ISS Vanguard has been the best for me so far. I liked it more than Etherfields, but haven't played TG:FoA. I did back this though, so I'm looking forward to it... lots of Awaken Realms!
I like it more when stories are created during and through play by the players and their interactions. If I want stories I read books, play games and watch movies. Story based games are huge shelf hogs as well which turns me off a great deal
finished FOA this week end with my friends. greatest boardgame times ever, took us a long time because we are 5! (one played as if he was game master of a DnD campain) and it was an incredible journey. i pledged KoR almost a years ago now, and i cannot wait to have it!
During the Kickstarter for Kings of Ruin they also sold an update pack for the original game that is supposed to address a lot of issues that people had with it t. I would assume that they will start selling newer copies with the updated material soon
@@Tablenauts Does 2.0 Update Pack add all the new Tainted Grail: Kings of Ruin rules to the older tainted Grail content? No. The 2.0 Update Pack mostly contains many small edits, fixes, and rebalances. And while it modifies some core rules, the Kings or Ruin ruleset is too different to apply it to the old game. This is from the Gamefound FAQ.
I think they are beautiful, but unnecessary! If you want them to just have, I completely get it (I want them), but they don’t add much beyond the cool factor, and board presence.
I only played FoA until chapter 3 (still got the game). But I did not stop playing it because i did not like it. It was because i liked that much, that I backed/founded(?) the Kings of Ruins Warlord of Avalon Pack (including Sundrop) which includes FoA 2.0. So I play it from the start again when it arrives and sell my (Retail Version) FoA. Or maybe I gift it to Family/Friends.
Planning to buy Kings of Ruin (retail version will be out soon) but I haven’t played Fall of Avalon. Is there a good way to catch up on the story without having to play through FoA? The storybook experience and narrative matters most to me.
I'm experienced with Souls games, not played any Avalon but I've been interested since the first game was announced. Souls encourages retrying until you get it right, that sort of counteracts the toughness, allowing you a chance to basically train until you beat the challenge and learn things about possible challenges in the future. The first game, probably the top of my list of the ones I've played, was also fairly linear. Elden Ring is more explorey like Fall of Avalon games are, which I guess means you have a bunch of paths you can follow that, if you want, you can keep retrying, but what are the "retry" mechanism for these games, and how much does random generation (card draws, I gather?) compete with one's own skill?
Hey these are great questions! As for the “retry” mechanics, it’s as simple as “reloading” an old save, which entails just resetting to the beginning of a day, which probably loses you about 5-15 minutes depending on how many things you did. For the first game, I found myself not even resetting to that point though and just would reset a lost battle toward the end of the game because resetting everything just to get back to the same fight seemed like a waste of time. As far as random card draw, some encounters are random, but the game won’t have you draw a random encounter that isn’t within your character level (unless it’s a scripted space, like in the first game very close to spawn you can find a giant worm that is WAY beyond your level that will for sure kill you). Each time you go further in the game, set up will have you shuffle tougher encounters into the encounter decks to ensure it progresses at a good pace.
I had this backed up until like the last minute before cancelling my pledge. For me it came down to this feeling like a solo game based on the playthroughs I watched where when there were multiple players it seemed like peoples tended to split. This feels like a video game board game so I figure if it’s going to be best solo then it probably wouldn’t beat out the best rpg videos games I have. Definitely calls to me but I resist the temptation
I would recommend this at one player, but I know some people love it at 2, it’s just one of those games you and someone else would have to commit to over multiple meets and hours! As someone who loves RPG video games, I will say there is something refreshing about doing it all in board game form and in such a well written way. However, I completely get what you are saying about video game RPGs and adventures being hard to beat!
What you described at the beginning is how I feel about etherfields. I love everything about it. I think the game is a masterpiece. Then again I started with 2.0
TG tfoa is unforgiving, it makes what is good about the game. I play with 2 less random resource to start a light or 1 less if I choose. The investigate things to not found nothing it's nice, because if you find something interesting it's even better!
Doolin mentions this series has his favorite writing and story in any board game he has played. What's yours? Do you like story in games?
Love story in board games; sadly I have yet to play Tainted grail. The best game with stories I've played is certainly Arkham Horror LCG!
You are in good company here! Haha Kenny I think shares that thought.
Sleeping gods takes that slot for me. I haven’t played a ton of story games but sleeping gods made me feel things
ISS Vanguard has been the best for me so far. I liked it more than Etherfields, but haven't played TG:FoA. I did back this though, so I'm looking forward to it... lots of Awaken Realms!
I like it more when stories are created during and through play by the players and their interactions. If I want stories I read books, play games and watch movies. Story based games are huge shelf hogs as well which turns me off a great deal
finished FOA this week end with my friends. greatest boardgame times ever, took us a long time because we are 5! (one played as if he was game master of a DnD campain) and it was an incredible journey. i pledged KoR almost a years ago now, and i cannot wait to have it!
