I've been on the edge for this game and have watched a few videos on it ever since its Kickstarter. However, Camilla's overview and the discussion with its range of opinions, all of which I value, made this a game that I now want to buy. Thank you, guys!
Just want to say that I really appreciate the production in the rules teach part of this video, being able to see the cards, scoring summary, etc. clearly really helped.
My wife and I played it recently and also picked up some of the pain points noted in this video. Especially with two players, the early riser token had little to no value, as the trailblazer token commonly alternated first player anyways. This may be more valuable with 4 players, or would have been more valuable if the trailblazer token didn’t move/rotate automatically. One pain point for us that wasn’t touched on was just how BIG the board is! Especially with how spread out the placement sites are. It seems like this was a choice to highlight the art, but it probably could have been more consolidated to fit better on the table and make placing hiker tokens easier.
I got this as a gift for my mum (note the correct spelling) who loves hiking and the great outdoors. We live in New Zealand, but my mum spent quite a few years travelling for work, including the USA. When out to dinner one night in the US, dining with various business associates and clients, you can imagine their surprise when they asked what else she'd be doing while in the States, and she said she was looking forward to "tramping across the United States." Unlike NZ, where hiking and tramping mean the same thing, it turns out the latter has a very different meaning in the USA 😄😂🤣
Also we house ruled the destination cards at 2 players… At the end of each round we eliminate the bottom one, slide and refresh (unless they are all getting replaced) bc otherwise at felt like we didn’t get to see enough
There is a rules error at 6:20. You can only take a hardship token for each missing resource when taking the hike/climb action or for missing food/water in the sunset phase. You cannot take a hardship token for a missing resource in order to purchase a destination (or field) card.
We've played a couple two-player games now and my thoughts: Totally agree with Tom. 8 rounds, 4 workers max, only one common arrowhead (or none), shorter elevation track, only ten backpack items (ten essentials duh). It definitely needs to be streamlined. There is a really good euro game in there somewhere but it's kind of sprawling and very abstract. I'm with Tom, I like it and it's fun but...
Lived in the Sierra Nevadas for 20 years and backpacked (and other activities) throughout. I miss them sorely as we recently moved away. I'm a newbie board gamer and never was excited about a game's theme, but rather the actual mechanisms. Appreciate Tom's comments, but for the first time, the details in the theme of this game might satisfy my grieving heart to scratch what is itching until we get to go back out there again. Backpacking, or hiking, it's all about the details sometimes, so hopefully, this game won't seem so overwhelming, even though we are only used to light to mid weight games. Also, we would be playing 2 players, so hopefully the 12 rounds wouldn't seem like the game drags. The only weird concept is adding things to backpack, but reality sets in and every ounce you add in the heavier backpack is a huge decision lol! Still, I'm gonna hike to the store and get this game!
We lived in Yosemite for a while back in the 80s and both my wife and daughter were Rangers there although 30 years apart. Thus, the motivation and passion for creating this game. I think you'll enjoy! Dan
Just played with my husband tonight and we thought it was very straightforward to learn and play, and we really enjoyed it! Excited to play with some of the expansion materials for our next play. I definitely disagree with Tom about streamlining it, as we are quite ready to add to the rules with the expansions after only one evening of setup and play.
Another strange thing with this game is that you are filling your backpack AS you hike? A lot of hikers dumping their stuff on the trail and you just went out with an empty backpack? 😂 Game looks pretty cool tho!
Great job on the review. It is good to hear the different viewpoints as I feel like there are some people who will share Tom’s opinion of the game, however, I am falling more on the Camilla side of things on this one. Love the theme, I think the weight of it is about right, and I’m glad I backed to this one.
I was so surprised to see this game at my FLGS tonight in Red Deer, Alberta. Instabuy! I’ve been going to the Alberta Rockies for years so this theme is incredibly appealing to me. I thought it would be tough to find this one in Canada so I’m thrilled to find it here.
I played this 3p with my group - generally, the experience was positive. The design was interesting however I felt it lacked a "hook" and as Tom said 12 rounds is long.
The rulebook says you take a hardship token only if you can't pay any of the resources/requirements during hiking or during eating and drinking phase but NOT if you are missing any of the resources during other actions. So 6:20 interpretation is not correct. I hope this helps others who try to learn this game as there are not many 'How to play' videos for this game atm. Thanks for the review.
Camilla, have you played the new rock climbing game called First Ascent? Not sure if you do/did any rock climbing, but that game feels like a thematic passion project like this is.
I wish I had ordered this game at the belgium shop that buys kickstarters. I love hiking and good nature-themed games. But it was just too expensive for me, considering there was only so much to find about this game on the internet. I couldn't risk it.
