First of all, the gold medal games thing is a response to all the comments over the years asking me to rate games, give scores. Instead, i've decided to award gold medals to games I completely endorse. The game has to be good and the publisher in good standing with me in order to get one. Good standing means they aren't someone who's lost on the peoples court trying to screw someone out of a game they designed, that sort of thing. I'll follow this up with retroactively awarding gold medals to past games we have covered in another vid and explaining the system there.
Second, Terra Mystica vs Gaia Project. The Terra Mystica video will be in a few weeks, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the differences between the two, what one you prefer if any, and why. For me it's Gaia Project, as i love the tech tracks and sci-fi works for me better. But I still like Terra mystica a lot.
I prefer GP but it took a couple of plays to take over. It has less appealing aesthetics and is a step more complex that I would like - about one Gaia Forming worth of extra complexity. The locking of advanced tech tiles is also more confusing than it should be. Once I got used to these it has completely fired TM. It emphasises the engine building part I like, both the mechanics and the races feel better tuned, it scales better 3 to 4 player and while you can still get squeezed on the map it is hard to get completely screwed over. A gold medal from me too (well it's in my mental "Hall of Fame")
I like both games, but I must say I like TM more. Its easier to see what`s going on and (therefore) allow easier change of strategy midgame if shit hits the fan. The newest expansion for TM adds additional complexity and also flexibility if you`ve played the base game too often ;)
GP effectively replaced TM for me. The integrated tech track is far superior to the random monk tracks... The power cycling is simpler.. The rest is mostly cosmetic so to each his own
Purely my own, only 1 voice of many, opinion - but I think last season's graphics for complexity, game time, and player count worked better. Less because of the style themselves (although I think the beards complexity graphic was brilliant), more because one graphic at a time (Vs 3 on the screen at once) really lends itself better to the pacing. That said, I continue to adore these reviews. I appreciate how concise they are, but also how fair your (and Steph's) reviews are. Even if you don't personally like a game, you'll present the case why others may love it. This channel has opened a world of games to me that I would otherwise have missed entirely. Thanks guys!
I am finally learning this game, I've had the sealed box over a year now. 😌 I really enjoy it. Yes, this is a brain burner! But it doesn't do anything so new that you can't understand what's happening. Every mechanism is likely something you've seen/done in other games. Gaia Project just pulls all these mechanisms together in one game experience. Thanks for the video, I watched once before my 1st play to get oriented and now the 2nd time after 5 games. Your description is accurate and really captures the feel of the game. 👍
3 Minute Board Games yeah I’m teaching it tomorrow for the first time (not in 3 minutes thankfully) and I know it’ll be a bear to teach first time through. Videos like this give me hope though!
I miss your beards for complexity. As someone with mutton chops, it resonated with me. Hmm! Now I see why so many people rate this game so highly. Alas, I’m addicted to Paladins of the West Kingdom and Feast for Odin.
I should probably play Feast, but its been so daunting to look at, and it both weighs and costs a ton. Paladins scratches a lot of the same itches as GP, engine building, planning and variable goals. In fact, it was Sam who designed Paladins who taught me how to play Gaia project and its one of his top 5 fav games along with Terra Mystica
Not particularly good at it but I love this game. And I think the AI from automa factory is probably the best I've seen from them (clean, simple, aggresive AF) which makes solo a decent time too.
Well, now you've spoiled the Terra Mystica review in a few weeks. I slightly disagree though, the more i've played both, the bigger the differences are to me. Sure, they have an awful lot in common. But there's more difference between the two than say Agricola or Caverna in my mind at least.
I think the superficial similarities between TM & GP are greater than between Agricola & Caverna but the actual play dynamic is more different the other way around. I sold Caverna as it was just Agricola but worse to me. I probably ought to do the same for TM. I do like A Feast For Odin but do not think it is fantastic - I am suprised at how well thought of it is.
Been looking for this one and Kepler 3042. Both have similar goals of terraforming planets and both seem enjoyable and have solo mode (big point on my part). What a conundrum lol.
Hard call, probably Gaia Project. But i think they are in very different game spaces for me. Gaia project activates my "chain together a series of cool effects" brain and Eclipse is more "Behold, my deathrays!"
What is your username at Board Game Atlas? I was going to sign up but they asked who referred me. I don't know if you get any bonus for being a referrer but thought I'd ask.
@@3MBG The card game strangely gets mitigated reviews on BGG and was initially compared to Munchkin which I think is rather odd (cards, loot... ok). There's a lot of depth in potential crazy combos, it's great fun, you can mess up other players run and it's simple to pickup. The wicked theme and art are neat as well. A fan favorite amongst my more seasoned gaming friends as well as the not-so-gaming ones.
Its been hard, i was declared essential personnel for the lockdown and had been working long hours in a pretty high pressure environment. Its easing up now, so hopefully will have more time
I like them. And as we aren't a professional channel, amateurish is strangely appropriate. People complained last year as well, then got used to them and they will change again next Jan.
