I'm so glad you reviewed this as I like hearing your perspective...always honest and detailed. This reminds me a lot of Dual Powers: Revolution 1917. There, you're pushing chits instead of cubes, but it sounds like the same type of tug-of-war. It's a great 2-player game, def in my top 5. I'd like to pick up 'The King is Dead' because it plays at 3. The art in this second edition looks great, though I thought the art in the 1st edition was fine. I saw a BGG user recently post a pic where they transformed the box down to a tuck box and printed the map on canvas. Looks amazing! I wonder if the publisher will be inspired.
Good review, Luke. The gameplay of having to take a cube off each turn and passing as an integral part of your strategy is cleverly thought out and makes for an interesting strategic puzzler. We mostly play 3 player and I think that is the sweet spot. Yes, you have to think on your feet but that is a positive for me and adds to the game’s interest. A hidden gem indeed.
I picked this up recently as well! It's elegant and simple, although I've gotten the "you're dead to me" eyes after winning because I didn't adequately explain the win conditions if an invasion happens. It has also given me an idea for a design of trick-taking and area control.
Nice review and a game I'll keep my eye open for. The box being bigger than necessary is helpful as I like smaller boxes. Perhaps in a latter edition they will consider your brilliant neoprene mat idea.
Yeah, I was a little thrown off when that other "content creator" said this was the best game. I like your honesty combined with a little bluntness, lol.
Picking up from a comment in an earlier video, I really don't think your 'blitz reviews' compromise on describing the game / getting your view across. Perhaps it might for a more involved game, but for this it felt like a good length for the video
yeah my only problem is the size of the box.it really is a lot of air.i hope the next version will be like you sad.some cloth with the map and half the box.and it would be great game for the pub.i would by that even again.
I really dig the aesthetics but it's a tad bit too abstract for me. The theme appears to be tagged on. You may also like the two player game Cousin's War. It's very similar and also "just" a cube pusher where you have to consider the action cards left in your opponents hand. But the theme comes through way better.
I'm not sure why this flew under the radar (maybe the boring cover) when Osprey released it in 2015. I believe there are only minor differences between the versions with the main one being that advanced deck (and better components). Competitive is better at 3 than 2, but my game group really liked the 4 player team play. It feels like this weird area control/trick taking game. You have to figure out if you're the one working on winning or you're the one sabotaging the other team.
Thank you very much for the review Luke. I think I am going to pass on this one though. Although you put both the 2/3 player at an 8, to me it looks like it loses something at 2 player which is my preferred player count. It seems like so many games are in the goldilocks zone of exactly 3 players these days.
@@TheBrokenMeeple I managed one time to finish in 8 minutes and the digital version gives you an award if you do that. It says a lot if there's such an award, but I do like the game.
I was pleasantly surprised just how well received Hansa Teutonica was with my gaming group (usually of 4). This game gives me similar vibes so I'm really interested to get this to the table.
Technically no, as the rules specify team mode but there's no reason that you couldn't do all against all. However I think that would be a chaotic mess having 4 players constantly shifting the board for personal gain.
I'm so glad you reviewed this as I like hearing your perspective...always honest and detailed. This reminds me a lot of Dual Powers: Revolution 1917. There, you're pushing chits instead of cubes, but it sounds like the same type of tug-of-war. It's a great 2-player game, def in my top 5. I'd like to pick up 'The King is Dead' because it plays at 3. The art in this second edition looks great, though I thought the art in the 1st edition was fine. I saw a BGG user recently post a pic where they transformed the box down to a tuck box and printed the map on canvas. Looks amazing! I wonder if the publisher will be inspired.
Thanks a bunch! :-)
Good review, Luke. The gameplay of having to take a cube off each turn and passing as an integral part of your strategy is cleverly thought out and makes for an interesting strategic puzzler. We mostly play 3 player and I think that is the sweet spot. Yes, you have to think on your feet but that is a positive for me and adds to the game’s interest. A hidden gem indeed.
3 works best for sure.
I've been touting this game for years. Glad to see you finally come around to it. :)
Thanks to Osprey Games!
