Nightshift - A Pole Dancing Board Game Review 

I got to play it on tabletop simulator and I had very positive feedback, I honestly couldn't fault it and I am really excited to get my copy, I thought it was a great game and very well done. So it's interesting to see the other side of the coin. Good on you for being honest, not every game is for every one.

Sending you this game was one of the best decisions they ever could have made

Appreciate an honest review of a game that is currently on crowdfunding. Rare stuff. Also good to see the criticism is based on the game and mechanics rather than getting mired in fretting about the subject matter. This is why I dealt with the "youtube bullshit".

Appreciate the video, good to see people brave enough to review & discuss the game.

You're hilarious, and I love the no-bullshit review. Subscribed.

I was so exited to see some stuff from this game earlier in the year, but now I'm super disappointed it's not even going to be a "real game". So much potential and they basically made it Snakes and Ladders.

I got the opportunity to play test this game with a group of my close female mates and it was heaps of fun. The character designs were pretty funny and amusing, if you know the designers art it would make more sense. I wouldn’t think you’re the target audience but it’s interesting to see a diff perspective. Personally I found it flowed really well especially with a group of friends chatting and having fun and getting competitive :)

Whelp, my money was going to this or Stuka Ace. Thanks for helping push me in one direction. My ass was gonna be all over Poles regardless.

I should have known you would be one of the only reviewers with enough bullocks to do a review of this game.

Even though I respect the game designer(s) for trying such a unique theme, I can't help thinking that something like this is doomed to fail when the novelty wears off. After the first play or two, no one sane is going to keep inviting their friends over to compete in their stripper board game. One-and-done might be fine if your game costs below $30- but Nightshift's MSRP is $95. That's _insane_ for something with such little staying power, even if the components and production are really good.

I've spent a bit of time in Melbourne strip clubs and if I recall the VIP room wasn't $500.

whoa - had no idea that you do reviews of games currently in the crowdsourcing phase of their release lifecycle. I got in touch with you last year about reviews for some of our released titles - I would like to hear more about your practices when it comes to rendering a review for games that are not fully manufactured and released VS ones that are? I'd assume this copy was provided by the publisher since it's not widely available - is this sponsored content? all the same - appreciate the honesty of the review as always =)

Has this game not just been started on Kickstarter? or is that a second edition 😂😂😜

Pretty sure this video just pushed Nightshift to the #1 top-trending spot on BGG.

Finally, a true preview/review of a crowdfunding game at the point that it truly matters. No 'shill' over-enthusiasm to have to suffer through. If designers don't offer you their future KS games for review I'll know the games not worth shit as they're unwilling to have a true gamer try it out! You're going to save me a fortune. I owe you a pint or something for introducing me to Carooka a while back too!

At first I was intrigued at the idea of a game like this, but you're right, as I was listening to the game rules, I quickly realized there wasn't any meat to this. I'm not going to want to spend time on a game that gives me no more thrill than Zombie Dice or Dead Man's Draw does, and they do it in a fraction of the time. So thank you for your honest review. It might have been more interesting if theme was more about managing the nightclub and having worker placement. You could still do a lot of the push your luck, but also have to manage your employees and such. Like a better bouncer that only lets in richer customers, dancers that are more successful at relieving them of their cash.

Noice

Just with regards to the customer cards. I think they are meant to look horrible and creepy and make you uncomfortable as I imagine a lot of the customers in these places make the dancers feel this way. Very thematic I think

Glad to see a review of this, I really wanted to back it but cannot afford to right now and your review has put me at ease a little. Don't feel like I'll be missing out too much. There is actually a decent card game out there with this same theme called Lap Dance if you can get a go of that, I quite liked it!

I've been told that the creator posted a comment here to discuss the game with you but you hid their comments? Is that true? Just wondering why? Surely if there are issues you two can discuss them and maybe even make improvements to the game if you can think of some:)

Seems like the perfect game to play one handed. 🤔😁

Even if it was a bit basic I’d have given it a punt but for £64 for the basic version before all the tax/shipping. Nope. I paid £100 for gloomhaven brand new lol

Thank you!!! I've been waiting for an actual review, but it seems that there are only previews... which seem to also be paid to praise the game without going into much detail. I've been following this game for a year without much info to go on, but I was so happy I was hesitant after seeing the price. You just saved me $100+; I cant thank you enough!!

Ahhh yes... 😊 I just wait for its mediocre score on BGG. The minis have the expression of a log 🪵 and I must totally agree: artwork is awful 😞 the color is ok but easily could have been way better.

Was excited to back the game because of the unique theme but I was unsure given the price. I loved that you covered it since I consistently watch your videos. After watching, I read the rulebook and realized that dice rolls and die icon resolution are two of the main game mechanics, which I’m not the biggest fan of given their high luck factor. Although I opted not to back it after further research, I wish nothing but the best for Nightshift nonetheless!

