Whew, I was finally able to go through the entire Favorite Game Mechanism playlist. 498 Videos of game design goodness and one very random The Good the bad and the ugly soundbite (video 184). Thank you so much Jamey for all the game design resources you make available to all aspiring board game designers. I really appreciate it. When I'm able to publish one of my board game designs you will get special thanks 😊. As a side note love the occasional in the background
@@jameystegmaier Same here, if you ever find it please let me know so I can complete the series. See you in a month when I complete the Sunday Sitdown playlist ;-)
Those two mechanisms you mentioned are really great. You are totally right! It is a tech tree because each game will really change based on the available paths of the tech tree which influences your decision in the game as to what towns you will go to, or what Quest cards you will fulfill. And yes, I agree the rolling of the die to get a random attack is amazing. For one second before I roll the die to attack, I first get a sinking feeling, "Oh no, I hope I don't roll 1" and then I remember, it doesn't matter! because every roll is a good one. And this leads me to my 3rd favorite mechanism in this game. I love upgrading the Blue and Red tiles. And I love that this can be done in two ways. You have instant insight (tiles are sitting in front of you as possible upgrades) from your own personal red/blue tiles for your character, and you have insight into the possible gear shop upgrades. This lets you plan for attacking or for other exciting blue tile upgrades that might help synchronize with your quests or tech tree (buildings for the town). This is already my favorite Red Raven game, and I own them all. Near and Far is a close second. Sleeping Gods bogged me down a little bit, because I got stuck in overwhelming character fatigue, and I haven't played it enough to feel successful yet.
I appreciate the fact that you enjoyed the Building mechanic for what it is; variability, tech-tree, puzzle. Other reviewers like Dice Tower and Broken meeple didnt enjoy the mechanic because they couldn't reconcile it with the theme (which i thought was a little silly considering how much Red Raven games are dripped in theme). The building mechanic and attacking mechanic were def my favorite mechanism in Now or Never, especially because they are completely new mechanics to the Trilogy of games.
Great to see your excitement for the Now or Never. I believe you highlighted its biggest achievement: even if there would be no story at all, this is a really fun euro game where squeezing out a single extra resource here or there can snowball into a bigger economy later on. Regarding story: I feel it is a mixture of Above & Below with a hint of Expedition to Newdale. It's not really a campaign, story encounters have no longterm consequence. It's a beautiful, subtle piece of world building with typical Red Raven Games humour and quirkiness (=Above & Below). But the changes between chapters were too subtle for my taste and there is no "I want to know how the story continuous" (=Expedition to Newdale). Regardless, due to the strength of the core game play, everyone I played it with enjoyed the game.
Would you recommend Now or Never to someone who has never played Above and Below or Near and Far? I'm in that boat but am very interested in checking this one out!
Some of the mechanisms sort of rhyme with the previous games but Now Or Never is otherwise unrelated in play. Imo, I wouldn't want to play any of them more the 2p due to long play time. I prefer Near & Far but it is my favorite game so I can be biased
I also loved the dice combat and upgrade mechanism and I hear many voices praising it but my personal favorite mechanism is building grid and production phases. The puzzle element and importance of your first decision in the game, choosing which building to buy first, is awesomely deep and acquiring fat stacks or resources feels great once the engine gets going.
I agree with the other comments, they are all independent of eachother with similar themes and some mechanisms that rhyme. Above and Below is definitely lighter, quicker, and the "little sibling" of Now or Never and Near and Far, which are significantly longer games. My wife likes Now or Never, and Above and Below better than Near and Far, whereas I like Near and Far best. Just gotta watch playthroughs and see what suits you
@@garrettbollig761 Thanks, Garrett! Appreciate the insight. I may start with Near and Far and then try Now or Never. I think i'm mostly drawn to the story aspect for now and my understanding is that while Above and Below does have a story, Near and Far is more of a campaign which I enjoy.
Sounds interesting but I wasn't a fan of Ryan Laukat's design in Above and Below. It had an "all ideas made it in" feel to it, sort of unrefined and incoherent. Have his other games improved since then or is it just that I probably don't like his design style?
Hey, it's my favorite designer/publisher talking about a game from my other favorite designer/publisher!
