If they made plastic minis in a deluxe set, I could understand-- but with this I don't see the point. They got rid of the Kraken for a "Space Penguin"? Lame.
Is that the title they are planning to use for that? I did see that Iello mentioned they were going to basically "bring back Kraken" in a way, because they planned on adding in a Cthulhu-based character at some point down the road. Is the plan truly to have a batch of Lovecraftian critters?
The dice in the old game were engraved in the more recent boxes anyway, so no change there, but the dice are not exactly the same. The new ones are a little bit smaller than the originals. Not noticeable at a glance, but very noticeable if you have both in your hand to roll them. No mention of the Target exclusive version that has the Baby Gigasur in it (but you don't get the new gigasaur). The biggest complaint that people had was that they changed the backs of the cards so technically the old cards are not compatible with the new ones. The new ones are nicer for the most part, just annoying as a fan of the classic. I'm sure Richard Garfield would be the first person to understand the reasoning for not switching card backs (MTG cards still say Deckmaster on the back 20 years after the game stopped using that term), so it sucks that they changed it. I plan on getting the new one though just to add more monster options to the game for more players though. I'm waiting for the Power Up expansion for the new ones though so everyone can have Evolution cards.
Completely agree about the Monsters... Cyber Bunny's concept was MUCH better than Kitty... to keep it similar they should have made a Cyber Hamster or something funny like that. Now about the Kraken... why would they get rid of Cthulu in a Gian Monster Terrorizing a city theme... no idea... makes no sense... i hate the Penguin... looks like a Darkwing Duck villain not a Giant Monster T_T... about the cards... most look better IMHO, except for Wings (agree with Tom there.. old one looks EPIC), Stretchy (old one looks way better!) and Plot Twist (Bunny looks menacing... Kitty should look Evil too, thats what makes it funny XD). Great Video as always. Cheers
The Penguin is great, but I do prefer the hand-drawn style of the original. I'm over CG. One of the great things about board games and card games is that we're _not_ on on the computer.
what is it with new editions and having worse artwork? I am getting more into board games recently and I remember playing Carcassonne like 8 years ago and i want to get it, but when I went to go buy it this past week I HATED the new artwork. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE! so I have to try and hunt down an older edition of Carcassonne. (i watched sam healey's comparison video, very useful).
same with the BOARD art work for the new version of Mr.Jack in the 10th anniversary edition the board art work is dull and dark compared to bright and garish to the original.
I agree... the original art has more of a cartoony quality to it. Just seems more fun. The new art is fine... so it is far from the end of the world, but I am somewhat happy I own the original version. :-) If the new characters are eventually made available, I'll likely scoop them up to add to my copy. Oh... and regarding Kraken. Iello already announced that they plan on adding a Cthulhu-themed creature at some point down the road, so I guess they didn't want two tentacle-faced monsters in the same game. heh
Tom didn't mention it, but the dice are definitely a hair smaller in the new version. Not a lot... but if you put them side by side, you can see that the new ones are maybe a millimeter smaller. Dan King did a video for the new King of Tokyo and specifically pointed that out.
Is it wrong to prefer the old art work?? But that's not really an issue for me - the greater issue is that for owners of the old edition there are two new characters that unless you buy the new edition, you miss out on. But the thing that I can't really understand is if they took the trouble to refresh the game, WHY didn't they auto-include the fantastic Power-Up expansion in the box too? IMO, it made KoT a much better game for the character specific power it provides.
Keeps the price point down, and also keeps the game simple for those purchasing it. You want complexity, add Power Up! Most gamers want the expansion, but most people playing the game are satisfied with it as is.
They had a legal issue with Cyber Bunny, so for legal reasons it became Cyber Kitten... that explains that one... as for Kraken, its a little foggier, but if you look at the stand-alone character expansion "Cthulu", it's basically a re-themed Kraken...
