Great review Zee! This game has been on my radar for some time, but your clear explanation of the mechanics as well as your thoughts on the balance between theme and strategy helped me finally pull the trigger. Can't wait to play!
Great review. I don't think that the health dial is unnecessary at all, though. You can play the game two different ways. Have the health counter visible to all players on the board, or have the players' health a secret (on their dial) which also makes for a very interesting game.
I like the concept of this game and have played it a bit on iOS. My main complaint is that the visual language is unintuitive. Too many vague symbols that you have to know.
I like 1.0 the most, because of the graphic design. With this new art style everything looks beautiful, but it's not as clean and clear as the original. The amount of detail just makes my head hurt, whereas the original art was so lean, that I only ever needed one look at the board to get what's going on.
3.0 was issued in 2013 by Z-Man and had 5 armies. Portal is printing this version of 3.0 and it will have 4 armies. I hope the art is improved because I hate the look of my version. I bought it at an auction and was pumped because of the love from the Dice Tower. Man was I bummed when I actually got to see the components up close. That being said, art is very much an individual taste and I am probably in the minority when it comes to this game. Zee you seemed tired. Get some rest.
Honestly, I have only seen the images on the Portal website. It hasn't been on my radar to search out. As with all art, it is very subjective and one person's taste shouldn't influence someone else. Unless it is your spouse and then they will usually win out.
NH is really a nice game with a very polished, clean mechanism and great artwork and theme. A big minus for me is the awful visual language and playing board. In an abstract complex game like this morning is more important than being able to read the playing field and iconography as easily and clearly as possible...
My first exposure to this game was on my iPad. It was fun, but the iPad version (at the time, anyway) didn't have very good documentation. I had absolutely no idea what the little tiles did. Watching this does make me want to take another look though. Thanks, Zee!
After watching this, i had to buy it. And wow, suddenly neuroshima is in my top 3 for 1vs1 games.So fast, brutal and strategic. Another hit zee, i am buying all games you review and your top 100 games will be my guide for table top games and fast but deep games in general..
I liked the Android version, but you guys are right, documentation was short and knowing what your tiles did was difficult. I like the reference cards. Plus, I was wondering how the heck you were going to track damage (the computer handled it well). I like the damage tokens. Might add this to my wish list finally.
I always wanted to buy this game, so I got it on may iPad. While I was on a trip to France with friends, i played it with them, and they liked it a lot although they are not gamers. This was like their second game after Small World which they liked but not as much as Neuroshima Hex.
But Zee we know you love this game very very much. All the top Ten lists you could have it on with Tom you do. :) I bought this 3.0 a while back and love it too. My copy came with a 5th army, Doomsday Machine. I also have this game on my ipad too. You did a great job showing how it plays. Keep up the great reviews buddy.
I really thought this review is awesome! About five years ago I started getting into the serious board gaming, previously I had been playing Magic the Gathering for 20 years. the question I had to ask about this particular game was about the factions and their tiles. Do you feel that some matchups are uneven or more challenging based upon the abilities of a particular faction's tiles? thank you for the video and plz continue posting quality material!
watcherFox there are no changes in tiles (in terms of rules), there is only layout changes + fancy Life Trackers + 55 solo puzzles + player's aids. In terms of rules it is more or less the same game.
zee is about to make me buy this game... i have an ultimate question, is the 3.0 edition includes includes all the expansion released for the former edition? are they any expansion for this 3.0 edition? thank you
+Erwin Huibers thank you.i downloaded the androit app and i figured that the game is far better in its digital form. you can play anywhere without having to deal without the math. there is not multiplayer yet but it is stillwaiting more enjoyable. the boardgame itself is just tokens, so i don't think i really miss something.
This was one of the games I have been interested in for awhile. Didn't realize a new version was coming out, so this has my interest even more now. I would want it for 3+ players though, so wondering how much worse it is, if you say it works best with two players.
I'm a long time player of this game. Maybe I can help clarify how 2 player games feel verses 3+. The game mechanics shine the most in a 2 player game. Your whole hand of tiles get utilized in some form and some of the more powerful plays/combos are revealed. In a 3+ player game the real fun begins! First, you have to make huge sacrifices. Maybe choose not to play a great tile in hope of turning the game in your favor in a later turn. Even utilize an enemy to build on your attack. Best at 3 players once you have plenty of 2 player practice!
