Funny turn of events as it was your watch it played video that first got me interested in this, and only came here too see a perspective that I tend to disagree with as balance.
I went into this review thinking "probably not for me, but I really enjoy No Pun Included reviews, so I'll give it a go"... By the end I found myself reaching for my credit card. Thank you for once again getting me interested in a game I wouldn't have glanced at, if it weren't for you!
Jeff Buckley *and* a Good Place reference? You've outdone yourselves, E & E. Agree about Ian O'Toole's artwork; and Elaine's B roll of the "moving" train was worth inclusion as well. Everything you mentioned--how the game can get wonky, how one cube can totally change the game state, how it's challenging and amazingly FUN--is right on. Thank you again
First off, kudos on the use of "punts" for the currency...even though I think its set pre-1920s and still using pounds at that time. Very fun game overall, trying to pick the right time to invest in a well performing line is tough as the more expensive shares at the end of the game may not pay for themselves if a lot of people inflate the cost, very tricky balancing act. Game I played must have been a mathematical unicorn, though, as we pulled a white, pink and black cube for dividends every single time so every line was paying out every time.
Efka and Elaine, great review. I finally played this last night with two other players and we surprisingly loved it. Your review fit our play of the game to a T. Fun, competitive, humorous, yet a little predictable by the end. But to me, a great addition to my train game collection.
I'll be damn. It's Jeff Buckley's Grace at 0:55... My most listened to album of all time. I have it in my car and drive to work while listening to it every day. Here, have my like. How can you be even more amazing?
Great review, looks like my sort of game and wasn’t even on my radar before (also the nerd in me loves that, unlike SU&SD, you know the difference between ‘less’ and ‘fewer...)
Thanks so much for this review!!! Just wondering if you've previewed Iberian Gauge and whether you have any thoughts on it? Trying to decide between the two. =)
Hey, thanks for the review! I was looking at the gorgeous artwork thinking what a shame I don't want to play a huge an overcomplicated train game... and it turns out it might be something for our group? Great!
I definitely share your sentiment (I have almost only non-USA maps in TTR). But I can also understand that the board game producers want to represent their country. And with many board game producers being American, it's understandable that most of the board games with real world maps have America
@@Daye04 There's nothing wrong with making what you know, having experience bias. But this isn't political or even geographical. What a silly shape for so many games to have to balance and build around! What a tired restriction! Glad to see *checks map* Ireland for a change.
@@Daye04 I never said it was wrong. It's uninspired and overdone. If people want to keep doing it they should, but I'm much happier to see some creativity, and that's all I meant by it.
Ooo, first! Also, a good game. Bought it as soon as I saw it in the shop :) Wasn't even that expensive :) But definitely takes more than one play for people to start realising how to play it well.
18xx games are the one genre I have yet to try out but I've been holding off since my group still leans towards medium and light games. Seems like this game was made to reel us in!
First off, kudos on all of the music easter eggs. Love trying to figure out the album covers! I had to putt some Jeff Buckley on post-review! And second, Efka, you seem to either have lost some hair or weight, or both? Looking good my friend! Me thinks its time to take a queue from you and get my jogs on tomorrow....board games *alone* arent going to get that jiggle off my torso! TO ARMS!
Thanks, it was a fun watch, though I still don't understand how it works* :D You might also check out two other games from the same designer Northern Pacific - that kicks out all those train-themed Tickets to Ride and rides its own way far beyond. It's dirty cheap and provides heaps of fun, while being one of the simplest train games out there. And definitely check out Soo Line - later take from Tom Russel on train games, this time published directly by his tiny (and awesome, I can't recommend enough to check Table Battles ;) ) publishing company. Soo Line is as simple, has no randomness past setup and provides a lot of cutthroat fun for 3-5 players. *and I have played my share of cube rails games ^^' though the fun part is what is important and I was going to buy Irish Gauge any way :D
Have each player take two positions (or player colors, if you will). Keep all money and shares separate for the four colors. Lowest of your two end-game scores is your final score.
