That’s the joke. James Cameron’s Avatar is different from Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Avatar:TLA is not a manga despite being in a similar style. So two jokes for the price of one.
I’m so glad you guys chose to highlight this game! It became an instant favourite for me and my friends, but it wasn’t really getting any recognition so we were worried it wouldn’t reach the audiences it should 😭.
SUSD has always been a vibes-focused gaming channel. There is a super obvious reason that games they recommend end up with positive reviews and increased sales. SUSD is not trying to sell you a game - rather, they focus on expressing how you’re going to experience a game and how you’ll feel after. 1:25 I come out of everyone video knowing if the game is for me or not, but I never feel sold toward. Curious what others think… I never comment on YT videos but I want to give a massive props to all of the SUSD hosts and contributors, and especially Tom for taking on such a unique situation with such skill, technique, talent, blended with an impressive understanding of legacy and vibe. What a legend. Hope to game with these guys someday!
Great review :) I really like the point you make about the spectrum of "thematic / variable" and "tight / dependable". A lot of two player games fit in the "tight" spectrum, which is great - but it's nice to have something that is a bit more fun to explore with that variability - especially when the play time is < 90 mins. A lot of thematic 2 player games - especially area control-style - have very long play times (e.g. War of the Ring). The "three trusty, dependable cards" really helps the balance with Ironwood I think.
If this seems interesting, I'd recommend checking out A Gest of Robin Hood. No card play, but some hidden movement from both players and a more direct tug of war for victory.
The Ironclads having an easier time of getting those gems reminds me of how the Empire in Star Wars Rebellion has an easier time of making fleets and armies. And I could this game getting a four player variant where two modern colonizers and two tribal locals all compete.
0:14 Oh dang! I completely forgot I backed the Septima Kickstarter. I got it, put it on my shelf, and there it remains. It's nice to hear positive word about it, but I should definitely try and get it to the table at some point (or at the very least, open it).
@@invertedforce3300 you could see stock counting down when they reviewed Arcs 🤣. I've had to do the unthinkable and preorder from one of the two UK suppliers who has this on preorder.
I really like this comment. Except I don't understand how people that 'don't understand binary' are one of the 10 kinds of people that 'understand binary'? 😂
Uuuuh that sound effect from 0:30, that's the sound effect of selecting a menu option in Air Combat for PS1!? That's a heckin deep cut. Or is that somehow found it's way into a stock audio library?
Its not two player month, its anti-valentines. Two months from the end of the year instead of two months from the start, its just like valentines except everything is reversed. When two people just want to murder and crush each other instead of sweet sweet
This is going to be a bit of a weird take for such a quick review of a colourful game. The theming of this one made me sad. I'm Canadian and our government built an oil pipeline through a region of land that holds spiritual significance to the indigenous folk of the region. (weird non-sequitur, I know) The company knew about this and opted to build there anyways. There were protests that were quelled by police. The construction was protected and the pipeline was built. I was reminded of that when Tom explained the win conditions of both sides. The industrial machine wins if they build despite the protestations of the locals. The people who live there win if they take their totems of cultural significance and take them far from here. Far from their homes. Either way, the woodland walkers lose. This box just strikes me as a bit too colonialist. The advanced Ironclad who are better at extracting the natural resources of the land. The tribal wood walkers who can only ever steal what they grew up with. Who have to use guerilla tactics. Who have to use tricks to get their way. Who worship totems. Who still have peach skin and blonde hair on the cover art. Yes, I'm reading WAY too much into this cardboard box of bits. However, SUSD has always been good about bringing up topics of representation and this box just hit a weird note for me.
To be fair, Tom kind of forgot to mention... well, what they're doing with the totems. They're not leaving, they're trying to bring them together so they can perform a ritual to summon one of their old forest deities, who'll come in like the Juggernaut and absolutely wreck the Ironclad's house.
I wonder how this compares to something like 878 vikings? I've been looking for a good two player war game but I dont really like the themes of WW2 and cold war board games.
@@somethinguncreative2634 I gave it a quick look and it looks a little too heavy for my partner most likely. I'll have to watch a rules video but preferably I am looking for something more medium weight and good replayability.
Meh, sounds like player interaction is a little too low, which is what makes 1 vs 1 games actually good. A shame because the artwork and production values look great.
What is the deal with the heavy emphasis on card driven games. I really feel like game design is bottoming out. Very rare when a good new game comes along. Of course it's understandable, the explosion of games at the beginning of the century utilized every idea to its furthest potential. Now designers are just wringing out the last few droplets and still leaving us parched.
@6:50 [holds up an octagon]
“These hexagonal tokens.”
That’s it, I’m writing a comment.
Literally unwatchable.
6:49 Ah yes, eight-sided hexagonal tokens, my favourite!
He was cooked man, give poor lil' Tommy a break
Technically, all hexagonal tokens have eight sides.
Tom was holding up a ten sided token.
