great game, we really like this one. Play's simple and fast and is fun. Doesn't get much attantion i hope it does now with this good review because it really deserves it.
Will this replace Courtier on your shelf, Tom? This seems like a good fit for the Tempest series with a little re-theme, but then they already have Courtier.
I played the original, Heads of State a few years ago, and it seemed blah, It is essentially a sea saw ride for 2 hours that you are glad when it is over. I don't understand why the designer has put his energy to make this game, as it is a re-print/re-naming of the 2008 release, rather than coming up with a entirely new game all together.
I have yet to play Triassic Terror but Francis Drake surpasses this one strongly. It seems that the critique that Francis Drake has no transition of resources (aside the Investor) between the 3 rounds grew on him and so he designed a very abstract game. I did win our testing game (and it is rather rare but IMHO half by luck but also half because I outplayed the others)... it still did not feel so good. It feels like ticket to ride for one thing but with area control... and victory point soup... meh. The artwork is great but the main board looks dull. Nothing I have to play but playing it once or twice is okay (would never buy it though).
LOL, even you are saying the same... I did not watch your review before commenting ... and then you say the exact same thing (Ticket to Ride and Area Control). Issue is... neither I did like ticket to die too much (collecting card sets and being screwed by luck) and then some added area control WITHOUT being thematic doesn't help. Issue is, the game does not feel so thematic. You don't feel like your influence is spreading through certain noble classes or regions throughout Europe, AT ALL. And then the strategy parts is really limited by what you draw AND what the other's draw. Bad luck can screw you (or them) heavily. The scoring secondary (e.g. not the round) scoring is also strange, you have tons of different ways to score points but it is questionable if those scoring MECHANISMS make sense with this theme. Its an okay game, and definitely a better pick than something like splendor (collecting sets and saving chips is very similar) or kingdom builder (a really different kind of area control), but that's it. Its more an abstract with a theme and art slapped on. Aside the board the art is good. The board is dull :(. But if I want to play abstract area control, do I really want this over... a real abstract area control game? Its no where excellent :P.
ionas82 I agree, the theme really doesn't work with the scoring. You can spend ages trying to get the right card to gain control of area, then someone just knocks you off the board with an intrigue/assassin card
Jim Ferguson Mechanically the game has flaws too, but my strongest complain is that it is essentially a weak abstract with a lot of luck. Mechanically I agree that you can kick people's butts with intrigue cards BUT the issue is more that you have no insight and control over what people do. A little luck is okay but the drawing feels like ticket to ride which as a family game can be maybe enjoyable (as long as no one knows and remembers the long routes :p). As a strategy game... meh. Its more about figuring out where the others do competition (in WHICH ways to score) and avoid those conflicts and score at other places. Then card stack size and a little AP helps. Its not BAD its just not excellent. If the card drawing maybe had features of drafting (7 wonders, arcardia quest, etc) then it might work... (still little theme beyond some pictures).
