I still cannot understand why they thought trading spices would be a better theme than collecting Golems. This theme is more likely to get non-gamers to try and buy it, it appeals to children too.
I have the spice edition, and I've seen people get interested in it simply because it has an historical premise (especially the first one -- I've seen people's eyes light up when I mention Marco Polo). While I understand the fact that the shiny gemstones are more appealing than the wooden cubes, and that some people may prefer the fantasy artwork, talking theme alone, I've seen more people get excited over historical themes than fantasy themes.
@@Haldurson Fair enough. I'm glad the theme appeals to your friends 🙂 The reason I like Golem edition more is because the art keeps non-gamers, young people and fantasy fans interested, curious to see what other Golems may be revealed and even requesting to play it on future game nights! The gameplay, as you know, keeps those interested in the mechanics or the competition invested. Spice Road, for me and many others I've met, has such a bland aesthetic and boring theme that I know I'd struggle to get anyone from the local community to play. I like history. But I prefer to experience it from books, tours or documentaries. And on the very rare occasion I enjoy a board game with an historical theme, I need it to be much more thematic. Perhaps with some flavour text eg 1066, Tears to Many Mothers or Black Orchestra As for trading spices, I could literally set up a spice business at the local markets. I can't trade Golems 😆
I was told that Century: Spice Road sells far better in Europe, while Golem sells far better in North America. I personally am tired of the "trading in the Mediterranean" themed games. It's dull, and they just keep using that theme. But I guess the opposite to that boredom, is people who find that familiar and enjoy it.
Funny, I seem to be in the minority in that I really like the Spice Road theming. I've now got all three games and I have to say that it is a great idea being able to mix and match these games. Effectively you are getting SEVEN different games! Sure, they all play in a similar manner, but that just makes getting into them easier.
I agree with you that I like the original better. And I'm not sure that you are in the minority -- It's the hype train that Plan B managed to create by releasing a Golem edition and then claiming that they had no plans to create a sequel to it. It generated a whole lot of talk. But keep in mind that it was primarily the people who already had bought the Golem edition or who were wanting to buy it who were speaking out, creating the illusion that it was what the majority wanted, thus creating even more hype. But not everyone prefers a fantasy theme to an historical theme. And those of us who already owned the original were sitting with friends enjoying it, not contributing much to that hype, not posting messages pleading with Plan B to create a rethemed sequel, etc. o Granted, I don't know what the actual sales numbers are. And the gemstones really are shiny (and yeah, shiny can be seductive). But I know that you aren't alone.
Century is a fun game and I love that you can combine them! But personally I tend NOT to buy games that have realistic or historical themes and settings, I love to get lost in a far off theme be it fantasy or sci-fi. A game that is about trading spice on the silk/spice road, no matter how fun, just has little to no appeal to me. Take the same game and reskin it to be about trading golems (plus the art is gorgeous) and I'm onboard. Hopefully Plan B will release all three games in the Golem edition because I would love to buy them all, I just won't buy the original themes because it doesn't appeal to me.
Tom, i'd love to see you guys do a top 10 list of games that you would like to see get the "Golem edition treatment" aka games that are great mechanically, but would really benefit from a retheming with more interesting artwork.
I'm wondering to what extent the Golem edition colors are more color-blind friendly? The game is still dependent on color, but the Golem colors are not as "primary". Does that make enough difference?
Another that I would love to buy, but not available to ship to Australia unless I preorder locally to be posted in August 2020. Really starting to get on my nerves
I'd really suggest just grabbing the Spice versions... they play the same. Look pretty interesting and you can get all three straight away! (and are in store at Australian retailers)
For some reason, the Golem edition appeals so much more than the original trilogy.
Maybe it’s the artwork, components, color, and graphic design?
Ikr
@@SpellCaster1830 also the clearer thematic connections between gem colors and the illustrated golems
I still cannot understand why they thought trading spices would be a better theme than collecting Golems.
This theme is more likely to get non-gamers to try and buy it, it appeals to children too.
