I just played this last week, five players. I didn't get opinions from other players, but they seemed to enjoy themselves. I love Splotter, but since this is a very early one in their catalog, I was a bit worried. But I found it to be an absolute joy to play. It hits all the notes I like in Worker Placement. Turn order is massive, timing of actions and choosing how aggressively to place your cubes or when to hold back is always tough to manage, and other players turns are super interesting. For how old this game is, I was absolutely shocked how sharp it still feels.
Thanks for the review! IMHO, this as a getaway game as an airplane is a simple machine. You can surely push and pull the levers, turn the knobs but it does not mean that you are going to take off any time soon... I guess this goes back to the difference between the complexity of the rules and the depth of the strategy?
The only other game I can think of that utilizes the "here's a crap ton of workers upfront" mechanic is Architects of the West Kingdom. You've played that, haven't you? You start the game with 20 workers and the more you put on a spot the more resources you get (first time you get one wood, next time you place a second worker down you get now 2 wood, so it's exponential). The twist of it comes with the ability for other players (including yourself) to be able to round up your workers and send them to worker placement jail because they're getting too powerful in that one spot. Then there's a whole "bail them out" mechanics, but at a cost. It's a clever game. If you haven't played it, you should definitely check it out.
I haven't played Architects. I've played Paladins... and that has a similar mechanic with the "jail" part of it. It's been over a years since I played it, and my memory is hazy though.
Thanks for the review. Very interesting it has simplicity with developing complexity. Is there a way to shorten the game time - reducing the number of passengers?
Ya there’s definitely debate, but I believe that one is more of a bidding game where you place your pawns in various spots to vie for actions instead of placing a worker to take an action directly, so some mention it’s more of an auction or area control game. I can see both sides of that argument.
@@DriveThruReview Yeah, I've always thought of Keydom as more of a structured auction. Players place "worker markers" but they have values on the bottom that are simultaneously revealed by space - so each space is kind of a little blind auction. Because of this, I feel like it's not really the same as the "acton drafting" we expect from a worker placement game, and I feel like Bus should be considered the progenitor of the genre.
I just played this last week, five players. I didn't get opinions from other players, but they seemed to enjoy themselves. I love Splotter, but since this is a very early one in their catalog, I was a bit worried. But I found it to be an absolute joy to play. It hits all the notes I like in Worker Placement. Turn order is massive, timing of actions and choosing how aggressively to place your cubes or when to hold back is always tough to manage, and other players turns are super interesting.
For how old this game is, I was absolutely shocked how sharp it still feels.
Capstone is rocking it, you've sold me on this one too Joel.
My copy arrived this week, hopefully it will get played soon. So many games, not enough time.
Thanks for the review! IMHO, this as a getaway game as an airplane is a simple machine. You can surely push and pull the levers, turn the knobs but it does not mean that you are going to take off any time soon... I guess this goes back to the difference between the complexity of the rules and the depth of the strategy?
Ya. I agree. But I’m counting on the group in question playing it multiple times... at which point all those strategies will start to click.
Very impressive game. Simple yet very thinkie. Good job explaining Joel!
Thanks Ron.
Thanks for the review! Kinda reminds me of Tramways in some aspects. I love Tramways, I think I'd enjoy this as well!
The only other game I can think of that utilizes the "here's a crap ton of workers upfront" mechanic is Architects of the West Kingdom. You've played that, haven't you? You start the game with 20 workers and the more you put on a spot the more resources you get (first time you get one wood, next time you place a second worker down you get now 2 wood, so it's exponential). The twist of it comes with the ability for other players (including yourself) to be able to round up your workers and send them to worker placement jail because they're getting too powerful in that one spot. Then there's a whole "bail them out" mechanics, but at a cost. It's a clever game. If you haven't played it, you should definitely check it out.
I haven't played Architects. I've played Paladins... and that has a similar mechanic with the "jail" part of it. It's been over a years since I played it, and my memory is hazy though.
@@DriveThruReview I just picked up Bus, so it's neat to see the lineage of such a concept. :)
Good gravy that 90s map looks so blargh. I do like the street names (aka longest road)
Was waiting for this review! Thanks.
Thanks for the review. Very interesting it has simplicity with developing complexity. Is there a way to shorten the game time - reducing the number of passengers?
I'm not sure that would work honestly. Maybe ask over on the BoardGameGeek.com page.
I personnaly heard that the first worker placement game was Keydom (1998) by Richard Breese
Ya there’s definitely debate, but I believe that one is more of a bidding game where you place your pawns in various spots to vie for actions instead of placing a worker to take an action directly, so some mention it’s more of an auction or area control game. I can see both sides of that argument.
@@DriveThruReview Yeah, I've always thought of Keydom as more of a structured auction. Players place "worker markers" but they have values on the bottom that are simultaneously revealed by space - so each space is kind of a little blind auction. Because of this, I feel like it's not really the same as the "acton drafting" we expect from a worker placement game, and I feel like Bus should be considered the progenitor of the genre.
How is this game a 3.10 weight on BGG. After watching your video, it doesnt seem that difficult at all.
I think rules weight it's not that heavy, but once you get in and start strategizing there's a lot going on.
Can you still buy the collectors edition anywhere?
I think no... but I'm not 100% positive on that. IIRC: it was a limited run on the collectors.
I want this game! lol
I like the look of this game, but way too expensive
This game looks beautiful. eh... and 1,000 percent recommended?! I think that's the first time that has happen.
pad92011 Haha. You might be right about that :)
Is it $89.99 good?
Maybe. I've seen it for 65$ a few places though.
First... looks interesting.
That’s one UGLY looking game.