Hah, I have just played D:I this Saturday with my play group. We played with 4 players. No one knew what he was doing. It was absolute mayhem. All the limitations made me so, so angry. I was that angry only once before when I played Catan for the first time. 😁 But I was willing to give it another shot with less players, because I suspected that it would actually be fun. You have kind of confirmed my suspicion, so thanks. ☺️ Still, I would take Arnak every day before Dune. 😝
One of the best games of 2020. So many moments that make you wanna clap, cheer or moan. That player interaction on the conflict board is really what sets it apart! Also Naveen, the first book is a masterpiece. It gets progressively worse from there.
Yup, noticed that, and immediately thought "why don't they have a symbol on the cards to remind players of that?" A little "4+" would have been really handy and not obtrusive there.
Actually it does if your are tight for the second place you get the 3rd. It has been said by the game designer on BGG forums. It just cannot be for one player only at les than 4 player games.
I've seen many Playthroughs for this game, but this is most natural play-through and also exciting to watch. Thank you for showing me how interesting this game is I was planning to get it for a while now, because I'm also a Dune Fan.
As someone who doesn't have a large board game collection(relatively), I'm really appreciating these videos where you play similar games. Whether the Uwe series or this and Ruins of Arnak, this is the type of thing where I really choose between games which to add to the collection, and these videos are really great for comparing and contrasting what I may like to add and not add to my collection.
@@86Disab Neither actually. I started my own business and with 4 kids and still having a full time day job my gaming has gone down significantly. That said, if I had to choose I do think I would pick Ruins simply because I think it’s more approachable for other people.
@@RonnieLunn84 gotcha. I've got 2 kids and another on the way and know what you mean. Also know when it comes to games you'd like to play and own, but then have nobody else to play with... us dads need to figure out an online gaming club with those very few minutes we get to ourselves lol...
I've read 19 of the books. Not knowing your preferred styles of sci-fi or anything, I would say read Dune for sure. It's a classic for a reason. If you enjoy it, I honestly think of the first three (Dune, Dune: Messiah, and Children of Dune) as a trilogy. I highly recommend them. Then, if you are into the big philosophical concepts and grand overarching plots, go on to the 4th book (God Emperor of Dune). If you are more into the action and intrigue of the Houses, I really think the prequel trilogy (House Atreides, House Harkonnen, and House Corrino) are a fun read.
Dune is a SF book series which you need to read one by one but yeah the first book can be challenging before you get into the whole story. I'd recommend watching the mini series :) with Alec Newman. There are also some prequels and some books specificaly about the main houses so you could also start with the houses first.
Great video thanks for making it! At 1:35:00 when you played "Demand Respect". I don't think you can play the card at all unless you first win the combat. From the rules page 12: A few Combat Intrigue cards do something “when you win a Conflict.” You do not play these now, before resolving the Combat. Instead, wait until you’ve won, then play them (before moving on to the next phase).
You could have gone to Heighliner at 1:00:45 with your diplomacy. The Voice only lasts 1 Turn (aka agent turn) not the full round. There are clarifications in the rulebook and on BGG about this. It would be too powerful for a 2 cost card if it was the full round.
I think your game play through illustrates why I love this game so much. It always feels close. The bot opponent works so well. The card combos can really work well and when they do it gives you a great buzz. Didn't need go see your end of game round-up to know how you felt about the game. You were so smiley through the play.
At 41:55, Naveen has one extra influence from the Hall of Oratory. I don't think it would have made a difference, but it's extraordinarily easy to miss.
Great playthrough and review, I have not got this game yet but it is on my "to buy" list. Movies and books .... apologies for perhaps boring you hear Moninque and Naveen but I have been a fan of the book DUNE for 40 years. The original DUNE is outstanding, fantastic book, well worth investing the time in it. The sequel DUNE MESSIAH is also very good and the rest are ok, good books but in my opinion only for fans who just want more. The original movie was a bit of a failure (40M budget against 31M gross box office) and the director hates it but it is a cult classic and I think very interesting movie, I think it is worth 2 hrs of your time. The mini-series CHILDREN OF DUNE (which is actually DUNE MESSIAH & CHILDREN OF DUNE books) is pretty good and worth a look. Enjoy ....!
Hi, love your channel, love your playthroughs, just wanna mention, i reckon you didn't play the card "Voice" right. It allows you to block one place until your next move, not the whole round, so Monique could've gone and taken those armies. I hope i spell the name corretly=)
Thank you so much for this playthrough, it was amazing. I backed Endless Winter, and I have played LRoA, but then I do love Dune, I haven't played this, but it looks so fun and it is so thematic, I might just get it.
You might have mentioned this…but if you use the companion app in the general direwolf app, then the deck has you refresh parts of the market periodically. Not sure why they didn’t add this to the standalone app. Also, upgrade kit comes out in august!
@@BeforeYouPlay correct, but it has been awhile since we played. Other than that the two apps seem to be identical. Definitely weird. At least both apps are free.
Nice one! I just think you always forgot your hall of oratory persuasion point on your reveal turns :) And yes, there is no third place reward from conflicts on other than 4 player games. And an advice for everyone doing youtube playthroughs - Please do more than one video with different "characters" after reading comments - it is always different and "part 2" will have the corrections on the comments (not descriptions under the first video). Subscribing for more videos... :)
The 1984 Dune film is a slog for sure... It's pretty much for Dune completists or David Lynch superfans (like me). I have high hopes for the new version though! (If it ever actually gets released, ha.) Loved the playthrough. I wish the board had a little more pizazz, but there's only so much you can do with a desert planet.
This game is the most thrilling and tense board game I have ever played aside from TI4. Yet it is so streamlined and full of exciting choices. Plus I LOVE the dune universe! Bring on the expansion!
Read the original and the precursors ... house atreides house harkonnen, house corrino and buttering jihad Those books are fantastic as well giving you background on duke Leto and vlad harkonnen
For the last combat card played "demand respect", I would think the win conflict applies to both conditions. Playing 2 spice for 2 influence is just too strong. So I think you would have to win too. Or am I wrong?
Resolving conflict rewards: in a 3 player game, the third reward is never rewarded. Solo play (1 player + 2 AI) and 2 players (2 players + 1 AI) are treated as 3 player game. The third reward is only rewarded in a 4 player game only (page 12 of the rule book).
