For those who may be shying away from this game due to its real time component: There is also a turn-based variant included where you do not have a timer. Don't let the timer keep you from enjoying a very good game. I played it tonight as a 2-player, and enjoyed it immensely. I can't wait to play with 3 or 4. :)
Ugly Elmo I like the real time feature. I can understand the turn based variant for those wanting more time. The turn based variant should have a hard time limit of X x 7. X being the number of players. This will keep AP to a minimum.
I STILL have to find a review of the game where the reviewer gets that "Legend of Tanananah" is a Zelda-spoof, but doesn't realize that "Tanananah" is supposed to be the treasure chest-jingle and, thus, fumble the name. Still, great review. I plan to get the game shipped overseas to me at the end of the month.
+Fábio Fontes Oh my, didn't expect you to comment. *breathes in for necessary fan gush* Your artwork for the BattleCON Alts are fantastic! ... Huh, that was quick.
Great game if you have a playgroup that loves references and CCGs/TCGs in general. The timed buying + deckbuilding phase flows really well into the actual playing of the cards.
Absolutely great review! Already knew I wanted this game the moment I saw the kickstarter and it's always a pleasure hearing your opinions on game I'm interested in.
this game was very intense. I played a prototype of the game roughly a year ago and the economic turns were set at 20 minutes. 3 hours later, we stopped after the second round. that has all been fixed, but that alone sold me on this game. it is amazing.
Perfect for people like me and my brother who no longer can find time and money to play ccg's. When you have a family to care for. Now you get to enjoy all that in a 2-4h gaming night!
My boyfriend bought this game and asked me to play with him. I was wondering about this game. It seems like I will take a long time to build my cards for sure, but it looks fun :) Thank you for the great review!
I kicked this last year not knowing a thing about LVL99. I was just intrigued by the concept. It came in the mail a couple days ago, and I'm excited to round up some buddies to try it out.
2:14 "each player is allowed one accessory" your allowed 2 accessories in a standard tournament deck (barring special powers.) Edit: specific rule on page 8. in the "Your personal area" box under Build your deck "The Deck Area can contain up to eight singles, up to one Deck Box, and up to two Accessories."
+mazazon 16:18 the "set rotation expansion" adding a couple more card sets is due some time after the core game (was included at higher backer levels or as an add-on). Sounds like this game really blind-sided Tom.
Into the collection? Impressive. I know nothing of ccg's but this game looks awesome! Thanks to Rahdo for bringing this into Tom's attention and hopefully getting more exposure after this review.
Cardboard Stacker Maybe.. but then again I'm a card gamer that has a very slim/none gaming group of sorts in that category. Probably just me in a sense.
Maybe a Magic, Pokemon, or any other CCG game player. Think of this as an economic/commodities game. Don’t let any potential player be put off by the Anime art.
Was the game a Kickstarter one? It looks incredible but I don't think I can find 1 or more players around me wanting to enjoy this one with me. Well done L99 for making such an original game.
As someone who lives in the center of the venn diagram for this game I'm so glad they didn't compromise the tropes and meta theme for a wider audience; you'd end up with something mediocre that the target audience wouldn't love as much.
Even if you (and I'm looking at me!) don't get the in-jokes, there is enough of a game here so that the decision to purchase should not depend on your placement in the 'venn diagram'. If the concept is intriguing, either go for it or try it first. What interests me is whether it is still in your collection two years later. Do you still play it?
I have say the notion that the theming and humor of the game 'niches' it is an odd criticism. I laughed at the Firefly send-ups and had to google why 'Obari as Hell' was as funny as everyone 'in the know' thought it was, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the game and I still don't get Mecha Couture in general and never will. Somebody should tell Stevey J that Munchkin game of his will never fly unless players have spent a year in an old schoolz AD&D campaign fighting Gazebos. Kung Fu 2100 -that's where it is at Mr. Jackson.
+Hai Kulture I think the unique and fun gameplay should override any Venn-diagramed niche status of this game, because for those who do not get the references or jokes, will be able to concentrate on the cool combos and cards. Basically, knowing about every little thing the game is poking fun of is just a bonus smirk, rather than a necessity to play the game. The CCG aspect for players who've never played a CCG is a stronger remark, but after one tournament, they should already know enough about what the game is supposed to simulate to make a good impact in later rounds.
