COMPONENTS - They sent me the deluxe version, and it's lovely and beautiful... and huge and unwieldy! 0:00 - Introduction 0:33 - Combat and Conquest 1:41 - Play Variety 3:02 - Sprawling Components and Set-Up 3:52 - Crisis Cards 4:55 - Strategic Choices 6:10 - Final Thoughts
Huge and unwieldy is an understatement! Once you get past the massive setup times and, in my opinion ,clunky combat, I absolutely love it. The app makes the combat much smoother and I probably wouldn't play without it.
Interesting! I've found the combat straightforward and haven't needed the app. But yeah, this is a game I need to leave setup and play multiple times to justify the time investment :)
@@OneStopCoopShop Maybe I need to play it a few more times. I just felt like I was always spending time trying to calculate it and I was really slow at it. And yeah, the app isn't the smoothest, so maybe it would be better for me to just learn the combat a bit better.
One thing that's often ignored in the 'setup and teardown' obsession our hobby currently has is how other games in the same genre and size fare in comparison. It's silly to expect a game of this size and scope to have a set-up similar to a much smaller game. Voidfall isn't the only game to get this kind of treatment when it comes to the ongoing discourse, it's just the most recent. I mean, I love games that are quick to the table and easy to put away, but there are limitations there and I don't like it as a hardline standard for how we judge games. And I would argue very strongly that when context is actually considered, Voidfall is quite smooth to set-up and breakdown.
I haven't played solo or co-op yet but the competitive version has quickly become something I am obsessed with. It absolutely takes a commitment to learn the rules and icons, but once you do there is so much cool strategic depth to the game. Interestingly, the amount of stuff you need on the table is quite a bit less for competitive I have noticed. There are like 2 boards and an entire set of cards that you just don't need at all.
I am a little surprised more games don't use the "shadow" mechanics from LoTR LCG....not luck/dice based,but the simple flipping of a tip card for the enemy can drastically offer variety and uncertainty to combat
My favorite semi-recent version of that is Skytear Horde. A bit more predictable and less punishing than LOTR, but still adds excitement and a touch of randomness.
Thanks for the review! I was thinking of maybe getting this one because it looks like something I would like, but when you showed how much space this takes, it was over lol My table can barely fit Gloomhaven/frosthaven and is even a little tight for Mage Knight or Sub Terra, so no, this wont fit. When you were showing the boards, if you had stop after the third one, it would still have been too big! Nice review as aslways, tx!
Setup and tear down improves significantly after you know in which order you have to set it up. I set it up in 15-20mins and 10-15 for for getting it back into the box. Still, with the galactic box it is a table hog. sure. I also disagree on the icons, because the icons are so well done, when you learned a few every subset of it is readable. Also, in case you have a question you can jump into the glossary to find the specific question you have. I am amazed how little I google for a game like this. Also the rules are simple, really, and the way they designed the boards enables you to come back to it later, because everything you need is clearly written on the boards. I am very much impressed with this game and I really had to contrain myself so that I do not play it through Solotober every day.
I'm supposed to get a copy at some point, so we will definitely have some videos. But for now you can squint and pretend the spaceships are witches, I guess? :)
For me, hands down the best game I have ever played. I seriously doubt anything will dethrone it before Andromeda's Edge is coming around and takes a shot. Edit: Solomon Kane is still weeping in the corner.
@@OneStopCoopShop I am a sucker for Sci-Fi and crunchy games, combine the two and it's heaven. That said, I completely forgot Fractal is about to fulfill. So there is a good chance the new King will fall earlier than expected.
@@Biodelic I'm getting Fractal as well, but from what I vaguely remember of the prototype I think I might prefer Voidfall for solo/co-op. Fractal might have the better competitive play.
Looks really good, but the setup/teardown time coupled with the tablespace it takes up makes this a no for me, at least as far as playing with the physical version goes. Definitely something I may check out on TTS though.
Probably not, with how my current schedule is going. I have another 15 or so games to cover, theoretically before the year ends, and this one would be a monster to film
@@OneStopCoopShop I also meant to ask this in my original comment, but how large is the table you played on? I have the Jasper long and I'm trying to assess whether it will fit on the table.
for me if it takes longer to setup and then clenup the components no way I will ever play solo. make a digital version where I don't have to do that then OK I will play it
I dont think its fair to say setup time and table size is a con (especially when you have only 5). I think this is something to be aware of but not a problem with the game as a whole.