That joke about "James Cameron´s Avatar: The Last Airbender, one of my favourite... mangas" had me laughing out loud. Great review as always!
i dont get it, pls explain! :D I thought that it was an original creation (meaning not adapting from manga)
That’s the joke. James Cameron’s Avatar is different from Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Avatar:TLA is not a manga despite being in a similar style. So two jokes for the price of one.
I’m so glad you guys chose to highlight this game!
It became an instant favourite for me and my friends, but it wasn’t really getting any recognition so we were worried it wouldn’t reach the audiences it should 😭.
The aesthetic here is almost as strong as Tom's new haircut and scandalously buttoned down shirt.
Two new isometric game - That's the words I love to hear !!
I don't know why but calling the Ironclad "the Lads" really tickled me for some reason
SUSD has always been a vibes-focused gaming channel. There is a super obvious reason that games they recommend end up with positive reviews and increased sales. SUSD is not trying to sell you a game - rather, they focus on expressing how you’re going to experience a game and how you’ll feel after.
1:25 I come out of everyone video knowing if the game is for me or not, but I never feel sold toward. Curious what others think…
I never comment on YT videos but I want to give a massive props to all of the SUSD hosts and contributors, and especially Tom for taking on such a unique situation with such skill, technique, talent, blended with an impressive understanding of legacy and vibe. What a legend.
Hope to game with these guys someday!
That's just such a pretty game that I'm tempted to pick it up just for the aesthetic value.
Great review :) I really like the point you make about the spectrum of "thematic / variable" and "tight / dependable". A lot of two player games fit in the "tight" spectrum, which is great - but it's nice to have something that is a bit more fun to explore with that variability - especially when the play time is < 90 mins. A lot of thematic 2 player games - especially area control-style - have very long play times (e.g. War of the Ring). The "three trusty, dependable cards" really helps the balance with Ironwood I think.
1:41 Tom trying to piss off as many nerds as possible with one sentence lol
the problem is that it was an incredibly funny joke
@@fallenchain I think that's the point not the problem lol
I appreciate that he kind of struggled at the end to cram in one more thing.
Those could be the best looking cards I have ever seen in any board game.
I swear SU&SD never used to update this frequently...
Metal vs wooden pieces is really fun and flavourful flair
We want more 2-player months !
Picked this one up at Spiel recently. Glad to see you boys liked it 😊
Thank you so much for this video, Tom, so glad to see Ironwood on your table! 🤗
If this seems interesting, I'd recommend checking out A Gest of Robin Hood. No card play, but some hidden movement from both players and a more direct tug of war for victory.
Thank you for the recommendation! I'll check it out!
The Ironclads having an easier time of getting those gems reminds me of how the Empire in Star Wars Rebellion has an easier time of making fleets and armies.
And I could this game getting a four player variant where two modern colonizers and two tribal locals all compete.
Oh, so that was actually you I saw in Essen, cool
No, that was me. I'm a little taller but smell worse.
This was a great review from tom, crazy to think how far you have come.
0:14 Oh dang! I completely forgot I backed the Septima Kickstarter. I got it, put it on my shelf, and there it remains. It's nice to hear positive word about it, but I should definitely try and get it to the table at some point (or at the very least, open it).
damn those new games look so frickin beautiful
SU&SD is way too clever to title something “2 player month” why not something else. Something like…oh I don’t know…Chess Month maybe?
6:55 I hear Age of Mythology music, I press like
The cough at 0:38 cracked me up so much I had to watch it twice. Great review, thanks Tom!
You should check out Kelp: Shark vs Octopus to continue 2 Player Month 😂
Tom mate, that hair cut with that flannel bro. Utter gorgeous! Mans in his hunk era.
Literally played this at PAX AUS today lol
Seems like a fun game :) thank you for sharing
I preordered it, and it’s so great!
8:41 such a firm, confident handshake
I like the crystals as mechanic to force confrontation.
1v1 games are always a bit suspect in my eyes, but they really nailed the art on this one.
1 v 1 is the best player count.
Dammit - I hope this doesn't sell out now due to hype, I've been for this to come to retail for ages!
Same! I was pleased to see SUSD cover it and then...oh no :/
@@invertedforce3300 you could see stock counting down when they reviewed Arcs 🤣. I've had to do the unthinkable and preorder from one of the two UK suppliers who has this on preorder.
Tom slowly turning into a lumberjack one video at a time
wait waaat you been playin AOM dude?! I am blasted away by how well they handled the remake
So happy to see 2 player games!
This one looks fun
I want "James Cameron's Avatar: The Last Airbender, one of my favourite mangas" on a T-shirt
Happy Two-Player-Only Octwober everyone!
I like the idea of the 10th month being two player month, after all only 10 kinds of people understand binary. Those that do and those that don't.
I really like this comment. Except I don't understand how people that 'don't understand binary' are one of the 10 kinds of people that 'understand binary'? 😂
@@72kyle10 is 2 in binary
Essen, Bloody northern hemisphere. Be nice to just pop over to Germany on the weekend.
