We saw this game in Barnes and Noble but passed on it until we could go home and look up the rules. Watched your video, and went back first thing the next morning to buy the only copy on the shelf. We've been playing for hours...this game is AMAZING, an instant favorite. Everything about this game is fantastic and I am incredibly impressed with all aspects, whether game play, aesthetics, packaging, EVERYTHING.
I have played a variant where we shuffle the movement cards into a draw deck, and each players draws from the top of the deck, and is required to play the card he draws, which then goes into a discard pile. When the deck is empty and no one has won, you simply shuffle the discard and make a new deck.
I don't get the hate for the box. I think it's the perfect size for the game. A square box, given the flexible board, would be a waste of space. This will definitely fit in your shelf, next to all those small box games you have... you do have smaller games right?
John Reynolds I would assume to fit the play may. And I remember there was a survey on BGG or something where Arcane Wonders asked everybody what shape box they would want for the game.
I just ordered this game with the expansion. This looks so simple to play but difficult to master. I truly love the concept of the game as I love 2 player strategy games. Like Chess, Backgammon, Hnefatafl, Stratego, etc. This looks like a must have for any strategy game lover.
I know people prefer standard game box sizes, but I think this will have good shelf appeal at Target and other retailers. I love the magnetic clasp and the mousepad style board. Definite buy for me!
I'm just confused about the purpose of the dice towers essentails. is it actually a list of games that the dice tower thinks are essential games for a game collection or is it actually just games that are good that aren't in print?
So essentially a randomised version of shougi (Japanese chess) without piece promotion and on a much smaller board (5x5) than the standard size(s) (usually 9x9), let alone the gigantic ones (up to 36x36) that have all those wacky movements, but not as tiny as the barebones "doubutsu shougi" ("animal chess") (3x4) et al. Does look like lotsa fun, though.
This looks pretty cool, and I don't have any problem with the box. Was this one that originally came in a tube? If so, the box is way better. And I like the idea of a mousepad board.
It looks like the cards (or some at least) are not from the original game. For instance I don't think there is a card that moves like the "rabbit" card that Tom shows.
You are correct; several cards have been changed. Generally for the worse, in my opinion. What I find most disappointing is that they got rid of the three "split function" cards, where you had different move options for pawns and master. There was even one that let you advance the opponent's master (!) one space, often to hilarious effect.
@@tonyl2087 This is not as long as Duke (can be good thing, can be bad thing either). This is more simple, you have 5 posible patterns of movement, which will oscilate thru whole game ... but Duke has much more patterns and usually hidden in bag. For new player this can be quite hard :) So its more simple, more relaxing. Duke is really similar to chess.
+StandUpTheVanguard most cards will apply to pawn and master equally. Some of the cards are specific and give different movements to master or pawn and it will show you two different movements clearlylabeled.
+Critical Eats Japan And just looking *at* your channel makes me miss Ebi Filet-O and onigiri again... (Didn't care for most of the usually over-packaged sweet stuff.)
I have a DIY version of this game, built it for €3.00, love the game but unfortunately my wife doesn't, finds it is too much like chess and i always win.
Really don't like the components. a mouse pad mat? I was looking forward to this game coming out in the west, but now I think I'm going to try and make my own with a wooden board. The Japanese influence really seems lost in this version.
Several cards of the Japanese original have been changed for this edition; generally for the worse, in my opinion. What I find most disappointing is that they got rid of the three "split function" cards, where you had different move options for pawns and master. There was even one that let you advance the opponent's master (!) one space, often to hilarious effect. Was it really necessary to dumb down the game in this fashion? For me, this edition is an automatic non-starter.
The components look beautiful but the game is essentially a bunch of easily solvable puzzles. Each game looks easier than an expert level tsume shogi / chess problem and one can solve the game before the first move.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
We saw this game in Barnes and Noble but passed on it until we could go home and look up the rules.
Watched your video, and went back first thing the next morning to buy the only copy on the shelf.
We've been playing for hours...this game is AMAZING, an instant favorite.
Everything about this game is fantastic and I am incredibly impressed with all aspects, whether game play, aesthetics, packaging, EVERYTHING.
I love the box! I think with it being such a quick game to play, it's a game that I would want to take places. The box makes it portable.
This game looks really awesome. I love the art and theme.
love the concept and the mouse pad board. also the minis look really good from a stylized perspective. I can't wait to get my hands on this one.
I have played a variant where we shuffle the movement cards into a draw deck, and each players draws from the top of the deck, and is required to play the card he draws, which then goes into a discard pile. When the deck is empty and no one has won, you simply shuffle the discard and make a new deck.
I don't get the hate for the box. I think it's the perfect size for the game. A square box, given the flexible board, would be a waste of space.
This will definitely fit in your shelf, next to all those small box games you have... you do have smaller games right?
I'm surprised you signed off on that box shape/size Tom! :)
John Reynolds I would assume to fit the play may. And I remember there was a survey on BGG or something where Arcane Wonders asked everybody what shape box they would want for the game.
Placing this as one of the winners of the Mensa Select Award 2017.
I have been interested in this game ever since you first announced it was going into the DTE...looks so good! Can't wait to play it :)
I just ordered this game with the expansion. This looks so simple to play but difficult to master. I truly love the concept of the game as I love 2 player strategy games. Like Chess, Backgammon, Hnefatafl, Stratego, etc. This looks like a must have for any strategy game lover.
