I'm at the base pledge only. For storage reasons, there's no way I can justify an additional 2-3 massive boxes just for miniatures. I'm actually quite thrilled more games are starting to offer standee versions. Agemonia and even recent Awaken Realms games have limited miniatures (main characters and some bosses in AR's case) and standees in the base game and have made enemy minis an extra add on. I have a feeling that this is going to be more common given the rising costs to manufacturing and shipping, and honestly I'm thrilled for it! It keeps box sizes down and ensures I can still play the game.
Oathsworn is amazing. One of the best games that I have owned and played in many years of playing games (60 years old). Can't recommend it highly enough.
I got my core pledge last month (1st edition). Worth it 100%. The fully narrated app drew my group in immediately. Once we get done, the miniatures can be used for D&D, and my group really wants to paint the minis. But, if you have a ton of Minis already, the standee version is a steal for 65+ hours of gameplay is more than worth the cost. I do agree the mystery box simply isn't worth it :/
@@hexx_4093 as a DM I couldn't disagree more. Fully voiced app, compelling story, and amazing combat system. I don't have to do any of the work unlike DND.
@@mattscott4792 you'll play through it once and it will lose 100% of its value. I don't know how you DM, but voiced app can't be better than a DM. Your first issue seems to be that you're just happy to not be a DM for a change. And the second one is that you're playing DnD, which is the bottom of the barrel.
@@hexx_4093 Its not for everyone. I'm already looking forward to playing it again with different paths, characters, and choices from award winning writers and James Cosmo reading everything. Were also painting the minis. Value is what you put into the game, we are taking our time and savoring this masterpiece.
that last point really hit home. I've been such a spontaneous board game collector and have too many collecting dust. The audacity that I could end up buying a game and playing 65 hours of it instead of trying out the multiple games I have barely touched is too high. Great Video!
I agree that the campaign page is focused on the “hype” rather than showcasing what makes the game worth playing. I backed the first campaign. After 9 chapters, I’m having a blast! Easily one of my top three games. I did succumb to FOMO and purchased the Mystery boxes, but I also bought the standees. The minis are very immersive, so I’m debating if the shelf space needed for the two large boxes offsets the enjoyment of using the minis. I suspect I will sell the minis after completing my first playthrough of the full campaign.
We've been playing this as a group, and it has been a phenomenal experience we are currently on scenario 6 so over 1/4 through the game, the story is the best written I've seen in any game, and I initially was not playing it for the story, the combat is great, not the best of all time, but it is easier to dive into than something like gloomhaven, and the fact that every encounter is a unique boss battle, makes me so much more excited than fighting a big room of random enemies. Also I really like the companion mode for the characters, we had a friend who is not a board gamer, jump in to one of our sessions, and he was able to use the simplified ruleset and be really effective. One of the things that makes this even better is we are painting everything as we play, and if you are a painter, get it for the minis alone, their quality is off the charts amazing. But if you don't intend to paint, or if you don't care about minis, but you want a game that you can play for months, with the same group this is it.
You've successfully talked me down from the ledge. The FOMO is real, but it would be a mistake for me to back this game. It would only end up as the biggest, coolest looking, and most expensive box on my shelf of shame. Even knowing this, I may need to come back and re-watch this video before the campaign ends in order to be talked down again.
To be fair, this is arguably the best game of all time (my 2nd personally behind Cthulhu Wars) at this current moment. After my solo playthrough, it was my number 2. After I play with my group this Sunday it’s possible it’ll be #1.
To be fair, this is arguably the best game of all time (my 2nd personally behind Cthulhu Wars) at this current moment. After my solo playthrough, it was my number 2. After I play with my group this Sunday it’s possible it’ll be #1.
Hahaha, thanks Chris. Ever since discovering your channel, your ‘Why you should not back’ videos has become my litmus test on KS game worthiness before I put my money in. In a world where many just go along with the flow / hype, your channel brings a refreshing take on board game kickstarter reviews. Keep it up~ 👍🏻
Base game with standees was also the one for me, due to the Lack of space in the shelves. No I'm pretty glad that I didn't spend more. The story sometimes is annoying imho. Still I like the battle mechanics.