Great play through and teach. Thanks for the great content! Was Naveen supposed to get a persuasion point for Hall of Oratory as well @ 1:55:28 when he revealed? Your videos definitely let me try new games that I thought were too heavy for me to play and teach. Awesome Monique & Neveen love your videos!!!!
On theme - I actually consider the use of book lore in this game as its weakest feature. It's just not taking advantage of what is available in the books. I believe you can easily reskin the factions to say, European colonisation of the Caribbean in the 16th-18th centuries, and you won't have to change much in mechanics. For instance, the Bene Gesserit become the Jesuit order, the Fremen - Native Americans, the Space Guild - Genoa or Venice, CHOAM - the West India Company, the Emperor - the Holy Roman Empire, the Landstraad - the imperial electors' council of that very same Holy Roman Empire. Melange becomes actual spice, everything else remains the same. Other than that, I consider the game very neat, but it doesn't shine in the lower player count (1 or 2). Again, I strongly recommend that old 1970s Dune board game (reprinted in 2019), which has a fantastic use of Dune lore and the player factions do feel unique. The only caveat there is that the game really shines at 4 to 6 players, it is not really good with 2 or 3 players. Also, it takes a LONG time, but if you like intrigues, shifting alliances and sudden turnarounds, then it is the definitive Dune game at the moment. On the books - I am one of the minority who likes a lot books 5 and 6, "Heretics of Dune" and "Dune: Chapter House". In any case, you won't regret reading/listening to the first book, it is a sci-fi classic for a very good reason. The next books are not that good, in my opinion, and the fourth one, "God Emperor of Dune", is pretty weird. One big weakness of books 5 and 6 is that they were intended to be a part of a trilogy, which Frank Herbert never completed - he died before starting to work on the seventh book. The two-book conclusion, as well as all the prequels written by Brian Herbert, Frank's son, and Kevin J. Anderson, are very poorly written, so I don't recommend them, unless you want to see how the story ends. Regarding the first "Dune" film from 1984 - David Lynch is one of the best directors of all time, but I consider this one of his weakest films. He has said publicly that he hates sci-fi, and it shows in the film. The story is completely out there, so please don't watch the film before you read the book, the film is a very poor adaptation. I also dislike a lot of the art direction decisions taken in that film, especially the way the Bene Gesserit are presented. I do think using brutalism for the Harkonnens is a good idea, but apart from that, there isn't a lot that I enjoy. I do look forward to Denis Villeneuve's Dune, which should come out this autumn. Unlike Lynch, Villeneuve is a big fan of the Dune books, which I hope will make a big difference. A couple of final notes - "Dune" takes place in our distant future, where there has been a major conflict between humanity and AIs. Humanity won, through the so-called Butlerian Jihad, and in order to make sure it never happens again, not only AIs but even computers were banned. Because humans still needed to make complex calculations, they trained people to do them instead of computers, and these people are called mentats. They are human, not androids (as androids are forbidden as well), who are trained to remember an enormous amount of data and make calculations rivalling those of computers. Perfecting human abilities is a big theme in these books, you will see for yourself. CHOAM stands for Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles, roughly translated to "Honest Association to Advance Trade", it is the equivalent of the East India Company from our history and is the monopoly that controls all interplanetary trade. It is controlled by the Emperor and all Great Houses, which are the ones that rule all the planets in the Imperium. The Landstraad is a council featuring of representatives of all Great Houses, as a balancing act against the Emperor and his imperial troops, something like the Barons' Council in medieval England and the Magna Carta. Finally, the Space Guild is the only organisation that can travel in hyperspace (it is called "folding space"), and it holds a monopoly on space travel. This is only because computers have been banned, as before the Butlerian Jihad, there were autonomous spacefolding ships that used computers to calculate their course. Without computers, Guild Navigators use the spice to develop a prescience sense and thus determine where Guild ships go. In other words, spacefolding technology predates the Jihad, but without computers or Navigators, no one can determine they will get where they want to go, which is why the Guild controls all travel and needs spice to exist at the time of the books. I am sorry for the long post, but I believe it is obvious I am big fan of the books, and I am glad you enjoy this game :)
Great review! Great game. The game is a bit too long for me though. It surprised me how similar this feels to Viticulture: Essential Edition. Some mechanics are different, but the overall feeling is very similar to me.
The original Dune is an amazing book. I’m going to reread it again now that the new movie is out. I did like the other 2 in that first trilogy quite a bit, but not as much as the first book. I continued and read the 4th book, but I did NOT like that. I was a teenager at the time, so I’m thinking I should give it another chance now (I’m in my 40’s).
This video and your Spirit Island video really demonstrated each game's potentials for me. They've helped to solidify my understanding of each game's rules and showcase the possible card combos and strategies. Very informative and entertaining to watch.
I almost never comment on TH-cam videos lol.. but I just love the whole Dune series so much that I wanted to say I recommend going all of the Frank Herbert series if you get the chance. Don't push it if it becomes a struggle, they're a bit heavy and dry in some places, but I couldn't put them down. I've then read the first 6 or so from the continued series and they're good but I haven't felt the urge to go past that so far.
This game came out this year in Korea and it is without a doubt my favorite and my groups' favorite game this year (although I really do hope the next six months will be as interesting :D) It's quite surprising to hear that the Automa is nice. I've heard so many negative comments on my local community about the 2 player mode. Maybe I should try it but at least 3 and 4 player is just amazing. I recommend trying the Arrakeen Scout mode as it offers decisions each round but it did get a little tedious for me and made me want to simply concentrate on the game. I've just started the book and it's interesting and I am definitely finishing it. My friend who is a fan of the series told me that try the first book and if you like it try the next two books. You can ignore the other sequels unless you just can't have enough of Dune :) Oh, and I completely agree with your review! Spot on as always :D Thanks for the video
At the end of video, you mentioned you were about to listen to the Dune book. What do you think of the book and what do you think of the new Dune movie? Do you find yourself re-visiting the game by way of the book or new movie?
At 53:05 I had to laugh at your reaction. That was unfortunately funny. One thing I'm worried about now (I have the game, but I haven't learned it yet) is the difficulty in trashing cards. Not that I want it to be easy, but if it's possible to not be able to trash a card that is not a plus in my book. Even in a game like Legendary you can trash (KO) wounds if you skip your turn and do nothing else. At least they provide a way to trash with a price to pay. Does this game need something like that?
That's correct. But I think you refer this playthrough, in case of a tied condition, both tied players get the next level reward so next reward is activated I believe
@@pauloyanez2640 Sure that's correct and I should have been more specific. The combat at 44:48 Naveen took at spice for finishing 3rd. There were no ties. I'm not quite done watching yet, so there may be more instances of this error.
