Finally got Laby to the table? Well done. It is my #1 solo game. It's a CDG that you get to play two cards on your turn. Combo-lishus. The solo rules are well done and the deck can surprise me most games (e.g. bot plays “Kashmir” turn 1, I had to scratch my head for 5 minutes while I found a new game plan). The play time will decrease with familiarity (I know, an obvious statement). A one deck playthrough can be played in an hour. Playing through the deck 1, 2 or 3 times changes the playability of some of the cards (e.g. “Patriot Act” and “Sanctions”). I find Labyrinth to be easier and more enjoyable to play compared to any of the COIN games. The decision space in Labyrinth, for me, is larger than COIN. The Labyrinth AI is simpler than the COIN AI’s. On the PC, the Labyrinth AI is so much better than the Twilight Struggle AI. Probably due to being based on the boardgame AI. The replayability of Labyrinth is just as high, or higher, then the COINs, due to the two expansions that are out. The first of which gives a really nice optional victory condition “achieve all three of your victory conditions”, which I've played with all three decks (played through one after the other) in about 2 hours. I too bought this game years ago and it collected dust on my shelf. Once the PC version came out I made a commitment to play the heck out of it. The AI’s in the expansions are easier to play than the base game. The real improvement is the traveling from and to lists. But really those options can be simplified to “do what you feel is the bots best move”. That can make the bots turn faster. This is definitely a difficult game to learn on your own. It’s probably better to learn from someone who has experience and enthusiasm for the game (like most things in life).
@@boardgamerants I agree with Tom, also the expansions come with a U.S. bot, so you can play the 'bad' guys, always fun. Please note that if you decide (probably not) to buy an expansion, you need the first one if you want to play the second one.
@@gillesderais3848 great info, thanks. I might try the simplified travel idea of Tom's, that was a main AI decision that I really disliked. It may open the door to those expansions for me!
Watched your excellent review, and still got the game. Big mistake. Should have stayed away. This game was harder to learn and paly then Anachrony and Feast for Odin, two of my favorites.
Finally got Laby to the table? Well done. It is my #1 solo game. It's a CDG that you get to play two cards on your turn. Combo-lishus. The solo rules are well done and the deck can surprise me most games (e.g. bot plays “Kashmir” turn 1, I had to scratch my head for 5 minutes while I found a new game plan).
The play time will decrease with familiarity (I know, an obvious statement). A one deck playthrough can be played in an hour. Playing through the deck 1, 2 or 3 times changes the playability of some of the cards (e.g. “Patriot Act” and “Sanctions”).
I find Labyrinth to be easier and more enjoyable to play compared to any of the COIN games. The decision space in Labyrinth, for me, is larger than COIN. The Labyrinth AI is simpler than the COIN AI’s.
On the PC, the Labyrinth AI is so much better than the Twilight Struggle AI. Probably due to being based on the boardgame AI.
The replayability of Labyrinth is just as high, or higher, then the COINs, due to the two expansions that are out. The first of which gives a really nice optional victory condition “achieve all three of your victory conditions”, which I've played with all three decks (played through one after the other) in about 2 hours.
I too bought this game years ago and it collected dust on my shelf. Once the PC version came out I made a commitment to play the heck out of it. The AI’s in the expansions are easier to play than the base game. The real improvement is the traveling from and to lists. But really those options can be simplified to “do what you feel is the bots best move”. That can make the bots turn faster.
This is definitely a difficult game to learn on your own. It’s probably better to learn from someone who has experience and enthusiasm for the game (like most things in life).
Great input, Tom, thanks for taking the time as it seems you have much more experience with this type of gaming. I really appreciate the comments.
@@boardgamerants I agree with Tom, also the expansions come with a U.S. bot, so you can play the 'bad' guys, always fun. Please note that if you decide (probably not) to buy an expansion, you need the first one if you want to play the second one.
@@gillesderais3848 great info, thanks. I might try the simplified travel idea of Tom's, that was a main AI decision that I really disliked. It may open the door to those expansions for me!
@@boardgamerants the guys over at The Players Aid just posted a review of the second expansion. I'm giddy with all the Labyrinth coverage. ;)
Truly an omnigamer! I enjoy that you're trying all these games I don't have the time/courage to try.
Thanks Billy, it can feel like a chore sometimes, but it's the good work! ;)
Watched your excellent review, and still got the game. Big mistake. Should have stayed away. This game was harder to learn and paly then Anachrony and Feast for Odin, two of my favorites.
Too meandering.
1. Takes 3 hours per each of 3 phases.
2. Flipping tiny pieces is annoying to OP.
3. Rulebook is crap.
I stopped after that.