Box One is a great production. I don't think it's particularly inventive in its puzzles, but for the broader audience who may be getting exposed to those types for the first time, it does the job very well. I do recommend it, though not as highly as the better Unlocks and Exits.
Box One gets the most bang out of subverting expectations, which works for people who do not know how an escape room game works. I spoiled myself on several of the reveals just by being genre savvy and noticing things before I was supposed to. This is not from skill but sheer experience.
+2
Options
AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
Box One is a great production. I don't think it's particularly inventive in its puzzles, but for the broader audience who may be getting exposed to those types for the first time, it does the job very well. I do recommend it, though not as highly as the better Unlocks and Exits.
Box One gets the most bang out of subverting expectations, which works for people who do not know how an escape room game works. I spoiled myself on several of the reveals just by being genre savvy and noticing things before I was supposed to. This is not from skill but sheer experience.
I think that sums it up really well. I just have one disappointing thing in retrospect:
I utterly ruined my copy. I wrote on the cards themselves instead of the notepad, and I destroyed the wrong envelope at the end... and then destroyed the correct one because I couldn't seem to get it open right.
This is a shame because I totally would've "Paid it forward" to someone else to play.
Adding another layer of thoughts on specific elements:
Also: I find it amusing that the 2 clues I had to look up the answers to on the internet were the ones that the hint system said it was okay to look up. I am not sure how you were supposed to figure out to open the floppy disk if you weren't observant about it being weird though.
I'm sad you didn't have to do anything with the asymmetric flag/sticker on the top of the box.
Powerpuppiesdrinking coffee in themountain cabinRegistered Userregular
edited May 2022
I played anachrony again on Wednesday. The other 3 people I played with really like it but I'm not sure if I like it or just like their company. I might think it's a bog-standard worker placement, vibe-wise.
I'm hoping to schedule a couple bonus game days in the next week or two. I haven't played via nebula since I bought it months ago, and I'd love to see spirit island hit the table again. One of my friend groups wants me to teach them Blood Rage and Great Western Trail in person, which I'm fine with I suppose. I'm not sure I actually want to play either game on BGA though?
Powerpuppies on
0
Options
ArcticLancerBest served chilled.Registered Userregular
YMMV, but I don't disagree about Anchrony. The difference for me is that I don't find it as dry as a lot of other worker placement. I think a through-line with Trickerion, and a big reason that I like them both, is that there's a strong pre-planning element in both games which simply makes things more interesting than how most other games see you getting more pieces to drop across the game. The push-pull of moving resources through time and deciding how many suits to power are meaningful decisions that feel good to execute well, but not disastrous if you miscalculate.
Even having said that, it's probably my favorite. What do you think escalates a worker placement game for you?
YMMV, but I don't disagree about Anchrony. The difference for me is that I don't find it as dry as a lot of other worker placement. I think a through-line with Trickerion, and a big reason that I like them both, is that there's a strong pre-planning element in both games which simply makes things more interesting than how most other games see you getting more pieces to drop across the game. The push-pull of moving resources through time and deciding how many suits to power are meaningful decisions that feel good to execute well, but not disastrous if you miscalculate.
Even having said that, it's probably my favorite. What do you think escalates a worker placement game for you?
I feel like i end up taking time loans just to pay them off and pump the track for end game 3pt boosts or something? I only actually want something that i can pay off later about twice per game (usually a time metal and a worker or a suit).
My favorite worker placement games are manhattan project (when to pull is a fun question) and hansa teutonica (everything is super tight and game length is hugely variable)
Hansa Teutonica is really great but man i don't know how you could call it a worker placement game by any definition 🤣
Anyway, I found Anachrony to be... Not great. Thematically it's cool, but mechanically it didn't really hold up after a few games for my group. I hear the expansion fixes some stuff, but I don't think the game needed more added nonsense to address mechanical issues on the base game when it's already straining under it's own weight. Plus the base game is already expensive as hell, don't try to make splash out for a big box expansion to make your expensive game function.
Edit: could have shortened that to "it's a Kickstarter game", ie long on style short on game development
Powerpuppiesdrinking coffee in themountain cabinRegistered Userregular
Dang then i don't know what elevates Dune but i love it. The combat and the deckbuilding inside the worker placement game work really well.