Nice video. Game looks cool.
"And exactly one other freind.."
Well that rules ME out...
5 more videos this year and Tom will have completed his transition to full Glen Powell.
I love how James Cameron’s Avatar the last Airbender somehow makes some sense here as both portray the struggle he describes.
This was worth watching for the avatar joke alone.
Uuuuh that sound effect from 0:30, that's the sound effect of selecting a menu option in Air Combat for PS1!? That's a heckin deep cut. Or is that somehow found it's way into a stock audio library?
so frickin beautiful
Talking about abstract games and you didn't mention the Hexagons of Hyperspace!
okay, i want know if i gonna be intrigued, but didnt know they did Septima, which i just got.
We need a Fine-move-o-meter
If one were so inclined, they might call it the month of OcTWOber.
Those hexagonal tokens look pretty octagonal to me!
(Yes, I know I'm not the first and not even second to point it out, sorry...)
This game would indeed work great with Avatar theme. I bet the licensing cost would be too prohibitive though.
Theme reminds me of Dune a lot.
Ah, two player soup, the less dignified of the "two player" genres.
Tom whats the deal with you getting all lumberjacked? All chest and hair and flannels.
Bunch of me friends caught a bug in Essen, hope you are alright
I endorse the spontaneity of creating 2-player month, and wholeheartedly curse you for your lack of foresight in announcing it 🦐
Its not two player month, its anti-valentines. Two months from the end of the year instead of two months from the start, its just like valentines except everything is reversed. When two people just want to murder and crush each other instead of sweet sweet
Capital vs life 💯😂😅😭
I feel slighted that Trickerion didn't make it in to that intro...
Or Voidfall, which is imo their best game :p
does "completely cooked" mean, sick, tired, or high? All three?
Possibly none of those. Could mean "done" or "well/over done"
West Bank fantasy Bogaloo.
Am I really the first noticing?
I'm American. Explain what a "spanner" is, please.
A wrench
Looks cool and I'd play it, but, I'd prefer options for more than 2 players as well as multiple factions. So, like, Root.
Any other games like Root? 😅
Tom looks like an adult. what happened? I was only gone like 2 yrs and now he's all grown up. 😮😅
That’s what she said
War of the Ironroot
what game those this game replace?
what game is this most similar to?
This is going to be a bit of a weird take for such a quick review of a colourful game. The theming of this one made me sad.
I'm Canadian and our government built an oil pipeline through a region of land that holds spiritual significance to the indigenous folk of the region. (weird non-sequitur, I know) The company knew about this and opted to build there anyways. There were protests that were quelled by police. The construction was protected and the pipeline was built.
I was reminded of that when Tom explained the win conditions of both sides. The industrial machine wins if they build despite the protestations of the locals. The people who live there win if they take their totems of cultural significance and take them far from here. Far from their homes. Either way, the woodland walkers lose.
This box just strikes me as a bit too colonialist. The advanced Ironclad who are better at extracting the natural resources of the land. The tribal wood walkers who can only ever steal what they grew up with. Who have to use guerilla tactics. Who have to use tricks to get their way. Who worship totems. Who still have peach skin and blonde hair on the cover art.
Yes, I'm reading WAY too much into this cardboard box of bits. However, SUSD has always been good about bringing up topics of representation and this box just hit a weird note for me.
To be fair, Tom kind of forgot to mention... well, what they're doing with the totems. They're not leaving, they're trying to bring them together so they can perform a ritual to summon one of their old forest deities, who'll come in like the Juggernaut and absolutely wreck the Ironclad's house.
Oc-two-berfest!
The aesthetic is really cool!
I'm human? Oh nooooooo O_O
I wonder how this compares to something like 878 vikings? I've been looking for a good two player war game but I dont really like the themes of WW2 and cold war board games.
the new undaunted game has a "union vs pinkertons in space" theme iirc, so maybe give that a look?
@@somethinguncreative2634 I gave it a quick look and it looks a little too heavy for my partner most likely. I'll have to watch a rules video but preferably I am looking for something more medium weight and good replayability.
Meh, sounds like player interaction is a little too low, which is what makes 1 vs 1 games actually good. A shame because the artwork and production values look great.
Root without the cute.
Can’t believe Tom manifested a manga adaptation of James Cameron’s Avatar into being…
Sexy haircut.
handsome
Tom you are TOO HOT, button up man I'm trying to focus on the games
Man, this should really be using the Root IP...
What is the deal with the heavy emphasis on card driven games. I really feel like game design is bottoming out. Very rare when a good new game comes along. Of course it's understandable, the explosion of games at the beginning of the century utilized every idea to its furthest potential. Now designers are just wringing out the last few droplets and still leaving us parched.
Then you're not looking...
who would want to play as genocidal colonisers though.
number 2
First
third
Nr 3
First