The gameplay on Townsfolk Tussle is very shallow. It is a light-weight KDM knock off without any of the secondary game phases (it just has a store where you can purchase item cards out of the first 10 you draw). Also, didn't like how you have three fights in a row per session. Most of the terrain elements also weren't worth spending a turn to pursue, which made the gameplay options one dimensional.
I also LOVE the simplicity of the components to the setup and the variable levels it can create. That's what I dislike the most about the recent Kickstarter. It's risking adding a whole bunch of fluff to a very tight system.
I have Vagrantsong on my main bigger table for at least 3 weeks now, while I'm slow crawling through its scenarios. I started with 3 characters too (I see that you did the same!), maybe 2 characters would end up in faster scenario playthrough, because sometimes they drag long (I rarely manage to finish one scenario in one evening). Even though it occupies my main table space and I cannot start another bigger or campaign game, no regrets at all. I find that coming back mid-scenario isn't an issue, the situation on the board is clear and starting a new round is easy. Haints can be brutal, changing from manageable to oh gosh, wounds are pilling up can happen pretty quickly. So trying to explore everything or finish all rituals can be tricky. Not sure if I'm already in the middle of the campaign, so I'm yet to have my opinion about the length. I've seen the critique that making the campaign shorter would be better. I might be agreeing with that, because it would help to bring Vagrantsong to the table for a new campaign faster. The Bindle bag is really too small. :) I had to switch to another, especially after putting the Rummage tokens to coin capsules. Really recommend to do that, hard to explain why it makes the difference but it worth it.
Thanks for the video! 👍🏼 This was a really enjoyable approach to your thoughts on the game. Nothing wrong with first impressions. I think I was vaguely aware of this around the time of the first printing and likely passed on it for the same reason I'm passing on it now: for the cost, it needs to fill a hole in my collection. And unfortunately, it doesn't. Everything this game does, I've already got something that does that. $75 MSRP (or a slightly lower price but then $75+ with shipping/tax) is not a price I'm comfortable spending on a whim. If this game was, say, $45 or less, I'd probably take the plunge. $45-75 gives me a little pause, and $75+ for me is the point where I start really comparing it to other expensive games I've already purchased. I've got a boss battler. I've got a game with a cartoony art style. I've got a game that plays on cultural touchstones that are meaningful to the designer. I've got a game from a small-ish publisher. I've got a campaign game...and so on. The one thing this game has that none of my other games do is the acrylic standees. I like the look but not enough to drop $75 just for that. So my passing on this game is not a knock against the game itself, or the publisher, or on your video. The game looks charming and your content remains top notch. It's a knock on the reality that I've got limited leisure time (yes, first world problems), and for the price, this isn't going to barge it's way to the front of the hobby queue for me. -If- I ever play a really substantial portion of what I've already invested in, this would definitely be something I'd consider.
Happy you enjoy it. They are actually looking for players who know the game to do playtesting for the expansion... Never had the chance to play it myself tough.. printing seems always in a very small scope 😕
Thanks for you initial thoughts I still haven’t played this one it’s on my list and after listening to you it’s going higher on my need to play list. 😃😃👍
I'm going to assume the designers were heavily inspired by Cuphead with this one. From the 30s animation style with a desaturated early Technicolor palette, to the supernatural boss battler with unlocked and equipped skills, it looks like a perfect example of great artists "stealing" and making something entirely new and refreshing. Even the choice of flat token minis is really a brilliant move for depicting animation from that era. Glad to hear it's fun and, if I'm hearing you right, approachable, too.
Maybe a little bit of Cuphead, but Malifaux has been very much inspired by art and themes from the same era Cuphead draws from that I think it's more of a coincidence.
FYI, there's gonna be two new expansions of Vagrantsong coming to Kickstarter soon! Could be a good time to schedule some Vagrantsong content to get some more views, even if it's just on the base game (I know you don't do previews).
