One problem that happens pretty often with King of Tokyo is that you get stuck with low life. Bad luck makes you not rolling any hearts and then it's just a question of time before you end up dead. In King of New York it feels like they fixed it. It is easier to heal since you can heal in another way too, by destroying certain buildings or troops. So I actually think it is easier to stay passive and alive in KoNY than in KoT. Both great games though.
Marvelous review! I've been thinking of buying the King of Tokyo but I wanted to know more about KoNY and the new mechanics and I loved it! Love the complexity they added to the original concept of the game because at least for me, reading and watching several reviews about KoT it felt a little way too simple for my personal taste.
I have been tempted by King of New York, I got King of Tokyo, family loves it. I was looking for this review because you are one of the few reviewers I watch and trust other than seeing game play on Tabletop and apparently missed this review. This seals it for me, I have a coupon. Only hesitation is I am not sure if the family will be into the more aggressive aspect.
as somone who wasn't a huge fan of king of tokyo i have to say this looks like it fixes all my previous complaints. there are aeras for non-king characters,less point colecting, more interaction and the destroying building/veckels is the veriaty i wanted. great job of steping a game up and yet keeping the spirit so this is now on my wish list
I really liked KoT when I first got it. Loved rolling the huge dice and the idea of powering up monsters with awesome abilities. Then...after an admittedly decent amount of plays, it has been relegated to gateway game status. It is a very good gateway game but there are way more complex games that I'd enjoy playing these days. I only use it to introduce non gamers to the hobby now. The new KoNY doesn't seem to step outside of the formula enough to renew interest. Thus, your guys' last comments are spot on. If you love its predecessor, you should love the new incarnation.
Thanks guys for the review. I'm new to both, so I'm thinking of starting with Tokyo and its two expansions and then New York later. Just curious, do you feel you could (or should) use all the cards/evolutions from Tokyo in this game, or are you better off keeping them separate (I know you said you could use the monsters, but they're more cosmetic). I assume since these monsters have no evolutions you'd have to stick to Tokyo monsters for now.
King of New York appears to be more 'involved' with more interesting decisions to make but still very accessable to all players. My one beef with this is '2 player'...it looks like it plays just as well 2-player as King of Tokyo did...which is not well. Love the art and the silliness and all that stuff with these games though. Thanks to the three of you for this review.
The cover of King of Tokyo is the same as mine, but the Monsters featured on the sides are different. Mine doesn't have Cyberbunny! Wonder if they change it up for different editions.
I was already badly wanting this game because of the diversity KoT brings. Gamers love it, works as a family game, kids and adults can play it, and my wife even likes playing it with my son and me. This one looks and sounds even better, although maybe slightly less group diverse. I can't wait to pick it up and sit the family down with it!
Can I use KoT first edition monsters with KoNY right out of the box? I live in Staten Island so I'd love to get KoNY eventually, but the monster art just doesn't appeal to me as much as from KoT first edition.
Looks great but it is actually more similar than I imagined. I feel like it would replace King of Tokyo in my case as it does not add in enough complexity to justify keeping both games. Would be interested in hearing how it works with the Power Up expansion because it should work pretty well although a few cards may need removed.
guys, what about the evolution cards for the monsters that KoT brought with its expansions? Does it feel like KoNY would play well with those abilities? It doesn't look like evolution cards are included, but I hope we see evolution card expansions for KoNY too because I loved the layer of strategy those cards brought.
Looks like a lot fun just one question. Does King of New York come with any evolution cards for the new creatures or is there no evolutions in New York at this point(until maybe an expansion like the Tokyo version)?
Hmm, something about this doesn't seem as fun, and I'm not sure what. It's more complex and has more depth, which, on the one hand, is a good thing. But at the same time, part of what makes KoT so great is how simple it is to play. It's *so* light that playing it is just simple fun. We even set up a couple of copies of KoT and a couple of webcams and play with friends over Skype and it works really well because the game is so accessible. My first impressions of KoNY are that it adds just enough complexity to make the game more involved to play, but it's not so much different that it's going to have a significant impact on the amount of fun/value you get out of playing it. So it just seems like it's only adding friction.
