I feel like limited communication is such a good tool for limiting the whole problem of the best player trying to play the game for all of the other players, and this sounds fantastic. Good to hear that it holds up so well, will definately be getting this later.
Phew... When you buy a game without watching The Dice Tower review and stumble upon this review when looking for a how-to-play video and find out its one Tom's best game... Good investment! Lol! Cannot wait to try it now!
Thank you for this helpful video tutorial! If anyone is really short on time and is already familiar with card games using tricks and trump cards, here's the basic game play described in exactly 100 words: Complete each mission by helping all players acquire specific assigned cards or “tasks” (four colors X numbered 1 through 9) by winning tricks containing assigned task. All large “playing cards” are dealt to players. Deal X number of “task cards” in center. Players circle to pick tasks. Player with Black4 trump card (1 of 4 trumps) picks and plays first card. Players can “radio” to reveal one card as their highest or lowest card of that color, or only card of that color. The number of tasks, player-task assignments, task sequence, and radio access vary by mission (50 in all).
I bought and played this game today for the first time before watching this review and coincidentally had a similar experience to Tom’s. My in-laws had SUCH a hard time resisting their urge to play competitively. It took them at least four or five missions to even start cooperating. Haha!
The first guide that s so simple and understanding. I thought this game is hard because the rules wasn't so clear. Thank you for sharing and making it simple.
I’m not a fan at all of co-op games like Pandemic. That being said, when I was a kid I spent many hours with my grandmother and aunt and uncle playing euchre - a trick taking card game and when playing with 4 people you could play with 2 teams and work together to take the tricks. I really enjoyed it when we did this and it was fun to try and ‘flush’ out high cards so you could lead with a lower trump card to win the trick. The only problem would be (because you shouldn’t use ‘table talk’) you might accidentally flush out and waste one of your partners good cards. The Crew seems to have modernised euchre and expanded it with the missions and communication discs. I’m also a sucker for space themes so I think this one will be going on my wish list for 2020 🙂
Got it on Amazon for $10 with their “Black Friday” deal. I have never played a “trick taking” game and I feel like I wouldn’t like them. BUT! With everyone going crazy over it and the price, which was a no-brainer, I figured it’s the best trick taking pool to dip my toe in!
This is a fantastic game! I´m super happy, Tom likes it that much. It´s rare that such a simple little game gets that much buzz between all those gigantic Euro games and the miniature abundance, but it totally lives up to it. Great game! Tom is right, get it!
When you list similar classic trick-takers, bridge should be at the very top, because bridge is all about that deduction amidst limited communication (though with two teams of two, not full coop). Bridge is definitely dated and has a punishing learning curve, but it sounds like this game will be amazing for bridge lovers. I’ll be sure to bring it up at my next bridge meet-up!
I'm not Tom, but I got through 27 a couple months ago. It's amazing. I spent like 6 hours playing it over a weekend with three different groups of people.
It is good for 2, especially to learn it properly. It’s a lot easier then 3 or more, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy when you hit lvl 30 and beyond... 😅 Me and wife love it at two! 🤗
Thank you for sharing this! I love trick taking, it's probably my favorite mechanism. This sounds absolutely fantastic! I do worry that this will help everyone else become better at trick taking, so I won't win as often.😉
I played this game with my family. We had a blast. My oldest son drew commander four times in a row and we lost every mission. On the fifth go round we beat the mission and everyone threw their cards in the air in celebration. Honestly the most fun I have had with game in some time.
Is it just me that just cannot grasp the pull of this game I hear all this good stuff but as I learn the mechanics I just don’t see the fun anywhere, comment if you disagree and why I’m intrigued
There is actually a new game term at our table. Every coop-gamer nows his or her alpha gamer. In The Crew there is definitively (and often changing) - THE OMEGA PLAYER Who obviously messes it up for everybody.
I played this recently at a board game meetup and was very curious for your reaction. I was kinda worried that you would find it too simple and themeless to like it, glad to see you enjoy it too.
wow, i don't think i've heard much bad about this game. I hope they're able to do a good production run and meet the demand. Would love to be able to play this game with my family over christmas.
