Bucket full of Games

Tick-tock, All-You-Can-Game Clock!

Much like a sugar-fueled child in a candy store, many gaming enthusiasts go on a collecting spree. Think of comic nerds, film fanatics, music buffs, or really anyone with a pulse and an unhealthy obsession – except for one teeny tiny difference. To get a kick out of these games, you typically need a buddy. While you can enjoy the latest blockbuster Avengers or geek out on the new Batman comic solo, defeating Germany in a game of Third Reich on your own is a paradox – even if you’re winning, you’re losing.

And let’s face it – collections can be like a hormonal teenager. They grow, and grow, and grow. You could try trimming them now and then, but inevitably, you find yourself in the ludicrous situation of owning more games than you could play in a lifetime.

So, what’s a game-loving, friend-requiring person to do? Thank goodness for the 21st century, where geographical distances and human clusters are as significant as a gnat on a rhino’s backside when it comes to online board or tabletop RPGs. With the magic of platforms like Tabletop Simulator and services like Roll20, you can connect with like-minded souls keen to engage in the games collecting dust on your shelf. The pressing question then is: What game will satiate your voracious appetite?

Enter the so-called ‘bucket list,’ or as I fondly refer to it, the “Games I Need to Conquer Before I Kick the Bucket.” Quite direct, isn’t it? My list predominantly features games I’ve owned or still do, yet have never played, much like a gym membership.

And so, each week, we’ll snatch a game from our bucket list, deep-dive into its mystical universe, and decipher its cryptic rules. After all, there’s nothing worse than everyone fumbling around like headless chickens when trying to play. We’ll then live-stream our gallant efforts to win, culminating in a group review of the game.

Now, fair warning: I’m a bit long in the tooth, and my game-collecting habit dates back to the time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. So expect a healthy serving of what the young whippersnappers nowadays call ‘retro’ or ‘prehistoric’. But remember, folks, they don’t make ’em like they used to!