I know they are separate games, but I reeeeeally hope they'll make evolution cards for these guys so the monsters can truly be cross-compatible. Also I think it'll be more than possible for me to fit it all into one box, and I'm excited about that. :P
I meant also being able to play King of Tokyo with the New York characters with the evolutions, because I find evolutions make KoT as awesome as it is. :P It's not that much more to add, it could be a small expansion, but it adds a lot more playability and longevity to both games. I don't believe KoNY will replace KoT for me, and vice verse, so having the tons of options between the two will make both games better. I'm a little mystified as to why we've gone back to having monsters where it doesn't matter who you choose, but if I still have the option of it with KoT, then I'm happy.
Mackerachi I think they did it for 1 reason, more $. It was a new addition before, it's not this time around. I bet there will be Evolutions for these new monsters, & I feel they should've been included.
Definitely looks better than the base game, but evolutions would have been nice. then again, they are so modular, you can really pick and choose what to add.
if i can get a box that fits both games AND the expansions, with room for more expansions, it will be a top priority buy for me. The parts are fairly small, box spacing could be better
While KoNY seems really fun, I just dont think there is enough "new" stuff for me to justify the cost after already owning KoT and the expansions for it. The thing I love most about KoT is the simplicity of it, its a game I can play with anyone and have fun with it. I dont play KoT for the "gaminess" of it, but just the fun time my group has with a easy, enjoyable game.
Tokyo, imo. Lighter, easier to get to the table with newbs. I also think Tokyo is considerably faster than NY. I love them both, but id buy Tokyo 1st. (and did,,lol)
It seems harder to win on points in the new one, which I believe is a good thing. It was easy in King of Tokyo to win on points in a few rounds with moderate luck on the dice rolling and staying out of Tokyo.
I wouldn't call King of Tokyo a brilliant game. King of New York seems to add things that I wanted from King of Tokyo. I will pick it up just because I wanted more from King of Tokyo. Now they need to bring in a deck building aspect....
I love King of Tokyo, but I've lost too many games to people who sit on the sidelines and somehow roll triple 3s turn after turn. I have a feeling I'll end up adoring King of New York.
Noooooooooo!!!! I loved T-Rex, he was the most compassionate toy ever RIP. I'm convinced, kaiju are awesome. Looking for a "intermediate" gamer game that is still a good entryway game.
So it's king of Manhattan? Since you can use the tokio monsters in new york i asume we can use the NY monsters in tokio. I hope we'll get a power up expansion for king of new york. It looks like it plays better for two players than KoT did, where you had one monster in tokio constantly rolling numbers for a star victory and the other monster trying to kill him.
+Kevin Van Loo I would say Tokyo is more entry level and slightly less agressive. I think either would work, though. (Also, if you get Tokyo, see if you can find the "Power Up" expansion it's a lot of fun!)
Iello not getting more than half of their expected shipment was such a huge letdown at Gencon this year. It wasn't enough to ruin the Con in the slightest, thanks Five Tribes, but now I'm champing at the bit to get my hands on this as soon as my FLGS gets copies.
A bit too much goodnes hitting latley. Expansions for Descent, Doomtown, expansion for mice and mystics. Shadowrun crossfire and now this. My wallet weeps.
azraelswrd The writer of Cloverfield Drew Goddard, has stated he found inspiration in Lovecraft's novels while writing the script. cloverfield.wikia.com/wiki/Cloverfield
I played king of tokyo 2 player and just stayed in tokyo taking damage and won. Needless to say it wasn't that fun. Anyone have a variation/suggestion?
