Week of August 28, 2020 - Warped Quantum Pets

It's New Game Friday! David Wiley (Cardboard Clash) is here to tell us about the new games.

Here’s what is new this week:

• Liberation: Warped World
• Pets & Pirates
• Quantum Loop

This week's new games are all available at https://www.pnparcade.com/collections/new-games

Quantum Loop

Welcome, PROGRAM01100v2.2_temp. You’ve just become self-aware! 

But now comes the hard part. 

The Quantum Loop is a test. In this simulation, the reward for winning is continued existence. The punishment for losing is deletion. We’ve been running this sim for a few minutes now, so that’s approximately 13^7 deleted programs so far. But don’t let that get you down! We are getting some exceptional data from every run you programs complete. 

I see you are already starting to look through your code, that’s great. I like the initiative. There are two ways to win:

1. Manipulate the loop to be the first to break through the encryption and override the system. 
2. Or, figure out a way to disable the other programs. Either way is fine, it’s all just ones and zeros to us. 

And it’s go time! Get in there and make us proud. Oh, and uh, pick a new filename too!

If you like moving in a circular pattern, as the name implies, you won’t want to miss Quantum Loop. Go head-to-head here and attempt to be the first to either get all 6 of your Overrides completed or disable 2 of your opponent’s programs and you will win. There are a lot of nuances here in this small, relatively simple game that will reward planning, the ability to react to a changing board state, and those who enjoy head-to-head competition. This one has a theme that I find to be quite fun and interesting, reminding me both of Android: Netrunner and Portal at the same time. Just don’t start to read that overview in a GLaD0S voice, because you won’t be able to stop. The Enrichment Center is committed to the well being of all participants. Cake and grief counseling will be available at the conclusion of the test.

Pets ‘N Pirates

The goal of the game is to find the treasure and try to keep it yours till the end of the game. All the other players will use cards with special abilities to take it from you, and there will be unexpected event cards that will help your quest or turn the tide. Like the Kraken, who can kill you and make you lose (your Captain, the Treasure or your life). Or the Tactical Penguins, which can stop any action from an opponent. Or Baby Shark. Nobody likes Baby Shark.

A cute little card-based game about gaining treasure and holding onto it until the bitter end of the game - also known as when the draw pile is empty. Between events that will make you shuffle treasure into the draw pile, ways to steal cards from players, and a card that makes it so you won’t win if you hold the treasure...there’s a lot of fun take-that. Bonus points: you’re supposed to signal audibly when you get the treasure card since pirates are fearless, so here’s a chance to work on your voice for the annual Talk Like a Pirate day.

Liberation: Warped World

Long-distance scans of the planet Galvicil show a giant fissure emitting strange gases. Could they truly have the power to reshape surrounding planets?

If you love Liberation like I do, you need to add the Warped Worlds expansion the next time you play. It replaces a single map card (and corresponding city cards) to add in some chaos, including actions that can flip map cards to add extra layers of uncertainty. Those Liberation scum think they are safe in their hidden base, 4 systems away...but not so safe anymore. This only enhances the fun of an already-excellent game in the Button Shy lineup, and remains one of the best 2-player game experiences on the market.

Check out all of the new games here: https://www.pnparcade.com/collections/new-games

Game of the Week: Banned Books

It is the hope of every literary character that their tale will inspire people for generations to come. But how can people be inspired by your story if it’s on the banned books list? Your story MUST be told, and it's time for you to take matters into your own hands!

Banned Books is a solo game featuring ousted literary characters fighting back against the Powers-That-Be to restore their books to the shelves. Each turn you will select actions that will progress your agenda track, hamper the agenda tracks of the Powers, utilize your characters unique abilities or manipulate your tableau. If you can advance your progress token quickly enough to convince 2 of the 3 Powers-That-Be to remove your book from the banned list, you win. But if the majority of the Powers advance their tokens and make up their minds first, or drain your characters stamina, you will be banished from shelves forever!

While Liberation is my favorite 2-player game from Button Shy, this Banned Books happens to be my favorite solo title from them (yes, even more than Chain Mail!) Literary lovers like myself will delight in the assortment of major characters who all have one thing in common: their books were banned at some point. This one has some really clever action selection, and a challenging puzzle requiring careful manipulation of things to make sure you are progressing toward your goals while not letting the opponent get too far ahead. You can learn this one in about 5 minutes, play it within 15, and keep on coming back for more. Bonus points if you want to start a book club to read the books featured in the game.

Check out Game of the Week here: https://www.pnparcade.com/collections/game-of-the-week

See you next week with more information on our newest print and play games!