Chris nailed it - easier to teach version of Azul (less cutthroat at low counts too). That said, it also can be easily forgotten, not sure I’ll think about this one in a year.
Interesting that the scoring with the stones is a lot like Subastral with the card columns scoring across and for the longest stacks. We've loved Subastral so this is interesting for sure.
Happy to hear Tom's comments about the mini expansions making the game more gamer-y. I was hoping they would as I am worried just the base game would grow boring after awhile. I backed in KS and am anxiously waiting my gamebto be delivered! 😊
@@derkrieger92 and we were specifically told we'd get ours first, its been about a month since I saw them at my LGS and Target and I still don't have a shipping date. Makes me not want to back anything from Allplay again.
This game was very popular at Gen Con, and I'm not surprised. As mentioned in the review, the production and UX is nice. I can see why people enjoy the game when they play it. However, for me, it's a bit lackluster. It's fine. In a world where Azul and Subastral don't exist (not to mention a dozen other games that fill similar niches), I'd be a lot more intrigued. That's not really a fault of the game, as I don't think it's wrong to produce new games that have the same gameplay feel as existing games. After all, there are always new gamers, etc. But I do think this is a game that, for me, was just not really that interesting after one play. It was like it was designed by a committee to perfectly capitalize on a particular consumer segment rather than make a good game for its own sake (I'm not saying that's what actually happened; that's just how it feels to me). It's an okay game in a world of okay games
I don't see how any of that is a negative. It's 2024, and extremely few "original" mechanics and games come out these days. Especially in that Azul category of games. Not a lot of room to blow the wheels off with mechanics. It being so quick, high quality, and extremely easy to teach makes it stand out. In this category of games I really don't know what else you can ask for. IMO
Tom, it’s glass, not rocks. It’s in the title. As for skill, I haven’t lost a game on BGA for close to twenty games now. There’s certainly skill in the drafting game. It’s far more playable than Azul with my groups.
In games where you have to draw out of a bag randomly, I'm always wary when the shapes of the pieces are so different. It seems quite easy to feel around in the bag (even accidentally) to pick or avoid certain shapes. I know you can just try to not pay attention when reaching in the bag, but in some games it's not that easy. Curious how that impacts this game.
Knizia school of designing: iterate on your existing game with minor changes and publish it again. I think it should be called Anthropomorphic Subastral. The card game is small and portable, I guess this one is for people who want to pay more and have cute animals and shiny stones.
Shame there is a typo on two of the player boards and that its for sale already yet backers haven't got their copies which were promised before retail. I wont be backing another Allplay campaign, they were very devious with how they handled this campaign, all trust lost.
Well, it's not on sale at retail in the UK, so I'm happy to wait. Also, its the retail version on sale, the Founders edition was the Kickstarter exclusive. Also also, the typo is so minute that once you've verbally explained the rules, no one will take notice of this mistake.
@@ChunKyPiglets_Pro they were still very shady with backers about what was going on in the campaign. Funny how they had Deluxe versions of the game at gencon as well.
Allplay just announced that replacement boards for this and Through The Desert will be available for free thru their next KS pledge manager. The gap between retail and KS fulfilment on this is a drag, though.
Actually, they added glitter or texture to some colours to help with CB accessibility. Unfortunately, some people who backed the glass version don’t like the feel of the textured pieces, so the company is replacing the textured colours (for free) for unhappy backers.
Simple and boring!😴 Should have been in the 'short/quick' review! Surprised you guys had a full-length review for this game! I'm also surprised by all your high scores!
My wife and I like it best with two (having also played 3 and 4 with our kids). The more players, the more random it feels because you can’t plan ahead as much.
Chris nailed it - easier to teach version of Azul (less cutthroat at low counts too). That said, it also can be easily forgotten, not sure I’ll think about this one in a year.
I played it twice on BGA and that was enough
That was a quick fix. Let's go!! unfortunately, I still don't have my copy as a backer on Kickstarter😢
Same, but they're soon to be fulfilled. I can't wait!! :D
I can’t wait to get my kickstarter pledge. I actually guessed (poorly) that the DT crew were going to rate it lower than they did.
Just had notification that mine is about to be dispatched!!! 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you all for the review!
Interesting that the scoring with the stones is a lot like Subastral with the card columns scoring across and for the longest stacks. We've loved Subastral so this is interesting for sure.
Happy to hear Tom's comments about the mini expansions making the game more gamer-y. I was hoping they would as I am worried just the base game would grow boring after awhile. I backed in KS and am anxiously waiting my gamebto be delivered! 😊
This game is fun!! Played it at Grandcon this past weekend and immediately bought it from the Allplay booth!
