For me it’s much more about time management. I just couldn’t hope to do it justice. I bought it to show my support but yeah…probably will remain unplayed as long as my shelf space allows for that
For all of us old guys lamenting about how our age is a barrier to jumping into this game, that's exactly the wrong attitude to have! Because this sort of game is EXACTLY what our aging brains need to feed on, in order to remain cognizant and as sharp as can be. Without exercising our brains on these sort of games, or reading thoughtful books, we'll find our brains atrophying and wasting away in no time.
I think the trap for most wargamers the first time you play is getting tunnel vision with the international issues at the expense of domestic issues even though it's clear that you "win" the game on the domestic front. It's also unfamiliar for a wargame to force you to use restraint when dealing with foreign policy issues. As with the real world, wars are extremely costly in so many ways. Does a good job of making you identify and manage priorities.
The one thing that wargamers forget is that this is a different kind of "war". The major thing that is the same as war games is that Mr. President is also an action/reaction game as we try to put out the fires created by both China & Russia plus the other events that the cards hold. It is a thinking man's war. Some people get overwhelmed by everything going on at first because it becomes a very busy board. Being lucky with the dice rolls and some of the events on the cards doesn't hurt either. On the other hand, like JFK, who I patterned my president to be like, I had my own "Bay of Pigs" event. I tried to get rid of one of the stronger terror groups in southeast Asia with the special ops group and it blew up in my face. At least I had a heavy and strong approval and a first lady that is totally adored by the public and media (like Jackie Kennedy). I totally love this game. A great review of the game and so much so that I became a subscriber to the channel.
Sounds a lot like what I would imagine being President would be like. You get to make a lot of decisions and have a lot of power for one person but the rest of the world is still way, way bigger than you, throws a lot of random stuff at you and you just have to do your best to keep it all under control.
Thanks for doing this review, the game looks amazing. I am a sucker for monster games. Are you still planning on doing a follow up on this video? I found the unboxing but nothing else.
Organizing the game was the first challenge, because when you first play Mr President you will realize that you didn't organize the game well. Some counters go together while others do not. The re-boxing will comprise the second organization of the game, and the succeeding games will set up more quickly. I had fun with this, and played cooperatively. It was well worth the price.
I immediately went and grabbed Cube4Me trays for it, after it took about 3 hours to set it up the first time with some random boxes I had sitting around.
I have been waiting for this game for a very long time, and now that I have it, making room to play is a challenge. I expect my holidays will be busy between now and the end of the year, trying to get through a single term in office. Luckily, I can leave a game out for as long as I need. One thing, playing cooperatively, with one person in charge of foreign policy and the other running the domestic side, would be an interesting way to play.
On the "it took years to publish" front: it was always simple to trust that we'd get the game "eventually", as the designer owns the biggest wargame-publisher in the industry 😀.
Great video guys, the game seems right up my ally, but table space might mean I'll never get it. From the way you were describing your play, I want to have the memories of playing it, knowing that I'll never actually get to play it! It'll make a great video game too!
Great review guys! I am always taking into serious consideration your opinion and this seems like a game I will love. My copy is hopefully arriving on Thursday so we all know how I am spending the weekend! And judging by the size of the game, I feel grateful there is already a VASSAL module for it. And if I decide to go on a playthrough video, I will let you know!
By the way - great job on the video - just the right blend of humor and info. Actually, the timing that I saw this now is perfect - looks like GMT is getting ready to launch the 2nd Printing very soon!
I think I would love this, might dabble w it on Vassal if there's a module (?) Realistically Im backed up on Pacific War, Vietnam 65-75, On To Richmond. Roads to Gettysburg campaigns to play so probably doesn't make sense for me to buy 🤔
I already (jokingly) advocated, that GMT should put (beside time and player requirements) the space requirements on the back of box. That is Mr. President needs 1.5 square meters (my guess here, as an arbitrary number)
Make sure that you check your limits for terror groups and Civil Wars each has a limit for the stability in the region. I'm glad you are in joying the game.
I keep waffling on this one.. I'm not averse to big long fiddly procedural solo games..but the massive table footprint makes leaving it setup really difficult.. Which is a major problem imo
Back in the day this would have been the type of game I'd really sink my teeth into. Now, my brain would probably melt trying to play this.
I agree. I would have jumped headfirst into this back in the day. But now my CPU (brain) would overheat trying to play this. Great video guys!
For me it’s much more about time management. I just couldn’t hope to do it justice. I bought it to show my support but yeah…probably will remain unplayed as long as my shelf space allows for that
Indeed, I bought the game but starting to think that perhaps at my age it might be a bit too much. Still in shrink.
For all of us old guys lamenting about how our age is a barrier to jumping into this game, that's exactly the wrong attitude to have! Because this sort of game is EXACTLY what our aging brains need to feed on, in order to remain cognizant and as sharp as can be. Without exercising our brains on these sort of games, or reading thoughtful books, we'll find our brains atrophying and wasting away in no time.