Ha, i'm not offended or nothing. Just, they are what they are. We keep tweaking and changing things, its just part of our process, sometimes it works, sometime not ;)
Lol, it took me SOOOOOO much longer than that to get the rules. This isn't really a rules teaching vid, more of a teaser. As there is some stuff i totally missed/skipped due to time
They approached me, but doing a CGG is hard work and takes a lot of plays, and i wasn't sure of the cross over audience. I'm considering doing Magic in 3 minutes at some point, but I know that game well enough to do that. Flash and blood, i'd need a lot of plays and deck construction under my belt to talk about it
@@3MBG In TM, the cult track is deceptively complex along with a closed power system, a player can exert greater influence over the game; comparing to GP that does have far more variables, while looking impressive but confusing and loose resulting inferior gameplay and bloated playtime.
![CyberStrike 2 [PC, 1998] Gameplay, Terran Alliance : Mission 4](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wQJLjiOB13k/mqdefault.jpg)
First of all, the gold medal games thing is a response to all the comments over the years asking me to rate games, give scores. Instead, i've decided to award gold medals to games I completely endorse. The game has to be good and the publisher in good standing with me in order to get one. Good standing means they aren't someone who's lost on the peoples court trying to screw someone out of a game they designed, that sort of thing. I'll follow this up with retroactively awarding gold medals to past games we have covered in another vid and explaining the system there.
Nearly gave up reading the rule book. But after that.... This is a GREAT game. A lot of strategy & brain burning for heavy euro game fans.
Yeah, its a beast to learn but pretty damned amazing
My #1 favorite game of all time. You did a great job encapsulating it in 3 minutes!
Cheers! (hardest script ever by the way)
Second, Terra Mystica vs Gaia Project. The Terra Mystica video will be in a few weeks, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the differences between the two, what one you prefer if any, and why.
For me it's Gaia Project, as i love the tech tracks and sci-fi works for me better. But I still like Terra mystica a lot.
I prefer GP but it took a couple of plays to take over. It has less appealing aesthetics and is a step more complex that I would like - about one Gaia Forming worth of extra complexity. The locking of advanced tech tiles is also more confusing than it should be.
Once I got used to these it has completely fired TM. It emphasises the engine building part I like, both the mechanics and the races feel better tuned, it scales better 3 to 4 player and while you can still get squeezed on the map it is hard to get completely screwed over. A gold medal from me too (well it's in my mental "Hall of Fame")
I like both games, but I must say I like TM more. Its easier to see what`s going on and (therefore) allow easier change of strategy midgame if shit hits the fan. The newest expansion for TM adds additional complexity and also flexibility if you`ve played the base game too often ;)
The ships one? Not played it. Played Fire and Ice and it was a little odd. Some of the factions felt strange to play (looking at you shapeshifters)
@@3MBG "Merchants of the Sea" indeed, it really adds a new dimension to the game without being dominating (like most expansions nowadays).
GP effectively replaced TM for me. The integrated tech track is far superior to the random monk tracks... The power cycling is simpler.. The rest is mostly cosmetic so to each his own
Purely my own, only 1 voice of many, opinion - but I think last season's graphics for complexity, game time, and player count worked better. Less because of the style themselves (although I think the beards complexity graphic was brilliant), more because one graphic at a time (Vs 3 on the screen at once) really lends itself better to the pacing.
That said, I continue to adore these reviews. I appreciate how concise they are, but also how fair your (and Steph's) reviews are. Even if you don't personally like a game, you'll present the case why others may love it. This channel has opened a world of games to me that I would otherwise have missed entirely. Thanks guys!
second this
I am finally learning this game, I've had the sealed box over a year now. 😌 I really enjoy it. Yes, this is a brain burner! But it doesn't do anything so new that you can't understand what's happening. Every mechanism is likely something you've seen/done in other games. Gaia Project just pulls all these mechanisms together in one game experience. Thanks for the video, I watched once before my 1st play to get oriented and now the 2nd time after 5 games. Your description is accurate and really captures the feel of the game. 👍
In our first game, someone referred to QICs as "quiches," and now we only ever call them that.
Hahaha, that works. And is quicker than QIC
This is a bloody excellent job for a game of this complexity.
This was one of my top 5 hardest games to cover.
3 Minute Board Games yeah I’m teaching it tomorrow for the first time (not in 3 minutes thankfully) and I know it’ll be a bear to teach first time through. Videos like this give me hope though!
I miss your beards for complexity. As someone with mutton chops, it resonated with me.
Hmm! Now I see why so many people rate this game so highly. Alas, I’m addicted to Paladins of the West Kingdom and Feast for Odin.
