Thanks for sharing. I have a copy and have played solo a few times. Surprisingly, I beat the automa. It worked out that the Well had 2 forges on it, so I was able to leverage that get 3 warriors on the 5 forge area and then got 4 courtiers into the castle . For one, the 5 forge warriors get you two actions, but additionally the end game courtier multiplier is 2x. So, during the game I got 3 extra actions and at end game I got 24 points from the warrior/courtier combo. Also, I pushed 1 courtier to the 10 point level of the castle. I didn't win by much, but did squeak out a win. Lastly, I didn't bother with the season track at all. It doesn't seem to make much difference going first, relatively to the benefits of other spots.
That gives me hope and it is why I like the game! I think you have to spot this type of thing in order to beat the bot. Now, it is possible that in some games, these combos may not exist, but I will keep my hopes up.
Thanks for the review, John. I’ve been apprehensive about picking this up due to the automa difficulty and if the game would be “fun” while still presenting its natural challenge level. The way you showcased the game it seems worthwhile.
Thanks for another clear overview and a very well argumented (apparently that's not a word) final opinion. I have played this solo 7 times now, and I haven't been able to beat the AI on the easiest setting. In fact, I haven't even come close. While I do enjoy the mechanisms in the game, I have my doubt about the balance of the solo mode. I've considered treating it as a beat your own score type of game, but because the variability of the board has such a significant impact on the scores, you can't really compare scores between two games. I did spot a few minor mistakes or oversights in your playthrough though: At 10:25, when you moved your courtier to the second level and took that card, after you place it on your player board, you get to execute a "white action" of that card. So in this case, you would have gotten 2 immediate VP and a well action. At 11:43, the card that lets the AI place a gardener shows both types of garden cards (some only show the half green ones, some only the half brown ones), so they will look at all six cards and place a gardener on the one with the lowest point value. (I can't see the point values on the card, so it could be that the one on the left would have been their choice no matter what). At 17:01, when the AI converts 3 or 5 coins to points, they also get points equal to the round number.
Thank you very much for the feedback on some of the things that I missed. The first one at 10:25. I did not know that you automatically take a free White action so that is great to hear. The others were just an oversight during play. I agree that it seems the solo is highly suspect with regards to being beatable.
At 10:05 in the video you move a courtier one level up. You take the card an you use this card to replace the one on your tableaux. But then you forget to take the white benefit of that new card. Probably accidentally.
Someone pointed this out earlier, and it was a rule that I had forgotten. So thank you for mentioning it because it makes a really hard game a little less hard!
this is really helpful, thanks John! Just cracked open my copy and learning the rules. What an awesome looking game! Have you tried the solo variant where you always only resolve one bot action instead of two (if two or more cards are revealed)? I've heard that can soften the blow haha
I have not tried the one action variant. I just keep getting pummeled by the bot :). It’s now just a matter of accomplishment that I want to beat that damn thing!
I enjoyed your solo overview, I realized I missed a couple of rules when playing solo. However, I think perhaps you missed one also? When I advance in the castle and pick up a card, I am allowed to do one of the white actions on that card?
You can make it easier by simply having it get 1 point instead of 1 point for the current round it is in when it collects in those cases. That can help.
This game or the imperial miners as a solo ? I play it's a wonderful world under 30 minute. I play Agricola under 30 minute. My saying is that , will you pick this to play it as a quick solo, or you will prefer the IM more?
That is a really tough choice. As far as satisfaction, if this solo mode was more fair than I would lean in the direction of The White Castle. However, I think that imperial minors may be more “fun“.
I bought Imperial Miners, played it and wondered what I did wrong since I didn’t enjoy it all. Played it 2 more times and made sure I didn’t make any rules mistakes. Enjoyed it less each time I played it and put it on the sell pile.
I agree with that, which is why I'm staying away from this one. I also don't like solo designers that I've never heard of and/or are first-timers to the industry.
