My group and I love cosmic encounter. The diplomacy/politics are what balances out the absolute chaos of cards, powers, and what other variants you are using. This game unfortunately doesn't have that to fall back on. So this game is more of a novelty for cosmic fans I suppose.
Pro: I'm a cartoonist and I love Cosmic Encounter. All the aliens, both new and old, look absolutely amazing in this game. And seeing the Loser shout "Weeee!" was hiliarious.
I'm a huge fan of Cosmic (though yes, I'm cautious about the sort of group with which to bring it to the table) and I was very skeptical when this was announced. It sounded like a bad idea from the get-go, and maybe they could have done something cool, but by the time you started explaining all the different phases of combat and then the random events and such, I was done. They could have made a silly little space battle filler with cool alien powers for two, but instead they made a silly but bloated waste of time.
I got this second hand from a friend with the utterly beautiful official play mat. Mostly, I got it for the mat. I love CE, but haven't gotten to try this one yet.
I preordered this game just because of the name at two players! got the play mat with it and was so excited to play cosmic encounter with out having the higher player count. Oh man was I let down.... we wanted to like it but ended up selling it. Randomness not as fun at two players.
Yes this game definitely has it's shortcomings. I got this with my girlfriend who is not the biggest strategist and I love thinking games. I think this offers something for us both. I can still try to think and strategize while my gf doesn't feel completely dominated. I like winning, but I also don't like winning all the time and driving my opponents away for future games. I also don't want to just hand the game over and purposefully play bad. Might still be to early to tell, but the game is random enough to keep both players on an equal playing field, but not too random to where the game feels like a coin flip. So if you have a polarized duo like us then this is probably a fun game I could see 2 people both playing a very strategic game get very frustrated with all the randomness. then at the same time 2 very casual people becoming too overwhelmed with all the reading and mechanics. I'm kind of there enforcing all the rules and mechanics for my gf who forgets. she still has a chance to win with the randomness, but as ashton said it's still generally in your best interest to win the duel. There was one I wanted to lose to get the bonus, but if I lost she controlled 5 planets.
Hey thanks for sharing! I do agree that's where this game shines: with a casual mindset where you geniunely just enjoy each other's company, win or lose. The alien abilities are extremely interesting, and I'm sure there's many instances you both had a chuckle over. -Ashton
I'm in the same boat. I just feel like it needed to be more casual though. There are still way too many decision points and too much dang reading every time you flip a destiny card! 30 minute games are an understatement!
Honestly, sounds like the exact cosmic encounter experience to me. The original was worse. It was a pure vote who wins game. No better than munchkin. It’s basically diplomacy with crazy powers. Regardless, it takes a specific group to enjoy that kind of game, and it’s never been a hit with any of the groups I play with. Willing to bet Tom from the dice tower is the only reason people still talk about it.
I'm not a big fan of the dice tower and I think Tom likes a bunch of bad games, but me and my friends love Cosmic, it's a classic that's been reprinted so many times for a reason.
@@jonahbradley7638 to be fair monopoly also gets a lot of reprints. I think it’s a very group dependent game. I see the potential, but it’s never been a hit in my conflict adverse groups. I’ve had it work with my all guys group but we’d rather just play TI4 if we’re all together. As for the dice tower I love their countdowns, and hosts. I just think Tom’s opinion of Cosmic is to high.
Well Ashton’s criticism of the OG Cosmic Encounter should be a clue to his low score here. The randomness of Cosmic is part of what makes it great. It’s not supposed to be some perfectly balanced right euro. It’s a beer and pretzel game that you play for a laugh. If you really like the OG Cosmic you probably have a better chance of enjoying this one.
i'll never forget when we legitimately had to play go fish during this game - _-
they should type on the card that you need to actually say go fish to rub it in the randomness more ;) -Ashton
thanks for not being afraid to call a game average
Bro how cold is your house? You are always wearing a jacket inside🤣
ahaha we keep getting this question- that room I film in is barely insulated at all! So it's like filming outside during the winter -Ashton
Good stuff! Been waiting for a decent review for this game.
Thanks! I really wanted to get to the bottom of this game, since the Cosmic Encounter IP has always fascinated me! Glad you enjoyed! -Ashton
My group and I love cosmic encounter. The diplomacy/politics are what balances out the absolute chaos of cards, powers, and what other variants you are using. This game unfortunately doesn't have that to fall back on. So this game is more of a novelty for cosmic fans I suppose.
agreed! Certainly might be enjoyable for some cosmic fans to have a quiet night in, with tons of asymmetry for replay value. -Ashton
Pro: I'm a cartoonist and I love Cosmic Encounter. All the aliens, both new and old, look absolutely amazing in this game. And seeing the Loser shout "Weeee!" was hiliarious.
ahaha from a visual point of view, this definitely doesn't disappoint. Makes me want to try the original with all the expansions -Ashton
The tactics standees also risk being identifiably marked especially with repeated plays especially since you cannot sleeve them.
