Something I love about DMD: its approach to "insanity". Most Cthulhu-themed games take a really cavalier approach to it, which makes for fun and simple gameplay but can sometimes be distasteful or even hurtful to the neurodiverse and people who live with mental illness. Usually you have a certain number of "sanity points" which deplete as you experience horrifying things, and often you're eliminated or seriously disadvantaged when your sanity points run out. In DMD, each player starts the game with a "pathology", which goes off at certain points in the game, causing various effects to happen. If you ignore your pathology and play the game as if you didn't have it, it will almost always become a problem for you and/or your teammates. But if you use the game's systems to arrange for your pathology to be triggered at certain specific times on purpose, you can use it like a superpower. In real life, people with (for example) ASD or ADHD sometimes speak of employing strategies (and they actually use the word "strategies"!) to manage their interactions with the world so as to mitigate problems and take full advantage of their particular capabilities. This can allow them to outperform neurotypical folks in a lot of situations. I've never seen another game that handles "madness" in this way.
Great Review. One thing to note re: Recessed boards. The Unspeakable Box (KS exclusive Stretch goals box) came with plastic dashboard trays that you could place over top of the character cards to address the issue. I wish it had been made available at retail but thems are the breaks sometimes. Edit: Really cool paintjob you did on Hastur!
@@FostertheMeeple I glued some little metal washers to the undersides of the tentacle markers, which does a lot to prevent them from sliding around all the time. It's also cheaper than the Unspeakable Box (which I also love, but can be hard to obtain).
Great review! Love your channel. And about carefully considering which characters to use: I think it is even important to consider the specifics of the actual scenario as well... I mean, do you need to move quickly from one end to another, then swiftness is of good use. Sometimes stealth may be required. And we always try to include one marksman as well. But the character unique skills may be crucial in one specific scenario, but not in another. It is an interesting part of our games at least to figure out the best combo of skills...
Hadn't seen your videos before and love the way you do authentic reviews. Quite a nice structure to them, great b-roll footage, and it's just amazing you painted the minis (and so well!) for the video (well, probably for your play experience primiarly, but we get to enjoy them in the video too). But what tops it all is your energy. The scaring back and forth was hilarious! Insta-subscribe. :)
You know that a game is good when two of the very few critiques of it are “I did not like the character I chose” and “one of the components are not as good as I would like.” I mean this in a very positive way, I think those critiques are very valid of course. Sadly as CMON is, component upgrades tend to be locked behind Kickstarter exclusives, such as the recessed board overlays. My biggest critique is that the game only too few dice, especially when you have more upgrades mear the end and have to roll a lot of dice, for a lot of players. It is not as easy to buy more sets either. And as a side note, the reason Wendy Addams or Roland Banks, etc, are not here is because those characters were created by Fantasy Flight Games and are not part of the original mythos.
Great video showing off this game. ‘Done well do better’ works perfectly 👍. It was good to see some of the painted minis but definitely agree with other comments that it would be great to see more! My personal favourite shot was Elizabeth mini on her character card. Looked so good seeing her mini with the image!
Debating on backing the new season of this. Your takes really help me consider everything. 1. I think I need to play mansions of madness before I back anything. 2. No recessed player boards? No back. Great video, thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I personally rather keep the cost down so if a recessed board is going to skyrocket the cost (it more than $20), I can do without. I was interested in Mansion of Madness back then but the biggest critique was that experience was inconsistent. Either the story experience came out disjointed or didn't make sense or the story experience was amazing. Also the replay value is not great unless you have deep pockets and buy those mini expansions.
I appreciate the butt review on each mini. An important view that is not often reviewed….. also, Huzzah!! I have been going back and forth on Mansions vs. Death May Die. So after your review I am choosing …. Both…..
Wonderfully moody intro and great looking minis! Of the games you've played in Cthulhu and Mansions, how many times did you actually win the scenario? These games have a reputation for being notoriously difficult! How do they compare with the Arkham games? I know the fun is in the game play, but some in our game night group are more easily frustrated than others. Thanks for the amazing videos! (Ras-poutine!)
Ok so we have not lost in Death May Die yet (but some VERY close wins, like 1 more turn and we lose). Mansions of Madness with have lost many many times. In particular one scenario from a specific expansion. So many times. In terms of frustration, I would say MoM is the more frustrating of the two. DmD has the ability to level up and become more powerful, giving you a bit more control over things. MoM (tougher scenarios) you are at the mercy of a lot of luck and a lot of punishment for errors haha
I love this game. I will have everything before the end of the month. I lose this game way more than win. But those wins are so awesome! Play at 3 or 4 players. 2 players is super hard. I can't wait to get the Big Boy. Cheers! Merry Christmas!
I don’t think you can choose between two insanity cards at the beginning of the game set up. From what I gathered it’s deal one and place the rest away.