@@JohnQSpartan My mistake i didn't notice that in the playthrough!!! In that case you're right, according to the player count, there's always a player who potentially doesn't get reward being last in conflict rounds
This was a really good watch, thanks for uploading it! I've just about made my way through the first novel, I've noticed some thematic elements and I think overall the game looks great. I like the 'reveal' phase in that you get benefits for the cards you don't play, and I like the linked systems. Would definitely like to play it
I just played this for the first time and really enjoyed it! The final round gave me the same intense feeling I get in the final rounds of Inis, which is in my top 10 games, so you might enjoy that one as well (although I have to admit I've never played it as a 2 player).
Great overview and play through. I used this video to learn and have been addicted ever since. Such a fun game - I’ve played five times so far and I’ve made it my goal to try and win as each of the 8 characters.
The books. The first one, Dune, is one of the greatest scifi books of all time. An absolute classic that EVERYONE should read! The next two, Dune Messiah and Children of Dune are also first rate and should be read. The rest fall off dramatically. The game is outstanding! A must own if you like Euro Games.
A classic everyone should read? I mean I understand they are good but no way the book would appeal to the wider public. 99% of people I know would never enjoy it.
Great video! This game is addictive. The first book is THE book, but if you like it don't skip the other 5 written by Frank Herbert. It spans thousands of years and they're all great. The 4th book is probably tied with Dune as my favourite.
Another great playthrough and review, thanks a lot! You REALLY have to read Dune. Even if not a fan of Sci-Fi. Just looking at the time when it was written and realising how modern it is: it encompasses so many of our existential issues as water scarcity and vegetation disappearing / being restored, conflict for water and ways to gather it and store it, but also people adapting to the environment, rare resources (spice) also being a drug, the power and dangers of religion and Holy War (jihad), the dilemmas of being a living prophet, science, satellite observation, diplomacy, political arenas and behind the scene manigances, etc etc... A fantastic book.
Dune is also different from a lot of other sci fi - cuz it's very much HARD sci fi. As in the science behind it is explained and made plausible, rather than 'space magic makes it work'. Even stuff like the Bene Gesserit are explained to not just be 'random psychic powers cuz reasons', but actual genetic breeding for it, along with knowledge of how the human body works and a learned ability to control their own bodies (which means they can literally choose the gender of their children, they can metabolize poisons if given enough time, they can purge their minds and bodies of the fight-flight response, etc.)
Monique listened to the 1st audiobook and we both watched the new movie that came out last year. I want to read the book but man it’s so hard to dedicate time to sit down to read.
I don't think so, so much tension to have to go it your own way. I think it would muddy the game quite a but and there could be issues with slanted trades.
This game is definitely on my radar. Funny that I am literally just finishing Children of Dune after listening to Dune and Dune Messiah. I think they have all been amazing, extremely profound stuff. It’s one of those things that I wish I discovered earlier.
Excellent playthrough again!!!! I have a little question though...I believe you can play all plot cards you want in your turns anytime, but combat cards only one in conflict is that correct?? Or you can play all combat cards also??? Love your videos!!!
Hi Paulo! Great question! From what we understand, you can continue to go around the table playing one combat card at a time until all players pass. Hope that helps! Thanks so much for your kind words!
Love the video, confused by the first Reveal turn by Monique, You start with a hand of 5 cards, she plays 2 to place her 2 agents, then during her reveal turn she has 4 cards to reveal which means her starting hand was 6 cards then?
I've been a fan of the Dune franchise as a whole for almost 20 years now. I recently had my first playthrough with the owner of this boardgame cafe last night and I am loving the attention to detail especially the mechanic where spice is generated on the board.
I know I'm late, but DON'T do the audiobook! It is the only audiobook I've ever returned. So... it has a full cast. Which is awesome. Except they ran out of funding? Or something? So big sections of the audiobook go back to a single narrator, who uses completely different accents for each character (especially Baron!) It is confusing. It is jarring. You might just have to pick up the book for this one. Cheers.
My only problem with the game is with the Market, Turn order, and the Intrigue deck as a whole: randomness that negates all ur hard choices for combat, influence track or endgame just because someone plays a card. Every advantage should be earned as proven by ur foresight/choices not because of luck! Which is why I propose 3 changes: 1) Have the Market be 8 cards instead of 5 OR flip/refresh all unpurchased cards at the end of the round OR both! 2) Fix the Intrigue deck somehow, like drafting display 3 to choose from, so others know what u got, (if they remember), but don't know WHEN you'll play it! OR take out the Endgame VP cards & Plot pay for VP cards (there's only 4) 3) Have a mechanic that allows players to affect turn order! Such as: Have the CHOAM Secure Contract space also have a 1st Player icon meaning u get to give the 1st player coin to ANY player and they immediately become 1st player OR will be 1st player next round. OR each round Player lowest on the VP track goes first then 2nd lowest goes 2nd etc. ties broken per normal endgame rules
to counter - i love the brian herbert and kevin j anderson books. They are different, but I still like them quite a bit. I may be biased slightly because I also like a lot of other books by kevin j anderson, especially his saga of seven suns series. I think the dune spin-off books get way too much hate.
I enjoyed all the Frank Herbert books but the last one was the hardest for me. Though I was also rattle by the massive time jump in God Emperor. I am withholding judgement for the new movie but Stellan Skarsgard is a friggin brilliant actor so it has that going for it.
Thanks for the great video. I've read the first 3 Dune books and really like them. Some people don't care for the 2nd and 3rd books, but I really enjoyed them and might even like them more than the 1st book.
I've played enough deck builders to know that I just don't enjoy the upkeep of having to pair down all the cards back to the starting decks every game like Dominion and other popular straight up deck builders. I do like the idea of deck builders though, so this kind of game and ruins of arnak that add in worker placement and they keep the decks small so having to pair them down to starter cards during clean up isn't bad. I've got this game but haven't gotten a chance to play it yet. After watching this playthrough, I know I'm going to enjoy the multi-use cards and the gameplay seems fun.
I bet baron Harkonnen going to the fremen location is less about influence and more about 'subjugation', flavorwise. ALso might have missed it, but shouldn't the AI player have a faction as well, along with a victory point tracker - along with gaining resources for additional victory points?
