We already discussed about PA and why that game is the best game of 2020 so far to me. So we will not repeat that. ;) Machina is a great game. I am happy that Juraj continue supporting this game (that was not his initial plan). I have played it too much for years. So I really need fresh, new content with crazy new elements. :)
Great revisit. I am a big fan of Machina Arcana. I really enjoy the challenge and having to adjust to what has been dealt to you in order to survive. Keep up the great work love your channel!!
Thanks man. It really is a great game. Every time I play, different things are always happening. Game does a great job of creating many different situations with not a ton of stuff.
We have had some coms in the past Daniel regards MA. Glad to say I did finally get the rules to “click”. I loved it. I felt that you can start to get some momentum as you get gear weapons etc. You can get a bit of a roll on. Did get lucky with my crafter. Had a cracking weapon and armour which meant he was my tank. Great work as always Daniel. Your stuff is one of the very few content makers I watch every video. Thanks.
The Dungeon Dive . By the way. I managed to pick up a copy of Darklight memento today. Been after it for ages. Noticed that you did a review of it, and by the sounds of it I think I have made a good purchase. Comes with the expansions as well. You still have yours Daniel?
It's been hard, but I've really had to cut down on new game buying, because, I now have so many games that there are many I still haven't even gotten to the table. It's interesting to how many of the game playing channels will always show new games out, rarely go back to any older games. Unboxing now is super common. To me its beginning to feel like I'm simply watching 'advertisement' videos for games, regardless of how good they are or not. It takes a bit of work, but moving away from the mindset I must always have the 'newest' and most 'exciting' thing when I got a ton of stuff on my shelves that deserve attention. (Same goes with books.) Heck, RPG systems - one could spend months and months on without buying anything new. Are you an endless cash pit - where you can spend unlimited funds on games that sometimes you will not even play? That's just it right? Maybe focus on what you have, instead of always looking for that new shiny bauble.
I’m so excited for the 3rd edition! I’ve never played the first two editions and this video and Bairnt’s playthrough from Meet me at the Table made me take the dive.
Machina Arcana is a game that I really enjoy putting on the table. Completed the first scenario and would love to get back to the game soon, but got waylaid by other new games. I got your sentiment about new game fatigue, and also board game fatigue in general. My group is also taking a break from large-scale or campaign board games for now. We are playing simple 30-45-60-90 minute games and we try to run a few on a single session. Probably just a phase in life, especially with the current condition around the world now. Hope the fire burns bright again, and we'll get back to some campaign games soon.
This is a great game. Although the rule book is very hard to understand. It’s written very technically, and can be had to decipher. But it’s more than worth the effort. Highly recommend.
I did it live by myself.....no gamers way out here in the swamps of Florida lol .....I like tower defense games and that is what it felt like.... but I just haven’t gone back to it so it just feels ....empty
@@TheDungeonDive The rulebook is tough, but at some point it just 'clicks' and then the game plays really smooth. I think for me I picked it up six months later and for some reason the rulebook then made perfect sense.
My last play of Machina Arcana was a quick one. I believe on turn 2 I drew a monster that has the ability to pull your characters two spaces and the stars had aligned so that it was able to pull both of my Heroes into a pit, thereby ending the game. I posted on BGG asking Juraj if I played it correctly and his response was basically evil laughter. Yeah I need to get it out again, I've had it since 1st edtion. I know exactly what you mean about new games. I've had Sine Tempore on the table three times and always put it back again without attempting to play. Those big ass boxes to sort through and that thick rulebook. Sometimes it's just too much content all at once I think.
I'm with you on Planet Apocalypse. I saw it in my local game store a week or so ago. I was pretty intrigued after looking at the box. Fortunately I looked up some opinions on YT before pulling the trigger. It sounds like you need to get the pretty expensive expansions before it gets real replay value.