The review is very good. But this game is just terrible, it is a shinning example how to turn the fun of deck building and collecting card dames fun into misery and number crouching :D Where is the fun it trade if there are limitation on it this is BS. If you are in turnaments who cares collectors value you collect for power geez
+kdhlkjhdlk Wow...then you are shunning all the great games from Level 99. I don't understand just single-handedly denying yourself unique gaming experiences not because of bad art, but rather anime art that you don't like. Your loss.
+Okami31 I'll agree with you Okami31. I just don't see why would a person would judge a game by it's art. It goes with saying "Don't judge a book by its cover." It's the mechanics that counts. (^_^)
![1 Orc vs 7 Computers [4K]](/img/n.gif)
The backs of those cards are a trip; even knowing it's just the back, at first glance I still think they are packs.
Dude you're right this is SOOOO trippy O.o
For those who may be shying away from this game due to its real time component: There is also a turn-based variant included where you do not have a timer. Don't let the timer keep you from enjoying a very good game. I played it tonight as a 2-player, and enjoyed it immensely. I can't wait to play with 3 or 4. :)
Ugly Elmo I like the real time feature. I can understand the turn based variant for those wanting more time. The turn based variant should have a hard time limit of X x 7. X being the number of players. This will keep AP to a minimum.
"In to my collection" is especially relevant to this game
I STILL have to find a review of the game where the reviewer gets that "Legend of Tanananah" is a Zelda-spoof, but doesn't realize that "Tanananah" is supposed to be the treasure chest-jingle and, thus, fumble the name.
Still, great review. I plan to get the game shipped overseas to me at the end of the month.
+AstonWildsteel ... SOMEONE GETS IT!!!
+AstonWildsteel Wow...didn't even realize and Ocarina of Time is my favorite vgame ever.
+Fábio Fontes Oh my, didn't expect you to comment.
*breathes in for necessary fan gush*
Your artwork for the BattleCON Alts are fantastic!
... Huh, that was quick.
AstonWildsteel Well, thanks!
Oooooooooh!
This is so ingenious. It might be to complex for some people (even for me), but kudos for originality.
Thanks to Tom and Richard for bringing this game to my attention. This will be on my top 10 must buy list now.
Great game if you have a playgroup that loves references and CCGs/TCGs in general. The timed buying + deckbuilding phase flows really well into the actual playing of the cards.
Absolutely great review! Already knew I wanted this game the moment I saw the kickstarter and it's always a pleasure hearing your opinions on game I'm interested in.
this game was very intense. I played a prototype of the game roughly a year ago and the economic turns were set at 20 minutes. 3 hours later, we stopped after the second round. that has all been fixed, but that alone sold me on this game. it is amazing.
Love to see a live playthrough of this sometime.
Perfect for people like me and my brother who no longer can find time and money to play ccg's. When you have a family to care for. Now you get to enjoy all that in a 2-4h gaming night!
My boyfriend bought this game and asked me to play with him. I was wondering about this game. It seems like I will take a long time to build my cards for sure, but it looks fun :) Thank you for the great review!
"Does it need Expansions?" The Kickstarter financed an expansion, Set rotation, that is just as big and will be released soon,.
I kicked this last year not knowing a thing about LVL99. I was just intrigued by the concept. It came in the mail a couple days ago, and I'm excited to round up some buddies to try it out.
2:14 "each player is allowed one accessory" your allowed 2 accessories in a standard tournament deck (barring special powers.)
Edit: specific rule on page 8. in the "Your personal area" box under Build your deck "The Deck Area can contain up to eight singles, up to one Deck Box, and up to two Accessories."
+mazazon 4:03 page 12 of the rule book under general rules "'Flip a Card' does not allow you to
flip cards face-up"
+mazazon 16:18 the "set rotation expansion" adding a couple more card sets is due some time after the core game (was included at higher backer levels or as an add-on). Sounds like this game really blind-sided Tom.
+mazazon To be fair, this is corrected when he explains the Tournament board, and it is written on the board as well.
So glad this one met the expectations, this is high on the wish list! Cheers Tom
Nice review as always. Great job Tom. A big hi 5 from Brazil!
Into the collection? Impressive. I know nothing of ccg's but this game looks awesome! Thanks to Rahdo for bringing this into Tom's attention and hopefully getting more exposure after this review.
I never thought i will live until a day when Tom says paper money are ok :)
Will you have copies at Dice Tower Con? I am really wanting to try this one! :)
IF that ever becomes an online game..... PLEASE LET PEOPLE BUY IT!