I've become fond of Kraken since I realized it strongly resembles a certain Futurama character. Now if I ever pick Kraken, I make sure to do Zoidberg impressions as we play. Kraken may resemble Cthulu, but similarity didn't stop them from keeping The King in the game, even though a King Kong bonus monster is now available, and King of New York *also* has an ape that satirizes King Kong. I especially see no reason for replacing Cyber Bunny - the concept ridiculous, yeah, but that's the point.
Yes, you can actually do this (I did the same)... pick up the new version, get your hands on the old version (E-Bay?) and all you do is steal the VP/Health-Tracker and Monster Token from the first edition of Kraken and Cyber Bunny and throw them in your 2nd Edition box... the New Power Up expansion coming in May will support all the new 2nd edition characters AND Kraken and Cyber Bunny, so you're covered if you do this.
I'm buying King of Tokyo mainly to steal three of the Monsters. I'm gonna take The King, Gigazaur, and Meca Dragon to add to King of New York, and I'll swap in the sillier NY monsters into the box. The base King of New York game is pretty fun, and I'll save King of Tokyo for when I want to play with the "Powered Up" cards.
Eh I agree this new edition isn't doing much for me in terms of wanting to pick it up. Hoping any further expansions will be compatible with the original set (probably will be their isn't any major rule change except for that one card which I could easily just tell people cost 3 or proxy the updated rules over it.). Far more excited for the power up expansion for king of new york. I haven't even played that version yet because I liked power up for the original so much and feel it is essential for the game, it adds character to each monster so it feels like your making a substantial choice when you pick one instead of "ooh this one looks cool/cute." Now if a new expansion comes out that combines king of new york and this second edition in a fun way, then I might pick this one up.
Unfortunately, I don't think they're really trying to get buyers of the original to buy this one. If they were, I think they would have included power up and/or added to the game in some way. Whether you like one art or the other is subjective and fixing the Monster Batteries card is nice, but hardly worth it. The changes in the rules are definitely better (if Tokyo is empty then you must enter it after you resolve your dice), but a couple of others would have made it even better (double dose energy and n-1 VP when you start your turn in Tokyo), but as it is there's really not much point in getting this one if you have the old one. Someone might get it just for the Space Penguin or Cyber Kitty alone, but I doubt it.
dmcd7619 I agree. Maybe I'll recommend it to my dad he was interested in picking it up and I can experience the new characters that way. Then again without power up like I said earlier I'm not nearly as invested in the game, but that's just me. I actually didn't know about the new rule cause I just watched this video, but I agree that sounds a lot better, will probably play my copy that way.
I have the 2nd edition, and an expansion that have monster-exclusive powers for Kraken and Cyber Bunny that I can't use. I kind of wish I can get another expansion that includes the Cyber Bunny and Kraken so I can use those.
I think it looks fine - some stuff's better, some's worse - and the new box art looks a lot better, IMO, but yeah, it's not really any incentive to upgrade if you already have it.
Not explained in the video, but I would love a definitive answer for is why Cyber Bunny was removed. Iello made a statement that they changed it to Cyber Kitty for legal reasons, but didn't elaborate further. Investigation by some fans seems to only point to a card in Killer Bunnies, titled, "Cyber Bunny," so it is assumed this is why. I am curious as to the real reason for the change... not that I won't be able to sleep tonight without this knowledge, at least. lol ;-)
Much of the card artwork is better than the original. However, the monsters themselves are definitely better in the 1st edition, which is a shame. I hope Tom will take a look at the recent Dark Edition, which beats both in my opinion.
I don't know how you play, but monster batteries was the worst, most worthless card in the old deck, battery monster is actually useful (3 for 6, 3 gain in 3 turns). If you had 15 energy saved, you're playing wrong. Monster batteries, you had to put at least 3 extra power on to make one power after 3 turns (5 spent 6 back), if you put 4 on, you earned 2 extra after 4 turns(6 spent 8 back). That is a long wait for a small return, and if someone has parasitic tentacles, they can steal it for 2 and you lose everything. Also the new cards are mostly worded better, with less room for misunderstanding.
