Crazy good to try and cover all of the aspects of this game considering how expansive and complicated it can be. We've run into a few times when the game just didn't work very well - and others when it was really fun. It's a neat and very funky idea but I think that it might lose out to other more polished products.
You did a smashing job of explaining the game. Rarely do you see a game that was meant for customizing for certain friend groups and their likes. It's also cool that they were able to create a platform that made 504 variants that actually work. Did you guys find a specific one that you liked?
You stated this takes a while to set up, select modules/variants, etc. how long is that relative to gameplay? Sometimes I feel some games take longer to set up than they do to play (some exaggeration there of course) but the encumbrance is exhausting and causes me to not want to pull the game from the shelf. Anywho, thanks for your thoughts and review.
when they did the math for 504 game versions they counted modules 1,2,3 as different from 1,3,2 or 2,3,1 etc. there are 84 different ways to combine the rules modules.
It's not perfect but this rule aggregator can be a help: 504rules.github.io/ Enter the complete 3-digits in the upper left. Can also randomize based on your include/exclude selections for each module.
I would guess each module is well tested. Module interactions not all tested I imagine, much like how in Magic the Gathering some interactions can result in cards having to be banned.
It's not for everyone. Maybe it could be compared to the Amphicar, just a bit. That is, the Amphicar was a bad car and a bad boat. The game trades elegance of design, and fine tuning of design IMO, for a game that plays differently each time you play, in theory. The overly complex rules ( IMO) along with somewhat plain mechanics at times may not appeal to everyone. But there is something kind of cool about a game with a shifting strategy. For example, the modules we played tonight did change the strategies substantially over other times we have played.
This is by far the best introduction I've seen to the game and the gameplay. Well done!
By far the best review I've seen of this, really thoughtful analysis.
+Keith McNeil It's the only remotely positive review I've seen of 504.
Great review! I'm still bummed out you're not making reviews anymore :(
Crazy good to try and cover all of the aspects of this game considering how expansive and complicated it can be. We've run into a few times when the game just didn't work very well - and others when it was really fun. It's a neat and very funky idea but I think that it might lose out to other more polished products.
Thanks for the review. I've been very curious about this game (or games).
This is the best and most informed review I've seen of this woefully underrated game. Thank you.
Really brave to review this in your normal style and length of video, but it worked! X
0:40 is a bit intimidating.
+Kevin R. No argument here. :)
+Kevin R. Agreed, it does look a little daunting. The concept is cool though, but I think I'll give it a try at my local board game cafe before I buy.
You did a smashing job of explaining the game. Rarely do you see a game that was meant for customizing for certain friend groups and their likes. It's also cool that they were able to create a platform that made 504 variants that actually work. Did you guys find a specific one that you liked?
You stated this takes a while to set up, select modules/variants, etc. how long is that relative to gameplay? Sometimes I feel some games take longer to set up than they do to play (some exaggeration there of course) but the encumbrance is exhausting and causes me to not want to pull the game from the shelf. Anywho, thanks for your thoughts and review.
I just can say, that I won 132 rounds of the 504 rounds we played with 4 players.
when they did the math for 504 game versions they counted modules 1,2,3 as different from 1,3,2 or 2,3,1 etc. there are 84 different ways to combine the rules modules.
Seems right, but the module order does matter a bit.
thanks so much for this video. it is a great overview of the game and helped me make a buying decision.
Love your new haircut. :)
It's not perfect but this rule aggregator can be a help: 504rules.github.io/ Enter the complete 3-digits in the upper left. Can also randomize based on your include/exclude selections for each module.
themeless abstract halfbaked.
This game is a bit of a fraud...Just how play-tested was this thing...Do you think he really played each combination EVEN ONCE? Probably not...
He did computer simulations of each combination, so yes. This is actually pretty common in game design to get the balance right on certain elements.
I would guess each module is well tested. Module interactions not all tested I imagine, much like how in Magic the Gathering some interactions can result in cards having to be banned.
This game looks extremely boring.
It's not for everyone. Maybe it could be compared to the Amphicar, just a bit. That is, the Amphicar was a bad car and a bad boat. The game trades elegance of design, and fine tuning of design IMO, for a game that plays differently each time you play, in theory. The overly complex rules ( IMO) along with somewhat plain mechanics at times may not appeal to everyone. But there is something kind of cool about a game with a shifting strategy. For example, the modules we played tonight did change the strategies substantially over other times we have played.