What a weird solo expansion | Explorers of Navoria Kickstarter

I'm not trying to spark something. I don't know almost anything about this game, but I do know that this expansion is silly. Please watch and tell me I'm not crazy, that this is a really weird way to package a solo board game expansion, because I think I've lost my mind.
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[@GamingRulesVideos]

I’d recommend checking out the solo Playthrough I did. That might answer some of your questions.
Specifically how it plays. And why it isn’t included in the base game.
I did the video a couple of weeks ago, but my reach is low, so you may not have been aware, but I think they posted about it on the KS page somewhere. At least I hope they did :)

[@JAlanRykerGames]

sounds like a good resource. Comment pinned in case anyone wants to learn more!

[@GamingRulesVideos]

@@JAlanRykerGames Thanks.

[@bryonsturm3753]

Lately my rule of thumb is needs to have decent solo and ability to also small groups for family, school and small game group.
I do like it when solo mechanics are same or very similar to multiplayer. This makes if easier for me when teaching games to others

[@MarkThould]

Wingspan Asia I believe included a new 2 player expansion, an expansion for upto 7 players & a tweaked solo mode..... So I guess it's not unprecedented. Suffice to say I've gone all in on this game & even preordered deluxe resources. I love the artwork and the mechanics look interesting. Dranda Games did a fantastic job with Isle of Trains All Aboard (an adaption of an older game). If they do the same for this new adaption of Townsfolk Wanted I'll be happy!

[@JAlanRykerGames]

From what I'm hearing, it should be a good one. It certainly is nice to look at

[@buddhawasright]

Usually (in the games I have bought in the past) the makers would have the 5th player and the solo expansions offered separately and not bundled together. The only reason I can think of is to minimize the amount of SKU variations they have to deal with. But, yes, this is somewhat of an anomaly.

[@CGoody5642]

I'm assuming they feel the solo mode and 5p expansions comprise so little that they didn't think they could justify selling them individually without getting under peoples' skin

[@CGoody5642]

The solo mode is so cheap that the cost wouldn't decrease by any reasonable amount if it weren't included, and it either doesn't have value they feel they can justify selling on its own, or they feel like they'd have to sell it for so little that it probably isn't worth the extra packaging so they're including it with the 5th player.
As one who HATES when the solo mode is only available via an additional purchase, I really don't mind it being included with a 5p expansion any more than I normally do; in fact, I prefer it over them selling it piecemeal to me (because I assure you if they did, they'd be charging what they're charging for bundled expansion for the solo mode alone right alongside the 5p expansion)

[@JAlanRykerGames]

I'd pay $1 less to get it without the 5p. I'd actually play $1 more to get it without and not have to store it. I think the solo and extra content belong together, and the 5p would make a good add-on, especially if it's just a few wooden pieces. The only good reason I can think of for it is if they really wanted the expansion to have 5 players worth of components and it wouldn't make sense when most people only have 4 players worth of everything else

[@CGoody5642]

@@JAlanRykerGames Touché. If the box wouldn't be any smaller without the 5p expansion, would you feel the same way?
I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. I also think the 5p content has the same problem as the solo content, hence them both being bundled with the extra content. What do you get in the 5p expansion, aplayer board and a handful of extra meeples? It's almost not even worth selling on its own unless you want to rip your fanbase off and charge $5 for 50¢ worth of crap.
Entirely unrelated, but since we were talking about our fondness of deal hunting, I snagged HeroQuest for a little over $40. Never played it and heard mixed things about it, but my boy over at Bardic Broadcasts (not a board game guy per se but they fall into his RPG and collecting purview) had good things to say about it, it's a classic, and that price seemed absurd for a new in box copy (I usually see it for around $90-100). It ain't solo, but I can always try playing two handed 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@JAlanRykerGames]

@@CGoody5642 yeah, if I didn't 3d print my own dungeon furniture, I might have gone for that sale. Daniel has been playing it solo over at the dungeon dive for the last couple of months with good videos. There are some really big fan-made expansions to turn it solo. I think AxianQuest is one of them (not sure). Daniel covers it