Very good video, precise and to the point without any unnecessary talking. I don't think people vote on specific categories on BGG, they just rate games and Blood on the Clocktower just happens to be the best rated game in the Party category. Though Decrypto fox example does have a higher Geek-Rating than BotC, which is used to rank the games on BGG so I don't know. It's my favorite game of all time and my only 10/10, right now I play this game almost exclusively and pretty much no other board games anymore. I have tried it in a somewhat party setting, I brought it to work to my teams's Christmas party but that's a bunch of software engineers, so people that are used to complex processes. I wouldn't call it a party game either, but it works great for larger groups of people that gather to play game. Those people don't need to be board gamers, as a player Trouble Brewing is simply enough that anybody can play it but they should come with the intention to sit down and play a game.
Oh ya good point, the BGG rating system is a bit illusive and definitely has flaws. I guess it's the closest thing the board game community has to a quickly reference and tier games, so it's become the default measuring stick. I think you're right though, the intent is key to enjoying the game, and wanting to dive into a deeper puzzle than your average party game is enough to swim through Trouble Brewing.
"It's a party game for board gamers" is the perfect description of the complexity of BotC. Having said that, I have managed to get most of my office to play it (most are not board gamers) and they enjoyed it and wanted to play more! Always the sign of a good party game.
The beauty of this "party game" is that while yeah it's more complex than most others on the party game list, the majority of the complexity is shouldered by the ST. The upfront teach for the game is something a practiced storyteller could explain in about 5-7 minutes if everyone is paying attention (not a given in a party setting). The roles and the nominations process will be explained as they become relevant and don't need to be explained right at the start. Day 1 might be a lot of fumbling and confusion but I've had middle aged non-board gamers show up to my place to play and pretty much everyone can get it. Of course the very nature of a social deduction game will not be for everyone but that was always going to be the case. Bottom line, I still think it could be classified as a party game but only in some types of party environments.
I can’t believe your subscriber count is only 500. Your review of blood the clock tower is just so awesome. So eloquently said whilst being funny. I love how you expand in-depth everything, your emphasis on the story teller, your advice and insight on everything. I was on the fence on buying it since it’s so expensive, you definitely sold me on it. Thanks for this video.
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliments! I just got to be more consistent with my upload schedule but ah, life. Hope you have grand fun with the game!
been following this game for a very long time. I dont like social deduction and this one drew me in. It is definitely not for smaller groups though. If you can consistently get 10-12 you are golden. It is an incredible game.
i love blood on the clocktower and is one of my favorite social deduction games as a social deduction fan it is important to note that bgg tends to pick more complex games
great analysis, hit it right on the nail about how the game is not for everyone. I fit into the the group that has around 4-5 people per session, so a game like this would not be a good choice for us. Hopefully others can recognize this as well and not be misguided by the bgg rating. At the end of the day, its the hardcore gamers that are giving the ratings, not the average enjoyers.
Thank you for the comment and the insight! Ya, totally agreed, especially with the bias of who would actually vote on BGG. There is a real barrier of entry that is often underestimated by people who play a ton of games.
I think you are overestimating the complexity for the actual players(non-storyteller), yeah if you are the storyteller this is to complex to be consider a party game, but players dont need to know everything, the game even say it. Only the Storyteller is require to read the rules, players are just given a quick resume, so when you avarege out it isnt that complex. But with that said I dont think I disagree with the overall conclusion, its still I little bit more complex than the avarege party game + the lenght and overall necessary commitment make it not the great as a party game, but I still think its a good game to play with non-gamers, just not at any gathering. Edit: great video by the way
Thank you for the comment and insight! I agree with you, the story teller has a disproportionate responsibility of knowledge and involvement that can dramatically reduce the weight of complexity of other players. That said, finding an amazing story teller can be hard for a group of people who don't usually play heavy games!
If you're getting into B on the C, watch videos on TH-cam of it first. My introduction was a video titled "A Stud In Scarlet | NRB Play Blood On The Clocktower" and it was really good because the storyteller was highly experienced, and the players were all new, so if something was confusing, they would ask about it.
BOTC is the DND of social deduction games. The amount of options allows story tellers to tailor a unique experience every game
Very good video, precise and to the point without any unnecessary talking.
