"Mathy" is not a good word for this. The clues you are using to do your process of elimination are things like "It's an even number," "it's less than or equal to 5," etc. This involves "math" only in the most technical sense possible because it is numbers you are manipulating. It technically has "math," but it is certainly not "mathy." "Logicy" is more like it. I think the negative information issue is far more likely to cause problems with the way people think than the fact that numbers are involved. I *hate* dealing with math, but I love logic puzzles, and I love this game. I definitely agree that it will just not work with some brains, and that's okay. If "Suzy has three apples, and Cindy is the second tallest of the sisters, so what color are Jenny's eyes"-type logic puzzles just make your eyes cross, probably skip this one. If those kinds of brain teasers are the type of reasoning you find a fun challenge (but in a much more fun, streamlined, and interactive format) then you should love Shipwreck Arcana.
The greatest asset this game has is the drop in drop out. We would play this game often at lunch. People could get up and go get food, or someone coming late can just jump in.
This is great! I love Shipwreck Arcana and am glad it's getting some much-needed attention. I didn't think it would be well-known enough to end up on this series.
Great summary from a variety of perspectives. This game is one of my favorites, but I understand why it might not sing for some people. For me, the combo of thinky and quick and coop brings it to the table a lot, if it’s the right group. Glad to know it’s in the library ;)
This is such a fun game and I want to play it more! This review also reminded me that I've had Code 777 on my want to play list for a long time and still haven't played it.
Brilliant game! My favorite deduction game. There are alternative doomed difficulty rules available for those that don’t find the original rules challenging enough. I enjoy the decisions either way.
Bought this last year, as well as the “expansion” cards. Of my group, I’m certainly the lesser of the math people; however, I’m able to contribute just fine. Really enjoy this one.
Such a great game, i hope Mike's negative opinion and comments don't turn people off of this game. It's not super mathy, if you can sum numbers to below 20 you are just fine. It's just a deduction game while summing 2 numbers or comparing 2 numbers under 8....
I agree with Mike. I've tried this multiple times and it just doesn't do it for me. Compared to my gaming group who really love it. Beauty of this hobby.
I think they're overstating how much math is in this game. It has numbers, but it's "Which of these numbers is higher?" and stuff like that. If you like Hanabi, but get annoyed about the meta-gaming strategies that people have, you'll enjoy this game.
That was funny. I've heard what Mike said, but had my sister's voice in my head. Last weekend we played Cryptid and she couldn't deal with all the information. So, yes Mike, there are other people like you. 🙂
I have a friend like this too. She can parse the information in some heavier worker placement games just fine but we played Alchemists the other day and the sheet you use to eliminate possibilities for the ingredients was blank... she's just not good at logic puzzles. Oh well!
This game is great not just for the positive or negative information, but also how cards fade. This is a game where not guessing on your turn is a necessary part of the strategy, and that is very unique and it's great. I also play this game back to back to back.
These videos are great, glad more are coming out. But you need to normalize the audio. The intro/outro music is really loud compared to the discussion audio.
The only suggestion I would make to make this game even better would be if the theme was different. Perhaps a National Treasure style where collectively you’re trying to find the digits to open a “vault” and you each have part of the code, but you’re in separate rooms and your comms keeping going in and out.(hence no communication aspect) You have other treasure hunters quick on your heels, so you need to figure out the codes before they catch you.
Very fun game. I would love to see Meromorph come back to it and just clean up some of the scaling issues it can have, but overall I would highly recommend this game
One of my gang's favourite co-ops - always with the expansion cards in... Sure, there's some math, but the real key I think is simply to put yourself in the shoes of the person who just placed the tile. Why was that card better than this one if the hidden tile is X? Why did they choose NOT to use that special power when they could have? Yes, the game creates opportunities for remorse, but it can also make you feel like a stone-cold genius too!
Planet X is entire game built around if/then statements and it does it really well. It's all about using logic to eliminate possibilities to reach a conclusion. Shipwreck is more about trying to figure out how and what to communicate to the table using only 1 of 2 numbers applied to 4 possible rules. So it's almost like a series of unique custom puzzles every turn. There's room for both in a collection but I think shipwreck is ultimately more accessible.
Mike's dislike of this game makes his dislike of The Crew make more sense. Trick taking in general and especially The Crew relies on negative information around numbers. That said, I adore this game. And The Crew for what it's worth.
Keep these coming. The Top 10/100 lists are so much better when everyone can critique each other's games.
Love this series! I almost always buy old games and I love people’s takes.
I really wish this had a new print run. I want this game!
EDIT: According to the designer, there will hopefully be one within the next 2 months
Great to hear about the next print run. I love this game and would like to have a few copies to gift to friends.
The "you already own this" stinger; if Tom didn't run the Dice Tower Library, I'd say that he might have a problem. XD
"Mathy" is not a good word for this. The clues you are using to do your process of elimination are things like "It's an even number," "it's less than or equal to 5," etc. This involves "math" only in the most technical sense possible because it is numbers you are manipulating. It technically has "math," but it is certainly not "mathy." "Logicy" is more like it.
I think the negative information issue is far more likely to cause problems with the way people think than the fact that numbers are involved.
I *hate* dealing with math, but I love logic puzzles, and I love this game.
