Cool idea Aaron - Take from the blind to hide your plans 😀 I love how you all play friendly games by pointing out better moves or allowing someone to rewind and make a different move. Always makes for a more fun game 😊
I like the game discussion at the end. Dave always likes to talk strategy during and after the game :) Great show, keep it going! never stop. Relaxing to watch. It gives a good view how a game plays. The game itself was a bit dry for a gameplay video.
As always, love the dynamic between Aaron and Dave… 'Let me ask you this!' 'No.. let me finish!!!!' :D I know you're all friends, which is why it's so cute to see the dynamics of your friendship, unedited. I didn't enjoy the first 20-25 minutes, but in the 3rd round when everyone was struggling to try and knock each other out of places I thought the dynamics of the game got more interesting. I think I'd enjoy this game!
Just watched this. Thanks Aaron for your critique. There are times that during a game like Kingdom Builder, I feel like my path is chosen for me. There are things that can be done to mitigate that, but I still feel stuck and along for the ride sometimes. While I will not avoid this game based on your opinion, I will not be actively be seeking it out.
Thanks for this playthrough, Aaron's opinion is absolutely correct and this game is bad for people that make invested plans but fortunately for me, my game group tends to not overthink stuff and the simple process of each turn would appeal to them because there's no mechanical bloat. Picked this up from the 2023 arcane wonders sale.
Thanks for playing and discussing this game. It looks like the type of design that some people will really enjoy and others will find annoying. It is very helpful to hear both views explained, so we can evaluate which camp we fall in. Well done!
Dave is great at shuffling cards, but I rarely see him cutting the cards. You want cards at the top and bottom of the deck to have a good chance of ending somewhere else (and so on for all the cards).
There are a lot of scoring options, but not sure I would call this point salad as the options all play off the core area control mechanic. I really like that the design is very clean and rules simple, but there's still a lot to consider on each turn and future planning is viable and critical. This is effectively Ticket to Ride area control and could easily be considered a gateway game but the theme is very dry, which may give me pause introducing it to new gamers.
Brandon Brockway the theme is not the problem with this game ...the multiple ways of achieving or accruing victory points IS NOT appealing to any light gamer let alone a newcomer...any game which needs 20 minutes to explain the rules is NOT simple - all the greatest games are almost totally simple but with a few subtleties which keep you going back for more - this game does NOT have that at all
Keith Parker well... I certainly disagree but I guess it depends on what you consider a light game... I find Royals to be very similar in complexity to Ticket to Ride Europe, which is generally considered to be a light gateway game.
Keith Parker not sure what you mean by the "context of the game" other than the theme. I agree, TTRE is a thematic game and the scoring and mechanics make sense within that context. Royals theme is dry and pasted on, which was the point of my original post... Like many Euros, Royals isn't centered around a theme as much as a mechanic, area control, and the scoring makes a lot of sense within that context. I can understand why one wouldn't see that, but it's there. Not sure what all the fuss is about anyway... end of Period scoring is easy and the city, country and noble house bonus are super simple. Tracking progress towards end of period scoring isn't much if at all more difficult then destination tickets.
I may be mistaken, but I was under the impression everyone drew their bonus cards in turn order before starting the game, and then on top of that, drew their 3 cards or 1 intrigue and 1 country card. This makes it so players starting turns later in the round get a small "catch up" bonus for not having as many options at the beginning of the game as starting players.
I've never watched you play with such overall displeasure than on this game! A sea of grumpy, frustrated, bored-looking faces as I type this (apart from Dave). And missing most of your customary enjoyment and laughter. I'll be interested to hear your views on the game at the end! :-)
What this game needs is a spy ring, as well as a mechanism to make the players band together to form alliances.Such as a war, or a royal marriage, or something. Otherwise it's a different sort of Monopoly game.
David Kodeski If you notice a theme here it's that Dave does not keep his cards to himself. You have to actively avert your eyes when you are next to him. Nevertheless he still wins a lot :)
Collecting cards to make color sets and trying to get the most points is similar to TTR. That's where the similarities end. There's 6 different ways to score points during a Royals game, figuring out when and where to get them is the key. If you ever get a chance to play it, I think you'll enjoy it. It's light enough to learn quickly and has enough depth to make it fun and interesting.
Aaron, thanks for having an honest unrestricted reaction and voicing your frustrations!
Cool idea Aaron - Take from the blind to hide your plans 😀 I love how you all play friendly games by pointing out better moves or allowing someone to rewind and make a different move. Always makes for a more fun game 😊
Dave is such a great teacher
I like the game discussion at the end. Dave always likes to talk strategy during and after the game :) Great show, keep it going! never stop. Relaxing to watch. It gives a good view how a game plays.
The game itself was a bit dry for a gameplay video.
As always, love the dynamic between Aaron and Dave… 'Let me ask you this!' 'No.. let me finish!!!!' :D I know you're all friends, which is why it's so cute to see the dynamics of your friendship, unedited. I didn't enjoy the first 20-25 minutes, but in the 3rd round when everyone was struggling to try and knock each other out of places I thought the dynamics of the game got more interesting. I think I'd enjoy this game!
The "will you teach us X?" line cracks me up every time for some reason :D
Eyal Itsik Because it's so *forced*, it acquires a level of humor. I find I chuckle a bit as well.