+Yinyanyeow Trading would be very hard and less thematic if it were to be online.
Cardboard Stacker Maybe.. but then again I'm a card gamer that has a very slim/none gaming group of sorts in that category. Probably just me in a sense.
try tabletop simulator i'm sure someone must have transfered the game to it via workshop
Kind of new to that since I wasn't sure if it's supposed to be installed or not.
well tabletop has to be installed then you just download the mod from the workshop and bam online Millennium blades with no hassle in setup or cleanup
So crazy hyped for this game. Shur Wen Na for the win!
Looks like a very cool game, but I'm having difficulty figuring out who I'd play it with, unfortunately.
+DarthEd77 That's unfortunate, DarthEd...
Maybe a Magic, Pokemon, or any other CCG game player. Think of this as an economic/commodities game. Don’t let any potential player be put off by the Anime art.
Was the game a Kickstarter one? It looks incredible but I don't think I can find 1 or more players around me wanting to enjoy this one with me. Well done L99 for making such an original game.
+Izobretenik Yes, Kickstarter. This one and its expansion that got too big to be delivered on time with the base set.
Great review, game looks really neat. Would love to see a live playthrough of this :)
As someone who lives in the center of the venn diagram for this game I'm so glad they didn't compromise the tropes and meta theme for a wider audience; you'd end up with something mediocre that the target audience wouldn't love as much.
They could have made one about fantasy characters who collect a card game set in the real world ("Technology: the Gathering")
Even if you (and I'm looking at me!) don't get the in-jokes, there is enough of a game here so that the decision to purchase should not depend on your placement in the 'venn diagram'. If the concept is intriguing, either go for it or try it first. What interests me is whether it is still in your collection two years later. Do you still play it?
I too fall into said niche. I was convinced I wanted the game before the review had explained everything.
Those out of focus cards really hurts my eyes. XD Nice review, anyway. :-p
I enjoy crazy convoluted and fun games, but oh man if the explanation of this game, the variants and the massive stack of cards really hurt my head.
actually the game is very simple, just learned to play it last night
Wow SOLD!!!!
I have say the notion that the theming and humor of the game 'niches' it is an odd criticism. I laughed at the Firefly send-ups and had to google why 'Obari as Hell' was as funny as everyone 'in the know' thought it was, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the game and I still don't get Mecha Couture in general and never will.
Somebody should tell Stevey J that Munchkin game of his will never fly unless players have spent a year in an old schoolz AD&D campaign fighting Gazebos. Kung Fu 2100 -that's where it is at Mr. Jackson.
+Hai Kulture I think the unique and fun gameplay should override any Venn-diagramed niche status of this game, because for those who do not get the references or jokes, will be able to concentrate on the cool combos and cards. Basically, knowing about every little thing the game is poking fun of is just a bonus smirk, rather than a necessity to play the game. The CCG aspect for players who've never played a CCG is a stronger remark, but after one tournament, they should already know enough about what the game is supposed to simulate to make a good impact in later rounds.
Um it's two accessories and a deckbox btw
Heh... gotta love that Florida crabgrass.
The hype is too much!!! (passes out)
Talk about a niche theme!
jaxommm the theme may be niche. The game is an economic engine builder.
Tom, why outside, your wife kicked you out of the house? :)
Looks like a very calm neighborhood...
Wow. Just wow
Very interesting concept for a game but damn does it look complicated.
Nice Apple Watch!
Yes. Yes? YES? *paper money* NOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo........
Learn to focus your camera lens dude
The review is very good. But this game is just terrible, it is a shinning example how to turn the fun of deck building and collecting card dames fun into misery and number crouching :D Where is the fun it trade if there are limitation on it this is BS. If you are in turnaments who cares collectors value you collect for power geez
Love the gameplay, but anime art? Not a chance.
+kdhlkjhdlk Wow...then you are shunning all the great games from Level 99. I don't understand just single-handedly denying yourself unique gaming experiences not because of bad art, but rather anime art that you don't like. Your loss.
I don't care - this crap is awful.
+Okami31 I'll agree with you Okami31. I just don't see why would a person would judge a game by it's art. It goes with saying "Don't judge a book by its cover." It's the mechanics that counts. (^_^)
No. No turds on my shelf.
Well, I tried to rationalize things with you kdhlkjhdlk. God bless. :)