I should probably play Feast, but its been so daunting to look at, and it both weighs and costs a ton. Paladins scratches a lot of the same itches as GP, engine building, planning and variable goals. In fact, it was Sam who designed Paladins who taught me how to play Gaia project and its one of his top 5 fav games along with Terra Mystica
3 Minute Board Games And I just can’t get tired of the art. It’s so good. It’s just cartoony and yet so meticulously detailed at the same time.
@korrok I do intend to get to it some day. We do have a Uwe game on the work list, Le Havre.
Ah Gaia Project, my number 1 game I've never played and want to love but afraid I won't love as much as i want to.
No sense looking at it longingly forever though ;)
Not particularly good at it but I love this game. And I think the AI from automa factory is probably the best I've seen from them (clean, simple, aggresive AF) which makes solo a decent time too.
... Terra Mystica, in space... End... Gaia Project in 3 seconds.. Of course im joking.. But yea its like 90% true...
Well, now you've spoiled the Terra Mystica review in a few weeks.
I slightly disagree though, the more i've played both, the bigger the differences are to me. Sure, they have an awful lot in common. But there's more difference between the two than say Agricola or Caverna in my mind at least.
@@3MBG haha sorry about that... Haven't played Gaia but they sure look very similar...
No worries, yeah, they really do look like they are just reskins of each other and a lot of people talk about them that way.
@@3MBG The modular board IMO makes Gaia Project much better. Not to mention the tech tracks are far superior to the cult tracks in TM.
I think the superficial similarities between TM & GP are greater than between Agricola & Caverna but the actual play dynamic is more different the other way around. I sold Caverna as it was just Agricola but worse to me. I probably ought to do the same for TM. I do like A Feast For Odin but do not think it is fantastic - I am suprised at how well thought of it is.
Been looking for this one and Kepler 3042. Both have similar goals of terraforming planets and both seem enjoyable and have solo mode (big point on my part). What a conundrum lol.
Question, which do you like more? This or eclipse?
Hard call, probably Gaia Project. But i think they are in very different game spaces for me. Gaia project activates my "chain together a series of cool effects" brain and Eclipse is more "Behold, my deathrays!"
@@3MBG haha actually the best answer, compared what i found on the internet. Thanx! (love your videos btw)
Faster intro, I dig it.
Great, thanks!
What is your username at Board Game Atlas? I was going to sign up but they asked who referred me. I don't know if you get any bonus for being a referrer but thought I'd ask.
3MBG
How is the solo play? Worthwhile?
Very deep and solid solo.
@@3MBG Is the new Terra Mystica Solo Box supposed to be similar/any good?
I don’t know how you managed to cram all that in 3 minutes lolol. And dat script tho
This game was challenge mode for the channel, a real hard one to do :)
can you do binding of isaac: four souls? :D
Not played that one sorry, so no current plans to. I've heard of the video game, didn't even know there was a board game
@@3MBG The card game strangely gets mitigated reviews on BGG and was initially compared to Munchkin which I think is rather odd (cards, loot... ok). There's a lot of depth in potential crazy combos, it's great fun, you can mess up other players run and it's simple to pickup. The wicked theme and art are neat as well. A fan favorite amongst my more seasoned gaming friends as well as the not-so-gaming ones.
Great review! how is it going? Ar you producing more content during lockdown?
Its been hard, i was declared essential personnel for the lockdown and had been working long hours in a pretty high pressure environment. Its easing up now, so hopefully will have more time
Price?
Never something i address in videos, because the price where i am in New Zealand is likely very different to the price of anyone watching.
The new presentation graphics are not good, sorry to say. Makes the video look a bit amateurish unfortunately.
I like them. And as we aren't a professional channel, amateurish is strangely appropriate. People complained last year as well, then got used to them and they will change again next Jan.
Don't get me wrong the content you produce is top notch. Just not a fan of the new graphics :)
Ha, i'm not offended or nothing. Just, they are what they are. We keep tweaking and changing things, its just part of our process, sometimes it works, sometime not ;)
I had to watch this twice before I finally understand the rules.Yeah,I'm not a bright guy.
Lol, it took me SOOOOOO much longer than that to get the rules. This isn't really a rules teaching vid, more of a teaser. As there is some stuff i totally missed/skipped due to time
You could do a vid on Flesh and Blood? It's from New Zealand!
They approached me, but doing a CGG is hard work and takes a lot of plays, and i wasn't sure of the cross over audience. I'm considering doing Magic in 3 minutes at some point, but I know that game well enough to do that. Flash and blood, i'd need a lot of plays and deck construction under my belt to talk about it
I don't like the whole gold medal thing, because it looks silver. 😋
Heh, its kinda both
TM is way better, bc you have more control over your games. GP is impressive, but it's bloated and the art is lacking.
Interesting, i think both games are not strong in the art department though. I'd love to know what you mean my more control though.
@@3MBG In TM, the cult track is deceptively complex along with a closed power system, a player can exert greater influence over the game; comparing to GP that does have far more variables, while looking impressive but confusing and loose resulting inferior gameplay and bloated playtime.