I am bored so I will rant in detail: TLDR at bottom. For me the point I decided not to get this game was when I realised they made 5 expansions and 3 of those are Kickstarter exclusive. And after I closely looked at the game's components in the demos. let me elaborate: 1. Monster Hunter The World Board Game: They also made the Monster Hunter World Board Game. To me the fact that instead of making a "Monster Hunter" Board Game of the franchise they made a "Monster Hunter World" board game of the currently popular video game speaks millions. It allowed them to make 0 original art and use renders and in game visuals. To me it seems they solely make games that appeal through the established IP with deckbuilding gameplay mechanics that are probably very fun. BUT it seems the replayability comes from enemy variety and player class variety. And where do you get more enemies, quests and playable classes? The expansions. ($60 to add 1 Monster or $60 to add 6 playable classes) 2. Commit $ 400+ or never access a majority of content: Same goes for Elden Ring The Board game: it seems the replayability comes from enemy variety and player class variety. Which would be fine, but you cannot just comfortably buy the game, play a couple times till you experienced the content and then decide to get more enemies, quests and classes, when 3 of the 5 expansions are kickstarter exclusive [also the retail prices :( ]. I do not wanna chose between committing $400+ or never fighting iconic enemies or using iconic classes or getting Blaidd. Is it that bad to wanna play the game first? This FOMO marketing seems really predatory to me and it feels like they do not care about making good games that stand the test of time but making a profit through brand recognition. before the game even goes live to the public. I know the minis kinda justify the price but read point 3. pls. 3. my suggestions / dream version of this game (In case anyone cares): I would change the game like this: In order to increase enemy variety and decrease price I would have most enemies be represented by a nice illustration on a card and by generic tokens pawns or meeple for the combat grid (Similar to Witcher Old World). Minibosses could have small minis and the final boss could have a large impactful mini. To me it would make the minis more meaningfull while making the base game and each expansion cheaper and more replayable on their own increasing their "gameplay value". Do you really want 5 minis of the same wolf and demihuman? And for god's sake! put more art in the game. Look at the cards, look at the quest book. You only text and the minis. Not even a thematic background. just black. Like, am I spoiled for art coming from playing The Witcher: Old World? 4. I am the demographic tho: For a completely different reason (elaborated in point 5:) I will definitely NOT buy this game even at retail. I am currently playing Elden Ring on PC, reading berserk, deep in hype and getting into board games to top it off. I am the demographic. I would really love an Elden Ring Board Game. I almost backed the board game just because the idea is great to me, trust me bro the brand /fandom recognition and FOMO was tickling my brain so hard. But after taking a closer look at the campaign throughout the week, I am disappointed. I feel like a lot of people, including myself, respond so positively to good ideas that they are too excited to check if the execution holds up. Specifically the actual game components see point 5. 5. Who are you gonna play this with?: After taking a closer look at the Kickstarter campaign page and game demos on TH-cam, specifically the actual game components, I just asked myself: "Can I picture myself playing this game with my friends?" Because at the end of the day that is what it's for. And I just couldn't. I can just tell, that it wouldn't not be very engaging to my friends who have not played Elden Ring, (even to those who know what it is and are interested in it but just don't have a PC or consoles) and even to me. Imagine you do not know Elden Ring and look at your tarnished, the cards and the quest book. There is basically no visual exposition / worldbuilding in this board game. Or even if you knew what Elden Ring is but have not seen a lot of gameplay, you would have no clue of what is going on. What does the world you are exploring look like. What situations are the characters in? Where are the enemies standing? What do the attacks look like? What colour are the enemies? You only have the colourless minis and printed enemy and character names. I would much rather have a cool Illustrated card of Godrick's soldiers patrolling Limgrave or Godrick's Knights guarding the Stormgate or animals in the wild doing animal things or a Troll fucking shit up. And then imagine that the small pawn on the grid is that cool illustrated character, If it would decrease the price and increase enemies in the game. And when it's time for the Boss, the miniature will be a lot more impactful. The lack of art / visual information bothers me the most, especially since the iconic art Style and Worldbuilding are at Elden Ring's (and Fromsoftware's) identity's core. Again, am I spoiled for art coming from playing The Witcher: Old World? Did that game set unrealistic expectations. Thoughts? 6. TLDR /closing argument: Steamforged seem to (at least to me) make these video game board games with initially fun deckbuilding mechanics and minimal artwork. The mechanics seem to end up not deep enough to carry the "board game" aspect and they copy some assets from the game while most of the original printed stuff are just character names on black backgrounds and . Like come on! Even the tarnished player cards barely have art. It's just a 3d colourless render of the miniature. When I imagine that I do not know Elden Ring and look at the components it seems awful. And if you love Elden Ring and your memories from the video game will be the crux for this un-immersive seeming board game with fun mechanics, wouldn't you rather be playing the video game or another board game? "And for those reasons I'm out" -Shark Tank feel free to respond if you think I'm tripping or if you agree or if you just liked my comment. I am bored. pls be civil
Definitely valid points all around :) I appreciate you sharing! I think the IP and naming most likely has to do with licensing other than laziness but otherwise I'm right there with you on most everything else.
I absolutely agree with your assessment on price. In general this has been my problem with FromSoft boardgames. While they bank on their (admittedly great) aesthetics, the gameplay has always failed to live up to that premium pricepoint. Furthermore, the amount of boxes and lack of cool minis in the basic pledge really hurts the value of this specific kickstarter for me.
