I mostly agree with your review. The original harvest is one of my favorite light worker placement games, but the new one is several steps back for me, I just didn't enjoy it that much. The game lost the quirky fantasy theme, and with it the more interesting abilities, or making magic elixirs to help grow your crops (it was an improved water resource). In the original game you had to use the crops you harvested as money which was a really interesting decision. You could have specialized in one type of crop, or just go with the flow. In the new one if you want to get money you must grow a little of everything all the time, no real flexibility there. I don't even remember any ability/building in the new one that would give you incenive to be the Blueberry rancher/etc. In the new game they also introduced the spatial element to grow things on a grid, but it was just left unexplored. If I remember right the new game has ONE building that gives points for spatial placement on your grid. This system could had so many options. And finally the buildings often feel worthless as they take up a huge space, but often provide barely any rewards. Especially for the 3 gold cost they start with. This also means that in the last round you usually don't want to purchase the new buildings. I think if you ever have the chance you should try the old version, the rules are just one double sided page long, and in my opinion it s the much more interesting game.
I adore the graphic design and the high quality components in the deluxe Golden edition, and farming is a favourite theme, but this game has not felt like a fun play experience for us. Def. not as enjoyable as Stardew Valley. I hope an expansion will fix this - maybe objective cards or a co-op mode?
Definitely give the solo mode a shot Meg - it was a winner for me - played it back to back to back when I first got it to the table!
Timely video, with Harvest newly available on Board Game Arena.
It would be great to have a solo part in review when there's a solo mode
I mostly agree with your review. The original harvest is one of my favorite light worker placement games, but the new one is several steps back for me, I just didn't enjoy it that much. The game lost the quirky fantasy theme, and with it the more interesting abilities, or making magic elixirs to help grow your crops (it was an improved water resource). In the original game you had to use the crops you harvested as money which was a really interesting decision. You could have specialized in one type of crop, or just go with the flow. In the new one if you want to get money you must grow a little of everything all the time, no real flexibility there. I don't even remember any ability/building in the new one that would give you incenive to be the Blueberry rancher/etc. In the new game they also introduced the spatial element to grow things on a grid, but it was just left unexplored. If I remember right the new game has ONE building that gives points for spatial placement on your grid. This system could had so many options. And finally the buildings often feel worthless as they take up a huge space, but often provide barely any rewards. Especially for the 3 gold cost they start with. This also means that in the last round you usually don't want to purchase the new buildings.
I think if you ever have the chance you should try the old version, the rules are just one double sided page long, and in my opinion it s the much more interesting game.
You’ve got 2 days left to convince everyone to get the reiteration of your favorite game 😉 jk hope Vestige showed up and hope you’re doing well
Great game. Very easy on the eyes too :)
i really wonder what the expansion adds to the game, and if it is necessary
I adore the graphic design and the high quality components in the deluxe Golden edition, and farming is a favourite theme, but this game has not felt like a fun play experience for us. Def. not as enjoyable as Stardew Valley. I hope an expansion will fix this - maybe objective cards or a co-op mode?
First comment!
Why do people do this?
@ I dunno. It’s fun :)