What I do like the miniatures! ❤‍🔥 What I don't like all the rest of the game.

Regarding the success of this game on its crowdfunding campaign: I'm guessing that there are some folks that are backing this just to show how accepting they are of a game where your goal is to delude losers into thinking that you really care about them while swiping as much money as you can out of their pockets. Their acceptance of the theme as a show of their "goodness" in supporting sex workers is what they are backing and not the gameplay (which sounds pretty weak). I'll play Can't Stop if I wanna roll dice to meet a target number.

The game may be good for a few laughs and rounds with the right group. But not 100 bucks good.

Well board games have changed since Cluedo.

Wow is it just me or has Tom Vasel lost a lot of weight.

Thanks for the brutal honesty. 🔥

I am so high right now. I am having problems understanding what I am seeing. Am I high or is this video high? This is so weird. It's such a terrible bad idea for a game premise, and a terrible looking dice determined game, and ... of course it should be terrible, that's thematic ... in a meta sort of way. "Lisa, Lauren & Bee" look like zombies. Zombie strippers. The whole board game looks like a b-movie about zombies in a cheap strip club. I think I've seen this movie ... on Tubi. Was the movie based off of the board game or was the board game based off of the movie? I can't follow the review and the neon purple and pink infused images. It's too complicated. I'm too high for this right now.

The customers in this game are just your average reddit mods

What gross trash. There is another game trending in the BGG hotness (June 2024) that is also disgusting. Any complaint of it being inappropriate is instantly removed. That website is an echo chamber of woke cancer. Thanks for the review

When I read the rules, I could not even figure out what is the loop of the game, this review confirmed my suspicions. It is very much like adult version of Talisman, you move and roll bunch of checks to see what happens. It is more of an experience than an actual strategy game. This is not your Pfister or Lacerda, it is so sad since the production looks great

Goodness me! They’ll be making games about gay saunas next for goodness sake.

Thanks for the reality check.

An unwoke game from an unwoke reviewer, highly appreciated all around.

I guess this review won't be going on the kickstarter page. 😂

lol love the callback to gay sauna. That was a great review!

Yeah i had a suspicion this game was bad. Cool theme and pretty on the outside, but thats it.

all it has is the minis, which is something you can get yourself 3d printed if you are into that sort of thing

Seems a total shame, there is everything in this box that should work, except of a game :D Customers being creepy actually seems well placed and intended so no issues there, and I was really waiting for some side field theme like villain managers, Sons of Anarchy-like games or some dark humor thing. This being a luck based casual drinking game is, I think, a massive waste of potential.

As usual a very good and honest review. This game is at nearly 300,000$ on KS in a very short time. Unlike some of the people who are probably backing this game, I actually have no issue with what games people choose to play or not play. If this is a theme of a game that some people are going to enjoy, good for them, at the same time don't dog pile others who may like a pirate game or a game about mercantile trade during colonial times or a railroad game through the old west. Let people enjoy, play, and buy the games they like with themes they like. With that said, what I like about this review is it went into the actual game and the mechanics, because a lot of the hype for this game is going to be about the "who" and the stunning and brave theme here, where this review actually went into the "what" is it a good game? So I see the posts already about people backing the game over the "who" where as this review actually talks about the "what."

Again, unlike some others in this industry, I don't get upset over what games people play and make, this game is a game which is funding pretty quickly and if this is the type of game some people want to play, I say enjoy your game. With that said, it is interesting to see how predictable and similar some of the comments and support for the game is playing out and how similar the messaging seems 1) supporting feminist designer 2) supporting those people who work in sex industry/stripping and of course 3) how the theme is "better" than all those games about war or colonialism. Again, if people believe this, good for them and I hope they enjoy the game, but it is so predictable and interesting to see similar comments, almost reminds me how when you watch the news from across the country or even across the world how the newscasters use the same adjectives and terms in the story, almost like everyone is reading off a prepared script. I also am curious about the art and figures, a couple of years ago people were upset at game box art that had busty female vikings and sexy elves. I remember people dog piling on a couple of kickstarter games, which happened to be at the same time as some of their own KS games were attempting to fund and not doing nearly as well, but it was a thing that some board game art was exploiting women. If that was the case, why is this art ok? Again, if you like the designer, the theme, the art of this game, back the game, play the game, enjoy the game, I just think the success and some of the support for this game just highlights some of the inconsistencies in this hobby. Just watch the usual gatekeepers in board game social media come out and support this game and its theme and just look at how similar and predictable their messaging will be.

Wow u got this one fast 😱

Jesus.....a Game for everbody😂i'm not gonna play this with My son i'm very interesting in the minis of the game😅😅😅

Imagine the world we'd live in if this theme was on Game Of The Year material. LOL at the Gay Sauna callback.

Another amazing review for posterity. The reference to Gay Sauna absolutely brilliant.

