My initial excitement for this game was dampened by photos from Essen where I thought it looked like a hot mess laid out on the table. However, I still bought a copy because I really like this kind of game and don't own Orleans. I'm pleased to say that this is WAY more fun than it looks, and the components and bright colours of the artwork (whether you like the style or not) actually enhance the experience quite a bit. First 2 player experience last night was excellent - both players pursued completely different strategies throughout and ended up 10 points apart (113 v 103). Lots of fun to play. The rule book however really is a hot mess.
Just so you know: at 6:27, Tom says you can only have one extension for each area, which is not correct. The actual rule is that you may have any number of extensions per area but no duplicate extensions and no extensions that have the same action as your starting role tile.
I agree that the game looks and feels fun but it's a big turn down for me when Tom said it's basically a multiplayer solitaire, I hate those type of games. the whole point of gaming in my opinion is the interaction that's what makes it fun for me and I'm pretty sure most would agree
Can't wait to play this. On it's way from Europe as we speak. Love Orleans. Also love the fact everyone is referring to the Alpacas as Llamas. I laugh every time.
06:34 Turn food into a rock. Got it. Sounds logical. Almost as logical as "you can't put food into the storehouse, but putting fish and corn there is perfectly fine."
Played a 5PL game and it booring if you are a fast player and know you next few moved. I could easily play on two tables in the down time. Will not buy the game, but will be ok to play a 3PL again one day.
A multiplayer solitaire with lots of fiddly bits should be a digital game rather than a physical game. Also, Orleans (and probably this too) really needs giant screens to hide player boards while placing tokens silumtaneously (which also makes it better as a digital game).
"Orleans (and probably this too) really needs giant screens to hide player boards while placing tokens silumtaneously (which also makes it better as a digital game)." The thing is, it is open information about where people are playing their workers. There is even something in the rule book about timing issues for certain actions that states, "If you intend to do an action that may depend upon what other players are doing, you may ask that it be done in turn order (or that they lock in whether they are doing or not ding a particular action)." It's not a hide then reveal system like Race/Roll for the Galaxy.
Sorry I didn't read the hidden part of your comment. The rules say that the planning phase is done simultaneously or in turn order. What I said is you need screens when you do the planning phase simultaneously, as you need to see the board in the center of the table while you plan and it's not easy to avoid seeing other players' player boards. When you play simultaneously, it's not open information about where people are playing their workers (if it is, then it's real-time and not simultaneous).
I don’t understand.. it does not matter at all if you can see what your opponent is planning on their own board, it’s not like worker placement, you can’t block each other.
Delia Blitz you are allowed to see where everyone is placing their tokens. The use of the term “Simultaneous” here is wrong. It should be “real time”. It’s a misuse of the term by the rulebook, but everyone’s actions are open information. For those who do not know the difference, “simultaneous” means at the same time with some amount of hidden information. Most games use the term wrong.
Just not a fan of the fact its all multiplayer solitaire those type of games really turn me off. Hopefully like Orleans they will have some expansion that adds some player interaction and at that point I will pick it up maybe.
Tried to get into Orleans but the artwork just threw me off. Not a fan of Klemens Franz artwork in games so it seems I'll be giving this one a pass as well. I know I'm in the Extreme minority here but it is what it is
Wasn’t a massive fan of Orleans. Super dry and just levelling tracks. This one really isn’t selling me either. Too long at 4+ players and zero player interaction?
I don't see how this looks like fun. It just looks like a trading-heavy, point salad, multiplayer solitaire game with a loose theme. Nothing about this looks all that appealing. Pass.
Sorta agree with you. The first few plays of this game looks like it could be fun with different strategies "Warehouse, gaining mass amount of chips, orders" But looks like it would get uninteresting after a while since most of the game mechanics look stale/repetitive.
is this supposed to be inca-themed? i dont think they had invented the wheel (looking at the cart). And also, Inca didnt use money. why dont chose another theme, instead of introducing such inaccuracies?
it's a bleeping something builder !! deck, bag, engine ... something's gettin' built somehow somewheres (-: I was expecting Tom not to really like it. I want to like it but it seems to me the game plays itself a bit too much for a medium euro. or I guess it's maybe b/c I don't really care for tons of resource conversion. also all the turn taking is a bit old school as I see it.
