I agree with you 100% on this Tom : It's an imperfect game that manages to still be fun. I'd rather have a game be fun than perfect, so I'm happy to play this game.
I definitely agree with Tom on the new regular Dino DNA diluting the deck, but it also I think causes players to go to the EDNA or the refinement area. But I do wish the game mechanism separated going first from the reputation track, or had a space to claim first player regardless of reputation.
Agreed, reputation is already tied to points so why make it stronger and allow for a stale race? I've never been one to like tacked on catch-up mechanisms but I would enjoy this more if runaway leader bias was addressed officially instead of house ruled, which is how I've decided to play it in the future. The game stays because of theme implementation, I still hold hope the gameplay balancing will catch up.
In all the games we played, if there is a clear leader, that player would be targeted with manipulation cards and denied as many chances to take resources if possible. You can also try forgoing getting goats to feed carnivores in favour of other actions that may help you get out ahead. There is a 1/6 chance that the die roll will not cause any damage to your park and even if it does, scandals can be removed easily as are the chances to repair your park.
Everything I have read about the problem is that yes people are both playing it too safe, and aren't being competitive enough. People are afraid of just pumping out mutants to try and get ahead or maybe not having the right enclosures. The game is supposed to be a balance of risk and reward, with a little cut throat action. I think even the designers mentioned they were having trouble recreating the problem, but they weren't accounting for people being nice.
Agree - the "Dice roll / get Water Dino" felt pretty tucked on - like it´s not an actual part of the main game as that mechanism is totally unique to the whole experience. It may have felt more integrated if you could choose between like 3 Standard Dinos and the dice rolls would mean different things on the costs of every one. The way it is it feels like a different game.
Ugh! So sick of the so called runaway leader complaints. BS. To steal a quote from heavy cardboard, "Play Better." With experienced players the games i have played have been competitive between most players. TAKE A FREAKIN RISK. Quit safe playing. And use your manipulation cards to screw over your opponents. The old rules were fine. Preseason wasnt' a problem. The change that takes away preseason is fine as well. It is a light game. But fuck! You get to play with dinos and build your own park! Don't be afraid of rampages. That lil kid deserved to be eaten
I agree with you 100% on this Tom : It's an imperfect game that manages to still be fun. I'd rather have a game be fun than perfect, so I'm happy to play this game.
I'm glad you were able to "Control" the "Chaos" of the component drop, Tom! Thanks for the review!
I am surprise that Tom has never reviewed Totally liquid expansion by Pandasaur Games
I definitely agree with Tom on the new regular Dino DNA diluting the deck, but it also I think causes players to go to the EDNA or the refinement area. But I do wish the game mechanism separated going first from the reputation track, or had a space to claim first player regardless of reputation.
Agreed, reputation is already tied to points so why make it stronger and allow for a stale race? I've never been one to like tacked on catch-up mechanisms but I would enjoy this more if runaway leader bias was addressed officially instead of house ruled, which is how I've decided to play it in the future. The game stays because of theme implementation, I still hold hope the gameplay balancing will catch up.
I love this game. Win or Lose, I always have fun.
Everyone keeps complaining about runaway leaders. I think everyone is playing it too safe?
I’ve never had a runaway leader problem. I’ve lead all game and gotten passed in the end etc.
Safe in what way? So far it has been my experience that by round 2 (now named round 3), whoever leads stays there.
In all the games we played, if there is a clear leader, that player would be targeted with manipulation cards and denied as many chances to take resources if possible. You can also try forgoing getting goats to feed carnivores in favour of other actions that may help you get out ahead. There is a 1/6 chance that the die roll will not cause any damage to your park and even if it does, scandals can be removed easily as are the chances to repair your park.
Everything I have read about the problem is that yes people are both playing it too safe, and aren't being competitive enough. People are afraid of just pumping out mutants to try and get ahead or maybe not having the right enclosures. The game is supposed to be a balance of risk and reward, with a little cut throat action. I think even the designers mentioned they were having trouble recreating the problem, but they weren't accounting for people being nice.
Agree - the "Dice roll / get Water Dino" felt pretty tucked on - like it´s not an actual part of the main game as that mechanism is totally unique to the whole experience. It may have felt more integrated if you could choose between like 3 Standard Dinos and the dice rolls would mean different things on the costs of every one. The way it is it feels like a different game.
This game really does have a runaway leader problem. I love the style and theme of this game but it isn't usually a satisfying play.
There is a new variant in the rulebook that resolves this issue.
Ian Malcolm does not approve
Not just a runaway leader. All players keep the same pace of points in the 2nd half of the game. Expansion didn't address it at all really.
Ugh! So sick of the so called runaway leader complaints. BS. To steal a quote from heavy cardboard, "Play Better." With experienced players the games i have played have been competitive between most players. TAKE A FREAKIN RISK. Quit safe playing. And use your manipulation cards to screw over your opponents. The old rules were fine. Preseason wasnt' a problem. The change that takes away preseason is fine as well. It is a light game. But fuck! You get to play with dinos and build your own park! Don't be afraid of rampages. That lil kid deserved to be eaten