Quantum | Rahdo's Final Thoughts

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A video outlining gameplay for the boardgame Quantum. For more game info, www.boardgamege...
Part I: Gameplay Runthrough
• Quantum Gameplay Runth...
• (static cam) Quantum G... (static)
Part II: Extended Gameplay
• Quantum Extended Gameplay
• (static cam) Quantum E... (static)
Part III: Final Thoughts
• Quantum | Rahdo's Fina...

[@mothraw1]

Such respect for Rahdo. Even when a game isn't one he enjoys he still takes the time and play it for the fans. Some reviewers who dislike games tell you to stay away. You see both sides and that's why I enjoy your reviews.

[@JasonHuebel]

I really appreciate your reviews, rahdo. I like to play board games with my kids. Although we do enjoy some "take that" and combat elements to games, I prefer that those elements be abstract. Quantum does have combat. But I feel like the combat has been abstracted enough that it doesn't feel like "me trying to kill you". So, Quantum is actually a favorite in our family. And with three boys, it lets them get some aggression out of their systems in a positive way (family game nights).

[@YakovPetrovich]

You sum up the appeal of this game very well! All the clever combinations of ship powers and command cards really leave players feeling satisfied after a good move. That aside, it is a VERY vicious and competitive game. If you ignore combat, you will almost surely lose. Defensive and offensive ship positioning in this game is also a very big part of the fun and strategy for those of us who enjoy these types of games.
I've played this game dozens of times with my friends and it still isn't boring. Very well designed :)

[@KristoVaher]

This is almost ironic that just last night I asked over at Dice Tower BGG forums why haven't they reviewed this game yet. This is the highest rated (in BGG rankings) modern board game that Dice Tower hasn't done any video reviews for. Shame that it isn't your cup of tea though, but then again, I didn't expect it to be.
It's a favorite in my playing group, with a lot of plays :) Quantum is absolutely wonderfully elegant game design. The smooth puzzle solving and simplicity in the game has so much depth that people may not expect.
But yes, there's combat that is part of the puzzle. And while it is 'very cheap' to get the ship back on board (just a single action, no resources lost). I mean, this game has combat that has absolutely minimal losses in combat. You just lose a single action of your many actions and sometimes it's even beneficial to get to reset your ship. But I can see why it would still be a problem for some players. The psychological effect is still the same: it's a 'loss', even if just an action and having to rethink some plans.
My group loves it though. And this game is great to soften people up a little for more combat-y games, since if you play it enough times, it doesn't seem so bad at all and almost becomes part of the tactics.

[@shady610]

Played it last week for the first time and I thought it was great. Granted I didn't really get the full feel of the game because I was in a time crunch.
Look forward to playing it again this weekend.

[@MehdiHusain]

Nice review Rahdo. How sad it didn't click with you.
I think you should give it another try. When we play, we do fight, but with 6 domination points, it's really far from the optimal tactic. So most of the game is spent in these crazy combos no other game offers in such a clever and fluid way.

[@TheMrE]

Your Star Trek A.W. example is a bit farfetched: I doubt that Jen's reason for not enjoying attacking was that blowing up your ship would meant that hundreds of klingons would be dead, because, you know, they are not real. That same reasoning would make playing chess impossible for instance.
I'm sure what's behind her dislike to attacking is more reasonable, direct and personal, like she simply doesn't enjoy destroying your ship because it means destroying all the hard work that you had put into it.

[@rahdo]

i assure you, it's not far fetched at all. she doesn't enjoy "virtually" killing hundreds of klingons per defeated ship in ST:AW. She also doesn't enjoy chess... she doesn't enjoy killing things in general, and we tend to stay away from it in games wherever possible...

[@stevens5181]

We love it, but yea combat is important. There are ways to win without combat but you will do combat. It also has a good gameplay length around 30 - 45 min with 3 players. 3 Players is very fun, sometimes some are screwing with each other and the other one is sneaking and try to win.

[@kossowankenobi]

Huh, I thought this game would be abstract enough you two may enjoy it. As you say, a bloodless war (this could be robotic ships for all intents).
I wonder if a humorous theme would do it. Do you guys enjoy Robo Rally?

[@rahdo]

Jason Kossowan omg roborally would never work for us!

[@matimon]

*****
What? Why wouldn't robo rally work for you guys? The theme is really silly and fun. Unless you are saying that because the game kinda sucks for 2p

[@rahdo]

Matias Montes bingo!

[@archmagus1510]

the game in 4p is a constant conflict abstract dicefest.you starting slow and then bum roll,roll,roll.king of the hill all the time.cards got defenitely a balance issue and ap players be aware.we played it like 2 hours becouse of that with the rules.

[@bookaddict777]

Yeah, this one is not for me and my daughter either. We would have the same problems with it that you and Jen had. Thanks for the run through nevertheless!