Congratulations and thanks, Radho. You have put time and effort into making this clear and accessible, and you explain things very well. You've also made your strategic thinking clear, and this makes the clip extremely watchable. Thanks again.
Thank you for adding the “zoomed in” camera feature to your reviews. Love how you’re able to seamlessly show us small details using that second camera. Wish more people would use this technique.
Big Gaia Project (Terra Mystic) vibe. Choosing round bonus, constructing buildings to generate correlated income, tech trees, spreading on the map. That said there are some interesting elements here with placing buildings, tech trees, and radical player powers.
@Pizza Pizza Certainly one person's perspective but most people that have played the game don't seem to agree with you (hence being overrated in your mind I suppose?). Different strokes, different folks. I think Gaia project looks more complex than it is. After a few plays it's simply player powers, round scoring bonuses, resource management, claiming territory, and tech tree advantages. The hardest thing is picking your player power in the beginning a la Marco Polo.
At 29:00 you used food to move up the explore track. Had you expended population you could have played the tile that gave you culture and then moved up again paying the food and culture to get the lighthouse that era.
Stonemaier Games generally look very polished but some of the graphic design in this game (like the tracks on the map) look almost prototypish. Maybe it's better in person.
I thought one of the artists from Everdell was involved in this project...I'm having extreme difficulty seeing any of his influence here. Maybe someone else sees it?
I think it looks pretty clean in general. One negative is the dark outline with white I think contributes to what you are talking about. I would, based off of the other board colors, go for no outline or at least a brown outline. Perhaps try an every so slight blue or tan for a parchment like look while keeping it clean.
It's reall y clean and functional but not attractive at all. Unfortunately, people that like these crunchy games don't give two shits about the looks of a game. With them it is always mechanisms first and foremost, which is a shame. I was surprised that this is the final board design.
@@mattlowder yea I'm really having a tough time coming to terms with the visual look of this game especially with the expected cost of around a hundo. The minis really do not look that good imo. And not all of us love our games to look drab. There's a reason Lacerda/Otoole/Eagle Gryphon is my #1 combo designer/artist/publisher because appearance is just as important as mechanics.
the 'shadow empire' (grey player) never triggers any effects other than "grab buildings" by crossing the threshholds first (and also "grab 1st/2nd/3rd place by reaching end of a progress track"). so he never wipes tech, or places things on the board, etc. :)
the designer answers this question in his first designer diary here: stonemaiergames.com/games/tapestry/design-diary-tapestry/ no direct link, but search for August 9, 2019: The Landmarks
they are there to make the game pretty: "I was only going to make 1 civ game in my career, so I wanted it to be really beautiful." there is a minigame about completing districts in your capital, but cardboard tiles would have been just fine for that. do not think about it as a cash grab; it's more like how many players spend a lot of money to pimp out their favorite game, often more than the price of the game itself (eg. getting 3d printed greenery and city tiles for terraforming mars :)) so "tapestry" already comes with beautiful components out of the box, but you need to pay a slight premium for it.
They do serve an in-game function. Along the game, you'll be building up a capital city. That city is in the form of a 9, 9x9 grids. Each of the tokens that stays on your currency tracks takes up one of those 81 squares. The larger landmarks are used to cover more of that terrain. Covering the terrain in your capital city triggers bonuses in the game. So it does have a distinct game-play purpose. There are other ways to achieve that objective of course. But the mini's look awesome.
Yes, it serves the purpose of raising the quality, feel and look of the game. Your argument can be said about pretty much anything in any game. Does the art do anything but raise the price of the game? Could've just drawn some stickmen and simple stuff himself and saved the money. Color printing also costs, so probably should've made it black and white. All the small miniatures could've just been cubes. The cards are kinda pointless too, should've just photocopied a bunch of sheets - they serve the same purpose! So on and so forth. My point is whatever seems like a waste of money to you feels like it adds something to the game for others.
bigbadVuk why is there a discussion about creating mini cards for use with the landmark pieces specific to game play? Should’ve been there in the first place. boardgamegeek.com/thread/2262698/12-mini-cards-landmark-miniature-abilities
Is the saturation on this video really off? At first I thought this was a prototype, as it looked so bleak. I think this may do this game a disservice, as much of its charm lies in its vibrant colors, lovely art, and the goofy landmark miniatures. It's rather hard to be charmed by a game that looks this cold.
