I commend companies like this that focus on the big three 1. Space saving boxes 2. Great quality 3. Lower prices. It almost doesn’t exist anymore. Now that games are hitting the 75 to 100 dollar points, I don’t even consider them anymore, regardless of reviews. I have had to rely on used games more and more and finding something rare like ‘covert’ for $10 is where the joy is now. Just wait 5-8 years and you can get everything cheap. And half these Essen games will be discounted within a year after they don’t sell. Take lunar rush for example. Just came out. My online store bought at least ten, hasn’t sold any, even at 45 cad, and there is zero hype on the game. Bargain bin by next year.
Great video! I am watching after the fact, just to see you guys play and what you think of the game I've already played a few times and really like it!
So far I like the game a lot. The basic mechanic of dice placement is something I enjoy in the first place. The variability driven by the set up of dice markers and especially the training yard rewards has, so far, made each game feel very different. I enjoy the tightness of just nine turns though as was said in the video, one poor play can put you behind the curve and there are going to be some game where you just can't get things going which will be very frustrating. I'd also be wary of playing with anyone prone to AP. Last but not least while the art work is good looking enough it doesn't overwhelm my eyes to the detriment of clarity , unlike quite a few recent games.
Thank you all for the playthrough! Just test-played the game yesterday and am sure I did get a few things wrong. So this was quite helpful to get my confusions sorted ^^ :D At 1:11 Paul you paid a Sigil - should you not have gotten one instead for crossing over into spring? ^^ Can't quite see it but think the numbers above the trees are black? Or aren't they? Love the game sofar. Everything is so amazingly intertwined and it is reasonably short ... perfect for a weekday game :D
The opening setups in the Garden and Training Yards create the most variability in the game as far as determining strategy. I had a game that the 3 mother of pearl tile was in the 1 iron spot in the Training Yard and that created a warrior and courtier combo.
At 37:07 Shouldn’t he have the ability to do the Gardener action? I don’t see in the rules that it says you only get to use the action card at the right when the initial action was triggered using your die on the personal domain. The icons call them the Gardener/Courtier/Military “Action” and those are defined as going left to right…thank you for the video!
When taking a courtier action which card to choose doesn't only have to do with which pale action you want to take but also where the actions are on the card to synergize with your board actions.
The uncomplicated rules and easy iconography I think would make these a breeze to get back into after 6 months on the shelf which is very refreshing. Seemed straightforward but with a lot of strategy and variability, shocked to hear it comes in the same size box as Red Cathedral.
Play it solo Paul! It’s HARD!!! But fun. I lost my first and second game first time by Same points as Ali but they were first on heron track. Second game it kicked my ass as i ended up with a dead last turn round 3….. DOH!
Paul at 1:10:10 you could have placed a 3 iron samurai instead of a 5 to trigger a garden action with the black action, which would have let you place another 3 samurai and trigger a black action again or a courtier to move up and take another lantern card and action. I was so hopeing you would do that 😅
interesting game! to be put in my "watch and see" list! Paul can I ask you about your camera set ups? So you have an overhead cam...on big tripod? Gantry? Then a couple of front on cameras and game zoom cameras...thats a lot of cameras!! Then do you have it all on a deck system? What program do you use for non live streams!!
I don't know if somebody else mentioned it: Third player (green) took wrong starting resources. He took one of each, while he should have gotten ONE of his choice.
Played it twice in 4p, the only negative I have to say is a bit of downtime while waiting for your turn to come, of course you can try to plan ahead, but too much will change by the time your turn comes again. I love this game and the box is fully stuffed with components, maybe box is a bit too small as well to repack all easily, especially with the built bridges. The best surprise so far from all Essen releases for me.
Unless I've misremembered the rules of setup, or just can't see the board probably, it looks like you all started on the first spot of the passage of time (heron/turn order) track. I'm fairly sure the setup rules say to place those influence tokens onto the heron itself.
I really like the game myself. The fact that you have only 9 turns makes for a tense game where you feel the pressure to make the most out of every turn. It's not a game you come to the finish and say "that was fun" like a game like Wingspan, but it's really a great puzzle.
@@GamingRulesVideos what i mean is at first glance you dont realize how thinky and intricate the game actually is.... small number of turns to maximize ur actions...but once played you soon come to realize ive just play something which is amazing....and i wanna immediately play it again
Interestingly Pete's (Green's) starting bonus card that gave him a point on lantern actions gained him 9 points across the game by itself (starting near the end of round 1 at 56:10), which made a difference for him. I know it's only one game, but it makes me wonder how often that could be a deciding factor in a game and hence a good choice to make if you can get it when drafting starting cards.
I think those boosts to lantern bonuses are huge for starting out. I had one that gave me a daiymo seal and gave me so many more options than my opponent.
@@BrentonM I did, by a decent amount. There is so much variability, so in our play, daimyo seals were only available at the well for most of the game, which is considered a bit of a weaker action. I triggered my lantern bonus a lot because the dice rolls worked out well for doing so, and I had enough to use for the lower-level castle actions and for wild coins or resources. So it was quite helpful. My opponent did not enjoy the game at all, and I think maybe that played a part in it. My husband also didn’t enjoy his play of the game, so we don’t own it anymore. I played some solo games and I do think it is very well designed, but the combo moves or moves of abundance are where the fun is. When variables don’t line up well, it can make it a bit dull to play. Still a lot to like, though.
@@alicia1465 Congratulations on the win! Shame the game didn't quite hit consistently for you, but I can see how that could happen now you've pointed it out. I have to admit that the game does interest me (who doesn't love a well executed combo), but the seeming potential for imbalances with the starting lantern bonuses and dull choices from the random setup not lining up well doesn't make me excited for it. Not that I really need more games of course, plus I'd mostly play this solo I expect if I did get it. It was interesting to hear your experiences with it, thanks.
@@BrentonM Glad I gave you some helpful information! I mean, so many people seem to absolutely love this one, so I am just one small opinion in a sea of praise. And I think it is a good game, and one that we would have enjoyed more years ago, before we had too many other games competing for table time. You could really enjoy it! The guy who bought it from me absolutely loves it. There are games like Earth, Quacks of Quedlinburg, and this game that are absolutely adored that just didn’t click with me, and it always feels weird to share an opinion that goes against the popular opinion….but hey, I thought Game of Thrones had a great conclusion, I loved The Last Jedi…maybe I just think differently 😂
My first game was 30, so ummm yeah. That duo with Monique and her boyfriend/husband, they scored in the 40’s and said that was high compared to the other games they played.
@@GamingRulesVideos Yeah, my second play I scored 65, and would have broke 70, but I made a stupid mistake because I forgot seals were coins. It’s a pretty interesting puzzle. It reminds me of the first time I played Crystal Palace.
I enjoyed this one and found it solid, but the variability felt a bit too high for such a tight game, and some plays just fell flat. I respect the design, just not for us.