@@TheDungeonDive I was hesitant to back it due to some of the graphic design choices, but when they did the 'all in' deal for $300 (which is still a huge amount) I went for it. I actually like it quite a bit, with some minor issues. Some of the Hero models seems to be grossly out of scale with each other. Yeah it's basically a tower defense game with a demonic theme, but for whatever reason I enjoy the dice mechanics and slowly leveling up your Heroes. I like setting up the ambushes too. It plays a little long for what it is, at least on the default map.
I too was not won over by Planet Apocalypse. As a direct contrast to Machina Arcana, PA seemed nearly totally devoid of art or presentation. Besides giant miniatures, it basically looks like a prototype. The game itself was at times engaging, but often I would sort of realize that all I am doing is chasing die upgrades with a very repetitive game loop. It is not bad, it just didn't seem like the 'OMG game of the YEAR' claims I have seen. If/when it gets a new kickstarter, I am curious what if anything changes.
Yeah, I feel you when you say that you have had a string of disappointing games. I had Betrayal Legacy, Clank Legacy and D6, which I all tired of really quickly. And although the Legacy games, I'll throw away anyway, I'm currently trying to pump new life into D6 by creating scenarios and a meta layer where you actually get to play the players. But yeah, sometimes returning to a classic is exactly what the doctor ordered and Machina Arcana is not at all a bad option for that. I'm excited to hear that a follow-up KS is in the works! Wow! That is exciting! Hopefully with a ton of new stories to play. Maybe they'll follow the Folklore or Hexplore It series of games and create 'chapters' in new settings with new monsters and heroes (although I've always found that new heroes are overrated - just gimme more adventures!!!)
Just played legend of novus and like yourself I just wasn’t feeling it, thought it would be a nice simple quick setup and play adventure but after a couple of play throughs decided it wasn’t for me and sold it.
What did you not like about Planet Apocalypse's gameplay? I've seen only good reviews and planned on getting it, so a bad review could balance things (it's 60 dollars shipping for me)
There was just nothing to it for me. You move 1 or 2 spaces, roll some dice, rinse and repeat. The board gets smaller every turn, so then there is even less to do, because you don't move 1 or 2 spaces, you just roll some dice. It doesn't feel thematic when you're playing, it doesn't create an emergent narrative. It's all very mechanical. I don't know. I'm about the only person who doesn't like it. I just found it super dull. It's also a total table hog for absolutely no reason at all.
@@TheDungeonDive thanks for your opinion. Watching the gameplay it felt like that could be an issue, just a kind of roll simulator. Even if a good one, I don't particular like dice, and only the tower defense aspect keeps me interested in it
Hey Daniel! I've amassed a bit of a backlog and am looking to jump into and explore a game here soon. What would you recommend among Machina Arcana, Folklore, Deep Madness, Tainted Grail, and Dungeon Degenerates for solo adventuring?
Hey Daniel! Knowing your love for both this and DUN, do you have any preference over one of the two? I'm meaning to get one of these and was wondering if there's a strong point to one over the other in your opinion
Hey SQ! That's a really tough choice, especially since they're both hitting KS this month. Wow....really tough. I would have to give the edge to Machina Arcana right now, mainly because of how well it plays solo. It's such a fantastic solo game. Super easy to set up and put away, with really interesting mechanisms. DUN can be pretty difficult to play solo, just because there is so much going on. However, I am probably more excited about DUN's future than I am MA's. They both have issues with their rule books. MA is especially hard to learn, while DUN has some translation issues that should be ironed out with the update pack coming up. I really, really like MA. It's the best game I've played in 2020 (I consider it a 2020 game, because that's when I received the KS delivery. However, I haven't played a ton of new 2020 games). It's also one of the new games that I would consider for my top 10. I'm not sure I would consider DUN for that right now.