I do not own this game, and here is why The most thing that I do not like about this game and It break its theme, that all monsters have the same HP, same dealing damage. This can not be true, each monster shall have different HP depending on their size, skin, etc. Same for damage dealing. Also there should be special power/effect for each monster, and a way that makes you able to upgrade your monster (upgrading can be one of special power) So I can imagine a big portion of the fun is gone when deciding which monster to play with because they all the same as I can see from this review and King of Tokyo review, and the game play will not differ by picking different monsters (correct me if I am wrong)
Please Sam and Zee restore the Order and switch sides again. It feels so asymmetric,Sam looks so squeezed and Zee looks lost on lost. It looks much more natural the original way. (probably because Zee stands for Toms right side of the brain/Euro Logic and Sam pure left brain/Ameritrash Emotion.
I also don't like the Sheriff. I don't think I'll hold on to my copy of King of Tokyo if I get this (which I probably will). Why didn't they include Evolution cards with this game? You know they're going to come out with them! (Feels like DLC for videogames)
I currently hate King of Tokyo, because a number of gamers in my group just stay in the corner, collecting cubes for ever, which reduces KOT to a BORING game. does this game fix that ?
It looks like you get a lot of options to game Passive Energy gain, by destroying buildings and the energy gain from just being in Manhattan. So less need to build cubes as a turn, more chances to beat faces in.
Check out our groups variant. I posted this to Reddit awhile back. www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/19h0cw/king_of_tokyo_hulk_smash_variant_can_be_played/
Romeo Capell interesting variant - one thing that can tee off people with games is when they have too many ways of winning - older games were far far clearer in that respect - in theory you can win KOT without attacking anyone which seems a bit silly in the context of the theme
The art and graphic design on that board is a huge letdown. So many possibilities that would have clarified the game, and we get a board with no visual hierarchy, nor good integration of the art in the building tiles. It looks like a mess in a first look. I'm sure it plays fine when you're used to the board, but it could have been so much better from a "game clarity" standpoint... it screams lazyness to me. A real letdown, making it way harder for me to decide to wait for King of New York or buy King of Tokyo now.
I do seem to be the only person who bought KoT and didn't like it. I played with my family and then again with my gaming group and it never got played more than twice. Everyone just didn't like the theme and didn't really find it fun. I just ended up donating it. So this game doesn't look it's going to appeal either.
My girlfriend feels the same way. I'm pretty neutral when it comes to KoT. Definitely not a game I would choose to play but I'll play if someone else wants to. My kids really enjoy it though.
Spazz Fist No, I haven't, but I don't think it would've helped with my family at least. My kids just refused to actually 'hit' their mom and instead teamed up with her. :) While I'm happy to see that on one level, it just kinda kills the game. :)
Richard Garfield is kinda a hack, isn't he? I know. Blasphemy. I've seen him take an old "war" game and make the Star Wars: TCG out of it. Now, he takes Yahtzee and re-themes it. Maybe hack. Maybe genius. Waiting for the next M:tG.
They just need to combine the games, KOT is the simpler and now "more boring" game vs KONY, and get rid of the individual games, call it King of "Monster Island" or something. KOT is a "boxing match" KONY is a "wrestling match"!
I think that King of Tokyo is one of the most overrated games of all time. Play is simplistic. The fact that they have different monsters that lack district powers kills the game right off. I know power up provides that. Perhaps King of New York will finally provide a gaming experience that is actually worth playing. It isn't the inherent mechanic that KoT fails at, it is that it fails to provide interesting choices. So I am not sure that my dislike of KoT will mean I will dislike KoNY. We will see.
"Top 10 games in my collection that get played" I'd love to see that one!
Yes! That would great!
One problem that happens pretty often with King of Tokyo is that you get stuck with low life. Bad luck makes you not rolling any hearts and then it's just a question of time before you end up dead.
In King of New York it feels like they fixed it. It is easier to heal since you can heal in another way too, by destroying certain buildings or troops.
So I actually think it is easier to stay passive and alive in KoNY than in KoT.
Both great games though.
I have been waiting 2 weeks for this Review. Thank you guys... OK now I watch.... (drooling excessively).
Yep just as i thought. Tons of iello-y goodness. I know where my 1st stop on Saturday will be. Oh and then the Dice tower stand of course.
