Zee, I really love your reviews. Not only are they thorough, they're educational, easy to understand, and makes me feel like I've assessed the game even though I haven't even seen it in person. Really remarkable job, and this game is yet another example of that excellence. Thank you!
I agree with Zee, the components and art are incredible but the game is good, not great. I was personally hoping for a more complicated Barenpark, which you get in some ways, but with Barenpark there is a layer of satisfaction that comes with filling up your board completely that you cannot do here due to the tile adjacency rule (you cannot place tiles next to each other, only diagonally). I think Barenpark still holds the throne, but I do still recommend this game as a fun alternative.
The tiles not being able to be placed adjacently is what makes this game great. It adds a puzzle aspect to it. You have to be careful where you place your rides. I love that rule.
Getting some income things like hotdog stands early is definitely important. However in the one (so far) game we played, all of us got a hotdog stand on the first round, but one of us kept getting more and more of them, I got I think one more, and the third player got no additional income buildings the rest of the game. I ended up winning, the big money person came in 2nd, the low income person came in a pretty close third. So while I agree getting some income is important, I don't think going heavy on it leads to a runaway leader. Though that was a single game, so grain of salt blah blah.
That's a nice review. A clear breakdown of the game and how it plays, and well-constructed and expressed thoughts both critical and positive on the quality. I like the theme, so I think there's a good chance I'll get this.
I bought Pharaon on Zee's recommendation and I loved it. The components are very good but the card size was really strange, especially for someone who loves to sleeve. That aside, it's a great game
The part where you talked about the length and rhythm and the really boring two-player experience is exactly why this was a big miss for me and my wife. 15 turns doesn't feel like enough when most of a round feels like upkeep but more than that and it would seriously drag. Ultimately, the problem for me is there are no hard decisions in this at all. Once you figure out that money>into>points is the game (which takes all of a round or two of your first game) the decisions become really on rails. You can try other stuff but you will lose to the person who build a hot dog stand and/or a yellow attraction in round one. Roll Player and Cape May were duds for us as well and I was really hoping for a redeemer with this but it's a snoozer.
You can only build something corner-to-corner of something that’s already been built? That really limits the amount of places you can build and goes against everything that every other tile-laying game has taught me.
I got rid of Grand Carnival and will likely keep this one because Grand Carnival seemed to devolve into the same game after 9 plays. Parkies is my favorite theme park game of all time, this one is good. We've played it 5 times and I'm not feeling the same way about it as I was about Grand Carnival.
This is a great game! Closest board game that gives the feeling of Roller Coaster Tycoon(video game). For me it's 9.5 if not 10 but that's because I love the theme
Zee, I really love your reviews. Not only are they thorough, they're educational, easy to understand, and makes me feel like I've assessed the game even though I haven't even seen it in person. Really remarkable job, and this game is yet another example of that excellence. Thank you!
Thanks Zee for the in-depth review & feedback! Glad you enjoyed it overall!
I agree with Zee, the components and art are incredible but the game is good, not great. I was personally hoping for a more complicated Barenpark, which you get in some ways, but with Barenpark there is a layer of satisfaction that comes with filling up your board completely that you cannot do here due to the tile adjacency rule (you cannot place tiles next to each other, only diagonally). I think Barenpark still holds the throne, but I do still recommend this game as a fun alternative.
i agree, i haven't played Barenpark, but i have this one, Isle of Cats and Planet Unknown. Planet Unknown beat all the Polyomimos i have!
The tiles not being able to be placed adjacently is what makes this game great. It adds a puzzle aspect to it. You have to be careful where you place your rides. I love that rule.
Steve, have you played this game? If not, play it, it's fantastic!
Got my second play in last night and I have thoroughly enjoyed both plays. Looking forward to playing more and seeing how it holds up.
Oh neat! I ordered this and I can't wait for it to arrive. Nice to have a review in the meantime :D
The Game is absolutely amazing! My group loves it and we've played it multiple times at 4 players.
Getting some income things like hotdog stands early is definitely important. However in the one (so far) game we played, all of us got a hotdog stand on the first round, but one of us kept getting more and more of them, I got I think one more, and the third player got no additional income buildings the rest of the game. I ended up winning, the big money person came in 2nd, the low income person came in a pretty close third. So while I agree getting some income is important, I don't think going heavy on it leads to a runaway leader. Though that was a single game, so grain of salt blah blah.
Great review as usual, Zee. Looking forward to meeting the gang at DT West! 🙂
That's a nice review. A clear breakdown of the game and how it plays, and well-constructed and expressed thoughts both critical and positive on the quality. I like the theme, so I think there's a good chance I'll get this.
Thanks, Zee. I distinctly remember Pharaon having fantastic, thick cardboard components.
I bought Pharaon on Zee's recommendation and I loved it. The components are very good but the card size was really strange, especially for someone who loves to sleeve. That aside, it's a great game
So The Grand Carnival better? I love Meeple Land.
The part where you talked about the length and rhythm and the really boring two-player experience is exactly why this was a big miss for me and my wife. 15 turns doesn't feel like enough when most of a round feels like upkeep but more than that and it would seriously drag. Ultimately, the problem for me is there are no hard decisions in this at all. Once you figure out that money>into>points is the game (which takes all of a round or two of your first game) the decisions become really on rails. You can try other stuff but you will lose to the person who build a hot dog stand and/or a yellow attraction in round one. Roll Player and Cape May were duds for us as well and I was really hoping for a redeemer with this but it's a snoozer.
You can only build something corner-to-corner of something that’s already been built? That really limits the amount of places you can build and goes against everything that every other tile-laying game has taught me.
They knocked it out of the PARK with component quality?? ;)
Am I the only one who thinks this is identical to Meeple Land?
I think it's similar to Meeple Land, but Meeple Land maybe easier? Meeple Land is about getting visitors to visit the Park.
Better then "The grand carnival"?
I got rid of Grand Carnival and will likely keep this one because Grand Carnival seemed to devolve into the same game after 9 plays. Parkies is my favorite theme park game of all time, this one is good. We've played it 5 times and I'm not feeling the same way about it as I was about Grand Carnival.
This vs grand carnival?
This is a great game! Closest board game that gives the feeling of Roller Coaster Tycoon(video game). For me it's 9.5 if not 10 but that's because I love the theme
What is the track that isn't Thrill or Joy?
Awe.
This or Meeple Land?
This or New York Zoo?
Sounds more like a family game.