To be fair, while he praises a lot, he does give very detailed ratings on BGG, reasons why he gets rid of games on his previously owned BGG list, and explains things he doesn’t like or why a game isn’t for him. He just leads with praise. He also only reviews things that he thinks he and his wife might life, so that already makes it skew positive. If he was only a reviewer. i would get why people complain…but his play-through videos are his big thing, and it lets people decide for themselves when watching how the game works. The review aspect isn’t the main feature.
@@lajeit that’s fair! His run-throughs are great, and I always find them helpful. I find myself feeling so meh about so many good games as I watch run-throughs, probably because of so many years in the hobby. If I am really engaged, I know it might be worth a look.
@@TheBrokenMeeple Can't remember in which part of England you lived, but do you have recommendations for board game stores in London? Going to visit in december.
Between Faraway and now this, I’m excited to see what this team puts out next in terms of little card games. Both are great to play on BGA and a lot of quick fun!
I have finally tried castle combo on BGA but I would say I prefer faraway... Luke if you haven't played faraway you should try it! Castle combo is more convoluted version of faraway and its easy to get caught into AP problem.
Love this game, play it a ton on BGA and have ordered it from Australia for *way too much* money. It reminds me of Downtown Farmer's Market but better. Thanks for your review!
Oh Luke, every now and then you surprise me with how much you adore these absolute run of the mill games. I played this and thought. It’s fine. That’s it. Nothing wrong it but it gives me nothing. To come here to find out that you found this one excellent truly baffles me. Of course I respect your view but for the life of me I fail to see what makes you hand out a 9 to this when we have seen dozens and dozens of games that work similarly and don’t do a bad job to get their point across
There may well be others that work similarly. Got any in mind? But the rating is not simply personal enjoyment factor, it's the merits of the game itself. It ticks every box. I get a decent game out of a 25 min affair with less than 60 seconds of teaching, good components and reasonable depth without feeling like it's overstaying its welcome or fundamentally imbalanced. I wouldn't play it twice in a row etc but it's an easy one to start a game night with.
Many in my gaming group feel, that if a game isn't at least 2+ hours and rules heavy, it cannot be a good game. I tend to rate - as well as I think Luke does - games in their own "weight class" meaning how well do they function as the game they represent themselves as, the most important criteria often being the time/enjoyment -ratio. I also teach a lot of games and really respect 'teachability', meaning clear rules without fiddliness. I appreciate these reviews and see no problem giving "lesser" games high praise.
@@mikaeki5245 I gave a micro game a 9 I think, vegetable stock because for a ten minute micro game it is pretty much a perfect example of the genre. I'll likely have it with me at the Essen meet and greet event.
@@TheBrokenMeeple Vegetable Stock is a 9 for me too. Always have it with me to gaming clubs. Circle the Wagons is one of my favorite games for it being small, quick and yet deep with replayability ja strategy. And something like Loopin' Louie has a 9 from me, since it's just fun (once in a while) :D
You're right, this is easily one of the best filler games available right now and it feels like it came out of nowhere. I've played this game into the ground on BGA.
Luke, can you review top games that are quick to set up and fun? Games like Castle Combo. Faraway, and 7 wonders Duel are good (played them on arena). There are other games that are fun but people don't play it just because of the long setup time (such as Aeon's end). Are there any heavy games that are quick to setup? I played Aeon's End last time and it took me 30 minutes to set up. Then, no one played it again.
"But he tends to love everything"😂😂😂 glad that I'm not the only one who thinks that about Rahdo.
Pretty sure by now everyone and their dog does, but that's his style.
To be fair, while he praises a lot, he does give very detailed ratings on BGG, reasons why he gets rid of games on his previously owned BGG list, and explains things he doesn’t like or why a game isn’t for him. He just leads with praise. He also only reviews things that he thinks he and his wife might life, so that already makes it skew positive. If he was only a reviewer. i would get why people complain…but his play-through videos are his big thing, and it lets people decide for themselves when watching how the game works. The review aspect isn’t the main feature.
He prescreens most of them. doesn’t want to spend time on bad ones. Ranks all plays monthly as well.
@@alicia1465 i do loooove his playthroughs but I never watch the after playthrough videos because I can feel the positive bias
@@lajeit that’s fair! His run-throughs are great, and I always find them helpful. I find myself feeling so meh about so many good games as I watch run-throughs, probably because of so many years in the hobby. If I am really engaged, I know it might be worth a look.
I preordered. I also preordered Faraway last year and was so pleasantly surprised with it. 30+ plays of Castle Combo on BGA already. Love it.