@@TheDungeonDive They do have alot of similarities in alot of ways and even the small negatives seem to overlap. Had no ideia MA was so way up on your list, that's great to hear. The low price on MA was pulling me more in it's direction even though the premise of DUN is more appealing. If DUN could let me use my Skull Tales stuff that would be a big win :D
You can defiantly use your ST stuff I’m DUN. DUN is really a set of rules to use whatever you have with. I think the tiles and minis in ST would be great to use with DUN, and I’ll probably do that.
Planet Apokalypse... terrible game really. To bloated and ugly. Bought it, played it four times with friends and no one liked it. Machina Arcana :) best cure. What a wonderful game.
@@TheDungeonDive some people really seem to like PA but i am not really into buying a game with ugly miniatures (which should really be standees if you have such a great illustrator) and put the content you spread to four expansions in the core box to make it FUN. That's what i love with Machina Arcana, if you turn on the soundtrack, read the stories happening and get involved, its smart, small, and every decision you make has far fetching consequences. Sorry for the bad spelling i am german and test a new whisky for my Arkham Horror LCG session :D
We already discussed about PA and why that game is the best game of 2020 so far to me. So we will not repeat that. ;)
Machina is a great game. I am happy that Juraj continue supporting this game (that was not his initial plan). I have played it too much for years. So I really need fresh, new content with crazy new elements. :)
Excellent choice!
I made the same comment in one of your other videos: Machina Arcana is my personal #1 Dungeon Crawler. No doubt about that :-)
It's a very strong game, for sure.
Great revisit. I am a big fan of Machina Arcana. I really enjoy the challenge and having to adjust to what has been dealt to you in order to survive. Keep up the great work love your channel!!
Thanks man. It really is a great game. Every time I play, different things are always happening. Game does a great job of creating many different situations with not a ton of stuff.
We have had some coms in the past Daniel regards MA. Glad to say I did finally get the rules to “click”. I loved it. I felt that you can start to get some momentum as you get gear weapons etc. You can get a bit of a roll on. Did get lucky with my crafter. Had a cracking weapon and armour which meant he was my tank. Great work as always Daniel. Your stuff is one of the very few content makers I watch every video. Thanks.
It's a really great game that constantly offers up a ton of unique situations.
The Dungeon Dive . By the way. I managed to pick up a copy of Darklight memento today. Been after it for ages. Noticed that you did a review of it, and by the sounds of it I think I have made a good purchase. Comes with the expansions as well. You still have yours Daniel?
Oh yes. Still have it. Will probably never sell it, unless prices get so crazy and I can get enough to buy a new synthesizer or something . :)
It's been hard, but I've really had to cut down on new game buying, because, I now have so many games that
there are many I still haven't even gotten to the table. It's interesting to how many of the game playing channels
will always show new games out, rarely go back to any older games. Unboxing now is super common. To me its
beginning to feel like I'm simply watching 'advertisement' videos for games, regardless of how good they are or not.
It takes a bit of work, but moving away from the mindset I must always have the 'newest' and most 'exciting' thing
when I got a ton of stuff on my shelves that deserve attention. (Same goes with books.) Heck, RPG systems - one
could spend months and months on without buying anything new.
Are you an endless cash pit - where you can spend unlimited funds on games that sometimes you will not even
play? That's just it right? Maybe focus on what you have, instead of always looking for that new shiny bauble.
I hear that loud and clear. I really want to avoid being an arm of the marketing department.
I’m so excited for the 3rd edition! I’ve never played the first two editions and this video and Bairnt’s playthrough from Meet me at the Table made me take the dive.
You’re in for a treat!
Machina Arcana is a game that I really enjoy putting on the table. Completed the first scenario and would love to get back to the game soon, but got waylaid by other new games. I got your sentiment about new game fatigue, and also board game fatigue in general. My group is also taking a break from large-scale or campaign board games for now. We are playing simple 30-45-60-90 minute games and we try to run a few on a single session. Probably just a phase in life, especially with the current condition around the world now. Hope the fire burns bright again, and we'll get back to some campaign games soon.
Well said!
