Tom, thank you for this thoughtful review. I have to say I really appreciated the attention you gave to the theme as my young family LOVE Arcadia Quest and this was a definite buy for me until I watched the review. The themed mechanic of Damnation puts me off quite a bit actually and I reckon I'll only consider purchasing on the basis of the rest of the positive aspects (for me) of the game. I think you make I clear that your hesitancy towards certain aspects of the theme are personal preferences and so I can't see why people would have a problem wit you mentioning it. If I do end up buying this I've been warned so I wont be disappointed. Thanks again for a great review
Thanks for the review Tom. I would probably prefer a different theme, but it doesn't turn me off from the game either. I received my ks copy a few weeks ago, but have not had a chance to play it yet. Aaaaarrrggghhh. :-). Definitely look forward to getting this out on the table.
Tom plainly gave the reasons why he liked this version less: -The demons and dungeon tiles start to feel aesthetically repetitve. -A great portion rule set is wrapped around the Damnation mechanism, which he does not enjoy. The first criticism is more or less artistic, and the second relates to a design choice. If you think Tom gave this game a positive review, with some negative points, because he is a Christian, and it has demons, you are either: A) Saying that Tom's negative criticisms are fabricated and insincere. B) Substituting a different reality for our own. Personally, I agree with both of his points. I don't always like it when an expansion is wrapped around a new mechanism, and indeed, when I saw this box, my first thought was, "Meh, I don't really want to fight nothing but demons for 6 scenarios." The demon minis are not all that exciting or different to me, but I do like the angels and the heroes. Sure, both of those points are a matter of taste, and if you disagree with Tom and I on those points, then good news! You won't mind them, and you will fully enjoy Inferno, knowing that Tom's only gripes are of things that don't matter to you. This is why I like to read negative points in reviews. I like hearing the points people make against games, because they are often points that are of no concern to me, and my mind is put at ease. I have bought many a game after reading its negative reviews. On a side note, I don't mind demons in games. I play Diablo, Chaos in the Old World, Dungeons and Dragons, etc...they are some of my favorite games, and yet I do think "damnation" is a heavy word to be throwing around at the game table, at least with my kids. I don't want my kids saying "damn," as it is a word that will get them in trouble in school, or other fields of polite society, and I don't really want them saying "damnation," a derivative, 100 times an hour, either. I like a lot about this set, and I still bought this set, but I do think it was a disappointing choice of words.
I love the theme and I love angel figurines. But I just don't like any of the new character abilities. In the original AQ the abilities were simple and useful (although Wisp was way too OP). In inferno the abilities require a lot more to become activated. They are less useful and more complicated for my simple minded friends. Really disappointed to see that all the best characters were Kickstarter exclusives...
This is a fair review from Tom's point of view. You can't expect a religious person to be able to overlook the theme of this version of the game. I also have a small issue with the damnation mechanic, but luckily it is mostly optional.
This game looks great and I REALLY love the look of the models, I do wish you could buy the models on their own though as I don't really have anyone to play the game with as nice as it looks.
It's funny, I like this one WAY more than regular arcadia quest, might even be giving it to a freind as a gift just cause I don't need it anymore. Arcadia Quest was a big flop for my group originally, but Inferno really gripped them a lot more.
I really like the damnation mechanic, it adds a lot of risk reward to the game, and the brimstone cards are excellent. plus for my groups, we'd much rather fight goofy demons than goblins and orcs.
I get the feeling that Toms issue with this game is entirely due to the theme conflicting with his fundemental Christian beliefs. I personally think the theme looks fantastic and a great change from generic fantasy stuff. Cant wait for my kickstarter to arrive!
I'm a little disappointed in this review. Not that you don't care for the theme but this felt far more grumpy than your "the others" review. That review was also colored by the theme but you seemed far less aggravated than this one. You sounded like someone ruined your fun. Not liking The mechanic of taking something bad in exchange for improvement felt more due to the naming than the actual mechanic. I appreciate your view point and even though I don't agree I think this review is not one of your best.
