Tom hit the nail in the head when he said "...i feel like i am making green techs, red techs and blue techs....". Exactly what i thought from the how to play segment at the start of the video. It seems to me that the game is dry and the theme doesn't add anything. I am somewhat disappointed, but it's ok ! I love space themed games but this seems entirely based on mechanics with no theme and random. As it is, it's not a game for me. I hope some people are having fun with the game ! I 'll just accept this game fell towards the bottom of my wishlist and maybe i'll rethink it once an expansion comes out !
They nailed an important point, which is the ability to score points in very different ways. What is great about the game how you have the option between building your engine (logistics side) or having a VP or cash machine (operational).
So true Sam! This game moves super fast. A little slower movement on a person's turn can help to see what your opponent is doing and make it more fun. But not to slow.
Explore space around you, expand into the explored space, exploit the space you expanded into, exterminate anyone who gets in your way. That is how I remember all 4 lol
I find the combat more fun in Alien Artifacts than in Imperial Settlers - I suppose because it’s not as deterministic. On the other hand, I get more satisfaction from the empire expansion in Imperial Settlers. I suppose you could call them both 4X / empire building games, just with a different focus to each.
Graham Lee I was going to ask how this compares to Imperial Settlers. I always feel like it’s over before I get anything real big going. Maybe I’m just bad at it?
OKay so I'm buying this one or at least adding it to my long list.. haha :D Thanks for the in-depth review guys! Really like it when you all get together and compare notes. All reviews should be done like this ( for the major titles of course ) ;)
Or you could play a "1X" game: "Exterminatus." Just kidding! This game looks great and if Sam *and* Zee both like it and agree it's fun *and* 4X and it still gets thumbs up from Tom as well, it looks like at least a try! :)
Christian Abbott If I may piggyback on that question... Zee, which would you play with 4 players? I *love* Imperial Settlers, but it's just way too long with 4 players. If Alien Artifacts scratches the same itch in a shorter amount of time (without introducing other multi-player problems) then I'm in.
I've played Imperial Settlers over 70 times and Alien Artifacts about 15 now. Imperial Settlers is my favorite game, but I would never play it with 4 players. It's just way too long. Instead I have played Alien Artifacts in 4 and even 5 players with great success. Once we played a 5 player game with 3 new players and still the game was super fast! I really disagree with Tom on player count. Sure, it's faster in 2... but it's not that much slower in 4-5
One of your best guys! I like the art too (I'm not much of a critic) but I understand what Tom is saying. To put it into perspective, imagine the same cards with art by Peter Chung. I bought Neuroshima Hex (and a grip o' armies) based on your recommendation and I have yet to regret it. Or win a game. That ending is sure to become a DT classic! :)
I am just of the mindset that sure you can streamline an experience, but it simply won't be like the longer more involved experience. This just doesn't have the feel of a 4X to me - flipping over a planet card just doesn't have the same feel as exploring and colonizing a new planet. I also realize my expectations of a 4X are from computer games, which have way more complexity. But I know board games can also produce that feeling. I just don't quite see it here. Don't get me wrong, I like snappy and fast games, but I just don't really get the need to streamline everything. That is, I think my feeling on this game would be a lot stronger if it wasn't billed as a fast 4X. This seems like a snappy Euro-style resource card game with attacking, which is great just not 4X. I am totally on Tom's side with this - it has a 4X theme but not a 4X experience.
Been excited for this, and watching the review, I'm slightly disappointed. Feels like the love child of Race For The Galaxy and Splendor (both great!). Don't like the art or graphic design, except for awesome box art. Doesn't seem 4X, as no visible eXplore & is missing any sense of fighting over the same planets. Still looking forward to playing to discover the good stuff.
I think "quick turns" is really getting overmentioned here. Now no one likes to sit through boring long turns, but I wonder how much replayability and depth of strategy is sacrificed for speed. I didn't get a sense that the decisions you make are difficult or change in value depending on game play arc/tempo or player board state. Other, longer games, 4x or not, you are hopefully rewarded with game changing decision space once you and fellow players brush up on rules and are able to go through the game's buildup phase quickly.
I'll be interested to see where this game ends up as the next couple years roll out. This review felt tense, like there were some bad feelings left over from a game played. I wonder how many games they actually played. If I had to guess, I would say 2. once with just Sam and Zee and once with the 3 of them. Maybe some one needs some Miller's butt cream ;) It just felt odd that the review had so much negative, but in the end they all liked it.
9-10 = 2 thumbs up 7-8 = 1.5 thumbs up 5-6 = 1 thumb up (average) 3-4 = 0.5 thumb up 1-2 = 0 thumbs up (granted, their thumb system is more for fun than anything precise)
I would argue it depends on the reviewer, Tom likes giving 2 thumbs up to 8-10, Sam likes giving 2 thumbs up to 7.5-10 (he rarely gives games a 9 or 10, so it's mostly 8's) in short, 2 thumbs up is not a guaranteed 9. (2 and a pinky is definitely a 9-10 though :)
I personally hate attacking in a two player game. It feels like tit-for-tat. Makes more sense in multiplayer when people can team up against a runaway winner.
Well, people who don't play to win don't get invited back to game night. And if someone is in first place and complaining that he's being attacked... well then, he doesn't get invited back either. When it's 1v1, my getting 2 points is just as effective as taking two away from you. But one of those feels bad to you when it happens. In a four player game, you want to have a way to slow down people who are winning. But these are of course my opinions.
Often attacking the weakest player IS playing to win. If you can attack a strong player and have a 1 in 2 chance of success to gain some resources or attack a defenceless player and have a 100% chance to gain those resources the winning move is to take the certainty. Especially if you know they are defenceless because they’ve been attacked already. If there’s a chance that those resources can get you points a few turns down the line it’s the right thing to do.
My issue with attacking in a multiplayer game is that in some games when you attack it harms them but gains you nothing. So for that pass around the table the person you attacked became weaker, you stayed the same and the other player(s) who didn’t get involved did something constructive and became stronger. If two players become locked in a tit for tat exchange the third player just chuckles quietly and wins.
And, lastly, the problem with everyone ganging up on a runaway winner is that one of that pitchfork wielding mob is the player in second place. And they are getting everyone to do their job for them.
Great video. I'm very grateful, because this was on my "I want to buy" list, and now it is not. I don't think it is really innovative, the theme feels pasted on, and the art is .. OK. I think there are plenty of other games that would scratch this itch, and I own some of them already. This is a BIG pass for me.
It din't look good at all, for a mechanics based game I do prefer an Eurogame better. Yet might need more info, or see an actual gameplay to see if the game can do better than our first impressions