I loved Elden Ring, probably my game of the year. But if Oathsworn couldn’t make me back it (it got close), there’s no way I’d back Elden Ring for that price. I have to say the thematics of the lane/stance combat look really interesting though.
Did we also talk about how a ps5 plus a copy of Elden Ring the video game will is roughly the same price as this game? Definitely something to think about.
You hit it right on the head. Kickstarter is an addiction. I back 4 games this year and I'm glad this series exsists. This series helped me second guess a core pledge of oathsworn. Very happy this series exsist and do love the campy vibe you give in each video. Thank you and look forward to seeing more!
I love love love From Software games and I've put in a massive amount of time playing Elden Ring. I don't believe the feeling of accomplishment achieved in the video games can be replicated in board games. I love the minis but I'd never actually play the board game. When I feel like getting in some Elden Ring I'll just fire up the console and not worry about set up and tear down of a board game. The reality with this is it's a ton of money for an "all-in" that doesn't include Caelid, Liurnia, Mt. Gelmir, Altus Plateau, Leyndell, Mountaintops, Miquella's Haligtree, Farum Azula, etc. If SFG makes the whole video game in board game form it's going to end up costing $1,500 to $2,000.
Really like Elden Ring, and for that same reason, I'd like to get the All in, but the price is definitely too much (considering that where I live has the most expensive shipping prices and 19% import tax on top of that). Thinking rationally, if I want to get the "Elden Ring" experience, it'd be much better if I played the video game. However, those minis look awesome for painting. Would love if there was a way to just get the minis. I would definitely get them right away.
Great work - Was on the fence for this one and the IP is what was pulling me in... FOMO isn't winning this time - Besides, I bet that the season 2 kickstarter will provide access to this content - At a higher price, yes, but with the advantage of many people having their pledges to see how good the game system is and if it's right for me.
I was all-in on the original Oathsworn campaign and haven't started playing it yet....Frosthaven should be arriving very soon.....I backed Arydia, Tidal Blades 2, and the next Sleeping Gods....even if this is amazing I can't possibly justify it. I also haven't played the video game yet, so I think my money will go there.
SFG, and especially this new campaign, just resembles everything that's gone wrong with board game crowdfunding recently. - bad to mediocre games with way too much physical bloat, causing half of a Kallax worth of boxes with utterly insane price tags - undercooked game mechanics with lack-luster storytelling - clear emphasis on triggering FOMO with all the exclusive stuff - stretch goals aren't even included with the "cheapest" pledge at 90 god damn bucks Buy other games instead. You can buy the gameplay All-in of Oathsworn, ISS Vanguard AND the new Tainted Grail for *less* than the All-In of Elden Ring will set you back. You can probably buy half of what's on your board game wish list instead. You can buy a fking PS5 plus the digital Elden Ring. Stay away from this campaign. It's such a shame that SFG got this license :(
Man I like that you are adding the best possible choice on the pledge level, I think in case someone back choose the best one that for me is the core plede. I fully agree... no need to go all in, but I think is a rules for all the boardgame basically (or viedogame... no need for extra DLC)
I don't even consider that lowest teir a real pledge. I consider it an advance on retail. The real low end pledge, in the spirit of crowdfunding rewards, is $179 + shipping. Meh
I feel most kickstarter are not.worth it whem you factor in shipping. Especially as a fellow Canadian, the exchange rate really hurt. If any kickstarter goes to retail, it will simply be cheaper as most store I deal with offer free shipping for order od 150$+
The board game KS has gotten me to go buy the video game at least and with Oathsworn + Euthia backed earlier this year (2nd KS campaigns) - no rush for another large exploration/boss battler game. I may reconsider during late pledge but more likely their 2nd KS when the game is in players hands in two years and actually get a chance to play the video game.
Thanks for that walkthrough! Agree that price seems disproportionate compared to other experiences available. And like you, not sold on the combat either…yet.
Ah yes, the Eggnog Corollary: don't back Elden Ring because I've got to buy eggnog! My 5 reasons not to back Elden Ring: 1. I backed Kingdoms Forlorn. 2. Video game IP's potentially getting stood up by their counterparts - KF may do Elden Ring gameplay better than Elden Ring: the board game, and Silver Coin may do The Witcher gameplay better than Witcher: the old world. Other games will come along that are inspired by these dark fantasy worlds that may match what you're looking for better. 3. In line with what you said about when you get tired of one aspect or the other, will the personal battle grid hold up for 50+ hours of gameplay? 4. FOMO from a short campaign and KS exclusives. 5. Are you unintentionally signing up for future purchases - if you go all-in and a second campaign with new expansions pops up a couple years from now, are you going to feel obliged to collect it even though the hype of the IP may have died down by then?
Happy to see these massive games start to get 2nd editions / re-releases, like Oathsworn. For anything this size will wait for the 2nd campaign, once we get some real player feedback on a large scale. This year Oathsworn is getting my premium price point dollars. Will see if this comes back around for a round 2 or 3.
Yeah totally a great call. If it's a great game it'll rise to the top and come back again. I'm all for letting others be the playtesters and I'll play the final version haha
I really want the game, but I'm gonna play this on loop to be sensible, especially so close to AT:O delivering which hopefully will become a lifestyle game.