I am a Cube Rail fan. And I think Irish Gauge is different enough taste to have it along with Chicago Express. I mean, if most board gamers can justify their 20 different Euros, same goes to trains 👍
Got thrown by the slight colour change of the text in the thumbnail/lack of dropshadow for this one, thought it must have been an early NPI video at first
I can only admit that buying a toy based on an intellectual property created by an author with strong conservative views didn't feel entirely savoury... But, I do get to pass it on to a friend who has a child who's very excited about trains.
Interesting. Since I Own Age of Steam I do wonder if investment would make sense, I guess it is a shorter, more "wilder" auction and shares experience but do I need another train game when I have 100 other ones and Ticket to ride + Age of Steam. Probably not
@@NoPunIncluded Thanks and I agree from what I have seen. However in this day and era if I have three games about cooking, even if they are different by experience they are still three games about cooking. And there are so many games out there. :)
Loki Hve For us it’s about diversity in difficulty and play styles. We only break out TtR for the all-new or very young gamers (8 yo), then there’s Irish Gauge, then Paris Connection (maybe switch those two), then Chicago Express, German Railways, then AoS, then 18XX. Several good games in between those, too.
@@NoPunIncludedOh sure, leave it to the publisher to put accurate information on the game box. Good to confirm. I think I would enjoy this game, but since 90% of my gaming is 2 player, I have to be selective when purchasing games that don't play well or regular at that count. Thanks for the great content.
I feel a strange simpatico with you guys. BTW Can i show you my demo for the next amazing game... SIMPATICO? Just kidding I'm the; "It's All Fun and Games Until the Moon Hatches" guy. Can I show you that one?
![ทุกครั้งที่หลับตา (Lucid Dream) - AYLA's [ Official MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4i1OBAQyv58/mqdefault.jpg)
Good to see you two in a video again! It was great as usual!
+1 for The Good Place reference.
A delightful review, as ever!
Funny turn of events as it was your watch it played video that first got me interested in this, and only came here too see a perspective that I tend to disagree with as balance.
@@BreezingThrou It's a small world!
No, YOU'RE delightful.
I went into this review thinking "probably not for me, but I really enjoy No Pun Included reviews, so I'll give it a go"... By the end I found myself reaching for my credit card. Thank you for once again getting me interested in a game I wouldn't have glanced at, if it weren't for you!
Jeff Buckley *and* a Good Place reference? You've outdone yourselves, E & E. Agree about Ian O'Toole's artwork; and Elaine's B roll of the "moving" train was worth inclusion as well. Everything you mentioned--how the game can get wonky, how one cube can totally change the game state, how it's challenging and amazingly FUN--is right on. Thank you again
I despise train games and still watched this review all the way through. You two are delightful.
First off, kudos on the use of "punts" for the currency...even though I think its set pre-1920s and still using pounds at that time.
Very fun game overall, trying to pick the right time to invest in a well performing line is tough as the more expensive shares at the end of the game may not pay for themselves if a lot of people inflate the cost, very tricky balancing act. Game I played must have been a mathematical unicorn, though, as we pulled a white, pink and black cube for dividends every single time so every line was paying out every time.
I mean, that's just a part of the fun of this game, isn't it?
Efka and Elaine, great review. I finally played this last night with two other players and we surprisingly loved it. Your review fit our play of the game to a T. Fun, competitive, humorous, yet a little predictable by the end. But to me, a great addition to my train game collection.
Margaret is the worst. The art is also quite functional. I have been living in Ireland for 3 years and finally learned where Cork is.
I'll be damn. It's Jeff Buckley's Grace at 0:55... My most listened to album of all time. I have it in my car and drive to work while listening to it every day.
Here, have my like.
How can you be even more amazing?
I know right! Came here to issue kudos for exactly this. So impressed!
possibly the best video yet... renowned philosopher the good place. Ha! And you were so close on pronouncing Punt!
+1 for the "Punt" reference. Between this and knowing who Jim Fitzpatrick was in your Inis review ye're now my go to reviewers for Irish Themed games!
I thought these videos were no pun included!
Pickle me timbers he's right!
I feel wool muddled and swaddlecocked!
Are we all just agreeing to ignore the line "Who wants to be stuck in the caboose for an hour?" and Elaine's reaction to it at 13:11?