Removing victory points from the dice......Super improvement :)
Ok, you guys did it. Sold me on 2 games in one review. Gonna get them both!
Marvelous review! I've been thinking of buying the King of Tokyo but I wanted to know more about KoNY and the new mechanics and I loved it! Love the complexity they added to the original concept of the game because at least for me, reading and watching several reviews about KoT it felt a little way too simple for my personal taste.
"off the chain, but on the chain" coolest quote from Sam Healey hahaha
I have been tempted by King of New York, I got King of Tokyo, family loves it. I was looking for this review because you are one of the few reviewers I watch and trust other than seeing game play on Tabletop and apparently missed this review. This seals it for me, I have a coupon. Only hesitation is I am not sure if the family will be into the more aggressive aspect.
Good review. I just bought this game, I have KOT, and can't wait to play it.
since you brought it up, could you do a "top 10 most played games" among your gaming groups?
This looks amazing. I was veeeery sceptical about King of New York. Now I want it... desparately!
How is there NOT a giant marshmellow themed monster????
Right?!
There is a card for 55 Central Park West (Dana Barrett's Apartment Building).
I tried to tell myself I could pass on this one, but now I'm all worked up and ready to buy it. You guys are a 3 man hype train.
as somone who wasn't a huge fan of king of tokyo i have to say this looks like it fixes all my previous complaints. there are aeras for non-king characters,less point colecting, more interaction and the destroying building/veckels is the veriaty i wanted. great job of steping a game up and yet keeping the spirit so this is now on my wish list
So if you have neither game, would you by this one over KoT or would you buy both?
I really liked KoT when I first got it. Loved rolling the huge dice and the idea of powering up monsters with awesome abilities. Then...after an admittedly decent amount of plays, it has been relegated to gateway game status. It is a very good gateway game but there are way more complex games that I'd enjoy playing these days. I only use it to introduce non gamers to the hobby now. The new KoNY doesn't seem to step outside of the formula enough to renew interest. Thus, your guys' last comments are spot on. If you love its predecessor, you should love the new incarnation.
I had no intention of buying this.... Curse you for exploiting my addictions!
Man I feel the exact same way...must get this now >
My only hope is to prevent my kids from finding out about this.
Your game reviews are my favorite!
Thanks guys for the review. I'm new to both, so I'm thinking of starting with Tokyo and its two expansions and then New York later. Just curious, do you feel you could (or should) use all the cards/evolutions from Tokyo in this game, or are you better off keeping them separate (I know you said you could use the monsters, but they're more cosmetic).
I assume since these monsters have no evolutions you'd have to stick to Tokyo monsters for now.
I want to play them both at the same time, a 12-monster mega-game.
King of New York appears to be more 'involved' with more interesting decisions to make but still very accessable to all players. My one beef with this is '2 player'...it looks like it plays just as well 2-player as King of Tokyo did...which is not well.
Love the art and the silliness and all that stuff with these games though. Thanks to the three of you for this review.
I am excited for this game. This sounds like a lot of fun.
Now they need to add in the Pacific Rim guys!!!!!
Thanks, just bought it for Christmas.
If you attack the Red tiles, do they flip again, or are they removed from the board?
I believe they are removed...as in they don't turn back into buildings. I could be wrong, as I haven't actually read the rules, word for word.
The cover of King of Tokyo is the same as mine, but the Monsters featured on the sides are different. Mine doesn't have Cyberbunny! Wonder if they change it up for different editions.
I was already badly wanting this game because of the diversity KoT brings. Gamers love it, works as a family game, kids and adults can play it, and my wife even likes playing it with my son and me. This one looks and sounds even better, although maybe slightly less group diverse. I can't wait to pick it up and sit the family down with it!
This is an absolute instabuy for me! IELLO you better be ready to sell me the game about 2 minutes after the doors open for SPIEL 2014.
I think Sheriff is a reference to the movie The Valley of Gwangi.