I love Elden Ring (the video game), and that is really the only pull for me. It is waay too expensive for me, though. I want it, but I am fairly sure the game is not for me sadly. The minis are awesome, but aside from that and FOMO I really don't need it, so I'm not backing. Plus Limgrave isn't really my favorite area. Perhaps when they make a Liurnia campaign I'll cave in, we'll see.
What blows my mind is the way they piece meal out the map sections, you're looking at like $3,000 US to get everything if you're a completionist. Probably more, depending on how they deal with the underground sections of the game. On top of the very valid point that you will never have time to play it all.
Absolutely loved the video game but can't say I've been overly thrilled with SFG's previous releases. I think it's safer to wait and see the reviews after it's delivered and if it ends up being fantastic just pay the extra for the exclusives and buy it off of a backer.
Easy pass for me because I have no link to the IP and like you said, I have lots of campaign games coming my way. You should try cornbread flavoured egg nogg!
Hello Chris. Always love these videos! Sometimes you convince me to buy, which is funny because it's the opposite of what they're supposed to do x) but in this case I'm not going to back Elden Ring. Thanks for all the effort you put into these!! Cheers, from another Canadian!
Honestly I think you should have been harder on SFG here, the fact two of the bosses are KS exclusive is pretty awful, and the box is looking pretty bare as is even before you factor in how sad it would be to buy this thing at retail. Completely aside from that the fact that this is shockingly little content for the price and you've got at least 3 more kickstarters coming down the pipe. I'm pretty sure a KDM all in would actually be cheaper than this once all is said and done which is more than a little damning.
1 Flat bases 2 To dark, more like dark souls than Elden Ring. 3 Combat seems to abstract 4 For an all in you could get Oathsworn and primal. Both of which look deeper, have better quality minis, better art, and more interesting gameplay. 5 The 425$ is just the first all in ks for this. By the time they do everything it’s probably going to be 1-2 grand and an entire bookshelf.
Just discovered you, first video, and as soon as you said oathsworn prize I slammed that subscribe button so hard, I sprained my finger. Congrats. Lol. 😃
I have Dark Souls and all the expansions. Got blood borne and a bunch of expansions. Have over 1,000 hours in soulsborne games. This board game makes me understand people who say: “I rather play the video game than the video game board game”. I am not just going to pass on KS, if Someone in my group wants to play I am going to pass too. DS board game is bad, but minis are cool and it’s cool to see your hero dodging around. Blood borne board game has really cool combat, and regretfully a narrative is not really related to the canon back story. But also cool to run around while being chased by monsters. I saw 2 hour gameplay while playing the real video game. The exploration with hexes is just awful boring. I rather play an exploration game than limgrave randomized. The combat looks too abstract. I want to team up against a monster and hit them in the bum. I paint all my board games. I don’t see myself ever painting these.
Resisted all in… for now… Have not finished Etherfield and Bardsung! Haven’t started Lockdown or Darkest Dungeon. Waiting for Nova A, Harakiri and Hel!!! Need a clone…
Easy pass for me. I have chronicles of Drunagor on the way and the next sleeping gods after that. Campaign games are hard for me to back so I’ll stick with those two!
Great video as always. Reason n.6: (at least to me) Steamforged will not ship to any country in Latin America…. Brazil is one of the biggest markets for board games, I could easily ship to USA and redirect it, but I think this is really disrespectful.
This game would have been so much better if they just copied the "Hexplore It" System, added a different combat system and called it a day. Hell, the newest Hexplore It iteration even has a "dungeon crawl" mechanism added. But no, steamforged did not even show us yet what happens in the legacy dungeons or the smaller ones - Elden Ring is not just about the open world - it's the mix of oldschool dark souls mixed with the open world.
Back Elden ring the board game that ain't even the complete set... Or buy a ps5 and play Elden ring the entire saga on it... Yeaah sorry, just couldn't justify it no matter how hard I try. Great series BTW, keep up the amazing work! 💪🏻😁
This game is all hype for a great video game. The power of branding and have found most board games based on video games have a hard time keeping me playing them. I just want to play the video game instead.
Chris, when you said " 5 big box campaigns coming to your door at the same time" my heart skipped a beat, and felt like I made an uncomfortable eye contact with you.
Reason number one and only....... : Miniatur Games like this or Oathsworn are soooo expensive. It's crazy... With shipping the prices are high as hell. Sry... I am looking for the next Mind Bug😄
No fomo yet - The top minis in expansions is annoying - core looks to have some nice enemies - entry level blah - imagine how cheap with Standees and shipping costs . I$1 backed TG2 and Oathsworn - both proven systems - I think your point lots of great ways out there to spend your money - Board Gaming is only one aspect of our lives - and yes you do have a catch phrase - you say it every time.
You've talked me out of buying Heroes just as I discovered the plastic vortex of insanity that is boardgaming on kickstarter. You're good people. Keep it up. Or don't
I was very much waiting for this video since I have been on the fence about this game and really needed the therapy of just hearing someone else talk about this one. Much like HOMM 3, this is one to skip the hype and pass on for me. I have little doubt after watching several game play videos that after several plays the novelty is going to wear off and the game will become monotonous and boring for my group. Every character seems like a one trick pony (i.e. Samurai does bleed, Vagabond does stagger, etc.) that will get old fast.
