Western Legends jumped to one of my favorite games of all time after my game group and I decided to house rule a simultaneous play system. Yes, certain things don't work as well, but the entertainment and frankly chaotic fun that ensues from having everyone go at once more than compensates for it. Also, a regular game now clocks in at around an hour.
@@Quackalope I listened to it now. Yes lol. In all honesty I can understand why some may not like it. I feel what Shira and Alex feel. I have a ton of control over what's in my pool of dice, I can cull and buy dice that help mitigate some of the risks and the catch up mechanic works great to me.
Own and play both Cubitos and Quacks. I like the racing element and huge variability Cubitos brings, and the tension Quacks brings each time you pull and could bust. There is room in collection for both of these great games.
I like this concept. The idea of taking games that are popular and or highly rated and reviewing why it didn't work for you is intriguing. I haven't played any of the games in this video so its even more interesting to me from that aspect. MY only exposure to many of these games are seeing them in the BGG hotness or top 50.
barage is one of the best games every made. may be a bit complicated while you are adjusting to the engine but its the type of game where conflict happend early because of the size and layout of the board. always leaves me wanting more.
I enjoyed Barrage. It definitely stood out for how tight and interactive it is, compared to many newer euro designs getting released at the moment. No desire to own, but will play if others do and suggest it.
Omg Bargain Quest was the first game that came to my mind when I was thinking of disappointing games and you have it as the first game in your list as well! I had high expectations from the glowing SUSD review but it totally fell flat for us and I traded it away after just a couple of boring plays. On the other hand, I enjoyed Smartphone during the one play I had and I'm totally looking forward to Barrage though, just got that game after watching several really interesting gameplay reviews.
Western Legends was a bit of a surprise to see on the list, but everything in your comments about it makes sense. I have loved every play of the game, but it a) is way better at higher player counts, and b) has a big downtime problem. I feel like the fun is worth the time investment this causes, but it's definitely a detractor for some. But it has some of the best flavor text in any game I've played (with the back stories on the playable characters). I still recall my first play, choosing between Joaquim Mueretta (probably misspelled) and someone else. I read his backstory having never heard of this particular legend, looked at my friends and giddily declared "I'm playing as the real life Zorro!" The game had me hook line and sinker from that moment.
I didn’t finish watching thinking I wouldn’t comment again, but then I saw my favorite game Western Legends in this video. Turns do take longer than I would like but I really enjoy watching others’ actions and seeing fights between players and poker results, and then also taking time to plan my turn out a bit to see who I should go after. The player interaction is through the roof and thus watching others’ turns makes it fun.
The only one of these I've played is Barrage and it was such a dull experience that I'd prefer not to play it again. I don't hate it, but it felt so lifeless that I was just going through the motions without much care or complaint so that I didn't ruin the game for the others (never want to be that guy that complains and ruins things, even with a game I don't like). We had 4 players and 2 seemed to like it (one was the owner), and the other person seemed indifferent. Her KS copy had some damage too, the rotating rondels had issues so that didn't improve my initial opinion much either. Also, as a wargamer first and foremost, having a game called 'Barrage' with zero artillery didn't help, and yes I know that in French it can also be applied to water as it is here, my point stands regardless!
FWIW I think Western Legends does a decent job of filling in between turns, especially if there is gambling in the casino, fights etc. where at least one other player (and often more) are directly involved in someone else's turn. I've also seen it succeed brilliantly when the players got into the theme and the spirit of it, building up the atmosphere when it's their turn or when it's not. Not Min/Maxed, but playing to the theme and being prepared to play the funny move rather than the 'best'. Conversely my first play was played more normally, and it was pretty dull. Thus my recommendation is to grab a bottle of bourbon and play it for the fun and theme. One criticism I did have, was something I really benefitted from. Getting your hidden objectives completed first is a major advantage due to the drawing of the Legendary points tokens, and some are much easier to complete earlier than others. I got lucky, and I would say that wasn't fair. p.s. I agree, albeit even more strongly on the theme of Smartphone. Not just unappealing, but me and my 15 yo Nokia are very much put off by the theme.
