I started to play it on BGA because I have heard so much about this game and as soon as I finished, I wanted to play straight away! I really like this game, the strategies, the puzzle, the streamlined play. It takes a while to really understand the game. It feels like chess, easy to teach but a lifetime to learn to play well. I hope you do a video on the new Awaken Realms release. Thanks again., Alex!
Great review, and fair criticisms also, for my #1 game. It was the first “heavy” game I played along with Power Grid, like 13 years ago or so , and it pretty much was an instant hit. Just really hits all the right notes in my brain. When I heard Awaken Realms was doing a new edition, I thought it was an April Fools joke, but it was for real, crazy times we live in.
When I first got into the hobby this was the first big game we got. After the first play I thought, “that’s the 15th best game of all time?”. But the next day I realized I’ve been thinking about it all day afterwards. We’ve played it 6 or 7 more times since then and I agree this is a very satisfying game to play. Is Grand Austria Hotel more complex?
GAH is less complex. It does scratch some of the same itch as COB as Alex says, but not really. Feels a little repetitive to me, you are basically fulfilling orders over and over. If anything, I get more of a COB feeling from Lorenzo Il Magnifico, from the same designers as GAH. Or from Santa Maria, which has the dice manipulation and also tile laying. Or from Bora Bora also from Feld.
Similar complexity, I would say. The only issue is that GAH is really hard to get now for some reason. But I think they are planning a reprint due to demand. Another game I would say has a similar feeling is The Magnificent. It has Dice drafting that results in satisfying combos, as well. The theme and looks are a bit unconventional, though.
Hey BGC community, could someone please help out? (Alex himself maybe ) . I recently bought "Caverna", "Orléans" and "A Feast for Odin" (all 3 of them with all of their pertaining expansions) , I am ashame to admit I haven't played them (cuz I'm going through some other games) ...would you guys think that any of these aforementioned games replaces "The Castles of Burgundy"? Meaning it would be redundant for me to back it on gamefound? . I would really appreciate the feedback, thanks!
Castles of Burgundy is nothing like the other three games you mentioned. Other than several of them having you place pieces on a board to fill a space, the mechanics and purposes are completely different. Caverna and A feast for Odin are more similar to each other than anything else, in that they are quite sprawling, free worker placement games. Also, you might want to wait to see if you like the games before picking up all the expansions! ha.
I really like CoB and am excited about the collectors edition. The announcement of the expansion today has my even more interested. Thanks for your insight as always!
To tell the truth, this type of game mechanic and style doesn’t really draw me in, yet I’m super excited to back the new version after your comments and videos 😀🙇♂️
Love this game, but have only maybe 6 or 7 plays (not including plays on the app). What are your thoughts on the shields and trade route modules? I haven't dug into them yet. How often, if ever, do you use them in your plays?
Thanks for the review. We have the first edition (no expansions) and really enjoy the game (art excluded) so yes the collectors edition is very appealing.
@@BoardGameCo some of the tiles have the picture printed on it not perfectly centered, as some tiles you show on the camera in the "what I would like to have from the next awaken realms version"
Great video. One of my favorites as well. I was hoping you would give a little more of your opinion on whether to back the new Awaken Realms reprint or not, especially since you already own a copy of the game. I also own the anniversary edition but I'm torn. Considering 2nd print of Great Wall OR the new Burgundy reprint. Both would be difficult to swing...
I’m very curious to hear his thoughts on it as well. He’ll certainly give his opinions on it soon. If he doesn’t make a full dedicated video for it he will talk about it during his next “To Back or Not to Back” video. Personally I’m really hoping for a dedicated video for this edition considering it’s his #2 game of all time and he made a long video to speculate on this new Awaken Realms print.
Burgundy or Tuscany for two players? We often play late and don't have that much time on out hands. I think burgundy might be a little long and I heard Tuscany is a better two player game. opinions?
Don't know about tuscany, but burgundy is better at 2 players, because you Can interact more easily, less down Time, and the race part of the game feels better According to me, burgundy is getting worse the more player there is above 2
Some games have the ability to capture your imagination, even if you wouldn't expect it to - for example, Concordia. I have many other issues with Castles of Burgundy (randomness which goes beyond the dice, interaction being limited to blocking other players' plays, and the need to block other players' plays or else they can easily snowball to a dominant victory), my biggest issue with Castles of Burgundy is that it is not a game that has the ability to capture your imagination.
Agree with everything here, except maybe about the art, which to me is fine (the original version). It's charming. But maybe I'm defensive because everyone complains about the art. Not a big fan of the later releases. No other game we have causes the same amount of joy and tension as this, and we've also been doing it for 10+ years, playing it several dozens of times (at mostly 2P). No lead is ever safe until after the final count, and every playthrough is different. Totally agree about Grand Austria Hotel being similar. That's our number two game. After this video we'll have to check out Voyages of Marco Polo. I'm curious about what was your number one game when this video was made, and maybe now. Thanks.
