Luthier - What did we think? 

publisher asked i wait until the 17th before making the video public (they wanted the videos spread out a bit) :)

You need to get an alarm and a big red light that flashes in your bedroom whenever Rahdo uploads a video. I got one last year and have never looked back.

i would say the main thing that makes the game thematically rich is the function of the patron, and how they're an active source of tension and release in your "life" in the game progresses :)

It's not a game about playing music. It's about instrument makers who perform and support the music industry. So you manage patrons perform some music for prestige, and repair instruments to fulfill patrons requirements. You're primarily building instruments as a craftsman using resources. True, it's a euro game but I do feel like the game makes sense to me thematically in the sense that any worker placement is. Sure it's all abstracted and I agree distilled was a much more thematic game but this is thematic for a worker placement euro. Much like Lacromisa really.

it was probably myrmes :)

there are certainly similarities (patrons/reporters, instruments/performers) but the worker placement that drives things is pretty different. come together is very free and loose and player driven, unlike the more regimented structure of luth (how appropriately thematic) and trying to get into the head of your opponents because you don't know what workers they've sent where is a VERY different feel for luthier

it was over 2hrs for us, but we're slow players. i imagine for a normal gaming couple it's a 90 min game. definitely bigger and longer than distilled.

wow, that's a tough one! i like the sci-fi setting of phil more, but the art from dutrait is amazing for luth. i would say that phil is a bit more live and let live, which is better for us, plus it doesn't need the dummy player to work at it's best at 2p. luth's worker placement is more innovative. they're comparable length, comparable table hogs. i think to make a determiner, i'd have to go with the fact that i like luthier's variable setup more. but it's a really close one. both excellent, tough to choose!

Start at the $99 one and then see if you want to add or subtract. They gave you a ton of options.

an amazing experience for $69

$30 more for metal coins, wooden pieces, and game trays makes no sense to me. there's nothing wrong with cardboard chits, and this is definitely not a game that needs dual layer boards to hold cubes in place or something like that. but that's just me :)

The theme speaks to me. But the pricing was a bit of an unpleasant surprise. Fair point, you get it plain for about 70 bucks. Unfortunately I like to deluxe my games. So I went for a higher pledge, and it's among the most I've paid for a game so far I can remember. Now I hope this is not just another standard Euro with nice art and an interesting setting.