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‘Hunters and Gatherers’ by Klaus-Jurgen Wrede
Games night - 8th May
Dicken owns a wide-screen TV and when Kendall arrives it is showing ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get me out of here!’ Kendall immediately slumps into a chair and moves into Phil Tuffnell mode – bar the cigarettes, hat, plastic cape etc. When Spiller arrives he appears highly animated, but this is merely an illusion caused by juxtapositions in the perception of time (what are you on, mate? - ed. ). Like the steel walk-ways on the wide-screen (which seem as incredibly long as John Fashanu might imagine), reality and TV are not always as they appear.
When everyone’s back in the same time frame, it is discovered that tonight’s game is to be ‘Hunters and Gatherers’. Kendall assumes that this is merely the dessert; Dicken is momentarily embarrassed. However, as Carol is to join the gathering before having an early night and this is the first time of play for Spiller and Kendall, the offering of the goodly host is accepted and the throng moves to the table.
The excellent ‘Carcassonne’has now spawned quite a few follow-up games, and some time ago Dicken down-loaded the tiles for the river expansion game and gave it a try (not a huge success, though). However, ‘Hunters and Gatherers’ comes highly recommended and it looks as impressive as its forbear, with stacks of interesting, colourful tiles and pleasant wooden bits to boot.
Dicken cheerily explains the rules, accompanied by Spiller announcing the parallels with the original. ‘Rivers.....’ , ‘They’re the same as roads....’ ‘Hunters....’ ‘Just like farmers .....’, ‘Lakes....’, ‘Towns...’ Well, no. Not exactly. Very similar in some areas, but a few more things to think about. ‘Tigers’, for instance and some extra wooden ‘huts’ and less men to place. And then there’s gold in them there forests! Complete a ‘golden’ forest and get a bonus tile (and an extra go).
The game begins at the Volcano – not sure why exactly. Kendall quickly places a fisherman’s ‘hut’. This is a permanent placement distinguishing it from the fishermen on the rivers who can appear and disappear (‘Like thieves...’ Yes, thank you). Spiller heads into the forests, Carol does a bit of hunting and Dicken complains about the tiles he’s drawing. Plenty of time between turns to perch your backside on a log and ruminate about life in general.
Talking of which.... Fantasy cricket has reached the second round of auctions. No surprises so far – mass bidding for the same players in the first round has left teams half complete, but still plenty of talent to choose from.
The bonus tiles in ‘Hunters and Gatherers’ make a major impact on play. Players can’t resist completing forests no matter who benefits. This is most starkly illustrated when Carol plays a tile that finishes three forests one occupied by Spiller, one occupied by Dicken and one standing free of Gatherers. After much rule consultation it is agreed that the Rio Grande juggernaut hasn’t specifically dealt with this eventuality and therefore it is presumed that Carol can draw and place three bonus tiles. Kendall (the only one to have missed out) sulkily immerses himself in a complete read of the rules to check for any other aberrations.
Spicy Pringles are the rations for tonight. Special care needed here as the colours on the reverse of the tiles are spookily akin to a Spicy Pringle. It can only be a matter of time before a tile is tooth marked.
Spiller seems to have got the hang of the game and is streaking away on the points’ tally and with plenty of men on the board. Dicken and Kendall keep an eye out for long term hunting operations and Carol sits in her forests hoping someone (possibly herself) will complete them. Incomplete forests are worth nothing at the end of the game – unlike towns in ‘Carcassonne’.
Spiller draws the bonus tile ‘Fire’ which chases off any tigers in one hunting area (the deer etc. don't seem to mind) and Dicken draws the ‘Stone Temple thingy’ which might enable him to control a prime hunting site. He misses an opportunity to oust Spiller from his ‘Fire’ area, but let it be said: ’He never knew what his next tile was going to be!’ And that perhaps sums up the game: because there is (apparently) more variety of tiles, calculations feel less certain. ‘Carcassonne’perhapshandled it better – but then ‘Hunters and Gatherers’ is perhaps more of a chilled out sort of game. John Fashanu or Phil Tuffnell ?
The final count up and Carol wins from Dicken, from Kendall from Spiller. Carol is delighted, Dicken surprised, Kendall relieved not to have come last, Spiller flabbergasted that he hasn’t won. Only 11 points separate four players with totals in the 80’s and 90’s. Had the Eastern forest of Spiller and Kendall been completed (just one tile needed) then the positions could have been reversed. Very enjoyable nevertheless.
It shouldn’t take 1 hour 45 minutes to play but it did. Dicken is blamed for slow play. He’ll be voted off next week. It'll be much quicker next time.
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