I'll pass it for sure, it looks hella boring for me. I love painting minis and this will come with shitload of them, but boss battlers are not my cup of tea.
I think i am going to stick to the video game for this. I don't think the board game captures the heart of the game which is exploration and combat for me. Thanks for the video!
My biggest reason not to back, I backed Dark Souls all in and that was such a terrible experience and a lacking game. Ended up giving it away to someone who just wanted to paint the minis
Elden Ring is the example of the worst of the industry in companies trying to make consumers have fomo. Why is the core pledge less than half the game!? It’s beyond me..
1 got to many game 2 most finish my kdm campaign 3 need to start oathsworn 4 Holy gaucamolyyyy.. aeons trespass is coming 5 my wallet is crying out fffeeedd me
As one of the very few people who played all of Dark Souls, I see a lot of the same problems with Elden Ring. Impenetrable icons, dull monochrome art style, tons of filler cards that do almost nothing, way too much attention paid to including everything from the IP, and probably some glaring balance problems under the hood. As much as I love Dark Souls and SFG's incredible minis, this game will get stale way before "60 hours" of content is used.
The lack of any theme or art were the main reasons I decide to skip this one. my wallet has never been happier. I have a feeling there will be a lot of copies on the secondary market in a few years.
I completely agree that it is super overpriced, and for that I am on the edge with pledging or not. However, I love painting minis and I love Elden Ring. Not sure if it's worth getting it for that reason alone...
Easiest nope for me in a long time. I've never played the video game, so I have zero nostalgia or interest in the IP. Plus no way am I spending $400+ for a board game again. Once was enough, thank you very much. 🤣
Besides the price point, my personal #1 is Steamforged Games themselves. Dark Souls, Horizon Zero Dawn and Bardsung are all expensive misses. There are 3 Resident Evil games - outside of Alex Radcliffe hyping one of them - that no one cares about. I treat SFG like I treat Ludus Magnus Studios: I wait for them to prove it. Black Rose Wars, Nova Aetas and Dungeonology were all misses in terms of board games. Why drop a whole bunch of money on a game from a publisher with a track record of making their games feel like a grind?
I see this as most of a set-piece than anything with the minis. When a campaign has me scroll past phot after photo after phot of minis and content and cards and LOOK AT WHAT YOU GET before getting to any inform about how the game plays, I know where the focus is
Not to judge, but who is regularly playing their FROMSoft board games? How many games do you need to get in for the cost to be worth it? You're saying so much money for just one section of the game. They're spending so much time asking if they can, no one is wondering if they should.
Also May 2024 is a long ways away for fulfillment. You're making a game that players will get to play in 1.5 years based on a game that has already been out for 10 months. I really hope anyone dropping $500+ on this is planning to still be hyped for a 3 year old game assuming little to no delays, who knows what shipping will be in 18 months as well. AND most fromsoft games are released ABOUT 3 years apart, so you have to hope you're still loving Elden Ring and not holding out for a new property
Oh yeah, and Steamforge games knows they only need 10 days to get their money. I would have loved a 30 day campaign. Why are you rushing your funding? Your game is coming out in a year and a half. People in Canada commonly get paid every 14 days, so this isn't even enough time for some people to find out about the game and wait for pay day before sending in money.
I am bored so I will rant in detail: TLDR at bottom.
For me the point I decided not to get this game was when I realised they made 5 expansions and 3 of those are Kickstarter exclusive. And after I closely looked at the game's components in the demos. let me elaborate:
1. Monster Hunter The World Board Game:
They also made the Monster Hunter World Board Game. To me the fact that instead of making a "Monster Hunter" Board Game of the franchise they made a "Monster Hunter World" board game of the currently popular video game speaks millions. It allowed them to make 0 original art and use renders and in game visuals.
To me it seems they solely make games that appeal through the established IP with deckbuilding gameplay mechanics that are probably very fun. BUT it seems the replayability comes from enemy variety and player class variety. And where do you get more enemies, quests and playable classes? The expansions. ($60 to add 1 Monster or $60 to add 6 playable classes)
2. Commit $ 400+ or never access a majority of content:
Same goes for Elden Ring The Board game: it seems the replayability comes from enemy variety and player class variety. Which would be fine, but you cannot just comfortably buy the game, play a couple times till you experienced the content and then decide to get more enemies, quests and classes, when 3 of the 5 expansions are kickstarter exclusive [also the retail prices :( ]. I do not wanna chose between committing $400+ or never fighting iconic enemies or using iconic classes or getting Blaidd. Is it that bad to wanna play the game first? This FOMO marketing seems really predatory to me and it feels like they do not care about making good games that stand the test of time but making a profit through brand recognition. before the game even goes live to the public. I know the minis kinda justify the price but read point 3. pls.
3. my suggestions / dream version of this game (In case anyone cares):
I would change the game like this: In order to increase enemy variety and decrease price I would have most enemies be represented by a nice illustration on a card and by generic tokens pawns or meeple for the combat grid (Similar to Witcher Old World). Minibosses could have small minis and the final boss could have a large impactful mini.
To me it would make the minis more meaningfull while making the base game and each expansion cheaper and more replayable on their own increasing their "gameplay value". Do you really want 5 minis of the same wolf and demihuman? And for god's sake! put more art in the game. Look at the cards, look at the quest book. You only text and the minis. Not even a thematic background. just black.
