One of my recent purchases was the brilliant looking roleplay boxset Gamma World.
One of the things I was not so happy about was the complete lack of dice in the box. REALLY?……You couldn’t find space in that massive box for a set of dice? Really? Even in the new D&D red box you could find space and that was almost half the price……rant over until I review the game.
So I was on a quest to find a new set of dice, but to make thing a little interesting I decided to try and get a set of dice that fit in with the look and feel of Gamma World.
Step up to the plate The Dice Shop website. I had heard about these guys from their activity on Twitter, so I quickly nipped over to their on-line shop to check them out. What you are presented with is a brilliant looking website with so many dice that I was in fear for my bank account.
Delivery was cheap and the dice were sent Royal Mail Second Class. When they arrived they were well protected and there was also a note offer 10% off my next purchase, bargain!
I cant recommend these guys enough and if you are also on the hunt for roleplay accessories like battle-mats, dice bags, dice towers or counters you should give them a try, you wont be disappointed.
Now I’m going to use the 10% discount, battle mat here I come……
This Sunday was a chance to get some gaming done, so after a bit of wrangling we got most the group together for some board game fun and frolics.
But first a little bit about my game shop visits over the last fortnight. Last weekend I decided to visit my Friendly Local Gaming Store (FLGS) in Bristol called Area 51. I had not visited in a while, due to saving for a house, and I felt it was time to see what new games were out.
There on the shelf in gleaming, shiny, pristine shrink wrap were two games I really wanted – Battles of Westros and Castle Ravenloft. They called to me “Mike…Mike…you really want us…please take us home”. But I resisted and walked out the shop empty handed. Mind you, I had a strop that would make Christian Bales Terminator Salvation rant look like a small grumble between pals.
After what can only be described as a “week of complete and total grumpiness” I decided we should go back and pick up the games. looking at, adjusting, squeezing and a bit of money transferring in my accounts I could get away with two games without breaking the bank. Oh yes! Some gaming goodness would be mine and I knew what they would be……until I got to the shop.
I always enjoy visiting Area 51 and it has come a bit of a ritual.
Step One : Stop at the front of the shop. Prepare yourself mentally for the joy your about to receive.
Step Two : Admire the store front, Aaahhhh!
Step Three : Shuffle a bit closer, peer in through the window at the jumble of miniatures and gaming paraphernalia.
Step Four : Move to the other window and repeat Step Three.
Step Five : Open the door. Avoid the dust cloud of swirling, card holding, potential death by paper-cut dealing mass of kids talking about / haggling over Magic the Gathering cards which always congregated at the till. Usually this can be accomplished by a quick tuck and roll or by throwing a empty booster pack wrapper in the opposite direction of where you want to go.
Step Six : You’ve done it – Gaming Heaven!
Well not this time. I only got to Step Three. There in the pile of games stacked behind the till was Betrayal at House on the Hill. I had heard a lot about this game and there it was, the brand new second edition. Before I knew what happened I was standing back outside the store with Castle Ravenloft and Betrayal at House on the Hill.
The bits in between are still a bit of a blur. Slamming front door, children falling like bowling pins, fluttering MtG cards, GAMES, beeps of credit card pin being rammed home, slamming of the front door again. ”Hang on! I’m outside?……OOooooh Games!”
So two new games for gaming Sunday then!
Castle Ravenloft was most definitely the game of the day. In total we played three times and had a blast. We have all played 4th Edition D&D so the rules were easy to understand as it uses the same RPG system. The hero’s lost the first quest, we decided that working as a team sucks and went in different directions. Queue mass death and destruction, a lesson learned I think. We replayed the same quest and using team work we were able to find the icon of Ravenloft. Queue the victory dancing. We moved on to the next quest, beat a huge dragon, another dance and then on to Betrayal at House on the Hill.
If you have never played Betrayal at House on the Hill you HAVE to give it a go. It might not be to every one’s taste but as a game I will say that it is fun, unusual and had some brilliant twists. Lets just say our characters escaped the Tabby Cat of DEATH in our last game by flying a toy plane off the balcony. Yes its THAT random. I will write a full review in the future as I won’t do it justice in the few lines that I have time for right now.
Then it was on to Rune Wars. You can see my thoughts on Rune Wars here.
Anyway, after the grump I was in last week this was just the thing to get me excited about my hobby again.
I would like to say a BIG thank you to the Guys for a wicked day! GAME ON!