Yeah, people should always check more sources before judging a game, because this is one charming pig. Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres, you know what I'm saying?
Oh my goodness! After watching the first 46 minute run through, I am in love! The game sure looks like it feels like a Civ game to me, and the sense of building, to more and more, seems really neat. The Tapestry cards, and the impact those decisions have on your game, and what else you might choose? I can see why the game is called Tapestry. And yet the tapestry of it all together, the possibilities seem really fun (and that's even without Space, which just knocks my socks off.) Thanks for the run through, this looks like the civ game I have been waiting for! (I wish someone would adapt New Bedford's often unclear automated opponents into something like we see here!)
Hey Rahdo, what would be a good bgg weight rating for this game? I understand it’s easy to learn and teach but it also has tough decisions and emergent complexity.
Aren't you suppose to slide the left Automa card to the right and add a new Automa card from the deck as a new left card. So that way you won't race through your Automa deck? It looks similar to the deck of Gaia Project and Euphoria.
Oh boy. Makers of fire drawing a Technocracy card for the set up with glasses and lab coats. But use your imagination, they are Bronze Age Technocrats. Am I the only one having issues with the anachronisms? Takes me right out of the feeling this is a civ game. I'm out. Still love Viticulture though! Thanks Rahdo for the run through.
I could see as an expansion at least having separated ages, at least three different stacks that are shuffled separately and stacked. Could also see even more radical cultures, a la Root.
if it was at 19:17 It was already noted... Like Rahdo says at the start of the 1st video, please turn on the Klingon subtitles to see where Richard goofs up… Thanks :)
I love SM games, but after watching 10min, I have lost interest. I am sure I must be the only person. I’ll watch it again later when I am a bit more awake:) thx Rahdo
Same here, unfortunately.. I signed up at the Stonemaier website to be notified when pre-orders went live after watching Rodney's How it's Played video last night, and now after watching this, I'm very "meh"... :(
@@rossparker01 I also did the $12 champion SM account thing like a Shmuck when this game was announced. Lost $12. I won't be pre-ordering this. I think 100s and 100s of people are actually not impressed with the revelations of Jameys slow-burn-and-reveal marketing geniusness. I'm surprised by how much I've jumped off the wagon on Tapestry in less than 7 days.
I would have rathered a 2 player runthrough, but it was interesting seeing the solo none the less. Wonder what content creators are doing 2+ player videos JonGetsGames, Slickerdrips, Ant Lab, probably all of them?
It does look rather standard for a civ game. Solid, some nice details in the theming. Nothing mind-blowing if you aren't crazy about the genre. I don't have an civ games in my collection. They are usually too intricate and time-consuming for us. This one might work for us as our one go-to civ if the price doesn't turn out to be too outrageous due to those garish building minis.