Hmm... Not sure if Ielllo would revise Power Ups and the Halloween expansion, but good point. I'd recommend getting the Power Up expansion before the Halloween expansion. Unless you really like the orange dice! In which case, get both. The Power Ups expansion is mechanically much better.
They are releasing a new edition power up expansion in May that will include support for the new monsters in 2nd edition AND the old Kraken and Cyber Bunny... they also have said they will release a 2nd edition Halloween pack later this year (*ahem*, around Halloween).
Hmmm... was looking at them. Old box looks way better, old board waaay better, Cthulhu monster waaay better, rest of the art seems pretty equivalent with some better on either side, but not drastically. Seems like the old version is hands down the better one to get
I hope they stick with the old cartoony style for the expansion of KoNY or it'll just be a mess. Not a fan of art style changes. Think it lost a bit of the fun with the messier art style.
FYI, the same guy who did the artwork for the 2nd Edition KoT, did the artwork for KoNY... so both KoT 2nd Ed and KoNY actually match in artwork now... the one that stands out as different is 1st Ed KoT.
So the cartoony artwork is replaced by inferior artwork. Cthulhu is replaced by a penguin. The Friend of Children removed the Gamera reference from the art. The burning city is replaced by a less interesting looking board. WOW! This is a really inferior new edition. People need to run out and snatch up the 1st edition of this game quick before it's to late.
Much like the new Carcassonne artwork (but not as bad) as the new Carcassonne artwork has made me and others not buy extra expansions as a) they don;t match the old artwork and b) the new artwork looks really childish...and the new King of Tokyo seems to have gone the in the same direction in its own way.
...yeah not sold on this one. I really like the cartoon artwork and it fits the game better than this 3D stuff. I get why they had to do this though... old boxcover >>>>>> this new cover
+Basti V Yeah no, they had to make new artwork for the mobile app. And to have some continuity between the app and their physical game. They release KoT2.0
Don't like the new artwork. No matter why they changed it, app oder liscence problems. I don't cara. The old artwork fits ten times better cause it's more cartoony. They really exchanged the best monsters Kraken & Cyber Bunny???? This edition is a really bad joke.... it's sad.
The Power Up expansion and Halloween expansion make having the original even better.
Later versions of the base game (first edition) do include the better dice.
The plot twist card shows you. "YES there is a cat inside the Robo-Kitty" since the first one showed a Bunny inside instead.
Thanks for doing this comparison. Makes deciding whether to upgrade to the newer edition easier. ;)
I think "lethargenic" has to be my favorite Vasel-ism so far.
If they made plastic minis in a deluxe set, I could understand-- but with this I don't see the point.
They got rid of the Kraken for a "Space Penguin"? Lame.
They'll be including him in King of Arkham which will include 5 other Lovecraft monsters. /speculation
Is that the title they are planning to use for that? I did see that Iello mentioned they were going to basically "bring back Kraken" in a way, because they planned on adding in a Cthulhu-based character at some point down the road. Is the plan truly to have a batch of Lovecraftian critters?
not sure what the deal with the Kraken was. They had to get rid of the Cyber Kitty for legal reasons that they wont go into details on.
The dice in the old game were engraved in the more recent boxes anyway, so no change there, but the dice are not exactly the same. The new ones are a little bit smaller than the originals. Not noticeable at a glance, but very noticeable if you have both in your hand to roll them.
No mention of the Target exclusive version that has the Baby Gigasur in it (but you don't get the new gigasaur).
The biggest complaint that people had was that they changed the backs of the cards so technically the old cards are not compatible with the new ones. The new ones are nicer for the most part, just annoying as a fan of the classic. I'm sure Richard Garfield would be the first person to understand the reasoning for not switching card backs (MTG cards still say Deckmaster on the back 20 years after the game stopped using that term), so it sucks that they changed it.
I plan on getting the new one though just to add more monster options to the game for more players though. I'm waiting for the Power Up expansion for the new ones though so everyone can have Evolution cards.
