HIGHLIGHTS AMONG GAMES

powerplay

Season tickets, please!

Dear Readers! Team (1975) alias Slapshot (1982 Avalon Hill) alias Phantoms of the Ice (1994 White Wind) alias Powerplay (1997) – during the great period of „the new era of games“ that now already lasts more than a quarter of a century, a true evergreen has been enriching the international world of Ice Hockey with a game that was wonderfully geared to all age groups, turbulent and amusing. But the downside is that Powerplay is, unfortunately, out of print. A small consolation: In the standard oeuvre „Die große Humboldt-Enzyklopädie der Kartenspiele“ (Folkvord/Kastner) a version of the game is presented, created by the author of this column and going by the name of „Matchplay“. And this version provides the special Ice Hockey flair with a deck of standard playing cards. An excerpt from the introduction: „Hardly ever does a sports game played with cards have more allure than this Ice Hockey simulation by Tom Dalgliesh, that was published under different names, the latest one was called Powerplay. The teams do not play a single match, but a complete championship. Each player is the manager of a team and must try to win matches, and at the same time to provide support and lure players away from other teams by the means of exchange. Our version with standard playing cards can very well convey the suspense, the game tactic and the sophisticated strategy, but definitely not replace the loving graphics design of the original game. If you like Matchplay after a first try you should try to find the original game for your collection! Now let’s start with the first Cross-Check!” … of course in the Austrian Games Museum in Leopoldsdorf. www.spielen.at

On this occasion it’s names that light up in the light of the columnist’s lamp: How often was I privileged to enjoy them, goal keepers Trapper John, Moby Stick or format filling, outstanding Sumo; defenders Stanley Cup, Ice Capone, Friar Puck, Le Sainte or slippery half-baked Tiny Tim; and finally forwards  Slash Gordon, Chubby Checker, General Icinghower or Superstar. All in all Powerplay offers 77 players, with a playing ability of 0 to 11. Here on paper they may sound dry, but in the match these names wake up to their true meaning. The goal of Powerplay is to manage your team successfully over a season. Basically, each team consists of forwards (3), defenders (2) and goalies (1). Top players with very special abilities can turn the table when the levels otherwise are the same. If you should not be totally happy with your team you can act on the transfer market. Hopefully, you do not acquire a lame duck for your team. Furthermore, Powerplay allows you to woo away players from the might-be top team. Again, in analogy to real Ice Hockey, the motto is “I take what I do not have”. As soon as you feel strong enough – due to having many players with high match value in your hand, oh, sorry, team – you challenge one of the opponents to a match. The highlight of the evening has arrived! Card by card the cracks confront each other by playing cards from hand open-faced on the table, the higher value scores a goal. When a goalie is played he fends off every shot unless Tiny Tim turns up in front of the goal. These and other painstakingly designed specialties turn Powerplay into a roaring Hockey party. Thus is continues, match by match, until at the end of the season one of the managers scores the necessary number of victories. Put on your skates and enter the fray!

Comments to: hugo.kastner@chello.at

Homepage: www.hugo-kastner.at

RECOMMENDATION # 75

Players: 2-10

Age: 8+

Designer: Tom Dalgliesh

Graphics: Doris Matthäus

Time: 75+

Price: out of print

Year: 2007

Publisher: Amigo

Tactic: 2 of 9

Info±: 4 of 0

Chance: 3 of 9

Of course you need a certain amount of luck in the head-to-head confrontation. But the the match value of your cracks can never be perfectly guessed at by your tournament-loving opponents, therefore surprising body check are the order of the day. When it is time for attack you must know from your tactical instincts or you will not win this “animalist Ice Hockey game”.

Hugos EXPERT TIP

Comment each action with the wonderful original cards by hurling the names of your cracks that you are playing at your opponents. This enlivens events in the virtual “ice rink” . A serious recommendation: Do not miss out on acquiring the original game on the second-hand market.

Hugos FLASHLIGHT

„Powerplay“ is one of those simple yet enormously rewarding games for everyone, regardless of your age. Despite being only an exquisite version of the ancient stone-scissors-paper mechanism Powerplay presents itself in very modern guise and absolutely entices you into boasting announcement and loud, theatrical Ballyhoo.

PREVIEW

DIE SIEBEN SIEGEL

Trick announcement at its finest!