If you like and play campaign games then there is no question. BUY THIS GAME!!!! It is FANTASTIC! Currently on Chapter 10 and our group cannot wait to get back to it every week. I have zero regrets in buying this game. The other bonus is there is tons of gameplay videos you can watch now and see if you like it. And I agree if you are going to skip the story portion then you are missing out. I love this video series, but this is a great game.
I am going with the base version because it seems like a good value if you just want the game with the main gameplay miniatures, Gloomhaven taught me I could be okay with standees, the base still has 27 models which are the ones most likely to see use more than once, AND while I like painting minis I would rather have a standee for a one-off scenario than have a gray mini show up no matter how mysterious it is. I may add the armory because the swapping parts seem interesting.
I think I'd get tired of the swapping parts after the first 3. It depends how annoying it was to find the specific axe/weapon. But yeah I agree the base feels like the way to go for sure. You still get tons of plastic
So, my FLGS just got Oathsworn in, so I had to come back here and watch this again. Seriously, thank you. I honestly believe that you provide the most important service to the Gaming community on RU-vid.
I'm Base Pledge deep in Chris. I'm sorry. I failed you. But I am still standing by my decision to skip KoR. I can't pass up on Oathsworn. See y'all in the Deepwood
I'm in for base pledge too, standees sound great and I wanted it since some friends started getting it and telling me how much they love the story and the gameplay. I don't want more minis since I have too many coming from other campaigns I backed in the past.
@@successfulgeek there are videos out there showing the standee for the boss. It looks great. The only complaint is difficulty determining the front vs the back for targeting at times. Otherwise well worth the savings.
Sooooo insanely pumped. I love everything I’ve seen and read, and I’m chomping at the bit to know what’s in them boxes. Battle gameplay looks 100% my jam. Engrossing campaign and story. Boom!!! Get in my belly!!!
This game has been the best kickstarter I've ever been a part of. The game is amazing. My roommate who doesnt like board games keeps asking when we are doing the next chapter. Its been an absolute blast
The points about Campaign games not actually getting tabled is the reason you gave that hit home with me. I have not finished Gloomhaven and am going through it slowly with just a couple people so I am in the same boat as you. Just cancelled my pledge. Thanks!
Thanks for this, it makes me feel a lot better about not backing. (I still have 3 of the 4 tainted grail campaigns from the first kickstarter left to play!)
I think a lot of your issues are with the second campaign page itself, not the game. If you go back to the original campaign page, a ton more info on the gameplay is given. I see a lot of your critique pertains to FOMO issues, that apply to all games. In the case of Oathsworn, you are doing yourself a great disservice. I hear in your words how excited you would be to try this game out. I suggest you do so. This is no ordinary game, it is a culmination of all of the things I have ever wanted in a game. This is a great example of a work of love by the designers. You can solo, you can add and subtract players between encounters. The flexibility is amazing!
Great 5 reasons video, Chris. Really liked the campaign rundown in reason 3, I can almost imagine that's what their marketing team's inner monologue is while copy reviewing, perhaps with some sinister laughing and mutterings of "betcha like all that plastic, dontcha nerds...". One thing for people to consider when purchasing these campaign games (that they don't plan to play solo), don't play for the pledge all on your own. If your group is excited about game X, split the cost X ways and collect the money before the campaign ends, or better yet, wait till the PM almost closes. This way, each member has a stake in the game and it might just motivate them more to actually play the game. Or, at the very least, it softens the hit on your own wallet.
I really can't believe it, buy you've actually, successfully, talked me out of it. The point about having enough campaign games to play already and the cost being too high for the experience sold me on not buying it xD
There have been others in the comments who have been trying to talk me into it, haha, and I feel the temptation VISCERALLY but this is also the reason for me that helps bring me back down to earth :)
I ended up passing on Oathsworn. I learned my lesson from Gloomhaven to ignore reviews and watch some gameplay. Watching it it just didn’t excite me. I think it’s hard to not get sucked into the hype sometimes with these big and well regarded games, but it’s worth it to check that a bit and dig deeper.
Awesome video and all great points. Like a miniature angel sitting on my left shoulder, helping me, soothingly, to bring me out of my fomoserker mode, to see things clearly, as they are. Thanks.
I was on the fence with it, so I bought standee version second hand, I can confirm I have now backed the mystery boxes and terrain and 2nd edition upgrade, its a very, very good game and after playing it made me get the rest.
#1 is the biggest reason for me, I have tooooooooo many campaign games they are my favorite type of board games, but I just have too many of them and I have barely gotten through a third of what I have... I tried so hard not to back this one. I passed the first time and I was on my way to passing on it again, but it sucked me in. Mainly from personal recommendations of the game. My extra reason is don't fall for the FOMO or the price. If the game is as good as it states, they will find a way to keep producing it and with all the current backers there are likely going to be those that will sell it later (probably at a discount once all the hype blows over) when they are finished with it.
I will back it now,with the all inn pledge because i want to have a big and cool game that i can enjoy with either myself or family when i am at my parents place (big house, storage aint a problem). And when i am not playing i can paint the miniatures, which i enjoy a lot. After reviewing the gamplay i am looking forwar to it, the narrative/story part is dope because i love story games.
You’re reason 1 is spot on (for me!). I have completed Gloomhaven, but for most of the time I was playing it I felt actually guilty playing any of my other games.. guilty that I wasn’t giving GH my time and progressing the story. Now that feeling is totally fine for a smaller game but when setup and playtime is big that gets tiring FAST. Don’t get me wrong I love Gloomhaven it’s 10/10 for me; but I don’t think I want that nagging feeling again… scenario-based games for me!
Number 1 is the reason I didn't back this, and how I resisted late-pledging ISS Vanguard. Gloomhaven is still going strong in one session a month, and my frosthaven pledge is looming
I'll break down my own thoughts, bullet by bullet with yours, Chris. I feel like this game of all games this year needs a lot of scrutiny because of the hype. Mind you, hype well deserved but also pummeling core principles of keeping ourselves in check when it comes to our collection sizes: 5. Yeah the mystery box rewarded in the first 24 hours is a massive bait. For those already well versed in what you're getting out of OS:ItDW, sure. Grab it while you could have. For those just hearing about this project and are feeling the pressure from the hype? Chris is right on this one. Keep in mind that the mystery box from the 1st funding isn't auto included in this campaign. Yes, more money! 4. I don't know if this is a great point because the page I think shows this is a boss battler and the bosses are inside said boxes. They even have some transparency about it. You can click the link to preview them for as many spoilers as you can tolerate. Are the Mystery boxes scummy in terms of hype build up? Yes. I do agree one should back away or rethink their backing if you think the Mystery Boxes is the main selling point to you. However there ought to be enough on the page (plus the website page that shows you all the mystery minis) to circumvent this from being your main reason to get OS. 3. This is a crime of a lot of KS and I can kinda forgive OS for this because this is 2nd print. There is a truck's worth of demonstrations out there and for other KS projects, if you aren't looking up gameplay demonstrations before you back them then you're doing yourself a disservice. I think the gameplay is gonna be solid. Grind isn't a factor, thank god. BattleFlo will sell this game alone because look at something like ArkNova that uses two excellent gameplay systems from CivNewDawn and Terraforming Mars! The flo reminds me of BattleCon systems. It is super satisfying. Hand management? It itches my Spirit Island love. All of this in one game. 2. Okay this is both a good point and a bad point. For one, I can damn well play this how I want, Chris 😂! But a more solid point I would like to make is: if you're playing the Story Mode because you feel like you've sunk cost into a game that is half encounters and half story stuff, you might still be doing yourself a disservice as well. Critic's have pointed out that the narrative portions are good as Chris has said. Yep, I won't fight him in that but the decision portion of the story mode is apparently prone to undoing your choices. Like winning a fight against a boss in a video game only for you to lose in the cutscene. That's what I've heard and if this is true then playing the SM for the sake of the money you spent and the effort put in by the creators is even more time wasted given that the story may be written in such a way that invalidates your decisions anyways. So why bother? I just wanna beat giant rats to death! 1. Yep.
Also a note about mystery miniatures.. doesn't work as well for those of us that want to paint them.. I ran into this with Gloomhaven where some of the classes are "unlocked" later on and it's supposed to be a surprise, but if I want everything to be painted... I need to open all the boxes.
I am a painter. I play the story phase and don't reveal the boss miniatures until the encounter. I then play another game while I paint it. No problem.
@@haxan6663 Interesting.. I usually like to just paint everything for a game before we start, definitely like priming everything at the same time. Could work though, I'll keep it in mind. I do think once the encounter starts we would want to jump into the combat.
I don't buy many board games (own 2..never played) but you touch on something I often complain about. Buying games via pre-ordering with no knowledge of the game play when there is no reason to even buy them early (for pc games). I guess this is related to board games as well. I originally thought this video would just be a views grabber (still do) but you raise some good points. For me, if I kick-startered a board game, it would be to get access to something I couldn't later. But as yet, I've only kick startered one game mostly to help out a new designer a few years back. So here's a view. You earned it, eventually.
Story mode was a big reason for me. Most games I skip the story to get to THE GAME part. Good thing about kickstarters... I only need enough willpower to outlast the campaign, then it’s not available to me.
You persuaded me, mainly because I realised that as much as it’s probably a solid game that I am 5 quests into gloomhaven JoTl , have a lot of unpainted minis and , limited time for games. Better that I play what I have and paint what i have etc😊 Finally, last time I backed a game like this it was tainted Grail which I didn’t really like and just sold…
If one thing JJ Abrams thought me is that mystery boxes are bad. Glad I found this channel ( through the comments on KS for oathsworn) will you talk about deep shelf? Looks good but the campaign isn’t going that great so far
Haha, thanks! I usually cover all other Crowdfunding games in their last week of funding, so if it's funded by then/close to funding I like to use my Monday show to give games that last final push.
I do want to comment on point 1, it is a solo friendly game. I agree I won't get this to the table with others most likely, but as solo it won't be hard to get it out.
Please leave your message after the tone. “Dr Fomo, this is Captain Fomo. I found your video a few days ago as I was trying to find material on Oathsworn as I just stumbled across the late pledge. You’re information was was informative and intuitive. You helped me stop myself from buying the late pledge of Oathsworn… Until today.. my prescription of anti-fomo ran out and I couldn’t help myself. I backed the all-in… I know, I know.. I don’t need it but I couldn’t stop myself. I tried, I even shouted ‘No stop!’ as I clicked the add pledge and then again at the checkout. I need your help Dr. Fomo, you’re my only hope.” End call. 😂😂😂
Haha generally shouting "No Stop!" is what works for me. You must really have a bad case if that tried and true method didn't work! I've seen patients who have taken that prescription and made it a rallying cry though. Perhaps you were shouting "No Stop!" as a rallying cry as "Dont stop me now" by Queen played in the background. I can only hope that the inevitable Kallax of boxes that will arrive at your door doesn't crush you under its own weight. We lose too many people that way.
I was so ready to skip this.. but it's drawing me in. The thing is I know I'll get it at some point, this game is right up our alley. Many of our campaign games are among our favorites. So now I go ok should I just get it now for cheaper? Or is there eventually going to be a jaws of the lion version? or is this going to be like KDM where buying it aftermarket is quite expensive? Currently I'm going to wait and see what Cthulhu DMD Season 3 looks like on the 26th and then I'll know if I can work both into my budget. Looking forward to your video about that as well lol.
given the scale of the project, i'd expect this to be at best reprinted in 2.5 year cycles as they move onto their next game. cmon likes to fire and forget. they aren't looking to do that, but the price to store and print this is way higher than a cmon game given the boxes, hips push fit minis, large statue minis and all the ultra premium addons
Yeah, I'm also looking forward to seeing what DMD looks like - I imagine even with CMON's dwindling favour with the public, I'll still have to put one out for that. People in the Discord have talked about it so much though that I could see myself backing if the price isn't outrageous. I think this will still likely be the cheapest they print Oathsworn for, but that's just speculation. The change down the line would be the shipping and if it does make its way to retail some stores will give you free shipping and you can save that 33-39 bucks that way. It is a tough call, I feel for all the stuff you're getting and the size of the box, the price isn't horribly unreasonable, it's just tough banking on shipping now vs later.
@@RoomandBoardReviews Cthulhu is my current favorite of all time so I'll definitely be backing, the question is for how much. I won't be going for any 3 foot tall statues, but could definitely get sucked in on anything else that adds more gameplay to the it. I think Oathsworn is actually worth it, especially at the core game, but I just backed Tainted Grail and I'm definitely backing Cthulhu so it's just a matter of how many pricey games I can back in such a short period of time..
Hey Chris ... I agree that Zombicide, MD and C:DMD all share the same DNA, and therefore really part of the same genre style of games. But personally speaking, theme is at least half as important to my enjoyment of a game as mechanics, so all three of these are able to coexist in my collection. Zombicide (modern) makes me feel like I'm playing through a horror zombie movie; MD is a great dungeon crawler that is easy to get into with quick ramp up and has a feeling akin to some video games; and C:DMD does a wonderful job of marrying mechanics with theme... especially the careful balance between going insane and powering up. And since I also play solo, all three of these games work well for that and increase the value I get from the purchase. With all that said, I will likely wait for retail for Fear the Unknown as I already have so much content from the first KS, but certainly wouldn't turn down a free giveaway! PS - there were no elder gods included in season 2, but rather they were part of the stretch goals and as an optional buy .... so I don't think there's anything insidious about the current Kickstarter in terms of them trying to push anyone to the Unspeakable box. And currently there is an optional buy on the KS for an elder god ... which does not say exclusive, so I assume we will be able to get that at retail as well.
Well if you’re ever in England, I’d do a meet up at a games store and bring my copy of oathsworn! 😊 Enjoyed your video, even though I already have a copy of the standee pledge - I’m not a monster - except maybe I am as I’m now eyeing up the minis… this has become one of my favourite games. I’m about 60% through and enjoy the combat mechanics (battleflow also applies to item cards which you play from your hand, and the items do some pretty cool things, so it’s great cycling them back to hand) as much as the story. Both mix it up every single chapter and have continued to be interesting and engaging - pushing the boat out further or in a new direction each time. I do always have a campaign game running though, so this was really up my street. I think your points about the campaign are spot on though, especially re The mystery box and agree that gameplay front and centre would be my preference too.
I know I'm late to the party here, however, I'm just stumbling upon your channel now. I really appreciate it. I KS the first edition and having made it through 1/2 of it thus far, I would say it is one of the most captivating stories and unique gameplay mechanics. I'm more of a board game first person and I think they did a great job of creating thoughtful rules. I agree that you better have a regular group to play this. If you do, I would say this is a fantastic addition to anyone's collection.
I've gone from all in, to core, to basic, back to core, to cancel, back to all in, back to cancel, back to basic, back to core .... now sitting at core.
I'm looking forward to getting this game for the game play. Just ordering the base with standees. Don't need the oversized miniatures. If I loved painting miniatures I would get them. Glad I waited for the second edition.
Agree with many of your points... but as primarily a solo-gamer when it comes to long campaign games, and I'm strict on how many games I do buy/back, Oathsworn is basically a no-question for me. I'm all in on it.
Okay, okay, I've been talked down. So what is a great adventure campaign game that has a length more like pandemic legacy or LOTR Journeys in Middle earth? These games I have/ will finish.
Totally agree I wish some reviewers would spend more time on the rules. I need some sense of the actual gameplay. Fortunately the rulebook for this game is available online, and I did take a look at it just prior to pledging. People aren't just gushing about the components and the epic campaign, they're also gushing about the push-your-luck gameplay and the uniqueness of the 'either cards or dice' combat and ability cooldown track. My group hasn't played a campaign game since the Scythe expansion, which we loved, so we're overdue and ready for this one. I subscribed to your channel cuz I like your sense of humor. Kept me watching to the end, lol. 27:23 I hear you! At my level I notice every single Unsubscribe, I almost wish they never subbed in the first place, it hurts! lol
First, I do not own the game, my friend does. Second, I played only the 6 first chapters (and I am eager to play the rest) I just wanted to add to the #2 comment. The story half is nice and help for immersion a lot. I think the option to skip it should only be used for after 1+ (ideally 2+ if you manage to branch a little bit from the first play-through). Like it is said in this video, without the story, it's half a game. I do not consider our group to be hardcore players. We play seriously enough, but we also talk a tiny bit about random stuff. Our sessions generally start around ~20h and finish ~midnight. At 20h, the game is already set on the table. I would say that it take, for us at least, 2 hours story and 2 hours encounters. I just wanted to give a little time frame here. Bottom note, the game is much better with the story and without it, it's very much less impactful on what's happening.
I love this idea for videos - I've seen plenty of reasons to back oathsworn, so it's good to see why not to. For me only the last point had weight, but it's a big one. My group have been playing Gloomhaven for about 3 years and we're only half way through. I'd like to play Oathsworn with my family, but the meeples aren't old enough yet. I can picture playing this together in about 3 years time, which is probably enough reason not to back.
Damn you! Your supposed to talk me out of it, not make me more interested haha. Especially with Cthulhu fear of the unknown, elden ring, slay the spire etc coming soon, ugh! This month is gonna suck 🤦♂️
Oct 21: (3:12) "It's at 1.8 million dollars as of the filming of this video and probably will stay around that bar for a long time." Oct 25: $2M funding level achieved. 😎
I didn't know you were going to spoil the game by describing the rules! Might as well not buy it, now. I think I might get this one. The combat system sounds really fun. You can get basically all the gameplay with the standee version, which doesn't have a crazy price. The one thing that has me thinking maybe not is that people are saying it's not very replayable, probably 2 plays max. I don't understand a boss battler that's not replayable. IMO, a big part of the fun is learning the boss, and then trying all of the different heroes against it. When I get a new villain for Marvel Champions, I leave the villain out and literally play against it with each hero. So I'm in at a $1 and won't pull the trigger until I find out more about that aspect.
Oathsworn is amazing. We absolutely love it. It is definitely worth it if you enjoy these campaign games. That said, we are not getting the update pack as we will have 'completed' the game long, long, long, before it would arrive.
The first instance of secret boxes was likely a Legacy game thing. I don't know if Risk Legacy (2011) had them, but Pandemic Legacy (2015) did. For non-legacy, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle had them in 2016. It's possible that there was a game even earlier that was doing mystery boxes, but Oathsworn certainly isn't the first.
Finished Gloomhaven, looking forward to Frosthaven, still totally all-in on this one. :) Looking forward to painting the minis and getting this to the table with a bunch of friends. Granted, it will be competing with a bunch of other campaigns I have coming (Frosthaven not least among them), but I'm confident I'll be able to get it there.
Oathsworn is excellent however, I must say its Gloomhaven but good, luckily I only need the upgrade pack this time around. I will say however, the minis aren't required, nor is the Terrain, and the other extras are just that not required. Nothing is poor here just not required, and my god it takes up space, yeah don't back for the mystery box, I gave mine away..
had to do the all in ! I wanted the core so I could paint the miniatures but by the time I added the Terrain pack and the armory which is so cool btw 😭 it was the same price as the all in. So had to jump into the deep end
Yep. Your reason #1 was mine as well and why I pulled out of backing this one. It seems like a great game, but we just don't have the time for yet another massive campaign game. ISS Vanguard just arrived last week and Frosthaven will be on its way any day now, followed by a couple of other smaller campaign games. Maybe if they do another reprint 3-5 years from now when we've finally finished those others...
I watched your video to convince myself that I don't need to back. However, when you talked more on the game mechanism, you managed to convince me to pledge instead lol. (I'll wait till the end of the campaign to pledge in case I change my mind.)
I was hesitant on backing this one, I love boss battling and story based games, but the cost of this, and 4 giant boxes on the shelf just seemed too much. As Much as I love my miniature games, I realised I don't need the all in, I have a 3d printer, I can print terrain, I don't care about art books and maps and dice trays. And secret revealed miniatures, I paint my minis, I have to open and paint them before I play anyway and a lot of that space is wasted packaging, I am paying massive shipping for 3 boxes, which I will probably immediately open and shrink down hopefully to not more than 2. You know what, I if I want miniatures, why don't I just proxy in some I already have, or print some proxies, save on shipping. What's more, if I just actually use the standees, that saves several months of me getting around to painting minis anyway. That makes it a base pledge for me. I do like what I see of the story/gameplay.
1:33 I totally get where you are coming from! I just received a Kickstarter game in the mail - and now I am wondering - Why did I back this game to, begin with!
I wasn’t actually interested in this game, had fatigue from lots of other campaigns. Then I played it at UK games expo this year and that was it, I knew I was gonna back it and love it after that. Beforehand it was barely on my radar!
Backed first campaign and have had the game for a bit. I agree with everything you said. I think the game is amazing but that doesn’t change the fact that everything you have said needs to be heard by new backers. I personally think the number 3 and 1 reasons are the biggest. I think they should’ve put a lot more focus on the mechanics in the campaign page it self. Pretty sure they just expected people to watch the reviews where it’s touched on more but I don’t think that’s good enough. The last one is just undeniable. So many of us get all these campaigns and never ply them. We all need to take a deep look at our selves and be honest, if you haven’t completed one yet what is going to make Oathsworn different?
Well, I do think your points miss a couple of things. The fact that a game like this has a standee version is a great steal. IF you're going to give this game its all, you've done so at the cost of about $2.3 per hour. And if you plan to sell it after, it's got to be one of the safest ones to resell. The minis and world building are world class. And they've also been improved a bit from the first iteration. Cool looking minis are a dime a dozen and not gameplay, like you say, but these are a clear notch above. You just have to be okay with both the cost and the storage. But multiple reviews are impressed by how easy the game is to actually get to the table. It is a shame that the campaign page is resting on the laurels of its reception and cool stuff without convincing newcomers about the actual gameplay. But the main points about the gameplay are the character designs all feel very engaging and very different. And the bosses you face all require unique strategies to overcome. The surprise boxes help keep you on your toes, but you get added points of strategy by being able to see what boss attack is coming next and also having the option to use cards (having a sense of what's left by card counting) or dice every attack. Having friends come in to help when someone is downed gives you a way to keep fighting and adjust your strategy. And having simplified versions of characters puts you in control over how much work the gameplay is. The character designs are super cool to me, which has me looking at this as a lifestyle game, just to enjoy all the characters. The witch has a cool area control mechanic where she puts fire or ice in spots on the board to use for her magic. The Blade has three stances that you can manage to deal crazy damage. The Avi bird dude can combo through minions...I don't have an encyclopedic knowledge of other games, but these character designs really have my head spinning with theorycrafting. It's a game that's definitely fighting for your time. I just don't think it's doing the same thing that other campaign games are doing. Edit: The rulebooks are available on their website, btw.
I always want to be able to get into these games. But in reality I have a ton of games already and a ton of games coming, and if I got a game like this it would minimize the amount of time I would have to play those other games that I love.
I have finished gloomhaven, and I have enough campaign for 10 more years. :) Btw I would have never finished Gloomhaven if not for Steam version. And I only bought Jaws of the lion and still only 9 scenarios deep, while I already am in 40+ plays of a game which has only scenarios and no campaign
Solid breakdown as always. Man, I backed this one, but I just don't know if I will end up going through with it in the end. ISS Vanguard is coming to our door today (10 out of 10), I already backed Tainted Grail, and Chronicles of Drunagor still has yet to be tabled despite our having it for 2 weeks now (stupid "life events"). But there is a real possibility that they won't be reprinting this one for awhile and the thought of missing out on a game that has such stellar reviews and is in my interest wheelhouse just gnaws at my gaming soul.
@@preacherbeeman3437 I wonder if the retail version will be standees only or if they will also give you the chance to get the minis? I'm guessing they will give you that option.
@@foodflights1408 My bet is for accessibility the retail will be standee and then the option to purchase the minis from their store directly (if it happens to see a wider release)
I am at the moment not backing this - mainly because of storage issues where as a gamer we already have too many games that family complains about. And the second reason is like you said, I have sleeping gods tainted grail Etherfield and gloom haven all waiting to be played. So even if this game is amazing I am not sure whether I will get it to the table or at least for years to come
You mentioned the benefits of "skirmish" board games, and I'm curious: what is your favorite skirmish board game? Because if skirmish games are anything like Oathsworn, but without the excessive investment of time and money, then skirmish games might be just what I need. I'm asking bc you seem to have a healthy dose of reasoning when you choose to purchase a game without just riding the hype train.
I was on the fence. I do watch reviews before I pledge and I wasn’t sure I liked having one big battle per chapter. Listening to you made me changed my mind and I’ve now cancelled my Core Pledge. The mystery box is meh and not playable, even for tabletop… Also if I wanted to get into a story I would buy a book. I don’t think anyone has time to play a 65+ hour campaign, I have RL and other games to play! Thank goodness your video was recommended to me lol! Keep up the good work!