Great content , thanks! Dont know if you know and what App you were using , but there are 2 apps , the old "dune imperium" app which does its job and Dire Wolf made a game room app for all games they publish. that Dune game room has the new 3-4 player feature called Arakeen Scouts. which has bonus missions and events. As you both mention, im sure they can "spice it up" (no pun intended) in future content. :) www.direwolfdigital.com/news/dune-imperium-arrakeen-scouts-mode/
I am planning to play Dune: Imperium for the first time with a group of fellow gamers so this video was definitely worth the watch. We'll most likely be 3 though it could go up to 4 on the day. Was thinking of setting aside at least 150-180 min for actual play. We're pouring over the rules before we sit down on the day so that should save us some time. Once again thanks for this video.
Ha, I loved the look on Monique's face when Naveen played that voice card and blocked the High-liner. This game looks great. I hope I get it for my birthday.... Today.
I laughed when the two Shifting Allegiances popped up in a row and you both immediately acted like that was bad. This game is extremely counterintuitive compared to other deckbuilders because deckbuilding is generally pretty bad. If you overbuild your deck, you will probably lose. Due to this, there are very few cards that cost less than four that are even worth picking up at all and of those only Shifting Allegiances is correct to take 100% of the time. Try buying it more often and you'll see that it's the most cost effective card in the game.
Don't wanna be tedious=) but Monique didn't put two armies into her garrison after she played Sardaukar Legion. Just love this game and there are so many options and sometimes I do forget myself to do stuff.
I would highly recommend the first book. The 2nd (Dune Messiah) and 3rd (Children of Dune) books are good also. I lost interest in the 4th book (God Emperor of Dune).
Even among sci-fi nerds, the Dune books are not for everyone. However, if you're into the Dune universe and connect with Herbert's world building, the first four books are all worth reading because they give you plenty more of what's in the first book and complete a larger story arc. If you're only going to read a single book, Dune is considered the best, is the most groundbreaking, and, as the first book, will make the most sense.
Read the first book for sure. There are lot of internet opinions on the quality of the different books. I personally love every single one of them, including the spin-off series written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson. They are a different writing style, but still give a lot of fun backstory into the dune universe. I don't blame you for not making it through the David Lynch movie. If you ever decide you want to try it again, there is a fan-made re-cut of that movie that cuts in deleted scenes and re-orders some of the scenes and makes it a much more coherent movie... but you would still benefit from reading the first two books before watching it. Of course, fingers crossed that the new movie will be so good there will be no reason to ever watch the 80's version ever again lol. There is also a made for tv mini-series (2 of them actually) that while obviously "made for tv" in the early 2000's do a pretty good job of telling the story.
Read only the first book, this is from both my husband and I. This a good review for those who have not read the book, however you would get a deeper understanding of the faction leaders after you listen or read the book. As for the movie, when it came out it was a hit to us who liked the genre, now it is a bit campy and apparently a cult classic for some. Now that I am an adult seeing Sting shirtless takes on a whole other meaning for me. However, 18 min at the beginning of the movie, it is slow… but it gets better. I have one great memory of the movie, it is walking 3 miles to the mall to watch this film with my oldest brother, a year with snow, and living in a Pacific NW city that had no bus service at night. So we were both chanting “It’s so cold” in shivering voice on the way home. This is something I do in Denmark now when I am out walking. I grew up in the States.
![[UNCUT] “บอสณวัฒน์” ลากไส้!! ใครหนุนหลัง "แม่ตั๊ก ป๋าเบียร์" I คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ I 30 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QlD7mU2KKRk/mqdefault.jpg)
Let us know what you think about Dune Imperium!
It's amazing! Even my wife, who doesn't normally like deck building and doesn't know Dune, really liked it.
Fun and tense😬!!!
Hah, I have just played D:I this Saturday with my play group. We played with 4 players. No one knew what he was doing. It was absolute mayhem. All the limitations made me so, so angry. I was that angry only once before when I played Catan for the first time. 😁 But I was willing to give it another shot with less players, because I suspected that it would actually be fun. You have kind of confirmed my suspicion, so thanks. ☺️
Still, I would take Arnak every day before Dune. 😝
One of the best games of 2020. So many moments that make you wanna clap, cheer or moan. That player interaction on the conflict board is really what sets it apart!
Also Naveen, the first book is a masterpiece. It gets progressively worse from there.
@@Shoitaan
Totally agree about the game, but I don't know why people dislike the sequels so much. God Emperor is my favorite!
The third place on the conflict card is only used in 4 player games. Third place with less than four players gets nothing.
Oh no way, you are totally right!! We'll be sure to add a note to the description section, thanks!
Yup, noticed that, and immediately thought "why don't they have a symbol on the cards to remind players of that?" A little "4+" would have been really handy and not obtrusive there.
Actually it does if your are tight for the second place you get the 3rd. It has been said by the game designer on BGG forums. It just cannot be for one player only at les than 4 player games.
@@cedricjouenne9455 link? i can't find that. this would mean the rules are wrong and/or incomplete
@@lightwire123 i posted it twice but it disapeared...
So good to hear you share my thoughts on this one 😁
😀It's so good SAM!!
I've seen many Playthroughs for this game, but this is most natural play-through and also exciting to watch. Thank you for showing me how interesting this game is I was planning to get it for a while now, because I'm also a Dune Fan.
Playing Uprising this weekend and I watched this because I love your videos.
I’m on the fourth book now and have been enjoying them all so far! Especially the third, Children of Dune
As someone who doesn't have a large board game collection(relatively), I'm really appreciating these videos where you play similar games. Whether the Uwe series or this and Ruins of Arnak, this is the type of thing where I really choose between games which to add to the collection, and these videos are really great for comparing and contrasting what I may like to add and not add to my collection.
What did you pick? Curious as it's 2 years later.
@@86Disab Neither actually. I started my own business and with 4 kids and still having a full time day job my gaming has gone down significantly. That said, if I had to choose I do think I would pick Ruins simply because I think it’s more approachable for other people.
@@RonnieLunn84 gotcha. I've got 2 kids and another on the way and know what you mean. Also know when it comes to games you'd like to play and own, but then have nobody else to play with... us dads need to figure out an online gaming club with those very few minutes we get to ourselves lol...
I've read 19 of the books. Not knowing your preferred styles of sci-fi or anything, I would say read Dune for sure. It's a classic for a reason. If you enjoy it, I honestly think of the first three (Dune, Dune: Messiah, and Children of Dune) as a trilogy. I highly recommend them.
