I love Inis and found the rules no problem. It’s probably one of my favourite games. For player count I actually think 3 is best. It’s a beautiful game at 3, which very few are. It’s elegance is in its simplicity so I think the addition of monsters and the rules overhead with them would spoil it a bit. The monsters are in the epic tale cards - which are hidden until you use them. Finally I think it’s one of those rare games that it’s impossible to play well on your first (or even second or third) outing. Unlike most games where you can usually play tolerably well the first time and have fun, but quickly grows stale with subsequent plays. Inis doesn’t. It’s all in your opponents. And is highly interactive which is the feature of a game I value most -and again is a bit of a rarity.
“Suffers from a lack of monsters” is such a weird strange negative comment to me. The epic tales do crazy things. Why do we need monsters, and why is that a disappointment?? I could see that happening, but I hardly see it as necessary. Not all movies are westerns, not all area control games need monsters. Nice review, but heavy disagreement here. I like all those other games too, but this may be my fave of all of them after my first 2 plays.
My point was that it’s classed at part of the matagot trilogy but negates the mythology aspect associated with the other two games. It’s a fact that myth and monsters go hand in hand and I was just perplexed as to why the decided to shun this in Inis. I think the game would have been richer for it.
@@BoardGameBollocks oddly enough, I was surprised to find out that the monster miniatures in Cyclades seem to do very little, such that I actually wonder at their inclusion (most just get placed on a territory for one turn, then disappear). They seem to only serve as a temporary marker for the Mythological Creatures deck, which Inis' Epic Tales deck gives a similar "turn the tables" moment, only potentially much bigger.
Cyclades monsters are quite powerful of they appear at the right moment. You always have to have a bit of cash put aside in case a decent monster turns up. Moral of the story is don’t buy a monster if they don’t do anything for you.
Hopefully we’ll get another expansion that adds some ‘monster’ type element. If you figure out exactly how the islands work let me know...I got a tad confused. Thanks for the kind words.
Interesting review. Personally your comparison to some other games and mentioning its missing monsters etc is very strange. It's ultimately a card game at its core with area control. Totally refreshing take on the usual dudes on a map repeated drivel.
I was referring to it being classed as part of the ‘matagot trilogy’ with Cyclades and Kemet. It struck me as odd that it didn’t have monsters and the others did therefore puzzling as to why it was considered part of a trilogy when it’s nothing like the other. I’ve explained this 15 times int he comments.
Just got inis and the seasons expansion. Looking forward to it hitting the table. Was kind of attracted by the lack of monsters after blood rage/kemet etc, but I guess I'll have to wait to play it to see if it works for me with the omission or not. Interesting review.
We borked a couple of rules due to the rule book being unclear. Read the video description to see what we messed up. Hope you don’t have the same issues 👍
Not really mate...preferred the base game on its own to be honest. The expansion felt a bit empty like they were desperate to make it. I dunno why this is linked with Cyclades and kemet as some kind of trilogy as it doesn’t really share anything.
I just tryd exspansion for Inis it is brutal . It add 5 player and more action cards and more epic tale cards and more lands and islands and few more rule additions . The game witch is already the king of elegancy become more deep. I recommend this Exspansion it is must have .
If anything, the absence of « game-breaking monsters » is a plus, as it helps differentiate the game from its competition. Besides, mythical events cards fulfill that role. I don’t see anything lacking here. Inis goes for elegance and restraint. You have all the these other doam games for tacky extravaganza. I do agree that the expansion feels unnecessary.
I keep making this point, but I was referring to the game not following the style of the other two in the trilogy hence my criticism of it being bundled in with kemet and cyclades.
@@BoardGameBollocks yeah I can see how you would expect some more oomph coming from the the two previous games, but I reckon many people actually enjoy Inis precisely for it being different. To be fair, Inis being « bundled in » as part of a trilogy is ultimately a marketing move, it’s not super relevant in how the game should feel. It’s almost certain that the designer had no idea the game would end up being marketed this way, I mean. Cheers!
i do agree with a lot of things your saying here, but at the end you ask 'why would we play this if we could play kemet?', and my answer to that would be the set up! Kemet is an absolute ballache to set up, i can easily set up inis in 2 minutes. If your trying to play with people newer to the hobby too its a lot less intimidating
I found I love your reviews even if I personally not allways agree and even have a totaly different opinion but I allways follow your reasonings and respects your honest opinions. This makes your youtube channel one of the best imo, cause it challenges my own opinions. And gives me valuable information if I am curious about a game if it is for me or not. So, happy new year to you and yours!
