The "overly complicated rules" are a way of adding a "memory hook" to an otherwise hard to remember rule. For example - When a pet is not purchased and is removed from the board - an extra meat is added to the meat stand - but don't worry, the pet went away to live on a farm somewhere. The fact there is an extra meat now available is a total coincidence. I find this rule hilarious, and with the additional little story/joke attached, makes it so much easier to remember. And when you need to look up and read a rule, there is always a little bit of comedy/story/lore that you are also absorbing at the same time. It makes reading the rules a joy. I personally love the artwork too - there are so many little details and jokes hidden on nearly every board and tile.
@@BoardGameBollocks Totally. Though I played this game again tonight after not playing it for years - and could still easily recall a suprising amount of the more obscure rules thanks to the additions of the little stories/jokes that accompanied them. Don't think it'd work for every game, but it's something I personally love about Darth Vlaada's designs.
It seems a rare case where I'd disagree but I feel not entirely as you do but I'm not sure because you seem to like it somewhat if played with like-minded people so it's as if you like it but feel that maybe most would be put off in your experience? I got this for my Birthday and recently had a first game. I loved it. The theme obviously speaks volumes and the artwork is glorious and one place we differ is I feel the rulebook compliments this soooo much. I loved the rulebook. To be fair I'm actually a fan of CGE games and in cases of how thematic they are and how the rulebook compliments the theme so much. I'm a fan of the Galaxy Trucker rulebook for example. I think it's brilliant. But onto the game. That first game was a blast. I loved assigning traits mostly and how you could manipulate things (having more pets) to have more cards to play with. And the expert rule of double icons is a must so you can at least guarantee a particular trait. And overall I came away thinking of all sorts of things I could try and can't wait to play again. But agreed, I can see a bunch of people who just get turned off by all sorts in this game. Thanks for the review.
Just get a chance recently to play this game and I'm amazed by the brilliant mix of theme and mechanism. I agree the rules are a bit over during the execution, making it hard to teach and remember all the small stuff. But I can't find any other game provides the same feeling from this game, e.g. the annoying but cute pets and the bonding building up with them. Do you have any suggest that if I like this I should play that?
Have you reviewed Lockup: A Roll Player Tale? Very different and much lighter weight game is the impression I have ( haven’t played either). I’m interested in Lockup but not dungeon pets.
You've summed up my experience with CGE/Vlaada games perfectly. Galaxy Trucker, Dungeon Lordz, Mage Knight... I've played and sold them all, in theory they're simple enough games but the rulebooks... Christ, the rulebooks make them dense humour filled swamps I'm forced to wade through to find the smallest rule that thematically makes perfect sense but is damned near impossible to find quickly! The only game that's survived my cull of CGE is codenames, I'm guessing because they couldn't fit 2 rulebooks in the box!
Hi mate! As always, you've nailed it with that cinematographic style. Regarding the topic of the game. I totally agree with you in all your points. Especially in that about the need cards. I've only played this one online, and still it was difficult to fully grasp how these cards should be played. I'm watching this video to get a better reason to buy this game. So, I might probably skip this one after realising I'm not the only one with same thoughts on this. Cheers!
Great review as always, although I respectfully disagree...especially with the main message, since I think it still worth even the headache. To tell the truth the theme first put me off trying the game, but after a successful Dungeon Lords game it got me on my radar, and I became addicted on it. Yes it is fiddly and complicated, but almost everything is fitting so well into the theme, that it is easy to keep in mind the rules. Except some parts like the arbitrary tresholds of negative outcomes: more then 2 mutation=your pet is gone, 1 suffering above 2 poops/disease (with at least 1 disease), more then 4 suffering = pet is gone. But that's all, everything else makes totally sense. Without the exra bells and whistles of the special negative outcomes of the different needs the game would be another soulles contract fulliling game (which is the most booooring mechanism in the world and unfortunately many euros are based on it). With the extra layers you can really feel the negative consequences, the game has a real flavor unlike typical euros. Finally, I take your point about the srtange aspect of the game that you are the pet shop owner and on the other hand you assign the pet's needs. But the whole game is still more thematic then most of the euros, and it offers an amazing risk management. I can easily ignore this little discrepancy. Thanks for the review. Do you plan to try Dungeon Lords?
Love this channel and the honesty of the reviews - also it feels like a Guy Ritchie's intro will roll in any minute! 😅
The "overly complicated rules" are a way of adding a "memory hook" to an otherwise hard to remember rule.
For example - When a pet is not purchased and is removed from the board - an extra meat is added to the meat stand - but don't worry, the pet went away to live on a farm somewhere. The fact there is an extra meat now available is a total coincidence.
I find this rule hilarious, and with the additional little story/joke attached, makes it so much easier to remember.
And when you need to look up and read a rule, there is always a little bit of comedy/story/lore that you are also absorbing at the same time. It makes reading the rules a joy.