Good interview. I still have a few other questions, if you talk to Marvin again. 1. is Sundrop available on the all-in gameplay (not royal)? 1a. Will the Sundrop castles be color shaded for the four players? 2. Is there an option of different art? I.e., different ships or mine tiles? 3. Will there be expiations on the back of the brown buildings tiles or just the yellows? Inquiring minds want to know. :)
Thanks for this review. So many fantastic older great games which again asks the question about always buying new games on crowd funding. Not sure I need the updated version currently being offered. Will wait and see as the campaign unfolds. I've been looking for the Grand Austria Hotel for sometime but hard to get in Australia.
*sigh, leading up to the campaign, I thought I'd easily be able to pass on this game as it just didn't look interesting, but after watching this video and your other video about the game, I think this might be a great game for me to try! Now the question is, which pledge level to back lol! Great video! ✌🏼
I'd like to make a request... when you're talking about a game that you don't currently have on the table showing the box, could you edit it in, potentially scrolling through a few pictures of the board and components so we can see what it is you're talking about before we decide if we want to do a google? I know it's more editing time but it would be wildly helpful. Especially with some of the weirder titles. You know you talk fast, you've admitted it plenty of times, but some of those weirdly titled games I can't always catch. I suppose even just the title of the game you're talking about in text would help some.
where did you get that shirt Alex? I would like to gift it to a friend of mine. also love the content you do! especially liked the recent collabertions.
There is no doubt to me there is something special about COB because (and I'm serious) it has not only survived, but has thrived despite two of the worst boards I've seen for a first-rate game. (I think the anniversary edition is even worse than the original.) The actual game play must be of rare and superior quality. I only wish it had the aesthetic presentation worthy of its innate merit.
I acquired this game last month largely due to your channel, and it immediately made a case for my top 5 from the first play (competing with The Godfather: Corleone's Empire, Blood Rage, Lost Ruins of Arnak, and Dune Imperium, and Inis), so thank you for the recommendations (I discovered Inis because of you, too). This game is incredible, though our sessions still run quite long. The Gamefound campaign looks incredible, but it's hard to justify spending $150+ just to deluxify a game I already own... we'll see if I give in or not, but it's not looking good for my wallet. I guess I'll have to start looking into Grand Austria Hotel now, too..
I want to try this game but stuck between finding and buying this edition or the new version on game found. Only thing is money is tight at the moment!
While watching the video I can’t stop thinking about the change of look. Is it just me? Is it the Tshirt? Is it the haircut and beard? Is it the more relaxed and paused talking..??? I love it by the way
Good review. But one thing about luck - you slightly understate the problem. It's not just the last turn of the game. I mean, yes, that's huge. But there is also a parallel but lessor luck problem on the last roll of each round. You need that 3, 4, or 5 (in your example) to get that tile before it disappears, and wham! double 6.
@@BoardGameCo Fair enough haha but it's always feels weird for me to hear where your ranking stand at for last year instead of what is your current ranking. Great content btw. As usual. 😁
I’m now watching you do reviews of games I own and love already. You’ve basically taken over my life at this point.
I'll take it :) Thanks Bryan :)
I started to play it on BGA because I have heard so much about this game and as soon as I finished, I wanted to play straight away! I really like this game, the strategies, the puzzle, the streamlined play. It takes a while to really understand the game. It feels like chess, easy to teach but a lifetime to learn to play well. I hope you do a video on the new Awaken Realms release. Thanks again., Alex!
Great review, and fair criticisms also, for my #1 game. It was the first “heavy” game I played along with Power Grid, like 13 years ago or so , and it pretty much was an instant hit. Just really hits all the right notes in my brain. When I heard Awaken Realms was doing a new edition, I thought it was an April Fools joke, but it was for real, crazy times we live in.
I was SO waiting on this video! Thanks Alex, you`re the man!
Absolutely :)
When I first got into the hobby this was the first big game we got. After the first play I thought, “that’s the 15th best game of all time?”. But the next day I realized I’ve been thinking about it all day afterwards. We’ve played it 6 or 7 more times since then and I agree this is a very satisfying game to play.
Is Grand Austria Hotel more complex?
GAH is less complex. It does scratch some of the same itch as COB as Alex says, but not really. Feels a little repetitive to me, you are basically fulfilling orders over and over. If anything, I get more of a COB feeling from Lorenzo Il Magnifico, from the same designers as GAH. Or from Santa Maria, which has the dice manipulation and also tile laying. Or from Bora Bora also from Feld.