One of the great mysteries...people that don't like cooperative games. I don't get it. I've never had more joy than when a group of my friends win something together.
@@michaeldallavalle372 I am also not a fan of cooperative games, but love trick taking games. I played this with four others (new friends) at the Essen Preview Night and was shocked at how much I enjoyed it. I am hoping to pick it up (sold out everywhere I look here in Germany) although not sure if I can get my family in to it. They also don't like cooperative games.
I would think yes, assuming you're wary of coops due to people who alpha game. You *can't* in this. I know it seems weird, but I liken this to an escape room. You are presented with a puzzle and you have to solve it as a group.
Q: If you want to send four people into space, what should you make sure to bring? [Read more] [Read more] [Read more] [Read more] A: four suits and a rocket
I played this at the Essen Preview Night (with four 'new friends') and was shocked at how much I enjoyed it. Especially as I don't generally enjoy cooperative games. So is this Vasel's Second Law, "A game's release date is relative to the country in which you live"? I have been feeling guilty about calling Sprawlopolis one of my favourite games of 2019, because it was officially released in the U.S. in 2018. No more! It was officially released in Europe in 2019. "Sprawlopolis" one of the best games of 2019!* *See Vasel's Second Law
I generally completely avoid trick-taking games, as I just am not a fan... I never grew up playing them and have no love for them. That being said... I played a few hands of this and had a great time! Yeah... I am sure I was the weak player at the table, but we did fine. Great game! And that is coming from someone who had to have their arm twisted to play it. lol
Once you get a couple missions into it and realize a couple things that reviews and rulebooks can't communicate, you get addicted. The board game weekend I attended in November had every single person that played it craving for more.
The mechanics seem to be based off an old Bavarian cardgame called Schafkopf. Really great card game that, with the variants, aka Spiele, can be very interesting.
Since no one answered you, a trick taking game is like “spades” or “hearts” where you have to play a certain card at a certain time to win the hand. Personally I can’t stand that style of game. Never liked those cars games. So the crew is a terrible fit for me. I think I am the only person on the planet who actively hates this game.
R Beriault My guess would be Point Salad. I think I’ve heard him say that he’s played a ton of that game on either the Top 10 Surprises or Top 10 Games of 2019. I could be wrong, but that’s my recollection.
fav game of the year, either he had very low standards that year, or not much came out... Only reason I clicked on this was I was hoping it had something to do with that old point and click adventure PC game 'The Dig' as the covers looked similar, o well.
Everyone has their tastes. When it was pitched to me a couple months ago, I heard "cooperative trick taking game" and said "say no more, I want to play". It is so much fun.
This is a group puzzle solve, and it plays so well. The feeling of beating a round when you think there's no chance is exhilarating. And yes, I know...it shouldn't feel that way.
Gees. I like trick taking but not coop. I really wanted to like this but it lost me at this person has to do this first and then the next person can do their part. Too fiddly for me. Thanks for explaining!
I feel like limited communication is such a good tool for limiting the whole problem of the best player trying to play the game for all of the other players, and this sounds fantastic. Good to hear that it holds up so well, will definately be getting this later.
"If I considered this a 2019 game, this would be my favorite game of the year!" Wauw. Didn't see that coming.
every game is his most "favorite"game :)
SauerGustavo hehe how’s 2020 so far? :p
@@SauerGustavo It was his #1 of 2020 too? And it just won the whole DT GOTY. Guess that year sucked to?
Phew... When you buy a game without watching The Dice Tower review and stumble upon this review when looking for a how-to-play video and find out its one Tom's best game... Good investment! Lol! Cannot wait to try it now!
Thank you for this helpful video tutorial! If anyone is really short on time and is already familiar with card games using tricks and trump cards, here's the basic game play described in exactly 100 words:
Complete each mission by helping all players acquire specific assigned cards or “tasks” (four colors X numbered 1 through 9) by winning tricks containing assigned task.
All large “playing cards” are dealt to players. Deal X number of “task cards” in center. Players circle to pick tasks.
Player with Black4 trump card (1 of 4 trumps) picks and plays first card.
Players can “radio” to reveal one card as their highest or lowest card of that color, or only card of that color.
The number of tasks, player-task assignments, task sequence, and radio access vary by mission (50 in all).