Then, if you are into the big philosophical concepts and grand overarching plots, go on to the 4th book (God Emperor of Dune). If you are more into the action and intrigue of the Houses, I really think the prequel trilogy (House Atreides, House Harkonnen, and House Corrino) are a fun read.
This my top-1 favourite game , thanks for playing it. Favourite bloggers + favourite game = WOW
Dune books? IMHO, the first book is the best. Interestingly, both the Dune Imperium board game and the book Dune are in my Top Ten.
I just bought this game today! Perfect timing
You are going to love it! My favorite by far.
Dune is a SF book series which you need to read one by one but yeah the first book can be challenging before you get into the whole story. I'd recommend watching the mini series :) with Alec Newman. There are also some prequels and some books specificaly about the main houses so you could also start with the houses first.
Great video thanks for making it! At 1:35:00 when you played "Demand Respect". I don't think you can play the card at all unless you first win the combat. From the rules page 12: A few Combat Intrigue cards do something “when you win a Conflict.” You do not play these now, before resolving the Combat. Instead, wait until you’ve won, then play them (before moving on to the next phase).
You could have gone to Heighliner at 1:00:45 with your diplomacy. The Voice only lasts 1 Turn (aka agent turn) not the full round. There are clarifications in the rulebook and on BGG about this. It would be too powerful for a 2 cost card if it was the full round.
Tagging onto this comment. At 1:10:35, you missed playing 2 troops into your garrison when you played the "Sardaukar Legion" Card.
I think your game play through illustrates why I love this game so much. It always feels close. The bot opponent works so well. The card combos can really work well and when they do it gives you a great buzz. Didn't need go see your end of game round-up to know how you felt about the game. You were so smiley through the play.
Great playthrough and teach. Naveen forgot his temp persuasion two times that he went to Hall of Oratory.
Yes I noticed that too
Same!
I have been waiting for this.
Same for us! So glad we could finally get it played!!
Naveen playing the voice and blocking that spot, the entire exchange between you two was so fun.
Haha, now that I've seen the movie it makes even more sense too!
very helpful review, thank you.
At 41:55, Naveen has one extra influence from the Hall of Oratory. I don't think it would have made a difference, but it's extraordinarily easy to miss.
He did it again in 1:11:32
Yeah , noticed it as well
Nice video! This boardgame is awesome ! Keep up the good job on the channel! :)
Great playthrough and review, I have not got this game yet but it is on my "to buy" list. Movies and books .... apologies for perhaps boring you hear Moninque and Naveen but I have been a fan of the book DUNE for 40 years. The original DUNE is outstanding, fantastic book, well worth investing the time in it. The sequel DUNE MESSIAH is also very good and the rest are ok, good books but in my opinion only for fans who just want more. The original movie was a bit of a failure (40M budget against 31M gross box office) and the director hates it but it is a cult classic and I think very interesting movie, I think it is worth 2 hrs of your time. The mini-series CHILDREN OF DUNE (which is actually DUNE MESSIAH & CHILDREN OF DUNE books) is pretty good and worth a look. Enjoy ....!
Hi, love your channel, love your playthroughs, just wanna mention, i reckon you didn't play the card "Voice" right. It allows you to block one place until your next move, not the whole round, so Monique could've gone and taken those armies. I hope i spell the name corretly=)
Thank you so much for this playthrough, it was amazing. I backed Endless Winter, and I have played LRoA, but then I do love Dune, I haven't played this, but it looks so fun and it is so thematic, I might just get it.
One of my favourite games from 2020. Arnak good too but I find these quite different from each other.
always my favorite playthroughs! don't mind me spending the day binging through more of your videos~😁
Will you try Endless Winter to end the "trilogy" worker placement + deck building?
You might have mentioned this…but if you use the companion app in the general direwolf app, then the deck has you refresh parts of the market periodically. Not sure why they didn’t add this to the standalone app.
Also, upgrade kit comes out in august!
Oh we didn't realize that! So the stand alone app doesn't have an Imperium Row reset card imbedded? So strange!
@@BeforeYouPlay correct, but it has been awhile since we played. Other than that the two apps seem to be identical. Definitely weird. At least both apps are free.
Nice one!
I just think you always forgot your hall of oratory persuasion point on your reveal turns :)
And yes, there is no third place reward from conflicts on other than 4 player games.
And an advice for everyone doing youtube playthroughs - Please do more than one video with different "characters" after reading comments - it is always different and "part 2" will have the corrections on the comments (not descriptions under the first video).
Subscribing for more videos... :)
The 1984 Dune film is a slog for sure... It's pretty much for Dune completists or David Lynch superfans (like me). I have high hopes for the new version though! (If it ever actually gets released, ha.)
Loved the playthrough. I wish the board had a little more pizazz, but there's only so much you can do with a desert planet.
41:50 You had 8 and not 7, because of your worker allocated that round.
This game is the most thrilling and tense board game I have ever played aside from TI4. Yet it is so streamlined and full of exciting choices. Plus I LOVE the dune universe! Bring on the expansion!
Read the original and the precursors ... house atreides house harkonnen, house corrino and buttering jihad
Those books are fantastic as well giving you background on duke Leto and vlad harkonnen
The Voice blocks a space for one turn only. So when Navin didn't use his very next turn to take the Heighliner, it became available to Monique again
Ahh, we interpreted as blocked for the entire round! Thanks for letting us know!
@@BeforeYouPlay The entire round thing is now corrected in online FAQ. It is just for blocking for one turn.
For the last combat card played "demand respect", I would think the win conflict applies to both conditions. Playing 2 spice for 2 influence is just too strong. So I think you would have to win too. Or am I wrong?
Hmm that's a good question. We interpreted it as the "win conflict" condition was for the top part. We could be wrong though, not too sure.
@@BeforeYouPlay Froilan is right. You need to win a conflict, pay two spice, to increase a faction by 2 influences. I am 100% certain about this.
You are not wrong. Win a Conflict IS THE CONDITION. You then get to pick one OR the other as a result of fulfilling that condition.
Absolutely excellent game. Don’t use the Hagel deck in a two player game. It’s a perfectly solid game without it.
There’s a mini series of Dune that was on the Syfi channel. Not the best but better than the older one. You could find them on TH-cam.
I died when she said "It's a sisterhood" and he said "traveling pants" - incredible. Great video! Thanks!
Very nice gameplay! Very timely because I just watched Dune 2021 I might cop myself a copy of this game. So fun
Awesome!! This game really REALLY shines at a full 4-Players.
