Having just played this game for the first time, I’m blown away by what I’m seeing in the comments. I think the art is fantastic (anything that makes me want to visit a location counts as great art in my book), and the gameplay is awesome - it feels like a lighter and more variable Agricola that we can play multiple times if we don’t quite have the time to sink into his bigger games.
this game is a good example that something doesn't need to be grandiose to be great. I don't know why but this gets more table time than Le Havre which is my favorite Rosenberg. It's just a good dose that happens to be very versatile and accessible given there isn't a language barrier. I agree the fish distribution can feel fiddly at first but it quickly assimilates without much irritation. Keep fishing everybody.
I haven't played other heavy Rosenbergs before, so maybe it's just for lack of """experience""", but I really enjoy this game. It's not without flaws (the coins are atrocious and the C buildings feel a bit too random), but it's much more accessible then some of his other games (-> Feast for Odin) and while it had a bunch of different mechanics, they all fit together in a really nice and streamlined way. Also, the fish distribution engine is a fantastic puzzle that you always have to keep in mind and drives the game almost single-handedly.
I don't think this game should be compared to Le Havre, Agricola or Caverna, it is a much shorter and lighter game. Like Tom said, Glass Road is probably a closer analogue, except this game has essentially only two resource types (not counting the money) and you don't have to play the helpers guessing game. I personally welcome both of these "changes". Also, unlike in Glass Road, I did not have a feeling of abrupt game end, despite relatively short playtime. Nusfjord might not become a household name like Agricola, but I'll keep it in my collection and probably would pick it over Glass Road the next time we are in the mood for a lighter/shorter Uwe Rosenberg game.
During the live chat on Tuesday Tom said out of Nusford, Otys, Majesty and one other game one (all reviews that would be released this week) was in contention for his top 10 of the year one would probably sell a ton of copies in the next 3-4 months. I'm assuming the later was Majesty, and the one I'm forgetting is the amazing game.
That's the one (2849). No surprise that it will end up being his favorite as it has dice drafting and technology boards. Really looking forward to that review.
I played it solo, I very much doubt 20 min is doable. I have the same opinion except I hate that player supply it’s too small. It’s an 0k game but I think it will be a flash n the pan.
I was surprised at this one as we just played it last night and it was fun. The art is poor and not very inviting at all, especially all the grumpy old men, but the game play was solid. It's much better than it looks, much like Hansa Teutonica.
I’d bet this review would have been significantly more negative if it weren’t for the name on the box... Not a shot at Tom, as I think that will be a pervasive theme of this game’s reviews.
Yeah. Not a shot at Tom, but you think he's not honest, he did not enjoyed the game, and tries to deceit the viewers. Sounds about right, that fits Tom, NOT.
The implication I made by “pervasive” was that it’s a subconscious benefit of the doubt reviewers will give Uwe. It’s not a shot at a Tom, it’s plain and simple fact, that once you get a reputation for good things, your reviews tend to replicate regardless of whether it’s true or not. Look at the video game industry where every sequel to a major title gets great reviews regardless of quality/progression. Take a look at Stephen King who wrote under a different pen name to ensure it wasn’t happening to his books. I wouldn’t be watching Tom Vasel reviews if I thought he was dishonest. Careful on the assumptions.
CoolStuffInc in the US (who typically has the best or close to the best prices) has it marked down (when they have it) to $62.99, but MSRP is $70...which is bananas.
Hmmm... I ordered the game after seeing it on someone's top 10 of the year and it's currently on the way. I wish I'd have watched that review first. Now I'm not that excited anymore... Oh well, maybe I will end up liking it after all ;-)
Marco Schaub did you end up liking it? Tom's review is actually the most negative that I've heard from the notable reviewers. My Twitter feed seems to have a lot of this game being played.
Too many lumps of text(which change every game and then again during the game) because of the buildings, too much set-up which takes up your whole table, poor use/lack of symbolism, needlessly complicated resource mechanic(the haul distribution combined with the elders which Tom mentioned), rehashed mechanics... I really hated this game and I doubt I'll ever play it again. It does nothing better than other games and it is one of the most inelegant things I've ever seen, both artistically and when it comes to how the components sit on the boards and how the boards in turn sit on the table.
This is a good game in need of a graphic redesign. Looks much too busy and the lack of illustrations on building is just a mistake. When I put Stone Age or Pillars of the Earth on the table it is an easy sell to friends, this not so much.
This is Uwe style. It’s the same design on cards, board, etc etc like on many of his other popular games. You simply don’t buy Uwe games for their designs in 2023. Look at Kickstarter games that are miniature heavy and here we are with discs as worker placement. It’s #329 overall rank on BGG and #196 in strategy, and sold out everywhere and getting a big box edition later this year. I think it’s safe to say the game is a success and doesn’t need change besides the expansions that exists and is coming.