Feeling the same. But then I'm younger than the current president by 12 years ;)
I love the game, it's like herding cats and everything is on fire and you have to watch everything.
Keep the content for this one coming!
I think the trap for most wargamers the first time you play is getting tunnel vision with the international issues at the expense of domestic issues even though it's clear that you "win" the game on the domestic front. It's also unfamiliar for a wargame to force you to use restraint when dealing with foreign policy issues. As with the real world, wars are extremely costly in so many ways. Does a good job of making you identify and manage priorities.
The one thing that wargamers forget is that this is a different kind of "war". The major thing that is the same as war games is that Mr. President is also an action/reaction game as we try to put out the fires created by both China & Russia plus the other events that the cards hold. It is a thinking man's war.
Some people get overwhelmed by everything going on at first because it becomes a very busy board. Being lucky with the dice rolls and some of the events on the cards doesn't hurt either. On the other hand, like JFK, who I patterned my president to be like, I had my own "Bay of Pigs" event. I tried to get rid of one of the stronger terror groups in southeast Asia with the special ops group and it blew up in my face. At least I had a heavy and strong approval and a first lady that is totally adored by the public and media (like Jackie Kennedy).
I totally love this game.
A great review of the game and so much so that I became a subscriber to the channel.
Sounds a lot like what I would imagine being President would be like. You get to make a lot of decisions and have a lot of power for one person but the rest of the world is still way, way bigger than you, throws a lot of random stuff at you and you just have to do your best to keep it all under control.
Thanks for doing this review, the game looks amazing. I am a sucker for monster games. Are you still planning on doing a follow up on this video? I found the unboxing but nothing else.
Great work guys - I know I'd never play it, but I'm glad you're supporting it
Organizing the game was the first challenge, because when you first play Mr President you will realize that you didn't organize the game well. Some counters go together while others do not. The re-boxing will comprise the second organization of the game, and the succeeding games will set up more quickly. I had fun with this, and played cooperatively. It was well worth the price.
I immediately went and grabbed Cube4Me trays for it, after it took about 3 hours to set it up the first time with some random boxes I had sitting around.
NICE review thx guys looking forward to seeing more from your game.
I have been waiting for this game for a very long time, and now that I have it, making room to play is a challenge. I expect my holidays will be busy between now and the end of the year, trying to get through a single term in office. Luckily, I can leave a game out for as long as I need. One thing, playing cooperatively, with one person in charge of foreign policy and the other running the domestic side, would be an interesting way to play.
Thanks for sharing this.
Great video
Picked this up at WBC this year and it's sitting on my dining room table. It's intimidating but I'm gonna chew through it this week...
I didn't know this existed until a few weeks ago. Ordered it on Friday, and it's coming this week. Can't wait!
On the "it took years to publish" front: it was always simple to trust that we'd get the game "eventually", as the designer owns the biggest wargame-publisher in the industry 😀.
One of my all time favourite games.
Got the the game and played two years sandbox - made errors - enjoyed it tremendously and will dive into it again at WBC
Absolutely wonderful review (as always!) guys. Working on this myself for our show and loving it so far.
I have it under wrap. I did not realize it was so big, I am scared to open it.
Good stuff, gentlemen.
Great video guys, the game seems right up my ally, but table space might mean I'll never get it. From the way you were describing your play, I want to have the memories of playing it, knowing that I'll never actually get to play it!
It'll make a great video game too!
Great review guys! I am always taking into serious consideration your opinion and this seems like a game I will love. My copy is hopefully arriving on Thursday so we all know how I am spending the weekend! And judging by the size of the game, I feel grateful there is already a VASSAL module for it. And if I decide to go on a playthrough video, I will let you know!
Does somebody know when it can be ordered again from GMT?
Thanks guys…now I have another game to purchase…😂
By the way - great job on the video - just the right blend of humor and info. Actually, the timing that I saw this now is perfect - looks like GMT is getting ready to launch the 2nd Printing very soon!
I think I would love this, might dabble w it on Vassal if there's a module (?)
Realistically Im backed up on Pacific War, Vietnam 65-75, On To Richmond. Roads to Gettysburg campaigns to play so probably doesn't make sense for me to buy 🤔
I already (jokingly) advocated, that GMT should put (beside time and player requirements) the space requirements on the back of box. That is Mr. President needs 1.5 square meters (my guess here, as an arbitrary number)
Make sure that you check your limits for terror groups and Civil Wars each has a limit for the stability in the region. I'm glad you are in joying the game.
I keep waffling on this one.. I'm not averse to big long fiddly procedural solo games..but the massive table footprint makes leaving it setup really difficult.. Which is a major problem imo
Vassal is your friend ...
how long did it take to play?
This game tells me that there is something to be said for just pushing the nuke launch button and be done.
I love cleaned out Chobani yogurt cups as draw cups. They are plastic, opaque and stackable. Use them for all my games now.
Clueless politicians get rid of the competent one to save their careers. Yup, sounds thematic 😅
Theres an Action Card where your son drops cocaine in the situation room and no one cares!
This is begging to be a digital game.