That is the most excited I've ever seen Tom. : )
The last time I saw Tom this excited it was about Monopoly... except that it wasn't about how much he liked the game.
I completely agree. This has been my favorite as well as my most played game of the year. It worked well with gamers and with the family.
I really enjoy this as a 2 player. Jarvis is a great gaming mechanic
I was wondering if this game was good at 2. Thank you
I played this the other day for the first time and it's EXCELLENT.
Not gonna lie, I love how Tom’s style pops, he leans into it!
Wowsers, that's a glowing review. I'm definitely getting this one now. Spades is my favorite card game so this looks ideal for me.
You *will* love it.
I bought and played this game today for the first time before watching this review and coincidentally had a similar experience to Tom’s. My in-laws had SUCH a hard time resisting their urge to play competitively. It took them at least four or five missions to even start cooperating. Haha!
I love this! Thank you Tom for this electrifying awesome review! Gonna play it now!
The first guide that s so simple and understanding. I thought this game is hard because the rules wasn't so clear. Thank you for sharing and making it simple.
You know and love 500 as the greatest card game of all time, NOW IS SPACE!
I’m not a fan at all of co-op games like Pandemic. That being said, when I was a kid I spent many hours with my grandmother and aunt and uncle playing euchre - a trick taking card game and when playing with 4 people you could play with 2 teams and work together to take the tricks. I really enjoyed it when we did this and it was fun to try and ‘flush’ out high cards so you could lead with a lower trump card to win the trick. The only problem would be (because you shouldn’t use ‘table talk’) you might accidentally flush out and waste one of your partners good cards. The Crew seems to have modernised euchre and expanded it with the missions and communication discs. I’m also a sucker for space themes so I think this one will be going on my wish list for 2020 🙂
Got it on Amazon for $10 with their “Black Friday” deal. I have never played a “trick taking” game and I feel like I wouldn’t like them. BUT! With everyone going crazy over it and the price, which was a no-brainer, I figured it’s the best trick taking pool to dip my toe in!
It's 5$, 2021 this is posted before Black Friday, but assume that's the same sale. Bought it blind and now excited after this review.
Bought this for 5$ on Amazon today
also, Tom Vasel prophetic right here, people... he knew that the Kennerspiel des Jahres was on the way...
me during the first 4 minutes: oh it's hearts...
me during the last 4 minutes: hearts + co-op + deduction = *mind blown*
This is a fantastic game! I´m super happy, Tom likes it that much. It´s rare that such a simple little game gets that much buzz between all those gigantic Euro games and the miniature abundance, but it totally lives up to it. Great game! Tom is right, get it!
So it's basically Spades but in space? With Missions?
I was thinking euchre, with missions somehow, when euchre is already a great game
When you list similar classic trick-takers, bridge should be at the very top, because bridge is all about that deduction amidst limited communication (though with two teams of two, not full coop). Bridge is definitely dated and has a punishing learning curve, but it sounds like this game will be amazing for bridge lovers. I’ll be sure to bring it up at my next bridge meet-up!
This is like The Mind and Hanabi had a baby...
Wifey just bought this for me! Somehow I had never seen this review. Stoked!
What's the highest level you've reached? Just curious
I'm not Tom, but I got through 27 a couple months ago. It's amazing. I spent like 6 hours playing it over a weekend with three different groups of people.
@@noturllikeorphonenumberlike That's awesome!
I got to play this just after Essen, and it is every bit as excellent as you say.
So, you reckon I should try this?
Is it good for 2 players?
It's 3-5
Rule book has a variation for 2 players. You have to add an AI named JARVIS into the mix.
It is good for 2, especially to learn it properly. It’s a lot easier then 3 or more, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy when you hit lvl 30 and beyond... 😅 Me and wife love it at two! 🤗
Can you decide to play a rocket even if you have color cards to follow suit?
Thank you for sharing this! I love trick taking, it's probably my favorite mechanism. This sounds absolutely fantastic! I do worry that this will help everyone else become better at trick taking, so I won't win as often.😉
I played this game with my family. We had a blast. My oldest son drew commander four times in a row and we lost every mission. On the fifth go round we beat the mission and everyone threw their cards in the air in celebration. Honestly the most fun I have had with game in some time.
