I was so very, very wrong.
Vegas Showdown is a slick game by Henry Stern and Avalon Hill. The object of the game is to earn fame points by building the ultimate Vegas entertainment complex. Players bid on different features (like slot machine rooms, restaurants or lounges) to add to their complex. These features increase your revenue to enable you to buy bigger additions for your hotel, boost the number of people visiting your attractions or increase your fame. Play it once to learn the rules. Play it twice to get hooked. This is my new Preferred Game.
I always like the games where building is involved. I enjoy trying to figure out what combination of pieces work best for winning the game. There's enough luck involved that the game isn't bogged down in analyzing every move to make sure it's the best one but it's not a free-for-all either. We tried this one with my folks and found that by being strict with the turn sequence, the game played fast and smooth. The production value of the pieces isn't quite as nice as some of the German games and I think the game needs a quick reference sheet for each player. I'd also like to see the hotel floor plans printed on something heavier than just paper. With the amount of play I plan to give this game, it can use something a little more durable.
This game came out in 2005 and may or may not still be in print. If you run across one, I encourage you to pick it up and give it a try.
Vegas Showdown Rundown
Number of Players: 3-5Time To Play: 1-2 hours once you know how
Age Range: 12+
Theme: Modern Hotel/Casino
Style: Economic with some resource management
Interesting mechanics: Bidding, Tile Placement
Expansions: None
Price tag: $45
Luck Factor: Moderate
Learning Curve: Easy - rulebook is longer than a couple pages, but the steps are easy to pick up
Useful Links: Avalon Hill, Boardgame Geek, Play Vegas Showdown Online
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