What’s Your Favorite Game?
That’s a question I don’t have difficulty answering. Granted, there are a host of wonderful contenders, and my answer would vary based on specific genre. I tend toward the nostalgic wonders though, and the pinnacle of a game experience for me is Dark Tower.
The setup, the music, the scrolling of the tower, even the feel of the pieces summon memories and elicit sensations that no other game can. For those who haven’t had the good fortune to experience Dark Tower, I would recommend it. Not because it plays as an outstanding game, though it has its moments, but because it is a piece of board gaming history. And in 1981, that revolving tower was nothing short of magical. With it, I have haunted ruins, filched from bazaars and flown with dragons.
So for International Tabletop Day, we dipped into the well of childhood and cracked open the Dark Tower. A flip of the switch…and the tower stayed dark. Fuck.
Many, many flips and fresh batteries later, and I was still trapped in the present and the crowd was not happy. I’m talking very unhappy.
My quest turned down a different path and culminated in a sojourn with the soldering gun. This was not the first time I 
had dabbled within the innards of the great machine. Nor do I imagine it will be the last. Tangling with vintage technologies is not for everyone, but I’m pleased to say that the phoenix rose from the ashes again.
When that music and the sounds of battle rang out once more, I was ten again and no journey was too far to reach the tower. I like to think that Roland of Gilead would approve.
What’s my favorite game? My stock answer is, “I’m for the Tower.”