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Bubba Gee (147 KP) rated Coimbra in Tabletop Games
Jun 21, 2019
Lots going on
This is a great game for beginners, to start with there seems to be too much going on, it is fairly easy to grasp this game within 2 or 3 playthroughs though.
The dice drafting and card drafting together give players a nice introduction to both of these game mechanics as well as trying to grow multiple paths at the same time, like many other good gateway games this has a lot to keep you interested without being super heavy or overly complex.
You will find yourself planning ahead a lot in this and it is definitely good for replayability.
I think there are more directions in which they could go with this so I hope to see more expansion packs coming out for it.
There is only one currently which I haven't managed to snag yet but I will.
I will update when I get a copy.
Happy gaming folks
The dice drafting and card drafting together give players a nice introduction to both of these game mechanics as well as trying to grow multiple paths at the same time, like many other good gateway games this has a lot to keep you interested without being super heavy or overly complex.
You will find yourself planning ahead a lot in this and it is definitely good for replayability.
I think there are more directions in which they could go with this so I hope to see more expansion packs coming out for it.
There is only one currently which I haven't managed to snag yet but I will.
I will update when I get a copy.
Happy gaming folks
Peter Shephard (2821 KP) rated Star Trek Chrono Trek in Tabletop Games
Mar 2, 2021
Dynamic game (2 more)
Lots of interactions between players and the spacetime
Excellent Trek-references!
Could do with a few more characters to play (1 more)
No expansions (that I'm aware of)
Change the Star Trek Chronoverse!
Great mini game, quick to play and simple to learn.
Layout the Timeline, as seen in Trek (from Primordial Ooze to the Antitime Anomaly in "All Good Things...."). You are one of the entities from Trek who has a vested interest in changing the timeline; perhaps the Borg stopping First Contact, or the Cardassians stopping the Emissary...). You will play cards which help you, hinder your opponent(s), and/or change time. Perhaps you make Edith Keller survive her brush with death - what ripples through time will this have? Does it support or stop your Victory Condition?
Each game takes no more than half an hour or so, and it's pretty replayable (4 different difficulties, with half a dozen characters in each).
Plus it's in a tiny box, so takes up hardly any space!
Layout the Timeline, as seen in Trek (from Primordial Ooze to the Antitime Anomaly in "All Good Things...."). You are one of the entities from Trek who has a vested interest in changing the timeline; perhaps the Borg stopping First Contact, or the Cardassians stopping the Emissary...). You will play cards which help you, hinder your opponent(s), and/or change time. Perhaps you make Edith Keller survive her brush with death - what ripples through time will this have? Does it support or stop your Victory Condition?
Each game takes no more than half an hour or so, and it's pretty replayable (4 different difficulties, with half a dozen characters in each).
Plus it's in a tiny box, so takes up hardly any space!
Dillon Jacoby-Rankin (202 KP) rated Everdell in Tabletop Games
Jan 18, 2020
Components (6 more)
Quality
Price
Game is expandable in future
Replayability
Theme
Artwork
Small text on special event cards because the card themselves are already small. (1 more)
Time can be alot if you have to teach new players.
My Favorite Game!
This game is hands down my favorite. Let's start there.
Players 1-4 Expands to 5-6 with future expansion
Ages 14+
Time 40-80 minutes. Definitely longer with more players especially if they are new to the game or worker placement in general. I played with 4 players and it took easily 150 minutes. Not complaining just with teaching and all it took longer than expected.
Components: These are full 3d pieces made of various materials. They all feel wonderful to hold and play with making collecting them for the game very satisfying.
Quality: The game is amazing in general and you can see the work that was put into the game. It was kick-started but you can tell there was a passion behind the game.
Price: The quality is worth it. And if you were ever unsure. Get the higher priced edition if possible. It will have more features like I believe metal coins for victory points as well as other content that are not in the base game like workers and cards for the solo game variant.