If you played with KoT monsters, would the Power Up expansion fit into KoNY?
i just realized thats a rather unfortunate/funny abbreviation of the game xD
No. The Power Up powers don't work well with KoNY. But by alla means try if you want to and just edit the cards that don't seem to work.
I have both, and I think that it is great to get both.
As someone who just bought KoT 3 weeks ago, this review makes me sad I didn't knew about this game was coming...
Can I use KoT first edition monsters with KoNY right out of the box? I live in Staten Island so I'd love to get KoNY eventually, but the monster art just doesn't appeal to me as much as from KoT first edition.
Looks great but it is actually more similar than I imagined. I feel like it would replace King of Tokyo in my case as it does not add in enough complexity to justify keeping both games.
Would be interested in hearing how it works with the Power Up expansion because it should work pretty well although a few cards may need removed.
guys, what about the evolution cards for the monsters that KoT brought with its expansions? Does it feel like KoNY would play well with those abilities? It doesn't look like evolution cards are included, but I hope we see evolution card expansions for KoNY too because I loved the layer of strategy those cards brought.
I'm in the twilight zone. Sam and Zee are sitting on the wrong side of the table.
Looks like a lot fun just one question. Does King of New York come with any evolution cards for the new creatures or is there no evolutions in New York at this point(until maybe an expansion like the Tokyo version)?
there are no evolution cards with King of New York
Thanks for the reply. maybe they will add that in expansion
Why does no one play king of New York anymore?
Hmm, something about this doesn't seem as fun, and I'm not sure what. It's more complex and has more depth, which, on the one hand, is a good thing. But at the same time, part of what makes KoT so great is how simple it is to play. It's *so* light that playing it is just simple fun. We even set up a couple of copies of KoT and a couple of webcams and play with friends over Skype and it works really well because the game is so accessible. My first impressions of KoNY are that it adds just enough complexity to make the game more involved to play, but it's not so much different that it's going to have a significant impact on the amount of fun/value you get out of playing it. So it just seems like it's only adding friction.
Sheriff is copyright friendly version of Axe Cop's Wrex?
I know they are separate games, but I reeeeeally hope they'll make evolution cards for these guys so the monsters can truly be cross-compatible. Also I think it'll be more than possible for me to fit it all into one box, and I'm excited about that. :P
They'll probably do so. Wouldn't be surprised if there will be fan made ones up on the geek shortly after the game comes out.
Well they are, you just can't play the KoNY monsters in KoT with evolutions =P
I meant also being able to play King of Tokyo with the New York characters with the evolutions, because I find evolutions make KoT as awesome as it is. :P It's not that much more to add, it could be a small expansion, but it adds a lot more playability and longevity to both games. I don't believe KoNY will replace KoT for me, and vice verse, so having the tons of options between the two will make both games better. I'm a little mystified as to why we've gone back to having monsters where it doesn't matter who you choose, but if I still have the option of it with KoT, then I'm happy.
Mackerachi
I think they did it for 1 reason, more $. It was a new addition before, it's not this time around. I bet there will be Evolutions for these new monsters, & I feel they should've been included.
Sam, were you channeling Belt from the Croods at 1:02?
In a word...yes.
Definitely looks better than the base game, but evolutions would have been nice. then again, they are so modular, you can really pick and choose what to add.
Zee doesn't get his name spoken in the intro? That's cold.
Are you guys gonna review the XCOM board game? Would really like to know if it's worth purchasing.
if i can get a box that fits both games AND the expansions, with room for more expansions, it will be a top priority buy for me.
The parts are fairly small, box spacing could be better
does anybody else see a south park Canadian on the building destruct side of the dice?
While KoNY seems really fun, I just dont think there is enough "new" stuff for me to justify the cost after already owning KoT and the expansions for it. The thing I love most about KoT is the simplicity of it, its a game I can play with anyone and have fun with it. I dont play KoT for the "gaminess" of it, but just the fun time my group has with a easy, enjoyable game.
Mekadragon is still the champ!
Which publisher will give this out in the dutch langauge(cards) and when?
will this already be in essen available.