Resolving conflict rewards: in a 3 player game, the third reward is never rewarded. Solo play (1 player + 2 AI) and 2 players (2 players + 1 AI) are treated as 3 player game. The third reward is only rewarded in a 4 player game only (page 12 of the rule book).
Yup you’re right, we realized only after we had filmed this. We made a note in the description just in case.
please do another playthrough with the expansion
They've announced an expansion.
So excited for it!!!
Great play through and teach. Thanks for the great content! Was Naveen supposed to get a persuasion point for Hall of Oratory as well @ 1:55:28 when he revealed? Your videos definitely let me try new games that I thought were too heavy for me to play and teach. Awesome Monique & Neveen love your videos!!!!
On theme - I actually consider the use of book lore in this game as its weakest feature. It's just not taking advantage of what is available in the books. I believe you can easily reskin the factions to say, European colonisation of the Caribbean in the 16th-18th centuries, and you won't have to change much in mechanics. For instance, the Bene Gesserit become the Jesuit order, the Fremen - Native Americans, the Space Guild - Genoa or Venice, CHOAM - the West India Company, the Emperor - the Holy Roman Empire, the Landstraad - the imperial electors' council of that very same Holy Roman Empire. Melange becomes actual spice, everything else remains the same. Other than that, I consider the game very neat, but it doesn't shine in the lower player count (1 or 2).
Again, I strongly recommend that old 1970s Dune board game (reprinted in 2019), which has a fantastic use of Dune lore and the player factions do feel unique. The only caveat there is that the game really shines at 4 to 6 players, it is not really good with 2 or 3 players. Also, it takes a LONG time, but if you like intrigues, shifting alliances and sudden turnarounds, then it is the definitive Dune game at the moment.
On the books - I am one of the minority who likes a lot books 5 and 6, "Heretics of Dune" and "Dune: Chapter House". In any case, you won't regret reading/listening to the first book, it is a sci-fi classic for a very good reason. The next books are not that good, in my opinion, and the fourth one, "God Emperor of Dune", is pretty weird. One big weakness of books 5 and 6 is that they were intended to be a part of a trilogy, which Frank Herbert never completed - he died before starting to work on the seventh book. The two-book conclusion, as well as all the prequels written by Brian Herbert, Frank's son, and Kevin J. Anderson, are very poorly written, so I don't recommend them, unless you want to see how the story ends.
Regarding the first "Dune" film from 1984 - David Lynch is one of the best directors of all time, but I consider this one of his weakest films. He has said publicly that he hates sci-fi, and it shows in the film. The story is completely out there, so please don't watch the film before you read the book, the film is a very poor adaptation. I also dislike a lot of the art direction decisions taken in that film, especially the way the Bene Gesserit are presented. I do think using brutalism for the Harkonnens is a good idea, but apart from that, there isn't a lot that I enjoy. I do look forward to Denis Villeneuve's Dune, which should come out this autumn. Unlike Lynch, Villeneuve is a big fan of the Dune books, which I hope will make a big difference.
A couple of final notes - "Dune" takes place in our distant future, where there has been a major conflict between humanity and AIs. Humanity won, through the so-called Butlerian Jihad, and in order to make sure it never happens again, not only AIs but even computers were banned. Because humans still needed to make complex calculations, they trained people to do them instead of computers, and these people are called mentats. They are human, not androids (as androids are forbidden as well), who are trained to remember an enormous amount of data and make calculations rivalling those of computers. Perfecting human abilities is a big theme in these books, you will see for yourself.
CHOAM stands for Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles, roughly translated to "Honest Association to Advance Trade", it is the equivalent of the East India Company from our history and is the monopoly that controls all interplanetary trade. It is controlled by the Emperor and all Great Houses, which are the ones that rule all the planets in the Imperium. The Landstraad is a council featuring of representatives of all Great Houses, as a balancing act against the Emperor and his imperial troops, something like the Barons' Council in medieval England and the Magna Carta.
Finally, the Space Guild is the only organisation that can travel in hyperspace (it is called "folding space"), and it holds a monopoly on space travel. This is only because computers have been banned, as before the Butlerian Jihad, there were autonomous spacefolding ships that used computers to calculate their course. Without computers, Guild Navigators use the spice to develop a prescience sense and thus determine where Guild ships go. In other words, spacefolding technology predates the Jihad, but without computers or Navigators, no one can determine they will get where they want to go, which is why the Guild controls all travel and needs spice to exist at the time of the books.
I am sorry for the long post, but I believe it is obvious I am big fan of the books, and I am glad you enjoy this game :)
Great review! Great game. The game is a bit too long for me though. It surprised me how similar this feels to Viticulture: Essential Edition. Some mechanics are different, but the overall feeling is very similar to me.
The original Dune is an amazing book. I’m going to reread it again now that the new movie is out. I did like the other 2 in that first trilogy quite a bit, but not as much as the first book. I continued and read the 4th book, but I did NOT like that. I was a teenager at the time, so I’m thinking I should give it another chance now (I’m in my 40’s).
Got my wife into board games with this one . While i figured with the space theme she would hate it but now its on the table every week
1st book is a classic - bit of a slow burn, but really good!
I gotta confess I always root for Naveen he usually comes out as the underdog lol
This video and your Spirit Island video really demonstrated each game's potentials for me. They've helped to solidify my understanding of each game's rules and showcase the possible card combos and strategies. Very informative and entertaining to watch.
Wow, that was great!! I've been too intimidated to look at Dune Imperium, but now I think I could play this game. Great job 👍 thank you!!
Regarding the books, read the ones by Frank Herbert. Those are all good. His son, Brian, isn’t even in the same ballpark as a writer.
I almost never comment on TH-cam videos lol.. but I just love the whole Dune series so much that I wanted to say I recommend going all of the Frank Herbert series if you get the chance. Don't push it if it becomes a struggle, they're a bit heavy and dry in some places, but I couldn't put them down. I've then read the first 6 or so from the continued series and they're good but I haven't felt the urge to go past that so far.
I'd really recommend trying all the faction leaders, they are all fun and interesting.
We are excited to!
1:10:29 Monique played the legion but did not get the 2 troops from that card (only got 4 from where she went should have been six)
This game came out this year in Korea and it is without a doubt my favorite and my groups' favorite game this year (although I really do hope the next six months will be as interesting :D)
It's quite surprising to hear that the Automa is nice. I've heard so many negative comments on my local community about the 2 player mode. Maybe I should try it but at least 3 and 4 player is just amazing.
