I think it's a great gateway deck builder, I played it in several groups now and it was very well received and we all think, that it's the best pick for the SdJ. I agree with the complaint about the cardsize, but with the track and all cards on display at the beginning of the game I can see that being an issue cause of tablespace...
I like these small deck building games. (Clank! is my favorite right now) If they decide to bring it to the U.S. I hope they make the cards bigger I really hated those Ticket to Ride hand cramping ones. Also I think it would add a little to the presence on the table if they made a 3D El Dorado area instead of just a small flat spot on the board.
Coolest part of this game is the the theme and being able to create your own board with the modular pieces(wish more games did this). Otherwise it doesn’t seem all that great to me. Thanks for the review. 😃👍
Reminds me a little of Automobiles. Both are racing games and both share a common mechanism: draw your resources (cubes/cards) for the turn, use some to move and use the rest to buy more resources (cube/cards) for upcoming turns.
i can see this game winning for its theme and gameplay. (but Kingdomino seems like the definition of elegant design). Maybe El Dorado feels like a thousand other euros(cards, movement)etc, but the theme and story that unfolds, is maybe what sells it. I could also easily see expansions that add a few more complexities to it (like what Imperial Settlers does with its expansions).
I'd be happy for the great Reiner Knizia if this game wins the "Spiel des Jahres", but really handing it to "Kingdomino" should be a no-brainer this year. That game is just the perfect package, and couldn't be more suited for the target group.
The more I think about it, and think about each game, I honestly do not know which will win. Both are great games that require strategic thinking. Its like analysis paralysis thinking about the features of both games. a short argument for El Dorado is that it has so much theme going for it, that also just like Kingdomino works perfectly with its design and mechanics. That's why I really don't know. Philosophers and sages could argue for hours over both games. Its in the hands of the judges at Essen.
Looks a lot like Salmon Run. Obviously there are differences, but since I own Salmon Run, I do not feel the need to run out and buy this. Think I will stick to Salmon Run and Jamaica for my light family racing games for now. Great episode guys!
Seems to me like they tested the mechanics and/or the popularity with this "light" edition. It's made for expansions of all sizes and variations. From a single card over smaller board tiles to entire expansion packs with maps, markers and cards. I wonder where it will go in a few years but at the moment it feels a bit empty and incomplete. The modularity of the map is great but 18 cards is not enough to build a really strategic deck. The lack of victory points makes it a fast paced game (for a deck builder) but in the same way it feels also repetitive and shallow. I would say it's a great way to get your friends into deck builders. If Clank! is level 2, this is level 1. Really hope it will advance in the near future.
I would ove if they release an upgrade pack with bigger cards. I think it should have 4 cards of each kind. I buy 2 cards of a kind and the others have not a good chance of gettig a similar card of the same cost range.
I would've like to hear you guys address the theme. From what I see, the game doesn't seem to make me feel like it's a race through a cool jungle. Seems like hexes and symbols.
This year's nominees for the Spiel des Jahres are just boring. None of these games will be remembered next year. Not every nominee or winner needs to be a Codenames, or a Ticket to Ride, but this year is just meh.
Patrick Doss Me as I started reading this comment: "Boring? This is nothing. Last year Codenames won." Me as I finished reading this comment: "...........oh. Nevermind I guess."
Gamera 23 I'm not necessarily saying that Codenames is amazing, but it packed such a punch well before it was even nominated for the Spiel, solidifying itself as a game that people will remember alongside other winning classics. This year, I hadn't heard of any of the Spiel nominees before they were nominated. After seeing them, I'm more or less underwhelmed by them.
I think it's a great gateway deck builder, I played it in several groups now and it was very well received and we all think, that it's the best pick for the SdJ. I agree with the complaint about the cardsize, but with the track and all cards on display at the beginning of the game I can see that being an issue cause of tablespace...
I cannot tell you how much I smile when Tom started singing the theme for Mysterious Cities of Gold. One of my faves 😊
Agreed although he was a little (being polite) off with it :p
Yeah, I had a hard time remembering the tune in my head.
Never heard of it, so had to look it up.
Thank you! My biggest complaint is the size of the cards and I wish that publishers would use larger cards.
I think the size is nice, as there is a board and card market area that would feel more cramped at even euro (Dominion) sized cards.
SamBalducci : Being a ravensburger game, they seems to be like those for Labyrinth. Small, but serviable.