Nice job my friend I played planet once and I painted it ......hasn’t hit the table since...this looks good I may go get this
This is a great game. Although the rule book is very hard to understand. It’s written very technically, and can be had to decipher. But it’s more than worth the effort. Highly recommend.
Did you play PA solo, or with a group?
I did it live by myself.....no gamers way out here in the swamps of Florida lol .....I like tower defense games and that is what it felt like.... but I just haven’t gone back to it so it just feels ....empty
@@TheDungeonDive The rulebook is tough, but at some point it just 'clicks' and then the game plays really smooth. I think for me I picked it up six months later and for some reason the rulebook then made perfect sense.
@@stevebillups9238 I agree. It eventually does click.
My last play of Machina Arcana was a quick one. I believe on turn 2 I drew a monster that has the ability to pull your characters two spaces and the stars had aligned so that it was able to pull both of my Heroes into a pit, thereby ending the game. I posted on BGG asking Juraj if I played it correctly and his response was basically evil laughter. Yeah I need to get it out again, I've had it since 1st edtion. I know exactly what you mean about new games. I've had Sine Tempore on the table three times and always put it back again without attempting to play. Those big ass boxes to sort through and that thick rulebook. Sometimes it's just too much content all at once I think.
I feel ya. I got my butt totally kicked in this last game. Didn’t even make it to chapter 4. Lol.
Another game added to my wishlist! Also, I would happily watch a full video on a game you didn't enjoy. I find it interesting to hear your opinion.
Thanks. :). This game is fantastic. I believe another KS will be coming soon for it.
I'm with you on Planet Apocalypse. I saw it in my local game store a week or so ago. I was pretty intrigued after looking at the box. Fortunately I looked up some opinions on YT before pulling the trigger. It sounds like you need to get the pretty expensive expansions before it gets real replay value.
Yes. The base box is, no joke, almost empty once you get rid of the packing.
@@TheDungeonDive I was hesitant to back it due to some of the graphic design choices, but when they did the 'all in' deal for $300 (which is still a huge amount) I went for it. I actually like it quite a bit, with some minor issues. Some of the Hero models seems to be grossly out of scale with each other. Yeah it's basically a tower defense game with a demonic theme, but for whatever reason I enjoy the dice mechanics and slowly leveling up your Heroes. I like setting up the ambushes too. It plays a little long for what it is, at least on the default map.
I too was not won over by Planet Apocalypse. As a direct contrast to Machina Arcana, PA seemed nearly totally devoid of art or presentation. Besides giant miniatures, it basically looks like a prototype. The game itself was at times engaging, but often I would sort of realize that all I am doing is chasing die upgrades with a very repetitive game loop. It is not bad, it just didn't seem like the 'OMG game of the YEAR' claims I have seen. If/when it gets a new kickstarter, I am curious what if anything changes.
Yeah. There’s a lot of theme and lore in the rule book for PA, but none when you’re actually playing the game.
I'm glad you said, those minis for Planet Apocolpyse, and basically any Petersen game suck. Sorry.
They’re like cheap toys.
Yeah, I feel you when you say that you have had a string of disappointing games. I had Betrayal Legacy, Clank Legacy and D6, which I all tired of really quickly. And although the Legacy games, I'll throw away anyway, I'm currently trying to pump new life into D6 by creating scenarios and a meta layer where you actually get to play the players.
But yeah, sometimes returning to a classic is exactly what the doctor ordered and Machina Arcana is not at all a bad option for that. I'm excited to hear that a follow-up KS is in the works! Wow! That is exciting! Hopefully with a ton of new stories to play. Maybe they'll follow the Folklore or Hexplore It series of games and create 'chapters' in new settings with new monsters and heroes (although I've always found that new heroes are overrated - just gimme more adventures!!!)
Just played legend of novus and like yourself I just wasn’t feeling it, thought it would be a nice simple quick setup and play adventure but after a couple of play throughs decided it wasn’t for me and sold it.
