Your comment on the potential of scoring being the draw really resonated with me. That is how I feel & what brings me enjoyment. When speaking with another friend I said it felt like gambling (although I don't gamble) in that I wanted to take a chance and go for the big win every game. When it works its feels amazing & when it doesn't there is the hope that it will next time that makes me want to play it again. I also have read the books so the theme comes through more for me which is also enjoyable. My rating is higher than most that I've seen & I think it is the kind of game certain players will resonate with while others will find it average. Nice review as always!
My wife and I really enjoy it. We're huge fans of Fantasy Realms, the inspiration for Red Rising. Fantasy Realms can be pumped out in 15 - 20 minutes though. Red Rising did finish quicker that I thought it would, which is to its benefit. This will stick around in our collection. If we're interested in a morsel, will play Fantasy Realms. If we want something with a little more meat, we'll play Red Rising.
This game is rock solid and has gotten better the more I have played it. I can say that, in my group, the meta has evolved. This has rewarded me by allowing me to get better the more that I play. While every card game has a luck element, I have always felt like I had a chance to win. For a card game, this one is a keeper for me and my group
Another Stonemaier Game that we absolutely love to play in our family! We currently own the retail version/edition, but I’m definitely looking to upgrade to the Collector’s version/edition components. I’m a big fan of the books and super impressed by this game’s quality of card graphics/artwork (and, a lot/100+ of them, too)! In my opinion, the accuracy of the character depictions in the card graphics/artwork are on point and top notch; alot of attention to detail, for sure, and stayed true, I think, to the books (Fitchner’s bubble gum, etc). Thanks for the great video on this great game! - Howie
I've seen a couple reviews on this one and they've been pretty middle of the road. Your 3 of 5 rating matches the Dice Tower 4 square review pretty closely too. It's Stonemaier so I didn't expect much excitement, but it does sound like something I'd try if someone brings it to a meetup.
Just got my review copy and played my first game with my fiancé. She enjoyed it and so far the game is giving me that feeling of wanting to play again. So far I’m liking what I’m seeing. I’ve never played fantasy realms which people are saying this game compares to so I can’t speak on comparison.
Finally got this to the table this week and honestly I as the most disappointed in a game I have been in a long time. But it is pretty and hope lots of other people have a blast playing it.
The beating your own score in an optimization challenge (solo) is something I do. Did feel that playing with more players, the downtime went up, due to reading all on the cards before taking/picking one. I never read the books, but I do like the art and the quality of the components (Collectors edition and I do not have an issue with the colors)... Though the card racks are abysmal.
Another point about the game-changing plays is that they are private. You don't see other people's big changes and they don't see yours. The visible stuff is the Institue, the Helium and the Fleet Track all of which are incremental and in total, they rarely give an accurate picture of how the players are placing. You pick up a card that gives you a 30 point bonus, High Five (but don't High Five as it is secret -- save your excitement until scoring time and then you can tell everyone, but like explaining a joke it's a bit of an anti-climax).
The game changing plays are there but certainly more hidden than most games. For example you might be searching for one specific card because it gives you a bonus on the bottom of two or three cards in your hand. Chances are it's not going to show up but you can grab an orange card as it counts as a named card of your choice at end game scoring. Same for a grey card which can double as another color. I usually tell people that if you like Wingspan (another Stonemeier game) chances are you'll like this. Wingspan is maximizing your board through cards in hand and resources. Red Rising is hand maximizing through board management and resources. Biggest drawback is just the amount of reading as every card is unique and a first time player can spend a bit of time trying to figure out what a card exactly does. Once someone plays through once it gets much quicker as it's easier to see what a card will do, but also that certain colors have a similar style in what they do and the left side of the card is an easy reference for what that card combos with and other cards that hurt your point total.
I think this is what I feel about it. Wingspan was essentially the first game I personally owned and bought. And I fell in love with it (I primarily play solo). And the solo mode of this is also just great for me.
It was mentioned by the Dice Tower and is worth repeating: the collector's edition version of this game has some major component issues. The metal cubes are too similar in color in certain pairings and the insert is pretty bad. I feel like the game was meant to be stored upright based upon the box art but as soon as the game goes vertical, all the metal components go rushing to the bottom of the box.
I really liked the game to be honest. At first I was very meh on the game when it was announced, however after reading about it and decided to buy it. Definitely worth it.
You sometimes mention an app that you use for tracking your plays. I would be interested to know which app that is and which apps with bgg integration you recommend.
I have the collectors edition. It's very nice to look at, with gold leaf on the gold cards and metal components, etc. but I don't think it's a great game I'm sad to say. But as usual your video is top notch mate.
I’m glad I could ditch my copy before it got out just how bad this is. Lots of text leads to seating problems at 4 and massive slow down. Massively unbalanced swingy card powers, effective player elimination if you can drop their hands by 2 cards, dice rolling, possibly having a hand you mostly want to keep from turn 1 removing the puzzle for you.... Fantasy realms unfortunately exists and has expansions leaving 0 reason to even own this outside of willing to play a worse game for a better theme and art style.
the best thing about this game is that it has introduced me to Red Rising book series , I'm now finishing book no 5 :).
Red Rising has just made me interested in playing Fantasy Realms.
Exactly.
Your comment on the potential of scoring being the draw really resonated with me. That is how I feel & what brings me enjoyment. When speaking with another friend I said it felt like gambling (although I don't gamble) in that I wanted to take a chance and go for the big win every game. When it works its feels amazing & when it doesn't there is the hope that it will next time that makes me want to play it again. I also have read the books so the theme comes through more for me which is also enjoyable. My rating is higher than most that I've seen & I think it is the kind of game certain players will resonate with while others will find it average. Nice review as always!