Is it just me that just cannot grasp the pull of this game I hear all this good stuff but as I learn the mechanics I just don’t see the fun anywhere, comment if you disagree and why I’m intrigued
100% I just ordered this game so I can find out if I’m right, or wrong.
I do like a good trick-taking game and I'm always looking for games like this one.
Heh, I'm usually the one wrecking the game for my table. I love this game a lot.
mindblown when tom said its his favourite game for 2019
There is actually a new game term at our table. Every coop-gamer nows his or her alpha gamer.
In The Crew there is definitively (and often changing) - THE OMEGA PLAYER
Who obviously messes it up for everybody.
Next on my pile of games to play. Now, I am even more excited
is there a solo variant for this game?
no official one, but a fan made one is available on BGG: boardgamegeek.com/filepage/190857/solo-running
Hmm ... I wonder if Tom likes this game.
I have a small collection, under 50. Tom made me buy this game 😎🤣😎
Haha he called it The Mind at one point. It sort of is
I heard "Have you played the mind?" As a way to liken the crew to the mind to entice him to play it.. maybe im hearing things
so spades but based on one person winning specific hands?
Many examples in the coments. This game is basically Brisca for me, which makes sense why everyone love it so much.
Bought this a couple of weeks ago from EMEA and downloaded the English rules from BGG. LOVE IT!
Sounds a bit like Hanabi, am I right?
That is insanely high praise!
I heard about this first on Hooked on Geek and they were just as excited. I will be adding this to my collection.
This is an evolution of The Mind, if you think....
ordered before i even finished the review :)
I hope they do a large first print run of The Crew in English, because I need four of them - one for myself and three for presents!
I played this recently at a board game meetup and was very curious for your reaction. I was kinda worried that you would find it too simple and themeless to like it, glad to see you enjoy it too.
this game sounds amazing. i want a spy retheme though lol
Just pre-orded it !!
It's Wizard with a logbook
Bought it yesterday, because some german youtuber said it might be a contender for next "Spiel des Jahres." Now I'm even more excited to try it.
wow, i don't think i've heard much bad about this game. I hope they're able to do a good production run and meet the demand. Would love to be able to play this game with my family over christmas.
Is similar to the Portuguese game "Sueca" but with objectives
Adding this to my list. Thanks, Tom.
So, I like trick taking games but I don't like cooperatives. Am I gonna like it?
One of the great mysteries...people that don't like cooperative games. I don't get it. I've never had more joy than when a group of my friends win something together.
@@michaeldallavalle372 I am also not a fan of cooperative games, but love trick taking games. I played this with four others (new friends) at the Essen Preview Night and was shocked at how much I enjoyed it. I am hoping to pick it up (sold out everywhere I look here in Germany) although not sure if I can get my family in to it. They also don't like cooperative games.
I would think yes, assuming you're wary of coops due to people who alpha game. You *can't* in this. I know it seems weird, but I liken this to an escape room. You are presented with a puzzle and you have to solve it as a group.
@@noturllikeorphonenumberlike and @ Kirk W.: thank you for your answers. Then I will wait till the reprint.
Merry Christmas
Ingo Schilling I am also awaiting the reprint. Once I decided I needed it, it was sold out everywhere.
Q: If you want to send four people into space, what should you make sure to bring?
[Read more]
[Read more]
[Read more]
[Read more]
A: four suits and a rocket
Ha!
No sabias que abia otro de autos
This sounds like Whist with extra steps.
just when i was thinking i wanted a trick taking game to play during christmas. perfect
I played this at the Essen Preview Night (with four 'new friends') and was shocked at how much I enjoyed it. Especially as I don't generally enjoy cooperative games.
So is this Vasel's Second Law, "A game's release date is relative to the country in which you live"? I have been feeling guilty about calling Sprawlopolis one of my favourite games of 2019, because it was officially released in the U.S. in 2018. No more! It was officially released in Europe in 2019.