Like, am I spoiled for art coming from playing The Witcher: Old World?
4. I am the demographic tho:
For a completely different reason (elaborated in point 5:) I will definitely NOT buy this game even at retail. I am currently playing Elden Ring on PC, reading berserk, deep in hype and getting into board games to top it off. I am the demographic. I would really love an Elden Ring Board Game. I almost backed the board game just because the idea is great to me, trust me bro the brand /fandom recognition and FOMO was tickling my brain so hard. But after taking a closer look at the campaign throughout the week, I am disappointed. I feel like a lot of people, including myself, respond so positively to good ideas that they are too excited to check if the execution holds up. Specifically the actual game components see point 5.
5. Who are you gonna play this with?:
After taking a closer look at the Kickstarter campaign page and game demos on TH-cam, specifically the actual game components, I just asked myself: "Can I picture myself playing this game with my friends?" Because at the end of the day that is what it's for. And I just couldn't.
I can just tell, that it wouldn't not be very engaging to my friends who have not played Elden Ring, (even to those who know what it is and are interested in it but just don't have a PC or consoles) and even to me.
Imagine you do not know Elden Ring and look at your tarnished, the cards and the quest book. There is basically no visual exposition / worldbuilding in this board game. Or even if you knew what Elden Ring is but have not seen a lot of gameplay, you would have no clue of what is going on. What does the world you are exploring look like. What situations are the characters in? Where are the enemies standing? What do the attacks look like? What colour are the enemies? You only have the colourless minis and printed enemy and character names.
I would much rather have a cool Illustrated card of Godrick's soldiers patrolling Limgrave or Godrick's Knights guarding the Stormgate or animals in the wild doing animal things or a Troll fucking shit up. And then imagine that the small pawn on the grid is that cool illustrated character, If it would decrease the price and increase enemies in the game. And when it's time for the Boss, the miniature will be a lot more impactful. The lack of art / visual information bothers me the most, especially since the iconic art Style and Worldbuilding are at Elden Ring's (and Fromsoftware's) identity's core.
Again, am I spoiled for art coming from playing The Witcher: Old World? Did that game set unrealistic expectations. Thoughts?
6. TLDR /closing argument:
Steamforged seem to (at least to me) make these video game board games with initially fun deckbuilding mechanics and minimal artwork. The mechanics seem to end up not deep enough to carry the "board game" aspect and they copy some assets from the game while most of the original printed stuff are just character names on black backgrounds and . Like come on! Even the tarnished player cards barely have art. It's just a 3d colourless render of the miniature.
When I imagine that I do not know Elden Ring and look at the components it seems awful. And if you love Elden Ring and your memories from the video game will be the crux for this un-immersive seeming board game with fun mechanics, wouldn't you rather be playing the video game or another board game?
"And for those reasons I'm out" -Shark Tank
feel free to respond if you think I'm tripping or if you agree or if you just liked my comment. I am bored. pls be civil
Definitely valid points all around :) I appreciate you sharing! I think the IP and naming most likely has to do with licensing other than laziness but otherwise I'm right there with you on most everything else.
thx
@@RoomandBoardReviews
I absolutely agree with your assessment on price. In general this has been my problem with FromSoft boardgames. While they bank on their (admittedly great) aesthetics, the gameplay has always failed to live up to that premium pricepoint. Furthermore, the amount of boxes and lack of cool minis in the basic pledge really hurts the value of this specific kickstarter for me.
Doesn't one of the boardgames give you like 3 lives to get through and almost every enemy takes off like 1/4 of your health in 1 swing?
This has been one of my most anticipated videos since Elden Ring the board game was announced lol
I loved Elden Ring, probably my game of the year. But if Oathsworn couldn’t make me back it (it got close), there’s no way I’d back Elden Ring for that price. I have to say the thematics of the lane/stance combat look really interesting though.
Did we also talk about how a ps5 plus a copy of Elden Ring the video game will is roughly the same price as this game?
Definitely something to think about.
You hit it right on the head. Kickstarter is an addiction. I back 4 games this year and I'm glad this series exsists. This series helped me second guess a core pledge of oathsworn. Very happy this series exsist and do love the campy vibe you give in each video. Thank you and look forward to seeing more!
I love love love From Software games and I've put in a massive amount of time playing Elden Ring. I don't believe the feeling of accomplishment achieved in the video games can be replicated in board games. I love the minis but I'd never actually play the board game. When I feel like getting in some Elden Ring I'll just fire up the console and not worry about set up and tear down of a board game.
The reality with this is it's a ton of money for an "all-in" that doesn't include Caelid, Liurnia, Mt. Gelmir, Altus Plateau, Leyndell, Mountaintops, Miquella's Haligtree, Farum Azula, etc. If SFG makes the whole video game in board game form it's going to end up costing $1,500 to $2,000.
Really like Elden Ring, and for that same reason, I'd like to get the All in, but the price is definitely too much (considering that where I live has the most expensive shipping prices and 19% import tax on top of that). Thinking rationally, if I want to get the "Elden Ring" experience, it'd be much better if I played the video game. However, those minis look awesome for painting. Would love if there was a way to just get the minis. I would definitely get them right away.
