Pared down my game collection from 300+ to 27 games. THIS game sits alongside some of the best games I have ever played: Napoleon's Triumph, Maria, Mage Wars, Twilight Struggle, Diplomacy, Dominant Species, Stronghold, Vinhos, MtG, Omaha Beach, TZAAR, War of the Ring, Android:Netrunner, Caylus, Canvas Eagles... BattleCON is an insanely good 2-player game. INSANE! I cannot recommend this game high enough. As a new player, expect to get your butt kicked by someone who has even a modicum of experience behind them but the knowledge-gap shrinks very quickly.
Damn you Tom Vasel, you get to play this game and talk about how much you like it, while I have to sit in my house and think about how I wont get to play it for another month. I hope you're happy Tom, I hope you're happy.
i have my own copy because your review. And I am 100% happy. Thank you for the great reviews Tom. You are my favorite game reviewer. Your reviews always sync up with me.
I just got my Kickstarter copy a few days ago. Devastation is absolutely fantastic. I've only made it through the first two flights so far, but there's something in here to fit every play style.
I love the first Battlecon, I'm really hyped to pick this up... This just looks like a crazy amount of stuff in it. Now to wait for it to finally pop up in online stores.
This is such a perfect explanation of this game, but ironically this explanation is at first about as hard to grasp (as tom mentions at the end) as the actual game, but makes total sense if you've played the game.
I know right?! I preordered off Coolstuff so who knows when I'll get it. However right now BattleCON is the best game no one will play with me. I love War and cannot wait for Devastation.
Looks like a great game. I've heard you must commit to playing often to really understand the nuances. It could take years to understand how each character has advantages and disadvantages over every other character. I wonder if they should have started with 10 characters, and added expansions from there. Much like Smash Up did. I like how Tom V said to take one set of characters and leave the rest aside for a while.
That is actually sort of what they did, "War of Indines" came first with fewer, and from what I've read, simpler characters, and then this is sort of a mega edition with a whole lot more of them, except all the characters are new so it's sort of an expansion, except it's also a standalone game... You get the idea :)
Very late to the party here, but yeah... The way they handle the game is by sorting the 30 characters into 5 groups of 6. Each set of characters is grouped into a (wrapped) set of cards called "Stages". The game is made in a way that you start with "Stage 1" and as you get more accustomed to the game you unwrap "Stage 2" which not only introduces 6 new (slightly more complicated characters), but also new features like tag team duels and special arena fights and you eventually make your way to "Stage 5" which is a point in which everything in the game is unlocked.
It's not, it feels like that at first, just like any fighting game. After a couple of matches you figure out how to best use your bases and pairing them with your styles. It's a weird system until you learn it, then like magic it becomes second nature.
Dont know if anyone reads comments anymore, but... Yomi and Battlecon are VERY different games. Only the theme´s can be compared, the mechanics are nothing like eachother.
Tom you really show you dont pay attention to video games cause cause street fighter is arguably still the top dog fighter and modrnized quite a bit soo your analogy is still good.
Different game and in my opinion Battlecon is MUCH better than Yomi. Don't get me wrong, Yomi's a fun game, but every match of Yomi for me comes down to the same steps of build a hand, blow your load with an occasional bait the load blow regardless of which character you're using (sans rook and sets). With Battlecon though, every character is so different that it's like a totally different game with each one and even the same matchups change from game to game.
Just discovered this game... so I have to read the text on 4 cards every turn... Then there’s abilities, options options options, numbers, stats... too heavy for me. Bring on Engard or Flash Duel. Too many parts... which does not mean its a good game imho. I dunno why some people think games with tons of parts automatically think those are “great” games.
It depends on personal preference. Some are more into simpler games that are quicker to learn and play, while others look for depth and complexity, and perhaps the satisfaction when you overcome the game's difficult learning curve and basically end up as if you just discovered more hidden aspects to it.
This game actually seems more overwhelming then it really is. Once you start to understand the game everything becomes so much clearer. The only tricky part about this game is learning how to play new characters. Learning new characters is a worst case of just playing random cards and seeing what they do until the character starts to make sense.
I would have to disagree. At first I thought the same and after a couple of tries over a span of a few years trying to play this game I found it boring, but once I finally buckled down and learnt the game properly I realised it was actually quite an amazing game. It does take a good handful of games to wrap your head around this one though. You kind of have to just stick with it.
@@lerenard5110 Yeah I gave it a couple of shots just don't like the 2 card wait and remember system. Cool characters and stuff but I just like Exceed more.
Pared down my game collection from 300+ to 27 games. THIS game sits alongside some of the best games I have ever played: Napoleon's Triumph, Maria, Mage Wars, Twilight Struggle, Diplomacy, Dominant Species, Stronghold, Vinhos, MtG, Omaha Beach, TZAAR, War of the Ring, Android:Netrunner, Caylus, Canvas Eagles...
BattleCON is an insanely good 2-player game. INSANE! I cannot recommend this game high enough. As a new player, expect to get your butt kicked by someone who has even a modicum of experience behind them but the knowledge-gap shrinks very quickly.
No, Tom! Now I'm going to buy it! What have you done!
I got my Kickstarter kit today! SO EXCITED!
Damn you Tom Vasel, you get to play this game and talk about how much you like it, while I have to sit in my house and think about how I wont get to play it for another month.
I hope you're happy Tom, I hope you're happy.
Really looking forward to getting this game. Thanks for introducing it to us Tom!
i have my own copy because your review. And I am 100% happy. Thank you for the great reviews Tom. You are my favorite game reviewer. Your reviews always sync up with me.
Tom just convinced me to get it as well ^^
I think he just convinced me to get this as well...
Ditto!!!
Ive got a friend who is hesitant to play board games as much as i try, but he loves fighting games. I think this is one he would love to play.