This game looks like a mess. The artwork looks awful, the fish system is overcomplicated and overall it looks like a drastic step backwards from Rosenberg's previous games. I think he lost his fire. His games are all starting the look the same. Nothing new, nothing refreshing.
Cards with special powers? Variable card decks? Worker placement on a board with many options? 1,000 components? I'm kind of sick of Uwe Rosenberg making Agricola over and over again, mechanically and/or aesthetically. The same goes for the Tetrimino mechanic. It was great in Patchwork, it was fine in Cottage Garden... but he's reused the mechanic at least five times now. He's just pumping out the same rehashed games over and over again.
JIPunisherIL, My own "rhetorical" question above does not say or imply the question you've asked me. Your reasoning is lazy, and your question shows that you haven't noticed how Tom's reviews often contain more 'petty complaints' than 'constructive criticisms'. I consider praise for any game's mechanics, art, and components etc., as well as any 'constructive criticisms' of those same things as "positive" and useful. I consider denouncing a component as "too small?" to be a negative, petty complaint that is purely subjective and not useful. Of course all good people have their own opinions, even opinions of "Tom's opinions". For now, my opinion is that Tom's reviews have greatly less utility than they once did for the reasons I've stated above. Even his review for a game by one of my favorite designers, a game that I'm very interested in hearing about, has been given an overal negative tone which I argue is the tone that Tom's adopted in most of his recent reviews.
Having just played this game for the first time, I’m blown away by what I’m seeing in the comments. I think the art is fantastic (anything that makes me want to visit a location counts as great art in my book), and the gameplay is awesome - it feels like a lighter and more variable Agricola that we can play multiple times if we don’t quite have the time to sink into his bigger games.
I really did not expect to like this game. It turns out that I love playing it. I compare it to playing Lords of Waterdeep.
I don't understand the comments. His review wasn't terribly negative.
this game is a good example that something doesn't need to be grandiose to be great. I don't know why but this gets more table time than Le Havre which is my favorite Rosenberg. It's just a good dose that happens to be very versatile and accessible given there isn't a language barrier. I agree the fish distribution can feel fiddly at first but it quickly assimilates without much irritation. Keep fishing everybody.
I haven't played other heavy Rosenbergs before, so maybe it's just for lack of """experience""", but I really enjoy this game. It's not without flaws (the coins are atrocious and the C buildings feel a bit too random), but it's much more accessible then some of his other games (-> Feast for Odin) and while it had a bunch of different mechanics, they all fit together in a really nice and streamlined way. Also, the fish distribution engine is a fantastic puzzle that you always have to keep in mind and drives the game almost single-handedly.
I don't think this game should be compared to Le Havre, Agricola or Caverna, it is a much shorter and lighter game. Like Tom said, Glass Road is probably a closer analogue, except this game has essentially only two resource types (not counting the money) and you don't have to play the helpers guessing game. I personally welcome both of these "changes". Also, unlike in Glass Road, I did not have a feeling of abrupt game end, despite relatively short playtime.
Nusfjord might not become a household name like Agricola, but I'll keep it in my collection and probably would pick it over Glass Road the next time we are in the mood for a lighter/shorter Uwe Rosenberg game.
I love this game and like the art!
Looks like a great game to me love the theme too.
During the live chat on Tuesday Tom said out of Nusford, Otys, Majesty and one other game one (all reviews that would be released this week) was in contention for his top 10 of the year one would probably sell a ton of copies in the next 3-4 months. I'm assuming the later was Majesty, and the one I'm forgetting is the amazing game.
RedEyedGhost pulsar 4028 or whatever the number is was the last one.
That's the one (2849). No surprise that it will end up being his favorite as it has dice drafting and technology boards. Really looking forward to that review.
I played it solo, I very much doubt 20 min is doable. I have the same opinion except I hate that player supply it’s too small. It’s an 0k game but I think it will be a flash n the pan.
What is your favourite Uwe game?
I will stick with Le Havre and will save my money for something more appealing. Thx Tom!
this game makes le havre look super sexy ! ha!
I was surprised at this one as we just played it last night and it was fun. The art is poor and not very inviting at all, especially all the grumpy old men, but the game play was solid. It's much better than it looks, much like Hansa Teutonica.
I like this better than Le Havre :) Thanks Tom
Shame its so text heavy. Even the shares, did they have to say "share" across them.
A Scandinavian-themed game with a picture of Paul Hogan. Hmmm....you call that a fish?
I’d bet this review would have been significantly more negative if it weren’t for the name on the box...
Not a shot at Tom, as I think that will be a pervasive theme of this game’s reviews.
