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Brand new games we loved at UK Games Expo 2016

Brand new games we loved at UK Games Expo 2016

The UK Games Expo (UKGE) is Britain's biggest annual board game event, where visitors and exhibitors alike can mingle, play new games, and sample the offerings of the hotel bar (naturally).

Rules of Play's Ian went along on the 3rd-5th June 2016, as usual, and reported back with some exciting new games on the horizon... You heard it here first, folks!

Disclaimer: There were practically gazillions of fantastic games on offer and we only wish we could've played more! The games below are just a select few that we were able to play and thought were particularly intriguing...

 

Three games Ian played, loved, and ordered on the spot 

    

1. Imhotep £30

In Imhotep, the players become builders in Egypt who want to emulate the first and best-known architect there, named Imhotep.

On a turn, a player chooses one of four actions: Procure new stones, load stones on a boat, bring a boat to a monument, or play an action card. Naturally the other players constantly thwart your building plans by carrying out plans of their own. Who will be Egypt's best builder?

PRE-ORDER IMHOTEP

 

Ice Cool board game to pre-order

2. Ice Cool £30

Ice Cool is a flicking game where each round one of the players takes the role of the Hall Monitor, whose aim it will be to catch the other penguins and get points. The other penguins will try to run through several doors, thus gaining fish (and points) on their way. It's a cat-and-mouse - sorry, penguin-and-penguin - kind of game!

The penguins can be flicked in a straight line, make curves and even jump over the walls! It's not just cool, it's ICE COOL!

PRE-ORDER ICE COOL

 

     

3. Push It £15 

Push It is a tense game of skill that can be played anywhere. To win, push, flick or judo-chop your pucks so they are closest to the central jack at the end of the round. Sound simple? Well, it is!

The game is quick to learn but hard to master. Come up against a Push It maestro and you’ll soon be put in your place (Warning: friendships can suffer as direct result of Push It). 

PRE-ORDER PUSH IT

 

Three games that Ian loved and will be available soon 

1. The Networks

In The Networks, you and your opponents are new television networks, and you need new programming. For this, you’ll need Shows, Stars, and Ads. The player with the most viewers after five seasons wins!

PRE-ORDER THE NETWORKS

 

2. Sushi Go Party

Sushi Go Party!, an expanded version of the best-selling card game Sushi Go!is a party platter of mega maki, super sashimi, and endless edamame.

You still earn points by picking winning sushi combos, but now you can customize each game by choosing à la carte from a menu of more than twenty delectable dishes. What's more, up to eight players can join in on the sushi-feast. Let the good times roll!

PRE-ORDER SUSHI GO PARTY!

 

3. Mystic Vale £35

In Mystic Vale, players take on the role of druidic clans trying to cleanse the curse that has befallen their valley. Each turn, you play cards into your field to gain powerful advancements and useful vale cards.

Use your power wisely, or decay will end your turn prematurely. Score the most victory points to win the game!

PRE-ORDER MYSTIC VALE

 

Three games that Ian had never heard of before but enjoyed immensely

1. Brews of the World - The Beer Card Game

In Brews of the World, simply use the different attributes of beer on each card - alcohol content, bitterness, year of introduction, hops - to beat your opponents in this strategic, fun and original new game.

ASK US ABOUT 'THE BEER CARD GAME'

 

2. Lonely Bears Game

A casual strategy card game, where lonely bears can be armed to the teeth with nukes, chainsaws and superfluous scimitars to claim you the most trophies.

ASK US ABOUT 'LONELY BEARS'

 

3. Battle of Britain

Summer 1940, France has fallen and Europe cowers under the jackboot of German military might. Only Great Britain stands alone and defiant – the Battle of Britain commences in the skies over this embattled island. 

Take command of RAF Fighter Command, marshalling your too few fighter squadrons to protect your homeland’s cities, industrial resources, airfields and vital radar chain.

ASK US ABOUT 'BATTLE OF BRITAIN'

 

Ian's top moment from UKGE 2016

"My favourite experience of the weekend was watching (that’s correct, I wasn’t playing!) a full game of Secret Hitler played by two Rules of Play customers, David & Becky - my God, can they lie!"

Secret Hitler is a dramatic game of political intrigue and betrayal set in 1930s Germany, with liberals vs fascists. Not recommended for kids...


Did you go to the UK Games Expo 2016? Share your stories with us on Twitter!

To enquire about any of the games above, and when we might be getting them in, feel free to email us at games@rulesofplay.co.uk.

Previous article Check out these Pre-orders: Kiri-AI, Imperial Miners, Return to Dark Tower, and more!

Comments

Steve McEvoy - June 17, 2016

Can thoroughly recommend UKGE to anyone considering going, so long as you go for two days (and take out a bank loan first…)

Jamie - June 9, 2016

Imhotep looks pretty good – I’m a sucker for an archaeological theme anyways, so this is right up my street :)

Fingers crossed I’ll be able to go to UKGE next year – it looks like it was hella fun!

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