I've been enjoying feast, but i can't figure out why. It's kind of deep in that it took me a long time to understand the flow of the game and it took me a long time to make my first move, but it feels like "how to win" is mostly not very complicated so it's not deep in that way. It has the thing going for it where resources dramatically change in value based on how far into the game you are, which is nice. Am I crazy to think the islands aren't balanced at all without Norwegians?
I'm only partway through a glacial async game of Arnak but I'm maybe going to buy it because one of you said it was as good as dune.
Box One's puzzles were very simple to experienced escape room players, but the neat gimmicks still made it enjoyable, and I had a lot of fun introducing it to casual puzzle people.
Except one group where the experience was ruined by some meat head who decided to set up by turning the whole thing upside down and shake it hard until everything was spilled out on the table.
Box One's puzzles were very simple to experienced escape room players, but the neat gimmicks still made it enjoyable, and I had a lot of fun introducing it to casual puzzle people.
Except one group where the experience was ruined by some meat head who decided to set up by turning the whole thing upside down and shake it hard until everything was spilled out on the table.
I've got it in my cabinet waiting on me to try some solo gaming. Without any spoilers, is it easily re-usable? Some of the escape room games you've got to go well out of your way to keep the components un-marked.
YMMV, but I don't disagree about Anchrony. The difference for me is that I don't find it as dry as a lot of other worker placement. I think a through-line with Trickerion, and a big reason that I like them both, is that there's a strong pre-planning element in both games which simply makes things more interesting than how most other games see you getting more pieces to drop across the game. The push-pull of moving resources through time and deciding how many suits to power are meaningful decisions that feel good to execute well, but not disastrous if you miscalculate.
Even having said that, it's probably my favorite. What do you think escalates a worker placement game for you?
I think I finally figured out how to order Anachrony, which wasn't made any easier by them completely relaunching and repackaging everything into different boxes.
Dang then i don't know what elevates Dune but i love it. The combat and the deckbuilding inside the worker placement game work really well.
I've been enjoying feast, but i can't figure out why. It's kind of deep in that it took me a long time to understand the flow of the game and it took me a long time to make my first move, but it feels like "how to win" is mostly not very complicated so it's not deep in that way. It has the thing going for it where resources dramatically change in value based on how far into the game you are, which is nice. Am I crazy to think the islands aren't balanced at all without Norwegians?
I'm only partway through a glacial async game of Arnak but I'm maybe going to buy it because one of you said it was as good as dune.
The bolded really strikes me as a hallmark of Uwe Rosenberg games. He's happy creating his little/medium/big worker-placement engine builders and I keep eating them up.
Switch Friend Code: SW-6732-9515-9697
0
Options
tzeentchlingDoctor of RocksOaklandRegistered Userregular
Tzolkin is still one of my favorite worker placement games. The wheels are such a gimmick but I do appreciate how they create tension on when to place and when to pull workers.
Without any spoilers, is it easily re-usable? Some of the escape room games you've got to go well out of your way to keep the components un-marked.
No components need to be destroyed. There is a video on their site (with spoilers, obviously) for how to put the game back together for another person to play later.
+2
Options
AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
Without any spoilers, is it easily re-usable? Some of the escape room games you've got to go well out of your way to keep the components un-marked.
No components need to be destroyed. There is a video on their site (with spoilers, obviously) for how to put the game back together for another person to play later.
Let me put it this way:
There will be cards inside.
Don't be stupid like me and write directly on the cards. Actually use the notepad.
Except one group where the experience was ruined by some meat head who decided to set up by turning the whole thing upside down and shake it hard until everything was spilled out on the table.
That is not even the correct setup behavior for Monopoly or Chess. Where would someone learn to act like that :0
Except one group where the experience was ruined by some meat head who decided to set up by turning the whole thing upside down and shake it hard until everything was spilled out on the table.
That is not even the correct setup behavior for Monopoly or Chess. Where would someone learn to act like that :0
A meat head, with ground beef where a brain should be.
"What? It's the fastest way to get it out onto the table!"
Except one group where the experience was ruined by some meat head who decided to set up by turning the whole thing upside down and shake it hard until everything was spilled out on the table.
That is not even the correct setup behavior for Monopoly or Chess. Where would someone learn to act like that :0
Jigsaws, I guess. Wrong sort of puzzle for that guy.
