I'm very much a fan of the theme and mechanisms, but whoever at Ravensburger thought that tiny cards works with deck-builders is sorely mistaken. I'm going to wait for an (easily available) edition with cards i can actually hold and shuffle comfortably.
When you got to "what is this game like", I was waiting for you to say it's just like Clank and go into a comparison of the two, and I was surprised you didn't mention it. Aside from the noise mechanism in Clank I find them very similar. Based how much you like this game, if you haven't played Clank you absolutely should.
You did a wonderful job reviewing this game! Now I better understand why I like it so much. I have it and the first expansion in my collection already. I will take a look at the next expansion with great interest. Regards!
The card display board looks like it's intended for the cards to be set on it, to make cards easier to pick up. That's a great design element that more games should use.
I got this instead of Clank! because it was less expensive, and I like the theme better. I really like the combination of racing and deck-building. I've played this game at two, and It's both fun and interesting, which can't be said for a lot of games. I think it kind of got overshadowed by Clank!, but I'm glad it is getting expansions.
I only quickly looked at the next expansion, but I think it will up the ante a bit, so I'm excited for it. Original base game is my go to entry level deck-builder surpassing Star Realms since this out of the box plays multiplayer and isn't based on high powered combos for newbies to figure out. I also like the fact that if a tile has 2+ value icon on it, you need a 2+ value card versus multiple single valued ones.
Drive Thru Games not a variable board, but in the meantime 3 boards are available to spice up replayability. After seeing your review you sparked my interested into Knizia games again. :)
Enjoyed the review, Joel. This has definitely been a favorite with my family. If you haven't seen this collection of user-created maps, check it out. Some excellent layout ideas for the tiles beyond the limited set in the base game. boardgamegeek.com/filepage/172663/40-custom-maps-quest-el-dorado
As an owner of the original Avalon Hill Dune I can tell you the remake is just ok. They removed the player aids which used to be right in front of you. Now people will be passing the rule book around to see what was normally right in front of them. They've added 3 phases for some unknown reason. Actually because they removed the player aids. If you can't get your hands on AH's copy it's not bad. It's still the same game but requires more looking things up than before.. If you've never played the original then you wouldn't be disappointed in the game, but instead may be wondering why they didn't put all the little nuances for each faction in one place. Don't ask the designers. They didn't like it when I did. Overall it's the same experience with a bit more time passing the rulebook around.
Got this as a gift for a friend that likes Clank!, but found this less expensive and rated higher than Clank! We haven't played it yet.
I'm very much a fan of the theme and mechanisms, but whoever at Ravensburger thought that tiny cards works with deck-builders is sorely mistaken. I'm going to wait for an (easily available) edition with cards i can actually hold and shuffle comfortably.
I don't get that production choice either. Iello did the same thing with Big Book of Madness and it's...maddening.
When you got to "what is this game like", I was waiting for you to say it's just like Clank and go into a comparison of the two, and I was surprised you didn't mention it. Aside from the noise mechanism in Clank I find them very similar. Based how much you like this game, if you haven't played Clank you absolutely should.
I have played it. Just the base game once and “In Space” once. Totally skipped my mind.
You did a wonderful job reviewing this game! Now I better understand why I like it so much. I have it and the first expansion in my collection already. I will take a look at the next expansion with great interest. Regards!
Thanks Ron!
The card display board looks like it's intended for the cards to be set on it, to make cards easier to pick up. That's a great design element that more games should use.
Yes... but it makes them slippery and gets messy fast if you do that. :)
I got this instead of Clank! because it was less expensive, and I like the theme better. I really like the combination of racing and deck-building. I've played this game at two, and It's both fun and interesting, which can't be said for a lot of games. I think it kind of got overshadowed by Clank!, but I'm glad it is getting expansions.
I only quickly looked at the next expansion, but I think it will up the ante a bit, so I'm excited for it. Original base game is my go to entry level deck-builder surpassing Star Realms since this out of the box plays multiplayer and isn't based on high powered combos for newbies to figure out. I also like the fact that if a tile has 2+ value icon on it, you need a 2+ value card versus multiple single valued ones.
Ya. That's such a simple design tweak. But, it does so much for the game.
Could it be K2: the deck builder variant? The blocking and racing reminded me of that.
Yes. I think so. I don't remember if K2 has a variable board.
Drive Thru Games not a variable board, but in the meantime 3 boards are available to spice up replayability.
After seeing your review you sparked my interested into Knizia games again. :)
Enjoyed the review, Joel. This has definitely been a favorite with my family. If you haven't seen this collection of user-created maps, check it out. Some excellent layout ideas for the tiles beyond the limited set in the base game. boardgamegeek.com/filepage/172663/40-custom-maps-quest-el-dorado
Oh nice. Thanks! Will definitely look at these.
I thought there was going to be a second edition of this game and you were going to show us that... :-9 Have you heard anything about it, Joel?
I’ve not heard that... but the upcoming expansion is a stand-alone game as well as an expansion.
@@DriveThruReview Okay, thanks!
When DUNE REVIEW?!?!?!
I reviewed it years ago :)
@@DriveThruReview But the reprint has some minor changes :)
As an owner of the original Avalon Hill Dune I can tell you the remake is just ok. They removed the player aids which used to be right in front of you. Now people will be passing the rule book around to see what was normally right in front of them. They've added 3 phases for some unknown reason. Actually because they removed the player aids. If you can't get your hands on AH's copy it's not bad. It's still the same game but requires more looking things up than before.. If you've never played the original then you wouldn't be disappointed in the game, but instead may be wondering why they didn't put all the little nuances for each faction in one place. Don't ask the designers. They didn't like it when I did. Overall it's the same experience with a bit more time passing the rulebook around.
@@timd4524 At least you can go to boardgame geek and print off player made ones. But I agree they should be in the box.
Better late than never. Thanks