Great work - Was on the fence for this one and the IP is what was pulling me in... FOMO isn't winning this time - Besides, I bet that the season 2 kickstarter will provide access to this content - At a higher price, yes, but with the advantage of many people having their pledges to see how good the game system is and if it's right for me.
6) Elden Ring looks sooooooooo boring. 😅
I cannot imagine to play it twice.
Same is true for the Digital Game, however one playthrough took me 150 hours and I do not regret any hour of it.
Thanks for this number 6. That's enough for me to Pass on it. 😊
I was all-in on the original Oathsworn campaign and haven't started playing it yet....Frosthaven should be arriving very soon.....I backed Arydia, Tidal Blades 2, and the next Sleeping Gods....even if this is amazing I can't possibly justify it. I also haven't played the video game yet, so I think my money will go there.
This sounds like a you problem lol
@@seansmith2650 sure I never said it wasn't, but it also demonstrates how flooded the market is with these type of games.
SFG, and especially this new campaign, just resembles everything that's gone wrong with board game crowdfunding recently.
- bad to mediocre games with way too much physical bloat, causing half of a Kallax worth of boxes with utterly insane price tags
- undercooked game mechanics with lack-luster storytelling
- clear emphasis on triggering FOMO with all the exclusive stuff
- stretch goals aren't even included with the "cheapest" pledge at 90 god damn bucks
Buy other games instead. You can buy the gameplay All-in of Oathsworn, ISS Vanguard AND the new Tainted Grail for *less* than the All-In of Elden Ring will set you back. You can probably buy half of what's on your board game wish list instead. You can buy a fking PS5 plus the digital Elden Ring. Stay away from this campaign.
It's such a shame that SFG got this license :(
You nailed it! Too many games reliant upon IP and novel minis but the gameplays a dud. Waaaay too much money being asked for this game
Man I like that you are adding the best possible choice on the pledge level, I think in case someone back choose the best one that for me is the core plede. I fully agree... no need to go all in, but I think is a rules for all the boardgame basically (or viedogame... no need for extra DLC)
I don't even consider that lowest teir a real pledge. I consider it an advance on retail. The real low end pledge, in the spirit of crowdfunding rewards, is $179 + shipping. Meh
I feel most kickstarter are not.worth it whem you factor in shipping. Especially as a fellow Canadian, the exchange rate really hurt. If any kickstarter goes to retail, it will simply be cheaper as most store I deal with offer free shipping for order od 150$+
man.. it looks like you running on 5 cups of coffee and like no sleep since last week
That's about right! Except I don't drink coffee XD
The board game KS has gotten me to go buy the video game at least and with Oathsworn + Euthia backed earlier this year (2nd KS campaigns) - no rush for another large exploration/boss battler game. I may reconsider during late pledge but more likely their 2nd KS when the game is in players hands in two years and actually get a chance to play the video game.
Thanks for that walkthrough! Agree that price seems disproportionate compared to other experiences available. And like you, not sold on the combat either…yet.
Ah yes, the Eggnog Corollary: don't back Elden Ring because I've got to buy eggnog! My 5 reasons not to back Elden Ring: 1. I backed Kingdoms Forlorn. 2. Video game IP's potentially getting stood up by their counterparts - KF may do Elden Ring gameplay better than Elden Ring: the board game, and Silver Coin may do The Witcher gameplay better than Witcher: the old world. Other games will come along that are inspired by these dark fantasy worlds that may match what you're looking for better. 3. In line with what you said about when you get tired of one aspect or the other, will the personal battle grid hold up for 50+ hours of gameplay? 4. FOMO from a short campaign and KS exclusives. 5. Are you unintentionally signing up for future purchases - if you go all-in and a second campaign with new expansions pops up a couple years from now, are you going to feel obliged to collect it even though the hype of the IP may have died down by then?
Happy to see these massive games start to get 2nd editions / re-releases, like Oathsworn. For anything this size will wait for the 2nd campaign, once we get some real player feedback on a large scale. This year Oathsworn is getting my premium price point dollars. Will see if this comes back around for a round 2 or 3.
Yeah totally a great call. If it's a great game it'll rise to the top and come back again. I'm all for letting others be the playtesters and I'll play the final version haha
Ahh, Jingle All the Way. Shot in Minnesota, one of my acting teachers was in that Mall of America scene.
I really want the game, but I'm gonna play this on loop to be sensible, especially so close to AT:O delivering which hopefully will become a lifestyle game.
I love Elden Ring (the video game), and that is really the only pull for me. It is waay too expensive for me, though. I want it, but I am fairly sure the game is not for me sadly. The minis are awesome, but aside from that and FOMO I really don't need it, so I'm not backing. Plus Limgrave isn't really my favorite area. Perhaps when they make a Liurnia campaign I'll cave in, we'll see.
What blows my mind is the way they piece meal out the map sections, you're looking at like $3,000 US to get everything if you're a completionist. Probably more, depending on how they deal with the underground sections of the game. On top of the very valid point that you will never have time to play it all.
Absolutely loved the video game but can't say I've been overly thrilled with SFG's previous releases. I think it's safer to wait and see the reviews after it's delivered and if it ends up being fantastic just pay the extra for the exclusives and buy it off of a backer.
I looooove the jingle all the way shout out. My favorite Christmas movie
Easy pass for me because I have no link to the IP and like you said, I have lots of campaign games coming my way. You should try cornbread flavoured egg nogg!
