I jut bought the game in french from Filosofia and the wheel now has a metal screw system to attach and detach the wheel parts easily. The cardboard still has the same thickness though, but it's not that bad. Love the game!
I agree on emailing Zman for the metal screws. I live all here in the Philippines, but they responded and sent me the screws for free. As it takes time for the shipment, I had thought they had forgotten and emailed them again to ask about the status of the screws. Well, they did come (after 2 months), but what was awesome was that they sent me ANOTHER set of screws in response to my 2nd email, even though I did not ask for a 2nd set was just asking if they had sent the screws. 2 thumbs up!
I got the new edition and ... it has all the cheap components that are mentioned in the video with better onces. I am realy looking forward to play it. Thank you very much for all the great videos!
This was the game that made me realize that I don't love Uwe Rosenburg games (at least the ones I associated with him at that point). I think in your heavy games you fleshed out a "deep vs. complicated' dichotomy, and this feels complicated to me. It does not suffer from a lot of strange rules, but the sheer number of available buildings keeps me from being able to do the type of planning I want to do in a strategy game, so this ends up feeling like Arkham Horror to me, as I'm swept along in the experience of the game without feeling like I understand the choices I am making. I have no doubt that with a lot more plays I would get a better understanding of what the different ramifications of the building choices are, but this isn't the sort of game I will play 100 times, unfortunately. I would enjoy playing it that much, I think, it is fun. However, I have a much easier time understanding the option space in a game like Madeira than I do here. Madeira may be more of a brain burner, but that is only because I feel capable of advanced planning in that game, unlike Ora et Labora, where I have barely tried to plan my games. That said, still a fun game, I don't love Uwe games, but I like them a lot!
This and Power Grid are the two games I enjoy the most out of all that I've played so far (just over 100). So glad you did a playthrough of this to help spread the word of how awesome it is. (Also... do you not use the First Player token to keep track of (1) who's the first player in each round and (2) the current price for issuing a contract? That definitely would have helped in the first video when you got confused about who's turn it was!)
Of the three you mention, I'd pick Le Havre - however, depending on where you are that might be a problem. In Toronto it's been sold out for about a year now, with no concrete date for a reprint in sight, although rumors have been circulating for the last 6 months or so.
Today i got my second hand in perfect condition of this game (Dutch version from 999 games) and it is the older version with thin boards BUT with metal screws :/ , thought i let people know, i thought the original owner dit it themselves because its kinda weird having metal something in a board game originally but it fits perfect. i try to watch lots of plays before i dive into this one, so thanks for sharing your plays and thoughts !!
Rahdo, we definitely do care what you think! That's why we watch these hour long videos you make! And on that note, is Ora et Labora a must own if you're already got the other Uwe games? To phrase the question another way, if you've already got Uwe's other offerings, is Ora et Labora still worth the $50 price tag in light of the fact that there are so many other amazing games out there?
I've just gotta decide which Uwe game should be my first, gates of loyang, le havre, or this one. Agricola is one i'm still trying to get into. the other 3 mentioned here seem more inviting.
Rahdo, thanks for the video. I look forward to buying this game soon. Also, have you been following Rosenberg's new design, Glass Road? The player board now have their own wheels and it definitely looks interesting.
Great advice on the high wheel. Just like with laying back Luna novices (I always play this way). To bad I've got Le Havre lately so I won't buy OeL... soon:)
I would rate Ora et Labora as my favorite Rosenberg game. It is just a big box of fun for our game group. Fields of Arle would be #2 and Merkator would be #3. I have Feast for Odin but I haven't played it yet, so this may change for me.
Hey Rahdo, you said in the video that the game had infinity replayability and that you'd never trade it away, but I just checked your gone.rahdo list and you traded it away because it "lacked variable setup". Never say never, right? What happened? Cheers.
yup, agreed, never say never indeed. tbh, the only reason it's gone is i ran out of shelf space, and had to make room for new games, and with colonists and feast for odin coming in, something had to go, so it was O&L. i chose O&L over, say, macao or loyang or something else because it didn't have variable setup. if it weren't for the lack of shelf space, i'd still have O&L today
I understand, I have already sold some games I thought I'd never get rid of.Macao is one of my favorite games. I found out about it after I watched your runthrough. If you had let it go I would be disappointed as it is very high in your rank. I was thinking about getting O&L but I also dislike lack of variable setup.