Why are you surprised? Is it that you are a fan of SM games, or Jamey’s designs, but this doesn’t seem to fit that bill? OR Are you a fan of Civ games and this doesn’t seem to scratch that itch? OR Something else? Personally, I really like Civ games, and own quite a number. I own only one SM game, and have only played two (would like to eventually try Wingspan). Since I have not played this, I cannot comment as to its fun factor (for me). Also factor in that Rahdo’s runthrough is solo play. Many Civ games shine more with multiple players. If it plays in 90-120 minutes, that would be less than many of the Civ games I play or have played. Would put it around “The Golden Ages” length. And like Golden Ages, Tapestry looks very Euro style. If you watch designer Jamey Stegmaier’s ‘favorite mechanism’ episodes, you’d see he really favors certain mechanisms that use engine building and with positive player interactions, but he does not look kindly to ‘take that’ (negative interactions) kind of play. So ‘combat’ in Tapestry is essentially non-existent. You still get ‘conquering’, but it’s less in-your-face. Also, religion has been backed away from nearly completely in this game, for reasons that he explains in his designer diaries, which considering our own human history may make this game feel much more secular/functional, but possibly less cultural/recognizable. So this game is NOT 4X, since there is no “extermination”. That’s how I see it anyway. But outside of that, this appears to follow many classic Civ tropes too, which most fans of the genre (like me) appreciate: -Some form of advancement track or tech tree -Upgrades in technology which unlock various powers or rule changes -Asymmetric player powers -Map representing known world which becomes more ‘known’ via exploration -Ability of a player to see growth in their civilization from beginning to end, even if they don’t win -Various terrain types, with terrain playing some type of role (here, as a chance to score VP during explore) -Resource management -Historical nods, often with anachronisms -Some form of events, or randomness, that keep the game from being too predictable (ie drawing Tapestry cards). Obviously, not every Civ game follows all of these (Through the Ages and Nations don’t use a map, for example), but there are definitely traits that one can recognize in Civ games, and Tapestry fits the bill. Some things this game adds which other Civ games I’ve played either don’t have, or it’s not a huge part of it: -Rolling a die for Science. You’re not sure what you’ll discover. -Space exploration -Capital city grid building; game within a game So I guess you have to ask yourself why are you surprised this game feels “meh” and if you continue to feel that way, you’d be best off trying it out before purchasing it. I can tell it will be a game I and my family/gaming partners would like. But I realize that’s not the case for everyone (I would never own Viticulture), and the price point for this game will be high, so you’d want to be assured it would get played a ton.
Subcomandante73 I felt the same about Wingspan when I watched the run through but once I actually got to play it I really enjoyed it. Viticulture is really good as well.
I like Viti and Wingspan. Maybe I'll be surprised and Love this one, but it's a pass for me. I have no desire to preorder this, and further more, if I went months or a year without playing it, I'd be fine with that. It will be 40% off on some website 12 months from now anyway, just like Terraforming mars, Great Western trail, Scythe, and any other game I waited over a year to play and then decided if it was worth the discounted price. In a world of constantly published games each week, I've found it irresponsible of myself to approach game acquisition any other way. Patience, patience, patience. Let's the reviews simmer, then get it 40% off with time.
Actually, it's the saturation in the video that's off. I watched the Watch It Played video first, and when I started on this I wondered why they gave Radho a prototype. Then I saw the color on his arm, very dark and bleak. Something is really not right in this video.
The board is my favorite part and it definitely pops more in Watch It Played. Focused on the map that fills with color as you explore. Can you imagine that map art for Spirit Island?!
@@jareduxr to me it just looks very cold and inspired. I have so many other games with much better looking boards that have cost far less. And lol, some of those are from Stonemaier!
one thing to note: i do have my contrast cranked a bit higher than average, to help ensure that the features of the board are more readable, since they're so far away from the camera.
I see this as a wonderfully streamlined, tight spin on the civ formula which leaves me completely unengaged and disinterested. And I get that the game was designed around the colored building minis, but I neither like the look of them nor am I exactly excited about the way they are integrated in the gameplay. For what it's worth, this seems to be a hard pass for me.
This is the most ridiculous looking civ building game I have ever seen, the open technology and tapestry cards are so theme breaking, and aside from that the game just looks really boring. Another dud by Stegmier.
The separate close-up cam is brilliant for games with a lot of cards. Fantastic improvement to an already top-notch channel.
Congratulations and thanks, Radho.
You have put time and effort into making this clear and accessible, and you explain things very well.
You've also made your strategic thinking clear, and this makes the clip extremely watchable.
Thanks again.
We’re calling the Automa, the “Automan Empire” now. :)
NICE! :)
Thank you for adding the “zoomed in” camera feature to your reviews. Love how you’re able to seamlessly show us small details using that second camera. Wish more people would use this technique.
i wish i had thought of it sooner! :)
Rahdo is the Khan Academy of board games.
Rhado doing SOLO!!!! Big solo player myself, and a big fan of Mort's Automas. Looking forward to this one. Thanks for the gameplay!
Big Gaia Project (Terra Mystic) vibe. Choosing round bonus, constructing buildings to generate correlated income, tech trees, spreading on the map. That said there are some interesting elements here with placing buildings, tech trees, and radical player powers.
@Pizza Pizza Certainly one person's perspective but most people that have played the game don't seem to agree with you (hence being overrated in your mind I suppose?). Different strokes, different folks.
