Fred Distribution - Pastiche by Gryphon Games

The wonderful world of Art provides us so many creative and unique visions into the heart of the human experience that it is often bewildering to think that there is nothing new under the sun. Artists strive within their soul to outpour their thoughts, emotions, and conversations within the confines of their cranium walls onto various forms of medium for the world to enjoy. It is said that art is in the eye of the beholder. In the case of Pastiche, a game by Sean D. MacDonald, I have to say that art is in the hands of the holder.I bought this game for my wife as a simple just-because gift. Hey, it gave me an excuse for adding a new game to our library while also providing my wife a smile. In this game players play as artists seeking to pay tribute to the great masters that came before by painting, through the clever placement of painting hex's to gain paint for their pallet, many of the world's great artists works.My first impression of the box was simply outstanding. I hold a great deal of value on quality of construction and from the beginning to the end of this playing experience I was thrilled. We've got the international edition and if this is any indication of the quality produced by Gyphon Games in their other selections (yes indeed for The Road to Canterbury) the weight of the box and its contents does nothing less than pull you right into a world of superior quality like none I've ever seen.The four wonderfully framed paintings proudly displayed on the face of the classic art-feeling box immediately draw you into the fiction of the game. After opening the shirk wrap and holding the box lid, enjoying that new game smell we all adore and look forward to from our recent weekend acquisition, I was simply astonished by the thick walls and heavy construction of the packaging. Seriously, I have NO worries whatsoever about putting this at the bottom of my game library for months at a time; the box will withstand the pressure without warping or being crushed. Not that I would leave it there as my wife and I tend to play this title about twice a month.The rulebook is full color, thick pages, and will not fade with time even if your desire to play the game does. Furthermore, the rules are easy to understand (at least for the English version) and take only about ten minutes to read.Each of the playing tiles are amazingly thick, highly durable, and have a tactile feeling that you are not only playing as an artist in the game's fiction but also that you are holding a piece of art in your hands. The high definition, full color, images indicating each of the works of art included in the game display a brief summary of the artists name, date painted, title of the piece, and the type of painting it happens to be: oil on canvas, oil on panel, etc. The corners are nicely beveled and when you place them on the table they make a satisfying near wood clink.I used to teach university and if I were to be teaching an art appreciation class, this would certainly be on my list of activities to get students to learn about some of the amazing works of art while still not boring them to death with dates. Furthermore, the game mechanics of placing hexagon tiles with paint to mix colors provides players with a basic understanding of color theory. This certainly is a plus as players learn something about painting as a side effect of the game play experience.The euro style playing cards depicting the different colors of paint that you can pick up and make the contents of the player's pallet are also of good quality for cards. I suspect that if they were of any thicker material they would be difficult to play with. I'm not sure that having actual plastic cards would be better even though they would be of higher durability. Although I love plastic playing cards for my Hearts, Spades, and Poker nights, I think in this particular set up it would somehow cheapen the experience; the textures would be all wrong between the hard chipboard tiles and the plastic playing cards.The overall background color of off-white bisque is also very reminiscent of an antique painting where the titanium white has yellowed over time due to the varnish on the surface. I feel as if by simply looking into the pieces that there is somehow a sense of antiquity just within my grasp.The game mechanics are quite simple, require no pre-knowledge of color mixing, and the point scales also make perfect sense in that each painting you complete is actually related to the amount of points each color of paint used to create the work of art is worth individually. Furthermore, if you're a coinsure of the finer things in life, by painting two works from the same artist you get an artist's bonus worth extra points as indicated on the commission title.Player interaction is mild to moderate. It could certainly be more intricate if you happen to play with players that are traders and like to negotiate deals for the paints on you pallet (color cards in your hand). Of course, the growing hexagon tiles placed in the center of the game are where these colors are created and can also provide a good amount of player interaction in the early stages of the game as the number of spaces available are limited. However, as the game grows and the number of spaces where you can play your hexagon tile to mix up paints becomes numerous, the ability to block other players from getting certain colors is minimal. I certainly enjoy the trading aspect of this game in that if you're good negotiator you can get the colors you need while not giving up to much in return.Topping off this whole experience the little easels for the players to put their paintings on (the ones they are painting and held in their hands) provide a small smile. I originally thought that this was a little excessive but then, once I started playing the game, I realized at just how detailed the folks at Gryphon Games were in their intent to draw you into the painting experience without actually holding a brush in your hand. A very nice touch indeed Gryphon!I have to say that the quality of the game's construction itself combined with the simple mechanics and theme running true, this is one of the best gaming experiences I've enjoyed at my table. Of course the feeling of actually painting oil on canvas is most certainly different than the playing of tiles for a board game, if you allow yourself the fiction for the 45-75 minutes of gameplay you just might get a small rush as you place the winning commission down; similar to what an artist feels when the final brush stroke is completed on a year's long work.So what can we pull from this game beyond the amazing tactile feeling of quality? We've already mentioned the basic color mixing skills that are learned in the game design. However, deeper into thought of the game itself we find that our paint hex's need to be placed in such a way that not only do we get what we need for our future works of art now, but also setting ourselves up for another placement on the next turn. If we're good gamers of course, any strategy game we play we should do this. This of course teaches strategic planning, a very valuable skill. Although, lessons in this game can run much deeper if we open our eyes to the art of this gaming experience.First off, the shere quality of construction reminds me of how we should live our lives: with intent, purpose, and quality.Secondly, As an artist considers each brush stroke and builds layer after layer of oil, acrylic, water color, or even chisels away at marble, carvings of wood, or any other medium an artist uses, it is done all with purpose. A message in the mind of the artist is fighting through the medium, the muscle control and motor skills of the artist, the complexity of interpretation after interpretation all to become known and visible to the world even though many, sometimes to the artist himself (Salvador Dali for example), may not truly understand or comprehend the entire picture. An artist attempts to help us view the human experience in creative ways pushing the boundaries of the box we impose on the human condition.Considering the theme of the game, all revolving around deliberate brush strokes to recreate masterworks of art which thousands of people every day create their own interpretations for, I am reminded of how important each action we take in our own lives pulls yet another brush stroke of oil on life's great canvas. I often find myself playing this ultimate game with a passive attitude thinking that I will always have tomorrow and that I can provide my full focus then. I have to stop and catch myself sometimes thinking about the greater scheme of things and asking the question, "What am I painting with the actions of my life and how might those I love interpret them?"Every time I play this game I come away feeling reminded, and encouraged, to do everything with quality so that when I'm gone, those that knew me well will interpret the canvas of my life accurately and with joy.Thank you for readingWilliam H. Atkinson, Ph.D.Overall Scoring: 7.8 (great for two players)Scoring by Category:Quality of Construction: 9.5 (Very Well Done Gryphon Games!)Quality of Theme/Art: 9Game Play Experience/Fun: 7Depth of Strategy: 6.5Replay Factor: 7

