UK Games Expo 2019
I've spend a few days now reviewing lists and checking out promotional videos to bring you some of the games I'm excited to get a look at at the expo. I'm listing the stands where you can find these games not the publishers as they're not all attending.
Sierra West
Board & Dice - Stand 1-506
While the theme isn't one that particularly appeals to me, the mechanics look very interesting. Card selection, worker manipulation and you get to build a mountain each game. It also looks like the production value is going to be amazing.
Snowman Dice
Brain Games - Stand 1-940
Brain Games have a history with dexterity games involving ice and this looks to be another great game. I expect there will be dice all over the place around their stand, but also a lot of laughing!
Ticket to Ride London
Days of Wonder - Stand 1-1102
Another instalment in the Ticket to Ride family, with the pedigree these are always worth a look. I really enjoyed New York and this 60s flavoured vision of my home town seems to be another quick play version.
The Artemis Project
The Grand Gamers Guild - Stand 2-457
With a dice placement mechanic I was immediately interested as I'm a huge fan of Kingsburg and Alien Frontiers. This looks like the dice placement will be more simplified, but the story elements will be deeper. The artwork looks awesome too.
Century: A New World
Asmodee - Stand 1-652
I loved the first two, both great games in themselves and the fact that you could blend them to create another version of the games. The third and final instalment in this series provides you another game of similar weight to Eastern Wonders, but also lets you play any combination of the three for a wealth of new options.
Sanctum
Czech Game Editions - Stand 2-418
CGE rarely disappoint and there's some real hype building for this game with comparisons to Adrenaline already being made, but there's little detail beyond this brief teaser video and some card and mini images.
Terror Below
Renegade Game Studios - Stand 1-514
I'm a fan of the classic 90s sci-fi/horror Tremors and while clearly not a licensed product Terror Below looks to deliver the same sense of panic. What feels like an earthquake shakes the very ground, then an alien worm erupts from beneath you determined to rip apart your truck, or if you're unlucky your bicycle. The mechanics look really clean and smart with simple ideas resulting in complex strategy and I love the aesthetic. Can't wait to start collecting eggs and getting chased by worms!
Namiji
Funforge - Stand 1-686
Not a lot of information out there about Namiji, but using similar mechanics to Tokaido, set in the same world, and using the same artist... colour me interested.
World Shapers
Board & Dice - Stand 1-506
Board & Dice's second game on this list I wanted to know more about this game the second I saw the cover. A drafting and set collection game that plays in about half an hour and in just a couple of rounds. I'm hoping the rules are clean enough that I get the sense of scale I'm expecting from the art and the name.
Venice
Braincrack Games – Stand 1-836
Very little to go on here as there’s nothing on Braincrack’s website and the BGG listing is pretty bare. What there is though suggests an intriguing blend of euro style economic trading, worker development and an undercurrent of sabotage and spreading rumours. The ones I’m hearing suggest it might be seen at the Expo.
Sushi Roll
Coiledspring Games – Stand 1-960
Sushi Go! has been a firm favourite since I first played it - I’ve tried the app, and the party version so it only seems right I follow up with the dice game. The components look lovely and I’m hoping this version requires less dealing of cards – something that’s always left to me!
Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps!
Gale Force Nine – Stand 1-768
It takes something special to get me excited about a combat mini game, but I have to admit the IP on this one does the trick! I love Aliens (and Alien - we won’t talk about any other movies in the series) and I suspect it will be impossible to play a game of this without quoting the film. I’m hoping they avoid creating an alpha player as they put the youngest player in charge in this coop and that there’s a way to take off and nuke the site from orbit. It also has a campaign mode which I’m hoping sees you progress as you struggle to survive, without it becoming just another bug hunt.