Hello Chris. Always love these videos! Sometimes you convince me to buy, which is funny because it's the opposite of what they're supposed to do x) but in this case I'm not going to back Elden Ring. Thanks for all the effort you put into these!! Cheers, from another Canadian!
Honestly I think you should have been harder on SFG here, the fact two of the bosses are KS exclusive is pretty awful, and the box is looking pretty bare as is even before you factor in how sad it would be to buy this thing at retail. Completely aside from that the fact that this is shockingly little content for the price and you've got at least 3 more kickstarters coming down the pipe. I'm pretty sure a KDM all in would actually be cheaper than this once all is said and done which is more than a little damning.
1 Flat bases
2 To dark, more like dark souls than Elden Ring.
3 Combat seems to abstract
4 For an all in you could get Oathsworn and primal. Both of which look deeper, have better quality minis, better art, and more interesting gameplay.
5 The 425$ is just the first all in ks for this. By the time they do everything it’s probably going to be 1-2 grand and an entire bookshelf.
Just discovered you, first video, and as soon as you said oathsworn prize I slammed that subscribe button so hard, I sprained my finger. Congrats. Lol. 😃
I have Dark Souls and all the expansions. Got blood borne and a bunch of expansions. Have over 1,000 hours in soulsborne games. This board game makes me understand people who say: “I rather play the video game than the video game board game”.
I am not just going to pass on KS, if Someone in my group wants to play I am going to pass too. DS board game is bad, but minis are cool and it’s cool to see your hero dodging around. Blood borne board game has really cool combat, and regretfully a narrative is not really related to the canon back story. But also cool to run around while being chased by monsters.
I saw 2 hour gameplay while playing the real video game. The exploration with hexes is just awful boring. I rather play an exploration game than limgrave randomized. The combat looks too abstract. I want to team up against a monster and hit them in the bum.
I paint all my board games. I don’t see myself ever painting these.
Resisted all in… for now… Have not finished Etherfield and Bardsung! Haven’t started Lockdown or Darkest Dungeon. Waiting for Nova A, Harakiri and Hel!!! Need a clone…
Im gonna wait and see. Still on the fence on this one.
Easy pass for me. I have chronicles of Drunagor on the way and the next sleeping gods after that. Campaign games are hard for me to back so I’ll stick with those two!
Great video as always.
Reason n.6: (at least to me) Steamforged will not ship to any country in Latin America…. Brazil is one of the biggest markets for board games, I could easily ship to USA and redirect it, but I think this is really disrespectful.
Hey - I live in Aylesbury!
Also don't back anything from Steamforged Games :(
This game would have been so much better if they just copied the "Hexplore It" System, added a different combat system and called it a day. Hell, the newest Hexplore It iteration even has a "dungeon crawl" mechanism added. But no, steamforged did not even show us yet what happens in the legacy dungeons or the smaller ones - Elden Ring is not just about the open world - it's the mix of oldschool dark souls mixed with the open world.
I was just wondering if backing elder ring or HoMaM3 aand homam!! U did clarify me a lot!!
Awesome video's buddy. Am on the fence with the KS. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I love this series! And all of your other content too :-) Especially looking forward to the next board game showdown!
For me, with this price? I think I would keep my money to go for Elder Scrolls from Chip Theory Game.
Back Elden ring the board game that ain't even the complete set... Or buy a ps5 and play Elden ring the entire saga on it...
Yeaah sorry, just couldn't justify it no matter how hard I try. Great series BTW, keep up the amazing work! 💪🏻😁
I don’t like how dark everything looks. Main reason why I’m skipping is it cost way way too much.
This game is all hype for a great video game. The power of branding and have found most board games based on video games have a hard time keeping me playing them. I just want to play the video game instead.
I am not a PERVERT!! I just was looking for Turbo Man doll!!
Chris, when you said " 5 big box campaigns coming to your door at the same time" my heart skipped a beat, and felt like I made an uncomfortable eye contact with you.
Jingle All The Way is THE best Christmas movie!
This is an amazing coincidence - I ALSO want you to give away things (..to me..)! How fortunate.
Reason number one and only....... : Miniatur Games like this or Oathsworn are soooo expensive. It's crazy... With shipping the prices are high as hell. Sry... I am looking for the next Mind Bug😄
I love Elden Ring but there's no way I'm giving Steamforged another chance after Dark Soul and HZD. Plus the 10 days campaign is maximum FOMO
I wondered why everyone went over there to play it, once again providing the deeper wisdom
No fomo yet - The top minis in expansions is annoying - core looks to have some nice enemies - entry level blah - imagine how cheap with Standees and shipping costs . I$1 backed TG2 and Oathsworn - both proven systems - I think your point lots of great ways out there to spend your money - Board Gaming is only one aspect of our lives - and yes you do have a catch phrase - you say it every time.
I doubt I would throw down all that money for this game. Bit ridiculous. But then again, I went all-in on Euthia...
You've talked me out of buying Heroes just as I discovered the plastic vortex of insanity that is boardgaming on kickstarter. You're good people. Keep it up. Or don't
Haha it is a plastic vortex of insanity that's for sure
I was waiting for this review! I love your content !! Keep the 5 reason coming. 😁
I was very much waiting for this video since I have been on the fence about this game and really needed the therapy of just hearing someone else talk about this one. Much like HOMM 3, this is one to skip the hype and pass on for me. I have little doubt after watching several game play videos that after several plays the novelty is going to wear off and the game will become monotonous and boring for my group. Every character seems like a one trick pony (i.e. Samurai does bleed, Vagabond does stagger, etc.) that will get old fast.