Often in a 4 player game each player is either A. In a corner only letting 2-3 tiles being lifted off the board or B. 1player remains completely protected and she watches everyone else obliterate each other. So in other words gameplay comes nearly to a screeching halt. This is kind of a rough example as I could say much much more.
Pádraic Ó'Bróithe for 4 players game there is recommended variant of team play 2:2 which is a lot of fun. One team goal is to destroy 1 of opponents HQ. This is great way to play Neuroshima Hex. DISCLAIMER: I am publisher of this game and I love it with honest heart :)
Sorry, but this didn't seem to be a very critical look at the game... 3.0 seems to add nothing to game itself - better art and graphic design, and a deck of cards that are not part of the game, yet Zee is raving about this edition. Zee likes Neuroshima Hex, that's fine... but what does 3.0 add? What does it do differently? It looks like just a new board.
This isn't an expansion, it doesn't have to "add" anything. Consider it a review of the reprint for those who don't have the game. I think those who have a previous edition understand that Zee is not reviewing the game for them.
Easily one of my top 20 games. I love that there’s still expansions coming out too. 20th army releases this year!
Great review Zee! This game has been on my radar for some time, but your clear explanation of the mechanics as well as your thoughts on the balance between theme and strategy helped me finally pull the trigger. Can't wait to play!
Colin Tress Thank you!
I appreciate you covering this one, Zee
Great review. I don't think that the health dial is unnecessary at all, though. You can play the game two different ways. Have the health counter visible to all players on the board, or have the players' health a secret (on their dial) which also makes for a very interesting game.
Could we get reviews for the expansions as well?
Zee is doing such a amazing job.
I like the concept of this game and have played it a bit on iOS. My main complaint is that the visual language is unintuitive. Too many vague symbols that you have to know.
Great review Zee! Just brought my copy home and can't wait to play my first games.... : )
I like 1.0 the most, because of the graphic design. With this new art style everything looks beautiful, but it's not as clean and clear as the original. The amount of detail just makes my head hurt, whereas the original art was so lean, that I only ever needed one look at the board to get what's going on.
3.0 was issued in 2013 by Z-Man and had 5 armies. Portal is printing this version of 3.0 and it will have 4 armies. I hope the art is improved because I hate the look of my version. I bought it at an auction and was pumped because of the love from the Dice Tower. Man was I bummed when I actually got to see the components up close.
That being said, art is very much an individual taste and I am probably in the minority when it comes to this game.
Zee you seemed tired. Get some rest.
***** Have you seen the Portal edition yet, and if so, is the art any better?
Honestly, I have only seen the images on the Portal website. It hasn't been on my radar to search out. As with all art, it is very subjective and one person's taste shouldn't influence someone else. Unless it is your spouse and then they will usually win out.
+Dean Liggett art changed from 2.5 to 3.0 most polish sites have 2.5 artstyle.
NH is really a nice game with a very polished, clean mechanism and great artwork and theme. A big minus for me is the awful visual language and playing board. In an abstract complex game like this morning is more important than being able to read the playing field and iconography as easily and clearly as possible...
My first exposure to this game was on my iPad. It was fun, but the iPad version (at the time, anyway) didn't have very good documentation. I had absolutely no idea what the little tiles did. Watching this does make me want to take another look though. Thanks, Zee!
Steve Juranich Same here! (though I played on Android)
The ipad has a information button that give you all the info of a tile when you tap it.
Go to Portal Games site and download PDF rulebook :)
After watching this, i had to buy it. And wow, suddenly neuroshima is in my top 3 for 1vs1 games.So fast, brutal and strategic. Another hit zee, i am buying all games you review and your top 100 games will be my guide for table top games and fast but deep games in general..
I liked the Android version, but you guys are right, documentation was short and knowing what your tiles did was difficult. I like the reference cards. Plus, I was wondering how the heck you were going to track damage (the computer handled it well). I like the damage tokens. Might add this to my wish list finally.
Thanks!
I always wanted to buy this game, so I got it on may iPad. While I was on a trip to France with friends, i played it with them, and they liked it a lot although they are not gamers. This was like their second game after Small World which they liked but not as much as Neuroshima Hex.