There's just nothing to the game! And why are the player boards almost the size of the map?
What did you not like about Planet Apocalypse's gameplay? I've seen only good reviews and planned on getting it, so a bad review could balance things (it's 60 dollars shipping for me)
There was just nothing to it for me. You move 1 or 2 spaces, roll some dice, rinse and repeat. The board gets smaller every turn, so then there is even less to do, because you don't move 1 or 2 spaces, you just roll some dice. It doesn't feel thematic when you're playing, it doesn't create an emergent narrative. It's all very mechanical. I don't know. I'm about the only person who doesn't like it. I just found it super dull. It's also a total table hog for absolutely no reason at all.
@@TheDungeonDive thanks for your opinion. Watching the gameplay it felt like that could be an issue, just a kind of roll simulator. Even if a good one, I don't particular like dice, and only the tower defense aspect keeps me interested in it
There are quite a few ways to mitigate your dice. That's kind of the whole point of the game.
Fantastic :)
Did I hear you right? There will be another KS for this?
Yep.
Hey Daniel! I've amassed a bit of a backlog and am looking to jump into and explore a game here soon. What would you recommend among Machina Arcana, Folklore, Deep Madness, Tainted Grail, and Dungeon Degenerates for solo adventuring?
Machina Arcana or Dungeon Degenerates are both great, but you probably can’t go wrong with any of those!
Hey Daniel! Knowing your love for both this and DUN, do you have any preference over one of the two? I'm meaning to get one of these and was wondering if there's a strong point to one over the other in your opinion
Hey SQ! That's a really tough choice, especially since they're both hitting KS this month. Wow....really tough. I would have to give the edge to Machina Arcana right now, mainly because of how well it plays solo. It's such a fantastic solo game. Super easy to set up and put away, with really interesting mechanisms. DUN can be pretty difficult to play solo, just because there is so much going on. However, I am probably more excited about DUN's future than I am MA's. They both have issues with their rule books. MA is especially hard to learn, while DUN has some translation issues that should be ironed out with the update pack coming up.
I really, really like MA. It's the best game I've played in 2020 (I consider it a 2020 game, because that's when I received the KS delivery. However, I haven't played a ton of new 2020 games). It's also one of the new games that I would consider for my top 10. I'm not sure I would consider DUN for that right now.
@@TheDungeonDive They do have alot of similarities in alot of ways and even the small negatives seem to overlap. Had no ideia MA was so way up on your list, that's great to hear. The low price on MA was pulling me more in it's direction even though the premise of DUN is more appealing. If DUN could let me use my Skull Tales stuff that would be a big win :D
You can defiantly use your ST stuff I’m DUN. DUN is really a set of rules to use whatever you have with. I think the tiles and minis in ST would be great to use with DUN, and I’ll probably do that.
What is DUN?
@@LordBollocks Dungeon Universalis
I'm not sure why they haven't done a kickstarter to create minis for this game
Not needed. The standees are much better because they can match the look of the game.
Planet Apokalypse... terrible game really. To bloated and ugly. Bought it, played it four times with friends and no one liked it. Machina Arcana :) best cure. What a wonderful game.
Right?
@@TheDungeonDive some people really seem to like PA but i am not really into buying a game with ugly miniatures (which should really be standees if you have such a great illustrator) and put the content you spread to four expansions in the core box to make it FUN. That's what i love with Machina Arcana, if you turn on the soundtrack, read the stories happening and get involved, its smart, small, and every decision you make has far fetching consequences. Sorry for the bad spelling i am german and test a new whisky for my Arkham Horror LCG session :D
Oliver Klar no worries at all about the spelling. What whiskey are you drinking?
The theme and mechanisms are so strong in MA.
@@TheDungeonDive i dipped my toe into bourbon for the first time and tried Makers Mark
Terrible game? Bloated? In which way? :)
Lucky me I Love both Machina Arcana and Planet Apocalypse. :-) both will have a second KS this year