Similar complexity, I would say. The only issue is that GAH is really hard to get now for some reason. But I think they are planning a reprint due to demand. Another game I would say has a similar feeling is The Magnificent. It has Dice drafting that results in satisfying combos, as well. The theme and looks are a bit unconventional, though.
Hey BGC community, could someone please help out? (Alex himself maybe )
.
I recently bought "Caverna", "Orléans" and "A Feast for Odin" (all 3 of them with all of their pertaining expansions) , I am ashame to admit I haven't played them (cuz I'm going through some other games) ...would you guys think that any of these aforementioned games replaces "The Castles of Burgundy"? Meaning it would be redundant for me to back it on gamefound?
.
I would really appreciate the feedback, thanks!
Castles of Burgundy is nothing like the other three games you mentioned. Other than several of them having you place pieces on a board to fill a space, the mechanics and purposes are completely different. Caverna and A feast for Odin are more similar to each other than anything else, in that they are quite sprawling, free worker placement games. Also, you might want to wait to see if you like the games before picking up all the expansions! ha.
@@KenDudd yeah, you are right about the expansions, I learned that in hindsight :/ ... Thank you for taking the time, you make a pretty good point
I'd be interested to see your thoughts on solo play, even though you haven't had 10 years of play testing.
Ok after all this time you convinced me. I've always been eyeing it, but never pulled the trigger, but now I'm Sundrop all in on Gamefound!
Enjoy it :)
Awesome video Alex! Thank you!
Thank you for the review, very helpful.
Absolutely :)
I really like CoB and am excited about the collectors edition. The announcement of the expansion today has my even more interested. Thanks for your insight as always!
To tell the truth, this type of game mechanic and style doesn’t really draw me in, yet I’m super excited to back the new version after your comments and videos 😀🙇♂️
Lol sorry :)
Santa Cruz is another good medium weight Euro that has a similar feeling to CoB.
I need to play that one :)
Love this game, but have only maybe 6 or 7 plays (not including plays on the app). What are your thoughts on the shields and trade route modules? I haven't dug into them yet. How often, if ever, do you use them in your plays?
Thanks for this great review - I’m buying it!
Enjoy it!
Thanks for the review. We have the first edition (no expansions) and really enjoy the game (art excluded) so yes the collectors edition is very appealing.
I'm told there's also a mode in this game where you can play 2-vs-2. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like it could be a lot of fun.
Does anyone know what insert he is using for the game?
no mention about this edition that have some of the tiles misprinted/disaligned from the center?
What do you mean ?
@@BoardGameCo some of the tiles have the picture printed on it not perfectly centered, as some tiles you show on the camera in the "what I would like to have from the next awaken realms version"
Great video. One of my favorites as well. I was hoping you would give a little more of your opinion on whether to back the new Awaken Realms reprint or not, especially since you already own a copy of the game. I also own the anniversary edition but I'm torn. Considering 2nd print of Great Wall OR the new Burgundy reprint. Both would be difficult to swing...
I’m very curious to hear his thoughts on it as well. He’ll certainly give his opinions on it soon. If he doesn’t make a full dedicated video for it he will talk about it during his next “To Back or Not to Back” video.
Personally I’m really hoping for a dedicated video for this edition considering it’s his #2 game of all time and he made a long video to speculate on this new Awaken Realms print.
Alex has already said he is definitely going to get the new version. I’d assume that means he’ll be suggesting we do if we love the game.
@@patattaq He just posted one lol
Burgundy or Tuscany for two players? We often play late and don't have that much time on out hands. I think burgundy might be a little long and I heard Tuscany is a better two player game. opinions?
Don't know about tuscany, but burgundy is better at 2 players, because you Can interact more easily, less down Time, and the race part of the game feels better
According to me, burgundy is getting worse the more player there is above 2
Some games have the ability to capture your imagination, even if you wouldn't expect it to - for example, Concordia. I have many other issues with Castles of Burgundy (randomness which goes beyond the dice, interaction being limited to blocking other players' plays, and the need to block other players' plays or else they can easily snowball to a dominant victory), my biggest issue with Castles of Burgundy is that it is not a game that has the ability to capture your imagination.
Agree with everything here, except maybe about the art, which to me is fine (the original version). It's charming. But maybe I'm defensive because everyone complains about the art. Not a big fan of the later releases.
No other game we have causes the same amount of joy and tension as this, and we've also been doing it for 10+ years, playing it several dozens of times (at mostly 2P). No lead is ever safe until after the final count, and every playthrough is different.
Totally agree about Grand Austria Hotel being similar. That's our number two game. After this video we'll have to check out Voyages of Marco Polo.
