This show is the most realistic depiction of space warfare, science and politics. Heck even their gravity is just the ship accelerating at 1g. No other sci-fi comes close
I have found the low quality parts a bit of a disappointment, so I went ahead and created designs that can be 3D printed. You can find them on Thingiverse, don't let anyone sell you the STL files, as there's no commercial incentive for me to have created these. I hope this will make some people enjoy the game even more: www.thingiverse.com/thing:3900380
Yeah, this game is thematic for the Expanse, but only if you were mostly interested in Avasarala and the wide-angle politcking. Then it fits pretty well - Holden becomes the annoying wild-card supporting the underdog that she believes him to be. The one thing I would fault the game's theme for is making the protomolecule a bit lame - just another couple of event cards. Thankfully the expansion has fixed that for us.
So overall, i think the game mechanics are pretty serviceable, but they feel "sparse" and not quite connected to the theme. I felt like I was playing an area control game, designed as a bridge between low complexity area control games and heavy weight stuff like COIN games, Twilight struggle and the like. Mechanically, i can appreciate that. But it didnt make me feel immersed in the setting at all. Also, I have to laugh at how i say O.P.A
I enjoy The Expanse, especially with the doors and corners expansion, which bumps up the theme somewhat. I love COIN games and you are right it gives a flavour of that, only in a fraction of the time (although it delivers a fraction of the richness of those games)
One thing I like about the COIN games is how the four different factions play slightly different, with different win conditions and rely on one "ally". It seems this game stripped that situation away to better allow 2 and 3 players?
at 2:33, "The Expanse is a game for people who want to try a GMT-style game." What's GMT? (And, as usual, thanks for a very helpful and concise review.)
GMT are a major board game publisher, known for making deep and complex strategy games. I've covered and talked about their games a fair bit in the past, stuff like Twilight Struggle, Conquest of Paradise, Paths of Glory, Spacecorp and the COIN series.
@@3MBG i would like to hears your reviews of those wargames, My friend collects them and he loves them (i play with him lol) but also would like to hear about space empire 4x too as mentioned 👍
interesting, I was listening at the video and I was thinking how much it resembles GMT games and there it is clearly mentioned at the end. It does feel slightly flavourless. What's in the expansion, by the way?
Not 100% sure as i've not played with it, but from a superficial look, several modules you can swap in and out that add more thematic elements to the gameplay
I have never heard of this game previously, thanks for the review! I love the show and feels really interested. For someone who loves area control games like eclipse, el grande or game of thrones but do not enjoy twilight struggle do you think will still enjoy this game?
I notice you mention whether or not there's a solo mode but also mention the number of players. I would assume if the player count is 1-x it would have a solo mode. For consistency? Love the videos BTW.
I do that because I do a lot of solo playing. When there is a solo mode I will sometimes mention how it works in that spot. Its 2 seconds for an audience who get frequently ignored
Ha, That was 100% intentional though as was referring to control points as victory points. Operations points is the standard language in card driven games like this, and i'll frequently use the standard language of a game format instead of the bespoke language of the game in question.
The event cards work pretty well in 2p- leads to more interesting choices in some cases (do you go for the card best for you, or the card that will totally deny your opponent a free event?). You lose the kingmaking and above-table 'politicking' though.
Out of the box the 2p mode is only UN and MCRN (and is quite good, think twilight struggle lite), but the designer posted lists of cards to use if you want to play the game with a mix of all four factions.
This show is the most realistic depiction of space warfare, science and politics. Heck even their gravity is just the ship accelerating at 1g.
No other sci-fi comes close
Yeah, its a fab show. Unsurprisingly, Bobby, being the Kiwi in the show is a fav of mine.
Spent much time in space lad?
I have found the low quality parts a bit of a disappointment, so I went ahead and created designs that can be 3D printed. You can find them on Thingiverse, don't let anyone sell you the STL files, as there's no commercial incentive for me to have created these. I hope this will make some people enjoy the game even more: www.thingiverse.com/thing:3900380
Yeah, this game is thematic for the Expanse, but only if you were mostly interested in Avasarala and the wide-angle politcking. Then it fits pretty well - Holden becomes the annoying wild-card supporting the underdog that she believes him to be. The one thing I would fault the game's theme for is making the protomolecule a bit lame - just another couple of event cards. Thankfully the expansion has fixed that for us.