Love that NPI gives attention to the games that sometimes slip through the cracks. Thanks guys 🤗
Efka, atrodai gerai! Thanks for another review. You guys got me into this hobby. :)
Thumbs up for Elaine calling Efka an idiot in the intro. Great job, as always!
Brilliant - thank you :) Lots of energy with both of you involved :D
Great review, looks like my sort of game and wasn’t even on my radar before (also the nerd in me loves that, unlike SU&SD, you know the difference between ‘less’ and ‘fewer...)
Yes! Less & fewer - my current spoken english gripe (amongst others!). Well spotted. 👍
Thanks so much for this review!!! Just wondering if you've previewed Iberian Gauge and whether you have any thoughts on it? Trying to decide between the two. =)
Hey, thanks for the review! I was looking at the gorgeous artwork thinking what a shame I don't want to play a huge an overcomplicated train game... and it turns out it might be something for our group? Great!
I love the simplicity of winsome game rules and components
Top Elaine content!
That was a brilliant trundle through Irish Gauge so much so I'm going to buy it today!
Thank God! A game where the map isn't the USA!
Not very MAGA of you
I definitely share your sentiment (I have almost only non-USA maps in TTR). But I can also understand that the board game producers want to represent their country. And with many board game producers being American, it's understandable that most of the board games with real world maps have America
@@Daye04 There's nothing wrong with making what you know, having experience bias.
But this isn't political or even geographical. What a silly shape for so many games to have to balance and build around! What a tired restriction!
Glad to see *checks map* Ireland for a change.
I know. I'm telling you why so many do, and why there's nothing wrong with people wanting to make maps of USA
@@Daye04 I never said it was wrong. It's uninspired and overdone. If people want to keep doing it they should, but I'm much happier to see some creativity, and that's all I meant by it.
0:43 God bless you.
Hahaha yes I also was like "don't say it! "
"I'm listening!"
the comedic timing is just *chef kiss*
Ooo, first! Also, a good game. Bought it as soon as I saw it in the shop :) Wasn't even that expensive :) But definitely takes more than one play for people to start realising how to play it well.
Well, first on my screen at least 🙄
18xx games are the one genre I have yet to try out but I've been holding off since my group still leans towards medium and light games. Seems like this game was made to reel us in!
Wardrobe for this video was superb.
First off, kudos on all of the music easter eggs. Love trying to figure out the album covers! I had to putt some Jeff Buckley on post-review! And second, Efka, you seem to either have lost some hair or weight, or both? Looking good my friend! Me thinks its time to take a queue from you and get my jogs on tomorrow....board games *alone* arent going to get that jiggle off my torso! TO ARMS!
Thanks, it was a fun watch, though I still don't understand how it works* :D
You might also check out two other games from the same designer Northern Pacific - that kicks out all those train-themed Tickets to Ride and rides its own way far beyond. It's dirty cheap and provides heaps of fun, while being one of the simplest train games out there.
And definitely check out Soo Line - later take from Tom Russel on train games, this time published directly by his tiny (and awesome, I can't recommend enough to check Table Battles ;) ) publishing company.
Soo Line is as simple, has no randomness past setup and provides a lot of cutthroat fun for 3-5 players.
*and I have played my share of cube rails games ^^' though the fun part is what is important and I was going to buy Irish Gauge any way :D
Compared to Chicago Express, which one is better? I do really like Chicago.
The candle for Francis was a nice touch.
Well I also chuckled at the end, the train is moving, he.
How does it play at 2-players? Love the idea of train/stocks but mostly only play 2, and recommendations?
It does not. Player count 3-5 :(
Have each player take two positions (or player colors, if you will). Keep all money and shares separate for the four colors. Lowest of your two end-game scores is your final score.
had to chuckle at 11:28. The funny (or shrewdly calculated) bit is that 1846 is actually one of the better looking 18xx titles...
Another Good Place reference... I see you're hooked... Too!
Great video! Also, great camera! May I ask what you're shooting on?
Panasonic Lumix GH5
are there plans for a board reprint/proper gluing?
I want an Ameritrash train game, where you can blow up your opponents' tracks with battle mechs.
Seems to have a little "Chicago Express" in it. Might be a good pick-up. Thanks.
