I have never thought about the box art not matching the actual game art, and it totally makes sense why it's a struggle getting it to the table. Subconsciously it feels like a bait and switch.
I'll take the heat for you. Ark Nova is overrated. It's a good game, it's a solid game, I'd happily play it, but I don't think it's a top 10 game of all time. The scoring track isn't new (Raja of the Ganges), the zoo building is just polyomino placement, Feld's been doing cards with abilities for decades. What it has going for it is it managed to integrate a bunch of different mechanisms in a way that works with a theme that's much cooler than classic "Trading in the Mediterranean" games. And, like Terraforming Mars (that it replaced for some people, which had even worse card art), it takes a long time at a high player count. You should definitely play it, but based on your 5/5s, not sure it would be a top game of all time for you. 4, probably, 5, not sure. Bitoku, that's a great overlooked game (which I would rank higher than Ark Nova). Super heavy the first time or two (it was the third play before I got every rule right, and I mainly play heavier games, think 3.5 weight and up), but it is amazingly good, and looks amazingly good too.
Sure, show more of your opportunity games - especially if talking about them makes you want to bring them to the table more :) Also, maybe at some point when you've managed to cover all of the usual must-have video formats, listicles and such... I'd really like to hear you talk about your favorite board game upgrades, either purchased from Etsy or elsewhere or 3D printed at home. I love blinging out my favorite games way beyond all reason and am interested in inspiration
I definitely understand wanting to buy/play games that are visually interesting, because I do the same hahaha I got Nemesis a year ago (+one expansion) but still haven't played it 🙈
100% agree about Ark Nova! The board does not match the box art and feel at all... and I really dislike when games do that. One of the reasons I didn't buy Ark Nova. On a side note, I find it very interesting that some people buy a lot of stuff for games they haven't played yet, like inserts, 3d printed items, expansions, etc. without playing a couple of matches first. My wife and I only buy stuff for our games after a couple of plays when we are like "yeah, we liked this and we will play a lot more", then we go for sleeves, inserts, metal coins, 3d printed, etc.
Yes to you playing Stardew solo! We've always played it at 2 players and it's great! It can get difficult based on your luck but never feels unwinnable or unfair.
@@XxDeadpool99xX, start early and if you end up on a floor that has a great layout, don't be afraid to stay for a few turns just to bank some items that you need to upgrade your pickaxe and some stones to go down. The mine is definitely the hardest part. Ask help if you're playing co-op.
Ark Nova is the only game on that list I’ve played yet it’s still among my fav with all the other games I have played. BGA is a great way to learn it, as others have mentioned, or with a very patient teacher who has a CCG experience I’d suggest. Just play a game to get the rhythm, talk out moves to draw out little nuance rules and learn play styles will help to make the first learning game engaging and intoxicating. For me, the tensity of picking the best cards during setup to match the board and dealing with the random cards drawn to adjust your strategy is the most addictive aspect of the game. That along with designing your own zoo.
That is such a good suggestion, and your enthusiasm for the game makes me want to play it all the more! I've heard so many wonderful things about it and I'm more exited than ever to get it to the table!
Bitoku: it's absolutely stunning, and the theme is there, I love it. However, it's really complex. My wife loves it more than I do, but I think it's because she gets it better 😂. I'm terrible at it, but I shall prevail. It's in our 5x5 challenge this year let's see
I was just looking at my shelf the other night and wondered if I will ever get Endless Winter to my table! Any content on this game would be very much appreciated!!
Gold West is excellent. Galileo Project is another good one by Sorry We Are French. Signorie is good game on the heavier side. So is Messina 1347 and Yokohama
I've played a couple dozen games of Stardew, it is fun (cooperative is probably my favorite type of game) That said I'd probably recommend playing the video game first. Not that you need to, but it's a great game and a lot of the fun of the board game was seeing how it worked as an adaptation
Ark Nova is a lot of fun if you like Tableau building games like Terraforming Mars. While it gets compared with TM, it has a lot of differences in gameplay. It is quite a lot at first to take in, but after a few rounds the game will probably click (maybe take a full game). It is really fun building out your zoo.