I was quite tempted to back this, until I saw the 120$ for the deluxe edition. I was kinda sad, because I liked the theme and the presentation. Well, seems theres not much of an interesting game here.... Thx for your honest review and for making me feel better for not backing it.

The main reason I'm glad that this game exists is that it led to this review, which undoubtedly provided more entertainment value than the game ever could. Keep up the strong work.

I disagree with you on the mechanic. The dice rolling push your luck games are very similar like this one, you test your luck and try to bail out at the last possible moment. The commitment dice rolls seem to be more troubling, as you lose the rest of your turn when making the roll. This can be a thematic element, still, it is a problematic part. However, all other things are true for this game. It is made to feel that anybody who goes to a night club is a pathetic loser and has to be stripped off his money. Creepy guys, adulterers, etc. If the designer thinks sex work is real work, why do you look down on your customers? You live off of them! The whole vibe of the game is very creepy in an unusual way. Yet, I still think the game itself isn't that bad and I am considering backing it, because of the unique theme and it seems the game works well with the proper playgroup. (Casual gamers who want to play a light NON-party 18+ game)

Looking at those minis makes me want to put my own sticky patches on the board.

Hey bruv, if you dont have any use for that review copy I'll take it off ur hands. 😉

Finally a game about your day job. 😂 Good review mate!

I seen the creators review here. Im glad you removed it. It blows my mind at how well this game is doing on KS. People really do just have money to blow (puns are always intended)

Thats more than once ive seen a fan/member of their community go after someone for "getting things wrong". Says a lot. The cult like dog piling in their discord also says a lot. Exotic Cancer checks out

In reality this is more of a party game than a strategy game. Lots of wine and beer and trying to steal customers from your friends and pushing your luck when you think you can. For those days when So Clover and Scout are to mental.

I'll stick to Artipia's 'Lap Dance,' a better game than you'd expect.

Honestly the game sounds terrible. Your review of the customer card art has me dead though.

I'm not sure what is more pathetic, the laziness of the game design on offer or the lame bot comment attempts to mitigate BGB's scathing review.

Ouch! Must be triggering AF for a client to see how he's viewed by a stripper..

I LOVED NIGHTSHIFT! I jumped at the opportunity to play test when the creator asked for people and I honestly don't think you've accurately understood the rules based on what you’ve said.

Oh no, this is not very good.

This game looks absolutely terrible. With the thousands of board games we have these days, who the fck is sitting there thinking, "I know, let's get Nightshift out"?

I think this game is just a thinly veiled attempt to sell NSFW models to wargamers. It's genuinely creepy that this game exists and the loop is to gold dig creepy customers. It's like it's teaching you to dehumanized everyone involved here

Thanks for the review. Dont think this will hit the table on family game night.

Oh wow I got to play test it and found it really fun! understand you get more views by saying it’s bad though 😉

So much bitching and moaning about this game online, people play games about murder but heaven forbid we show a woman's body. What they should be complaining about is the gameplay.

I'm so surprised this game is terrible!

This game does not need to exist

Thanks mate, you've probably saved some people from wasting their money on this turd of a game

Thanks for the review... Hard pass!

Glad for the review. This game is just gross.

I suppose it's the best board game a stripper could design. I don't really mean that in the derogatory sense it sounds. I think the average carpenter or mechanic would also not design a very good board game regarding their profession or previous profession. I'd rather play board games designed by... board game designers or at the very least board game enthusiasts with a lot of experience. This is an example of why that's generally a best practice. This game could obviously be made infinitely better if it was made a eurogame about expending/investing effort rather than an ameritrash game about rolling dice and hoping. And I can see that as merely a passing board game enthusiast and not a dedicated board gamer. The only thing I disagree with this review on is the seediness of the customers depiction on the cards that you complained about. I would presume a former stripper would understand and inform the clientele of a strip club for a board game better than anyone else could. I also don't take offense because I've never been to a strip club and have no desire to ever go to a strip club.

Funny that despite the game being top in BGG hotness, I see this video 12 days late and only because a third person referred me. I really don't get it. So, a lot of American gamers flipping out over the theme, ok... whatever. I read the rules ...and... even from the rules I can see there is no game there. I can not see how any gamer would say otherwise. Except if you only play mass market games, then gameplay might be up your alley. Otherwise, all the positive buzz must be virtue signaling or delusion. Can't explain otherwise. Also, neither do I like the miniatures nor the artwork. It just doesn't look good. But nowadays, if there a naked boobs in it you have to either be full of moral outrage and hate it (because boob evil?) or full glowing virtue signaling support (because... empowerment?) But just see it as it is. It's a bad game😅

Usually like your stuff but the way you've decided to hide/delete comments from the designer when they've pointed out you were misinterpreting mechanics is poor form. If you don't like a game that's fine, not everything is for everyone, but misrepresenting it, whether intentionally or not is just bad.