I miss the previous setting with the sofas.😢 this high sitting is much more formal.
I was stoked to see this review. My RVGW is out for delivery tomorrow. I like the tactile components, and it looks simple enough for my kiddos.
As a backer I'm looking forward to it. Shame the way it worked out for backers though.
Wait I've seen it in a few shops for awhile now. Yall havent gotten your copies yet?
Nope. Backers are still waiting.
@@derkrieger92 and we were specifically told we'd get ours first, its been about a month since I saw them at my LGS and Target and I still don't have a shipping date. Makes me not want to back anything from Allplay again.
Very similar to Subastral. Exact same scoring system.
And it's no wonder, since it's the same designers.
My exact thoughts, did make me wonder if it was the same person.
This game was very popular at Gen Con, and I'm not surprised. As mentioned in the review, the production and UX is nice. I can see why people enjoy the game when they play it. However, for me, it's a bit lackluster. It's fine. In a world where Azul and Subastral don't exist (not to mention a dozen other games that fill similar niches), I'd be a lot more intrigued. That's not really a fault of the game, as I don't think it's wrong to produce new games that have the same gameplay feel as existing games. After all, there are always new gamers, etc. But I do think this is a game that, for me, was just not really that interesting after one play. It was like it was designed by a committee to perfectly capitalize on a particular consumer segment rather than make a good game for its own sake (I'm not saying that's what actually happened; that's just how it feels to me). It's an okay game in a world of okay games
I don't see how any of that is a negative. It's 2024, and extremely few "original" mechanics and games come out these days.
Especially in that Azul category of games. Not a lot of room to blow the wheels off with mechanics.
It being so quick, high quality, and extremely easy to teach makes it stand out.
In this category of games I really don't know what else you can ask for. IMO
Tom, it’s glass, not rocks. It’s in the title.
As for skill, I haven’t lost a game on BGA for close to twenty games now. There’s certainly skill in the drafting game. It’s far more playable than Azul with my groups.
In games where you have to draw out of a bag randomly, I'm always wary when the shapes of the pieces are so different. It seems quite easy to feel around in the bag (even accidentally) to pick or avoid certain shapes. I know you can just try to not pay attention when reaching in the bag, but in some games it's not that easy. Curious how that impacts this game.
Even if someone does try to take or avoid a certain shape, it would barely affect the game if they are successful. The colors matter the most.
Knizia school of designing: iterate on your existing game with minor changes and publish it again. I think it should be called Anthropomorphic Subastral. The card game is small and portable, I guess this one is for people who want to pay more and have cute animals and shiny stones.
I had stones, got rid of them. Would rather have Wood.
Ah, the days when people thought that making ashtrays was an appropriate craft for 2nd graders.
The scoring reminds me of Subastral
This game is a reimplementation of Subastral.
Glassworks was an instant like for me. I find Azul easy, but boring. Glassworks felt like Azul to me, but more creative and more enjoyable.
Cheers, ☕️
Caesar's Empire looks like a better version of this with more player interaction.
Shame there is a typo on two of the player boards and that its for sale already yet backers haven't got their copies which were promised before retail.
I wont be backing another Allplay campaign, they were very devious with how they handled this campaign, all trust lost.
Well, it's not on sale at retail in the UK, so I'm happy to wait. Also, its the retail version on sale, the Founders edition was the Kickstarter exclusive. Also also, the typo is so minute that once you've verbally explained the rules, no one will take notice of this mistake.
@@ChunKyPiglets_Pro they were still very shady with backers about what was going on in the campaign. Funny how they had Deluxe versions of the game at gencon as well.
Allplay just announced that replacement boards for this and Through The Desert will be available for free thru their next KS pledge manager. The gap between retail and KS fulfilment on this is a drag, though.
This game doesn't look very colorblind friendly. There could have easily had some type of pattern on the colors.
Actually, they added glitter or texture to some colours to help with CB accessibility. Unfortunately, some people who backed the glass version don’t like the feel of the textured pieces, so the company is replacing the textured colours (for free) for unhappy backers.
Simple and boring!😴 Should have been in the 'short/quick' review! Surprised you guys had a full-length review for this game! I'm also surprised by all your high scores!
Same
What varied opinions!😮 Opinions are just that.. OPINIONS
Yeah, we made a lot of ashtrays as kids. So glad that is a thing of the past.
IS THIS GOOD TO PLAY WITH TWO? reall playtime with two players? , like to play with my girlfriend?
My wife and I like it best with two (having also played 3 and 4 with our kids). The more players, the more random it feels because you can’t plan ahead as much.
Absolutely enjoyable at two.