Hi there! I am desperate to get this Game with prime, but apparentely it's out stock wherever store i try uU do You know guys when it's gonna be reprint?
You won't need the original to play this, so it looks like it's kind of a second edition (with a few, though not major changes). I don't know if it will be compatible with the original. And as I say, I don't know if they'll reprint the original. I have no industry insider insight, but my guess would be that they won't reprint the original. Apparently CMON haven't reprinted other games and the fact that this is going to be stand alone means that they won't rely on anyone having old stuff.
@@angelicdespot2735 Hopefully the will do it, i love the first game, but its quite expensive to get it, especially on my country. Thanks so much for info syrian friend.
You did a great job painting the miniatures.
You should just do a video on games that you painted the miniatures and show them off.
I’ve got some ideas in the works. I’m still learning, so I’m a bit anxious to show stuff off, but I will be doing something sometime in the future!
These videos are making spooky month my favorite time of the year!! I can't wait for the next one, and that intro, Jamie crushed it!!
Thanks Jake! Yea Jamie’s editing has gone through the roof, it was already amazing but she’s really upping the game.
Something I love about DMD: its approach to "insanity". Most Cthulhu-themed games take a really cavalier approach to it, which makes for fun and simple gameplay but can sometimes be distasteful or even hurtful to the neurodiverse and people who live with mental illness. Usually you have a certain number of "sanity points" which deplete as you experience horrifying things, and often you're eliminated or seriously disadvantaged when your sanity points run out.
In DMD, each player starts the game with a "pathology", which goes off at certain points in the game, causing various effects to happen. If you ignore your pathology and play the game as if you didn't have it, it will almost always become a problem for you and/or your teammates. But if you use the game's systems to arrange for your pathology to be triggered at certain specific times on purpose, you can use it like a superpower.
In real life, people with (for example) ASD or ADHD sometimes speak of employing strategies (and they actually use the word "strategies"!) to manage their interactions with the world so as to mitigate problems and take full advantage of their particular capabilities. This can allow them to outperform neurotypical folks in a lot of situations. I've never seen another game that handles "madness" in this way.
Thank you so much for this. Well said, couldn’t agree more and really truly appreciate you speaking to this here.
Great Review. One thing to note re: Recessed boards. The Unspeakable Box (KS exclusive Stretch goals box) came with plastic dashboard trays that you could place over top of the character cards to address the issue. I wish it had been made available at retail but thems are the breaks sometimes.
Edit: Really cool paintjob you did on Hastur!
I’ll see if I can hunt down the trays! That would help haha.
Thanks! I think hastur was the funnest one to paint.
@@FostertheMeeple I glued some little metal washers to the undersides of the tentacle markers, which does a lot to prevent them from sliding around all the time. It's also cheaper than the Unspeakable Box (which I also love, but can be hard to obtain).
@@FostertheMeeple You can probably find 3d printed overlays as well...
@@joanthegamesmistress4523 not a bad idea!
@@dultanur going to keep our eyes peeled for sure
Great review! Love your channel.
And about carefully considering which characters to use: I think it is even important to consider the specifics of the actual scenario as well...
I mean, do you need to move quickly from one end to another, then swiftness is of good use.
Sometimes stealth may be required. And we always try to include one marksman as well.
But the character unique skills may be crucial in one specific scenario, but not in another.
It is an interesting part of our games at least to figure out the best combo of skills...
I agree 100% and something I want to explore more as we play it more. I just love Rasputin so much I have a hard time not picking him!
Hadn't seen your videos before and love the way you do authentic reviews. Quite a nice structure to them, great b-roll footage, and it's just amazing you painted the minis (and so well!) for the video (well, probably for your play experience primiarly, but we get to enjoy them in the video too). But what tops it all is your energy. The scaring back and forth was hilarious! Insta-subscribe. :)
You know that a game is good when two of the very few critiques of it are “I did not like the character I chose” and “one of the components are not as good as I would like.” I mean this in a very positive way, I think those critiques are very valid of course. Sadly as CMON is, component upgrades tend to be locked behind Kickstarter exclusives, such as the recessed board overlays. My biggest critique is that the game only too few dice, especially when you have more upgrades mear the end and have to roll a lot of dice, for a lot of players. It is not as easy to buy more sets either.
And as a side note, the reason Wendy Addams or Roland Banks, etc, are not here is because those characters were created by Fantasy Flight Games and are not part of the original mythos.
Amazing paint job on those mini's Jeff. We need more giveaways for Pre-painted mini's.
Thank you!! The painted giveaways take a lot of time, and paint isn’t cheap haha but we will for sure do another one sometime!!
Great video showing off this game. ‘Done well do better’ works perfectly 👍. It was good to see some of the painted minis but definitely agree with other comments that it would be great to see more! My personal favourite shot was Elizabeth mini on her character card. Looked so good seeing her mini with the image!