@@OneStopCoopShop whenever you give 5 pros its almost an instant buy for me. I'm sure others feel the same. When it comes to your core 5 pro cons, I feel it could be more beneficial to focus on the gameplay itself. Things like bad rules, setup time, complexity, table space I think could get their own section of considerations but not count as the core 5 considerations. That being said, this is definitely your show and channel and I am but one of many voices. Just wanted to share my 2 cents, I look forward to the next review!
@@anthonyuccello1458 that's fair, and usually I do (check the video descriptions for component discussions for all my reviews in the last two years or so). But for me and a lot of other content creators, people on our Discord, etc., the set up and tear down and size of the game are a major impediment to getting it played. I thought it bore a larger mention than normal. But I hope my love for the design shone through here too. I think this game is fabulous!
I think it's fair. I mean everything and anything about a game is "something to be aware of." And for a lot of people, not having a big enough table is a huge con, in that they couldn't even play it. >.> That said, I am able to make a solo game work on my 3x3 card table by getting a little creativity lol. But a second player would be impossible.
COMPONENTS - They sent me the deluxe version, and it's lovely and beautiful... and huge and unwieldy!
0:00 - Introduction
0:33 - Combat and Conquest
1:41 - Play Variety
3:02 - Sprawling Components and Set-Up
3:52 - Crisis Cards
4:55 - Strategic Choices
6:10 - Final Thoughts
By far my favorite game of the year. And now one of my all time favorites.
That’s awesome! It’ll definitely be in my top 20 (maybe top 10) of the year
What are Youre top three?
Mine? Coming in December!
Huge and unwieldy is an understatement! Once you get past the massive setup times and, in my opinion ,clunky combat, I absolutely love it. The app makes the combat much smoother and I probably wouldn't play without it.
Interesting! I've found the combat straightforward and haven't needed the app. But yeah, this is a game I need to leave setup and play multiple times to justify the time investment :)
@@OneStopCoopShop same for me. Combat is easy to grasp. App is a waste of time. I only use it for random setup.
@@OneStopCoopShop Maybe I need to play it a few more times. I just felt like I was always spending time trying to calculate it and I was really slow at it. And yeah, the app isn't the smoothest, so maybe it would be better for me to just learn the combat a bit better.
Oof. Ease of setup and teardown has become more and more important to me over time, so looks like this one's not for me.
Might still be worth a try. It certainly gets way faster and easier as you play more. Though it's never going to be "quick" by any means :)
i think the retail edition will reduce some time for setup and teardown
@@Raaayden definitely, especially those minis.
There is a TTS mod for it, if you want a version without the setup. But not everyone likes TTS of course, and it is just not the same.
One thing that's often ignored in the 'setup and teardown' obsession our hobby currently has is how other games in the same genre and size fare in comparison. It's silly to expect a game of this size and scope to have a set-up similar to a much smaller game. Voidfall isn't the only game to get this kind of treatment when it comes to the ongoing discourse, it's just the most recent. I mean, I love games that are quick to the table and easy to put away, but there are limitations there and I don't like it as a hardline standard for how we judge games. And I would argue very strongly that when context is actually considered, Voidfall is quite smooth to set-up and breakdown.
I haven't played solo or co-op yet but the competitive version has quickly become something I am obsessed with. It absolutely takes a commitment to learn the rules and icons, but once you do there is so much cool strategic depth to the game. Interestingly, the amount of stuff you need on the table is quite a bit less for competitive I have noticed. There are like 2 boards and an entire set of cards that you just don't need at all.
That’s great to hear!!
I am a little surprised more games don't use the "shadow" mechanics from LoTR LCG....not luck/dice based,but the simple flipping of a tip card for the enemy can drastically offer variety and uncertainty to combat
My favorite semi-recent version of that is Skytear Horde. A bit more predictable and less punishing than LOTR, but still adds excitement and a touch of randomness.
Thanks for the review! I was thinking of maybe getting this one because it looks like something I would like, but when you showed how much space this takes, it was over lol My table can barely fit Gloomhaven/frosthaven and is even a little tight for Mage Knight or Sub Terra, so no, this wont fit. When you were showing the boards, if you had stop after the third one, it would still have been too big! Nice review as aslways, tx!
Setup and tear down improves significantly after you know in which order you have to set it up. I set it up in 15-20mins and 10-15 for for getting it back into the box. Still, with the galactic box it is a table hog. sure.
I also disagree on the icons, because the icons are so well done, when you learned a few every subset of it is readable. Also, in case you have a question you can jump into the glossary to find the specific question you have. I am amazed how little I google for a game like this.