I like this game, but I find it kind of annoying that you can't see the effect of the advantage cards that your opponents get for having a majority in a territory, unless you memorize them before they go into their hands.
This is coming a bit late & without any patience to sift through your Comments but did anyone get back to you regarding the query over Island tiles? We, too, found the rulebooks deplorably unequal to the game and the Island tiles confusing. Kindly (or not so kindly) let us know. And hello from Toronto, Canada! It's refreshing to find a Channel with some balls for such a splendid (often timid) hobby. Keep up the great work.
Islands are adjacent to all harbors (and harbors are to harbors). They're excluded from the setup but shuffled in afterwards into the location pile. When choosing the capital region the Brenn adds a harbor in addition to the capital and sanctuary. Some locations (like the updated cove) come with a harbor and there might be more ways to add them. New locations can only be placed such that they don't block of a harbor. Leaving it open to the edge of the board. There are examples in the rulebook about these placement rules. We didn't have any issues understanding this from the rulebook and I'm surprised you struggled with it. Harbors help to keep bigger maps traversable, islands are powerful locations that are a bit limited to get to.
@norbertspie8157 thanks for that…but your 5 years too late. There’s always one who says “we didn’t struggle with the rules.” Just wish you’d mentioned it when I was young.
I picked it up a few years ago because of all the rave reviews and people saying it was the "best dudes on a map game" out there. But honestly every game I've played has just felt flat and nothing to write home about. Maybe it's the type of game that needs repeated plays to truly shine... but at that point I'd rather play something that's fun from game 1.
BoardGames4K Oh boy, if you haven't experienced ASMR yet, you've got long, awkward, and weird trip ahead of you. Search it on UA-cam. But don't say I didn't warn you😅
It’s not Blood Rage or Kemet. It’s not supposed to be. Those games already exist. No big game breaking monsters wtf? You really didn’t grasp this at all. Hopefully no one is led astray by this and misses one of the best and most unique games on the market. Of course we all have different likes and dislikes and that’s fine but hopefully people who will love won’t skip it. It’s exactly what it’s intended to be. Maybe watch Boardgameco videos about how it fits into the trilogy for a better understanding.
Having a different opinion isn’t ‘misinformation’…no need to come on here swinging your ball bag about mate. FYI I was referring to Inis being part of the Matagot trilogy and that label confused me as it’s nothing like the other two…I guess you didn’t understand what I was saying because you were too busy preparing your ‘wtf’ assault.
Just as a side note, Quackalope made a video about Blood Rage VS Inis with Boardgameco where Alex specifically stated that he would love an expansion for Inis with big monsters. You can check it if you wish. Time stamp 32:35
I love Inis and found the rules no problem. It’s probably one of my favourite games. For player count I actually think 3 is best. It’s a beautiful game at 3, which very few are. It’s elegance is in its simplicity so I think the addition of monsters and the rules overhead with them would spoil it a bit. The monsters are in the epic tale cards - which are hidden until you use them.
Finally I think it’s one of those rare games that it’s impossible to play well on your first (or even second or third) outing. Unlike most games where you can usually play tolerably well the first time and have fun, but quickly grows stale with subsequent plays. Inis doesn’t. It’s all in your opponents. And is highly interactive which is the feature of a game I value most -and again is a bit of a rarity.
“Suffers from a lack of monsters” is such a weird strange negative comment to me. The epic tales do crazy things. Why do we need monsters, and why is that a disappointment?? I could see that happening, but I hardly see it as necessary. Not all movies are westerns, not all area control games need monsters. Nice review, but heavy disagreement here. I like all those other games too, but this may be my fave of all of them after my first 2 plays.
I was thinking in terms of the other two games in the matagot trilogy which both have monsters. Seems like a strange omission.
I like they don't have monsters and are based more on history and on mythology
My point was that it’s classed at part of the matagot trilogy but negates the mythology aspect associated with the other two games. It’s a fact that myth and monsters go hand in hand and I was just perplexed as to why the decided to shun this in Inis. I think the game would have been richer for it.
