So, in about three weeks from now we have been invited to go on a boat trip in the Netherlands. We'll be around 30 people (including around 10 kids aged ca. 5-15, [our own being 8 and 5]). Everybody is supposed to bring some entertainment for the long nights at sea or in the harbour. As the game guy, I feel inclined to bring some games. As we have to travel lightly (train trip from Berlin to NL) games cannot be too heavy (so no Kubb). In addition we need something kids-friendly that accomodates lots of players (not 30, but maybe 10-12?) and something fun to do once the kids are in bed (in addition to drinking, singing and celebrating). I should stress that this is not something like BGG@Sea, where we come together soley for gaming, there are probably some non-gamers there as well. Rules should be easy to grasp and playtime should be manageable (so Diplomacy is out, although it would be so tempting: backstabbing your friend and then being stuck on a boat with him for a week! awesome!).
I have so far these games on my mind:
Bohnanza
regular game of cards
Kill Dr Lucky
Ca$h 'n Guns
Citadels
Kreml
Machi Koro
Resistance
I'm also tempted to bring Merchants & Marauders as the one bigger game that would fit in the suitcase.
Anyone have another good suggestion? Or a bad experience with any of these?
My go to games in that type of situation are Werewolf and Tellastrations. Both games can be purchased or for werewolf you can use regular deck of cards and for Tellastrations a bunch of small pads and pencils. Last week while camping we played both games. Werewolf we had over 20 people ages 8 - 50+. If you can get a copy of Loot a small pirate card game by Knizia is good for all ages and takes up 6 or 8 players. Your other suggestions sound good also.
It looks like you have a good list there. I assume they are also all games that your kids know and like, so they can play them on their own with other kids. I don't know if I would bring M&M. It's got a lot of little pieces and it isn't easy to teach. I find that when we bring games for situations like that, no one ever feels like playing anything long or involved. Short, light games that you can play with a cocktail close at hand tend to be the only ones that ever come out. Games that have a bit of gambling involved also tend to go well. Maybe some poker chips to go and a couple extra decks of cards to play a bit of Black Jack or Poker. Growing up KingPut and I played a lot of Black Jack with other kids when we were on boat trips while the adults were playing cards elsewhere.
Thanks everybody! Regretably I have agree with M& M being too fiddly and complicated (and too big for the suitcase).. Then maybe it is better to stick to Loot, as KingPut said. I still have high hopes for Kreml as the one a bit bigger game now, although it is also fiddly as hell (the old Fata Morgana version has lots and lots of tiny counters)...
I have played Saboteur and heard of Incan Gold, so I'll check them out. Someone else will probably bring The Great Dalmuti, which is also fun in bigger groups.
schlupp wrote: Thanks, I'll look into these. And thanks for not suggesting Munchkin (yet).
Couple of sets of Love Letter: because you can combine them? Or to play in parallel groups? (or a tournament...?)
Just because they are really small and transportable, plus have a range of themes that might appeal to different players. No obvious way of making it play more than 4 players per set.
KingPut wrote: My go to games in that type of situation are Werewolf and Tellastrations. Both games can be purchased or for werewolf you can use regular deck of cards and for Tellastrations a bunch of small pads and pencils. Last week while camping we played both games. Werewolf we had over 20 people ages 8 - 50+. If you can get a copy of Loot a small pirate card game by Knizia is good for all ages and takes up 6 or 8 players. Your other suggestions sound good also.
Spyfall is pretty solid. Plays up to 8. Everyone gets dealt a single card that gives them a location (and an optional role) or they're the lone spy. Players ask each other questions to try to root out the spy. It kind of reminds me of Guess Who in that respect. It's kid-friendly as long as the adults play at the kids' level and good for some laughs without the backstabbery bad feelings some people bring to traitor games.
EDIT: It isn't always widely available, as of last week Cardhaus.com had it in stock though.