This game is the most beautiful, most well made game I have owned. The box itself is an OCD person's dream. Every item has a slot and for someone like me, putting it away correctly is a must. Both the hex cards and commission cards are sturdy and surprisingly so. They could have been made out of playing card material and been just as pretty but these things are like real works of art themselves because they are nice and thick and sturdy with the commission cards depicted artwork in beautiful detail. These things will last. The palette board is gorgeous and makes play so much easier. My daughters do not like this game nearly as much as I do (but they still like it, and they must LOVE me for how often we get to play it) but when it is my turn to pick a game, this and scrabble are my top two choices. And low and behold, they always go for this one over that one.The best part of this game is you can decide how long it will take to play. Depending on what point max you decide, that will determine how long the game goes. 70 point games will take forever. 35-40 is a safer bet for a nice but not too long play time.In this household, we have about 40 board games. I will not even go near mentioning how many computer and video games we have, or how many different game systems (but seriously, all of them). We play games almost as a part of life. This is absolutely my favorite game to play. Not everyone's, but mine.

The idea seems like it will be a winner...learn how to mix secondary and tertiary colors and learn about history's masterpieces and their artists at the same time. The problem is, it's boring - especially to kids. The card trading mechanic is such that it doesn't encourage trading between players, and so the key element of player interactivity is lost. And, as much as misguided parents may think it's important for kids to know the difference between Monet and Manet, the kids just don't care. What some art industry 'experts' tell us are the classics are just boring...kids would prefer Pikachu.

I have a game-playing family. We love Settlers of Catan, Carcasonne, Monopoly and Risk. But Pastiche takes strategy in a very different direction. Instead of building cities or armies or a real estate portfolio, you're collecting colors for famous paintings. It is a strategy game-- colors are created on a shared mixing area (it's complicated to explain, but clear once you're playing) and you need to create your more challenging colors while you can, while making it difficult for your opponents to do the same, and you also need to make decisions about whether to go for more complex higher commission works, or to aim for simpler ones, knowing you'll need to complete more of them to win. However, there is a less combative feel to Pastiche compared to games where you're competing in a more direct way, and it's fun to chat about the art as you play.Pastiche is a bit complicated at first. My kids (ages 9 & 11) who can easily play Settlers of Catan struggled to get started with Pastiche, and we have played a less intense version where we all share which paintings we're working on, so the adults can offer advice when necessary.I'm happy to own Pastiche. It's fun to play and a change of pace from many of our favorites.

Much-improved printing over the original which didn't include easels. The production on this game is unmatched. The box is probably the most sturdy one in my collection! Only loses a star because it's a bit on the easy side. But it's good for playing with people who aren't complete boardgame nerds such as myself.

Amazing and fun. Provided a good challenge. The thick cardboard images of the paintings are stunning. The wooden easels are a wonderful touch. It's an amazingly well crafted game. Fun to play and beautiful to look at.

The game loos great and has super production quality. I played it before only once and liked it, played it three times more since I purchased it and totally love it. My husband loves it too.

produit reçu rapidement, correspond à la description. règles du jeu en français, et jeu en anglais, mais ça ne pose pas de problème pour y jouer.