Expandable: The game has Pearlbrooke already out as well as 2 other Expansions being funded and at least a fourth one in the works because I read that they will not make a big box to put everything in, until the line is complete. And no big box yet. So a fourth expansion the look forward to for sure.
Replayability: Easily replayable as forest locations and special event cards will be different every time you play especially if you add some of the Expansions to your base game.
Theme: The idea of little woodland creatures collecting resources and building their own tiny cities is absolutely adorable and makes this game 100 times for fun and cute for me.
Artwork: The cards and board are fanominal. The art is so nice and cute.
Players 1-4 Expands to 5-6 with future expansion
Ages 14+
Time 40-80 minutes. Definitely longer with more players especially if they are new to the game or worker placement in general. I played with 4 players and it took easily 150 minutes. Not complaining just with teaching and all it took longer than expected.
Components: These are full 3d pieces made of various materials. They all feel wonderful to hold and play with making collecting them for the game very satisfying.
Quality: The game is amazing in general and you can see the work that was put into the game. It was kick-started but you can tell there was a passion behind the game.
Price: The quality is worth it. And if you were ever unsure. Get the higher priced edition if possible. It will have more features like I believe metal coins for victory points as well as other content that are not in the base game like workers and cards for the solo game variant.
Expandable: The game has Pearlbrooke already out as well as 2 other Expansions being funded and at least a fourth one in the works because I read that they will not make a big box to put everything in, until the line is complete. And no big box yet. So a fourth expansion the look forward to for sure.
Replayability: Easily replayable as forest locations and special event cards will be different every time you play especially if you add some of the Expansions to your base game.
Theme: The idea of little woodland creatures collecting resources and building their own tiny cities is absolutely adorable and makes this game 100 times for fun and cute for me.
Artwork: The cards and board are fanominal. The art is so nice and cute.
Peter Shephard (2821 KP) rated Terraforming Mars: Hellas & Elysium in Tabletop Games
Jun 4, 2019
Variation to the base game
The addition of two different maps for Mars is a welcome variation; the changes to the Milestones and Achievements is also a nice touch, as it changes the way people can score points from what they would usually aim for in the base game.
Although I do enjoy the different maps, and they are different enough, they dont really have a huge amount of "uniqueness" which the original one has. There are several cards which have been altered (Noctis City, for example) due to the location being on the other side of Mars. While this is an obvious side effect, it reduces the 'difficulty' of playing these cards hugely, so they feel less special.
It would have also been good to have had a small bundle of Hellas and Elysium cards included, even if it meant removing the original-location specific cards, but this opportunity was missed.
Out of all of the expansions, H&E adds the least, unless you have played the base map dozens and dozens of times.
Although I do enjoy the different maps, and they are different enough, they dont really have a huge amount of "uniqueness" which the original one has. There are several cards which have been altered (Noctis City, for example) due to the location being on the other side of Mars. While this is an obvious side effect, it reduces the 'difficulty' of playing these cards hugely, so they feel less special.
It would have also been good to have had a small bundle of Hellas and Elysium cards included, even if it meant removing the original-location specific cards, but this opportunity was missed.
Out of all of the expansions, H&E adds the least, unless you have played the base map dozens and dozens of times.
Connie (244 KP) rated Super Fight in Tabletop Games
Jun 8, 2018
Silliness meets creative thinking (2 more)
Many expansions
Can be played with anyone who knows how to argue
A riot for all ages!
Super fight is pretty hilarious, actually. The basic premise is that you draw cards to create your fighter, and then you argue about whose fighter would win in a battle! The winner is picked by group consensus.
This is a game that can be played with basically anyone who can argue. I have played against some ridiculously hilarious children, amd some highly creative adults as well. There's no wrong answer... I mean, when you're trying to decide between a giant fire breathing out haha and a robot with lazers for eyes, the only way to win is to get creative!
It should also be said that there are multiple expansion packs for this game, each one a different color. For example, I believe th Pink expansion is anime-related, while the yellow is books/ book characters/ abilities.