I think Gaia project looks more complex than it is. After a few plays it's simply player powers, round scoring bonuses, resource management, claiming territory, and tech tree advantages. The hardest thing is picking your player power in the beginning a la Marco Polo.
Man, just when I couldn’t like you any more, you pull out a Pitch Meeting reference 😍
wow wow wow wow wow wow!
At 29:00 you used food to move up the explore track. Had you expended population you could have played the tile that gave you culture and then moved up again paying the food and culture to get the lighthouse that era.
"Barely an inconvenience"? Someone is a fan of pitch meetings.
IDONTKNOW!
@@rahdo CIV builders are TIGHT!
@@petec3250 i'm going to need to to get right off my back on this one!
Well that didn’t help!
Not even a little bit....
This is a really nice playthrough, can't wait for the follow up! It makes me even more wanna buy this game!
I love the zoom screen!
hi 19:15 Didn't You forget to pay for exploration action?
It was already noted... Like Rahdo says at the start of the 1st video, please turn on the Klingon subtitles to see where Richard goofs up… Thanks :)
Technocracy of Food Entertainment.
Good god man, you're Gordon Ramsay.
i was thinking more Anthony Bourdain :)
Stonemaier Games generally look very polished but some of the graphic design in this game (like the tracks on the map) look almost prototypish. Maybe it's better in person.
I thought one of the artists from Everdell was involved in this project...I'm having extreme difficulty seeing any of his influence here.
Maybe someone else sees it?
@@paulrumohr He painted all the cards and covers etc. But afaik has nothing to do with the Graphic Design
I think it looks pretty clean in general. One negative is the dark outline with white I think contributes to what you are talking about. I would, based off of the other board colors, go for no outline or at least a brown outline. Perhaps try an every so slight blue or tan for a parchment like look while keeping it clean.
It's reall y clean and functional but not attractive at all. Unfortunately, people that like these crunchy games don't give two shits about the looks of a game. With them it is always mechanisms first and foremost, which is a shame. I was surprised that this is the final board design.
@@mattlowder yea I'm really having a tough time coming to terms with the visual look of this game especially with the expected cost of around a hundo. The minis really do not look that good imo. And not all of us love our games to look drab. There's a reason Lacerda/Otoole/Eagle Gryphon is my #1 combo designer/artist/publisher because appearance is just as important as mechanics.
At 46:30ish shouldn't the Automon get 10 points on the tracker for being first to the center?
Paulo must be the hardest working person in board gaming
well i like to think i work hard too :) those goofs won't goof themselves!
@@rahdo you're good at what you do 😝
Looks brilliant but I mostly play 5 players and don't think I could fit all those boards and bits on my table
The centre of the board reminds me of Terraforming Mars. Really looking forward to hearing final thoughts, but the playthrough looks good so far.
Haha loved the Screen Rant quote :)
hehe, i said it once in this video and now i'm having a very hard time not saying it in every video! :)
28:05 should you have removed the available tech cards due to the white/gray player advancing onto the first technology space?
the 'shadow empire' (grey player) never triggers any effects other than "grab buildings" by crossing the threshholds first (and also "grab 1st/2nd/3rd place by reaching end of a progress track"). so he never wipes tech, or places things on the board, etc. :)
no... the Shadow Empire doesn't activate the Track spaces, he just advances to get the Landmarks
Do these huge building miniatures serve any other purpose than to raise the price of the game?
the designer answers this question in his first designer diary here: stonemaiergames.com/games/tapestry/design-diary-tapestry/
no direct link, but search for
August 9, 2019: The Landmarks
they are there to make the game pretty: "I was only going to make 1 civ game in my career, so I wanted it to be really beautiful."
there is a minigame about completing districts in your capital, but cardboard tiles would have been just fine for that.
do not think about it as a cash grab; it's more like how many players spend a lot of money to pimp out their favorite game, often more than the price of the game itself (eg. getting 3d printed greenery and city tiles for terraforming mars :)) so "tapestry" already comes with beautiful components out of the box, but you need to pay a slight premium for it.