I definitely agree that it will just not work with some brains, and that's okay. If "Suzy has three apples, and Cindy is the second tallest of the sisters, so what color are Jenny's eyes"-type logic puzzles just make your eyes cross, probably skip this one. If those kinds of brain teasers are the type of reasoning you find a fun challenge (but in a much more fun, streamlined, and interactive format) then you should love Shipwreck Arcana.
The greatest asset this game has is the drop in drop out. We would play this game often at lunch. People could get up and go get food, or someone coming late can just jump in.
The ability to drop in and out is often overlooked. Its a great feature.
This is great! I love Shipwreck Arcana and am glad it's getting some much-needed attention. I didn't think it would be well-known enough to end up on this series.
Mike gave me an idea for your next Top 10 List: "Top 10 'It's not you, It's me' games."
I’ve been sleeping on these Cathupalooza videos! Just gone back and watched the whole video series!!!
I'd love for Chris and Tom to try Sentient for Catchupalooza. Another fun math game an one that Zee always includes in his lists.
"It was Mrs. Pepper with the Salt Shaker" is the darkest Blue Clues Murder Mystery I could imagine.
This Game is so good. I have never had a bad session and everyone I have introduced it to wanted to immediately play again.
Great summary from a variety of perspectives. This game is one of my favorites, but I understand why it might not sing for some people. For me, the combo of thinky and quick and coop brings it to the table a lot, if it’s the right group. Glad to know it’s in the library ;)
This is such a fun game and I want to play it more! This review also reminded me that I've had Code 777 on my want to play list for a long time and still haven't played it.
Shipwreck Arcana is great! Matthew (the artist) and Kevin Bishop really made something special here.
Brilliant game! My favorite deduction game.
There are alternative doomed difficulty rules available for those that don’t find the original rules challenging enough. I enjoy the decisions either way.
Bought this last year, as well as the “expansion” cards.
Of my group, I’m certainly the lesser of the math people; however, I’m able to contribute just fine. Really enjoy this one.
Such a great game, i hope Mike's negative opinion and comments don't turn people off of this game. It's not super mathy, if you can sum numbers to below 20 you are just fine. It's just a deduction game while summing 2 numbers or comparing 2 numbers under 8....
I agree with Mike. I've tried this multiple times and it just doesn't do it for me. Compared to my gaming group who really love it. Beauty of this hobby.
In some way it reminds me to The Crew. Anyone else? Love the series 😉
I think they're overstating how much math is in this game. It has numbers, but it's "Which of these numbers is higher?" and stuff like that.
If you like Hanabi, but get annoyed about the meta-gaming strategies that people have, you'll enjoy this game.
That was funny. I've heard what Mike said, but had my sister's voice in my head. Last weekend we played Cryptid and she couldn't deal with all the information. So, yes Mike, there are other people like you. 🙂
I have a friend like this too. She can parse the information in some heavier worker placement games just fine but we played Alchemists the other day and the sheet you use to eliminate possibilities for the ingredients was blank... she's just not good at logic puzzles. Oh well!
I donated a copy of this to The Dice Tower West library.
I shall be playing it there, then!
On my wish list!
Catchupalooza is awesome!!!!
This game is great not just for the positive or negative information, but also how cards fade. This is a game where not guessing on your turn is a necessary part of the strategy, and that is very unique and it's great. I also play this game back to back to back.
I still need to get this one to the table. And I’m a very math oriented person!
These videos are great, glad more are coming out. But you need to normalize the audio. The intro/outro music is really loud compared to the discussion audio.
The only suggestion I would make to make this game even better would be if the theme was different.
Perhaps a National Treasure style where collectively you’re trying to find the digits to open a “vault” and you each have part of the code, but you’re in separate rooms and your comms keeping going in and out.(hence no communication aspect)
You have other treasure hunters quick on your heels, so you need to figure out the codes before they catch you.
I don't need a game to tell me I'm stupid. So, I'll play this game.
Very fun game. I would love to see Meromorph come back to it and just clean up some of the scaling issues it can have, but overall I would highly recommend this game
One of my gang's favourite co-ops - always with the expansion cards in... Sure, there's some math, but the real key I think is simply to put yourself in the shoes of the person who just placed the tile. Why was that card better than this one if the hidden tile is X? Why did they choose NOT to use that special power when they could have? Yes, the game creates opportunities for remorse, but it can also make you feel like a stone-cold genius too!
How about compared to Planet X deduction? Or can you make a comparison?
Wow, that would be a hard comparison. The scale of the games is so different. I'd be interested in the guys' answers though too.
Planet X is entire game built around if/then statements and it does it really well. It's all about using logic to eliminate possibilities to reach a conclusion.
Shipwreck is more about trying to figure out how and what to communicate to the table using only 1 of 2 numbers applied to 4 possible rules. So it's almost like a series of unique custom puzzles every turn.
There's room for both in a collection but I think shipwreck is ultimately more accessible.
This game plays 10x better with the promo cards ONLY
Mike's dislike of this game makes his dislike of The Crew make more sense. Trick taking in general and especially The Crew relies on negative information around numbers.
That said, I adore this game. And The Crew for what it's worth.
Well...I hate sudoku and not a big fan of math, though I am fine at it.
Language is my thing so I suspect, like Mike, this is not for me.
The art's great but gameplay wise, I'm probably with mike.
I wrote this up to give it a bit more weight and limit some of the swingy-ness: boardgamegeek.com/thread/2489044/