Ark Nova: we love it here. And it's perfect for two players count. It gives you plenty to think of, many decision paths, but with a lot of fun. I'm pretty sure once you start it it will click to you and you'll get used to the looks, specially because of the cards, in practice they are even more cool and you get attached to them. Bamboo, played once, and I really like it, very fun and fluid. I really want to play it again, but you know how difficult it is to repeat games 😂
My Challenge to with games on my shelf of opportunity/shame. At my age I should just retire and become full time gamer. 😆 I am over 60 and have 40+ years in with my current employer. Think I can make enough as gamer to keep a roof over our head?🤭@@AfterEvenfall
Probably not helpful, but I much preferred Dinogenics over Dinosaur World. Found Dinosaur World a little disappointing by comparison. Dinogenics unfortunately is between print runs.
Hells yes! Endless Winter! I love that game. I bought it immediately right after playing it at my friend's house for the first time and then have played it a couple times since. I will say that it's such a table hog and long set up that I've yet to try it solo. I really want to try it solo this year, but haven't because of the set up. - PLEASE, yes - I want to watch you play it! LOL
For me my shelf of shame contains games that I've played that are notoriously bad but for some reason I decide to keep them, ie I have the game 'Nightmare' and all 3 expansions. They are all awful but have such childhood nostalgia.
Have you gotten a chance to play Ark Nova yet? We could play it on BGA and I can help answer any questions you have. If your husband plays on BGA, he is welcome to play too.
17:00 I'd love be to see a solo play of Stardew Valley! I love the video game, solo and multiplayer. And I totally agree about the zoo game with the brown and blue center pieces looking nothing like the box and rest of it - that deters interest instead of sparking it, for me.
I was going to say that I don't have any unopened boards games, but then remembered that I've got a special edition Clue game still in shrinkwrap because I bought it to play with my (adult) niece and we haven't had a chance. A friend's unopened ATLA game is here, and I think my sister has an unopened card game. After checking it out of the library and learning it with a pair of friends, I got Wingspan for Christmas, but have only had a chance to solo play it once. The art is gorgeous and I would love to play more.
For tabletop RPG games, though, I have at least 5 solo games and three multiplayer games i haven't gotten to the table - plus one multiplayer that i hope to run a one shot for latwr this month.
Stardew valley is the best❤❤❤ if you played the video game you would be amazed at how the board game pretty much nailed it with the gameplay. I think you should try playing the videogame just so ul have a feel of what it’s about (mind u the videogame is addicting😂). I know it seems too complicated to learn but please give it a go again😊
Haha I've played a few Stardew Valley adjacent games like Fae Farm and Story of Seasons! I love those style of games, so I'm positive I'll love Stardew Valley!
i also played fae farm and story of seasons but I always go back to Stardew Valley. I'm sure you'll love it too. Hope you give the board game another try❤️
Dinosaur world is a really good game. A hint for a bit faster set up: get the insert and get mini dice instead of those tiny cardboard square with numbers on.
@AfterEvenfall I have the official insert. It cuts the setup time by at least half. Probably close to 75%. Because everything is divided per player color. 1 box per player that holds everything they need. Super easy 😊👍
@@AfterEvenfall Yes, it's no harder than (Lost ruins of) Arnak or Dune Imperium to set up or play after a couple of plays, even though those games got all the reviewer love, but it's actually the best game of the three in my opinion.
Ok, final comment. I have around 20 games on my shelf of shame/ opportunity (and can't seem to stop buying more), and something that has helped me get more to the table is I started doing a monthly first plays first impressions video on my channel where I go over the games I played for the first time the previous month. Only had a few games in January, but many other months, I had around a dozen games (not all were my games).
That's a great idea! I went through my games and pulled all of the ones that can be played solo, and it turns out it's about half my collection, so my plans are to learn those first in my free time!
@AfterEvenfall Cool. I do a decent bit of solo gaming, and I do how to plays and playthroughs of solo modes on my channel. I need to do one for Ark Nova, but have never gotten around to it. As you continue with your channel I am sure you will have so many videos you want to do and have a backlog of video to make.
I definitely have games that I've played that have equal amounts of setup, I think I just get a little overwhelmed when I look at all of it. I've found that most of the time those games have been my favorites in the long run, so I'm hoping Endless Winter can be one of them too!
I’ve been interested in playing Endless Winter, every time that I see it at my FLGS, I try to talk myself into buying it. Maybe if I see it played I would know for sure if it’s worth buying
I've almost talked myself into this one several times as well, but I just don't think it would make it to the table much with the competition of games with similar mechanisms that we already know and enjoy.