I like these small deck building games. (Clank! is my favorite right now) If they decide to bring it to the U.S. I hope they make the cards bigger I really hated those Ticket to Ride hand cramping ones.
Also I think it would add a little to the presence on the table if they made a
3D El Dorado area instead of just a small flat spot on the board.
For what it is, it's perfect. We love it.
Coolest part of this game is the the theme and being able to create your own board with the modular pieces(wish more games did this). Otherwise it doesn’t seem all that great to me. Thanks for the review. 😃👍
Reminds me a little of Automobiles. Both are racing games and both share a common mechanism: draw your resources (cubes/cards) for the turn, use some to move and use the rest to buy more resources (cube/cards) for upcoming turns.
i can see this game winning for its theme and gameplay. (but Kingdomino seems like the definition of elegant design). Maybe El Dorado feels like a thousand other euros(cards, movement)etc, but the theme and story that unfolds, is maybe what sells it. I could also easily see expansions that add a few more complexities to it (like what Imperial Settlers does with its expansions).
I'd be happy for the great Reiner Knizia if this game wins the "Spiel des Jahres", but really handing it to "Kingdomino" should be a no-brainer this year. That game is just the perfect package, and couldn't be more suited for the target group.
The more I think about it, and think about each game, I honestly do not know which will win. Both are great games that require strategic thinking. Its like analysis paralysis thinking about the features of both games. a short argument for El Dorado is that it has so much theme going for it, that also just like Kingdomino works perfectly with its design and mechanics. That's why I really don't know. Philosophers and sages could argue for hours over both games. Its in the hands of the judges at Essen.
That prenaunciation was pretty good Sam!
Love the Mysterious Cities of Gold shoutout Tom!
Looks a lot like Salmon Run. Obviously there are differences, but since I own Salmon Run, I do not feel the need to run out and buy this. Think I will stick to Salmon Run and Jamaica for my light family racing games for now. Great episode guys!
It would rather translate to "The race to El Dorado". "Wettlauf" is a running competion.
Oh, I see you got than later . . .
Is there anything you would like to get in an expansion?
Seems to me like they tested the mechanics and/or the popularity with this "light" edition. It's made for expansions of all sizes and variations. From a single card over smaller board tiles to entire expansion packs with maps, markers and cards. I wonder where it will go in a few years but at the moment it feels a bit empty and incomplete. The modularity of the map is great but 18 cards is not enough to build a really strategic deck. The lack of victory points makes it a fast paced game (for a deck builder) but in the same way it feels also repetitive and shallow.
I would say it's a great way to get your friends into deck builders. If Clank! is level 2, this is level 1.
Really hope it will advance in the near future.
Why does this remind me of Mage Knight?
"your hosts tom vasel and sam healy" .. you really should include zee in your intro.. :P
He is a special guest.
Jason?
I would ove if they release an upgrade pack with bigger cards.
I think it should have 4 cards of each kind. I buy 2 cards of a kind and the others have not a good chance of gettig a similar card of the same cost range.
I like that Indiana-Jones-but-not-Indiana-Jones intro song
Elements of Clank and Seven Wonders Duel?
It's "race to El Dorado"
Personally Salmon Run with three-way movement has a better use of deck-building aspect.
I would've like to hear you guys address the theme. From what I see, the game doesn't seem to make me feel like it's a race through a cool jungle. Seems like hexes and symbols.
I can't imagine this game would be nominated if it was designed by someone else. Love it tho when these guys review games together! Good job!
I think I might have to get this - seems suitable to play with the 7 year old and introduce her to deckbuilding.
This year's nominees for the Spiel des Jahres are just boring. None of these games will be remembered next year. Not every nominee or winner needs to be a Codenames, or a Ticket to Ride, but this year is just meh.
Patrick Doss
Me as I started reading this comment: "Boring? This is nothing. Last year Codenames won."
Me as I finished reading this comment: "...........oh. Nevermind I guess."
Gamera 23 I'm not necessarily saying that Codenames is amazing, but it packed such a punch well before it was even nominated for the Spiel, solidifying itself as a game that people will remember alongside other winning classics. This year, I hadn't heard of any of the Spiel nominees before they were nominated. After seeing them, I'm more or less underwhelmed by them.
I'm very surprised you hadn't heard of Kingdomino already, it was gaining huge buzz even late 2016 when only a few copies came to the U.S.
I've heard of it now and have purchased it
Idk, in 2020 this is still a very well-liked game!
Seem like quite a disappointment. I think I will pass.