They do serve an in-game function. Along the game, you'll be building up a capital city. That city is in the form of a 9, 9x9 grids. Each of the tokens that stays on your currency tracks takes up one of those 81 squares. The larger landmarks are used to cover more of that terrain. Covering the terrain in your capital city triggers bonuses in the game. So it does have a distinct game-play purpose.
There are other ways to achieve that objective of course. But the mini's look awesome.
Yes, it serves the purpose of raising the quality, feel and look of the game. Your argument can be said about pretty much anything in any game. Does the art do anything but raise the price of the game? Could've just drawn some stickmen and simple stuff himself and saved the money. Color printing also costs, so probably should've made it black and white. All the small miniatures could've just been cubes. The cards are kinda pointless too, should've just photocopied a bunch of sheets - they serve the same purpose! So on and so forth.
My point is whatever seems like a waste of money to you feels like it adds something to the game for others.
bigbadVuk why is there a discussion about creating mini cards for use with the landmark pieces specific to game play? Should’ve been there in the first place. boardgamegeek.com/thread/2262698/12-mini-cards-landmark-miniature-abilities
Is the saturation on this video really off? At first I thought this was a prototype, as it looked so bleak. I think this may do this game a disservice, as much of its charm lies in its vibrant colors, lovely art, and the goofy landmark miniatures. It's rather hard to be charmed by a game that looks this cold.
well, to guage, right at the beginning and end is the box cover, which you can compare to other images on BGG or stonemaier game's website?
also you could check out MvM's unboxing vid here: ua-cam.com/video/aFFtUYMfx6s/v-deo.html :)
Yeah, people should always check more sources before judging a game, because this is one charming pig. Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres, you know what I'm saying?
Looks like a must have game
The automa looks like in Gaia Project, was it made by the same people?
Automa Factory, yes.
Rahdo, like the new zooming in!
Oh my goodness! After watching the first 46 minute run through, I am in love! The game sure looks like it feels like a Civ game to me, and the sense of building, to more and more, seems really neat. The Tapestry cards, and the impact those decisions have on your game, and what else you might choose? I can see why the game is called Tapestry. And yet the tapestry of it all together, the possibilities seem really fun (and that's even without Space, which just knocks my socks off.) Thanks for the run through, this looks like the civ game I have been waiting for! (I wish someone would adapt New Bedford's often unclear automated opponents into something like we see here!)
How are you doing the cards on top of the board / camera like that?
check faq.rahdo.com #16 :)
Rahdo, I kept expecting you to say, "Science!" like Thomas Dolby.
if i didn't, i am shocked, because SCIENCE!!!! is a big part of my lexicon :)
Is it my impression or were the pre painted minis "attached" to the board? Are they magnetic?
nope, i just used some blu tack to hold them in place :)
good eye!
Super easy... Barely an inconvenience!
references to other youtube shows are TIGHT!
Wow wow wow
@@rahdo WHOOPSIE!
@@rahdo well played!
Wondering what the size of the this game will end up being, especially the playermats.
Those civ cards look huge.
its sizable, but nowhere near as bad as some games i've seen (like trickerion)
IT is about the same size as Wingspan box :)
Or Charterstone
Hey Rahdo, what would be a good bgg weight rating for this game? I understand it’s easy to learn and teach but it also has tough decisions and emergent complexity.
i'd say it has a weight comparable maybe to concordia?
That four-day pre-order is such a pity. I can't manage it until next Monday and by then they will have closed the pre-order.
it didn't even make the 3rd day...it's sold out already!
@@philippolchinski6401 Correct. I just noticed that myself. Hoping to grab it at Essen, but that will be a challenge too.
Aren't you suppose to slide the left Automa card to the right and add a new Automa card from the deck as a new left card. So that way you won't race through your Automa deck? It looks similar to the deck of Gaia Project and Euphoria.
what you're describing is how the automa system works in sierra west (which i covered recently). but here, it's 2 cards drawn every turn :)
3:47 What is this new devilry?!
SCIENCE!
LOTR... I also say that line all the time
Oh boy. Makers of fire drawing a Technocracy card for the set up with glasses and lab coats.
But use your imagination, they are Bronze Age Technocrats.
Am I the only one having issues with the anachronisms?
