Product Review: Traveller Customizable Card Game

I started playing and game mastering (GMing)  Traveller within a few years of its initial release.  Although unlike 1d4 Chan’s claim, I’m actually older than the game itself.

Anyway, like some (many?) of you, I sadly don’t have time to play the full role-playing game (RPG).

A month or so ago, my friend Joe and I stopped in The Game Matrix to do some “shopping therapy.”  While browsing, I stumbled across the Beowulf Free Trader Ship Deck.  Despite being unable to read the content description on the back of the small box due to the price sticker, I bought the deck anyway.

It’s a Traveller product—which means it’s good, right?

Well, when I got home that day, I did some in-depth research internet trolling.  

I discovered my new purchase was merely a supplement to the Traveller Customizable Card Game produced by Horizon.  

I thought this game was brand new and was surprised to find Horizon’s products, such as the ship decks, expansion packs and accessories were out of stock.

Come to find out the initial Kickstarter campaign kicked-off just over three years ago.  (Not sure how I missed this one).

So I ventured to Game ON! since they seem to specialize in card games, along with family-friendly games. I ordered just about everything Horizon had to offer—which included another Beowulf Free Trader Ship Deck in the  Starter Set.

After my order arrived, I did a cursory read-through of the rules.

In the past, I’ve steered away from card games because I find them too abstract.  My feelings on this haven’t changed all that much—even after reading the rules.  However, because both playing space and gaming time are in short supply, and because this is a Traveller product, I’m willing to give this a try.

The quality of my new-found purchases are top notch, with lavish illustrations on the cards and in the rulebook.

Reading the rules is one thing—playing the game is something else.

I haven’t played the game yet and I’m still trying to understand the mechanics, so I’m not in a position right now to provide any information on how to play the game.

Fortunately, Michael & Brittany from Horizon are here to help with this Example of Play Video. 

And speaking of actually playing the game, I find that not only are time & space are in short supply—but so are fellow gamers.  We all lead busy lives, and it’s often difficult to get together with one gaming buddy, not to mention assembling a whole crew.

Which is another reason for purchasing this card game—opportunities to play solo.  Here’s a Geek Gamers video of a solo play example.  (I’m glad to see I’m not the only one having difficulty wrapping my head around the rules).

Overall, the game is like Firefly: The Game, without miniatures and a game board.  This may be ironic since there’s been a debate on how much the show’s creator, Joss Whedon, was influenced by his time playing Traveller.

Anyway, despite any vague or hard-to-understand game mechanics, I look forward to “trying my hand” at finding a crew, finding a job and keep flying...

Product Review: Firefly Adventures

A couple weeks ago, during my enforced "radio silence," I ventured to The Game Matrix.

I stumbled across Firefly Adventures: Brigands and Browncoats, which is the latest release of Gale Force 9's:  Firefly, The Game.

(Box art image from:  Gale Force 9)

Since I often buy games with other uses in mind, I spent a long time in the store debating on whether or not to buy the game.  I was primarily concerned if the figures were compatible with the rest of my 25-28mm sci-fi miniatures collection.

The gal at the register went on line and found a discussion about the figures' scale.  The consensus was they're taller than average 25mm, but smaller than "heroic scale," such as Games Workshop's Warhammer 40K, and Wizards of the Coasts old line of Star Wars Miniatures (which can vary between 28-32mm).

Despite my misgivings, I bought the game.

When I got home, and opened the box, I was elated at my latest purchase.

And it wasn't about the figures either.  Which by the way, the four Firefly characters included come in two poses:  casual and heroic.  Bad guy figures, representing thugs and cowboys, are also included but with in just single poses.

No, what impressed me the most were the open-top, pre-assembled cardboard buildings.

(Image from:  Boardgame Geek review)

These also double as storage bins:

(Image from:  Boardgame Geek review

Even the main box's inside cover is a building, painted both inside and out.

True, these can be something of a jigsaw puzzle to get back in the box.  However, this collection of buildings can easily represent any wretched hive of scum and villainy a gamemaster can concoct.

(Image from:  Across the Board Cafe)

My only Home Improvement suggestion would be to make roofs for each of the buildings.  This can be done simply, with matching-colored cardstock; or with more durable matboard, plastic or other material and painted appropriately.

My only quibble is that Firefly Adventures doesn't include the entire crew of Firefly, the starship.

The rest of the gang are due to be released this fall in the two supplements Wanted Fugitives (the "Tam Twins"), and Respectable Folk (Inara and Preacher Book).

Speaking of Firefly products:  In writing this post, I realized I've been remiss about posting product reviews of all the other supplements since I bought the original game over four years ago.

During these intervening years, I've purchased just about everything Firefly-related listed in the GF9 Store, except for:  The promo cards, the customisable ship models (I & II), the "Vera Edition" of the map, and the Crime & Punishment cards.

I like everything I bought.  I wish I could tell you how the game, or any of the supplements play.  Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity.

While I plan on getting the Crime & Punishment cards, I'm not too interested in the customisable 

ships.  They're more detailed than any of the other ship models offered.  

It's just that I already have a "mountain of shame" (unpainted miniatures), which I just added to because I'd love to have my Firefly crew and villains look like this:

(Image from:  Twilight Emporium)