This is super super thorough and much appreciated!!
thank you for the love! Glad I could inform you on this game :) -Ashton
I'm a huge fan of Cosmic (though yes, I'm cautious about the sort of group with which to bring it to the table) and I was very skeptical when this was announced. It sounded like a bad idea from the get-go, and maybe they could have done something cool, but by the time you started explaining all the different phases of combat and then the random events and such, I was done. They could have made a silly little space battle filler with cool alien powers for two, but instead they made a silly but bloated waste of time.
Love your reviews, well done!
hey! So glad to hear that, more reviews coming your way! :) -Ashton
I got this second hand from a friend with the utterly beautiful official play mat. Mostly, I got it for the mat. I love CE, but haven't gotten to try this one yet.
I preordered this game just because of the name at two players! got the play mat with it and was so excited to play cosmic encounter with out having the higher player count. Oh man was I let down.... we wanted to like it but ended up selling it. Randomness not as fun at two players.
Yeah it really is a completely different feeling game with all of the card randomness. Totally with ya on selling it :) -Ashton
Yes this game definitely has it's shortcomings. I got this with my girlfriend who is not the biggest strategist and I love thinking games. I think this offers something for us both. I can still try to think and strategize while my gf doesn't feel completely dominated. I like winning, but I also don't like winning all the time and driving my opponents away for future games. I also don't want to just hand the game over and purposefully play bad. Might still be to early to tell, but the game is random enough to keep both players on an equal playing field, but not too random to where the game feels like a coin flip.
So if you have a polarized duo like us then this is probably a fun game I could see 2 people both playing a very strategic game get very frustrated with all the randomness. then at the same time 2 very casual people becoming too overwhelmed with all the reading and mechanics. I'm kind of there enforcing all the rules and mechanics for my gf who forgets. she still has a chance to win with the randomness, but as ashton said it's still generally in your best interest to win the duel. There was one I wanted to lose to get the bonus, but if I lost she controlled 5 planets.
Hey thanks for sharing! I do agree that's where this game shines: with a casual mindset where you geniunely just enjoy each other's company, win or lose. The alien abilities are extremely interesting, and I'm sure there's many instances you both had a chuckle over. -Ashton
I'm in the same boat. I just feel like it needed to be more casual though. There are still way too many decision points and too much dang reading every time you flip a destiny card! 30 minute games are an understatement!
Lots of effort to this video, good job 👍 subscribered afte this
Spanish Translation: Why not both?
Was that a “Road to El Dorado” reference
Love the channel! keep it up
thanks! More content coming out your way for sure :) -Ashton
Yeah, complex decisions + random casual fun sounds like a bad mix to me.
My eyes are glazing over at 2:24
thanks for letting me know ahahaa. Will have to streamline that a teensy bit more in the future :) -Ashton
@@Shelfside I appreciated you taking the time to set out how this is different to regular CE. Keep doing you.
@@GavinTheEnchantedHunchback thank you! Hopefully we can review normal CE in the future too -Ashton
Honestly, sounds like the exact cosmic encounter experience to me. The original was worse. It was a pure vote who wins game. No better than munchkin. It’s basically diplomacy with crazy powers. Regardless, it takes a specific group to enjoy that kind of game, and it’s never been a hit with any of the groups I play with. Willing to bet Tom from the dice tower is the only reason people still talk about it.
I'm not a big fan of the dice tower and I think Tom likes a bunch of bad games, but me and my friends love Cosmic, it's a classic that's been reprinted so many times for a reason.
@@jonahbradley7638 to be fair monopoly also gets a lot of reprints. I think it’s a very group dependent game. I see the potential, but it’s never been a hit in my conflict adverse groups. I’ve had it work with my all guys group but we’d rather just play TI4 if we’re all together. As for the dice tower I love their countdowns, and hosts. I just think Tom’s opinion of Cosmic is to high.
Well Ashton’s criticism of the OG Cosmic Encounter should be a clue to his low score here. The randomness of Cosmic is part of what makes it great. It’s not supposed to be some perfectly balanced right euro. It’s a beer and pretzel game that you play for a laugh.
If you really like the OG Cosmic you probably have a better chance of enjoying this one.