I just got my Kickstarter copy a few days ago. Devastation is absolutely fantastic. I've only made it through the first two flights so far, but there's something in here to fit every play style.
I've been looking forward to this review for a while. It's one of the few things I have to keep me busy while I wait for the game to arrive.
Great review. Tom could convince the devil to buy Phase 10.
I love the first Battlecon, I'm really hyped to pick this up... This just looks like a crazy amount of stuff in it. Now to wait for it to finally pop up in online stores.
Pet werewolf? You're calling Jager her PET? He's her brother! Don't mess with the wolf wearing a top hat.
Have had this preordered from level 99 for months. Delays have been hard, but looks like it will be worth the wait
Great review Tom! Have you had a chance to try out the Strikers Expansion? Is it worth investing in as well?
War of indines is one of my rare 10/10 games. A lot of folks missed out on the last one, hope this gets the attention it deserves.
This is such a perfect explanation of this game, but ironically this explanation is at first about as hard to grasp (as tom mentions at the end) as the actual game, but makes total sense if you've played the game.
Would you consider doing a review of the boss modes and dungeon modes?
Thanks Mike! I went ahead and ordered it from Cool Stuff before they were all gone--can't wait to get it and try it out :)
Was already on my hitlist.. but this review made sure I'll put it on extra priority. Must have game!
any word on a release date for this game? i want to pre order but im a little hesitant.
Can't wait for this. One of my most anticipated games.
I know right?! I preordered off Coolstuff so who knows when I'll get it. However right now BattleCON is the best game no one will play with me. I love War and cannot wait for Devastation.
Man, now its gonna be even harder to wait for my preorder
Thanks Tom, I've been waiting for this review all week :)
WOW....I`m so excited!
@tomvasel is this game still on your top 100?
His rating dropped from 9 to 8.5 in his October 2018 Look Back video, which is still Seal of Excellence, but not in his top 100.
Nice Geek Chic table. :3
arrived today!! yay!
Looks like a great game. I've heard you must commit to playing often to really understand the nuances. It could take years to understand how each character has advantages and disadvantages over every other character. I wonder if they should have started with 10 characters, and added expansions from there. Much like Smash Up did. I like how Tom V said to take one set of characters and leave the rest aside for a while.
That is actually sort of what they did, "War of Indines" came first with fewer, and from what I've read, simpler characters, and then this is sort of a mega edition with a whole lot more of them, except all the characters are new so it's sort of an expansion, except it's also a standalone game... You get the idea :)
Very late to the party here, but yeah...
The way they handle the game is by sorting the 30 characters into 5 groups of 6.
Each set of characters is grouped into a (wrapped) set of cards called "Stages".
The game is made in a way that you start with "Stage 1" and as you get more accustomed to the game you unwrap "Stage 2" which not only introduces 6 new (slightly more complicated characters), but also new features like tag team duels and special arena fights and you eventually make your way to "Stage 5" which is a point in which everything in the game is unlocked.
It's not, it feels like that at first, just like any fighting game. After a couple of matches you figure out how to best use your bases and pairing them with your styles. It's a weird system until you learn it, then like magic it becomes second nature.
god put the game in my hands already brad
Could I find this at The essen fair? Its got me written all over it
Ohhhhhhhh yeeeahhhhhh!
That component drop took forever. Lots of stuff in that box it seems.
Looks like a much better game than Yomi.
"Knowing how to utilize your thing!" - LOL, thanks, Tom! :D
It's not often you see Tom have a nerdgasam over a game.
0:50 chill bro
If this would be easier to get in Europe...
wow sales of this game will be huge know lol
They are totaly different games. Both are great though
why do you have to mess with my OCD everytime by pouring out the game contents into a pile of chaos? WHY?!
dude i know the clean up here must have been insane...
IN SLOW MOTION
Dont know if anyone reads comments anymore, but... Yomi and Battlecon are VERY different games. Only the theme´s can be compared, the mechanics are nothing like eachother.
Tom you really show you dont pay attention to video games cause cause street fighter is arguably still the top dog fighter and modrnized quite a bit soo your analogy is still good.
Different game and in my opinion Battlecon is MUCH better than Yomi. Don't get me wrong, Yomi's a fun game, but every match of Yomi for me comes down to the same steps of build a hand, blow your load with an occasional bait the load blow regardless of which character you're using (sans rook and sets). With Battlecon though, every character is so different that it's like a totally different game with each one and even the same matchups change from game to game.
Just discovered this game... so I have to read the text on 4 cards every turn... Then there’s abilities, options options options, numbers, stats... too heavy for me. Bring on Engard or Flash Duel. Too many parts... which does not mean its a good game imho. I dunno why some people think games with tons of parts automatically think those are “great” games.
It depends on personal preference. Some are more into simpler games that are quicker to learn and play, while others look for depth and complexity, and perhaps the satisfaction when you overcome the game's difficult learning curve and basically end up as if you just discovered more hidden aspects to it.
This game actually seems more overwhelming then it really is. Once you start to understand the game everything becomes so much clearer. The only tricky part about this game is learning how to play new characters.
Learning new characters is a worst case of just playing random cards and seeing what they do until the character starts to make sense.
What am I missing--this looks completely random. ??
Just play ufs
This game isn't very fun PASS on this one. Exceed is a better fighting card game.
I would have to disagree. At first I thought the same and after a couple of tries over a span of a few years trying to play this game I found it boring, but once I finally buckled down and learnt the game properly I realised it was actually quite an amazing game. It does take a good handful of games to wrap your head around this one though. You kind of have to just stick with it.
@@lerenard5110 Yeah I gave it a couple of shots just don't like the 2 card wait and remember system. Cool characters and stuff but I just like Exceed more.