+1
Options
Powerpuppiesdrinking coffee in themountain cabinRegistered Userregular
Tzolkin is still one of my favorite worker placement games. The wheels are such a gimmick but I do appreciate how they create tension on when to place and when to pull workers.
Tzolkin is great. I love the gimmick. Daddy two wheel turns
+2
Options
AthenorBattle Hardened OptimistThe Skies of HiigaraRegistered Userregular
I got one of them omg this is the last one things coming sooner or later, snagged one of the last Wonderlands War deluxe editions from Skybound, really looking forward to it
We played Carnegie last night, and let me tell you, as someone who has been down on a lot of current board game designs because "I hope you like advancing on all these tracks!" I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the first play of it. I think there are really clever interactions with the main board and how the game's economy work that make it novel, so I would happily give it another go. The rulebook apparently could have been a lot better (I wasn't in charge of this one), but also the rules aren't particularly complicated so it's not the worst offender either. Recommend checking this one out if you're on the market for a euro with at least a hint of freshness to its arc.
If folk are interested in trying Carnegie before buying, it's on boardgame arena too.
So how does one go about purchasing Eclipse 2e these days?
I ordered it directly from the publisher maybe a month ago, and was going to say to do that, but it appears to be sold out now. You can pre-order it from them, and it says it will ship at the beginning of next month. Might want to email them and see if that's accurate before dropping the cash.
Good gravy, both Shadowcat and Colossus are incredibly tanky. I wonder just how many extra attacks villains are going to be getting in that campaign to try to get through that :0
I think Shadowcat is going to be more vulnerable in practice than on paper. No selling one a round is super nice but it flips you to solid form. An extra attack a round could really throw her off.
So how does one go about purchasing Eclipse 2e these days?
I ordered it directly from the publisher maybe a month ago, and was going to say to do that, but it appears to be sold out now. You can pre-order it from them, and it says it will ship at the beginning of next month. Might want to email them and see if that's accurate before dropping the cash.
I just can never justify a second lcg but if it was interesting enough to pull out the core box and beat up a couple baddies every couple months I might be in for that
Oh dang marvel champions did nova (Sam version) and ironheart? Those are pretty tempting to pick up with a core set
Core set is so good, have not had a chance to try nova and Ironheart yet but really looking forward to getting them both on the table.
I have hit the point where my current storage solution for MC is starting to lag behind my ability to add to the game.
Interesting. I've been sleeping all my cards and so far the campaign boxes have kept up with things, if a bit tight. Plus the paper does t keep things separated into lanes properly. I have considered going folded space (or go7 if it is cheap enough)
I just can never justify a second lcg but if it was interesting enough to pull out the core box and beat up a couple baddies every couple months I might be in for that
The game is very modular.
swapping the aspect of a hero can make them play quite differently, Punchy Spiderman is a different beast to the one built to mess with the villains plans.
each hero has aspects that are thematic such as Aggression on Hulk, but they are not hard locked to an aspect.
the villain deck is similarly made by slapping together a bunch of pre-built modules together.
do you want to add some hydra troops smuggling guns while Rhino is planning a bank heist?
Posts
Box One gets the most bang out of subverting expectations, which works for people who do not know how an escape room game works. I spoiled myself on several of the reveals just by being genre savvy and noticing things before I was supposed to. This is not from skill but sheer experience.
I think that sums it up really well. I just have one disappointing thing in retrospect:
This is a shame because I totally would've "Paid it forward" to someone else to play.
Adding another layer of thoughts on specific elements:
I'm sad you didn't have to do anything with the asymmetric flag/sticker on the top of the box.
I'm hoping to schedule a couple bonus game days in the next week or two. I haven't played via nebula since I bought it months ago, and I'd love to see spirit island hit the table again. One of my friend groups wants me to teach them Blood Rage and Great Western Trail in person, which I'm fine with I suppose. I'm not sure I actually want to play either game on BGA though?
Even having said that, it's probably my favorite. What do you think escalates a worker placement game for you?
Perhaps I can interest you in my meager selection of pins?
I feel like i end up taking time loans just to pay them off and pump the track for end game 3pt boosts or something? I only actually want something that i can pay off later about twice per game (usually a time metal and a worker or a suit).