Completely agree about the Monsters... Cyber Bunny's concept was MUCH better than Kitty... to keep it similar they should have made a Cyber Hamster or something funny like that. Now about the Kraken... why would they get rid of Cthulu in a Gian Monster Terrorizing a city theme... no idea... makes no sense... i hate the Penguin... looks like a Darkwing Duck villain not a Giant Monster T_T... about the cards... most look better IMHO, except for Wings (agree with Tom there.. old one looks EPIC), Stretchy (old one looks way better!) and Plot Twist (Bunny looks menacing... Kitty should look Evil too, thats what makes it funny XD). Great Video as always. Cheers
would have been cool to see the reverse drop with the old component then have the new ones come back down.
The Penguin is great, but I do prefer the hand-drawn style of the original. I'm over CG. One of the great things about board games and card games is that we're _not_ on on the computer.
1st edition art is much better imo.
what is it with new editions and having worse artwork? I am getting more into board games recently and I remember playing Carcassonne like 8 years ago and i want to get it, but when I went to go buy it this past week I HATED the new artwork. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE! so I have to try and hunt down an older edition of Carcassonne. (i watched sam healey's comparison video, very useful).
same with the BOARD art work for the new version of Mr.Jack in the 10th anniversary edition the board art work is dull and dark compared to bright and garish to the original.
I agree... the original art has more of a cartoony quality to it. Just seems more fun. The new art is fine... so it is far from the end of the world, but I am somewhat happy I own the original version. :-) If the new characters are eventually made available, I'll likely scoop them up to add to my copy.
Oh... and regarding Kraken. Iello already announced that they plan on adding a Cthulhu-themed creature at some point down the road, so I guess they didn't want two tentacle-faced monsters in the same game. heh
Yup, I really dislike the new The King artwork. And the Kraken was my favourite. No reason for me to replace my copy at all.
Moe Joe i like them both 2 different styles to bad they didn't get how they wanted it thw first time.
What about the counters? Your other video about the 2nd edition doesn't mention it and the rule book doesn't explain it
Is it just me or are the dice a little smaller in this new version?
Tom didn't mention it, but the dice are definitely a hair smaller in the new version. Not a lot... but if you put them side by side, you can see that the new ones are maybe a millimeter smaller. Dan King did a video for the new King of Tokyo and specifically pointed that out.
Is it wrong to prefer the old art work?? But that's not really an issue for me - the greater issue is that for owners of the old edition there are two new characters that unless you buy the new edition, you miss out on. But the thing that I can't really understand is if they took the trouble to refresh the game, WHY didn't they auto-include the fantastic Power-Up expansion in the box too? IMO, it made KoT a much better game for the character specific power it provides.
Keeps the price point down, and also keeps the game simple for those purchasing it. You want complexity, add Power Up! Most gamers want the expansion, but most people playing the game are satisfied with it as is.
I'm sticking with the original printing. Thank you very much! :)
I don't understand why they took out the old characters instead of just adding the two new ones.
They had a legal issue with Cyber Bunny, so for legal reasons it became Cyber Kitten... that explains that one... as for Kraken, its a little foggier, but if you look at the stand-alone character expansion "Cthulu", it's basically a re-themed Kraken...
I've become fond of Kraken since I realized it strongly resembles a certain Futurama character. Now if I ever pick Kraken, I make sure to do Zoidberg impressions as we play.
Kraken may resemble Cthulu, but similarity didn't stop them from keeping The King in the game, even though a King Kong bonus monster is now available, and King of New York *also* has an ape that satirizes King Kong.
I especially see no reason for replacing Cyber Bunny - the concept ridiculous, yeah, but that's the point.
I don't dislike the old artwork, but I way more prefer the new. Looks a lot more dynamic to me.
can i buy the new one and just use the two new characters with the first edition so i can have all characters in one game ?