Way Sikorski I think it was just as good a review as any, went through the new things and talked about what he thought were pros and cons. Just because you don't agree doesn't make it an lesser of a review...
TheManAmongAll that isn't why I commented. His the others review was much better than this one and he was much more critical. His tone in that review felt more even than this one.
Way Sikorski Well that was a brand new game, vs a new version of one he already loved. I guess there is cause for disappointment when it's a game he loves (the original AQ) and they make a new version and it doesn't out-do the first... That being said, tone and emotion are what make a review unique and express his opinion. If it wasn't lively, enough, critical enough or up to 'standard' that may just be because that's how he felt. No point in masking that for the same of a video.
“He’s a Christian fanatic” if he really was as you claimed, he wouldn’t be in the hobby. Also the lack of respect shows how you are towards certain people.
im here on toms side. i cant play this with my little sons. the whole theme is just too strong. everywhere fire, demons and damnation. i get it we are in hell. but thats nothing i want 8 y/o to dream about at night. couldnt they just pick a normal theme?
There is the regular Aracadia Quest for that. But I dont really see the problem, in the original game hade the SCHMETTERLING the troll with bones from people sticking out its bag? And the rest of the enemies did not look vary friendly either. Also, you are KILLING monster after all, if thats to much, then wait until your children is ready. Im glad that they did not do it more childies then it´s already is.
Tom have you not played Beyond the Grave? The brimstone cards is the exact same mechanism as the crypt tokens from beyond the grave.
Kickstarted this game back in 93 I think. Still waiting on it.
Tyvan TV Yeah that sounds like typical CMON. ;)
Will you be doing a review of the Dragon expansions?
Tom, thank you for this thoughtful review. I have to say I really appreciated the attention you gave to the theme as my young family LOVE Arcadia Quest and this was a definite buy for me until I watched the review. The themed mechanic of Damnation puts me off quite a bit actually and I reckon I'll only consider purchasing on the basis of the rest of the positive aspects (for me) of the game. I think you make I clear that your hesitancy towards certain aspects of the theme are personal preferences and so I can't see why people would have a problem wit you mentioning it. If I do end up buying this I've been warned so I wont be disappointed. Thanks again for a great review
Thanks for the review Tom. I would probably prefer a different theme, but it doesn't turn me off from the game either. I received my ks copy a few weeks ago, but have not had a chance to play it yet. Aaaaarrrggghhh. :-). Definitely look forward to getting this out on the table.
Tom plainly gave the reasons why he liked this version less:
-The demons and dungeon tiles start to feel aesthetically repetitve.
-A great portion rule set is wrapped around the Damnation mechanism, which he does not enjoy.
The first criticism is more or less artistic, and the second relates to a design choice. If you think Tom gave this game a positive review, with some negative points, because he is a Christian, and it has demons, you are either:
A) Saying that Tom's negative criticisms are fabricated and insincere.
B) Substituting a different reality for our own.
Personally, I agree with both of his points. I don't always like it when an expansion is wrapped around a new mechanism, and indeed, when I saw this box, my first thought was, "Meh, I don't really want to fight nothing but demons for 6 scenarios." The demon minis are not all that exciting or different to me, but I do like the angels and the heroes.
Sure, both of those points are a matter of taste, and if you disagree with Tom and I on those points, then good news! You won't mind them, and you will fully enjoy Inferno, knowing that Tom's only gripes are of things that don't matter to you. This is why I like to read negative points in reviews. I like hearing the points people make against games, because they are often points that are of no concern to me, and my mind is put at ease. I have bought many a game after reading its negative reviews.
On a side note, I don't mind demons in games. I play Diablo, Chaos in the Old World, Dungeons and Dragons, etc...they are some of my favorite games, and yet I do think "damnation" is a heavy word to be throwing around at the game table, at least with my kids. I don't want my kids saying "damn," as it is a word that will get them in trouble in school, or other fields of polite society, and I don't really want them saying "damnation," a derivative, 100 times an hour, either. I like a lot about this set, and I still bought this set, but I do think it was a disappointing choice of words.