Haven't tried any of those games yet but I do plan on getting a copy of cubitos & you have intrigued me about bargain quest. The only game that went over badly & surprised me at how my group reacted was Smashup. My group tends to take to card games like a duck to water but it bombed. I look forward to trying it again because I think my players had outside game issues/stresses that impacted their enjoyment. Another fun vid.
My group enjoys Bargain Quest, particularly with the black market expansion. Granted it can become the first person to have bad luck is out of the running for winning. I have played at all player counts, to include solo. I recommend giving it another try, but can understand it is not for everyone.
Thanks for the video! Only game I’ve played of those is Treasure Island. Our group has really enjoyed it. Like you said, it’s an experience and is accessible to newcomers of the hobby.
While it isn't thematic whatsoever, the theme was what originally drew me to Smartphone Inc. There are thousands of economic games about trading in mid century europe so this one stands out to me. Plus that planning phase is fantastic.
My group enjoyed western legends so far, my concern is when the game can incentivise not duelling or fighting and minimising interaction, but not been an issue so far...
I feel the same way about Western Legends to the point where it left my collection. I try to keep my collection “small” (currently at 68 games 😂) but then I am always excited to play anything on my shelf
Smartphone is fantastic. Really innovative action selection, and super smooth gameplay. I know everyone has different tastes, and that's OK. That being said, I hope you give it another try.
Gotta agree about Smartphone. Some friends got it as a gift for me, and so I’ll play it with them if they really want to. But I’ll never choose it myself. Not a bad game at all, it just holds no appeal theme-wise. Only other game I’ve played is Treasure Island, which I also agree is a cool experience and would maybe play again, but I have no desire to own. Was always curious about Western Legends, but now I’m super happy I backed Bantam West instead!
bargain quest - flipping the stat modifiers to see what happens is too random, it basically has one good story in the box, that's causing a hero to fail for money, which is funny the first time. smarphone inc - not special enough, warm glass of milk barrage - can feel like it has a best way to win without the expansion, really cut throat, really special design. cubitos - can't complain for a light racer, lots of clever design rules for the genre, but it's still a light racer treasure island - demands a level of exactness that the tools don't provide for, if your group allows it to be fun, it can be fun. western legends - loosey goosey sand box that lives and dies by it's group.
Hm... I just sank like 220 SGD into Western Legends and everything it has. I wonder if your thoughts are the same for Xia legends of a drift (which I also just sank a bunch of cash into)
What you said about western legends is how I feel about Scythe. I know scythe is a good game but I just can’t stand playing it. And mainly because it feels like my actions barely interact with other peoples actions. I love to plan out my actions in scythe but when it’s someone else’s turn I can’t help but stare at my phone or watch. I feel like if there was a second addition of scythe that had for fine tuned mechanics like making combat more interesting and doing more things with gold instead of it mainly being a currency only used for seeing who won then I would love the game so much more.
@@Quackalope I’ve seen fairly positive reviews for it and seeing how he’s selling it to me for $15 when it’s only been played once is a good deal in my opinion :)
I still love Western Legends but it's all about the group. If the group just take care of themselve it gets really boring and at the end wins the gold prospector. So take the gold away from the prospector and bring it to the bank. Afterwards rob the bank and get hunt down by the other players...not just the Sheriff. And after they got you, you're rotting in jail and the others have a nice game of Texas Hold'em. Wait, there's a cheater. Meet you outside at high noon....and so on. Western Legends lives from the interaction of the players. If there is none, they should have played another game. But if the group understands all the interaction in Western Legends, it is outstanding. By the way, got Blood Money today 😉
I respect the fact that you put yourself out there with all these hot takes, but it might’ve been more fun to watch you debate someone who disagrees with you. That was a huge part of the charm of those old-school Dice Tower videos, in my opinion.
