I don’t think you are giving it enough credit in terms of strategy. After many plays I can definitely tell you that following what your opponent might be going for, discarding carefully and placing the bet are very enjoyable elements that bring in solid interaction and strategy…especially giving it‘s dimensions. I think it’s more interesting than for example Jaipur. Luck plays a role but that’s also why you are playing to 40 points and not just one session. It definitely feels like there is a healthy back and forth
This is one of my favourite set collection games. I love how you either show your cards and use their special ability or keep that information hidden. And how you can suddenly end the game and hope to win. 4.5 out of 5 from me.
The mermaid is always worth at least 1 point. The mermaid gives one point per card in the color you have the most cards. If you only have one of each color, you have one point.
When I want to know if a game is luck driven, I go on boardgamearena and look at overall ELO rankings. If you see 500 or less, it means there is no way to get an strategic advantage over others and it’s luck dependent. Sea, Salt and Paper is one of those, Can’t Stop also is, but Azul isn’t, for example. It’s pretty solid metric.
There is more to the game play than shown here… paying attention to what players are discarding and picking up is very important, when to play the pair card effects for most value is key…one pair let’s one take an additional turn, another let’s one select one of the discard piles and take out a card of your choice to your hand, third let’s you take the top card from the draw deck and forth one is shark/swimmer that lets you draw a card from another players hand… the game is light but there is a bit more to it than it just being procedural
You go right in with no explanation of cards or rules, talking a mile a minute, throwing out scoring like everyone knows. It makes this video impossible to follow
Possibly, but art really is important for games. A game with no art no-one would want to play when they see it on the table, even if it had the best mechanics in the world. Board gaming wouldn't have so many beloved artists like Beth Sobel and Vincent Detroit if art didn't matter!
I don’t think you are giving it enough credit in terms of strategy. After many plays I can definitely tell you that following what your opponent might be going for, discarding carefully and placing the bet are very enjoyable elements that bring in solid interaction and strategy…especially giving it‘s dimensions. I think it’s more interesting than for example Jaipur. Luck plays a role but that’s also why you are playing to 40 points and not just one session. It definitely feels like there is a healthy back and forth
This is one of my favourite set collection games. I love how you either show your cards and use their special ability or keep that information hidden. And how you can suddenly end the game and hope to win. 4.5 out of 5 from me.
The mermaid is always worth at least 1 point. The mermaid gives one point per card in the color you have the most cards. If you only have one of each color, you have one point.
When I want to know if a game is luck driven, I go on boardgamearena and look at overall ELO rankings. If you see 500 or less, it means there is no way to get an strategic advantage over others and it’s luck dependent. Sea, Salt and Paper is one of those, Can’t Stop also is, but Azul isn’t, for example. It’s pretty solid metric.
One of my new favorite games!
The right player had 5 pts. 1 PT for the pair of boats + 2 PTs (one PT per boat) + 2 PTs for the Mermaid (1 pt for each of the purple cards)
I am trying it out on BGA. It is fun to play on there, but my initial impressions align with your thoughts.
There is more to the game play than shown here… paying attention to what players are discarding and picking up is very important, when to play the pair card effects for most value is key…one pair let’s one take an additional turn, another let’s one select one of the discard piles and take out a card of your choice to your hand, third let’s you take the top card from the draw deck and forth one is shark/swimmer that lets you draw a card from another players hand… the game is light but there is a bit more to it than it just being procedural
Fair assessment of a fairly good game.
we'll see if this has an Elo cieling like coup or if this is a 7WD card game with no known Elo cieling yet
Interesting, I barely no Elo stuff, curious about that
So many people have been raving about this game. I think the luck driven nature makes me want to play but not own it. Thanks for the review!
The game costs 10-15$ and a very small box. I see no reason not to own it if you can see yourself ever playing it.
Not sure id describe it as peaceful. Getting ypur shit stole by the shark is annoying 😂 really fun game though
The way you teach and describe the game, it's immediately extremely confusing. Slow...down...when you explain the gameplay.
Can you talk slowly. It's hard to understand your accent!
I know I talk fast but what accent?
You go right in with no explanation of cards or rules, talking a mile a minute, throwing out scoring like everyone knows. It makes this video impossible to follow
Sorry it didn't work for you.
If it wasn’t for the art no one would talk about this game
Agreed
Possibly, but art really is important for games. A game with no art no-one would want to play when they see it on the table, even if it had the best mechanics in the world. Board gaming wouldn't have so many beloved artists like Beth Sobel and Vincent Detroit if art didn't matter!