@@BoardGameBollocks oddly enough, I was surprised to find out that the monster miniatures in Cyclades seem to do very little, such that I actually wonder at their inclusion (most just get placed on a territory for one turn, then disappear). They seem to only serve as a temporary marker for the Mythological Creatures deck, which Inis' Epic Tales deck gives a similar "turn the tables" moment, only potentially much bigger.
Cyclades monsters are quite powerful of they appear at the right moment. You always have to have a bit of cash put aside in case a decent monster turns up. Moral of the story is don’t buy a monster if they don’t do anything for you.
Inis has become one of our go-to games. Its great!
Love inis, my favorite 'dudes on a map' type of game. Expansion arrived today. Great review, I hope this channel takes off.
Hopefully we’ll get another expansion that adds some ‘monster’ type element.
If you figure out exactly how the islands work let me know...I got a tad confused.
Thanks for the kind words.
@@BoardGameBollocks
In Celtic mythology there is a race of monsters called The Formorians. Be nice if they can incorporate them into the game
Interesting review. Personally your comparison to some other games and mentioning its missing monsters etc is very strange. It's ultimately a card game at its core with area control. Totally refreshing take on the usual dudes on a map repeated drivel.
I was referring to it being classed as part of the ‘matagot trilogy’ with Cyclades and Kemet. It struck me as odd that it didn’t have monsters and the others did therefore puzzling as to why it was considered part of a trilogy when it’s nothing like the other.
I’ve explained this 15 times int he comments.
@@BoardGameBollocks haha OK. I'm sure you'll get to 20 times. 🤩
Just got inis and the seasons expansion. Looking forward to it hitting the table.
Was kind of attracted by the lack of monsters after blood rage/kemet etc, but I guess I'll have to wait to play it to see if it works for me with the omission or not.
Interesting review.
We borked a couple of rules due to the rule book being unclear. Read the video description to see what we messed up. Hope you don’t have the same issues 👍
@@BoardGameBollocks knowing what you know now, does it change how you feel about the game?
Not really mate...preferred the base game on its own to be honest. The expansion felt a bit empty like they were desperate to make it.
I dunno why this is linked with Cyclades and kemet as some kind of trilogy as it doesn’t really share anything.
I just tryd exspansion for Inis it is brutal . It add 5 player and more action cards and more epic tale cards and more lands and islands and few more rule additions . The game witch is already the king of elegancy become more deep. I recommend this Exspansion it is must have .
I like this so much more than Cyclades, Kemet, and Blood Rage.
That’s great! Have you tried Giants? It’s the first part of the matagot quadrilogy
If anything, the absence of « game-breaking monsters » is a plus, as it helps differentiate the game from its competition. Besides, mythical events cards fulfill that role. I don’t see anything lacking here. Inis goes for elegance and restraint. You have all the these other doam games for tacky extravaganza.
I do agree that the expansion feels unnecessary.
I keep making this point, but I was referring to the game not following the style of the other two in the trilogy hence my criticism of it being bundled in with kemet and cyclades.
@@BoardGameBollocks yeah I can see how you would expect some more oomph coming from the the two previous games, but I reckon many people actually enjoy Inis precisely for it being different.
To be fair, Inis being « bundled in » as part of a trilogy is ultimately a marketing move, it’s not super relevant in how the game should feel. It’s almost certain that the designer had no idea the game would end up being marketed this way, I mean.
Cheers!
I don’t think it not having monsters is a problem. That’s like complaining an apple is not a pear. Ok. So?
My point was that this game is considered part of a trilogy and is the only one that has no monsters thus it’s stands alone.So?
i do agree with a lot of things your saying here, but at the end you ask 'why would we play this if we could play kemet?', and my answer to that would be the set up! Kemet is an absolute ballache to set up, i can easily set up inis in 2 minutes. If your trying to play with people newer to the hobby too its a lot less intimidating
I found I love your reviews even if I personally not allways agree and even have a totaly different opinion but I allways follow your reasonings and respects your honest opinions.
This makes your youtube channel one of the best imo, cause it challenges my own opinions.
And gives me valuable information if I am curious about a game if it is for me or not.