I am still not sure where I am landing on this one. I have played ot twice (2 player and 3 player) and my initial impression after playing my first 2 player game was a 9. After a second game, I'm thinking maybe 8.5. I have not played 4 player, but it seems it opens up the spots quite a bit at a glance (every main resource space gets an extra spot, plus additional location spot), but having not tried it at that player count I don’t know how realistically those added spaces free things up for a whole extra player in a game that gets fairly tight in later rounds.
I don’t get the praise of the theme integration with the mechanics. This could have easily been a trader sailing down a river in Venice. Instead of backpack items, you’re collecting silk, jewels, etc. The primary game mechanics are worker placement to gain goods and turning them in to move down a track, fulfill contacts, and buy cards, which a thousand euro games do. If you take away the art, you wouldn’t know it’s a hiking game. It may be a good, unique theme, but that alone doesn’t make the game thematic.
I absolutely love the theme and debated backing this for a long time, but I get the strong sense that I'd be super frustrated with this being ALMOST great, but just missing the mark; wishing little things here and there were just a bit different. I was also really thrown off by the art, because some of it is amazing, but then some just seems a wildly different low quality style.
Tom, take a hike for goodness sake’s. 😂 I like this game a lot. Really captures the theme well. Love that I’ve been to a lot of the locations and was nostalgic.
That's not my point. My point is that when your thoughts are so different from the other two, it comes across as being picky about certain things - things that don't always seem to bother you, but they do here (why?). The same thing happens when one of the others does the same thing. It tells me that the game isn't really the problem, just that for whatever reason, you're giving it a certain rating that day. I'm willing to bet if you lived in the Sierras and were into hiking, you'd be willing to rate the game higher despite these things or ignore them altogether.
I don't think he's hating on the game just bringing up mechanisms he doesn't enjoy. A 6 is a little above average, but he had valid points and I like that dice tower has 3 reviewers for cases like this.
As someone who has hiked for most of their life, first in the UK (Lake District and Wales) and nowadays in the Canadian Rockies, this game looks really interesting. I’m a huge walker too putting many miles on my feet every day so I truly like the theme. I’m going to have to track it down. Milla, you really need to take a trip to Banff and Jasper in Alberta, Canada. You would love it! Stunning hiking, wildlife, and scenery. Good review guys.
Would Tom give it a higher review if he only played with two and the game was faster ? Giving it a lower score based on time should be adjusted based on number count ?
Tom is also known to change his reviews… so maybe he plays this in the future, has a different experience and adjusts. Something in always respected about his reviews is that he always caveats that they are based on his experience and by no means discounts others opinions.
I am with Camilla and Zee and gave this game an 8.0, love the theme and gameplay. Also, I think Camilla said in the rules overview that you can take a Destination Card if you are short a resource and receive a Hardship Token but I did not see that in the rules. The only actions to be short resources and get a Hardship Token are Hiking and Sunset during Consume Food and Water. 🏕🏕🏕
I've been on the edge for this game and have watched a few videos on it ever since its Kickstarter. However, Camilla's overview and the discussion with its range of opinions, all of which I value, made this a game that I now want to buy. Thank you, guys!
Just want to say that I really appreciate the production in the rules teach part of this video, being able to see the cards, scoring summary, etc. clearly really helped.
100% on this. I'm sure it takes more time in the editing, but makes it much easier to follow along
Just checked the rules and there is a shorter game variant that is 10 days long. Don’t know if that would change Tom’s opinion on the game
My wife and I played it recently and also picked up some of the pain points noted in this video. Especially with two players, the early riser token had little to no value, as the trailblazer token commonly alternated first player anyways. This may be more valuable with 4 players, or would have been more valuable if the trailblazer token didn’t move/rotate automatically.
One pain point for us that wasn’t touched on was just how BIG the board is! Especially with how spread out the placement sites are. It seems like this was a choice to highlight the art, but it probably could have been more consolidated to fit better on the table and make placing hiker tokens easier.
My copy is arriving today. I am super excited. We are going camping and hiking next week and it will be going with us!
This was the first Kickstarter I ever backed and it arrived yesterday! Loving this game. Fantastic theme.
I have to ask... Any relation to Brian Metzler?
