Zee's opinions on the solitaire mode are very much appreciated!! 😊 Please let him say a few things about solitaire play on future co-op games because it's (unfortunately) the only way I play boardgames at the moment.
Zee's explanation of the mitigation/inclusion of luck in a game (just prior to 19 minutes) is spot on. For a game like this, the lack of automatic failure would mean that based on luck, you would always win or lose. Without luck (automatic fail or otherwise), you will always win or lose depending on each move made, which can be gamed after multiple plays (in any co-op). Both can be boring. The mitigation of this issue through the ability to choose between spending available (finite) resources for an ALMOST guaranteed win, or saving said resources for a less assured (sometimes dubious) win, adds tension accordingly. Finding that balance in regards to luck in a game is something that makes the game a good/memorable one.
I'm super excited for this game! I got the deluxe copy on kickstarter and now I will be checking my mail everyday because of your video. Thanks for the in depth review!
It was possible to play this @ Essen 2016. I have played it with my brother. It was less fun than I expected it to be, however not sure anymore if any of the rules have changed since.
barrybadranath Fair enough. You're obviously a person who got their money's worth from monopoly. Hopefully before disowning/being disowned by friends and family.
FalconAshe K It IS cooperative like pandemic. That's about it. Pandemic doesn't deal with symbols or direct logical deduction. They both have exhaustible player decks seeded with crises. Both puzzles have four variables I guess...not sure where you're finding the similarities is all. Have you played both games? I don't see overwhelming likenesses between the two.
Just bought the game and played twice. Production quality is pretty cheap. Tiles are very thin and card stock is ok at best. Based on the price it should of came with miniatures but it’s not a big deal. The gameplay itself is simple mechanically speaking. But it is just mastermind with a worker placement feel. Overall I’m not very impressed and tom, Sam and zee hyped it up way too much. Especially the art work. It is nowhere near amazing. My wife’s first impression was how bad the art work was. Like it was done by a 3rd grader. Not worth the admission in my opinion.
The art is nice, but I really don't like this theme. It does not seem to fit, and feels like a bad comic from the 90s with 'edgy' mispellings of ekho and eklipse, ugh. Gameplay seems WAY too randomized with that die, but I would have to play a bunch to really get a feel for that of course. Probably no more random than fighting a monster in ghost stories (the combat annoys me in ghost stories as well). Think many will really like this though, so glad it is out there.
Alluvian I think Zee's explanation of the random element adequately expresses why the game excels in that aspect (above even Ghost Stories sans expansion). The dice simply don't add so much random swing as to even be a serious concern as in other non-traitor co-op games. As for artwork...art is art. If it's a good game, I'll play white 6-sided dice with toilet paper cards on the floor. But color print card board is nice.
Subcomandante73 Its fine to not have interest in games that use apps (close minded, but fine), but claiming it's just a gimmick simply isn't true. Alchemists, World of Yo Ho, First Martians, and even this just don't work without an app. They do things that are impossible without either a non-player 'games master' or being very different
At one time dice rolling was just a "gimmick" and I'm sure there were people claiming it needed to be removed from table-top gaming. Ahhhh... good times.
Your loss, games like this and Mansions of Madness 2nd edition which make solid use of the app are excellent. The key is that the app needs to actually enhance the game in a way that without it the game isn't as streamlined or fun to play. And in this game's case it is literally allowing everyone at the table to participate versus one player just refereeing. So no, I actually want to see more games with excellent apps, not less.
Subcomandante73 Get off the internet. I'm not trying to be mean. Just suggesting that since you are obviously a luddite, willfully disdainful of all things modern, you'd be happier without technology. Tom made a preface/concession to your ilk at the outset of the video. It's your fault you didn't heed it. You won't convert/convince anyone here. Simultaneous action selection used to be a gimmick. Role selection was a gimmick. Hidden information was a gimmick. Mancala is still technically a game, but is now really just a mechanic. 'Gamers' used to like Monopoly. I guess that my message to you is: Keep playing Monopoly if you enjoy it. Hell, with the right people, even I'LL play X-Men monopoly. Just don't freak out when I enjoy playing Diplomacy, Puerto Rico, Nations, and XCOM The Board Game.
Man, Tom does a great impression of Zee. It sounds just like him!
Zee's opinions on the solitaire mode are very much appreciated!! 😊
Please let him say a few things about solitaire play on future co-op games because it's (unfortunately) the only way I play boardgames at the moment.
Wow, really good production for a first time kickstarter game! I backed based on artwork and atmosphere, so great to hear the game is solid
Zee's explanation of the mitigation/inclusion of luck in a game (just prior to 19 minutes) is spot on. For a game like this, the lack of automatic failure would mean that based on luck, you would always win or lose. Without luck (automatic fail or otherwise), you will always win or lose depending on each move made, which can be gamed after multiple plays (in any co-op). Both can be boring.
The mitigation of this issue through the ability to choose between spending available (finite) resources for an ALMOST guaranteed win, or saving said resources for a less assured (sometimes dubious) win, adds tension accordingly.
