Analog Games

While I haven't played a board game since moving out to CA( :/ ), I couldn't resist picking this up when I saw it as  http://www.miniaturemarket.com/  's deal of the day.  The title didn't jump out at me, but after a little research it looked like something that would be right up my alley. The game reminds me of a mixture between Axis and Allies and Twilight Struggle.  You break down into two asymetrical sides, with players controlling a different amount of countries based on the number of players in the game.  Each country is represented by its board position but also has a unique deck of cards, which is what really sold me on the game. Gameplay itself looks fairly simple.  The game is played over 20 rounds, and on each turn you play a card, check for supply, update victory points and then discard/draw.  Some cards give immediate effects like attacking or building more armies, some cards give a permanent bonus and some are kept hidden until they can trigger.  A w

Even though I'm not actively playing X-Wing I couldn't resist picking up one of these.  It reminds me of a Star Fury and is exactly the sort of ship I am drawn to in X-Wing despite myself(see my 3 TIE-Defenders).  What do I think of the Star Viper? Compared to the X-Wing golden standard, it gains a defense die and trades a shield for an armor.  The viper also gains the barrel roll and boost abilities.  Where it really shines is the movement dial.  Having a full row for one and two is really hot and the curved K-turns have potential too.  Sadly, this all comes in for 4 extra points...which gives me real doubts about its general use.  IMO they compare favorably to the E-Wing or Defender but generic versions of those don't see much play either. Guri and Prince Xizor are the two named pilots.  Guri seems solid, any ability to gain a free action is one I am happy with.  If he ends at range one he can have both a focus and a target lock, or he can make better use of his boo