I LOVE to hear stories like that!! The OG game is incredible and I wish it was played more by people. The new game you are going to love!
glad you enjoyed it dude I agree I can't wait to see how improved it is now as well in the new one
During the Kickstarter for Kings of Ruin they also sold an update pack for the original game that is supposed to address a lot of issues that people had with it t. I would assume that they will start selling newer copies with the updated material soon
I heard the same but have yet to see what the changes really are! If it’s like this game, then they would probably be a great addition.
@@Tablenauts Does 2.0 Update Pack add all the new Tainted Grail: Kings of Ruin rules to the older tainted Grail content?
No. The 2.0 Update Pack mostly contains many small edits, fixes, and rebalances. And while it modifies some core rules, the Kings or Ruin ruleset is too different to apply it to the old game.
This is from the Gamefound FAQ.
What are you thoughts on the miniature add-on? Are they used a lot and elevate the experience or it is just a non necessary luxury?
I think they are beautiful, but unnecessary! If you want them to just have, I completely get it (I want them), but they don’t add much beyond the cool factor, and board presence.
Thanks for the feedback, you saved me a few bucks then :)
good review; I went all-in for these games, and I am super excited to get this one the table.
The rose glasses I have for everything Terraforming Mars!
I only played FoA until chapter 3 (still got the game). But I did not stop playing it because i did not like it. It was because i liked that much, that I backed/founded(?) the Kings of Ruins Warlord of Avalon Pack (including Sundrop) which includes FoA 2.0. So I play it from the start again when it arrives and sell my (Retail Version) FoA. Or maybe I gift it to Family/Friends.
Nice!! When you finally get to play FoA 2.0 and Kings of Ruin, I hope it’s an epic experience
Great video- so refreshing to see a review that says “this is good for people who like A” vs just a hot take opinion. Very well done
That’s some big encouragement! Thank you :)
Many complain about the grinding. But geez, do people have no own fantasy to use? What is more easy, to sell a game or use a simple house rule? 🙄
True! Sometimes you gotta see the beauty beyond the weeds
I see FoA is for sale in UK by Game for an amazing £20!
Planning to buy Kings of Ruin (retail version will be out soon) but I haven’t played Fall of Avalon. Is there a good way to catch up on the story without having to play through FoA? The storybook experience and narrative matters most to me.
You should try Oathsworn! It has the best story I've ever played)
I'm experienced with Souls games, not played any Avalon but I've been interested since the first game was announced. Souls encourages retrying until you get it right, that sort of counteracts the toughness, allowing you a chance to basically train until you beat the challenge and learn things about possible challenges in the future. The first game, probably the top of my list of the ones I've played, was also fairly linear. Elden Ring is more explorey like Fall of Avalon games are, which I guess means you have a bunch of paths you can follow that, if you want, you can keep retrying, but what are the "retry" mechanism for these games, and how much does random generation (card draws, I gather?) compete with one's own skill?
Hey these are great questions! As for the “retry” mechanics, it’s as simple as “reloading” an old save, which entails just resetting to the beginning of a day, which probably loses you about 5-15 minutes depending on how many things you did. For the first game, I found myself not even resetting to that point though and just would reset a lost battle toward the end of the game because resetting everything just to get back to the same fight seemed like a waste of time.
As far as random card draw, some encounters are random, but the game won’t have you draw a random encounter that isn’t within your character level (unless it’s a scripted space, like in the first game very close to spawn you can find a giant worm that is WAY beyond your level that will for sure kill you). Each time you go further in the game, set up will have you shuffle tougher encounters into the encounter decks to ensure it progresses at a good pace.
I had this backed up until like the last minute before cancelling my pledge. For me it came down to this feeling like a solo game based on the playthroughs I watched where when there were multiple players it seemed like peoples tended to split. This feels like a video game board game so I figure if it’s going to be best solo then it probably wouldn’t beat out the best rpg videos games I have. Definitely calls to me but I resist the temptation
The game is good playable up to 3 Players. More than that will have too much downtime without Houseruling.
I would recommend this at one player, but I know some people love it at 2, it’s just one of those games you and someone else would have to commit to over multiple meets and hours!
As someone who loves RPG video games, I will say there is something refreshing about doing it all in board game form and in such a well written way. However, I completely get what you are saying about video game RPGs and adventures being hard to beat!
What you described at the beginning is how I feel about etherfields. I love everything about it. I think the game is a masterpiece. Then again I started with 2.0
That’s one I still have yet to get my hands on and try, so maybe that should be what I seek out next!
Question, were any of the add-ons needed to really expand the game?
I got the playmat and tge deluxe artbook. Is anything else needed?
I don’t think so! Not to really enjoy it. The base game itself has tons of hours of really great content!
TG tfoa is unforgiving, it makes what is good about the game. I play with 2 less random resource to start a light or 1 less if I choose. The investigate things to not found nothing it's nice, because if you find something interesting it's even better!