Finding that balance in regards to luck in a game is something that makes the game a good/memorable one.
Great review. Thumbs up for Zee s insights in this one.
I'm super excited for this game! I got the deluxe copy on kickstarter and now I will be checking my mail everyday because of your video. Thanks for the in depth review!
19:46 "He's also an Otter?" - Tom
Funny stuff!
Not just an otter. An Orakl Otter.
I literally laughed out loud at the notice for toms voice changing.
Cooperative Mastermind with cool abilities and cards and art? Take my money!! :)
Doug Rosengard I played mastermind with my cousin a bunch when we were like 10-12 years old. I'm with you all the way!
Great video. Very entertaining hour. Thanks.
Yay, I backed another winner!
Wish we could have this back drop again for Miami dice and back talks.
12:06 Exactly, it's Mastermind with more people and steps involved. 😂
It was possible to play this @ Essen 2016. I have played it with my brother. It was less fun than I expected it to be, however not sure anymore if any of the rules have changed since.
It looks cool...I just don't wanna use my phone with a board game. I'm sure I'll get into it eventually...I just hate change.
barrybadranath Fair enough. You're obviously a person who got their money's worth from monopoly. Hopefully before disowning/being disowned by friends and family.
Man, I didn't know Tom's voice was so low......I wonder if he shrunk down to Zee size as well. That'd be a neat trick.
How does it compare to Alchemists? I don't think I heard any mention of it in your thoughts
Has this game been released yet?
Wizee Garcia
Feels like a Pandemic game. Find the right symbol of four colors. Player deck with an eclipse symbol like epidemics.
FalconAshe K It IS cooperative like pandemic. That's about it. Pandemic doesn't deal with symbols or direct logical deduction. They both have exhaustible player decks seeded with crises. Both puzzles have four variables I guess...not sure where you're finding the similarities is all. Have you played both games?
I don't see overwhelming likenesses between the two.
The idea seems good but I don't know why the game seems so boring.
They just changed the pandemic theme to space to make this game
Just bought the game and played twice. Production quality is pretty cheap. Tiles are very thin and card stock is ok at best. Based on the price it should of came with miniatures but it’s not a big deal. The gameplay itself is simple mechanically speaking. But it is just mastermind with a worker placement feel. Overall I’m not very impressed and tom, Sam and zee hyped it up way too much. Especially the art work. It is nowhere near amazing. My wife’s first impression was how bad the art work was. Like it was done by a 3rd grader. Not worth the admission in my opinion.
The art is nice, but I really don't like this theme. It does not seem to fit, and feels like a bad comic from the 90s with 'edgy' mispellings of ekho and eklipse, ugh. Gameplay seems WAY too randomized with that die, but I would have to play a bunch to really get a feel for that of course. Probably no more random than fighting a monster in ghost stories (the combat annoys me in ghost stories as well). Think many will really like this though, so glad it is out there.
Alluvian Agreed. I don't even get the crazy amount of praise for the art. It's okay at best. The whole production doesn't appeal to me. YMMV
Alluvian I think Zee's explanation of the random element adequately expresses why the game excels in that aspect (above even Ghost Stories sans expansion). The dice simply don't add so much random swing as to even be a serious concern as in other non-traitor co-op games.
As for artwork...art is art. If it's a good game, I'll play white 6-sided dice with toilet paper cards on the floor. But color print card board is nice.
Zero interest in any game that uses an app. This gimmick needs to stop now with board game publishers/designers.
Subcomandante73 Its fine to not have interest in games that use apps (close minded, but fine), but claiming it's just a gimmick simply isn't true. Alchemists, World of Yo Ho, First Martians, and even this just don't work without an app. They do things that are impossible without either a non-player 'games master' or being very different
At one time dice rolling was just a "gimmick" and I'm sure there were people claiming it needed to be removed from table-top gaming. Ahhhh... good times.
Subcomandante73 i agree. Especially games like Golem Arcana apps that is now broken and updated.
Your loss, games like this and Mansions of Madness 2nd edition which make solid use of the app are excellent. The key is that the app needs to actually enhance the game in a way that without it the game isn't as streamlined or fun to play. And in this game's case it is literally allowing everyone at the table to participate versus one player just refereeing.
So no, I actually want to see more games with excellent apps, not less.
Subcomandante73 Get off the internet. I'm not trying to be mean. Just suggesting that since you are obviously a luddite, willfully disdainful of all things modern, you'd be happier without technology.
Tom made a preface/concession to your ilk at the outset of the video. It's your fault you didn't heed it. You won't convert/convince anyone here.
Simultaneous action selection used to be a gimmick. Role selection was a gimmick. Hidden information was a gimmick. Mancala is still technically a game, but is now really just a mechanic. 'Gamers' used to like Monopoly.
I guess that my message to you is: Keep playing Monopoly if you enjoy it. Hell, with the right people, even I'LL play X-Men monopoly. Just don't freak out when I enjoy playing Diplomacy, Puerto Rico, Nations, and XCOM The Board Game.