Rochester Gamers Community

One of the greatest things about RGC is the people. Yes, I know it sounds rather contrived, but when you get down to it, what makes a game session memorable are the people you play it with. With RGC, you are always welcome to sit at a friendly table and play with like-minded individuals who want to have as much fun as you do. Better yet, you know who they are! Just one of the many perks of being a part of RGC.

RGC throws member appreciate events from time to time to say a special "thank you" to those who not only participate in RGC events, but take a special interest in RGC's well being. Membership, as they say, has its privileges. In this case, free pizza.

For the short time I was able to attend the event, I was able to play two games. The first, Pandemic, is an old favorite of mine and I still love it dearly. The second is a new play for me, Galaxy Trucker. I have mixed feelings on this one.

Let's get to it, shall we?

Pandemic is one of those games where you feel totally in control and can have the proverbial rug yanked out from underneath you at a moment's notice. And while many will state that this type of game mechanic is nothing more than a headache, it is actually one of the best parts of the game.

In Pandemic, you play a certain "role" in which you and the others at the table are battling diseases around the world. Every player must work together (this is a team-play game) to combat the pandemic spread before the human race is overcome. There are several game mechanics in place wherein the board is attempting to kick you in the teeth, but the because the players have the ability to table talk and cooperatively play, the game is very well balanced.

Four of us sat down at the table, two of us being new players. Not to worry, Pandemic is an easy game to learn and in no time the two new players where at it like old pros. We traded research cards and were having a grand old time kicking the diseases in their collective butts. Several times an outbreak looked likely, but we were able to contain it, or at the least, minimize the damage. Overall, though, the disease started to get a bit out of control. Instead of simply neutralizing the entire disease, thus wiping it off the board entirely, we concentrated on the cures. This turned out to be our downfall, however, as we had enough outbreaks in the end to make the final outbreak (one we simply could not avoid) be the death of us. A shame, really, as we were only 2 turns away from winning. In the end, the board beat us to it.

In Galaxy Trucker, you play as a freelance pilot who is tasked to move goods in Space. Easy enough, until you are also tasked with (1) building your own ship and then (2) flying it through unknown and very unpredictable said Space. In truth, the "unknown" portion is really something you can find out about if you take the time to view the cards. Something I did not do and will do in the next game.

Long story short (and I want it short as the entire tale is one of trials, tribulations, and woe), I had no idea what I was doing. To put it another way, I concentrated way too much on way too little, which lead me to be the whipping boy of the game and a source of constant amusement to those at the table. Never in the history of all Space truckers has one emerged as incompetent and unlucky as me. And while that is an achievement in itself, it is nothing to brag about.

Still, I liked Galaxy Trucker. The mechanics are dynamic and interesting, and the game itself does give you the ability to maneuver. It's no Gem Quest.

My thanks to those who I played with. Again, it is the people that makes the games for me and everyone was fantastic. And a special thanks to RGC!