I have never thought about the box art not matching the actual game art, and it totally makes sense why it's a struggle getting it to the table. Subconsciously it feels like a bait and switch.
Yes it really does! :P
Id love to see a playthrough/review of Endless Winter. Looks like a great game!
I'll put that on my calendar then! :)
I'll take the heat for you. Ark Nova is overrated. It's a good game, it's a solid game, I'd happily play it, but I don't think it's a top 10 game of all time. The scoring track isn't new (Raja of the Ganges), the zoo building is just polyomino placement, Feld's been doing cards with abilities for decades. What it has going for it is it managed to integrate a bunch of different mechanisms in a way that works with a theme that's much cooler than classic "Trading in the Mediterranean" games. And, like Terraforming Mars (that it replaced for some people, which had even worse card art), it takes a long time at a high player count.
You should definitely play it, but based on your 5/5s, not sure it would be a top game of all time for you. 4, probably, 5, not sure.
Bitoku, that's a great overlooked game (which I would rank higher than Ark Nova). Super heavy the first time or two (it was the third play before I got every rule right, and I mainly play heavier games, think 3.5 weight and up), but it is amazingly good, and looks amazingly good too.
That's so good to know! I'm dying to get Bitoku on the table, it just looks like an amazing game! I'd love to hear more of your recommendations!
"Shelf of Opportunity"
I'm glad someone else feels the same about boardgame looks lol.. I get drawn in by the art every time
100%! If it doesn't look engaging, I don't wanna play!
Sure, show more of your opportunity games - especially if talking about them makes you want to bring them to the table more :)
Also, maybe at some point when you've managed to cover all of the usual must-have video formats, listicles and such... I'd really like to hear you talk about your favorite board game upgrades, either purchased from Etsy or elsewhere or 3D printed at home. I love blinging out my favorite games way beyond all reason and am interested in inspiration
That's such a good idea! I'll definitely have to make a video about that! (especially because I'm the same way)
Brew is a great game! One of my fav that I grabbed for $20 I have issues replaying games and that one has seen the table several times.
I’m so glad to hear that! I’m really wanting to play it soon!
I definitely understand wanting to buy/play games that are visually interesting, because I do the same hahaha I got Nemesis a year ago (+one expansion) but still haven't played it 🙈
I'm so guilty of it, it's not even funny!
100% agree about Ark Nova! The board does not match the box art and feel at all... and I really dislike when games do that. One of the reasons I didn't buy Ark Nova.
On a side note, I find it very interesting that some people buy a lot of stuff for games they haven't played yet, like inserts, 3d printed items, expansions, etc. without playing a couple of matches first. My wife and I only buy stuff for our games after a couple of plays when we are like "yeah, we liked this and we will play a lot more", then we go for sleeves, inserts, metal coins, 3d printed, etc.
I've had to start doing that, since some of the games we've upgraded have turned out to not be great fits for us. :)
Yes to you playing Stardew solo! We've always played it at 2 players and it's great! It can get difficult based on your luck but never feels unwinnable or unfair.
Yay! I'll have to get on it then, I'm dying to try it out!
Any tips for getting to the bottom of the mines? I redraw that mission because it feels impossible
@@XxDeadpool99xX, start early and if you end up on a floor that has a great layout, don't be afraid to stay for a few turns just to bank some items that you need to upgrade your pickaxe and some stones to go down. The mine is definitely the hardest part. Ask help if you're playing co-op.
Ark Nova is the only game on that list I’ve played yet it’s still among my fav with all the other games I have played.
BGA is a great way to learn it, as others have mentioned, or with a very patient teacher who has a CCG experience I’d suggest. Just play a game to get the rhythm, talk out moves to draw out little nuance rules and learn play styles will help to make the first learning game engaging and intoxicating.
For me, the tensity of picking the best cards during setup to match the board and dealing with the random cards drawn to adjust your strategy is the most addictive aspect of the game. That along with designing your own zoo.
That is such a good suggestion, and your enthusiasm for the game makes me want to play it all the more! I've heard so many wonderful things about it and I'm more exited than ever to get it to the table!