I think Tom just really loves the bag building mechanic and is more then likely blinded by that. I would be surprised unless an expansion comes out that he will be still playing this a year from now at all with him having Orleans and its expansions.
not about perfect information, about thinky options via multiple choices for how you want to proceed on your turn, lining up tactical with strategic, etc.
in his altiplano vs. orleans review he explains it a bit more, i see what he means there about with orleans everything just goes in the bag where in altiplano there is a staging area like a discard pile that gets "reshuffled"
One of the ugliest things I've seen lately ... That "art" is telling me: " STOP LOOKING AT ME ! "... still - might be a nice game to play though ... however, an example how bad art can make a game look ugly, busy, fiddly and ... bad ... overall.
One week a game with broken game mechanics gets the "DT Seal of Approval" the next week, a game with a re-hashed ideas, with zero interaction and a bunch of must does or you lose. Has board gaming really fallen to such a low point? Next weeks seal of approval will got to a box with air inside it as this rate.
My initial excitement for this game was dampened by photos from Essen where I thought it looked like a hot mess laid out on the table. However, I still bought a copy because I really like this kind of game and don't own Orleans. I'm pleased to say that this is WAY more fun than it looks, and the components and bright colours of the artwork (whether you like the style or not) actually enhance the experience quite a bit. First 2 player experience last night was excellent - both players pursued completely different strategies throughout and ended up 10 points apart (113 v 103). Lots of fun to play. The rule book however really is a hot mess.
Really? I thought the rulebook was pretty simple and well laid out. I had no issues.
Art is fantastic. Emperor’s New Groove kind of feel
Just so you know: at 6:27, Tom says you can only have one extension for each area, which is not correct. The actual rule is that you may have any number of extensions per area but no duplicate extensions and no extensions that have the same action as your starting role tile.
It’s just like Tom to get rules wrong.
Y'all are nuts. This game looks excellent.
Actually it looks ugly - one of the ugliest I've ever seen to be honest.
yeah i really like the art in this and orleans.
i am sad that the game heavy on the Solitaire aspect.
You haven't seen many games then. I don't like Klemens Franz artwork but this isn't even in the top 500 of ugliest games I've seen.
I agree that the game looks and feels fun but it's a big turn down for me when Tom said it's basically a multiplayer solitaire, I hate those type of games. the whole point of gaming in my opinion is the interaction that's what makes it fun for me and I'm pretty sure most would agree
Tr1pleOseveN depends on games. I’m the same as you. Interaction is a must but altiplano is the exception. It’s an awesome game.
Thanks, nice review! Gives a great overview.
Can't wait to play this. On it's way from Europe as we speak. Love Orleans. Also love the fact everyone is referring to the Alpacas as Llamas. I laugh every time.
I'm not a HUGE fan of orleans but wondering if this is better.
So Tom's new found love of solo gaming is starting to rub off on his reviews I see ;)
to which solo are you talking about for example?
Any ETA on US distribution?
Looks fine, but I'm hoping for a TMG edition.
Fumi Downing Renegade will be publishing this so no “deluxified” edition.
You'll need to hope that Renegade knows how to do their own 'deluxifying'.
What's for dinner? Food and fish.
06:34 Turn food into a rock. Got it. Sounds logical. Almost as logical as "you can't put food into the storehouse, but putting fish and corn there is perfectly fine."
The food essentially represents the upkeep of workers. Thinking of it this way, both of those things make sense
Food is used to feed workers or even the meeple that represents your character. It’s not a trade but a
“Feed” action to get the job done.
Played a 5PL game and it booring if you are a fast player and know you next few moved. I could easily play on two tables in the down time. Will not buy the game, but will be ok to play a 3PL again one day.
Blimey I’m exhausted just hearing Tom explain how to play. Was he in danger of missing his plane? 😩
Você tentou mostrar o jogo ou seu braço?
A multiplayer solitaire with lots of fiddly bits should be a digital game rather than a physical game.
Also, Orleans (and probably this too) really needs giant screens to hide player boards while placing tokens silumtaneously (which also makes it better as a digital game).
"Orleans (and probably this too) really needs giant screens to hide player boards while placing tokens silumtaneously (which also makes it better as a digital game)."
The thing is, it is open information about where people are playing their workers. There is even something in the rule book about timing issues for certain actions that states, "If you intend to do an action that may depend upon what other players are doing, you may ask that it be done in turn order (or that they lock in whether they are doing or not ding a particular action)."
It's not a hide then reveal system like Race/Roll for the Galaxy.