I don't think people vote on specific categories on BGG, they just rate games and Blood on the Clocktower just happens to be the best rated game in the Party category. Though Decrypto fox example does have a higher Geek-Rating than BotC, which is used to rank the games on BGG so I don't know.
It's my favorite game of all time and my only 10/10, right now I play this game almost exclusively and pretty much no other board games anymore. I have tried it in a somewhat party setting, I brought it to work to my teams's Christmas party but that's a bunch of software engineers, so people that are used to complex processes. I wouldn't call it a party game either, but it works great for larger groups of people that gather to play game. Those people don't need to be board gamers, as a player Trouble Brewing is simply enough that anybody can play it but they should come with the intention to sit down and play a game.
Oh ya good point, the BGG rating system is a bit illusive and definitely has flaws. I guess it's the closest thing the board game community has to a quickly reference and tier games, so it's become the default measuring stick.
I think you're right though, the intent is key to enjoying the game, and wanting to dive into a deeper puzzle than your average party game is enough to swim through Trouble Brewing.
"It's a party game for board gamers" is the perfect description of the complexity of BotC. Having said that, I have managed to get most of my office to play it (most are not board gamers) and they enjoyed it and wanted to play more! Always the sign of a good party game.
The beauty of this "party game" is that while yeah it's more complex than most others on the party game list, the majority of the complexity is shouldered by the ST. The upfront teach for the game is something a practiced storyteller could explain in about 5-7 minutes if everyone is paying attention (not a given in a party setting). The roles and the nominations process will be explained as they become relevant and don't need to be explained right at the start. Day 1 might be a lot of fumbling and confusion but I've had middle aged non-board gamers show up to my place to play and pretty much everyone can get it. Of course the very nature of a social deduction game will not be for everyone but that was always going to be the case.
Bottom line, I still think it could be classified as a party game but only in some types of party environments.
I can’t believe your subscriber count is only 500. Your review of blood the clock tower is just so awesome. So eloquently said whilst being funny. I love how you expand in-depth everything, your emphasis on the story teller, your advice and insight on everything. I was on the fence on buying it since it’s so expensive, you definitely sold me on it. Thanks for this video.
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliments! I just got to be more consistent with my upload schedule but ah, life. Hope you have grand fun with the game!
been following this game for a very long time. I dont like social deduction and this one drew me in. It is definitely not for smaller groups though. If you can consistently get 10-12 you are golden. It is an incredible game.
I think 8-12 is the sweet-spot
Love your content, cant wait to see more, keep it coming! I cant believe you only have 2.75k subs, the quality of your videos really is top tier
i love blood on the clocktower and is one of my favorite social deduction games as a social deduction fan it is important to note that bgg tends to pick more complex games
great analysis, hit it right on the nail about how the game is not for everyone. I fit into the the group that has around 4-5 people per session, so a game like this would not be a good choice for us. Hopefully others can recognize this as well and not be misguided by the bgg rating. At the end of the day, its the hardcore gamers that are giving the ratings, not the average enjoyers.
Thank you for the comment and the insight! Ya, totally agreed, especially with the bias of who would actually vote on BGG. There is a real barrier of entry that is often underestimated by people who play a ton of games.
Luckily, anyone who is worried about the barrier of BoTC can find some amazing online communities!
I think you are overestimating the complexity for the actual players(non-storyteller), yeah if you are the storyteller this is to complex to be consider a party game, but players dont need to know everything, the game even say it. Only the Storyteller is require to read the rules, players are just given a quick resume, so when you avarege out it isnt that complex. But with that said I dont think I disagree with the overall conclusion, its still I little bit more complex than the avarege party game + the lenght and overall necessary commitment make it not the great as a party game, but I still think its a good game to play with non-gamers, just not at any gathering.
Edit: great video by the way
Thank you for the comment and insight! I agree with you, the story teller has a disproportionate responsibility of knowledge and involvement that can dramatically reduce the weight of complexity of other players. That said, finding an amazing story teller can be hard for a group of people who don't usually play heavy games!
If you're getting into B on the C, watch videos on TH-cam of it first. My introduction was a video titled "A Stud In Scarlet | NRB Play Blood On The Clocktower" and it was really good because the storyteller was highly experienced, and the players were all new, so if something was confusing, they would ask about it.
Did you just put Secret Hitler in the "Botched offspring" background?