I will have this available at most parties, and hope to see others playing it too!
This is a game that can be played with basically anyone who can argue. I have played against some ridiculously hilarious children, amd some highly creative adults as well. There's no wrong answer... I mean, when you're trying to decide between a giant fire breathing out haha and a robot with lazers for eyes, the only way to win is to get creative!
It should also be said that there are multiple expansion packs for this game, each one a different color. For example, I believe th Pink expansion is anime-related, while the yellow is books/ book characters/ abilities.
I will have this available at most parties, and hope to see others playing it too!
Peter Shephard (2821 KP) rated Terraforming Mars in Tabletop Games
May 28, 2019
Quite simply, my favourite game. Being able to play from solo, to five players, with hundreds of different technologies and businesses, means you will never have the same game twice. If I go away with work, I pack this before my clothes.
While the game can be a little difficult to play in the first game, the second, third etc games will be played much quicker, easier, and more enjoyable. Every one will be different, too. It typically takes about 90mins to 2h to play, in our experience, but there have been longer games - there is an element of luck with both the cards drawn, and what everyone else does! Holding on to a card because it needs the Temperature below -8 degrees, then seeing everyone else pumping the temperature from -12 to -6 means the card is (probably) worthless.
The science is obviously science-fiction but is based heavily in reality, albeit simplified, and very interesting on it's own right.
Expansions do add further flavours and variations, but the base game is absolutely able to stand on it's own two feet.
While the game can be a little difficult to play in the first game, the second, third etc games will be played much quicker, easier, and more enjoyable. Every one will be different, too. It typically takes about 90mins to 2h to play, in our experience, but there have been longer games - there is an element of luck with both the cards drawn, and what everyone else does! Holding on to a card because it needs the Temperature below -8 degrees, then seeing everyone else pumping the temperature from -12 to -6 means the card is (probably) worthless.
The science is obviously science-fiction but is based heavily in reality, albeit simplified, and very interesting on it's own right.
Expansions do add further flavours and variations, but the base game is absolutely able to stand on it's own two feet.
Peter Russell (61 KP) rated Scythe in Tabletop Games
Mar 13, 2019
The best mix of many board games
This game has so much going for it and by far is my favorite game on my shelf right now. First off, just looking at and opening the box, the artwork is fantastic. I bought the artbook for the game just because I wanted more of the art. Next, mechanics of the game. Each player has a choice of what unique pair of actions they will take in a turn. A turn consists of:
1) Choosing a block of actions that said player had not chosen last turn
2) Choosing a top level action from chosen block
3) choosing a bottom level action of chosen block.
These action range from creating and placing workers, mechs or buildings, resource generation, or doing something that would initiate combat (usually moving). There are many different strategies to win, whether through ecnomics or military domination. Each play through is unique.
I highly recommend getting all expansions for uncreased play variety as well as the Broken Token organizer, which reduces setup time for 30 minutes to 5 minutes. Other items that really enhance the gameplay are metal coins as well as realistic resources from stonemaier games
1) Choosing a block of actions that said player had not chosen last turn
2) Choosing a top level action from chosen block
3) choosing a bottom level action of chosen block.
These action range from creating and placing workers, mechs or buildings, resource generation, or doing something that would initiate combat (usually moving). There are many different strategies to win, whether through ecnomics or military domination. Each play through is unique.
I highly recommend getting all expansions for uncreased play variety as well as the Broken Token organizer, which reduces setup time for 30 minutes to 5 minutes. Other items that really enhance the gameplay are metal coins as well as realistic resources from stonemaier games
Peter Shephard (2821 KP) rated Catan in Tabletop Games
May 26, 2019
Classic family friendly game
I do enjoy Catan, my wife and family enjoys Catan. It is a nice and easy enough game to play. It is challenging enough without being difficult, and I would go as far as to suggest the age bracket is slightly lower than the suggested. It's one of the games we turn to when there isn't enough time left for Agricola or Terrforming Mars or a similar, long length game.
