been a cooperative game which I play frequently. Recently there has been 2 interesting games in this style Pandemic and Battlestar Galactica. Though they are both cooperative it is here where the similiarities end. Pandemic is relatively short in the cooperative gaming world as we have played 30 minute games. In it the players have to try to cure 4 different diseases before one of several different victory conditions are met. Each player has a special ability which they need to use effectively while the players are challenged to collect sets of cards. This games seems so easy and players find themselves so close to winning but even with a lot of cooperation and experience it remains hard. Battlestar lets each player be a character from the new series. They secretly get a cylon or not card and then go about trying to move the ship along and find the Cylons. The dynamic is a simple one of getting cards, preforming an action and then using the cards to solve crisis. These crisis cards will also determine when the ship jumps, when Cylons attack, and will often cost the group one of several resources which have to remain greater than zero. Half way through the game players will receive another loyalty card and play will continue. The problem with this is the jumping which is a bit random and is the major determination of the game. It is also very hard and more often than not the way to win is to be dealt a Cylon card. Now both games are fun with Pandemic being shorter and easier to set up. Battlestar does allow more players and gives the group a greater sence of accomplishment when they succeed.
Tags: