Nothing better than Amy's face as she "patiently" waits for Maggie to finish describing the thematic elements of "Paris." 😂 Loving this series - somewhat surprised to see Caper: Europe leaving the collection and maybe it'd have scored higher if its replay value was higher? Keep it up! So many episodes to go! 😍
Thanks so much for your great reviews, my girlfriend and I had been thinking about giving board games a try for a while and we used some of your videos as a shopping list. We're having a blast! It's a way better after-work ritual for us than watching Netflix in bed, being both stimulating and very social. Take care 😇
Amy is making me realise I like games that force me to make decisions that hurt. I’m not fully sure how I feel about this revelation, but it will help me make better board game choices so I guess thanks?
I was so high on Caper but it really fell flat after a couple of plays 😞 Watergate always tempts me whenever there is a discount but never enough to pull the trigger on it.
I felt the exact same way about Caper: Europe. Just something about it didn't hit. But Watergate is fantastic! I feel that theme is holding that one back from being an even bigger hit. I always say it could easily have been an FBI vs. Mafia game with the corkboard theme and everything.
Thank you girls. I love these series and particularly the two player episodes as my main gaming partner is also my wife. We focus on language independent middle-weight games. As for this episode; - I am with Maggie for Jekyll vs Hide, Fox in the Forest is so much better. - I have already more than 6.500 plays of Star Realms - mostly on the app and not getting burned on it at all. - For Mandala, I am with Amy. I was very enthusiastic at first, but my feelings have faded out with time (will keep the cloth forever though :). We just received Tokaido Duo and had 5 plays of it in a row. Check it out if you find time :) Cheers!
I actually strongly prefer Claim to Jekyll vs. Hyde and Fox in the Fores. A lot of the expansion stuff adds good variety, too. Battleline, Mandala, and Paris are all 2p favorites in our household.
I might suggest Spirit Island for a deck builder that’s not space or fantasy (I guess you could say it’s a fantasy game but it doesn’t feel like your typical fantasy world). It’s also not a pure deck builder but that is a very core component to the game, so maybe you’d like it! It’s personally my favorite game ever so I’ll always suggest it! Another game that’s kind of deck builder-y is Evolution and it is not fantasy or space themed at all, so that could be another game to potentially try!
For Star Realms, I 3D printed a little card-sized tracker dials. I don't know if it would fit in the base box, as we have 2 sets in one of the expanded boxes, but it is very compact and more fun than the sometimes fiddly HP cards.
Love playing Mandala and Battle Line. Also so good to see the King is Dead on the game shelf… very clever game, easy to learn and play but have great depth almost feels like chess…. Pls share what’s ur views on Condottiere and Secret Hitler.
Love this series, can't wait to see more! I have felt the same about Watergate, it sounds like a fun game, but truly I wish it was any other theme ever. I think I might have to play it at a board game cafe or something to try it before committing to it. It would be the same for us of, can we get over the theme to enjoy the game?
Oooh I love seeing Fairy Trails in a video, finally! No one ever talks about it, I think because as you said it seems so simple, but my husband and I had a similar experience as you: we play it quite competitively and that adds a bit more to the gameplay.
Nice video, ladies. I have to wonder though Maggie how is it that Fairy Trails, a 15-20 minute game that you find close to being a one and done game get a 7.9 rating from you? Yet both Watergate and Mandala which you seem to have found to be better games and still enjoy playing received lower scores. I can see how a game like say Twilight Imperium would receive a high score from a reviewer although being a "one and done" game (because of the 6hr+ playtime) but am not understanding how the same could be said about a 15 minute game. Anyway, perplexing rating aside, nice video. I always enjoy watching and listening to what y'all have to say. Thank you!
I was so excited by the thumbnail: we have five of those! (Battle Line, Watergate, Paris, Caper, Blokus)... will look into the others. Especially Mandala. I've looked at that one so often and wondered... hmm... And we definitely need to bring out Paris again. It is indeed rife with so many delectable decisions...
Same as you I completely passed on Watergate as the theme fully makes me or anyone I would play it with uninterested. Also Paris sounds amazing, I would love to try it, and the form factor of the small square box is so nice... I just think my wife would get mad at me when we play it... :(
I love love Paris: La Cite de la Lumiere - I nag all my family members to play with me. The production is superb and the gameplay thinky. I also have Schotten Totten - it's my fun go-to small box.
really like this concept; thank you for persevering through it. I agree about Jeckyll Hyde; it's super fun. I haven't seen it in real life yet, but it's good on BGA. I saw somewhere else that a very Aussie thing to say is "too easy." Do you hear or say that much?
Another great video! I'm really enjoying this series. I'm glad to hear your thoughts on Claim, I'm a fan of trick taking and that's one I've had my eye on for a while
I almost bought Paris: La cité de la lumière at PAX U this past weekend. What always stops me is that I feel that I'll suffer from AP in that game. It does look really clever though! (I did end up buying a different two-player game by Devir called Winter. Have you played it yet?)
Loved your enthusiasm, Maggie, at the way you grabbed Blokus off the pile! 😂 As soon as I saw it there at the start of the video I thought, "Uh oh!" I've been really curious about Jekyll & Hyde, but hearing your review I think that I don't need to add it to my collection. I recently got Violet and the Grumpy Nisse, which was released at Essen this year (well, they didn't get their shipment on time sadly, but I ordered it from them at Essen) and it's a two player only, asymmetric, trick-taking game about Violet, who wants to visit her friend the troll in the woods, but her parents won't let her go to the woods, so she has to sneak out at night. However, the Nisse (or elf) that lives in the woods, has been shunned by everyone in the village for being so grumpy, so they don't want any humans going through their woods so they are trying to make Violet afraid as she travels through the woods. It's a really clever game that also has a board with your pawns moving along it. The trump suit changes based on where Violet is in the game, but even as she gets closer and closer to her troll friend, she could lose the game if the light in her lantern goes out. It's really a cute game, but also plays really well. With Watergate, I've never played it strictly because of the theme. I'm sure it plays really well, and I've seen videos on it, but politics really block it from being interesting to me as well. Paris! One of my absolute favourites! You nailed it, Amy, focusing on the tension with every move. If only you were closer Amy I'd play it with you any time!
I think Star Realms is the only game I have played in that list! BTW I uploaded a short video of the Asian Board Games Festival on my channel, hope you can drop by. :)
I love Star Realms for how straightforward it is and how clear the goal is. I think it's the perfect gateway distillation of a deckbuilder compared to Dominion which feels like it's just fueling a vicious cycle of bonus draws and actions without a clear goal and you really never care what your oppenents are doing on their turn. Star Realms keep you engaged together just the right game length for a simple deckbuilder and much quicker to set up than Dominion for a quick game. Also, thanks to the app, my partner and I have played Star Realms together more than any other game and use it as a filler activity while traveling, like a Wordle or mini crossword to sit with at coffee shops.
I love these videos - I’m really glad you decided to do them. I’m learning lots and making a little list of games I want to pick up - they are very helpful
Great video! Since you like Star Realms have you played Shards of Infinity? I’ve been playing Shards for some years now and only go back to SR when asked! Shards has quickly become my favorite 2p head-to-head deck builder (no farming in Shards, sadly)
I am in camp Maggie on these 2p head-to-head games. Kahuna and its ilk can be brutal. For me, there is less joy in a great move because generally you are making the other person even more unhappy than you are happy.
I have been looking (searching) for games to play with my wife (we are retired, early tho!). Thank you for reminding me how much fun Blokus is. Will shop for one or the other of them.
I am with you on Fairy Trails! one of our new household staples. I love how easy it is to pull out and teach anyone… but how you can play mean if you want to! 🤪
Recently got into board games with my partner, and you two have quickly turned into my go to youtube channel with regards to 2 player games. Love your videos, they are great and keep me inspired :)
Off course we still love this series. Bring on the next one (we know this will potentially never end - and I am not mumbling top10 anymore). Maggie have you ever tried Star Realm solo! Unfortunately, this is in the "Frontiers"-expansion/stand-alone box. Paris, what beautiful city; the game looks intriguing. On Watergate, never tried this one. I am afraid Twilight Struggle is already enough for me.
Actually, Watergate is a much faster, distilled down game that gives you a lot of the feeling and tension of Twilight Struggle but is easier to learn and plays in about 30% of the time. Watergate might be worth a try if you like Twilight Struggle but find it a bit of a chore.
@@JohnClem56 I completely get what you're saying. Therefore I was thinking of getting it. But then my worry is the theme and replay ability. So, I am still not sure I will buy it. I like TS quite a bit. But I would love to give Watergate a try.
@@ralfn9629 Yeah, I can see what you mean. If you really like TS and can get it to the table as often as you like then you might not have a need for WG as well. I kind of view WG as sort of a replacement for TS just because it can get tabled more often since it's easier for others to learn and get up to speed and faster to play. Since you already own TS maybe you can find an opportunity to play WG without having to buy it just to see what you think of it. Cheers.