This has been a lot of fun to play on BGA. Great little game!
Excellent stuff as always Luke. Reminds me of Skulls of Sedlec.
I've got this on the way already. I think we'll like it a lot.
What a splendid review -- thank you! This sounds like it might have that Lost Cities magic.
These short reviews are golden. Thanks, Luke.
Thanks, they do enable to cover more stuff.
@@TheBrokenMeeple Can't remember in which part of England you lived, but do you have recommendations for board game stores in London? Going to visit in december.
@@mikaeki5245 I don't go to many but draughts is decent but expensive. A small one in the Greenwich area I think called Tannuki is nice.
Super excited about this. Thank you for the review. Looking forward to it hitting retail stores in the US.
Makes me think of Fantasy Realms, but with an additional spatial orientation on top
Hmmm maybe, though one a card is gone you ain't getting it back.
Between Faraway and now this, I’m excited to see what this team puts out next in terms of little card games. Both are great to play on BGA and a lot of quick fun!
I get Village Green and Point Salad vibes from this.
Both games I own and it's hard to see what it adds to the mix.
I have finally tried castle combo on BGA but I would say I prefer faraway...
Luke if you haven't played faraway you should try it! Castle combo is more convoluted version of faraway and its easy to get caught into AP problem.
Love this game, play it a ton on BGA and have ordered it from Australia for *way too much* money. It reminds me of Downtown Farmer's Market but better. Thanks for your review!
Oh Luke, every now and then you surprise me with how much you adore these absolute run of the mill games. I played this and thought. It’s fine. That’s it. Nothing wrong it but it gives me nothing. To come here to find out that you found this one excellent truly baffles me. Of course I respect your view but for the life of me I fail to see what makes you hand out a 9 to this when we have seen dozens and dozens of games that work similarly and don’t do a bad job to get their point across
There may well be others that work similarly. Got any in mind? But the rating is not simply personal enjoyment factor, it's the merits of the game itself. It ticks every box. I get a decent game out of a 25 min affair with less than 60 seconds of teaching, good components and reasonable depth without feeling like it's overstaying its welcome or fundamentally imbalanced. I wouldn't play it twice in a row etc but it's an easy one to start a game night with.
Many in my gaming group feel, that if a game isn't at least 2+ hours and rules heavy, it cannot be a good game. I tend to rate - as well as I think Luke does - games in their own "weight class" meaning how well do they function as the game they represent themselves as, the most important criteria often being the time/enjoyment -ratio. I also teach a lot of games and really respect 'teachability', meaning clear rules without fiddliness. I appreciate these reviews and see no problem giving "lesser" games high praise.
@@mikaeki5245 I gave a micro game a 9 I think, vegetable stock because for a ten minute micro game it is pretty much a perfect example of the genre. I'll likely have it with me at the Essen meet and greet event.
@@TheBrokenMeeple Vegetable Stock is a 9 for me too. Always have it with me to gaming clubs. Circle the Wagons is one of my favorite games for it being small, quick and yet deep with replayability ja strategy.
And something like Loopin' Louie has a 9 from me, since it's just fun (once in a while) :D
You're right, this is easily one of the best filler games available right now and it feels like it came out of nowhere. I've played this game into the ground on BGA.
Luke, can you review top games that are quick to set up and fun? Games like Castle Combo. Faraway, and 7 wonders Duel are good (played them on arena). There are other games that are fun but people don't play it just because of the long setup time (such as Aeon's end). Are there any heavy games that are quick to setup?
I played Aeon's End last time and it took me 30 minutes to set up. Then, no one played it again.
Quick games to set up would mostly be fillers or micro games though.
10:30 man i wish this plays good with higher player count as our playgroup is growing but will pre-order nonetheless
Plays fine at all counts, market is just a bit more chaotic with 4.
Castle Combo v Pixies - any preference as to which is better?
Not played pixies
It is available from many UK retailers, but not your sponsor Kienda. Are they getting copies?
I hope they do.
‘You’re building a free by free grid’….. funny bri’ish accent you have 😊
It's a pick and mix by now.
Fantasy realms but more interactive
Where can I find his 10/10 list?
Games I rated a 10? I guess check out the Top 20-30 games out of my Top 100 list.
Better than Faraway?
Never played.
@@TheBrokenMeepleyou should. Need to play it a few times to get the hang of it but it is also a great filler.
Maybe they'll have it at Essen, I'll keep an eye out.
You are getting softer as you age 😂
As in ratings? Oh don't worry, Essen is coming up, I'm sure there will be some hard sells there. Also remember Arcs? ;-)
🥓🥓🥓