Obsession Review - A Game Acclaimed, Played Mainly for the Fame
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- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
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Obsession is a worker placement hand management game of pride and prejudice in Victorian England. The game is delightful, accessible, different enough in theme and even gameplay to be a unique addition to your collection.
TimeStamps:
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:00:48 - Gameplay Overview
0:05:12 - What I Liked
0:08:29 - What I Didn't Like
0:11:38 - What I Can See Others Not Liking
0:13:54 - Final Thoughts
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This is my #1 game in my top 100. Amazing game, amazing publisher. Buying this game will increase your personal prestige as a board game geek.
Nice :) it's a solid experience for sure.
You need the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion, which adds a ton of servant abilities and broadens the decision space greatly. I think the limited abilities were a conscious decision to make the game accessible. There's also a ton of promo tiles/cards that add variety. As for art, that's an interesting thing you bring up... so originally, the game had a very functional design and pretty terrible art (see Rahdo's playthrough of the original). Dan (the designer) worked with a couple of backers to revamp the visuals and get it where it is today - but with the restrictions that a) the redesign had to be ready before the KS ended and b) an artist couldn't be hired due to the expense & timing. I was one of those backers and I'd say yes, a better result could likely be achieved if Dan could hire Ian O'Toole or the like to do the art... but I was generally very proud of what was accomplished in the very short timeline. Edit: also recommend the estate challenge variant which reduces courtship focus, although I personally love courtship and think it's key to the game.
Thanks! Appreciate the backstory.
You might want to check out the variant where you focus on building your estate if you feel like wanting to focus on that more. This was also one where, due to the box artwork, I ignored it for a long time. But I’m so glad I listened to the reviews (shout out to 3Minute Boardgames!) and looked past it! Now, I can definitely appreciate the subtle aesthetic of the components and the fantastic storage is what draws me in. You def need to try playing with the expansion seeing as you have it. It’s an 9.5 for me (first and only time I’ve rated something that highly).
Yep, I'll definitely be giving the expansion a shot.
I played this game at a convention, against my will, and left loving it.
I'll count that as a win :)
Great review! I have this one set up but have yet to try it. I went “all in” and ordered from the designer. He’s very responsive and personable. Very happy to support someone like that in the industry.
Have you had a chance to try the co op? Very intrigued with that side of the game and it seems not many have dove into it and provided thoughts.
Nice! And no....haven't tried solo or coop.
100% Solid review, Just recently played this and love it, don't know why, are their any better games with similar mechanics? Lol, I thought I loved area control, apparently not as much.
This game is amazing. Love it so much. First game my big husband asked to play again lol it’s very cool! Can’t wait to play with the expansion!
Nice! Glad you're enjoying it, I really need to pull out the expansion.
This game is so abtly named , because it has been an obsession getting one :D
Mainly because I really want to play this with a former university friend with who I binge watched every costume drama we could get our hands on. I'm all in for a costume party for this one :D
Nice :) I think you can order from the publisher?
@@BoardGameCo If you're in the US, yes. In Europe we aren't that lucky :p
But the publisher has said there would be some availability in 2021.
Sounds like you should get the Upstairs Downstairs expansion. Provides some of the things you found lacking in the base game.
I have it :) Just need to get it to the table.
Thanks for this! Gonna have my wife watch in the hopes it will be a winner for a couple game she will want to play!
Go for it, and let us know!
I've been wanting this since Thinker&Themer did a video-review of it but it's impossible to acquire in Europe right now. But Dan mentioned he's leaving no stone unturned trying to find a solution and make it available in the near future, so fingers crossed. It looks lovely. :)
Good for Dan! This has really been a sleeper hit.
My wife is Obsessed with Downton Abbey so I assume this should be a no brainer. Just wish it was easier to obtain. Direct to Kayenta games seems the best way right now. Two printings and still not widely available in retail say something about the game I guess. Yes... she got me to enjoy the show and went to see the last movie in the theaters. Enjoyed it.
Yep, it's tricky to get your hands on.
Yes, unless you backed one of the Kickstarters, it is hard to get a copy.
Smaller companies often have a harder time with retail since they have to sell to retail at a fraction of the price they get for selling directly, and will need larger print runs which has an up-front cost.
Maybe he will eventually license it out to a more retail-oriented publisher.
What is your score then? I always want to try this game...but now I am not sure.
Mine is 7/10, I like it, happy to play it, but I don't love it. My wife likely 10 out of 10.
I love this one! Such a great game!
It's pretty solid :)
Such a great game with a fun, deep theme
Yep :) It's very solid. Definitely one of those sleeper hit categories.
I’m convinced. I’m buying this.
Nice :)
Nice that sentence: 'I feel I have more fun with it than I think I should'. These days people get lost in the game that has the best mechanisms, luck-mitigation, balance at all player counts, top replayability, solo modes... Obsession is a solid game, but not great. The theme however, like many 90's games, transcends it and pulls you in. It's good to have games like that in a collection; a little heavier on luck, a little wonky, but endearing. A game that hopefully will not get endless expansions, upgrades, revised or deluxified... It asks you to just play and have fun. Make up stories. Tobago winks at it. And so does Tales of Arabian Nights.
Completely agreed :)
Does this feel like a solo multiplayer competitive game?
Mostly yes.
Love those.
This is Sarah Shah's #1 game, right?
Yes!
damn it to hell what's an AP turn
Analysis Paralysis, the idea of taking a longer turn while you overthink every aspect of everything.
A bit late on commenting but, you can win without winning a single courtship. I did in my recent game :)
damn you talk so fast that's impressive
Thanks :) I think ;)
The term you're looking for is "eye candy", I think. The art might be excellent because it does exactly what it needs to, but it's not eye candy (which isn't necessarily a bad thing: there is such a thing as a game that strives so hard for eye candy that it takes you out of the theme).
AP is analysis paralysis, right?
Yes on ap :) and agreed on eye candy not being essential at all.
Not played this, but your criticism of the guests being all virtually the same sounds pretty thematic. Society wants people to conform, so most people conform or pretend to conform. A handful of people will always prefer non-conformity. Society is a great portion of this game's theme.
Sure....but two things...1) I still very much like the game. 2) Realism isn't a value to me if it comes at the cost of fun in the game.
1st. Ding. Qvack.
is that like a quack with an accent? maybe eastern european?
@@DoppelgangerF02 Norse. Way back when, an American newspaper comic strip, called Hagar the Horrible had a duck. It quacked with a accent, Qvack. I always liked it, and have said and written that ever since.
@@BbBb-zx6sx came for the review, stayed for the backstory. awesome.
Quack quack :)
Didn't cared for the theme. Even less for the graphics. Quickly bought my own copy after playing it
Is it just me or do women like this game more than men?
I can't answer that with certainty, what I can say, is I have perceptionally seen a higher degree of enthusiasm from women, especially when compared to other games. In short... I share your opinion while not being certain about it.
Dan, The Man, made this game and I, a manly man, love it! Check out the BGG forums and you’ll see plenty of men raving about it. In any case, who cares if men or women love it more? Just play it! 😄
i have had this Pre ordered for months and it should be arriving next month! My wife has zero interest in playing it and I absolutely love this! Played loads on TTS. Im a man by the way ;)