So, happy new year to you and yours!
Cheers mate. Happy new year
I like this game, but I find it kind of annoying that you can't see the effect of the advantage cards that your opponents get for having a majority in a territory, unless you memorize them before they go into their hands.
Thanks for you objective review and you opinion. May not resonate with all, which is fine. It would be boring if we were all the same.
Your reviews are honest and refreshing, I grow tired of being fooled by the overly positive mainstream reviewers.
Cheers mate
Your welcome mate 👍
Inis is AMAZING !!! My new favorite game
This is coming a bit late & without any patience to sift through your Comments but did anyone get back to you regarding the query over Island tiles? We, too, found the rulebooks deplorably unequal to the game and the Island tiles confusing. Kindly (or not so kindly) let us know. And hello from Toronto, Canada! It's refreshing to find a Channel with some balls for such a splendid (often timid) hobby. Keep up the great work.
Nope. No one cleared it up as far as I know. You may find an FAQ on BGG.
Islands are adjacent to all harbors (and harbors are to harbors). They're excluded from the setup but shuffled in afterwards into the location pile. When choosing the capital region the Brenn adds a harbor in addition to the capital and sanctuary.
Some locations (like the updated cove) come with a harbor and there might be more ways to add them.
New locations can only be placed such that they don't block of a harbor. Leaving it open to the edge of the board. There are examples in the rulebook about these placement rules.
We didn't have any issues understanding this from the rulebook and I'm surprised you struggled with it.
Harbors help to keep bigger maps traversable, islands are powerful locations that are a bit limited to get to.
@norbertspie8157 thanks for that…but your 5 years too late. There’s always one who says “we didn’t struggle with the rules.” Just wish you’d mentioned it when I was young.
Thanks for the review. Have yet to okay Inis. Do like Kemet, may be a nice change.
Stop trying to pick out my eyes please
Hahaha 😂
I picked it up a few years ago because of all the rave reviews and people saying it was the "best dudes on a map game" out there. But honestly every game I've played has just felt flat and nothing to write home about. Maybe it's the type of game that needs repeated plays to truly shine... but at that point I'd rather play something that's fun from game 1.
Inis Rules Ok! 🙂👍
It’s fine when it’s not lumped in as a spiritual successor to Kemet and Cyclades...but we’d rather play those two if given the chance.
I agree 👍
Oi! Trust me! Nobody instigates The Clash! 😄👍
Hahaha I have complete opposite views on inis, lords of hellas, and kemet. Looking forward to more videos! :)
If we all agreed on everything the world would be boring, right?
Please talk a bit louder. Seems like you are whispering. haha
Mrs is watching eastenders mate
Thought this was a board game ASMR channel, honestly
A what?
BoardGames4K Oh boy, if you haven't experienced ASMR yet, you've got long, awkward, and weird trip ahead of you. Search it on UA-cam. But don't say I didn't warn you😅
The world is a bizarre place...
are you hiding in the basement or something? you almost whisper
Turn your TV up then 🤷
Can i play Season of Inis without buying original inis?
Err…no
Shut Up & Sit Down's Quinns said it's better than Cyclades!!!!!!!!!!! 8 /
He’s a dinlow then
It’s not Blood Rage or Kemet. It’s not supposed to be. Those games already exist. No big game breaking monsters wtf? You really didn’t grasp this at all. Hopefully no one is led astray by this and misses one of the best and most unique games on the market. Of course we all have different likes and dislikes and that’s fine but hopefully people who will love won’t skip it. It’s exactly what it’s intended to be. Maybe watch Boardgameco videos about how it fits into the trilogy for a better understanding.
Having a different opinion isn’t ‘misinformation’…no need to come on here swinging your ball bag about mate.
FYI I was referring to Inis being part of the Matagot trilogy and that label confused me as it’s nothing like the other two…I guess you didn’t understand what I was saying because you were too busy preparing your ‘wtf’ assault.
Just as a side note, Quackalope made a video about Blood Rage VS Inis with Boardgameco where Alex specifically stated that he would love an expansion for Inis with big monsters. You can check it if you wish. Time stamp 32:35
Vindicated. Cheers mate.
It's a shame that the minatures are so shit in this game as everything else is gorgeous.