It’s really good. Sort of a lighter, less mean CE.
koomo801 I too immediately thought of CE
I like the prospect of Chicago Express with a little randomness thrown in to prevent it from being completely calculable.
I am a Cube Rail fan. And I think Irish Gauge is different enough taste to have it along with Chicago Express. I mean, if most board gamers can justify their 20 different Euros, same goes to trains 👍
We thought German Railways was fun but the income and share tracker was hard to keep track of and the rules had some vagaries.
Wonderful performance and explanation👍👍👍
You get a like & subscribe based on the power of your good place reference alone. Well played
Perfectly delivered "You're an idiot". Bravo! Oh, and the video was great too 👍
I appreciate the Jeff Buckley photo bomb.
Got thrown by the slight colour change of the text in the thumbnail/lack of dropshadow for this one, thought it must have been an early NPI video at first
1830 is one of my favorites
The most important question is why do you have what seems to be new Thomas the Tank Engine play set?
I can only admit that buying a toy based on an intellectual property created by an author with strong conservative views didn't feel entirely savoury... But, I do get to pass it on to a friend who has a child who's very excited about trains.
Which one better Irish gauge or Chicago express?
Chicago Express has sharper edges but no randomness. But both are excellent game.
Oh hey Jeff.
Interesting. Since I Own Age of Steam I do wonder if investment would make sense, I guess it is a shorter, more "wilder" auction and shares experience but do I need another train game when I have 100 other ones and Ticket to ride + Age of Steam. Probably not
I'm not going to overencourage you but I'd like to emphasize that Irish Gauge is a very different experience from either of those.
@@NoPunIncluded Thanks and I agree from what I have seen. However in this day and era if I have three games about cooking, even if they are different by experience they are still three games about cooking. And there are so many games out there. :)
Loki Hve For us it’s about diversity in difficulty and play styles. We only break out TtR for the all-new or very young gamers (8 yo), then there’s Irish Gauge, then Paris Connection (maybe switch those two), then Chicago Express, German Railways, then AoS, then 18XX. Several good games in between those, too.
Was on the edge of subscribing. Then saw Jeff Buckley 👌
Thanks for the reviews
Please make a review of warrior Knights, I would love to see your thoughts on that mean awesome game 😈
What happened to your scythe review? I can't find it.
If you navigate to our channel page, you'll find out "old videos" playlist. You can find it there.
Where is Efka from? Its breaking my brain trying to place the hint of an accent he has
i believe lithuania
I like Margaret. She plays the game correctly.
Lot of Jeff Buckley cameos. I approve.
I was lost after a few minutes of rules lol.
Watch it played as great rule explanation.
This is like SU&SD. But more interested in the game than in entertainment and contrarian views. Well done!
I heard this game does not do well with 2 players. Your thoughts?
You're right. It doesn't. That's why it says 3-5 players on the box and in the rules ;)
@@NoPunIncludedOh sure, leave it to the publisher to put accurate information on the game box. Good to confirm. I think I would enjoy this game, but since 90% of my gaming is 2 player, I have to be selective when purchasing games that don't play well or regular at that count. Thanks for the great content.
I feel a strange simpatico with you guys.
BTW
Can i show you my demo for the next amazing game... SIMPATICO?
Just kidding I'm the; "It's All Fun and Games Until the Moon Hatches" guy.
Can I show you that one?
punts are pre Euro... 1999 i think
Hallelujah!
I LOVE TRAIN GAMES!
Jeff Buckley!!!
Fantastic game.
‘Maths’ - fixed.
I’m gonna let you in on a little secret: you’re not required to finish games, especially if you know someone has already won.
Gauge was a big disappointment for me, much too light to get any fun. Played Soo line last weekend, much much better.
I like both games, but I agree that I'm more inclined to want to play around with Soo Line more. More odd edges.
such a monster putting that train on its head around 4:00
BESSIE!!!
Elaine will you make a song with Ellen Kirby ? :D
What exactly is this weird faces thumbnail thing all about?
This guy reminds me of Andre the Giant in princess bride a bit - interesting accent :)
20 poons?
Where'd the rest of Efka go? Looking trim
Choo
Punts should be pronounced with a harder U, like c*nts. Sorry to use profanity