Also the rules are simple, really, and the way they designed the boards enables you to come back to it later, because everything you need is clearly written on the boards.
I am very much impressed with this game and I really had to contrain myself so that I do not play it through Solotober every day.
It's an amazing one to leave out and dig into over and over.
Ah finally the new game from Mindclash Games and...oh wait. It's the wrong one. I hope to see Septima here too as well ;)
I'm supposed to get a copy at some point, so we will definitely have some videos.
But for now you can squint and pretend the spaceships are witches, I guess? :)
For me, hands down the best game I have ever played. I seriously doubt anything will dethrone it before Andromeda's Edge is coming around and takes a shot.
Edit: Solomon Kane is still weeping in the corner.
Wow, that's high praise! I think it's excellent but certainly not as high for me as for you :)
@@OneStopCoopShop I am a sucker for Sci-Fi and crunchy games, combine the two and it's heaven. That said, I completely forgot Fractal is about to fulfill. So there is a good chance the new King will fall earlier than expected.
@@Biodelic I'm getting Fractal as well, but from what I vaguely remember of the prototype I think I might prefer Voidfall for solo/co-op. Fractal might have the better competitive play.
@@OneStopCoopShop I will play the both, simultaneously, two-handed. 🤣
Edit: Hmm, I usually play two handed?!? Scratch that part! Here come my feet!
"a"VOID" this one"".... just kidding, its great. such a monster of a game. can't wait to play with some friends.
Oh the pun, it hurts!
Looks really good, but the setup/teardown time coupled with the tablespace it takes up makes this a no for me, at least as far as playing with the physical version goes. Definitely something I may check out on TTS though.
I played it on TTS back when it was on crowdfunding and it played well. Though you miss out on some of the epic-ness 😅
Thanks Mike. Looks like something I might like, but a sci-fi game has to be extra special to get me on board, so I can ignore this one. Phew.
Saving you money, one game at a time!
Crisis cards sounds like "Troyes" challanges system
Oh cool, I haven’t played that one yet
will you do a full playthrough of VoidFall?
Probably not, with how my current schedule is going. I have another 15 or so games to cover, theoretically before the year ends, and this one would be a monster to film
@@OneStopCoopShop Too bad, i usually use your playthroughs to get the hang of the gameplay loop :p but i do understand :) Keep up the good work! :D
Did you do a playthrough of this one?
Nope, didn't have time to film this behemoth, especially with the glut of games coming in for the holiday. Sorry!
@@OneStopCoopShop I also meant to ask this in my original comment, but how large is the table you played on? I have the Jasper long and I'm trying to assess whether it will fit on the table.
@av-guy8735 6x4 I think?
@@OneStopCoopShop
Jesus, that's nuts that it takes up that much space. I don't think mine is too much bigger. Thanks for the info.
Has anyone here tried Xia with max or near-max player count?
Most people I know play it solo 😅
for me if it takes longer to setup and then clenup the components no way I will ever play solo. make a digital version where I don't have to do that then OK I will play it
I wouldn't say set up and tear down are longer than gameplay. So it's not like you set up for 30 minutes and play for 20 :)
I dont think its fair to say setup time and table size is a con (especially when you have only 5). I think this is something to be aware of but not a problem with the game as a whole.
That's exactly why I mentioned it and said it was a con for my tastes. It's something to be aware of, but it won't bother some other gamers at all.
@@OneStopCoopShop whenever you give 5 pros its almost an instant buy for me. I'm sure others feel the same. When it comes to your core 5 pro cons, I feel it could be more beneficial to focus on the gameplay itself. Things like bad rules, setup time, complexity, table space I think could get their own section of considerations but not count as the core 5 considerations. That being said, this is definitely your show and channel and I am but one of many voices. Just wanted to share my 2 cents, I look forward to the next review!
@@anthonyuccello1458 that's fair, and usually I do (check the video descriptions for component discussions for all my reviews in the last two years or so). But for me and a lot of other content creators, people on our Discord, etc., the set up and tear down and size of the game are a major impediment to getting it played. I thought it bore a larger mention than normal.
But I hope my love for the design shone through here too. I think this game is fabulous!
I think it's fair. I mean everything and anything about a game is "something to be aware of." And for a lot of people, not having a big enough table is a huge con, in that they couldn't even play it. >.> That said, I am able to make a solo game work on my 3x3 card table by getting a little creativity lol. But a second player would be impossible.
The art style is not my cup of tea
It's not my favorite Ian O'Toole art, but I still think it looks good.