Painting video is coming I promise!!
Great job painting these minis! I’m sure mine will look like a bunch of melted Starburst when I try.
Hahah I doubt that very much! Thank you so much! My first batch painted where not great. You learn pretty fast (mind you I paint almost every day now)
@@FostertheMeeple that’s great to know, I’m starting with the Marvel United, they seem a bit “easier”.
@@Vivsavage303 yea the chibi minis are great for learning!
I miss the old opening music. With my coffee on a sat morning
Debating on backing the new season of this. Your takes really help me consider everything.
1. I think I need to play mansions of madness before I back anything.
2. No recessed player boards? No back.
Great video, thank you for sharing your thoughts!
You’re most welcome Peter!
I personally rather keep the cost down so if a recessed board is going to skyrocket the cost (it more than $20), I can do without. I was interested in Mansion of Madness back then but the biggest critique was that experience was inconsistent. Either the story experience came out disjointed or didn't make sense or the story experience was amazing. Also the replay value is not great unless you have deep pockets and buy those mini expansions.
I want a ranking of all Lovecraftian butts now
This may be something we can arrange!
I appreciate the butt review on each mini. An important view that is not often reviewed….. also,
Huzzah!! I have been going back and forth on Mansions vs. Death May Die. So after your review I am choosing …. Both…..
We are here to please the people!!
I’m glad we could help you in your decisions! I think it was a wise choice.
Wonderfully moody intro and great looking minis! Of the games you've played in Cthulhu and Mansions, how many times did you actually win the scenario? These games have a reputation for being notoriously difficult! How do they compare with the Arkham games? I know the fun is in the game play, but some in our game night group are more easily frustrated than others. Thanks for the amazing videos! (Ras-poutine!)
Ok so we have not lost in Death May Die yet (but some VERY close wins, like 1 more turn and we lose). Mansions of Madness with have lost many many times. In particular one scenario from a specific expansion. So many times.
In terms of frustration, I would say MoM is the more frustrating of the two. DmD has the ability to level up and become more powerful, giving you a bit more control over things. MoM (tougher scenarios) you are at the mercy of a lot of luck and a lot of punishment for errors haha
If you can find a KS extras box they come with plastic overlays for the player boards.
This is what I am hearing! Might need to see if I can at least find the trays
The KS version had a recessed player board solution, FYI.
Nice!! Problem solved haha
me and my wife's #2 game we love to play together, we need to paint our mini's those look amazing!
Thank you! Yea such a great game. Painting has become therapeutic for me, kind of a win win situation!
Perfekt review greetings from Austria 👍👌✌️
Thanks Ernst! Greetings from Canada!
Love your painted minis!
Hey!! Thanks so much!
I love this game. I will have everything before the end of the month. I lose this game way more than win. But those wins are so awesome! Play at 3 or 4 players. 2 players is super hard. I can't wait to get the Big Boy. Cheers! Merry Christmas!
Happy holidays!!! Happy to hear you are loving DmD!
I love this game. #3 on my list of favorites.
It’s likely to end up pretty high on mine too. Not sure how high but really having fun with it!
Cool paint job on the minis.
Thank you!! Still learning but loving the process
I don’t think you can choose between two insanity cards at the beginning of the game set up. From what I gathered it’s deal one and place the rest away.
Ah well, not a big deal.
@@FostertheMeeple I agree. Our family constantly forget rules etc. we were just playing this one tonight and had to stop a few times and look it up.
@@nicholasdiaz3733 its impossible to keep all the rules straight for every game right? The best any of us can do is try our hardest haha
Hi there! I am desperate to get this Game with prime, but apparentely it's out stock wherever store i try uU do You know guys when it's gonna be reprint?
I am not sure to be honest!
CMON have announced a season three kickstarter. Don't know if it'll include a reprint but I think the new 'expansion' will be a standalone game.
@@angelicdespot2735 omg!! really??? thats great my friend! thanks for the info
You won't need the original to play this, so it looks like it's kind of a second edition (with a few, though not major changes). I don't know if it will be compatible with the original. And as I say, I don't know if they'll reprint the original. I have no industry insider insight, but my guess would be that they won't reprint the original. Apparently CMON haven't reprinted other games and the fact that this is going to be stand alone means that they won't rely on anyone having old stuff.
@@angelicdespot2735 Hopefully the will do it, i love the first game, but its quite expensive to get it, especially on my country. Thanks so much for info syrian friend.
Characters like wendy adams are part of fantasy flight games arkham files world. Its not connected at all too cmons lovecraft world
Ok
She finally got you :)))))
Hahah she did. Small one, but she got me.
Diversity of characters here we go. Sigh. Done here.
Oh no! We must shut the channel down. Some random internet hero doesn’t like diversity & inclusion. Apologies to your feelings friend.
Whaaaat???? No Wendy? That is a no go ;)
Not YET anyway :)