My favorite worker placement games are manhattan project (when to pull is a fun question) and hansa teutonica (everything is super tight and game length is hugely variable)
Anyway, I found Anachrony to be... Not great. Thematically it's cool, but mechanically it didn't really hold up after a few games for my group. I hear the expansion fixes some stuff, but I don't think the game needed more added nonsense to address mechanical issues on the base game when it's already straining under it's own weight. Plus the base game is already expensive as hell, don't try to make splash out for a big box expansion to make your expensive game function.
Edit: could have shortened that to "it's a Kickstarter game", ie long on style short on game development
<_<
>_>
Sometimes my thoughts are not well formed and defensible
Edit: worker placement games i can think of off the top of my head that are not 'elevated' for me:
Village
Pillars of the Earth
Lords of Waterdeep
Stone Age
Euphoria
Would kings guild or a feast for odin count as worker placement? Dune Imperium and Arnak clearly don't count due to deckbuilding, right?
I've been enjoying feast, but i can't figure out why. It's kind of deep in that it took me a long time to understand the flow of the game and it took me a long time to make my first move, but it feels like "how to win" is mostly not very complicated so it's not deep in that way. It has the thing going for it where resources dramatically change in value based on how far into the game you are, which is nice. Am I crazy to think the islands aren't balanced at all without Norwegians?
I'm only partway through a glacial async game of Arnak but I'm maybe going to buy it because one of you said it was as good as dune.
Except one group where the experience was ruined by some meat head who decided to set up by turning the whole thing upside down and shake it hard until everything was spilled out on the table.
I've got it in my cabinet waiting on me to try some solo gaming. Without any spoilers, is it easily re-usable? Some of the escape room games you've got to go well out of your way to keep the components un-marked.
I think I finally figured out how to order Anachrony, which wasn't made any easier by them completely relaunching and repackaging everything into different boxes.
The bolded really strikes me as a hallmark of Uwe Rosenberg games. He's happy creating his little/medium/big worker-placement engine builders and I keep eating them up.
Let me put it this way:
There will be cards inside.
Don't be stupid like me and write directly on the cards. Actually use the notepad.
That is not even the correct setup behavior for Monopoly or Chess. Where would someone learn to act like that :0
A meat head, with ground beef where a brain should be.
"What? It's the fastest way to get it out onto the table!"
Jigsaws, I guess. Wrong sort of puzzle for that guy.
Tzolkin is great. I love the gimmick. Daddy two wheel turns
Is one of them Root? Because I have to wait for the retailer distro to happen.
On the plus side, my "OMG this is like the last copy" copy of Tidal Blades deluxe came in yesterday, so I got that going for me.
no this is all BIG shit like "guess I'm buying a 14th shelf" shit
If folk are interested in trying Carnegie before buying, it's on boardgame arena too.
Does the Lord of the Hundreds feel like a bunch of Nazis to anyone else?
Oh ya they are populist fascists for sure.
I ordered it directly from the publisher maybe a month ago, and was going to say to do that, but it appears to be sold out now. You can pre-order it from them, and it says it will ship at the beginning of next month. Might want to email them and see if that's accurate before dropping the cash.
https://en.lautapelit.fi/product/42986/eclipse---2nd-dawn-for-the-galaxy-from-us-stock
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2022/5/19/mutant-genesis/
Edit: Oh, and the same day they are releasing Jean Grey and Cyclops, and they are doing 6 heroes this cycle.
They just confirmed shipment, so I think it's safe to say it's available and shipping.
Core set is so good, have not had a chance to try nova and Ironheart yet but really looking forward to getting them both on the table.
I have hit the point where my current storage solution for MC is starting to lag behind my ability to add to the game.
Bravely Default / 3DS Friend Code = 3394-3571-1609
Interesting. I've been sleeping all my cards and so far the campaign boxes have kept up with things, if a bit tight. Plus the paper does t keep things separated into lanes properly. I have considered going folded space (or go7 if it is cheap enough)
The game is very modular.
swapping the aspect of a hero can make them play quite differently, Punchy Spiderman is a different beast to the one built to mess with the villains plans.
each hero has aspects that are thematic such as Aggression on Hulk, but they are not hard locked to an aspect.
the villain deck is similarly made by slapping together a bunch of pre-built modules together.
do you want to add some hydra troops smuggling guns while Rhino is planning a bank heist?
Bravely Default / 3DS Friend Code = 3394-3571-1609