Takes me right out of the feeling this is a civ game.
I'm out. Still love Viticulture though! Thanks Rahdo for the run through.
Anachronisms are a pretty central feature of the Civilization video games, so I think it's fine.
They are the Technocrats before tehnology existed.
@@mihneacateanu3808 using stones and fire was our first definition of technology
I could see as an expansion at least having separated ages, at least three different stacks that are shuffled separately and stacked. Could also see even more radical cultures, a la Root.
I find it quite strange as well.
wasn't you supposed to pay two resources for your second action?
Yeah, he probably forgot to pay for advancing to 2nd exploration. He paid only for bonus action.
It was already noted... Like Rahdo says at the start of the 1st video, please turn on the Klingon subtitles to see where Richard goofs up… Thanks :)
I love solo games
You forgot to pay for your second advancement. You only payed the bonus
Edit: saw the notation un the klingon subtitles. Thanks for pointing it out :)
if it was at 19:17 It was already noted... Like Rahdo says at the start of the 1st video, please turn on the Klingon subtitles to see where Richard goofs up… Thanks :)
Also at about 27 minute mark he forgot to replace all the Tech Cards when Grey moved into the space!? Am I right?
@@TheHunterzofOz no, you're wrong... the Shadow Empire never activates the Rewards on the Tracks except for taking Landmarks.
I love SM games, but after watching 10min, I have lost interest. I am sure I must be the only person. I’ll watch it again later when I am a bit more awake:) thx Rahdo
It's a lot weaker than previous Stonemaier offerings, that is for sure!
Me too...tried so hard to like it bcoz of the aesthetic but the gameplay don't look exciting..will revisit.
Yup. There are dozens of us! :) DOZENS
Same here, unfortunately.. I signed up at the Stonemaier website to be notified when pre-orders went live after watching Rodney's How it's Played video last night, and now after watching this, I'm very "meh"... :(
@@rossparker01 I also did the $12 champion SM account thing like a Shmuck when this game was announced. Lost $12. I won't be pre-ordering this. I think 100s and 100s of people are actually not impressed with the revelations of Jameys slow-burn-and-reveal marketing geniusness. I'm surprised by how much I've jumped off the wagon on Tapestry in less than 7 days.
I would have rathered a 2 player runthrough, but it was interesting seeing the solo none the less. Wonder what content creators are doing 2+ player videos JonGetsGames, Slickerdrips, Ant Lab, probably all of them?
yup, with slickerdrops and ant lab out there, there's more 2p runthrough options than ever! :)
@@rahdo I like your new cameras/setup btw.
Video was published today. 8 hours and already has 4,000+ views
Well, it's a Stonemaier game.
This is basically Civilisation
Ancient World?
17k watched this video in the first 24 hours, I think tho game is going to out pace Scythe
All this white/gray and plain circles on the boards make this look like a prototype.. the art/graphic design needs some texture.
I feel very meh about this, which surprises me.
It does look rather standard for a civ game. Solid, some nice details in the theming. Nothing mind-blowing if you aren't crazy about the genre. I don't have an civ games in my collection. They are usually too intricate and time-consuming for us. This one might work for us as our one go-to civ if the price doesn't turn out to be too outrageous due to those garish building minis.
Why are you surprised?
Is it that you are a fan of SM games, or Jamey’s designs, but this doesn’t seem to fit that bill?
OR
Are you a fan of Civ games and this doesn’t seem to scratch that itch?
OR
Something else?
Personally, I really like Civ games, and own quite a number.
I own only one SM game, and have only played two (would like to eventually try Wingspan).
Since I have not played this, I cannot comment as to its fun factor (for me). Also factor in that Rahdo’s runthrough is solo play. Many Civ games shine more with multiple players.
If it plays in 90-120 minutes, that would be less than many of the Civ games I play or have played. Would put it around “The Golden Ages” length. And like Golden Ages, Tapestry looks very Euro style. If you watch designer Jamey Stegmaier’s ‘favorite mechanism’ episodes, you’d see he really favors certain mechanisms that use engine building and with positive player interactions, but he does not look kindly to ‘take that’ (negative interactions) kind of play. So ‘combat’ in Tapestry is essentially non-existent. You still get ‘conquering’, but it’s less in-your-face. Also, religion has been backed away from nearly completely in this game, for reasons that he explains in his designer diaries, which considering our own human history may make this game feel much more secular/functional, but possibly less cultural/recognizable. So this game is NOT 4X, since there is no “extermination”. That’s how I see it anyway.