I recommend trying the Arrakeen Scout mode as it offers decisions each round but it did get a little tedious for me and made me want to simply concentrate on the game.
I've just started the book and it's interesting and I am definitely finishing it. My friend who is a fan of the series told me that try the first book and if you like it try the next two books. You can ignore the other sequels unless you just can't have enough of Dune :)
Oh, and I completely agree with your review! Spot on as always :D Thanks for the video
Mentats described as... robot people?! 😱 Poor Thufir.... so insulting.
At the end of video, you mentioned you were about to listen to the Dune book. What do you think of the book and what do you think of the new Dune movie? Do you find yourself re-visiting the game by way of the book or new movie?
At 53:05 I had to laugh at your reaction. That was unfortunately funny. One thing I'm worried about now (I have the game, but I haven't learned it yet) is the difficulty in trashing cards. Not that I want it to be easy, but if it's possible to not be able to trash a card that is not a plus in my book. Even in a game like Legendary you can trash (KO) wounds if you skip your turn and do nothing else. At least they provide a way to trash with a price to pay. Does this game need something like that?
An expansion has been announced that will include more ways to trash cards
The 3rd place combat reward is only available in a 4p game.
That's correct. But I think you refer this playthrough, in case of a tied condition, both tied players get the next level reward so next reward is activated I believe
@@pauloyanez2640 Sure that's correct and I should have been more specific. The combat at 44:48 Naveen took at spice for finishing 3rd. There were no ties. I'm not quite done watching yet, so there may be more instances of this error.
@@JohnQSpartan My mistake i didn't notice that in the playthrough!!! In that case you're right, according to the player count, there's always a player who potentially doesn't get reward being last in conflict rounds
This was a really good watch, thanks for uploading it! I've just about made my way through the first novel, I've noticed some thematic elements and I think overall the game looks great. I like the 'reveal' phase in that you get benefits for the cards you don't play, and I like the linked systems. Would definitely like to play it
I just played this for the first time and really enjoyed it! The final round gave me the same intense feeling I get in the final rounds of Inis, which is in my top 10 games, so you might enjoy that one as well (although I have to admit I've never played it as a 2 player).
Great overview and play through. I used this video to learn and have been addicted ever since. Such a fun game - I’ve played five times so far and I’ve made it my goal to try and win as each of the 8 characters.
The books. The first one, Dune, is one of the greatest scifi books of all time. An absolute classic that EVERYONE should read! The next two, Dune Messiah and Children of Dune are also first rate and should be read. The rest fall off dramatically.
The game is outstanding! A must own if you like Euro Games.
A classic everyone should read? I mean I understand they are good but no way the book would appeal to the wider public. 99% of people I know would never enjoy it.
Hey I’ve always wondered about something, and I mean no disrespect. But what is on your arm? Is it a birthmark?
Great video! This game is addictive.
The first book is THE book, but if you like it don't skip the other 5 written by Frank Herbert. It spans thousands of years and they're all great. The 4th book is probably tied with Dune as my favourite.
Another great playthrough and review, thanks a lot!
You REALLY have to read Dune. Even if not a fan of Sci-Fi. Just looking at the time when it was written and realising how modern it is: it encompasses so many of our existential issues as water scarcity and vegetation disappearing / being restored, conflict for water and ways to gather it and store it, but also people adapting to the environment, rare resources (spice) also being a drug, the power and dangers of religion and Holy War (jihad), the dilemmas of being a living prophet, science, satellite observation, diplomacy, political arenas and behind the scene manigances, etc etc... A fantastic book.
Dune is also different from a lot of other sci fi - cuz it's very much HARD sci fi. As in the science behind it is explained and made plausible, rather than 'space magic makes it work'. Even stuff like the Bene Gesserit are explained to not just be 'random psychic powers cuz reasons', but actual genetic breeding for it, along with knowledge of how the human body works and a learned ability to control their own bodies (which means they can literally choose the gender of their children, they can metabolize poisons if given enough time, they can purge their minds and bodies of the fight-flight response, etc.)
Have you read the book or seen the movie? How do you feel about the game after that?
And you have to review the expansion.
Monique listened to the 1st audiobook and we both watched the new movie that came out last year. I want to read the book but man it’s so hard to dedicate time to sit down to read.
Would this game benefit from players being able to trade resources with each other?
I don't think so, so much tension to have to go it your own way. I think it would muddy the game quite a but and there could be issues with slanted trades.
Wow! The tension was so thick that you can cut it with a knife. What a play!
This game is definitely on my radar. Funny that I am literally just finishing Children of Dune after listening to Dune and Dune Messiah. I think they have all been amazing, extremely profound stuff. It’s one of those things that I wish I discovered earlier.
Awww, man! I was rooting for Naveen! Too close! Another great playthrough!
This games is always close which is so tense
Excellent playthrough again!!!! I have a little question though...I believe you can play all plot cards you want in your turns anytime, but combat cards only one in conflict is that correct?? Or you can play all combat cards also??? Love your videos!!!
Hi Paulo! Great question! From what we understand, you can continue to go around the table playing one combat card at a time until all players pass. Hope that helps! Thanks so much for your kind words!
@@BeforeYouPlay thank you!! Well, it seems we’ve been played not that way...so intrigue cards become even more relevant that way!!! 😮
Love the video, confused by the first Reveal turn by Monique, You start with a hand of 5 cards, she plays 2 to place her 2 agents, then during her reveal turn she has 4 cards to reveal which means her starting hand was 6 cards then?
She drew a card on her second Agent action 👍
@@alrith72 thank you
I've been a fan of the Dune franchise as a whole for almost 20 years now. I recently had my first playthrough with the owner of this boardgame cafe last night and I am loving the attention to detail especially the mechanic where spice is generated on the board.
Thanks for the video. Love the game. D'oh! @1:11:46 Naveen actually had 6 to spend, not 5! (Hall of Oratory)
Is it always super close like that?
At 41:50 doesn't Naveen have 8 Persuasion because of that space at the top of the board instrad of 7?
U can get mulitple times the reward of reaching golden área of faction influence track, even surpassing It?
I know I'm late, but DON'T do the audiobook! It is the only audiobook I've ever returned. So... it has a full cast. Which is awesome. Except they ran out of funding? Or something? So big sections of the audiobook go back to a single narrator, who uses completely different accents for each character (especially Baron!) It is confusing. It is jarring. You might just have to pick up the book for this one. Cheers.