I came to watch this video since I was the one who bought it from Richard. I'm trying to work out who you played this with, I see Jens score, and someone "IsL"? and either "duck" (or is it "dude"?). That guy won anyway!
which of these games are fun for board game beginners (Caverna: The Cave Farmers, Fields Of Arle, The Castles of Burgundy, Robinson Crusoe, Grand Austria Hotel, Five Tribes, Ora & Labora, Descent: Journeys in the Dark (2nd Ed), Castles of Mad King Ludwig, The Resistance: Avalon, Stockpile, The Prodigals Club, Sheriff of Nottingham, Friday, Masmorra: Dungeons of Arcadia, Mr. Jack in New York, Via Nebula)
i'd rank those like this, from most beginner friendly to leads: Sheriff of Nottingham Via Nebula Mr. Jack in New York The Resistance: Avalon Stockpile Masmorra: Dungeons of Arcadia Five Tribes Castles of Mad King Ludwig The Castles of Burgundy Friday Grand Austria Hotel The Prodigals Club Caverna: The Cave Farmers Descent: Journeys in the Dark (2nd Ed) Fields Of Arle Ora & Labora Robinson Crusoe
rahdo Thanks a lot for the reply... Really do appreciate it... I have just played a Stone Age until now after watching the run though that was shared by you or else I would have never understood the game.. As a newbie in board games which ones would you recommend that are quick and not that hard to grasp the concept?
I am surprised that Rahdo did not take off points because of the absolute "sandboxyness" of this game. To me, Le Havre wins vs Ora et Labora because of this very reason (and the theme). Nevertheless, the runthrough video saved me the purchase, thanks!
as time has gone on, my tastes have changed, and i've got less and less patience for sandbox games. i recently traded O&L away actually for this reason (well, it was actually the lack of variable setup)
I jut bought the game in french from Filosofia and the wheel now has a metal screw system to attach and detach the wheel parts easily. The cardboard still has the same thickness though, but it's not that bad. Love the game!
I agree on emailing Zman for the metal screws. I live all here in the Philippines, but they responded and sent me the screws for free. As it takes time for the shipment, I had thought they had forgotten and emailed them again to ask about the status of the screws. Well, they did come (after 2 months), but what was awesome was that they sent me ANOTHER set of screws in response to my 2nd email, even though I did not ask for a 2nd set was just asking if they had sent the screws. 2 thumbs up!
I got the new edition and ... it has all the cheap components that are mentioned in the video with better onces. I am realy looking forward to play it. Thank you very much for all the great videos!
This was the game that made me realize that I don't love Uwe Rosenburg games (at least the ones I associated with him at that point). I think in your heavy games you fleshed out a "deep vs. complicated' dichotomy, and this feels complicated to me. It does not suffer from a lot of strange rules, but the sheer number of available buildings keeps me from being able to do the type of planning I want to do in a strategy game, so this ends up feeling like Arkham Horror to me, as I'm swept along in the experience of the game without feeling like I understand the choices I am making.
I have no doubt that with a lot more plays I would get a better understanding of what the different ramifications of the building choices are, but this isn't the sort of game I will play 100 times, unfortunately. I would enjoy playing it that much, I think, it is fun. However, I have a much easier time understanding the option space in a game like Madeira than I do here. Madeira may be more of a brain burner, but that is only because I feel capable of advanced planning in that game, unlike Ora et Labora, where I have barely tried to plan my games.
That said, still a fun game, I don't love Uwe games, but I like them a lot!
This and Power Grid are the two games I enjoy the most out of all that I've played so far (just over 100). So glad you did a playthrough of this to help spread the word of how awesome it is.
(Also... do you not use the First Player token to keep track of (1) who's the first player in each round and (2) the current price for issuing a contract? That definitely would have helped in the first video when you got confused about who's turn it was!)
Of the three you mention, I'd pick Le Havre - however, depending on where you are that might be a problem. In Toronto it's been sold out for about a year now, with no concrete date for a reprint in sight, although rumors have been circulating for the last 6 months or so.
I really have to get to this table. I am with Jenn in my love of At the Gates of Loyang.
Today i got my second hand in perfect condition of this game (Dutch version from 999 games) and it is the older version with thin boards BUT with metal screws :/ , thought i let people know, i thought the original owner dit it themselves because its kinda weird having metal something in a board game originally but it fits perfect.
i try to watch lots of plays before i dive into this one, so thanks for sharing your plays and thoughts !!
