I've heard that learning curve thing before. It relies on a symbolic language to explain the cards, I get the impression some people take to that easily while it frustrates others. (I understand that it does, however, make it easy to translate into other languages.) I'm pretty sure it isn't broken - there are a number of different viable strategies, and it's received a metric buttload of playtesting.

No argument on multiplayer solitaire. Well, choosing phases has two important interactive elements - trying to guess what your opponents will pick, and adjusting your pick accordingly; and choosing a phase that won't benefit your opponent more than it benefits you - but aside from that, all you can really watch is how close they are to ending the game.

Still, they also enhanced the replay value of PR about 30 times, and for that I'm loving it.

The first expansion has an actual solitaire variant. It pits you against a dice-driven artificial opponent. If the learning curve was bad for the standard game, you don't want to know what it's like working out the solitaire one.

There's another card game, incidentally, that's also racing up the boardgamegeek charts, Dominion. It too is apparently wide open to charges of multiplayer solitaire. (It's also open to charges of having 500 cards, though that's another matter.)

Ok, it is that time of year and this time I really want to get a game console for the kids. Yes, I should do something with the stack of old broken stuff too, but that is another story.

We have the big fancy plasma tv in the LR and I would like Blue-ray for it, because it is the right thing to do. But I don't know if I want to do a Playstation there because I don't want it to be game central. We have the older big huge not HDTV in the game room, which makes more sense for a new console.

So there is Playstation with the great graphics and nifty features, the XBox with lots of games, and the Wii with lots of goofy family fun stuff.

I don't know anything about this stuff and the reviews are all over the place. The boys are playing WoW now, but we have no functional console. They all enjoy sports and racing type games. Of course, DH likes the plan of getting Sony in the LR and Wii in the playroom. But my cheap nature doesn't like the price of that option much. There seems to be no deals at all so price fixed apparently.

A bit of education would be very much appreciated.

Well, here's my take on it. The PS3 is actually rated as one of the best performing Blu-Ray players on the market. Also, it is typically either the same price as comparable name brand players, or at least within $100 of them. So, if you are going to add a Blu Ray player to the living room, then I'd say do the PS3 there. Now, for the game room, I would say the XBox 360 is a good way to go. Deep library of games and good online connectivity with XBox live. I personally one the PS3, 360, and Wii and they all have their strengths.

As for price, if you get a game system for the game room, are you still planning on getting a Blu Ray player for the living room? If so, you might as well get a game system for each room.

I think I am going with the PS3 for the LR for the reasons you mentioned. We want a blu-ray in there and games can happen when I have a house full of game people. Which with 2 teenage boys, happens. I decided on the Wii for the playroom. Besides the usual sports stuff it came with I got some Mario racing thing with 2 wheels.

Crazy expensive for all of it, but it is for the whole family. Dell has a couple discount coupons out there that reduce the PS3 some and I got the Wii on eBay for not bad. Didn't bite the bullet yet on the PS3, but pretty much convinced it will happen.

Guess I need to get into gaming more. I think the last games I played were lode runner and king's quest. I got some catching up to do.

Yippee, caught up on the gaming thread. I almost got RB2 at the local Circuit City going out of biz sale, but it was all individual parts, no mic, guitar box was very compressed, and drums were already open. With no returns, it wasn't worth saving $20. But they did have a book on Assasins Creed, new in wrapper for $6! Now I gotta finish it. Strange game. Love how the high dives get hair on end with fear o heights.

Laura sounds like you made the perfect choices. Go you!

Laura, can I move in with you?

Some balance to the testosterone level here would be helpful. Also, the owner of the house before me was a chef, so awesome kitchen.

When the boys were just toddlers I told DH that my house needed to be the play house where kids would hang out because I would rather have them here than elsewhere. No such thing as too many toys.

eta: I hadn't quite thought of the part where teen boys can eat and drink an amazing amount.

On the other hand, Laura, it isn't like teen boys are all that demanding.

True dat.