Man this game looks amazing. Apparently I have been living under a rock and haven't heard of it until now but I am really upset I missed the Kickstarter. It looks worth the money for the quality you are getting. I hope there will be a way to buy that playmat also
I totally agree with the review- the turn number issue with larger player counts is my only true complaint. Sure, you usually get something on every players turn, but it's pretty brutal in a 6 player game when half the table essentially gets 3 turns of their own TOTAL for an entire 3 hour game while the other half of the table gets 4 turns. Balance is not the issue, it's just less fun at higher play counts and unlike some long games you really do feel it when this game stretches beyond 2 hours at higher player counts.
Fortunately 6 is the only player count that really harms the turn number. In a 3 player game, everyone gets 7 turns. In a 4 player game, everyone gets 5 turns and one lucky person gets 6. In a 5 player game, everyone gets 4 turns and one lucky person gets 5. In a 6 player game, half the people get 3 turns and half the people get 4 turns...
It wouldnt kill Blood rage or Kemet cause of playing time alone. Those games playout much faster on my opinion. This game has more to offer yes, but with increased time in playing actual game. I dont think it kills any of those games. Cry Havoc is worst of that bunch. Cyclades, Chaos in Old World and Cthulhu wars are way better.
I’m glad the Path of the Serpent card improved for you. The virtue strategy is super good if no-one else goes for it, particularly with the Summer war card that gives you two coins and two points per virtue. But if other’s start also going for virtues then it’s not as powerful. Like you said, the variability of how useful each card is in each game is the most interesting part of the game.
My favourite strategy that I've found so far was using the Bonsai clan, buying every single Oni, having the worst honour by far, and then getting the bonus Oni scoring at the end. I actually ran out of rings to put on the monsters.
Awesome review Luke, I kept my nose out of this because a good friend of mine was backing it on kickstarter. He just got his copy in and we are excited to have it hit the table. Blood Rage is my personal favorite game, it just hits on all cylinders for me. I keep hearing this is so amazing so I may end up having to get my own copy. I do love a little negotiation in games too....roleplaying can be awesome! Thanks man.
Great review, Luke. I'm taking my copy to my game group on Sunday, really looking forward to getting it played. In Tom Vasel's review of the Kami Unbound Expansion, he said it's one of those expansions that is so good that he will never play the game without it - even when teaching new players. Do you agree with that, and should I just go ahead and incorporate it in that first play?
Played 5 player game recently. Will only play 4 from now on. People who are not in alliance are at a disadvantage. 5 players took a little over 3 hours. Felt like a mishmash of Rex, San Juan, blood rage, and Spartacus. I think blood rage is a little above average, but I like that it’s shorter.
Playing with even players makes the game less about negociating and more about teams, which is not bad but in odd number of players negociating becomes key.
you are a breath of fresh air, generally. but i gotta disagree with you on this one. take away the 'pretty' and the silly toys, and this 'game' is worse than AIDS.
This game's rule book is actually one of the best I've read.
Our first game lasted 5 hours.
Man this game looks amazing. Apparently I have been living under a rock and haven't heard of it until now but I am really upset I missed the Kickstarter. It looks worth the money for the quality you are getting. I hope there will be a way to buy that playmat also
I totally agree with the review- the turn number issue with larger player counts is my only true complaint. Sure, you usually get something on every players turn, but it's pretty brutal in a 6 player game when half the table essentially gets 3 turns of their own TOTAL for an entire 3 hour game while the other half of the table gets 4 turns. Balance is not the issue, it's just less fun at higher play counts and unlike some long games you really do feel it when this game stretches beyond 2 hours at higher player counts.
Fortunately 6 is the only player count that really harms the turn number.
In a 3 player game, everyone gets 7 turns.
In a 4 player game, everyone gets 5 turns and one lucky person gets 6.
In a 5 player game, everyone gets 4 turns and one lucky person gets 5.
In a 6 player game, half the people get 3 turns and half the people get 4 turns...
This game is awesome, killed Forbidden stars, Kemet, Blood Rage and Cry Havoc for me and probably a lot more too.
Joe Langdale I wouldn’t have put Forbidden Stars in the same ball park but fair play.
Luke Hector I geuss more from just a big area control aspect then I geuss not to mention down time in forbidden stars
It wouldnt kill Blood rage or Kemet cause of playing time alone. Those games playout much faster on my opinion. This game has more to offer yes, but with increased time in playing actual game. I dont think it kills any of those games. Cry Havoc is worst of that bunch. Cyclades, Chaos in Old World and Cthulhu wars are way better.
I’m glad the Path of the Serpent card improved for you. The virtue strategy is super good if no-one else goes for it, particularly with the Summer war card that gives you two coins and two points per virtue. But if other’s start also going for virtues then it’s not as powerful. Like you said, the variability of how useful each card is in each game is the most interesting part of the game.
BenSaidScott which I also bought! 😉
My favourite strategy that I've found so far was using the Bonsai clan, buying every single Oni, having the worst honour by far, and then getting the bonus Oni scoring at the end. I actually ran out of rings to put on the monsters.
Awesome review Luke, I kept my nose out of this because a good friend of mine was backing it on kickstarter. He just got his copy in and we are excited to have it hit the table. Blood Rage is my personal favorite game, it just hits on all cylinders for me. I keep hearing this is so amazing so I may end up having to get my own copy. I do love a little negotiation in games too....roleplaying can be awesome! Thanks man.
Good point about the money. I am not willing to give the money. Good advice. Definitely not worth it.
Thats not what he said .. but hey ..
Really helpful review Luke. Many thanks. I was never keen on Blood Rage. Perhaps the retail version of this will do it for me.
Great review, Luke. I'm taking my copy to my game group on Sunday, really looking forward to getting it played. In Tom Vasel's review of the Kami Unbound Expansion, he said it's one of those expansions that is so good that he will never play the game without it - even when teaching new players. Do you agree with that, and should I just go ahead and incorporate it in that first play?
RedEyedGhost I personally wouldn't use it in the first play of everyone is learning.
Thanks Luke!
Played 5 player game recently. Will only play 4 from now on. People who are not in alliance are at a disadvantage. 5 players took a little over 3 hours. Felt like a mishmash of Rex, San Juan, blood rage, and Spartacus. I think blood rage is a little above average, but I like that it’s shorter.
Playing with even players makes the game less about negociating and more about teams, which is not bad but in odd number of players negociating becomes key.
you are a breath of fresh air, generally. but i gotta disagree with you on this one. take away the 'pretty' and the silly toys, and this 'game' is worse than AIDS.