Thanks Jason! Ryan is great. :)
Whew, I was finally able to go through the entire Favorite Game Mechanism playlist. 498 Videos of game design goodness and one very random The Good the bad and the ugly soundbite (video 184). Thank you so much Jamey for all the game design resources you make available to all aspiring board game designers. I really appreciate it. When I'm able to publish one of my board game designs you will get special thanks 😊. As a side note love the occasional in the background
I'm curious about video 184--which game was that about? Thanks for watching the entire series!
@@jameystegmaier Same here, if you ever find it please let me know so I can complete the series. See you in a month when I complete the Sunday Sitdown playlist ;-)
Those two mechanisms you mentioned are really great. You are totally right! It is a tech tree because each game will really change based on the available paths of the tech tree which influences your decision in the game as to what towns you will go to, or what Quest cards you will fulfill. And yes, I agree the rolling of the die to get a random attack is amazing. For one second before I roll the die to attack, I first get a sinking feeling, "Oh no, I hope I don't roll 1" and then I remember, it doesn't matter! because every roll is a good one. And this leads me to my 3rd favorite mechanism in this game. I love upgrading the Blue and Red tiles. And I love that this can be done in two ways. You have instant insight (tiles are sitting in front of you as possible upgrades) from your own personal red/blue tiles for your character, and you have insight into the possible gear shop upgrades. This lets you plan for attacking or for other exciting blue tile upgrades that might help synchronize with your quests or tech tree (buildings for the town). This is already my favorite Red Raven game, and I own them all. Near and Far is a close second. Sleeping Gods bogged me down a little bit, because I got stuck in overwhelming character fatigue, and I haven't played it enough to feel successful yet.
I finally got my preorder copy of Now or Never last night. I'm so excited to start playing!
I appreciate the fact that you enjoyed the Building mechanic for what it is; variability, tech-tree, puzzle. Other reviewers like Dice Tower and Broken meeple didnt enjoy the mechanic because they couldn't reconcile it with the theme (which i thought was a little silly considering how much Red Raven games are dripped in theme). The building mechanic and attacking mechanic were def my favorite mechanism in Now or Never, especially because they are completely new mechanics to the Trilogy of games.
Oh Ryan's games I've only played Above and Below. This one looked super cool. Maybe one day I can play it or own it.
Great to see your excitement for the Now or Never. I believe you highlighted its biggest achievement: even if there would be no story at all, this is a really fun euro game where squeezing out a single extra resource here or there can snowball into a bigger economy later on. Regarding story: I feel it is a mixture of Above & Below with a hint of Expedition to Newdale. It's not really a campaign, story encounters have no longterm consequence. It's a beautiful, subtle piece of world building with typical Red Raven Games humour and quirkiness (=Above & Below). But the changes between chapters were too subtle for my taste and there is no "I want to know how the story continuous" (=Expedition to Newdale). Regardless, due to the strength of the core game play, everyone I played it with enjoyed the game.
Would you recommend Now or Never to someone who has never played Above and Below or Near and Far? I'm in that boat but am very interested in checking this one out!
I would say they're each completely independent of each other, so you could start with the one that most intrigues you.
Some of the mechanisms sort of rhyme with the previous games but Now Or Never is otherwise unrelated in play. Imo, I wouldn't want to play any of them more the 2p due to long play time. I prefer Near & Far but it is my favorite game so I can be biased
I also loved the dice combat and upgrade mechanism and I hear many voices praising it but my personal favorite mechanism is building grid and production phases. The puzzle element and importance of your first decision in the game, choosing which building to buy first, is awesomely deep and acquiring fat stacks or resources feels great once the engine gets going.
I agree with the other comments, they are all independent of eachother with similar themes and some mechanisms that rhyme. Above and Below is definitely lighter, quicker, and the "little sibling" of Now or Never and Near and Far, which are significantly longer games. My wife likes Now or Never, and Above and Below better than Near and Far, whereas I like Near and Far best. Just gotta watch playthroughs and see what suits you
@@garrettbollig761 Thanks, Garrett! Appreciate the insight. I may start with Near and Far and then try Now or Never. I think i'm mostly drawn to the story aspect for now and my understanding is that while Above and Below does have a story, Near and Far is more of a campaign which I enjoy.
Sounds interesting but I wasn't a fan of Ryan Laukat's design in Above and Below. It had an "all ideas made it in" feel to it, sort of unrefined and incoherent. Have his other games improved since then or is it just that I probably don't like his design style?