Thank you, Zee. Since Castles of Burgundy is one of our all time favorites, and similar things are said about the theme and aesthetics of that title, I am VERY excited to get my hands on this one!
Hard negative on theme and aesthetics. Big positive on everything gameplay related. I probably could have guessed it was a Feld based on that alone haha
I actually quite like these styles of aesthetics, over more modern productions. Like Castles of Burgundy, colour choices are a little off, but other than that it gives me a really warm feeling, and doesn't at all distract from the gameplay - which a lot of more modern games do. So much artwork, with a shallow game hidden beneath. Thoroughly enjoying playing this one!
Which would be more admirable if we didn't live in a time where other companies are nailing both gameplay and aesthetics. It's not like it would have taken Alea much more effort to make this look good. All they needed to do was hire a better artist.
The great gameplay is due to the designer - Feld. I'd argue they're doing him a huge disservice, because he has made games that are every bit as good as the flashiest games out there, but they're consistently difficult to get to the table (and I bet it affects sales too) due to aesthetic weaknesses. In this case, the graphic design is so horrific that some buildings are nearly impossible to tell apart. In a very competitive market where there's far too many games with both good aesthetics and gameplay coming out, it's a real disadvantage. A good publisher would've pasted an appealing theme onto the game and hired an artist to make the artwork vibrant and easy from a graphic design standpoint.
Despite the fact the theme and aesthetics are dry as toast, this does look a bit interesting. I like Feld's simpler games, have played La Isla and like it. What seems to be going on here is two different drafting mechanisms-- one for the tiles and one for the cards. And the tile mechanism looks interesting because it would appear that you may have to plan ahead a little to get specific tiles that you want-- a move to get a tile may put you in a worse position to get another tile that you want even more, so you might choose to take a lesser tile because it's en-route to the better tile you're after. And the fact it then takes two moves to get there could easily mean someone else will get it first. Seems pretty interesting-- too bad it doesn't have a better theme. I'm not sure I'll grab this one but I think it's worth considering...
Glad to see a vote for Bora Bora-- I've got it but it's not yet made it to the table. In that case, the aesthetics sucked me in. I'm a sucker for nautical, island & polynesian themes.
The aesthetics of CoB do not bother me one bit. In fact, I find them to be quite appropriate for the style of game it is - it's like they purposely went for 'Retro Eurogame'.
@Alice Moore Yes. I'm generally not a fan of point salad games, but I have enjoyed Castles of Burgundy and Carpe Diem quite a bit. Personally, I would wait for a second edition, where they might make the colors more consistent and differentiable, because it is a big source of confusion.
You made this hard on me by not hating it. I am so against rewarding Alea/Ravensburger with my $$$ for this garbage production & worst looking box of the decade. Who's going to be willing to play it with me when I take the game into public?! But Castles of Burgundy is one of my favorites... Argh!
I'm very surprised about Zee, too. He seems to start value a game with boring look and interesting game play more then a game with boring game play and interesting look. (See also his review of Wangdo.) Personally I'm on board with that.
@@markusschmidt9260 you on board on Zee prefering mechanics and feel than look? Me too but this was just ugly and my comment was of surprise. With sooo many games looking gorgeous I just dont see why they couldnt turn it up a notch or too. Do they save that much money by going with meh graphic design? Also, I would definetely play this game but I dont see myself owning it just cause of that. Would be very difficult to convince people to join me on the table for this.
Feels like it plays pretty okay to be honest, but the boring look and the supreme fiddly-ness(which is par for the course with Alea/Feld games) turns me off on it
I really disliked this game. Very low quality components and the game wasnt forgetable for the sole reason that it got me really pissed off because I wanted to like it! Couldn't get myself to play it again. 0 fun.
Thank you, Zee. Since Castles of Burgundy is one of our all time favorites, and similar things are said about the theme and aesthetics of that title, I am VERY excited to get my hands on this one!
Hard negative on theme and aesthetics. Big positive on everything gameplay related. I probably could have guessed it was a Feld based on that alone haha
Night race touring car
I actually quite like these styles of aesthetics, over more modern productions. Like Castles of Burgundy, colour choices are a little off, but other than that it gives me a really warm feeling, and doesn't at all distract from the gameplay - which a lot of more modern games do. So much artwork, with a shallow game hidden beneath. Thoroughly enjoying playing this one!
