I was dissappointed at the lack fo player aid too - and then I realized the player board kind of serves much of the purpose. If you're working through the Phases of a turn you can do so by just working down your player board from top to bottom.
Examining problem-solving in the past isn't necessarily glorifying it; and I've always loved civ-builders and hated the 4X term, as if the only way to win is through the last two X'es. Yes, some games do come across a little narrow in this regard. For example, especially since Five Tribes has fakirs, dropping meeples off on your journeys in it makes me wonder what's happening to them. Like why aren't they instead resources being dropped off as in Eastern Wonders? However, games like the Civilization series have long had many different ways of winning, and even Master of Orion at least had the High Council voting. And you'll notice, if you think about it, even the original Endeavor had the French Revolution (abolition of slavery card) in it as an option. That being said, I find Deep Sea much better mechanically overall than the original/Age of Sail, with the exploration, modularity, et c.. And, in terms of fitting mechanism to theme, shared links is very fitting to the theme of competitive, intergroup scientific exploration.
Hey, Rahdo, were you at PAX? Did you happen to be there on Sunday when a guy walked by giving you a double look? That was me. I heard your voice as you were talking to someone and I gave a double look. Great job on the video and play through
Correction - in the Kelp Forest those are conservation ("turtle") actions, not journal actions. One piece of positive player action is both players get the connection bonus for connected actions (instead of fighting to get both ends) There is some area majority in some scenarios like "most sonar discs in column B & C" when playing competitive. You should also mention the no plastic bits (not even shrink wrap) Five player does add extra actions in the starting zone (though that is not much payer scaling) I like the original Endeavor despite problematic theming (at least they were up front about slavery), but agree the theme and game play is much improved. (Though I kind of liked the "no random after set up" in the original) Personally I am Ok with "baby step" turns - I like the ramp up
Thanks for your review Rahdo. I have to say though, that as a history enthusiast (and someone who has educated myself very well) I still prefer the original theme. Sorry, but I have to disagree with you that I’m therefore in some way glorifying imperialism or am ‘part of the problem’, as you suggest. I’m just having fun with some cardboard and bits, playing a game which doesn’t have an impact on oppressed people, and cannot seriously be said to be ‘perpetuating’ colonialism or very much else, apart from people having fun!
i hope you don't take this the wrong way, but the 'problem' is that when you say "Yes, i'd rather play a game where I enslave black people and steal land and riches from oppressed native populations... yeah, i'd much rather do that than save the world's oceans", it sends a message to a lot of people who could potentially come to love boardgaming that they should stay away, if that's the kind of thing that goes on in the hobby... if that's what people would prefer to spend their time doing. You might not be intending to send that message, but it's the message that is sent, regardless :(
So by playing Age of Steam or Power Grid am I thereby saying that atmospheric pollution and the burning of fossil fuels is fine by me? Does playing Through the Ages endorse militarism? Are gangster-themed games glorifying criminality? Sorry, but I think most people, including newbies, would be able to draw a distinction between the game and the theme.😊
I did enjoy the game, and WOULD play it again. 😁 Nice to see you guys again at the Coker's...
We played this a couple weeks ago. I enjoyed Age of Sail, but really enjoyed Deep Sea. Great system, and a lot of fun decisions
I was pleasantly suprised with this game. Pretty addictive. It doesn't happen often when I play the same game several times in a single week
Thank again so much for your reviews and your humanity. I have this and am looking forward to one day getting it on the table!
I was dissappointed at the lack fo player aid too - and then I realized the player board kind of serves much of the purpose. If you're working through the Phases of a turn you can do so by just working down your player board from top to bottom.
Examining problem-solving in the past isn't necessarily glorifying it; and I've always loved civ-builders and hated the 4X term, as if the only way to win is through the last two X'es. Yes, some games do come across a little narrow in this regard. For example, especially since Five Tribes has fakirs, dropping meeples off on your journeys in it makes me wonder what's happening to them. Like why aren't they instead resources being dropped off as in Eastern Wonders?
However, games like the Civilization series have long had many different ways of winning, and even Master of Orion at least had the High Council voting. And you'll notice, if you think about it, even the original Endeavor had the French Revolution (abolition of slavery card) in it as an option.
That being said, I find Deep Sea much better mechanically overall than the original/Age of Sail, with the exploration, modularity, et c.. And, in terms of fitting mechanism to theme, shared links is very fitting to the theme of competitive, intergroup scientific exploration.
This is an amazing game! Definitely in my top 10 games!
Hey, Rahdo, were you at PAX? Did you happen to be there on Sunday when a guy walked by giving you a double look? That was me. I heard your voice as you were talking to someone and I gave a double look.
Great job on the video and play through
that must have been my voice doppleganger, because i wasn't there! :)
Correction - in the Kelp Forest those are conservation ("turtle") actions, not journal actions.
One piece of positive player action is both players get the connection bonus for connected actions (instead of fighting to get both ends)
There is some area majority in some scenarios like "most sonar discs in column B & C" when playing competitive.
You should also mention the no plastic bits (not even shrink wrap)
Five player does add extra actions in the starting zone (though that is not much payer scaling)
I like the original Endeavor despite problematic theming (at least they were up front about slavery), but agree the theme and game play is much improved. (Though I kind of liked the "no random after set up" in the original)
Personally I am Ok with "baby step" turns - I like the ramp up
timestamp please
Thanks for your review Rahdo. I have to say though, that as a history enthusiast (and someone who has educated myself very well) I still prefer the original theme. Sorry, but I have to disagree with you that I’m therefore in some way glorifying imperialism or am ‘part of the problem’, as you suggest. I’m just having fun with some cardboard and bits, playing a game which doesn’t have an impact on oppressed people, and cannot seriously be said to be ‘perpetuating’ colonialism or very much else, apart from people having fun!
i hope you don't take this the wrong way, but the 'problem' is that when you say "Yes, i'd rather play a game where I enslave black people and steal land and riches from oppressed native populations... yeah, i'd much rather do that than save the world's oceans", it sends a message to a lot of people who could potentially come to love boardgaming that they should stay away, if that's the kind of thing that goes on in the hobby... if that's what people would prefer to spend their time doing.
You might not be intending to send that message, but it's the message that is sent, regardless :(
So by playing Age of Steam or Power Grid am I thereby saying that atmospheric pollution and the burning of fossil fuels is fine by me? Does playing Through the Ages endorse militarism? Are gangster-themed games glorifying criminality? Sorry, but I think most people, including newbies, would be able to draw a distinction between the game and the theme.😊
we'll have to agree to disagree then :)