I love the theme and I love angel figurines. But I just don't like any of the new character abilities. In the original AQ the abilities were simple and useful (although Wisp was way too OP). In inferno the abilities require a lot more to become activated. They are less useful and more complicated for my simple minded friends. Really disappointed to see that all the best characters were Kickstarter exclusives...
This is a fair review from Tom's point of view. You can't expect a religious person to be able to overlook the theme of this version of the game. I also have a small issue with the damnation mechanic, but luckily it is mostly optional.
should I buy base game or this..... still haven played arcadia quest
I got near every piece from the Kickstarter and I'm over 41 Heroes, and a 6th Angel also.
This game looks great and I REALLY love the look of the models, I do wish you could buy the models on their own though as I don't really have anyone to play the game with as nice as it looks.
Tom: "Cerebrus.."
Me: "..."
the theme is great!
It's funny, I like this one WAY more than regular arcadia quest, might even be giving it to a freind as a gift just cause I don't need it anymore. Arcadia Quest was a big flop for my group originally, but Inferno really gripped them a lot more.
Why? What's so different about this one? (Genuinely curious).
I really like the damnation mechanic, it adds a lot of risk reward to the game, and the brimstone cards are excellent. plus for my groups, we'd much rather fight goofy demons than goblins and orcs.
Nah I haven't. I should check it out.
bgg says its a standalone game, yet toms component drop and any google image search of the game only shows ONE tiny 3 inch board. ill pass.
I get the feeling that Toms issue with this game is entirely due to the theme conflicting with his fundemental Christian beliefs. I personally think the theme looks fantastic and a great change from generic fantasy stuff. Cant wait for my kickstarter to arrive!
Cerebrus... hahaha
I'm a little disappointed in this review. Not that you don't care for the theme but this felt far more grumpy than your "the others" review. That review was also colored by the theme but you seemed far less aggravated than this one. You sounded like someone ruined your fun.
Not liking The mechanic of taking something bad in exchange for improvement felt more due to the naming than the actual mechanic.
I appreciate your view point and even though I don't agree I think this review is not one of your best.
Way Sikorski I think it was just as good a review as any, went through the new things and talked about what he thought were pros and cons. Just because you don't agree doesn't make it an lesser of a review...
TheManAmongAll that isn't why I commented. His the others review was much better than this one and he was much more critical. His tone in that review felt more even than this one.
Way Sikorski Well that was a brand new game, vs a new version of one he already loved. I guess there is cause for disappointment when it's a game he loves (the original AQ) and they make a new version and it doesn't out-do the first...
That being said, tone and emotion are what make a review unique and express his opinion. If it wasn't lively, enough, critical enough or up to 'standard' that may just be because that's how he felt. No point in masking that for the same of a video.
In case you didn't know, he is a Christian fanatic. That answers your question i think
“He’s a Christian fanatic” if he really was as you claimed, he wouldn’t be in the hobby. Also the lack of respect shows how you are towards certain people.
im here on toms side. i cant play this with my little sons. the whole theme is just too strong. everywhere fire, demons and damnation. i get it we are in hell. but thats nothing i want 8 y/o to dream about at night. couldnt they just pick a normal theme?
AndyIstFertich agreed. I passed on it for the same reason. I think a good choice, especially with so many other options out there.
AndyIstFertich is there a lot of gore? Or is it simply the imagery that concerns you?
AndyIstFertich But how is that different from ghosts and curses?
There is the regular Aracadia Quest for that. But I dont really see the problem, in the original game hade the SCHMETTERLING the troll with bones from people sticking out its bag? And the rest of the enemies did not look vary friendly either. Also, you are KILLING monster after all, if thats to much, then wait until your children is ready. Im glad that they did not do it more childies then it´s already is.
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