Just watched this. Thanks Aaron for your critique. There are times that during a game like Kingdom Builder, I feel like my path is chosen for me. There are things that can be done to mitigate that, but I still feel stuck and along for the ride sometimes. While I will not avoid this game based on your opinion, I will not be actively be seeking it out.
I love GameNight!
Thanks for this playthrough, Aaron's opinion is absolutely correct and this game is bad for people that make invested plans but fortunately for me, my game group tends to not overthink stuff and the simple process of each turn would appeal to them because there's no mechanical bloat. Picked this up from the 2023 arcane wonders sale.
Thanks for playing and discussing this game. It looks like the type of design that some people will really enjoy and others will find annoying. It is very helpful to hear both views explained, so we can evaluate which camp we fall in. Well done!
Good watching friends play.
Great job guys as usual and i really like this game very very simple but yet it can be fun and lightly mental...great job
I want this. Very intrigued about what the Arcane Wonders edition is going to look like.
I love these people. They are fab.
the game look pretty interesting and i like the scoring system :)
Dave is great at shuffling cards, but I rarely see him cutting the cards. You want cards at the top and bottom of the deck to have a good chance of ending somewhere else (and so on for all the cards).
TheMrE Oh he loves cutting cards too and always does so with a satisfying slap.
I would watch a video of just Dave shuffling. I wonder if he was a dealer at a casino once upon a time.
Look at around 48:00. He cuts the deck a few times.
There are a lot of scoring options, but not sure I would call this point salad as the options all play off the core area control mechanic. I really like that the design is very clean and rules simple, but there's still a lot to consider on each turn and future planning is viable and critical. This is effectively Ticket to Ride area control and could easily be considered a gateway game but the theme is very dry, which may give me pause introducing it to new gamers.
Brandon Brockway the theme is not the problem with this game ...the multiple ways of achieving or accruing victory points IS NOT appealing to any light gamer let alone a newcomer...any game which needs 20 minutes to explain the rules is NOT simple - all the greatest games are almost totally simple but with a few subtleties which keep you going back for more - this game does NOT have that at all
Keith Parker well... I certainly disagree but I guess it depends on what you consider a light game... I find Royals to be very similar in complexity to Ticket to Ride Europe, which is generally considered to be a light gateway game.
Brandon Brockway TTR is much more clearly defined and the multiple ways of scoring are logical within the context of the game...this isnt
Keith Parker not sure what you mean by the "context of the game" other than the theme. I agree, TTRE is a thematic game and the scoring and mechanics make sense within that context. Royals theme is dry and pasted on, which was the point of my original post... Like many Euros, Royals isn't centered around a theme as much as a mechanic, area control, and the scoring makes a lot of sense within that context. I can understand why one wouldn't see that, but it's there. Not sure what all the fuss is about anyway... end of Period scoring is easy and the city, country and noble house bonus are super simple. Tracking progress towards end of period scoring isn't much if at all more difficult then destination tickets.
I may be mistaken, but I was under the impression everyone drew their bonus cards in turn order before starting the game, and then on top of that, drew their 3 cards or 1 intrigue and 1 country card. This makes it so players starting turns later in the round get a small "catch up" bonus for not having as many options at the beginning of the game as starting players.
I've never watched you play with such overall displeasure than on this game! A sea of grumpy, frustrated, bored-looking faces as I type this (apart from Dave). And missing most of your customary enjoyment and laughter. I'll be interested to hear your views on the game at the end! :-)
What this game needs is a spy ring, as well as a mechanism to make the players band together to form alliances.Such as a war, or a royal marriage, or something. Otherwise it's a different sort of Monopoly game.
Another great video. Not so great board game this go round.
19:07 Nikki checks out what Dave's got in his hand?
David Kodeski If you notice a theme here it's that Dave does not keep his cards to himself. You have to actively avert your eyes when you are next to him. Nevertheless he still wins a lot :)
I think she is actually trying to see what new cards are coming out, not trying to look at Dave’s hand.
Great video as usual! Game suggestion: "Drunter und drüber" Spiel des Jahres 1991. Bought it recently and i really enjoy it.
Nice video. Game has similarities in mechanics to Thurn und Taxis, which I still prefer.
Woah 🔥 firey Aaron ! Lol
Aww.. (spoiler)
I have never seen Nikki win a game and I was hoping this would be the day. No such luck.
oh look, its "Ticket to People: Europe."
Nice Play Linc` ;)
All hail to the fett Lincoln
Wow Aaron was so salty, not to mention very rude to Dave at the end
Aaron would definitely never be able to talk to me like that and get away with it
Alright, tough guy. Friends quarrel from time to time and it’s completely fine.
This game looks fun but I think Ethnos has a similar feel and plays better imo
So, it plays pretty much like Ticket to Ride except with a hand limit.
I got to be honest it looks like a game I will very much enjoy.
It also looks like it has a little bit more depth than one would initially guess.
Collecting cards to make color sets and trying to get the most points is similar to TTR. That's where the similarities end. There's 6 different ways to score points during a Royals game, figuring out when and where to get them is the key. If you ever get a chance to play it, I think you'll enjoy it. It's light enough to learn quickly and has enough depth to make it fun and interesting.
please do DARK MOON!
what does Aaron think of Five Tribes?
I'd guess it's too complicated for him.
looks - like a dull Euro game with a few fancy pieces
Well don't judge a book by its cover.
Dalmatinac3 He din't. We have a gameplay video here. 🤔
first
Nickolai Juan Indeed.
first time a actual youtuber responded to me much love lincoln