I have the spice edition, and I've seen people get interested in it simply because it has an historical premise (especially the first one -- I've seen people's eyes light up when I mention Marco Polo). While I understand the fact that the shiny gemstones are more appealing than the wooden cubes, and that some people may prefer the fantasy artwork, talking theme alone, I've seen more people get excited over historical themes than fantasy themes.
@@Haldurson
Fair enough.
I'm glad the theme appeals to your friends 🙂
The reason I like Golem edition more is because the art keeps non-gamers, young people and fantasy fans interested, curious to see what other Golems may be revealed and even requesting to play it on future game nights!
The gameplay, as you know, keeps those interested in the mechanics or the competition invested.
Spice Road, for me and many others I've met, has such a bland aesthetic and boring theme that I know I'd struggle to get anyone from the local community to play.
I like history. But I prefer to experience it from books, tours or documentaries.
And on the very rare occasion I enjoy a board game with an historical theme, I need it to be much more thematic. Perhaps with some flavour text eg 1066, Tears to Many Mothers or Black Orchestra
As for trading spices, I could literally set up a spice business at the local markets.
I can't trade Golems 😆
I was told that Century: Spice Road sells far better in Europe, while Golem sells far better in North America. I personally am tired of the "trading in the Mediterranean" themed games. It's dull, and they just keep using that theme. But I guess the opposite to that boredom, is people who find that familiar and enjoy it.
And why painting-style art about trading in the past won't stand out less than "semi-anime fantasy but slightly different"
How did Tom do a whole video on the components and not do a component drop?
Funny, I seem to be in the minority in that I really like the Spice Road theming. I've now got all three games and I have to say that it is a great idea being able to mix and match these games. Effectively you are getting SEVEN different games! Sure, they all play in a similar manner, but that just makes getting into them easier.
I agree with you that I like the original better. And I'm not sure that you are in the minority -- It's the hype train that Plan B managed to create by releasing a Golem edition and then claiming that they had no plans to create a sequel to it. It generated a whole lot of talk. But keep in mind that it was primarily the people who already had bought the Golem edition or who were wanting to buy it who were speaking out, creating the illusion that it was what the majority wanted, thus creating even more hype. But not everyone prefers a fantasy theme to an historical theme. And those of us who already owned the original were sitting with friends enjoying it, not contributing much to that hype, not posting messages pleading with Plan B to create a rethemed sequel, etc.
o
Granted, I don't know what the actual sales numbers are. And the gemstones really are shiny (and yeah, shiny can be seductive). But I know that you aren't alone.
Century is a fun game and I love that you can combine them! But personally I tend NOT to buy games that have realistic or historical themes and settings, I love to get lost in a far off theme be it fantasy or sci-fi. A game that is about trading spice on the silk/spice road, no matter how fun, just has little to no appeal to me. Take the same game and reskin it to be about trading golems (plus the art is gorgeous) and I'm onboard. Hopefully Plan B will release all three games in the Golem edition because I would love to buy them all, I just won't buy the original themes because it doesn't appeal to me.
Hey, you do you
Tom, i'd love to see you guys do a top 10 list of games that you would like to see get the "Golem edition treatment" aka games that are great mechanically, but would really benefit from a retheming with more interesting artwork.
I'm wondering to what extent the Golem edition colors are more color-blind friendly? The game is still dependent on color, but the Golem colors are not as "primary". Does that make enough difference?
Another that I would love to buy, but not available to ship to Australia unless I preorder locally to be posted in August 2020.
Really starting to get on my nerves
I'd really suggest just grabbing the Spice versions... they play the same. Look pretty interesting and you can get all three straight away! (and are in store at Australian retailers)
Interested ... But not giving PlanB any money until they get their act together regarding the playmat from the first Golem game.
I hate that you can't buy their mats retail
The playmat from the first game is available (25/6/2020) but the one from the second game is sold out.
Was hoping a link to the review of the spice edition would have been provided... missed opportunity.
Love this game maybe my favorite purchase at gencon
It does look too busy for me, I do prefer this theme though.
disappointed no component drop
No seal of approval?
Those are definitely Pandemic research centres.
Who needs to watch this? Just open your box and find out what you have
And yet here you are.
The containers should be foldable paperboard containers. These plasic ones look awful to me.