I hope this also! It would be nice if the Dutch version will be avaible at Spellenspektakel 2014 in Einhoven in November.
Which should I buy first? Or which should I play first? As they are cheap might buy both.
Tokyo, imo. Lighter, easier to get to the table with newbs. I also think Tokyo is considerably faster than NY. I love them both, but id buy Tokyo 1st. (and did,,lol)
It seems harder to win on points in the new one, which I believe is a good thing. It was easy in King of Tokyo to win on points in a few rounds with moderate luck on the dice rolling and staying out of Tokyo.
I'd actually like to see more monsters inspired from Evangelion, Ultraman, Power Rangers, Pokemon and Pacific Rim in further iterations.
Preorder placed! :)
I wouldn't call King of Tokyo a brilliant game. King of New York seems to add things that I wanted from King of Tokyo. I will pick it up just because I wanted more from King of Tokyo. Now they need to bring in a deck building aspect....
I love King of Tokyo, but I've lost too many games to people who sit on the sidelines and somehow roll triple 3s turn after turn. I have a feeling I'll end up adoring King of New York.
If you destroy a hospital in Manhattan do you heal?
I don't understand why I can't comprehend the rules to this game
I don't know either why you don't understand them
NOOOOOOO!!!!! Sam and Zee are on the wrong sides again!!! KAAAAAHHHHHHHNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!
Watch the video in a mirror...
I think they can make an expansion to mix the two game together.
Noooooooooo!!!! I loved T-Rex, he was the most compassionate toy ever RIP. I'm convinced, kaiju are awesome. Looking for a "intermediate" gamer game that is still a good entryway game.
The problem I had with KOT is that my wife would just sit outside tokyo rolling 3's and would win really quickly
So it's king of Manhattan?
Since you can use the tokio monsters in new york i asume we can use the NY monsters in tokio.
I hope we'll get a power up expansion for king of new york.
It looks like it plays better for two players than KoT did, where you had one monster in tokio constantly rolling numbers for a star victory and the other monster trying to kill him.
If you're new to the game, but you could buy one, which one would you choose?
i never play but i will get New York because it has more stuff lol
+Kevin Van Loo I would say Tokyo is more entry level and slightly less agressive. I think either would work, though. (Also, if you get Tokyo, see if you can find the "Power Up" expansion it's a lot of fun!)
No...Sleep...'Til 8:42
Iello not getting more than half of their expected shipment was such a huge letdown at Gencon this year. It wasn't enough to ruin the Con in the slightest, thanks Five Tribes, but now I'm champing at the bit to get my hands on this as soon as my FLGS gets copies.
My students (Yeah, I'm playing games with them) are gona freak out when they're gona see me with this game in class ;)
That is awesome. Cool teacher
A bit too much goodnes hitting latley. Expansions for Descent, Doomtown, expansion for mice and mystics. Shadowrun crossfire and now this.
My wallet weeps.
Looks good. No Cloverfield monster? :(
He's in the original...the Kraken.
Joseph Lynn Really? Thought Kraken was based more on Cthulhu with the tentacled face and emerging from the water.
azraelswrd The writer of Cloverfield Drew Goddard, has stated he found inspiration in Lovecraft's novels while writing the script.
cloverfield.wikia.com/wiki/Cloverfield
Joseph Lynn
Cloverfield and script - 2 things which did not meet
I wonder do they still prefer King of New York to King of Tokyo
I played king of tokyo 2 player and just stayed in tokyo taking damage and won. Needless to say it wasn't that fun. Anyone have a variation/suggestion?
Can you add in the cards you can buy for energy from King of TOKYO into the deck in King of NEW YORK?
no, unless you just took out the ones that reference tokyo, but even then it's not balanced around having those in.
I do not own this game, and here is why
The most thing that I do not like about this game and It break its theme, that all monsters have the same HP, same dealing damage.
This can not be true, each monster shall have different HP depending on their size, skin, etc.