I'm curious about what was your number one game when this video was made, and maybe now. Thanks.
Good interview. I still have a few other questions, if you talk to Marvin again. 1. is Sundrop available on the all-in gameplay (not royal)? 1a. Will the Sundrop castles be color shaded for the four players? 2. Is there an option of different art? I.e., different ships or mine tiles? 3. Will there be expiations on the back of the brown buildings tiles or just the yellows? Inquiring minds want to know. :)
Thanks for this review. So many fantastic older great games which again asks the question about always buying new games on crowd funding. Not sure I need the updated version currently being offered. Will wait and see as the campaign unfolds. I've been looking for the Grand Austria Hotel for sometime but hard to get in Australia.
*sigh, leading up to the campaign, I thought I'd easily be able to pass on this game as it just didn't look interesting, but after watching this video and your other video about the game, I think this might be a great game for me to try! Now the question is, which pledge level to back lol! Great video! ✌🏼
I'd like to make a request... when you're talking about a game that you don't currently have on the table showing the box, could you edit it in, potentially scrolling through a few pictures of the board and components so we can see what it is you're talking about before we decide if we want to do a google? I know it's more editing time but it would be wildly helpful. Especially with some of the weirder titles. You know you talk fast, you've admitted it plenty of times, but some of those weirdly titled games I can't always catch. I suppose even just the title of the game you're talking about in text would help some.
Thoughts on Troyes then?
It's excellent! I prefer Castles but Troyes is one of my favs.
How does the ios app compare?
where did you get that shirt Alex? I would like to gift it to a friend of mine. also love the content you do! especially liked the recent collabertions.
TeeTurtle :) And thanks!
There is no doubt to me there is something special about COB because (and I'm serious) it has not only survived, but has thrived despite two of the worst boards I've seen for a first-rate game. (I think the anniversary edition is even worse than the original.) The actual game play must be of rare and superior quality. I only wish it had the aesthetic presentation worthy of its innate merit.
Hey Alex, do you think Middara is worth backing in the late pledge?
I acquired this game last month largely due to your channel, and it immediately made a case for my top 5 from the first play (competing with The Godfather: Corleone's Empire, Blood Rage, Lost Ruins of Arnak, and Dune Imperium, and Inis), so thank you for the recommendations (I discovered Inis because of you, too). This game is incredible, though our sessions still run quite long. The Gamefound campaign looks incredible, but it's hard to justify spending $150+ just to deluxify a game I already own... we'll see if I give in or not, but it's not looking good for my wallet.
I guess I'll have to start looking into Grand Austria Hotel now, too..
I love the game but is it worth paying 85€ +21€ shipping for the new gamefound campaign?
I want to try this game but stuck between finding and buying this edition or the new version on game found. Only thing is money is tight at the moment!
Game looks interesting but I really don't like dice in games like that (Cattan etc). I need to see some gameplays to decide.
While watching the video I can’t stop thinking about the change of look. Is it just me? Is it the Tshirt? Is it the haircut and beard? Is it the more relaxed and paused talking..??? I love it by the way
improved lighting
Yeah. Thought so but I’m on the phone so wasn’t sure
It is his happiness of quitting his job to do what he loves :)
What Frederic said :) But all the rest too probably. Lighting has changed in recent videos for sure.
Yes I am going to pay a LOT of money for the AW deluxe version. Such a great game.
It's one of my favorites. Second to be precise.
Is this a reupload? Somehow I remember that you've reviewed this game before?
Good review. But one thing about luck - you slightly understate the problem. It's not just the last turn of the game. I mean, yes, that's huge. But there is also a parallel but lessor luck problem on the last roll of each round. You need that 3, 4, or 5 (in your example) to get that tile before it disappears, and wham! double 6.
I feel that end round there are still enough stuff you should be prepped for. Tiles to place, goods to sell etc
This game has pretty much no player interaction right? The number one thing that turns me off in a game...
I’d never play Castles at 4. It takes FOREVER. Otherwise it’s perfection.
Is this a $300+ game?
Getting to jt
Isnt this ranked 17th on Bgg. Must have went down.
The sheer ugliness of the main board with this edition is pushing me further towards backing the new edition. Thanks Alex...
Yep....that's why there's a demand for it.
Soooooo.........you like it?
A tad...
A comment for the algorithm ;)
Appreciated :)
"As of 2021"?!? But what about as of the 2022 😁🤪
Lol, haven't done my 2022 lists yet
@@BoardGameCo Fair enough haha but it's always feels weird for me to hear where your ranking stand at for last year instead of what is your current ranking.
Great content btw. As usual. 😁
You would benefit from talking slower