I got this as a gift for my mum (note the correct spelling) who loves hiking and the great outdoors. We live in New Zealand, but my mum spent quite a few years travelling for work, including the USA. When out to dinner one night in the US, dining with various business associates and clients, you can imagine their surprise when they asked what else she'd be doing while in the States, and she said she was looking forward to "tramping across the United States." Unlike NZ, where hiking and tramping mean the same thing, it turns out the latter has a very different meaning in the USA 😄😂🤣
Also we house ruled the destination cards at 2 players… At the end of each round we eliminate the bottom one, slide and refresh (unless they are all getting replaced) bc otherwise at felt like we didn’t get to see enough
There is a rules error at 6:20. You can only take a hardship token for each missing resource when taking the hike/climb action or for missing food/water in the sunset phase. You cannot take a hardship token for a missing resource in order to purchase a destination (or field) card.
We've played a couple two-player games now and my thoughts: Totally agree with Tom. 8 rounds, 4 workers max, only one common arrowhead (or none), shorter elevation track, only ten backpack items (ten essentials duh). It definitely needs to be streamlined. There is a really good euro game in there somewhere but it's kind of sprawling and very abstract. I'm with Tom, I like it and it's fun but...
We really liked it at 2 players. Think it might get long at a higher player count
Lived in the Sierra Nevadas for 20 years and backpacked (and other activities) throughout. I miss them sorely as we recently moved away. I'm a newbie board gamer and never was excited about a game's theme, but rather the actual mechanisms. Appreciate Tom's comments, but for the first time, the details in the theme of this game might satisfy my grieving heart to scratch what is itching until we get to go back out there again. Backpacking, or hiking, it's all about the details sometimes, so hopefully, this game won't seem so overwhelming, even though we are only used to light to mid weight games. Also, we would be playing 2 players, so hopefully the 12 rounds wouldn't seem like the game drags. The only weird concept is adding things to backpack, but reality sets in and every ounce you add in the heavier backpack is a huge decision lol! Still, I'm gonna hike to the store and get this game!
Thanks Camilla for awesome overview
We lived in Yosemite for a while back in the 80s and both my wife and daughter were Rangers there although 30 years apart. Thus, the motivation and passion for creating this game. I think you'll enjoy!
Dan
@@mariposagames awesome. thanks!
I would call this a medium weight, personally. Similar weight as Lost Ruins of Arnak.
Just played with my husband tonight and we thought it was very straightforward to learn and play, and we really enjoyed it! Excited to play with some of the expansion materials for our next play. I definitely disagree with Tom about streamlining it, as we are quite ready to add to the rules with the expansions after only one evening of setup and play.
Another strange thing with this game is that you are filling your backpack AS you hike? A lot of hikers dumping their stuff on the trail and you just went out with an empty backpack? 😂
Game looks pretty cool tho!
You’re picking up the stuff other hikers dumped. One man’s trash is another’s victory point?
You’re raiding people’s campsites and mugging fellow hikers along the way. Is that not how YOU hike?
@@steverigatones7264 The trail provides
Excellent comments, all!
Great job on the review. It is good to hear the different viewpoints as I feel like there are some people who will share Tom’s opinion of the game, however, I am falling more on the Camilla side of things on this one. Love the theme, I think the weight of it is about right, and I’m glad I backed to this one.
Beautiful looking game. Tempted to play for that alone but over all seems a tad convoluted for me.
I was so surprised to see this game at my FLGS tonight in Red Deer, Alberta. Instabuy! I’ve been going to the Alberta Rockies for years so this theme is incredibly appealing to me. I thought it would be tough to find this one in Canada so I’m thrilled to find it here.
So weird to see a profile shot of Tom and Camilla head-on when I’m used to the opposite
I played this 3p with my group - generally, the experience was positive. The design was interesting however I felt it lacked a "hook" and as Tom said 12 rounds is long.
im not sure if i can buy another hiking game. Parks is a permanent fixture in my library
This is Parks on steroids :)
Love the theme of the game! Glad to hear the thoughts because I do not like long games so this is good food for thought! Now to decide...
The rulebook says you take a hardship token only if you can't pay any of the resources/requirements during hiking or during eating and drinking phase but NOT if you are missing any of the resources during other actions. So 6:20 interpretation is not correct. I hope this helps others who try to learn this game as there are not many 'How to play' videos for this game atm. Thanks for the review.
Just seeing Milla's excitement made me want to buy this game 😁
are the natural and personal resource tokens Finite? Or do you just use replacement markers? Can’t seem to find it in the rulebook
Rajas of the Ganges - first player passes left unless someone takes the action that gives 2 fame and first player.
Camilla, have you played the new rock climbing game called First Ascent?
Not sure if you do/did any rock climbing, but that game feels like a thematic passion project like this is.
Somebody please help me, I have to know! What's this game on the shelf over "Faeries"?????