Sorry I didn't read the hidden part of your comment.
The rules say that the planning phase is done simultaneously or in turn order.
What I said is you need screens when you do the planning phase simultaneously, as you need to see the board in the center of the table while you plan and it's not easy to avoid seeing other players' player boards.
When you play simultaneously, it's not open information about where people are playing their workers (if it is, then it's real-time and not simultaneous).
I don’t understand.. it does not matter at all if you can see what your opponent is planning on their own board, it’s not like worker placement, you can’t block each other.
Delia Blitz you are allowed to see where everyone is placing their tokens. The use of the term “Simultaneous” here is wrong. It should be “real time”. It’s a misuse of the term by the rulebook, but everyone’s actions are open information.
For those who do not know the difference, “simultaneous” means at the same time with some amount of hidden information. Most games use the term wrong.
I also thought the game would benefit from having screens just to diminish analisys paralysis.
Circadians: First Light does this and it works greatly.
Technically it is an alpaca according to the game and not a llama.
What's the name of the song played during the component drop?
Just not a fan of the fact its all multiplayer solitaire those type of games really turn me off. Hopefully like Orleans they will have some expansion that adds some player interaction and at that point I will pick it up maybe.
I love the Llama standee. I don't like the bulk of the art though. Never a fan of Klemens Franz.
It's an Alpaca!
Tried to get into Orleans but the artwork just threw me off. Not a fan of Klemens Franz artwork in games so it seems I'll be giving this one a pass as well. I know I'm in the Extreme minority here but it is what it is
I'm with you ;)
it's ok... actually I like the art but the game itself is snoozy for me, and I like Orleans... go figure
Yeah I have to agree with you as well. This game seems to be just a point salad however....
It’s a shame as the game is great (Orleans)....you should look pass the art if possible
Yeah, I too have never really seen Franz as a great draw to me, but Orleans is one of my favorite games.
Wasn’t a massive fan of Orleans. Super dry and just levelling tracks. This one really isn’t selling me either. Too long at 4+ players and zero player interaction?
and ugly to look at too ...
I don't see how this looks like fun. It just looks like a trading-heavy, point salad, multiplayer solitaire game with a loose theme. Nothing about this looks all that appealing. Pass.
Sorta agree with you. The first few plays of this game looks like it could be fun with different strategies "Warehouse, gaining mass amount of chips, orders" But looks like it would get uninteresting after a while since most of the game mechanics look stale/repetitive.
I think the looks is ok and the game does feels like it could b fun but once I heard multiplayer solitaire, I'm out!.
is this supposed to be inca-themed? i dont think they had invented the wheel (looking at the cart). And also, Inca didnt use money. why dont chose another theme, instead of introducing such inaccuracies?
it's a bleeping something builder !! deck, bag, engine ... something's gettin' built somehow somewheres (-: I was expecting Tom not to really like it. I want to like it but it seems to me the game plays itself a bit too much for a medium euro. or I guess it's maybe b/c I don't really care for tons of resource conversion. also all the turn taking is a bit old school as I see it.
I think Tom just really loves the bag building mechanic and is more then likely blinded by that. I would be surprised unless an expansion comes out that he will be still playing this a year from now at all with him having Orleans and its expansions.
Isn't this too random to be considered a Euro? I thought Euros were all about "perfect information" or basically the removal of anything random.
not about perfect information, about thinky options via multiple choices for how you want to proceed on your turn, lining up tactical with strategic, etc.
in his altiplano vs. orleans review he explains it a bit more, i see what he means there about with orleans everything just goes in the bag where in altiplano there is a staging area like a discard pile that gets "reshuffled"
Cool! I always knew Eldritch Horror was a Euro! :)
One of the ugliest things I've seen lately ... That "art" is telling me: " STOP LOOKING AT ME ! "... still - might be a nice game to play though ... however, an example how bad art can make a game look ugly, busy, fiddly and ... bad ... overall.
I win the internet.
One week a game with broken game mechanics gets the "DT Seal of Approval" the next week, a game with a re-hashed ideas, with zero interaction and a bunch of must does or you lose. Has board gaming really fallen to such a low point? Next weeks seal of approval will got to a box with air inside it as this rate.
Or it's possible that I just really like the games?
"Broken mechanics?" Which game are you talking about?
I too would like to know what game you were talking about.
Im also interested in the "box of air" concept. Sounds revolutionary. 😂