Same for damage dealing. Also there should be special power/effect for each monster, and a way that makes you able to upgrade your monster (upgrading can be one of special power)
So I can imagine a big portion of the fun is gone when deciding which monster to play with because they all the same as I can see from this review and King of Tokyo review, and the game play will not differ by picking different monsters (correct me if I am wrong)
Please Sam and Zee restore the Order and switch sides again. It feels so asymmetric,Sam looks so squeezed and Zee looks lost on lost. It looks much more natural the original way. (probably because Zee stands for Toms right side of the brain/Euro Logic and Sam pure left brain/Ameritrash Emotion.
I also don't like the Sheriff. I don't think I'll hold on to my copy of King of Tokyo if I get this (which I probably will).
Why didn't they include Evolution cards with this game? You know they're going to come out with them! (Feels like DLC for videogames)
Da! 9:40 LOL :)
Review goes up, game sells out... Coincidence? I THINK NOT!
sucks im in aust wish i could have it NOW!!!!
KoT seems like better filler. KoT can be mindless fun, while I think the newer version (not in any way a headline game) has more to do.
W A N T I T . . . N O W ! ! !
I currently hate King of Tokyo, because a number of gamers in my group just stay in the corner, collecting cubes for ever, which reduces KOT to a BORING game. does this game fix that ?
It looks like you get a lot of options to game Passive Energy gain, by destroying buildings and the energy gain from just being in Manhattan. So less need to build cubes as a turn, more chances to beat faces in.
Time to go in the middle and waste everyone.
Jeff Wu
that does not work. you die in a few turns.
Check out our groups variant. I posted this to Reddit awhile back.
www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/19h0cw/king_of_tokyo_hulk_smash_variant_can_be_played/
Romeo Capell
interesting variant - one thing that can tee off people with games is when they have too many ways of winning - older games were far far clearer in that respect - in theory you can win KOT without attacking anyone which seems a bit silly in the context of the theme
The art and graphic design on that board is a huge letdown. So many possibilities that would have clarified the game, and we get a board with no visual hierarchy, nor good integration of the art in the building tiles. It looks like a mess in a first look. I'm sure it plays fine when you're used to the board, but it could have been so much better from a "game clarity" standpoint... it screams lazyness to me. A real letdown, making it way harder for me to decide to wait for King of New York or buy King of Tokyo now.
C'mon.... King of New York is to King of Tokyo the same way AD&D was to D&D.
I do seem to be the only person who bought KoT and didn't like it. I played with my family and then again with my gaming group and it never got played more than twice. Everyone just didn't like the theme and didn't really find it fun. I just ended up donating it. So this game doesn't look it's going to appeal either.
My girlfriend feels the same way. I'm pretty neutral when it comes to KoT. Definitely not a game I would choose to play but I'll play if someone else wants to. My kids really enjoy it though.
Not alone. I have a hard time with King of Tokyo
I did not like King of Tokyo until I tried it with the Power 70 expansion, and then I loved it. Have you tried that?
Spazz Fist No, I haven't, but I don't think it would've helped with my family at least. My kids just refused to actually 'hit' their mom and instead teamed up with her. :) While I'm happy to see that on one level, it just kinda kills the game. :)
Richard Garfield is kinda a hack, isn't he? I know. Blasphemy. I've seen him take an old "war" game and make the Star Wars: TCG out of it. Now, he takes Yahtzee and re-themes it. Maybe hack. Maybe genius. Waiting for the next M:tG.
They just need to combine the games, KOT is the simpler and now "more boring" game vs KONY, and get rid of the individual games, call it King of "Monster Island" or something. KOT is a "boxing match" KONY is a "wrestling match"!
I think that King of Tokyo is one of the most overrated games of all time. Play is simplistic. The fact that they have different monsters that lack district powers kills the game right off. I know power up provides that.
Perhaps King of New York will finally provide a gaming experience that is actually worth playing.
It isn't the inherent mechanic that KoT fails at, it is that it fails to provide interesting choices. So I am not sure that my dislike of KoT will mean I will dislike KoNY. We will see.