Commenting just to say in my first play we didn't find it too 'rules-heavy' at all, it was part of the fun puzzling it together, so I would definitely recommend it for people who like puzzly, light-hearted games. I do agree with the 10 point difference for 2 people being too much, I might house-rule that..
I think they had a really bad teach or something. The placement rules are pretty intuitive and this has been a hit with my family of casual gamers. If anything, this game is going to be a huge personal attack on AP or alpha gamers.
Yeah, I haven't played yet, but if you aren't playing with any of the special powers or conditions, it seems it is simply "don't have two like things touch." Looking forward to giving it a try.
This was a really fun review - and I actually really appreciated Tom's comparison to Galaxy Trucker, that makes a lot of sense. I *am* quite nostalgic for the theme - I used to work in a newsroom and still do layout for a print magazine. Does anyone remember Penny Press? Any comparison between the two games?
I HATE real time games, my wife backed this and was one of the first to get it, and we really really enjoy this game. I don't know what it is, but the real time works great and just enough for this game.
This game feels like a more elaborate version of the "layout phase" of Penny Press. The RT aspect of this feels a bit too stressful esp given the many "rules". I'm guessing this is more for the Galaxy Trucker crowd.
Some people would consider those “extra” rules as STRATEGY. The basic rules are so players can get quickly familiar. But as soon a you play this game more then. 5-6 times, you start to get the balance of it, and so then the “extra” rules can impact strategy and display the familiar. Basically it it Tetris, with restrictions. Can you balance time and space, with the restrictions.
I just got my Kickstarter in a couple days ago and I'm having a blast with this game. games that make you think fast and have a puzzle aspect to the game are the best. I've played it at all three time limits with character powers and the extra rules per round and it is so much fun. While I could see that some people may have trouble thinking quickly, I don't see how anything in the rules could be confusing, seemed pretty straight forward. I also like the fact that it doesn't take multiple hours to play one time around like most games now. I think most in my group will love this game So yea I think flat out games made a great game. 9/10 (almost a 10/10)
I just love the Dice Tower crew - what a great review! I avoided this game because of the real-time quality. Still, I might give it a go after this review!
Chris doing that reminds me of that time when Tom and zee were hiding under the desk, when one guy said wingspan was an awful game, because they didn’t want to be associated with someone who hated the number 1 game of the year. 😂
This game has been on my radar, and wanted to see some reviews before adding it my collection. Appreciate the feedback from the Dice Tower. I’m sure the wife will destroy me at another polyomino game, but the RT aspect will really curb any AP.
My Kickstarter just arrived this week! Excited to get to the table this weekend (even if the Dice Tower collectively is a bit more tepid). I’m surprised it took until the end for someone to mention Galaxy Trucker!
Chris - that was great! I’m with Wendy though, actually played first game with my 7yo daughter last night and she loved it! No powers or daily restrictions but yes with placement and mood rules. 5 minute rounds. Worked like a charm and she wants to teach the rest of the family.
I love this game, but then I am a newspaper journalist (old enough to remember actual cutting and actual pasting). Papers consisting entirely of good news don't sell, so it's thematic that you lose points for too many positive stories. Also thematic is the stress of constantly racing against the clock. So if you don't like stress, or racing against the clock, avoid this game - and a career in journalism!
Have introduced this to 2 groups of non gamers who both loved it. We did a house rule of no time limit and it worked really well without the advanced rules of player powers or extra rules for the days. Super accessible and looking forward to playing again with time limits and extra rules now they've got to grips with it
This looks very similar to Horseless Carriage. Anyone played that one? It even gives you that frustrated first play and then it gets easier with more plays.
The animal theme is a really clever way for a Board game company to make something that isnt accidentally exclusive. If it is people you are bound to leave someone's group out. Even if your cultural awareness is through the roof. No people = no worries
I don't have a problem with real time in games, but for some reason I feel like I would enjoy this game much more if articles were drafted or bid on. I understand the thematic reasons for the real time aspect, evoking the feeling of a frenetic news room trying to get a newspaper laid out, but for some reason the real time part up front is cooling me off. Still I'd like to give it a try because I love the theme and everything else about the game but the real time aspect.
I just left a comment asking if anyone remembers Penny Press - that's exactly how it worked. You "bid" on articles using reporters (workers) and that aspect of the game was essentially area control. It wasn't the most finessed game but I liked it.
I love Cascadia. I love Calico. But I have absolutely no interest in this game at all. I hope their next game begins with the latter Ca... again. Those games seem a better fit for me
One of the 70 people at dice tower give it a 7.5 so it gets the Seal of Approval! Yeay, throw a game at enough people and someone will give it a 7.5. Really should be an average system or something. Basically just means if your game was lucky enough to be reviewed or not. Sad how far Dice Tower has fallen.
Would it have been more worthy of a seal of approval if there was just one less person in it? The game still earned a 7.5 and two 7s, but you also got to hear another opinion on it.
I believe 7 is a Seal of Approval, so 3 out of 4 met the criteria, and I have seen comments on other videos that enjoyed the game, including people that don't normally like real time games.