Edinburgh’s a great city to walk around and there are some real gem’s hidden in the back streets. One of these little gems is Black Lion Games on Buccleugh Street.
I found this shop while on holiday last year while looking for a gaming fix. Mind you finding the shop can be a game in itself, you will have to put on a detective’s hat and grab your trusted magnifying glass. Not only is it hidden on a back street but from the outside it looks like a normal house. Also when I visited this time the stand up signs were not on the street and the only hint it’s a gaming shop was the Magic the Gathering open sign in the small front door window.
But when you enter this treasure trove of gaming goodness you will not be disappointed. A brilliant selection of the latest games including the newly released Fantasy Flights Games Dragon Quest, D&D Red Box and Ascension: Chronicle of the Godslayer. A couple of bookcases with a massive selections of new and old role-play books and soooo much other great gaming goodness I could of spent a fortune.
The staff are great and I cannot recommend this shop enough. If you live in or are just visiting Edinburgh put this down as one of the places you MUST visit.
Also if you are looking to get into your other half’s good books you can do no better than taking her to the Chocolate Tree. You can get a cup of warm melted chocolate that will put them in such a good mood you could get away with pretty much anything.
OK, if you read my post here you will know that I stated that The Games Bunker in Weston-super-Mare was closed with a TO LET sign under the shops name.
Well, much to my surprise as I walked past today there were people inside playing games.
So……Yeah……It looks like the shops NOT closed but the owners just haven’t removed the TO LET sign…
Just a little recommendation to The Games Bunker……REMOVE THE TO LET SIGN.
I would also like to say sorry to my readers for inaccurate information and the amount of full stops in this post. It was either the full stops or some serious swearing.
I’m afraid The Games Bunker closed in February. A massive gaming loss for WSM… (sob)
UPDATE: IT AINT SO!
Walked past again today and guess what? they were open and there was games going on inside, seriously guys if you are not closed REMOVE THE TO LET SIGN!
Walking around Weston on my lunch hour I decided to pop along to The Games Bunker to see if they had any new board games or roleplaying books but as I came around the corner I noticed that the grilling was still down on the front of the shop.
Uh ho! I thought and then I noticed the shop for sale sign just below the shops name. Bugger!
This is the second shop that has tried to bring gaming to the Weston-super-Mare area only to shut down just as quickly. Whether there is not the market for gaming in the area or lack of footfall it’s a real shame to see another local gaming shop close its doors.
If anybody knows if there are any gaming stores in the Weston-super-Mare area please drop me a line.
I think I will go and hug my Wings of War game that I bought there and break the news gently.
Excelsior! Comics an independent comics store here in Bristol, which also has a nice selection of roleplay books and board games, have just let me know they have just launched a brilliant new website & forum.
The internet can be a great place to purchase you games and role-playing supplements. When I’m on-line and I want my gaming fix Infinity Games UK is my first port of call. These guys know how to keep their customers happy and are always keeping me up to date with their latest releases via emails.
IGUK provide first class customer service, fast delivery and when I get in contact they have always been friendly and helpful.
Don’t delay and visit their website now….why are you still here….go!
If you are visiting Broadmead, ops sorry I meant Cabot Circus, why not pop into Excelsior comics. Located on bond street near CEX this store contains a variety of board games, collectable card games and comics. I have often picked up the latest role-play book or the occasional boardgame here including the new Doctor who system from Cubicle 7. I also got the fiancée to pop in and pick up the Adventures Tool Kit for Warhammer Fantasy Role-play.
While your there introduce yourself to the friendly staff and pick up a comic or two.
If I am on the prowl for a new game or just fancy a good rummage around to see what goodies I can find, this is my first port of call. With a huge selection of board games and role-playing books, there is always something you will be interested in. Last time I went in I spent £135 and there was still more things that I wanted. Luckily my other half was there to give me that you have been warned stare to get my ass out the door.
The staff are friendly and are always willing to give a hand if your not quite sure of anything. They can also order products that are not in stock. I am currently awaiting my copy of Runewars to be delivered.
With boardgame rental and Magic the gathering sessions going on upstairs this is one of the best gaming stores in Bristol.
Also at Drunken Goblin we always want you to support your Friendly Local Gaming Shop (FLGS). So why not plan your trip today!
One of my recent purchases was the brilliant looking roleplay boxset Gamma World.
After what can only be described as a quick trip to Nerd Valhalla I was able to select a set of bright green toxic looking dice and a dice bag with a toxic warning sign printed on the front. Job done!