Yes, you can actually do this (I did the same)... pick up the new version, get your hands on the old version (E-Bay?) and all you do is steal the VP/Health-Tracker and Monster Token from the first edition of Kraken and Cyber Bunny and throw them in your 2nd Edition box... the New Power Up expansion coming in May will support all the new 2nd edition characters AND Kraken and Cyber Bunny, so you're covered if you do this.
I'm buying King of Tokyo mainly to steal three of the Monsters. I'm gonna take The King, Gigazaur, and Meca Dragon to add to King of New York, and I'll swap in the sillier NY monsters into the box. The base King of New York game is pretty fun, and I'll save King of Tokyo for when I want to play with the "Powered Up" cards.
Guess I'm the only one who prefers the new art work, looks much cooler.
Eh I agree this new edition isn't doing much for me in terms of wanting to pick it up. Hoping any further expansions will be compatible with the original set (probably will be their isn't any major rule change except for that one card which I could easily just tell people cost 3 or proxy the updated rules over it.). Far more excited for the power up expansion for king of new york. I haven't even played that version yet because I liked power up for the original so much and feel it is essential for the game, it adds character to each monster so it feels like your making a substantial choice when you pick one instead of "ooh this one looks cool/cute." Now if a new expansion comes out that combines king of new york and this second edition in a fun way, then I might pick this one up.
Unfortunately, I don't think they're really trying to get buyers of the original to buy this one. If they were, I think they would have included power up and/or added to the game in some way. Whether you like one art or the other is subjective and fixing the Monster Batteries card is nice, but hardly worth it. The changes in the rules are definitely better (if Tokyo is empty then you must enter it after you resolve your dice), but a couple of others would have made it even better (double dose energy and n-1 VP when you start your turn in Tokyo), but as it is there's really not much point in getting this one if you have the old one. Someone might get it just for the Space Penguin or Cyber Kitty alone, but I doubt it.
dmcd7619
I agree. Maybe I'll recommend it to my dad he was interested in picking it up and I can experience the new characters that way. Then again without power up like I said earlier I'm not nearly as invested in the game, but that's just me. I actually didn't know about the new rule cause I just watched this video, but I agree that sounds a lot better, will probably play my copy that way.
I have the 2nd edition, and an expansion that have monster-exclusive powers for Kraken and Cyber Bunny that I can't use. I kind of wish I can get another expansion that includes the Cyber Bunny and Kraken so I can use those.
They get rid of Cthulhu for a Space Penguin? I am glad I have the first edition.
I like how Space Penguin is cosplaying as Zardoz....
There's the Kitty Pilot on the Plot Twist card!
I think it looks fine - some stuff's better, some's worse - and the new box art looks a lot better, IMO, but yeah, it's not really any incentive to upgrade if you already have it.
First edition artwork wins.
i was just looking at games when space penguin came up. ok buying now. and its a great cheap fun fast and simple game. space penguin. i love penguins.
I also like the 1st edition artwork/characters better.
I still prefer the old version.
Seems like the Kraken was replaced by the Cthulu expansion that's out now.
Not explained in the video, but I would love a definitive answer for is why Cyber Bunny was removed. Iello made a statement that they changed it to Cyber Kitty for legal reasons, but didn't elaborate further. Investigation by some fans seems to only point to a card in Killer Bunnies, titled, "Cyber Bunny," so it is assumed this is why. I am curious as to the real reason for the change... not that I won't be able to sleep tonight without this knowledge, at least. lol ;-)
The most likely answer is that they cannot give anymore information as part of the legal issue that they had in the first place.
Trueflight Silverwing That's what I am assuming too. Maybe we shall never know. heh
Good thing I bought KoT during the 1st edition. Why'd they stop printing it???
Much of the card artwork is better than the original. However, the monsters themselves are definitely better in the 1st edition, which is a shame.
I hope Tom will take a look at the recent Dark Edition, which beats both in my opinion.
Kraken and Cyber Bunny are in the new "Dark Edition."
Did an App ever come out?