But outside of that, this appears to follow many classic Civ tropes too, which most fans of the genre (like me) appreciate:
-Some form of advancement track or tech tree
-Upgrades in technology which unlock various powers or rule changes
-Asymmetric player powers
-Map representing known world which becomes more ‘known’ via exploration
-Ability of a player to see growth in their civilization from beginning to end, even if they don’t win
-Various terrain types, with terrain playing some type of role (here, as a chance to score VP during explore)
-Resource management
-Historical nods, often with anachronisms
-Some form of events, or randomness, that keep the game from being too predictable (ie drawing Tapestry cards).
Obviously, not every Civ game follows all of these (Through the Ages and Nations don’t use a map, for example), but there are definitely traits that one can recognize in Civ games, and Tapestry fits the bill.
Some things this game adds which other Civ games I’ve played either don’t have, or it’s not a huge part of it:
-Rolling a die for Science. You’re not sure what you’ll discover.
-Space exploration
-Capital city grid building; game within a game
So I guess you have to ask yourself why are you surprised this game feels “meh” and if you continue to feel that way, you’d be best off trying it out before purchasing it. I can tell it will be a game I and my family/gaming partners would like. But I realize that’s not the case for everyone (I would never own Viticulture), and the price point for this game will be high, so you’d want to be assured it would get played a ton.
Another SM game that is a pass for me. I find them functional but not fun. Just seems like the games lack any passion, like a dull but reliable car.
Subcomandante73 I felt the same about Wingspan when I watched the run through but once I actually got to play it I really enjoyed it. Viticulture is really good as well.
I like Viti and Wingspan. Maybe I'll be surprised and Love this one, but it's a pass for me. I have no desire to preorder this, and further more, if I went months or a year without playing it, I'd be fine with that. It will be 40% off on some website 12 months from now anyway, just like Terraforming mars, Great Western trail, Scythe, and any other game I waited over a year to play and then decided if it was worth the discounted price. In a world of constantly published games each week, I've found it irresponsible of myself to approach game acquisition any other way. Patience, patience, patience. Let's the reviews simmer, then get it 40% off with time.
matthlowder I won’t necessarily purchase it right away but I’ve since I’ve enjoyed other SM games I’ll likely pick this up at some point...
matthlowder I totally have the same view! 😁
Charterstone was a hard pass. This one seems so too.
The level of "meh" is too damn high
Oh lawd
The color palette of this game is so... DULL
Actually, it's the saturation in the video that's off. I watched the Watch It Played video first, and when I started on this I wondered why they gave Radho a prototype. Then I saw the color on his arm, very dark and bleak. Something is really not right in this video.
The board is my favorite part and it definitely pops more in Watch It Played. Focused on the map that fills with color as you explore. Can you imagine that map art for Spirit Island?!
@@jareduxr to me it just looks very cold and inspired. I have so many other games with much better looking boards that have cost far less. And lol, some of those are from Stonemaier!
one thing to note: i do have my contrast cranked a bit higher than average, to help ensure that the features of the board are more readable, since they're so far away from the camera.
The collor looks fine. The artwork looks good. Can't figure out how it is dull.
I see this as a wonderfully streamlined, tight spin on the civ formula which leaves me completely unengaged and disinterested. And I get that the game was designed around the colored building minis, but I neither like the look of them nor am I exactly excited about the way they are integrated in the gameplay. For what it's worth, this seems to be a hard pass for me.
McFly what would you say is a good civ game then? This will be my first. I saw Civilization VI but haven’t played it.
Yikes. Game could use a graphic designer and artist. Looking like a prototype
I found it kind of jarring too … a lot of gray
Art is Blah and boring.
Some of it is.
This is the most ridiculous looking civ building game I have ever seen, the open technology and tapestry cards are so theme breaking, and aside from that the game just looks really boring. Another dud by Stegmier.