Yeah. Not a shot at Tom, but you think he's not honest, he did not enjoyed the game, and tries to deceit the viewers. Sounds about right, that fits Tom, NOT.
The implication I made by “pervasive” was that it’s a subconscious benefit of the doubt reviewers will give Uwe.
It’s not a shot at a Tom, it’s plain and simple fact, that once you get a reputation for good things, your reviews tend to replicate regardless of whether it’s true or not.
Look at the video game industry where every sequel to a major title gets great reviews regardless of quality/progression.
Take a look at Stephen King who wrote under a different pen name to ensure it wasn’t happening to his books.
I wouldn’t be watching Tom Vasel reviews if I thought he was dishonest. Careful on the assumptions.
I was still interested...then I saw they wanted $70 MSRP!?
must be the caviar version
Where do they want that? It was €45 in Essen.
CoolStuffInc in the US (who typically has the best or close to the best prices) has it marked down (when they have it) to $62.99, but MSRP is $70...which is bananas.
Okay, yeah. That is crazy. Though it is fantastic for the 45 I paid and would still be for, I'd say, 55.
You do know, that 55 € right now is about $66?
I expected nice artwork like in Glass Road. But this is really disappointing. :-(
no doubt, i would play glass road... but not this
Hmmm... I ordered the game after seeing it on someone's top 10 of the year and it's currently on the way. I wish I'd have watched that review first. Now I'm not that excited anymore... Oh well, maybe I will end up liking it after all ;-)
Marco Schaub did you end up liking it? Tom's review is actually the most negative that I've heard from the notable reviewers. My Twitter feed seems to have a lot of this game being played.
Too many lumps of text(which change every game and then again during the game) because of the buildings, too much set-up which takes up your whole table, poor use/lack of symbolism, needlessly complicated resource mechanic(the haul distribution combined with the elders which Tom mentioned), rehashed mechanics... I really hated this game and I doubt I'll ever play it again. It does nothing better than other games and it is one of the most inelegant things I've ever seen, both artistically and when it comes to how the components sit on the boards and how the boards in turn sit on the table.
I’d agree with Tom here.
Decent not great.
Not dull but not exciting.
I'm a fan of Rosenberg games but this looks really inelegant in both graphics and gameplay
word
Boring artwork..but maybe a fun game. Good review as always
This is a good game in need of a graphic redesign. Looks much too busy and the lack of illustrations on building is just a mistake. When I put Stone Age or Pillars of the Earth on the table it is an easy sell to friends, this not so much.
This is Uwe style. It’s the same design on cards, board, etc etc like on many of his other popular games.
You simply don’t buy Uwe games for their designs in 2023. Look at Kickstarter games that are miniature heavy and here we are with discs as worker placement.
It’s #329 overall rank on BGG and #196 in strategy, and sold out everywhere and getting a big box edition later this year.
I think it’s safe to say the game is a success and doesn’t need change besides the expansions that exists and is coming.
too many god damn fish already Uwe... give us a break, we can only eat so much pickled herring !! (-:
This game looks like a mess. The artwork looks awful, the fish system is overcomplicated and overall it looks like a drastic step backwards from Rosenberg's previous games.
I think he lost his fire. His games are all starting the look the same. Nothing new, nothing refreshing.
who the hell wants all these fish?... makes le havre look super sexy, yeesh
Lazy artwork meh
Cards with special powers? Variable card decks? Worker placement on a board with many options? 1,000 components? I'm kind of sick of Uwe Rosenberg making Agricola over and over again, mechanically and/or aesthetically. The same goes for the Tetrimino mechanic. It was great in Patchwork, it was fine in Cottage Garden... but he's reused the mechanic at least five times now. He's just pumping out the same rehashed games over and over again.
Dice Towe of Judgement? Uwe pass!
~ When was the last time that Tom was a positive person?
Grim Norsefury everyday:)
HA! Tom's reviews have become petty and trivial. Glad you still find them of some value though my dear feller!
So because he didn't think this was great, he's not a positive person?
JIPunisherIL,
My own "rhetorical" question above does not say or imply the question you've asked me. Your reasoning is lazy, and your question shows that you haven't noticed how Tom's reviews often contain more 'petty complaints' than 'constructive criticisms'.
I consider praise for any game's mechanics, art, and components etc., as well as any 'constructive criticisms' of those same things as "positive" and useful. I consider denouncing a component as "too small?" to be a negative, petty complaint that is purely subjective and not useful.
Of course all good people have their own opinions, even opinions of "Tom's opinions". For now, my opinion is that Tom's reviews have greatly less utility than they once did for the reasons I've stated above. Even his review for a game by one of my favorite designers, a game that I'm very interested in hearing about, has been given an overal negative tone which I argue is the tone that Tom's adopted in most of his recent reviews.