Not sure if zee ever reads these. I really like this game and appreciate your review as well. You mentioned that there are other games that hide their mechanisms a bit more. Curious if you could share an example or two. Or just one or two you prefer to this specifically.
Tons of good board game reviewers on the internet but there's something about Zee. He has the perfect balance of logical, factual insight and passion for the hobby all wrapped up in a clear and articulate delivery
Great review by Zee. I almost blindly bought this because of the cover and theme. I still may buy it. I like games that are simple but thematic. Good job Zee !
Thanks Zee, I think you make a good point at 18:20, I know there are some who disagree, but I have friends that have no issue flaunting how good they are, and "kick you when you are done", Look at me I am so far ahead, oh by the way, I just took away a great move for you that would have scored you points, but instead I block you at end game. Even through there is no chance to catch up. That is why I stick with fillers, those guys overthink filler games.
I agree that choosing score tokens as one of the only forms or randomness is weird for a game so deterministic. That's one of the worst forms of randomness in my opinion, it has no place in a super strategical game like this one.
It's weird, but after playing the game I kinda get it. Adding a bit of hidden infornation to players' scores keeps the turns from being "solved" at later stages. If you had perfect information, you could figure out how many points exactly each other player could get and then decide exactly who and where to attack. This is important because this game is almost completely tactical, and strategy plays a lesser role.
Thank you for the honest review and in-depth reflection of why this game doesn't work Zee. From a game design perspective, there are some intriguing mechanical aspects. So whoever has more units win the territory without any combat...um yeah, no thank you:)
One of the few board games about people of African descent beyond just “Africa” and animals like Roar etc. I give it props for that. Also, the traditional “African” themed design on the board and the cards are pretty neat. It’s still primitivist but something is something. Maybe an expansion can make this game better? en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_of_Kitara
This game is good. Definitely not just a 6/10. Garcia is always so meticulous about the details that don't determine the value of a game. Who cares about the theme or even the insert? Come on, gimme a break, folks!
@@giovannifusco00 That means a lot for some players especially if the game looks or at least tries to appear thematic in some way. The dice tower guys are exposed to so many games its not surprising they have each gotten more honed in on what they expect from a good product. I agree with you though for me as well mechanics trump theme. If it plays smoothly and has interesting mechanisms and interactions its usually a slamdunk.
@@SeanBMoose I'm so sick and tired of themes taking over mechanics. Some games were made just because of the theme's appeal. And I got some of those, but damn, that's an exception! They're made just because sometimes it's nice to play with characters and ideas you'd like interacting with. Then there are also some games where the theme is as appealing as the mechanics, like Hero/Star Realms, which is good, too!
I actually like that this has a much quicker playtime and has far less rules overhead and fiddliness than smallworld. Smallworld is an area control game that's too long and fiddly for its theme. If I want a big area control game with asymmetric powers I'd rather invest the time and go for a Dune, Empires of the void 2 or something big. For a lighter area control game this works well
Not sure if zee ever reads these. I really like this game and appreciate your review as well. You mentioned that there are other games that hide their mechanisms a bit more. Curious if you could share an example or two. Or just one or two you prefer to this specifically.
This game is a 10/10 for me. And you're right about it: it's like an abstract, it's a challenge between minds and I love it because of that!
9/10 for me. Excellent game and very nice design. Everybody around me loved it, players or not !
Best reviewer in the game for me. Thanks for always being so concise Zee. This game looks interesting!
For me Zee's whole personality is like hand to a glove. So fitting, so precise while being funny in ironic way. It's easy listen for me.
@@markiv2942 I agree 100% I could listen to Zee reviewing games all day long.
Tons of good board game reviewers on the internet but there's something about Zee. He has the perfect balance of logical, factual insight and passion for the hobby all wrapped up in a clear and articulate delivery
I got this for Christmas! I love the components
Great review by Zee. I almost blindly bought this because of the cover and theme. I still may buy it. I like games that are simple but thematic. Good job Zee !
Thanks Zee, I think you make a good point at 18:20, I know there are some who disagree, but I have friends that have no issue flaunting how good they are, and "kick you when you are done", Look at me I am so far ahead, oh by the way, I just took away a great move for you that would have scored you points, but instead I block you at end game. Even through there is no chance to catch up. That is why I stick with fillers, those guys overthink filler games.
I agree that choosing score tokens as one of the only forms or randomness is weird for a game so deterministic. That's one of the worst forms of randomness in my opinion, it has no place in a super strategical game like this one.
It's weird, but after playing the game I kinda get it. Adding a bit of hidden infornation to players' scores keeps the turns from being "solved" at later stages. If you had perfect information, you could figure out how many points exactly each other player could get and then decide exactly who and where to attack. This is important because this game is almost completely tactical, and strategy plays a lesser role.
Thank you for the honest review and in-depth reflection of why this game doesn't work Zee. From a game design perspective, there are some intriguing mechanical aspects. So whoever has more units win the territory without any combat...um yeah, no thank you:)
One of the few board games about people of African descent beyond just “Africa” and animals like Roar etc. I give it props for that. Also, the traditional “African” themed design on the board and the cards are pretty neat. It’s still primitivist but something is something. Maybe an expansion can make this game better? en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_of_Kitara
The designer did his research about it. Also the centaur-like warriors have a cultural reference
@@giovannifusco00 Nice. I wish Zee would’ve discussed the context of the game a bit more.
@@williamgarcia-medina9989 I wish Tom had done this review. Or anybody else for that matter...
@@giovannifusco00 why? Lol
@@williamgarcia-medina9989 because Zee Garcia is always so pedantic. He hardly gives a seal of excellence! Plus, his reviews are longer
I was hoping you would review this game. To get a more in depth review of it so I could decide to buy it or not. Thank you!
This game is good. Definitely not just a 6/10. Garcia is always so meticulous about the details that don't determine the value of a game. Who cares about the theme or even the insert? Come on, gimme a break, folks!
@@giovannifusco00 That means a lot for some players especially if the game looks or at least tries to appear thematic in some way. The dice tower guys are exposed to so many games its not surprising they have each gotten more honed in on what they expect from a good product. I agree with you though for me as well mechanics trump theme. If it plays smoothly and has interesting mechanisms and interactions its usually a slamdunk.
@@SeanBMoose I'm so sick and tired of themes taking over mechanics. Some games were made just because of the theme's appeal. And I got some of those, but damn, that's an exception! They're made just because sometimes it's nice to play with characters and ideas you'd like interacting with.
Then there are also some games where the theme is as appealing as the mechanics, like Hero/Star Realms, which is good, too!
Sounds like a less fun version of Smallworld
I actually like that this has a much quicker playtime and has far less rules overhead and fiddliness than smallworld. Smallworld is an area control game that's too long and fiddly for its theme. If I want a big area control game with asymmetric powers I'd rather invest the time and go for a Dune, Empires of the void 2 or something big. For a lighter area control game this works well
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