I got Ark Nova for Christmas.. still have not played it. I am so eager to learn it. But find it heavy and difficult to learn 🙈 But soon hopefully
It's definitely got a lot going on, but I'm hopeful that it will be fun!! :)
Bitoku: it's absolutely stunning, and the theme is there, I love it. However, it's really complex. My wife loves it more than I do, but I think it's because she gets it better 😂. I'm terrible at it, but I shall prevail. It's in our 5x5 challenge this year let's see
The 5x5 challenge sounds so fun, I'll have to try that in our house!!!
You should try Dinosaur Island RAWR and Write. It's very good with little set up, etc.
I've heard that one is really fun! I'll have to take a look at it!!
I was just looking at my shelf the other night and wondered if I will ever get Endless Winter to my table! Any content on this game would be very much appreciated!!
I’m planning on a playthrough soon!
Gold West is excellent. Galileo Project is another good one by Sorry We Are French. Signorie is good game on the heavier side. So is Messina 1347 and Yokohama
Thanks for the recommendations, I'll definitely have to check those out!
My sister taught me the Stardew Valley board game and it was awesome. Also, consider playing the Switch version too. I think you’ll like it 😉
I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get it!
I've played a couple dozen games of Stardew, it is fun (cooperative is probably my favorite type of game)
That said I'd probably recommend playing the video game first. Not that you need to, but it's a great game and a lot of the fun of the board game was seeing how it worked as an adaptation
I'm dying to try the video game, it's just finding the time! I've heard it's the best out of all of the farming-sim games! :)
Ark Nova is a lot of fun if you like Tableau building games like Terraforming Mars. While it gets compared with TM, it has a lot of differences in gameplay. It is quite a lot at first to take in, but after a few rounds the game will probably click (maybe take a full game). It is really fun building out your zoo.
I'm really going to have to try it! It the more I hear about it, the more interested I become!
I have Dune Imperium, Everdell, Equinox, Galaxy Trucker, Pandemic legacay season 2, clank legacy all on my shelf of shame.
I've only played one of those, but I've heard that all of them are spectacular games!
Ark Nova: we love it here. And it's perfect for two players count. It gives you plenty to think of, many decision paths, but with a lot of fun. I'm pretty sure once you start it it will click to you and you'll get used to the looks, specially because of the cards, in practice they are even more cool and you get attached to them.
Bamboo, played once, and I really like it, very fun and fluid. I really want to play it again, but you know how difficult it is to repeat games 😂
I definitely do! It's so hard to play two of the same game back to back when you have more on the table that you haven't even gotten around to!!
Husband? Dang it!
Would love to see you do a play through of Stardew Valley please.
I'm planning on it! I just have to learn it first... 😉
My Challenge to with games on my shelf of opportunity/shame. At my age I should just retire and become full time gamer. 😆 I am over 60 and have 40+ years in with my current employer. Think I can make enough as gamer to keep a roof over our head?🤭@@AfterEvenfall
Isn't that the dream? ;)
Probably not helpful, but I much preferred Dinogenics over Dinosaur World. Found Dinosaur World a little disappointing by comparison. Dinogenics unfortunately is between print runs.
I'll put it on my list of games to look out for! A quick search already has my interest piqued!
Hells yes! Endless Winter! I love that game. I bought it immediately right after playing it at my friend's house for the first time and then have played it a couple times since. I will say that it's such a table hog and long set up that I've yet to try it solo. I really want to try it solo this year, but haven't because of the set up. - PLEASE, yes - I want to watch you play it! LOL
I'll definitely need to get on it then, I think playing it solo would be so much fun!
For me my shelf of shame contains games that I've played that are notoriously bad but for some reason I decide to keep them, ie I have the game 'Nightmare' and all 3 expansions. They are all awful but have such childhood nostalgia.
I definitely have a few of those games!
Have you gotten a chance to play Ark Nova yet? We could play it on BGA and I can help answer any questions you have. If your husband plays on BGA, he is welcome to play too.
I've played it a few times now, but I can't say I'm very good at it. I'm always down to play another round of it, though!
17:00 I'd love be to see a solo play of Stardew Valley! I love the video game, solo and multiplayer. And I totally agree about the zoo game with the brown and blue center pieces looking nothing like the box and rest of it - that deters interest instead of sparking it, for me.
I'm going to have to get on making that solo playthrough then! :)
I was going to say that I don't have any unopened boards games, but then remembered that I've got a special edition Clue game still in shrinkwrap because I bought it to play with my (adult) niece and we haven't had a chance. A friend's unopened ATLA game is here, and I think my sister has an unopened card game. After checking it out of the library and learning it with a pair of friends, I got Wingspan for Christmas, but have only had a chance to solo play it once. The art is gorgeous and I would love to play more.