Why did they need to change Meka to Meca?
Inclusivity, maybe to make him a Muslim dragon?
Release the Krakens! Oh wait, they're all dead :(
I don't know how you play, but monster batteries was the worst, most worthless card in the old deck, battery monster is actually useful (3 for 6, 3 gain in 3 turns). If you had 15 energy saved, you're playing wrong. Monster batteries, you had to put at least 3 extra power on to make one power after 3 turns (5 spent 6 back), if you put 4 on, you earned 2 extra after 4 turns(6 spent 8 back). That is a long wait for a small return, and if someone has parasitic tentacles, they can steal it for 2 and you lose everything.
Also the new cards are mostly worded better, with less room for misunderstanding.
Oh man I guess I should track down 1st ED expansions quick snap or be in a bit of bother...
Hmm... Not sure if Ielllo would revise Power Ups and the Halloween expansion, but good point. I'd recommend getting the Power Up expansion before the Halloween expansion. Unless you really like the orange dice! In which case, get both. The Power Ups expansion is mechanically much better.
They are releasing a new edition power up expansion in May that will include support for the new monsters in 2nd edition AND the old Kraken and Cyber Bunny... they also have said they will release a 2nd edition Halloween pack later this year (*ahem*, around Halloween).
Hmmm... was looking at them. Old box looks way better, old board waaay better, Cthulhu monster waaay better, rest of the art seems pretty equivalent with some better on either side, but not drastically. Seems like the old version is hands down the better one to get
I hope they stick with the old cartoony style for the expansion of KoNY or it'll just be a mess. Not a fan of art style changes. Think it lost a bit of the fun with the messier art style.
FYI, the same guy who did the artwork for the 2nd Edition KoT, did the artwork for KoNY... so both KoT 2nd Ed and KoNY actually match in artwork now... the one that stands out as different is 1st Ed KoT.
just a really unnecessary reprint, i think
The new artwork is a bit meh and plastic looking, it has lost its funny theme in a way, not worth it.
Agree.
The friend to children card is the worst art change. The original was based on Gamera
The new edition is strictly worse for me, besides maybe the board being slightly nicer.
I miss the bunny
So the cartoony artwork is replaced by inferior artwork.
Cthulhu is replaced by a penguin.
The Friend of Children removed the Gamera reference from the art.
The burning city is replaced by a less interesting looking board.
WOW! This is a really inferior new edition.
People need to run out and snatch up the 1st edition of this game quick before it's to late.
You're so right
Agree 100%. I'm very happy that I've got the first edition. The artwork just looks better and feels more FUN and quirky, also.
It's Kraken, not Cthulu.
another +1 for the old art, and no kraken?!?!? blasphemy!!!
I could never buy this "upgrade" because I hate the art work change.
great review..'LE-THAR-GIC"..not lethargetic.lol..just sayin.
Much like the new Carcassonne artwork (but not as bad) as the new Carcassonne artwork has made me and others not buy extra expansions as a) they don;t match the old artwork and b) the new artwork looks really childish...and the new King of Tokyo seems to have gone the in the same direction in its own way.
I have only one thing to say about the 2nd edition art: MEH!!!
they removed the Gamera refrence on "friend to all children"?! BOOOO!
I'm with you man this games has now lost me.
...yeah not sold on this one. I really like the cartoon artwork and it fits the game better than this 3D stuff. I get why they had to do this though...
old boxcover >>>>>> this new cover
You never HAVE to do something. I think it's all about saving money.
+Basti V Yeah no, they had to make new artwork for the mobile app. And to have some continuity between the app and their physical game. They release KoT2.0
The new art is far more generic. Eh.
Don't like the new artwork. No matter why they changed it, app oder liscence problems. I don't cara. The old artwork fits ten times better cause it's more cartoony. They really exchanged the best monsters Kraken & Cyber Bunny???? This edition is a really bad joke.... it's sad.
this is really a trashy upgrade of the original. they literally made all the monsters Humanoid.