Playing X-Wing

This really was on TV

I'm old. Old enough in this case to have seen Star Wars when it was released. Also old enough to see the Star Wars Christmas Special, Princess Leia in a bikini on Saturday Night Live, and musical stormtroopers singing and dancing on the Donny and Marie Show. From that perspective the present day well oiled multimedia empire of Star Wars just seems implacable, grim, and oddly enough, stodgy. For that reason any new Star Wars product triggers automatic disdain for me. It took some time for Neil in the Meeples and Miniatures podcast to convince me that the X-Wing Miniatures Game might be worth playing.

In a game of X-Wing a player controls one or more miniature ships in a space battle. The players can pilot familiar X-Wings, TIE fighters, and even the Millenium Falcon. For aficionados there are also A-Wings, TIE Advanced, TIE Interceptors, and quite a few other choices. Players choose maneuvers and a simple set of templates act as guides to move the ships around. There are also simple rules for shooting and dodging. If you're inclined you can add in rules for ace pilots, special weapons, and unique skills and abilities.

I've played about ten games of X-Wing by now. Most of them have been with my six year old son and his friends. Those games were pretty fun. The kids understand the game well enough and the play goes smoothly. As a bonus an alert adult can nudge the flow subtly to make sure that every young player miraculously gets to blow something up. It's an amazing coincidence that each child seems to manage to destroy exactly the same number of enemy ships!

I've also played a number of games with other adults. Those were quite a challenge, which is to say I got creamed in every game. Once I stopped slamming into asteroids I did have a good time playing and I was impressed by the game's capacity for tactics and thoughtful play.

On the whole I'm pretty pleased with X-Wing. It can be a fast game, it's suitable for younger players, and it's fun. There is a learning curve and with more play you certainly do become a better pilot. I have noticed that experienced tournament players can get quite intent on developing the ideal squadron but if that level of min-maxing is not your cup of tea it's easy to avoid. On a whole the game has been a good purchase and a lot of fun!

Moving is Fun

I have grown to really enjoy moving. You learn about a new part of the world, you get to try different foods and see new thing. Moving is especially nice if there are some interesting new things to see or if it puts you near old friends.

Hmm, Interwar Sikhs go where...?

Unfortunately there seems to be no way to Move without also Packing and Unpacking. That process is like a torture session that never seems to end. Have you collected lots of miniatures? How about cans of spray paint and glue bottles? Do you have a painting table that has possibly acquired sixteen half finished projects? Then Packing and Unpacking is going to add ten years to your life. Not cheery laid back years reclining by the blue waters of the Aegean. Awful dust covered years spent deciding whether you're ever going to finish customizing those AT-43 figures you picked up two moves ago. (Answer- it's not impossible- pack them!)

So apologies for the hiatus. I'll get back into the swing of things soon. The family is now in Derry and within range of Myriad Games, Hobby Bunker, The Comic Store, Game Castle, and Adler Hobbies. Also apparently good school and libraries, town beaches, and museums according to the wife. Bonus!