My only problem with the game is with the Market, Turn order, and the Intrigue deck as a whole: randomness that negates all ur hard choices for combat, influence track or endgame just because someone plays a card.
Every advantage should be earned as proven by ur foresight/choices not because of luck! Which is why I propose 3 changes:
1) Have the Market be 8 cards instead of 5 OR flip/refresh all unpurchased cards at the end of the round OR both!
2) Fix the Intrigue deck somehow, like drafting display 3 to choose from, so others know what u got, (if they remember), but don't know WHEN you'll play it!
OR take out the Endgame VP cards & Plot pay for VP cards (there's only 4)
3) Have a mechanic that allows players to affect turn order! Such as: Have the CHOAM Secure Contract space also have a 1st Player icon meaning u get to give the 1st player coin to ANY player and they immediately become 1st player OR will be 1st player next round.
OR each round Player lowest on the VP track goes first then 2nd lowest goes 2nd etc. ties broken per normal endgame rules
Books 1-3 are great (Dune is my favorite book!) and I didn't like 4-6 very much. Stay away from the KJA/BH books because they suck.
Haha thanks for the tips! Will certainly start the 1st book ASAP.
the trilogy 'Before Dune' was a bit 'ok' to get the origins , but 'after dune' was disappointing indeed
to counter - i love the brian herbert and kevin j anderson books. They are different, but I still like them quite a bit. I may be biased slightly because I also like a lot of other books by kevin j anderson, especially his saga of seven suns series. I think the dune spin-off books get way too much hate.
Thank you for the great playthrough!
In the last few months you became one of my favourite channel for playthrough. ❤
When do we get to hear more of your musicianship?
First book is amazing!
After that they’re a bit more of a challenge.
Also the new film is looking to be great!
I enjoyed all the Frank Herbert books but the last one was the hardest for me. Though I was also rattle by the massive time jump in God Emperor.
I am withholding judgement for the new movie but Stellan Skarsgard is a friggin brilliant actor so it has that going for it.
Thanks for the great video. I've read the first 3 Dune books and really like them. Some people don't care for the 2nd and 3rd books, but I really enjoyed them and might even like them more than the 1st book.
Will definitely try starting the 1st book within the next few days. I'd be willing to try the next book.
I've played enough deck builders to know that I just don't enjoy the upkeep of having to pair down all the cards back to the starting decks every game like Dominion and other popular straight up deck builders. I do like the idea of deck builders though, so this kind of game and ruins of arnak that add in worker placement and they keep the decks small so having to pair them down to starter cards during clean up isn't bad. I've got this game but haven't gotten a chance to play it yet. After watching this playthrough, I know I'm going to enjoy the multi-use cards and the gameplay seems fun.
I bet baron Harkonnen going to the fremen location is less about influence and more about 'subjugation', flavorwise.
ALso might have missed it, but shouldn't the AI player have a faction as well, along with a victory point tracker - along with gaining resources for additional victory points?
You don't get a conflict reward for being third (not unless you have 4 players) 1:15:33
Great content , thanks! Dont know if you know and what App you were using , but there are 2 apps , the old "dune imperium" app which does its job and Dire Wolf made a game room app for all games they publish. that Dune game room has the new 3-4 player feature called Arakeen Scouts. which has bonus missions and events.
As you both mention, im sure they can "spice it up" (no pun intended) in future content. :)
www.direwolfdigital.com/news/dune-imperium-arrakeen-scouts-mode/
I am planning to play Dune: Imperium for the first time with a group of fellow gamers so this video was definitely worth the watch. We'll most likely be 3 though it could go up to 4 on the day. Was thinking of setting aside at least 150-180 min for actual play. We're pouring over the rules before we sit down on the day so that should save us some time. Once again thanks for this video.
Ha, I loved the look on Monique's face when Naveen played that voice card and blocked the High-liner.
This game looks great. I hope I get it for my birthday.... Today.
The new Dune movie is out and it's amazing
Gotta check it out!!!
Analysis Paralysis is the mind killer...
I laughed when the two Shifting Allegiances popped up in a row and you both immediately acted like that was bad. This game is extremely counterintuitive compared to other deckbuilders because deckbuilding is generally pretty bad. If you overbuild your deck, you will probably lose. Due to this, there are very few cards that cost less than four that are even worth picking up at all and of those only Shifting Allegiances is correct to take 100% of the time. Try buying it more often and you'll see that it's the most cost effective card in the game.
Don't wanna be tedious=) but Monique didn't put two armies into her garrison after she played Sardaukar Legion. Just love this game and there are so many options and sometimes I do forget myself to do stuff.
I would highly recommend the first book. The 2nd (Dune Messiah) and 3rd (Children of Dune) books are good also. I lost interest in the 4th book (God Emperor of Dune).
Even among sci-fi nerds, the Dune books are not for everyone. However, if you're into the Dune universe and connect with Herbert's world building, the first four books are all worth reading because they give you plenty more of what's in the first book and complete a larger story arc. If you're only going to read a single book, Dune is considered the best, is the most groundbreaking, and, as the first book, will make the most sense.
Read the first book for sure. There are lot of internet opinions on the quality of the different books. I personally love every single one of them, including the spin-off series written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson. They are a different writing style, but still give a lot of fun backstory into the dune universe. I don't blame you for not making it through the David Lynch movie. If you ever decide you want to try it again, there is a fan-made re-cut of that movie that cuts in deleted scenes and re-orders some of the scenes and makes it a much more coherent movie... but you would still benefit from reading the first two books before watching it. Of course, fingers crossed that the new movie will be so good there will be no reason to ever watch the 80's version ever again lol. There is also a made for tv mini-series (2 of them actually) that while obviously "made for tv" in the early 2000's do a pretty good job of telling the story.
Read only the first book, this is from both my husband and I. This a good review for those who have not read the book, however you would get a deeper understanding of the faction leaders after you listen or read the book. As for the movie, when it came out it was a hit to us who liked the genre, now it is a bit campy and apparently a cult classic for some. Now that I am an adult seeing Sting shirtless takes on a whole other meaning for me. However, 18 min at the beginning of the movie, it is slow… but it gets better. I have one great memory of the movie, it is walking 3 miles to the mall to watch this film with my oldest brother, a year with snow, and living in a Pacific NW city that had no bus service at night. So we were both chanting “It’s so cold” in shivering voice on the way home. This is something I do in Denmark now when I am out walking. I grew up in the States.