Been waiting for this ever since I have seen it for the first time (old edition). Buying it as soon as it is availible in my country. :)
Looks amazing. Got to play it at DTC last year and it's great. Can't wait for this release.
This game is wonderful and a great choice for Dice Tower Essentials.
My store just got this in and I bought it on sight. Awesome game
I love the box. I hope the pieces have a good solid weight to them like Hive. If they are light plastic, that would be a real shame.
I'm seeing a lot of interesting games loosely in the chess family. I like where designers' heads are at.
Can't wait to grab this one.
Box shape is hmmmm...interesting, but the components look really good.
That "board" gave me flashbacks of vicious fishes 😋 seriously game looks good going on my wishlist
I will be getting this for my dad!
I know people prefer standard game box sizes, but I think this will have good shelf appeal at Target and other retailers. I love the magnetic clasp and the mousepad style board. Definite buy for me!
just let me know when it's out I'm dying to play this.
I'm just confused about the purpose of the dice towers essentails. is it actually a list of games that the dice tower thinks are essential games for a game collection or is it actually just games that are good that aren't in print?
I know... That was rhetorical... *shakes head*
Such a simple, cool game.
So essentially a randomised version of shougi (Japanese chess) without piece promotion and on a much smaller board (5x5) than the standard size(s) (usually 9x9), let alone the gigantic ones (up to 36x36) that have all those wacky movements, but not as tiny as the barebones "doubutsu shougi" ("animal chess") (3x4) et al. Does look like lotsa fun, though.
That looks awesome!
It's just a little funny that the box is so odd because Tom has ranted about weird box sizes and how he hates them lol. Cool looking game though.
This looks pretty cool, and I don't have any problem with the box. Was this one that originally came in a tube? If so, the box is way better. And I like the idea of a mousepad board.
So when are you going to make a new "Pillars of the Earth with a different IP "game for your essentials line?
I hate non-standard box sizes (like the typical 12x12 or 12.5x9), will will I fit that on my shelf?
I have both now!
Very cool box.
Will this come to europe?
It looks like the cards (or some at least) are not from the original game. For instance I don't think there is a card that moves like the "rabbit" card that Tom shows.
You are correct; several cards have been changed. Generally for the worse, in my opinion. What I find most disappointing is that they got rid of the three "split function" cards, where you had different move options for pawns and master. There was even one that let you advance the opponent's master (!) one space, often to hilarious effect.
This game seems very similar to The Duke.
jumpyg1258 gonna say the same. And how is this better than the duke?
@@tonyl2087 This is not as long as Duke (can be good thing, can be bad thing either). This is more simple, you have 5 posible patterns of movement, which will oscilate thru whole game ... but Duke has much more patterns and usually hidden in bag. For new player this can be quite hard :)
So its more simple, more relaxing. Duke is really similar to chess.
I assume the cards can NOT be use in multiple directions. e.g. the word must be facing upward.
Did they get rid of the cards that worked differently depending on what pawn you were moving?
Yep, they dumbed it down real bad - shame on them!
Was this first or "No Stress Chess" from Think Fun?
EDIT: No Stress Chess - 2004
so what are the rules to moving the pawns? are the cards only applied to the master or same for pawns?
+StandUpTheVanguard the cards can be used to move either the pawns or the master.
+StandUpTheVanguard most cards will apply to pawn and master equally. Some of the cards are specific and give different movements to master or pawn and it will show you two different movements clearlylabeled.
dont make to many of these! You know I'll have to buy them all!
I’d use all the cards
Looks amazing but the pawns look like they are made of rubber. I prefer plastic but I do believe I'm going to get this game.
Onitama ---Demon ball...?
+Critical Eats Japan Much more likely "Demon Soul". Still doesn't quite fit the theme, though...
+Critical Eats Japan And just looking *at* your channel makes me miss Ebi Filet-O and onigiri again... (Didn't care for most of the usually over-packaged sweet stuff.)
Twincast I didn't know that ---I was probably just thinking along the lines of kintama... Sorry, bad joke.
Twincast But yeah, you used to live in Japan? Thanks for checking out my channel!
this looks like a game a good chess player would *destroy* at.
Flat packing vs rolling the ongoing debate continues.
That box looks lame
Actually I think the game looks amazing, I just pre-ordered it
+Trevor Just Yeah... bad box size.
I have a DIY version of this game, built it for €3.00, love the game but unfortunately my wife doesn't, finds it is too much like chess and i always win.
i certainly do NOT consider this game "essential" in every board game collection... but good luck to you if you do :)
Really don't like the components. a mouse pad mat? I was looking forward to this game coming out in the west, but now I think I'm going to try and make my own with a wooden board. The Japanese influence really seems lost in this version.
Several cards of the Japanese original have been changed for this edition; generally for the worse, in my opinion. What I find most disappointing is that they got rid of the three "split function" cards, where you had different move options for pawns and master. There was even one that let you advance the opponent's master (!) one space, often to hilarious effect. Was it really necessary to dumb down the game in this fashion? For me, this edition is an automatic non-starter.
The components look beautiful but the game is essentially a bunch of easily solvable puzzles.
Each game looks easier than an expert level tsume shogi / chess problem and one can solve the game before the first move.