Wow Richard, Amazing, So many videos this week!! I love it! How are you so quick in getting them done.
Rahdo, we definitely do care what you think! That's why we watch these hour long videos you make!
And on that note, is Ora et Labora a must own if you're already got the other Uwe games? To phrase the question another way, if you've already got Uwe's other offerings, is Ora et Labora still worth the $50 price tag in light of the fact that there are so many other amazing games out there?
Version I bought has a metal screw that works better than the orginal plastic "insert". Doesn't help with the whole wheel spinning though. :)
I've just gotta decide which Uwe game should be my first, gates of loyang, le havre, or this one. Agricola is one i'm still trying to get into. the other 3 mentioned here seem more inviting.
Good one again! I got this as a Christmas present! Can't wait to play it!
Rahdo, thanks for the video. I look forward to buying this game soon. Also, have you been following Rosenberg's new design, Glass Road? The player board now have their own wheels and it definitely looks interesting.
Great advice on the high wheel. Just like with laying back Luna novices (I always play this way). To bad I've got Le Havre lately so I won't buy OeL... soon:)
May I ask, what games do you have in line next? or can we do requests? =D
I would rate Ora et Labora as my favorite Rosenberg game. It is just a big box of fun for our game group. Fields of Arle would be #2 and Merkator would be #3. I have Feast for Odin but I haven't played it yet, so this may change for me.
what about Agricola and Caverna?
Hey Rahdo, you said in the video that the game had infinity replayability and that you'd never trade it away, but I just checked your gone.rahdo list and you traded it away because it "lacked variable setup". Never say never, right? What happened? Cheers.
yup, agreed, never say never indeed. tbh, the only reason it's gone is i ran out of shelf space, and had to make room for new games, and with colonists and feast for odin coming in, something had to go, so it was O&L. i chose O&L over, say, macao or loyang or something else because it didn't have variable setup.
if it weren't for the lack of shelf space, i'd still have O&L today
I understand, I have already sold some games I thought I'd never get rid of.Macao is one of my favorite games. I found out about it after I watched your runthrough. If you had let it go I would be disappointed as it is very high in your rank. I was thinking about getting O&L but I also dislike lack of variable setup.
I came to watch this video since I was the one who bought it from Richard. I'm trying to work out who you played this with, I see Jens score, and someone "IsL"? and either "duck" (or is it "dude"?). That guy won anyway!
hehe, duck is me (it's what Jen calls me). Isl would be Isaac Childress, designer of Gloomhaven. We played the "short version" of the game with him :)
which of these games are fun for board game beginners (Caverna: The Cave Farmers, Fields Of Arle, The Castles of Burgundy, Robinson Crusoe, Grand Austria Hotel, Five Tribes, Ora & Labora, Descent: Journeys in the Dark (2nd Ed), Castles of Mad King Ludwig, The Resistance: Avalon, Stockpile, The Prodigals Club, Sheriff of Nottingham, Friday, Masmorra: Dungeons of Arcadia, Mr. Jack in New York, Via Nebula)
i'd rank those like this, from most beginner friendly to leads:
Sheriff of Nottingham
Via Nebula
Mr. Jack in New York
The Resistance: Avalon
Stockpile
Masmorra: Dungeons of Arcadia
Five Tribes
Castles of Mad King Ludwig
The Castles of Burgundy
Friday
Grand Austria Hotel
The Prodigals Club
Caverna: The Cave Farmers
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (2nd Ed)
Fields Of Arle
Ora & Labora
Robinson Crusoe
rahdo Thanks a lot for the reply... Really do appreciate it...
I have just played a Stone Age until now after watching the run though that was shared by you or else I would have never understood the game..
As a newbie in board games which ones would you recommend that are quick and not that hard to grasp the concept?
I am surprised that Rahdo did not take off points because of the absolute "sandboxyness" of this game. To me, Le Havre wins vs Ora et Labora because of this very reason (and the theme). Nevertheless, the runthrough video saved me the purchase, thanks!
as time has gone on, my tastes have changed, and i've got less and less patience for sandbox games. i recently traded O&L away actually for this reason (well, it was actually the lack of variable setup)
LOL 2:05 "We'll never trade it away, we love it way too much." And again at 7:42 "We'll never trade it away."
@ BuckishDweeb: You've never changed your stance on anything, right?
What are sandboxy games?