My popcorn 🍿 is ready for this... But am I ready to hear this?
I'll pass it for sure, it looks hella boring for me. I love painting minis and this will come with shitload of them, but boss battlers are not my cup of tea.
Game is pretty, but I don't need ANOTHER dungeon crawler/boss battler
Definitely passing on this one. The combat doesn't look interesting and I spent my money on Oathsworn haha
I like this series. It's like short-selling but without the risk.
I’ve always been about my ABCs. Always Be Collecting but you have change my view. Always Be Cautious lol
I also backed everything during 2020. 🤣🤣🤣
I now have a huge Shelf of Shame!
Can’t remember what TH-camr said it but a reason to not get elden ring you could get the board game or buy a PS5 and the video game instead
Do you give away to UK?
I think i am going to stick to the video game for this. I don't think the board game captures the heart of the game which is exploration and combat for me. Thanks for the video!
My biggest reason not to back, I backed Dark Souls all in and that was such a terrible experience and a lacking game. Ended up giving it away to someone who just wanted to paint the minis
I was waiting for this video. Thanks for calming my hype
Elden Ring is the example of the worst of the industry in companies trying to make consumers have fomo. Why is the core pledge less than half the game!? It’s beyond me..
Number one reason is that I haven't beaten the $60 video game yet!
1 got to many game
2 most finish my kdm campaign
3 need to start oathsworn
4 Holy gaucamolyyyy.. aeons trespass is coming
5 my wallet is crying out fffeeedd me
As one of the very few people who played all of Dark Souls, I see a lot of the same problems with Elden Ring. Impenetrable icons, dull monochrome art style, tons of filler cards that do almost nothing, way too much attention paid to including everything from the IP, and probably some glaring balance problems under the hood. As much as I love Dark Souls and SFG's incredible minis, this game will get stale way before "60 hours" of content is used.
The lack of any theme or art were the main reasons I decide to skip this one. my wallet has never been happier. I have a feeling there will be a lot of copies on the secondary market in a few years.
Always look forward to these. Thanks
I completely agree that it is super overpriced, and for that I am on the edge with pledging or not. However, I love painting minis and I love Elden Ring. Not sure if it's worth getting it for that reason alone...
My only real reason not to back is I can’t afford it after the barrage of great games recently lol
sfg makes good 6/10 and 7/10 games. cant spend all this cash on a good game anymore.
holding out for the next one!
Unfortunately…I still need it.
I've cancelled my all-in. Thank you.
Easiest nope for me in a long time. I've never played the video game, so I have zero nostalgia or interest in the IP. Plus no way am I spending $400+ for a board game again. Once was enough, thank you very much. 🤣
I don't need it... i want it
Thanks
Way to expensive for me. Will pass.
Would love a mage knight
love the game but hard to justify the price
For me, the combat looks really boring and uninteresting. Thats why I backed Oathsworn standee version. :)
Perfect timing
Thanks 👍
I am not gona back that
Really too expensive for me!
Reason 7) the video game will always be way better
Happily subscribed!!! 😁
Not backing. I watched part of the gameplay videos and decided its not for me.
Besides the price point, my personal #1 is Steamforged Games themselves.
Dark Souls, Horizon Zero Dawn and Bardsung are all expensive misses. There are 3 Resident Evil games - outside of Alex Radcliffe hyping one of them - that no one cares about.
I treat SFG like I treat Ludus Magnus Studios: I wait for them to prove it. Black Rose Wars, Nova Aetas and Dungeonology were all misses in terms of board games.
Why drop a whole bunch of money on a game from a publisher with a track record of making their games feel like a grind?
I see this as most of a set-piece than anything with the minis. When a campaign has me scroll past phot after photo after phot of minis and content and cards and LOOK AT WHAT YOU GET before getting to any inform about how the game plays, I know where the focus is
6. Chips theories skyrims will be better
Given how bad dark souls was.... This would need to be amazing to sell me on it.
Have you reviewed Dark Souls? I'd be interested on your take on it.
Don't worry, you're a big and tall boy.
Not to judge, but who is regularly playing their FROMSoft board games? How many games do you need to get in for the cost to be worth it? You're saying so much money for just one section of the game. They're spending so much time asking if they can, no one is wondering if they should.
Also May 2024 is a long ways away for fulfillment. You're making a game that players will get to play in 1.5 years based on a game that has already been out for 10 months. I really hope anyone dropping $500+ on this is planning to still be hyped for a 3 year old game assuming little to no delays, who knows what shipping will be in 18 months as well.
AND most fromsoft games are released ABOUT 3 years apart, so you have to hope you're still loving Elden Ring and not holding out for a new property
Oh yeah, and Steamforge games knows they only need 10 days to get their money. I would have loved a 30 day campaign. Why are you rushing your funding? Your game is coming out in a year and a half. People in Canada commonly get paid every 14 days, so this isn't even enough time for some people to find out about the game and wait for pay day before sending in money.
I have no idea what Elden Scrolls Ring is. The only reason I would have backed it would be the hype. Yet, again... PASS!
Copy of Elden Ring When? :D