I am glad the colors are a bit off. With most field games I can't tell half the colors apart. Better than red/green/brown and grey/pink tokens.
love ravensburger and Alea. Putting gameplay before looks and aestethics :D Puerto Rico and CoB are among my favorite games :)
Which would be more admirable if we didn't live in a time where other companies are nailing both gameplay and aesthetics. It's not like it would have taken Alea much more effort to make this look good. All they needed to do was hire a better artist.
The great gameplay is due to the designer - Feld. I'd argue they're doing him a huge disservice, because he has made games that are every bit as good as the flashiest games out there, but they're consistently difficult to get to the table (and I bet it affects sales too) due to aesthetic weaknesses. In this case, the graphic design is so horrific that some buildings are nearly impossible to tell apart. In a very competitive market where there's far too many games with both good aesthetics and gameplay coming out, it's a real disadvantage. A good publisher would've pasted an appealing theme onto the game and hired an artist to make the artwork vibrant and easy from a graphic design standpoint.
So what are your 2nd and 1st favorite Feld games? :)
Judging from previous videos, I think his favorite is Bruges, and second would be Notre Dame (though he also likes Arena Roma 2).
@@Mentat1231 Zee also likes In the Year of the Dragon ;)
just check the top100 list they are putting out weekly.
@@winnie666 I don't think more than 1x Feld is in Zee's top 100.
why Zee never replies is something I will never understand
Despite the fact the theme and aesthetics are dry as toast, this does look a bit interesting. I like Feld's simpler games, have played La Isla and like it. What seems to be going on here is two different drafting mechanisms-- one for the tiles and one for the cards. And the tile mechanism looks interesting because it would appear that you may have to plan ahead a little to get specific tiles that you want-- a move to get a tile may put you in a worse position to get another tile that you want even more, so you might choose to take a lesser tile because it's en-route to the better tile you're after. And the fact it then takes two moves to get there could easily mean someone else will get it first. Seems pretty interesting-- too bad it doesn't have a better theme. I'm not sure I'll grab this one but I think it's worth considering...
Solid Review, Zee!!!
Third game, zee? What are the two first games?
I like the understatement.
Interesting robdel use for tile selection. I think I would prefer other tile laying games. Just a preference.
Great Review, Zee!!!
Main board pawns movement system reminds me Trajan's mankala
Carpe Zee-am
Robert, if you're asking me, CoB #1 and Bora Bora and Trajan in close competition for places #2 and #3.
Glad to see a vote for Bora Bora-- I've got it but it's not yet made it to the table. In that case, the aesthetics sucked me in. I'm a sucker for nautical, island & polynesian themes.
If someone likes Castles of Burgundy; they might like this?
The aesthetics of CoB do not bother me one bit. In fact, I find them to be quite appropriate for the style of game it is - it's like they purposely went for 'Retro Eurogame'.
Looks like CoB without the dice.
@Alice Moore Yes. I'm generally not a fan of point salad games, but I have enjoyed Castles of Burgundy and Carpe Diem quite a bit. Personally, I would wait for a second edition, where they might make the colors more consistent and differentiable, because it is a big source of confusion.
The feeeling is totaly different from CoB.
Even the title is boring... but I love Feld games
This game looks like it would be crippling for people that have ap.
The star-shaped grid is absolutely stupid.
Agreed. It's functionally identical to a circle.
You made this hard on me by not hating it. I am so against rewarding Alea/Ravensburger with my $$$ for this garbage production & worst looking box of the decade. Who's going to be willing to play it with me when I take the game into public?! But Castles of Burgundy is one of my favorites... Argh!
It's better than a lot of prettier games. I agree it's ugly, but it is really good.
Its ugly, what's going on here. Cmon...
I'm very surprised about Zee, too. He seems to start value a game with boring look and interesting game play more then a game with boring game play and interesting look. (See also his review of Wangdo.) Personally I'm on board with that.
@@markusschmidt9260 you on board on Zee prefering mechanics and feel than look? Me too but this was just ugly and my comment was of surprise. With sooo many games looking gorgeous I just dont see why they couldnt turn it up a notch or too. Do they save that much money by going with meh graphic design? Also, I would definetely play this game but I dont see myself owning it just cause of that. Would be very difficult to convince people to join me on the table for this.
I'll just play Carcassonne.
Feels like it plays pretty okay to be honest, but the boring look and the supreme fiddly-ness(which is par for the course with Alea/Feld games) turns me off on it
actually I thought this was an old game.. :/ are those people blind there? so outdated design
I really disliked this game. Very low quality components and the game wasnt forgetable for the sole reason that it got me really pissed off because I wanted to like it! Couldn't get myself to play it again. 0 fun.