A fantastic game. Never leaving my collection. I absolutely love how simple yet deep it is with almost no luck. Accurate review.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I picked this up recently as well! It's elegant and simple, although I've gotten the "you're dead to me" eyes after winning because I didn't adequately explain the win conditions if an invasion happens. It has also given me an idea for a design of trick-taking and area control.
Ha ha yes, clearly explain the end rules! 😂
You mean something like Brian Boru?
Nice review and a game I'll keep my eye open for. The box being bigger than necessary is helpful as I like smaller boxes. Perhaps in a latter edition they will consider your brilliant neoprene mat idea.
Might be a bit above the budget for Osprey Games.
@@TheBrokenMeeple Or perhaps they could do a board like in Spirit Island.
Yeah, I was a little thrown off when that other "content creator" said this was the best game. I like your honesty combined with a little bluntness, lol.
Not naming names but people know who! 😅
Love this little gem. Somehow it reminds me in it's awesome simplicity of Condotierre. Which is also an excellent game.
I didn't gel with that one as much
Great review! Thank you!
My pleasure!
Picking up from a comment in an earlier video, I really don't think your 'blitz reviews' compromise on describing the game / getting your view across. Perhaps it might for a more involved game, but for this it felt like a good length for the video
Glad to hear! 😁 I had to trim this down a fair bit though!
yeah my only problem is the size of the box.it really is a lot of air.i hope the next version will be like you sad.some cloth with the map and half the box.and it would be great game for the pub.i would by that even again.
Great video! Will you review dominant species marine ?
I intend to get it played but I think it would just be first impressions.
I really dig the aesthetics but it's a tad bit too abstract for me. The theme appears to be tagged on.
You may also like the two player game Cousin's War. It's very similar and also "just" a cube pusher where you have to consider the action cards left in your opponents hand. But the theme comes through way better.
Oh it's tacked on theme like you wouldn't believe! It's cube pushing through and through!
What did you have to call out others when you could have made your point otherwise?
I meant "why", not "what"
I'm not sure why this flew under the radar (maybe the boring cover) when Osprey released it in 2015. I believe there are only minor differences between the versions with the main one being that advanced deck (and better components). Competitive is better at 3 than 2, but my game group really liked the 4 player team play. It feels like this weird area control/trick taking game. You have to figure out if you're the one working on winning or you're the one sabotaging the other team.
Well if you saw that name and cover and frankly the cubes on the shelf, would you pick it up?
I mainly play 2p. Would I choose this over Targi, Naga Raja, Isle of Skye, etc.? Probably not. Thanks for the review.
It's a good alternative.
Thank you very much for the review Luke. I think I am going to pass on this one though. Although you put both the 2/3 player at an 8, to me it looks like it loses something at 2 player which is my preferred player count. It seems like so many games are in the goldilocks zone of exactly 3 players these days.
Have you tried Chakra? Very good two player game imo
@@cwb95k No, but I will have a look. Thanks.
Fair enough!
8 Minute Empire is not a bad game at all. Quite good actually. Have you played the digital version?
No but the general mechanics of the game I just found super boring beside the fact that the game never took only 8 minutes 😂
@@TheBrokenMeeple I managed one time to finish in 8 minutes and the digital version gives you an award if you do that. It says a lot if there's such an award, but I do like the game.
Excelent review. For me its a 9 out of 10, its great, quick to play and a lot to think. But kinda hard to explain
The AP, difficulty for newcomers and scaling would stop it being a 9 for me but still a keeper.
I was pleasantly surprised just how well received Hansa Teutonica was with my gaming group (usually of 4). This game gives me similar vibes so I'm really interested to get this to the table.
@@ClockworkWyrm For what I've read it's more similar to War of the whispers.
@@ClockworkWyrm the weird thing being I can't stand Hansa but this was enjoyable.
The Box is a bit ridiculous. I can fit Pax Porf and H+ in the box comfortably along with the rest of this game.
Yeah it's oversized!
Can you play 4 players all-against-all instead team mode?
Technically no, as the rules specify team mode but there's no reason that you couldn't do all against all. However I think that would be a chaotic mess having 4 players constantly shifting the board for personal gain.
How do you play the game?