The game itself is varied each time you play, and although there is a lot of commonality between games, it only takes a couple if minor changes (even as random as a particularly lucky or unlucky roll) and the game can take a drastically different direction. Playing a Road card, instead of saving for a settlement, can come back to haunt you when the resource you *nearly* got would have been vital.
Having played the base game for a good few years, we are looking for the expansions, but they are either/both difficult to get hold of, or quite expensive. The base game is a staple which should be in most collections, especially for casual gamers.
The game itself is varied each time you play, and although there is a lot of commonality between games, it only takes a couple if minor changes (even as random as a particularly lucky or unlucky roll) and the game can take a drastically different direction. Playing a Road card, instead of saving for a settlement, can come back to haunt you when the resource you *nearly* got would have been vital.
Having played the base game for a good few years, we are looking for the expansions, but they are either/both difficult to get hold of, or quite expensive. The base game is a staple which should be in most collections, especially for casual gamers.
Red Otter (340 KP) rated Terraforming Mars in Tabletop Games
Jun 1, 2019
Terraforming Mars is one of the current hallmarks of today's tabletop gaming. It's based around building an engine to turn Mars into a livable land using cards. As a sci-fi lover, its theme is fantastic. Its art.... Is mostly stock pictures, which doesn't bother me too much, but could be a nitpick for other folks. It's component quality is okay, but the player boards, thanks to the squares that are your primary tokens/markers, can easily be bumped and ruin your board. I highly recommend getting 3rd party player boards that have recesses to solve this problem.
Every turn, every player draws cards and decides which ones they want to keep. Then use resources to either terraform mars or improve their engine using cards. The game length can be highly dependent on group. I've talked to people who have games last up to four hours as people focus solely on engines versus terraforming Mars actually. My personal meta has it around 1.5 hours (with expansions). The early game can be very slow and sometimes you just never draw the cards you need for your planned engines.
Still though, I love this game for its heavy emphasis on theme and on how good a powerful engine can be.
Every turn, every player draws cards and decides which ones they want to keep. Then use resources to either terraform mars or improve their engine using cards. The game length can be highly dependent on group. I've talked to people who have games last up to four hours as people focus solely on engines versus terraforming Mars actually. My personal meta has it around 1.5 hours (with expansions). The early game can be very slow and sometimes you just never draw the cards you need for your planned engines.
Still though, I love this game for its heavy emphasis on theme and on how good a powerful engine can be.
Steph (468 KP) rated Eldritch Horror in Tabletop Games
Jul 10, 2018
One of my all-time favorites!
Eldritch Horror is a difficult, horror-themed, co-operative board game. You and your fellow teammates play as characters with different abilities and, together, you are trying to stop an elder monster from awakening and destroying the world. If you'd played Arkham Horror, Eldritch is a streamlined version of it. There are TONS of expansions (I have all of them) that really add to the game through different characters, mechanics, bad guys, etc.
I wouldn't say this game was friendly to people who don't usually play board games because of all of the different rules and elements, though because of it's co-operative nature, it's not too hard to teach to people who do usually play board games.
This game has GREAT re-playability. It scales fairly well for different numbers of players, but does not play as well with odd numbers (the difficulty is the same as the even number one higher, but you have fewer turns). Because it's co-operative, you can have some players control more than one character. This is what we usually do if we play with odd numbers. It's challenging to do this, though, if everyone is new to the game.
I wouldn't say this game was friendly to people who don't usually play board games because of all of the different rules and elements, though because of it's co-operative nature, it's not too hard to teach to people who do usually play board games.
This game has GREAT re-playability. It scales fairly well for different numbers of players, but does not play as well with odd numbers (the difficulty is the same as the even number one higher, but you have fewer turns). Because it's co-operative, you can have some players control more than one character. This is what we usually do if we play with odd numbers. It's challenging to do this, though, if everyone is new to the game.