For tabletop RPG games, though, I have at least 5 solo games and three multiplayer games i haven't gotten to the table - plus one multiplayer that i hope to run a one shot for latwr this month.
That sounds like the perfect size shelf-of-shame! And welcome to the shrink-wrapped games club! I think it's just the two of us here ;)
Stardew valley is the best❤❤❤ if you played the video game you would be amazed at how the board game pretty much nailed it with the gameplay. I think you should try playing the videogame just so ul have a feel of what it’s about (mind u the videogame is addicting😂). I know it seems too complicated to learn but please give it a go again😊
Haha I've played a few Stardew Valley adjacent games like Fae Farm and Story of Seasons! I love those style of games, so I'm positive I'll love Stardew Valley!
i also played fae farm and story of seasons but I always go back to Stardew Valley. I'm sure you'll love it too. Hope you give the board game another try❤️
Dinosaur world is a really good game. A hint for a bit faster set up: get the insert and get mini dice instead of those tiny cardboard square with numbers on.
I think I'm going to take up that advice and get a good insert for it! ;)
@AfterEvenfall I have the official insert. It cuts the setup time by at least half. Probably close to 75%. Because everything is divided per player color. 1 box per player that holds everything they need. Super easy 😊👍
Endless Winter set up is actually super quick and easy. Brilliant insert actually, the game just takes up alot of space!
I think it's one of those games that gets easier and easier to set up after you've played it. I love the insert, it really is fantastic!
@@AfterEvenfall Yes, it's no harder than (Lost ruins of) Arnak or Dune Imperium to set up or play after a couple of plays, even though those games got all the reviewer love, but it's actually the best game of the three in my opinion.
Ok, final comment. I have around 20 games on my shelf of shame/ opportunity (and can't seem to stop buying more), and something that has helped me get more to the table is I started doing a monthly first plays first impressions video on my channel where I go over the games I played for the first time the previous month. Only had a few games in January, but many other months, I had around a dozen games (not all were my games).
That's a great idea! I went through my games and pulled all of the ones that can be played solo, and it turns out it's about half my collection, so my plans are to learn those first in my free time!
@AfterEvenfall Cool. I do a decent bit of solo gaming, and I do how to plays and playthroughs of solo modes on my channel. I need to do one for Ark Nova, but have never gotten around to it. As you continue with your channel I am sure you will have so many videos you want to do and have a backlog of video to make.
I feel like that's already the problem! I have so many I want to make that it's difficult to pick which ones I want to work on!
There are always too many games to play!
I know what you mean, I just wish there was more time in the day!
Right, between punching, learning, hosting, and playing I can't keep up!@@AfterEvenfall
I never thought the setup on Endless Winter was that bad. I do have the KS edition, so the organizers do help.
I definitely have games that I've played that have equal amounts of setup, I think I just get a little overwhelmed when I look at all of it. I've found that most of the time those games have been my favorites in the long run, so I'm hoping Endless Winter can be one of them too!
I’ve been interested in playing Endless Winter, every time that I see it at my FLGS, I try to talk myself into buying it. Maybe if I see it played I would know for sure if it’s worth buying
I think I've committed myself to making a playthrough video, so keep and eye out and hopefully that can help you decide!
I've almost talked myself into this one several times as well, but I just don't think it would make it to the table much with the competition of games with similar mechanisms that we already know and enjoy.
Gold West is HIGH QUALITY.
It looks amazing, I can't wait to play it!
If you count digital plays, you can play Ark Nova on Board Game Arena.
Digital plays totally count, and I'll have to check it out on there!! Thanks for the recommendation!
Ark Nova on bga is the way to go xD
@@AfterEvenfall I have the same username on BGA if you need players or if you want to avoid completely random players.
Sweet, I'll try to get on and add you as a friend! My tag is bayrayne @@middleclassjoe
I wouldn't have learned Ark Nova without BGA. 😆
Ty for the video. In your intro at 0.08s that book is it a game? Ty
It's a book, but the map looks good enough that it should be a game!
Thank you
Stardew Valley Solo Mode - Can't Wait - Let's Gooooooo 🤩🤑😉
I'm dying to get to it!!