I personally love the artwork too - there are so many little details and jokes hidden on nearly every board and tile.
An overly complicated rule is just that…overly complicated
@@BoardGameBollocks Totally.
Though I played this game again tonight after not playing it for years - and could still easily recall a suprising amount of the more obscure rules thanks to the additions of the little stories/jokes that accompanied them.
Don't think it'd work for every game, but it's something I personally love about Darth Vlaada's designs.
It seems a rare case where I'd disagree but I feel not entirely as you do but I'm not sure because you seem to like it somewhat if played with like-minded people so it's as if you like it but feel that maybe most would be put off in your experience?
I got this for my Birthday and recently had a first game. I loved it. The theme obviously speaks volumes and the artwork is glorious and one place we differ is I feel the rulebook compliments this soooo much. I loved the rulebook. To be fair I'm actually a fan of CGE games and in cases of how thematic they are and how the rulebook compliments the theme so much. I'm a fan of the Galaxy Trucker rulebook for example. I think it's brilliant. But onto the game. That first game was a blast. I loved assigning traits mostly and how you could manipulate things (having more pets) to have more cards to play with. And the expert rule of double icons is a must so you can at least guarantee a particular trait. And overall I came away thinking of all sorts of things I could try and can't wait to play again.
But agreed, I can see a bunch of people who just get turned off by all sorts in this game.
Thanks for the review.
Just get a chance recently to play this game and I'm amazed by the brilliant mix of theme and mechanism. I agree the rules are a bit over during the execution, making it hard to teach and remember all the small stuff. But I can't find any other game provides the same feeling from this game, e.g. the annoying but cute pets and the bonding building up with them. Do you have any suggest that if I like this I should play that?
If you love it try the dark alleys expansion
Agreed, a very fun and unique game with the right folks. But that board does look like cereal box pc games from the 90s...
I see this game on a lot of people's top game lists
Have you reviewed Lockup: A Roll Player Tale? Very different and much lighter weight game is the impression I have ( haven’t played either). I’m interested in Lockup but not dungeon pets.
Tbh I never heard of it. Should I be ashamed?
Yes you should be ashamed.
Try Roll Player as well as Lockup.
Very good production values on those games (Roll Player, Cartographers, Lockup).
You've summed up my experience with CGE/Vlaada games perfectly.
Galaxy Trucker, Dungeon Lordz, Mage Knight... I've played and sold them all, in theory they're simple enough games but the rulebooks... Christ, the rulebooks make them dense humour filled swamps I'm forced to wade through to find the smallest rule that thematically makes perfect sense but is damned near impossible to find quickly! The only game that's survived my cull of CGE is codenames, I'm guessing because they couldn't fit 2 rulebooks in the box!
👍🏻
Hi mate! As always, you've nailed it with that cinematographic style.
Regarding the topic of the game. I totally agree with you in all your points. Especially in that about the need cards. I've only played this one online, and still it was difficult to fully grasp how these cards should be played. I'm watching this video to get a better reason to buy this game. So, I might probably skip this one after realising I'm not the only one with same thoughts on this. Cheers!
I’ve been waiting for this review!!!!
👍🏻
I disagree with all of the negatives except the art. This game is brilliant and still gets too the table a lot.
The art is the best bit
Dungeon Peeeeeeeeeetz! 😍😍😍
fun fact: no amount of pooping causes sadness unless you also get sick
Great review as always, although I respectfully disagree...especially with the main message, since I think it still worth even the headache. To tell the truth the theme first put me off trying the game, but after a successful Dungeon Lords game it got me on my radar, and I became addicted on it. Yes it is fiddly and complicated, but almost everything is fitting so well into the theme, that it is easy to keep in mind the rules. Except some parts like the arbitrary tresholds of negative outcomes: more then 2 mutation=your pet is gone, 1 suffering above 2 poops/disease (with at least 1 disease), more then 4 suffering = pet is gone. But that's all, everything else makes totally sense. Without the exra bells and whistles of the special negative outcomes of the different needs the game would be another soulles contract fulliling game (which is the most booooring mechanism in the world and unfortunately many euros are based on it). With the extra layers you can really feel the negative consequences, the game has a real flavor unlike typical euros. Finally, I take your point about the srtange aspect of the game that you are the pet shop owner and on the other hand you assign the pet's needs. But the whole game is still more thematic then most of the euros, and it offers an amazing risk management. I can easily ignore this little discrepancy. Thanks for the review. Do you plan to try Dungeon Lords?
I have no plan to try Dungeon Lords. I’ll prob only play it to review it and then it will sit there.
I'll miss the blood blister when it's gone.
I’ll send you the clippings if you like?
This guy is the nicer version of Paul Weller.
I think we’re about the same on the grumpy scale mate
Nice!
Perfect 👍
Looks like Dinosaur Island contains alot of this DNA
Yes daddy