Stately Play

Author: David Neumann

Legends of Andor makes surprise appearance on the App Store

January 23, 2019 David Neumann 8

I used to own the cardboard version of Legends of Andor right when it was first released back in 2012. It intrigued me, but the gameplay wasn’t something my group would dabble in and, thus, it was sent away in an auction or trade. This was before I realized I was a friendless loser and held onto solo games like mithril. These days, it would have remained on the shelf and, perhaps, gotten some table time. I’d even considered re-purchasing LoA again just to give it another go. Today, however, saw the sneak release of LoA for mobile, so at least now I can try it on digital before I (re)take the cardboard plunge.

Better Stately Than Never: How many Kerbals must die to appease my bloodlust? All the Kerbals.

January 21, 2019 David Neumann 5

One of my most endearing traits [right above obnoxious, yet not entirely unwarranted, levels of self-loathing and below crippling social anxiety. Just in case you’re keeping score -ed.] is the ability to instantly give up when the going gets tough. This goes for everything, but let’s put it into a gaming perspective. Factorio, Europa Universalis, RimWorld, and Kerbal Space Program. What do all these titles have in common? Steep learning curves. How do I adjust? I simply stop playing them. I’ll get back to them, eventually. Usually. Factorio, for instance, has become, quite possibly, my favorite video game of all time. I’m slowly, but surely, getting my head around the interpersonal hooha in RimWorld. EU still eludes me, but I have started to get my Paradox feet wet with some Hearts of Iron IV. Oh, and I’ve really started digging into Kerbal Space Program the past couple weeks. Why did I wait so long?

Dire Wolf is about to blow up your digital board game world

January 18, 2019 David Neumann 10

iOS, Android, Steam When we think of the “greats” of digital board games, our minds easily think of names like Playdek, CGE, Digidiced, Acram, and even Asmodee. One name that doesn’t come to mind is Dire Wolf, but that’s more our fault than theirs. Not only have they created two extremely beautiful ports for Lanterns: The Harvest Festival and Lotus, but they’re also the digital brains behind Clank! and Clank! In Space!, bringing to life the digital companions for both of those titles as well. Not bad, but 2019 is going to launch them to near the top of that list. This isn’t hyperbole. They just announced a slew of upcoming board game adaptations that are, literally, going to be insta-buys.

Short Cut: DUNKYPUNG

January 10, 2019 David Neumann 0

iOS, PC Since the day I picked up a Atari 2600 joystick, I’ve never played anything like DUNKYPUNG, the latest game from Missile Cards developer Nathan Meunier. That’s not to say it’s entirely unique or there’s never been another game like DUNKYPUNG, it’s just that these are the type of games I’ve always avoided like the plague. Games which serve up a difficulty that’s so severe only the inhuman can compete just have no allure (with the sole exception of Defender). Yet, for some reason, DUNKYPUNG has its claws in me and has become my time waster of choice.

Species-building board game, Evolution, coming to digital on Feb. 12

January 8, 2019 David Neumann 12

iOS, Android, PC/Mac I heard about a digital version of Evolution way back when I attended my first Gen Con in Indianapolis a whopping five years ago. I’ve seen it in action at every Gen Con since, and it’s always looked polished and ready for prime-time. I was wrong, apparently, as its release was repeatedly pushed back as North Star Games tried to polish Evolution into the perfect digital board game. Did they succeed? We’ll find out on February 12.

Yes, there’s a game called DUNKYPUNG and it’s on the App Store

January 8, 2019 David Neumann 5

If you only look at the screenshots or trailer you might think that DUNKYPUNG isn’t something we’d normally cover at Stately Play. You’d be right. That said, the developer of DUNKYPUNG is Nathan Meunier, a chap we’ve met before when he released the rather wonderful Missile Cards. You don’t make a game like Missile Cards without a load of game-crafting creativity, so we’re happy to take a look at whatever Nathan drops on the App Store, even if it looks like it might make me mad enough to throw my phone into a wood chipper.

What the hell is happening at Stately Play? We’ve got answers. Somewhat.

January 7, 2019 David Neumann 17

I’m hoping at least a few of you noticed that it’s been a bit since a new post has gone up. There are many reasons why including a dearth of newsworthy output from the App Store, the usual New Year lull of new games in general, and a soul crushing malaise brought about by lifelong mental illness. If any of that sounds like a story you want to hear, jump past the break. Otherwise–and I completely understand–wait with us until tomorrow when we’ll have some proper news regarding a February board game release that I think everyone here will be happy to see.

The End of Year Hullabaloo: Top five games of 2018, Number 1

December 24, 2018 David Neumann 3

And here we are, with our #1 games of 2018. I’m hoping to have a poll for the reader’s pick up today or tomorrow, but most likely Wednesday, with the announcement of the winner coming next week on New Year’s Eve. Yes, I know I said I wanted to reveal them both at the same time, but life and all that. We’re up visiting family in the northern Wisconsin woods through tomorrow, so I will definitely get back on the horse after Christmas Day. Look for the poll then and, please, have a happy and safe holiday. We’ll see you here on Wednesday!

Like Istanbul? Sign-up for Acram’s Istanbul tourney and win real stuff

December 21, 2018 David Neumann 0

iOS, Android, PC/Mac/Linux • A few weeks ago, the folks at Acram Digital noticed that our forums had a knack for running tournaments of digital board games which sparked an idea. How about we run a big Istanbul tournament and post about it on the Stately Play forums? How about we contact the publisher of the physical version and get actual board games to give away as prizes to the winners? [How about you stop asking question after question instead of, you know, actually writing something readable? -ed.] Ahem. Anyway, there’s a big Istanbul tournament in the works and you can sign-up right now to join. Real prizes are on the line, such at the Istanbul Big Box as well as just regular old Istanbul (which is great even without the expansions). Check out all the details in our forums or over at Acram’s site, where they have the official rules and legalese. Sign up, have fun, and maybe win something! In other news, all of Acram’s apps–yes, even Istanbul–are currently on sale. Links to the appropriate app stores after the jump.

1 … 5 6 7 8 9 … 64