"Sprawlopolis" one of the best games of 2019!*
*See Vasel's Second Law
I generally completely avoid trick-taking games, as I just am not a fan... I never grew up playing them and have no love for them. That being said... I played a few hands of this and had a great time! Yeah... I am sure I was the weak player at the table, but we did fine. Great game! And that is coming from someone who had to have their arm twisted to play it. lol
So this is semi coop hearts/bridge?? Why is this so popular???
This is what i thought The Mind was supposed to be
Considering this is a game about "who has the biggest rocket?" 10/10 is kind of huge ;)
7:24 Um wow.
Looks like a great quick coop filler, happy to add that option in my collection!
Oh well. I’m getting it.
I think he liked it...
😉😁😁
How did you figured that out? 😏
I like the game but the only con is that sometimes you play with people who blames a player for not playing the right move.
Player problem... not the games fault.
I don't understand why everyone is so hyped about and have such a great opinion of a variant of basicaly Hearts game... O.o
Once you get a couple missions into it and realize a couple things that reviews and rulebooks can't communicate, you get addicted. The board game weekend I attended in November had every single person that played it craving for more.
Tom Reminds me of Quentin Tarantino
Ahhhh...how so?
Damn, should've bought it when it was widely available here just a week ago.
I have the game and realized i can show people how to play with a deck of UNO cards few mods but basically its playable
Shame there’s no solo
This game reminds me a game called hearts
The mechanics seem to be based off an old Bavarian cardgame called Schafkopf. Really great card game that, with the variants, aka Spiele, can be very interesting.
Sooo Euchre with more complications lol
Non game board player - "wtf is trick taking, some sort of pimp simulator?"
All my aunts and uncles and basically anyone in my family knows what trick taking is, which is why this is such an accessible game for so many people
Since no one answered you, a trick taking game is like “spades” or “hearts” where you have to play a certain card at a certain time to win the hand. Personally I can’t stand that style of game. Never liked those cars games. So the crew is a terrible fit for me. I think I am the only person on the planet who actively hates this game.
g8kpr3000 I'm not the non board game player, I invented one for my joke.
What is the other game you played the most? dont leave us on a cliffhanger like that lol
R Beriault My guess would be Point Salad. I think I’ve heard him say that he’s played a ton of that game on either the Top 10 Surprises or Top 10 Games of 2019. I could be wrong, but that’s my recollection.
This my most meeeh game i have ever played...
Ok….
Have absolute zero idea why this game was hyped and now ranked so high on BGG
The hype is real - the question is, does it live up to the hype?
This is just euchre with a twist
Well .... no. You must not have actually played it.
Umm... This is basically Euchre with a space theme.
Is Euchre a co-op game?
@@Frostation No, but for some reason, the original poster was intent on being negative.
This is hearts, isn’t it?
fav game of the year, either he had very low standards that year, or not much came out... Only reason I clicked on this was I was hoping it had something to do with that old point and click adventure PC game 'The Dig' as the covers looked similar, o well.
So because your strange specific expectation wasn’t met, Tom must have low standards? Not everything is about you 😂
I don't see where the game is in this
thus is basically a reskin of ther persian playing card game called hokm.😂😂😂
Yeah it's a coop hokm 😂
Doesnt seem that interesting in all honesty
Everyone has their tastes. When it was pitched to me a couple months ago, I heard "cooperative trick taking game" and said "say no more, I want to play". It is so much fun.
This game is boring as hell, if you like to reshuffle your deck once per minute and play for 10 seconds this is the game for you.
I don't understand the appeal of trick-takers when we have SO MANY good games that have more interesting choices to make.
This is a group puzzle solve, and it plays so well. The feeling of beating a round when you think there's no chance is exhilarating. And yes, I know...it shouldn't feel that way.
Gees. I like trick taking but not coop. I really wanted to like this but it lost me at this person has to do this first and then the next person can do their part. Too fiddly for me. Thanks for explaining!
got excited it when tom said he considered it as his fave game of the year, then i remember that it's a cooperative game. pass.
Game of Hearts with an additional objective. Seriously?
Isn't this just a direct rip off of the game hearts that you play with a normal deck of cards?
It is from the same trick-taking game genre as hearts but very different and much more complex....and cooperative
So it's basically just a glorified card game?
Yes. Like every card game.
First comment !!!!