Furnace (led by Tim) 2020 engine-building Eurogame in which players take on the roles of 19th-century capitalists building their industrial corporations and aspiring to make as much money as they can by purchasing companies, extracting resources, and processing them in the best combinations possible. 

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/318084/furnace

Sea Dragons (led by Sean) 2023 abstract game of pattern building, set collection, area majorities and contracts where each participant plays as a family of sea dragons who are seeking to become the protectors of the forbidden seas. Each turn, one of the two pattern cards from the hand will be played to position a sea dragon on the board, increasing one’s presence in all four sea kingdoms. You will be able to sink ships or collect treasures hidden in the ocean. Optionally you can complete missions with the ships that you are sinking. Note that you cannot place your own sea dragons next to each other, and if you place one next to another player’s dragon, they receive treasures.

Your long-term goal is to achieve the greatest presence in each of the four kingdoms at the end of the game and get the most victory points by completing missions and collecting treasures.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/374895/sea-dragons

TransAmerica (led by Wendy) 2001 game of route building that comfortably handles up to 6 due to lightning quick turns to connect one’s 5 cities before the other players. Next time we play, we should add the ‘Vexation’ expansion that adds 3 player colored tracks for sole use of that player… to add to the tension. The sequel was the 2005 Trans Europa edition.

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2842/transamerica

Honey Buzz (led by Tony/Armando) 2020 game where players continually expand their hive, forage for nectar and pollen, make honey, sell different varieties at the bear market, host honey tastings, and attend to the queen and her court. Players use their bees to get one of 6 action tiles, then place their tile. Actions are activated when a hexagonal hole is created, which can be filled with nectar producing honey. Honey can be sold or used to fulfil contracts.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/284742/honey-buzz

Century: Golem Edition (led by Wendy)  2017 re-themed version of Century: Spice Road set in the world of Caravania. Each turn, players perform one of four actions:

Panda Panda (led by K-ban) 2024 Japanese mini card game from Allplay’s new line (think boxes about the same size but half the depth as Oink games like SCOUT, Maskmen, None Tiles, Fake Artist, etc.) where players carefully manage their cards to try to make specific hands. On a turn, players can discard a card, draw from the deck, or draw from an opponent’s discard pile. If a player discards an “A” card, everyone has to pass one card to the left. Winning two hands wins the game. The trick here is to figure out what your opponents are going for, and time the “A” cards correctly. The unique aspect here is that players control the size of their hands from 2 to 7 cards.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/408542/panda-panda

Power Grid (led by Sean) 2004 Friedemann Friede (he of the green hair) classic network building and auction game that has spawned several editions and many expansions. The objective is to supply the most cities with power when someone’s network gains a predetermined size. Players mark pre-existing routes between cities for connection, and then bid against each other to purchase the power plants that they use to power their cities. However, as plants are purchased, newer, more efficient plants become available, so by merely purchasing, you’re potentially allowing others access to superior equipment. Additionally, players must acquire the raw materials (coal, oil, garbage, and uranium) needed to power said plants (except for the ‘renewable’ wind farm/ solar plants, which require no fuel), making it a constant struggle to upgrade your plants for maximum efficiency while still retaining enough wealth to quickly expand your network to get the cheapest routes.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2651/power-grid

Splendor (led by Armando) 2014 award winning game of chip-collecting and card development. Players are merchants of the Renaissance trying to buy gem mines, means of transportation, shops—all in order to acquire the most prestige points. If wealthy enough, players might even receive a visit from a noble at some point, which will further increase their prestige. On turn, players may (1) collect chips (gems), or (2) buy and build a card, or (3) reserve one card. If you collect chips, you take either three different kinds of chips or two chips of the same kind. If you buy a card, you pay its price in chips and add it to your playing area. To reserve a card—in order to make sure you get it, or, why not, your opponents don’t get it—you place it in front of you face down for later building; this costs you a round, but you also get gold in the form of a joker chip, which you can use as any gem. All of the cards you buy increase your wealth as they give you a permanent gem bonus for later buys; some of the cards also give you prestige points. In order to win the game, you must reach 15 prestige points before your opponents do. 

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/148228/splendor

Rock Hard 1977 (led by Tim) 2024 worker placement and set collection game with variable powers where players are up-and-coming musicians, dreaming of making it big with their band. The game was designed by a member of the band, The Runaways. Players will rehearse, play gigs, write songs, and promote their band. With careful planning and a little luck, players will earn the most fame and become the best new artist of the year.  The game is played over a maximum of nine rounds, each representing a typical day of one month in 1977, from April to December. The game is won by accruing the most fame by increasing reputation, chops and songs; achieving production, performance, and publicity bonuses; getting record deals and earning royalties; playing concerts; and hanging out at the hottest after-hours spot.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/402679/rock-hard-1977

Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition (led by Tony) 2022 trick taking card game that turns the genre’ on its ear – all 45 numbered cards (1-9 with 5 of each) are black and suit is determined by the card led. Players decide whether to follow suit or declare that they are void. Trumps can be led only after they’ve been broken. A round ends after all cards are played or a paradox is created (no legal card plays) Players predict and record the number of tricks they will win. Players place their color on the community research board as they play their hand and try to connect large groups of tokens to score even more points. Players should plan their tricks carefully as they cannot claim the color of a card with the same number that has already been declared, as doing so would create a round-ending paradox.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/345972/cat-box-deluxe-edition

Steve