So overall, i think the game mechanics are pretty serviceable, but they feel "sparse" and not quite connected to the theme. I felt like I was playing an area control game, designed as a bridge between low complexity area control games and heavy weight stuff like COIN games, Twilight struggle and the like. Mechanically, i can appreciate that. But it didnt make me feel immersed in the setting at all.
Also, I have to laugh at how i say O.P.A
That's too bad as I love the show, I was hoping a more wargaming than twilight struggle.
@korrok Great show. Hence me saying Belta loyda in the vid :)
@korrok I think everyone loves Bobby and Chrisjen :)
Bobbie especially for me, she's a local and the kiwi accent on mars appeals to me :)
Actually, not sure i said belta loyda in the vid now. But i did say OPA with the accent.
OPIEY
I enjoy The Expanse, especially with the doors and corners expansion, which bumps up the theme somewhat. I love COIN games and you are right it gives a flavour of that, only in a fraction of the time (although it delivers a fraction of the richness of those games)
One thing I like about the COIN games is how the four different factions play slightly different, with different win conditions and rely on one "ally". It seems this game stripped that situation away to better allow 2 and 3 players?
Thanks for the quick overview.
Anyone know where this game is still available to be ordered at MSRP or close to it (English version)?
Looks like its out of stock pretty much everywhere
We want a solo mode!!!
Not sure it would be good for this one if im honest.
Darn it!
As always a good review of the game...but strait away, as you sort of expressed, I prefer the sound and look of Galilean Moons to this game.
at 2:33, "The Expanse is a game for people who want to try a GMT-style game." What's GMT? (And, as usual, thanks for a very helpful and concise review.)
GMT are a major board game publisher, known for making deep and complex strategy games. I've covered and talked about their games a fair bit in the past, stuff like Twilight Struggle, Conquest of Paradise, Paths of Glory, Spacecorp and the COIN series.
@@3MBG personally, Space Empires 4x is their best
So i've heard from a lot of peeps. As a military historian though, i'll always have a soft spot for the wargames they put out
@@3MBG i would like to hears your reviews of those wargames, My friend collects them and he loves them (i play with him lol) but also would like to hear about space empire 4x too as mentioned 👍
This has all the hallmarks of a quick licensing deal to capture the early interest in the franchise and nothing else.
interesting, I was listening at the video and I was thinking how much it resembles GMT games and there it is clearly mentioned at the end. It does feel slightly flavourless.
What's in the expansion, by the way?
Not 100% sure as i've not played with it, but from a superficial look, several modules you can swap in and out that add more thematic elements to the gameplay
I have never heard of this game previously, thanks for the review! I love the show and feels really interested.
For someone who loves area control games like eclipse, el grande or game of thrones but do not enjoy twilight struggle do you think will still enjoy this game?
Honestly, yes. It's probably best viewed as an area control game
I notice you mention whether or not there's a solo mode but also mention the number of players. I would assume if the player count is 1-x it would have a solo mode. For consistency? Love the videos BTW.
I do that because I do a lot of solo playing. When there is a solo mode I will sometimes mention how it works in that spot. Its 2 seconds for an audience who get frequently ignored
I've never heard anybody pronouncing action points like this :)
Ha, That was 100% intentional though as was referring to control points as victory points. Operations points is the standard language in card driven games like this, and i'll frequently use the standard language of a game format instead of the bespoke language of the game in question.
Is it good if played mostly 2 players ?
Unknown, didnt play it 2 player but I can't imagine it would be. The event card system in particular seems ill suited to 2 players
The event cards work pretty well in 2p- leads to more interesting choices in some cases (do you go for the card best for you, or the card that will totally deny your opponent a free event?). You lose the kingmaking and above-table 'politicking' though.
Out of the box the 2p mode is only UN and MCRN (and is quite good, think twilight struggle lite), but the designer posted lists of cards to use if you want to play the game with a mix of all four factions.
Beltalowda!
Looks surprisingly bland and themeless considering the great source material of the books/show.
I don't know anything about the source material, but this seems very bland. I assume most people that pick this up really like the source material.
Looks dry and the components / design is underwhelming