The only one I can comment on is Bargain Quest - it sounds like you had a bad teach experience. If you have it, try the solo mode expansion (without the Black Market expansion) for a couple of games to get the feel for it, or play it with people who haven't played it before. If you enjoy it, add in the Black Market (I feel the game is better with it), but if not you can be fairly certain it's not for you.
Western Legends is in my top 10 and I Iove it. It's Red Dead Redemption in a box. But I totally understand your criticism. Every game has a "game group" factor. Some amazing games can suck if you play with the wrong people. I have hated BGG top 25 games because I played with people with such bad AP that it ruined the experience for me. Ceep crushing, brotha!
Whoa….I just watched the Broken Meeple (Luke Hector) and likewise, he was not a fan of Barrage. Yeah, Barrage can be brutal/cut throat. Barrage is polarizing but there are a lot of people who love it. My GF and I really liked Cell Phone Inc. We love the theme of this area control game and the mini-game of trying to find the optimal overlay of tiles to get the best icons showing is super fun.
Wow, you very well explained why certain games didn't work for you. That is as valuable as hearing why certain games DO work. So thank you for your insights, it was very useful to me!
Everyone seems to have that same complaint about Western Legends which is why I(as a person who loves all things western) have never bought it. Sounds like you can play a game and never really interact with the other players. Or maybe the interactions could have a bigger impact on the board and other players. I’m really looking for a western game though. I have Bang and backed the new Zombicide but I don’t feel like those are really the kind of spaghetti western game I’m looking for
I understand your point about playing games with people who know the game. My first experience with 7 Wonders was soooo bad, that I have never played it again, do not own it, and never will.
Where does this dude live nowadays? Ohio? I need a gaming group in Ohio. I’m from the Akron-Canton area but I live in Toronto and I want to hook up with a northeast Ohio gaming group. I don’t know how to find people (although I guess BGG is a good place to start).
IMHO Any clip discussing games without showing any photo is waste of time - just saying. The easy thing to do would be to just flip the box round & show a close-up of the back where it shows the game - problem solved.
Interesting list. For me Dwellings of Eldervale was a disappointment after the stellar reviews. It's such a beautiful production, and I can see the appeal in it for a lot of people, but it just wasn't for me. I feel a bit obligated to play it again because a friend of mine said we played an important rule wrong. Was that mistake big enough to make me like it? Maybe I'll find out.
The other one that comes to mind is Altar Quest. I love the Sadlers' modular deck design, and Street Masters is probably my favorite game of all time. But Altar Quest is just so fiddly, and I feel like there weren't as many BIG moments like there are in Street Masters. Solo was a little better, but with two people, I just found the game dragged for too long.
If you’re looking to offload Barrage, Smartphone, Treasure Island, or Bargain Quest… i can send you my address in Kissimmee lol. Interesting takes on some games Id love to play! (Not interested in cubitos because I really did not like quacks of quedlinburg!)
It seems like you don’t like economic games. I can’t seem to get to like Barrage, Smartphone Inc and Pipeline for some reason. Well not yet anyways, things may change in the future. As we all know our taste in games do change in time.
Bargain Quest. Game of phases. Too many phases. And if you're the owner and teacher you move the phases. Had all of the content for it. They add more phases later on. It's gone now.
Tbh, this list is made up of some of the most highly rated and respected games in recent years with some smaller games thrown in. It’s kind of like walking into the Louvre and saying you don’t quite like Rembrandt. I was expecting some truly awful games.
That makes this video interesting in the first place. If you know Quackalope usually has the same taste as you, this is full of information you usually don't get. Truth is, even the top 10 on Boardgamegeek aren't for everyone (and with everyone I only mean people in the hobby).
I sold bargain quest immediately. I felt tricked. Western Legends was ambitious and totally got famous for being the first to mesh a popular Mechanism with western theme. I hated it.
@@Quackalope Indeed. I felt like I would be able to do more and enjoy the theme more, and Bargain Quest after two plays in one day was head-scratching and restrictive economically. It wasn't the droid I was looking for.
All videos like these are going to do is make people angry. Spreads negative energy. Highlight what you like and why is much more effective than highlighting what you don’t like and why.