"Woah look Max, it's famous naturalist John Muir"
I wish I had ordered this game at the belgium shop that buys kickstarters. I love hiking and good nature-themed games. But it was just too expensive for me, considering there was only so much to find about this game on the internet. I couldn't risk it.
Nice game to be wearing a Rocky Mountain National Park shirt. 👍
I am still not sure where I am landing on this one. I have played ot twice (2 player and 3 player) and my initial impression after playing my first 2 player game was a 9. After a second game, I'm thinking maybe 8.5. I have not played 4 player, but it seems it opens up the spots quite a bit at a glance (every main resource space gets an extra spot, plus additional location spot), but having not tried it at that player count I don’t know how realistically those added spaces free things up for a whole extra player in a game that gets fairly tight in later rounds.
That's an extremely high rating.
@jacksonexl On par with Camilla. But like I said I am not sure if I will eventually land that high or not.
I like it best at 4 Players because there is a lot more pressure on the Action locations that create Trail Points :)
My copy is "theoretically" coming on Tuesday.
I was lucky enough to see how this game developed over the years. It's a great game and has the feel of hiking.
Is it comparable to Adam Kaluza's *K2* ?
I don’t get the praise of the theme integration with the mechanics. This could have easily been a trader sailing down a river in Venice. Instead of backpack items, you’re collecting silk, jewels, etc. The primary game mechanics are worker placement to gain goods and turning them in to move down a track, fulfill contacts, and buy cards, which a thousand euro games do. If you take away the art, you wouldn’t know it’s a hiking game. It may be a good, unique theme, but that alone doesn’t make the game thematic.
I absolutely love the theme and debated backing this for a long time, but I get the strong sense that I'd be super frustrated with this being ALMOST great, but just missing the mark; wishing little things here and there were just a bit different. I was also really thrown off by the art, because some of it is amazing, but then some just seems a wildly different low quality style.
The hiking and elevation tracks being so weird and clashy is enough to put me off this one. Thats so strange to me.
The Elevation Chart is an abstract...
@@mariposagames I hate abstract in games, period :p
Tom, take a hike for goodness sake’s. 😂 I like this game a lot. Really captures the theme well. Love that I’ve been to a lot of the locations and was nostalgic.
If I had a nickel for every 2023 board game called Trailblazer that had hiking as a major mechanism...
How many nickels would u have
You'd have two nickels.
That's hilarious! My dime is in the mail...
NO Intro_Music 😥😥😥
#tomhatesfun
Where’s Jeff?
I feel like Tom is just being Tom here, nitpicky as usual.
I guess? I'm giving my honest thoughts on the game. I could just say every game was amazing, but what good would that be?
That's not my point. My point is that when your thoughts are so different from the other two, it comes across as being picky about certain things - things that don't always seem to bother you, but they do here (why?). The same thing happens when one of the others does the same thing. It tells me that the game isn't really the problem, just that for whatever reason, you're giving it a certain rating that day. I'm willing to bet if you lived in the Sierras and were into hiking, you'd be willing to rate the game higher despite these things or ignore them altogether.
I feel the points made by Tom on this game are really good after having played it! There is room for improvement
I want a concise review.
Tom is salty lately
I don't think he's hating on the game just bringing up mechanisms he doesn't enjoy. A 6 is a little above average, but he had valid points and I like that dice tower has 3 reviewers for cases like this.
As someone who has hiked for most of their life, first in the UK (Lake District and Wales) and nowadays in the Canadian Rockies, this game looks really interesting. I’m a huge walker too putting many miles on my feet every day so I truly like the theme. I’m going to have to track it down.
Milla, you really need to take a trip to Banff and Jasper in Alberta, Canada. You would love it! Stunning hiking, wildlife, and scenery.
Good review guys.
Would Tom give it a higher review if he only played with two and the game was faster ? Giving it a lower score based on time should be adjusted based on number count ?
Tom is also known to change his reviews… so maybe he plays this in the future, has a different experience and adjusts. Something in always respected about his reviews is that he always caveats that they are based on his experience and by no means discounts others opinions.
and there is a 10 Day/Round alternative that was not mentioned...
You're filling your backpack as you hike? Doesn't make sense. These "thematic" euro games always end up so unthematic.
Annoying loud neighber!
I am with Camilla and Zee and gave this game an 8.0, love the theme and gameplay. Also, I think
Camilla said in the rules overview that you can take a Destination Card if you are short a resource and receive a Hardship Token but I did not see that in the rules. The only actions to be short resources and get a Hardship Token are Hiking and Sunset during Consume Food and Water. 🏕🏕🏕