Board games are things that have always peaked my interest, yet I have barely played any of them. For sure I have played the common classics like Monopoly or Risk, but the board games of today have become something like art.

The sheer number and intricate details of these things nowadays is mind-boggling. It can take what seems like hours just to set up and understand the instructions!

But this is what intrigues me about the new generation of board games - the depth. Unfortunately, I lack people to play these types of games with. And also time. I have no one to blame for this as it is up to me to make time if I wish, but I am focused on success goals right now and so board games lose out.

I have always been one to enjoy games with strategy and depth. Back in the day of big box pc games, there was nothing better to me than opening up a thick manual and reading every bit of it.

I figure it is time to check out my local gaming store, Isle of Games in Tucson, AZ.

https://www.facebook.com/isleofgames

As I enter the store I am greeted by a smorgasbord of games. A feast for the eyes. I mean just look at this!

OMG! Look how many there are!

This game is called "The Gallerist', a game in which you try to make the most money by selling art in your gallery.
Used games too! (They take trade-ins for credit)
More used games
I didn't know they made a board game version of AoE3?!
Or of Railroad Tycoon, one of my favorite PC games series!
This caught my eye as well. Any Star Trek fans here - leave a comment.
Avalon Hills Gladiator from 1981! That's the year I was born.
Fellowship of the Ring from 1983! I am a sucker for old nerd stuff like this.

They even have about half the store available as a playing area AND they have a huge selection of games you can play for free!

All these can be played by customers while the store is open. Also, they often have gaming nights and those can go well into the night.

Just pick and play, but you have to bring your own players.

Let's see what gems we can find on these shelves.

The Game of Game of Thrones or is it Game of Thrones The Game? Let me know in a comment.
TMNT! A huge thing for me growing up.
This revolutionary war game looks interesting, I love strategic army games.
Star Wars Rebellion game anyone?
This game comes in a huge box and has really cool plastic game pieces by the dozens! This is just a small sampling.
This game looks really cool to me. You have to launch your random space mission while dealing with funding and politics as well as any nasty roadblocks the other players direct at you. Missions include landing on a comet, landing a rover on Mars, or even visiting Europa! Looks like it would really scratch the space geek in me.

On the other side of the store there is a consignment case of hundreds of model and figures for sale, some are painted so well.

I found the perfect game for the Wife and I to play! Food Truck Champion. She loves The Great Food Truck Race (even if season 7 sucked hard).

The object of the game is to collect ingredients and complete the recipe cards. You then get tokens that you can use to upgrade your food truck, for example, make it so you can hold more ingredients or hire more workers. A pretty neat little game.

After battling each other in the food truck industry for nearly an hour, one of us came out as the victor. That would be me, of course.

And to the victor go the spoils! A half-pound Reese's peanut butter cup :D

(Don't worry, I let her have a bite)