But Zee we know you love this game very very much. All the top Ten lists you could have it on with Tom you do. :) I bought this 3.0 a while back and love it too. My copy came with a 5th army, Doomsday Machine. I also have this game on my ipad too. You did a great job showing how it plays. Keep up the great reviews buddy.
What do you think of the Year of Moloch version coming out? Good place for someone new to the game to jump in?
Wow Why have I never seen this review...I need this game in my collection. I'm severely lacking in the "best with 2 and 3 player games"
Top 5 of all time? It looks good, but not THAT good. Maybe I'll have to try it. Is the app good?
Have seen a few reviews previously, but I purchased the game based on your review. Very well done. Thank you.
I really thought this review is awesome! About five years ago I started getting into the serious board gaming, previously I had been playing Magic the Gathering for 20 years. the question I had to ask about this particular game was about the factions and their tiles. Do you feel that some matchups are uneven or more challenging based upon the abilities of a particular faction's tiles? thank you for the video and plz continue posting quality material!
the manual kinda explains the tiers :]
I loved the review Zee. I'm gunna buy it!
For someone that has an earlier version (v2 I think), is it worth upgrading to 3.0?
watcherFox there are no changes in tiles (in terms of rules), there is only layout changes + fancy Life Trackers + 55 solo puzzles + player's aids. In terms of rules it is more or less the same game.
Looks like an awesome game. Great and simple strategy
zee is about to make me buy this game...
i have an ultimate question, is the 3.0 edition includes includes all the expansion released for the former edition? are they any expansion for this 3.0 edition? thank you
No. It is just revision 3. No expansions.
+Erwin Huibers thank you.i downloaded the androit app and i figured that the game is far better in its digital form. you can play anywhere without having to deal without the math. there is not multiplayer yet but it is stillwaiting more enjoyable. the boardgame itself is just tokens, so i don't think i really miss something.
Still a very cool game to play with others ....at a table.
+Erwin Huibers of course! i am just more nomad and alone than other players.
This was one of the games I have been interested in for awhile. Didn't realize a new version was coming out, so this has my interest even more now. I would want it for 3+ players though, so wondering how much worse it is, if you say it works best with two players.
I'm a long time player of this game. Maybe I can help clarify how 2 player games feel verses 3+.
The game mechanics shine the most in a 2 player game. Your whole hand of tiles get utilized in some form and some of the more powerful plays/combos are revealed.
In a 3+ player game the real fun begins! First, you have to make huge sacrifices. Maybe choose not to play a great tile in hope of turning the game in your favor in a later turn. Even utilize an enemy to build on your attack. Best at 3 players once you have plenty of 2 player practice!
Ricky Tafoya Thanks for that explanation. Would you say four players is too much then?
Often in a 4 player game each player is either A. In a corner only letting 2-3 tiles being lifted off the board or B. 1player remains completely protected and she watches everyone else obliterate each other. So in other words gameplay comes nearly to a screeching halt. This is kind of a rough example as I could say much much more.
Ricky Tafoya Thanks a lot. That makes perfect sense to me.
Pádraic Ó'Bróithe for 4 players game there is recommended variant of team play 2:2 which is a lot of fun. One team goal is to destroy 1 of opponents HQ. This is great way to play Neuroshima Hex. DISCLAIMER: I am publisher of this game and I love it with honest heart :)
Great job, Zee.
Sorry, but this didn't seem to be a very critical look at the game...
3.0 seems to add nothing to game itself - better art and graphic design, and a deck of cards that are not part of the game, yet Zee is raving about this edition.
Zee likes Neuroshima Hex, that's fine... but what does 3.0 add? What does it do differently? It looks like just a new board.
This isn't an expansion, it doesn't have to "add" anything. Consider it a review of the reprint for those who don't have the game. I think those who have a previous edition understand that Zee is not reviewing the game for them.
Adam Palesch NS HEX 3.0 has the same rules as 2.0 except added 3 player variant, solo variant and much better components.
Ignacy Trzewiczek Will there be a 4.0 version? :P
Forget Hex 4.0. Ignacy Trzewiczek, will there be more Imperial Settlers? Please say yes. You can have my money!!
Adam Palesch Yes :)