Thanks for the review Tom. I could hear from your overview that you just weren't that excited about it! Some games just don't need an expansion, and this clearly proves that Photosynthesis is one of them. I'll be saving my money!
Sad to hear that, I was excited for the expansion from the moment I saw the meeples, and I love the core game. That would be a cool idea for a top 10 actually, bad expansions to good games.
I thought the same thing when I heard about this expansion. Photosynthesis doesn't really need an expansion it is very well designed for what it is. Glad too see I don't need to waste more money on an expansion that will make me want to play the game less like I have with so many other games. It is already a tight board even with 3 players no need to make it more frustrating.
I think the design of Photosynthesis makes it inherently hard to make an expansion that doesn't reinvent the wheel. (Kinda evident form the Great Tree being a throw-in) There could have been seasons or powers for the tree types. I am sure that would have needed more testing than this did as this is just a 2nd economy and minor powers to use it
Haha, when I was playing with this new expansion I said to her "just watch tom vessel is gonna call this game pretty fiddly." Yeah, although I enjoy what it adds, it is pretty dang fiddly to play with. Keep up the good work Tom!
I imagine this could be a worthwhile addition for a digital version of the game, but otherwise it does seem incredibly humdrum. I mean, one of the animals powers is literally just stopping other people from using theirs, that is boring on so many levels. "Oh man, if I put in all this extra work, I can make it so it's like we aren't even playing with the expansion!" Why would anyone want that...
I do look like that the expansion adds more to think about than just "collect light points - spend light points". The powers create a more diverse game experience each time you play which I appreciate. Different power combinations will result in varied outcomes. I do understand the fiddliness of the maintenance of the game though but If you like the core game, I think it's worth a try!
yeah i was getting confused as you explaiend the moon movement. i liked the idea of trying to introduce animals to identify as with asymettrical abilities, through the harvesting experience...but i think they need to execute that in a different way. I like the direction, just not This exection. Solid review Tom. I might give this a miss since i'm still chewing through the base game. Such an awesome core game on it its own, holly molly.
I'm kinda surprised Tom didn't like this, because it sure sounds cool on paper - all the different animals with their different and thematic powers... I guess it's just not that rewarding to play?
The biggest expansion I think this game needs is to allow more players. I love the game, however 90% of my games nights are with 5-6 players. Limiting it to 4 players really limits how often I play it.
Ah damn. It sounds like it could have been better off if they gave you moon trees to plant, which would earn you moon points, and then you could recruit any of the animals using those moon points
I want Photosynthesis as a computer game (not just a TTS version). It could be so beautiful, and it would get rid of the fiddliness.
There's a beta version on board game arena now 🌞🌳🍀
Thanks for the review Tom. I could hear from your overview that you just weren't that excited about it! Some games just don't need an expansion, and this clearly proves that Photosynthesis is one of them. I'll be saving my money!
Sad to hear that, I was excited for the expansion from the moment I saw the meeples, and I love the core game. That would be a cool idea for a top 10 actually, bad expansions to good games.
“Badger badger badger”
Tom with the classic internet humor!
I thought the same thing when I heard about this expansion. Photosynthesis doesn't really need an expansion it is very well designed for what it is. Glad too see I don't need to waste more money on an expansion that will make me want to play the game less like I have with so many other games. It is already a tight board even with 3 players no need to make it more frustrating.
I think the design of Photosynthesis makes it inherently hard to make an expansion that doesn't reinvent the wheel. (Kinda evident form the Great Tree being a throw-in)
There could have been seasons or powers for the tree types. I am sure that would have needed more testing than this did as this is just a 2nd economy and minor powers to use it
Haha, when I was playing with this new expansion I said to her "just watch tom vessel is gonna call this game pretty fiddly." Yeah, although I enjoy what it adds, it is pretty dang fiddly to play with. Keep up the good work Tom!
I imagine this could be a worthwhile addition for a digital version of the game, but otherwise it does seem incredibly humdrum. I mean, one of the animals powers is literally just stopping other people from using theirs, that is boring on so many levels. "Oh man, if I put in all this extra work, I can make it so it's like we aren't even playing with the expansion!" Why would anyone want that...
I do look like that the expansion adds more to think about than just "collect light points - spend light points". The powers create a more diverse game experience each time you play which I appreciate. Different power combinations will result in varied outcomes. I do understand the fiddliness of the maintenance of the game though but If you like the core game, I think it's worth a try!
yeah i was getting confused as you explaiend the moon movement. i liked the idea of trying to introduce animals to identify as with asymettrical abilities, through the harvesting experience...but i think they need to execute that in a different way. I like the direction, just not This exection.
Solid review Tom. I might give this a miss since i'm still chewing through the base game. Such an awesome core game on it its own, holly molly.
The price is a lil expensive for a couple of pieces. It's like 20 dollars but the little animal meeples look really nice tho
Very nice job. Enjoy your sporty attire too.
I'm kinda surprised Tom didn't like this, because it sure sounds cool on paper - all the different animals with their different and thematic powers... I guess it's just not that rewarding to play?
Thanks for the honest review
1:58 Mushroom mushroom!
It seems that this would make the game quite a bit longer as well.
thanks for the honest review of this expansion. had it on my list from Christmas but now will skip it
The biggest expansion I think this game needs is to allow more players. I love the game, however 90% of my games nights are with 5-6 players. Limiting it to 4 players really limits how often I play it.
What is that easter island game behind him during his final thoughts? Anyone?
Don't know, but I was wondering about the top left adventure game. Finally I figured out it is Sumatra!
I have not played yet but i probably will like more than you, will have to see.
Ah damn. It sounds like it could have been better off if they gave you moon trees to plant, which would earn you moon points, and then you could recruit any of the animals using those moon points
That sounds like five times more meandering for little benefit.
I love playing this game with my daughter, But the Expansion I won't buy. It's just not worth the efford.
Doesn't look at that great to me either. Guess I'll pass this one.
Seems like the succeeded im making an expansion that doesn't break the balance of the game but that's it and that's not enough really.