Very cool to hear, and ya, the scoring is what I keep going for.
My wife and I really enjoy it. We're huge fans of Fantasy Realms, the inspiration for Red Rising. Fantasy Realms can be pumped out in 15 - 20 minutes though. Red Rising did finish quicker that I thought it would, which is to its benefit. This will stick around in our collection. If we're interested in a morsel, will play Fantasy Realms. If we want something with a little more meat, we'll play Red Rising.
This game is rock solid and has gotten better the more I have played it. I can say that, in my group, the meta has evolved. This has rewarded me by allowing me to get better the more that I play. While every card game has a luck element, I have always felt like I had a chance to win. For a card game, this one is a keeper for me and my group
Glad you're enjoying :)
Another Stonemaier Game that we absolutely love to play in our family! We currently own the retail version/edition, but I’m definitely looking to upgrade to the Collector’s version/edition components. I’m a big fan of the books and super impressed by this game’s quality of card graphics/artwork (and, a lot/100+ of them, too)! In my opinion, the accuracy of the character depictions in the card graphics/artwork are on point and top notch; alot of attention to detail, for sure, and stayed true, I think, to the books (Fitchner’s bubble gum, etc). Thanks for the great video on this great game! - Howie
I've seen a couple reviews on this one and they've been pretty middle of the road. Your 3 of 5 rating matches the Dice Tower 4 square review pretty closely too. It's Stonemaier so I didn't expect much excitement, but it does sound like something I'd try if someone brings it to a meetup.
It's fun to try for sure. Not sure if a keeper.
Just got my review copy and played my first game with my fiancé. She enjoyed it and so far the game is giving me that feeling of wanting to play again. So far I’m liking what I’m seeing. I’ve never played fantasy realms which people are saying this game compares to so I can’t speak on comparison.
Nice review I want to play it but I don't think will suite my collection... lets see
Finally got this to the table this week and honestly I as the most disappointed in a game I have been in a long time. But it is pretty and hope lots of other people have a blast playing it.
The beating your own score in an optimization challenge (solo) is something I do. Did feel that playing with more players, the downtime went up, due to reading all on the cards before taking/picking one. I never read the books, but I do like the art and the quality of the components (Collectors edition and I do not have an issue with the colors)... Though the card racks are abysmal.
Another point about the game-changing plays is that they are private. You don't see other people's big changes and they don't see yours. The visible stuff is the Institue, the Helium and the Fleet Track all of which are incremental and in total, they rarely give an accurate picture of how the players are placing. You pick up a card that gives you a 30 point bonus, High Five (but don't High Five as it is secret -- save your excitement until scoring time and then you can tell everyone, but like explaining a joke it's a bit of an anti-climax).
The game changing plays are there but certainly more hidden than most games. For example you might be searching for one specific card because it gives you a bonus on the bottom of two or three cards in your hand. Chances are it's not going to show up but you can grab an orange card as it counts as a named card of your choice at end game scoring. Same for a grey card which can double as another color.
I usually tell people that if you like Wingspan (another Stonemeier game) chances are you'll like this. Wingspan is maximizing your board through cards in hand and resources. Red Rising is hand maximizing through board management and resources.
Biggest drawback is just the amount of reading as every card is unique and a first time player can spend a bit of time trying to figure out what a card exactly does. Once someone plays through once it gets much quicker as it's easier to see what a card will do, but also that certain colors have a similar style in what they do and the left side of the card is an easy reference for what that card combos with and other cards that hurt your point total.
I think this is what I feel about it. Wingspan was essentially the first game I personally owned and bought. And I fell in love with it (I primarily play solo). And the solo mode of this is also just great for me.
I'd recommend teying Fantasy Realms. It's the same idea with fewer colors and no side scoring mechanisms. It has no "take that" elements either.
Nice review, which pretty much confirmed my doubts. Probably a good game, one that I'd like to play, but not add to my collection.
Yep, I'm keeping for more plays but I doubt it stays forever
It was mentioned by the Dice Tower and is worth repeating: the collector's edition version of this game has some major component issues.
The metal cubes are too similar in color in certain pairings and the insert is pretty bad.
I feel like the game was meant to be stored upright based upon the box art but as soon as the game goes vertical, all the metal components go rushing to the bottom of the box.
Ouch, didn't know as I have the regular one.
I really liked the game to be honest. At first I was very meh on the game when it was announced, however after reading about it and decided to buy it. Definitely worth it.
You sometimes mention an app that you use for tracking your plays. I would be interested to know which app that is and which apps with bgg integration you recommend.
It's BG Stats, very nice app.
@@areyal26 Thank you! :)
Bg stats :)
It is basically Fantasy Realms on steroids, in mechanic, number of cards and components. If you are looking for a simpler one, try that.
I also thought the max a card could score was 40 but there are a few that can score 45
I have the collectors edition. It's very nice to look at, with gold leaf on the gold cards and metal components, etc. but I don't think it's a great game I'm sad to say.
But as usual your video is top notch mate.
Thanks :)
an inbalanced stegmeier game? surprise.
Ouch 🤕
I’m glad I could ditch my copy before it got out just how bad this is. Lots of text leads to seating problems at 4 and massive slow down. Massively unbalanced swingy card powers, effective player elimination if you can drop their hands by 2 cards, dice rolling, possibly having a hand you mostly want to keep from turn 1 removing the puzzle for you....
Fantasy realms unfortunately exists and has expansions leaving 0 reason to even own this outside of willing to play a worse game for a better theme and art style.
If you have everdell Red raising just boring
True, but also much shorter.