Thank you! Looks like a significant upgrade to me - included promos, it’s not brown, has a solo mode, has an entire new board, and additional modules too!? Excited to get this for sure.
I’m happy Skymines will bring the brilliance of Mombasa to many people who haven’t played Mombasa before since it’s an “old” game, but I’m extremely disappointed that Skymines is a huge downgrade from an art and graphic design perspective.
Actually some things that were mentioned are actual improvements: there are now dedicated spaces for the bonus tokens. Also the game is now playable for colourblind people. That's huge for some.
Everything about Mombasa seems functionally better. Heavier games need clear iconography, fonts, colors, etc., so that players can parse information and focus on their plan. This isn't the first time where a Pfister game got a new version that's less readable, it happened to GWT2E, but to a much lesser extent (bandits looking like cowboys are a downgrade from teepee's, newer board/tiles are a little harder to read). But whereas I wouldn't have any reservations about buying GWT2E if I didn't already have 1E, this actually convinced me to go out and buy Mombasa while I still could
Extra stuff in Skymines is worth the busier art in my mind. Mombasa is a "if you could only bring three games to a deserted island with you" game and I'm looking forward to the additions for added variability. Hopefully the art/design changes don't detract from it too much. Mombasa is one of the games in my already too large collection that gets played often so I'm looking forward to Skymines.
@@andrewv3515 In a deserted island scenario I can see the extra ways to play being valuable, but I have plenty of games to pick from, so when I bring one out, I don't want it to be more difficult or play longer than it needs to.
I saw your other video review where you mentioned the difficulty with the new symbols...and wao, you were not overstating it. If you have any level of visual impairment or color vision issues, that is very difficult to use. Not approaching this version ever
yea If I got this game I'd for sure go for Mombasa despite the potentially disturbing theme. I hate the new art and icons that I see showed in Skymines.
It's a historical theme why is it disturbing ? As long as we are informed and aware of the theme i dont see the problem. We can play wargame like Memoir 44 and play the nazi side, or Monopoly which is the apology of capitalism, or play a dark game such as This War of Mine, or playing Mr Jack, a guy who murdered several wemen but not a colonial game ? What is disturbing is we are trying to hide a part of our past in order to be politically correct. And if you think the theme of skymines is fine you are wrong, it is still about exploiting (using people to extract the ressources + destroying environnement to make money).
I've found a copy of Mombasa I can still pick up, so now I have to make a choice. Skymines would actually cost me less, but the clarity issues are worth noting for sure. I also don't know how essential the cooked books mini expansion is, since I likely can't find that anymore but would benefit from it being rolled into Skymines already.
Thanks for this. We own Mombasa, and the primary question I have is does Skymines improve the two-player experience? I suppose I need to look at the solo rules to see if I think using the bot helps or if it is more trouble than it is worth.
All due respect Mombasa is excellent at 2p. The push-pull of the area control on the map does a great job of improving interaction at low player counts. I guess the cards don't move in the market much but Mombasa is a favorite at 2p for me and my wife
@@andrewv3515 I don’t think it’s terrible at two. It’s not even bad. I just think it could be a little better. Two things I’ve noticed: New players or old ones returning after a long hiatus tend to play “those are your companies; these are mine,” which doesn’t help. I think more players forces everyone out of this thinking. Also with two, it takes longer for the map to fill up, and the game could almost be over before things get interesting and they get in each other’s way. I’ve thought about having each company start with two buildings to speed it up, but I haven’t tried it yet.
@@stanhilinski7280 That's interesting. what sometimes happens in our 2 player games is we end up only investing in about 3 companies and its about jockeying for those. That can change based on the powers the company tracks offer and if our strategy warrants chasing down different ones. I find the game really fun still at 2, but I could see that scenario being less exciting.
Thanks Chris! It looks like a definite downgrade to me. As dry as the original looked, the iconography and graphical design is far better with Mombasa.
So I’ve heard great things about Mombasa, but theming made me steer clear of it. You can argue about colonial theming is problematic, but honestly there’s no way around it with Mombasa. A game about investing in companies mining in Africa…anyone who knows anything about history knows how horrid this was….This kind of theming Alexander Pfister is no stranger to, but he seems to be learning how these game do not age well and instead of defending problematic designs he listens to the community. This is how we got an expansion to Mara Caibo, and how we got Skymines which I did pick up, and am excited to play.
"... how horrid it was"? I mean no offense but unless you ve been living under a rock there are major companies still draining some of africas countries resources and have completely destroyed the countries economy and environment. Just make a quick search on what shell did to Nigeria. Its worse than what old colonialism did.
this theme is horrible. The previous one was way better. These days people are too sensitive with everything best example cancelign wife and husband in Everdell xDDD
It is part of History and its important to remember these tragic moments instead of eluding it. We can play wargame like Memoir 44 and play the nazi side, or Monopoly which is the apology of capitalism, or play a dark game such as This War of Mine, or playing Mr Jack, a guy who murdered several wemen but not a colonial game ? If you are sensitive or woke play Point Salad or Wingspan. So, i will keep Mombasa and boycott Skymine. And if you think the theme of skymines is fine you are wrong, it is still about exploiting (using people to extract the ressources + destroying environnement to make money).
@@arowelor1007 okay first. The history of Monopoly is fascinating. It started as a game called “The Landlord’s Game” and it was specifically created to exemplify the problems with Capitalism and Monopoly’s. Other developers got the rights to it and turned into what it is, but I’m sure Lizzie G. Magic would not be to thrilled with what became of her game. Second, the reason Skymines is less problematic is because it’s on the moon or asteroid or whatever. There’s no indigenous people to enslave or exploit, and arguably no real environment to destroy. If you wanna play Mombasa over Skymines go ahead. I don’t care, but saying you’d boycott Skymines because it’s “woke,” is laughable. The difference between Monbasa’s historical context and say Memoir ‘44 or Undaunted is they don’t make an effort to sugarcoat what happened. It’s has direct historical context. Pax Pamir 2e is one of my favorite games for this reason because the game does attempt to educate you. I do not see how Mombasa does this apart from “some corporations were mining Africa dry while exploiting the populace, now go play as them.” You don’t even play as them. You play as a third party investing in them which has this, “whatever happens to the people over there doesn’t effect me so whatever,” feel.
Mombasa is the only game I really like but didn't get due to the theme being frankly offensive. But the step back in usability is a letdown. Just might have to pass on both versions then. Favourite pfister game for me though from a mechanical perspective.
Thank you! Looks like a significant upgrade to me - included promos, it’s not brown, has a solo mode, has an entire new board, and additional modules too!? Excited to get this for sure.
I’m happy Skymines will bring the brilliance of Mombasa to many people who haven’t played Mombasa before since it’s an “old” game, but I’m extremely disappointed that Skymines is a huge downgrade from an art and graphic design perspective.
Happy that this review exists and it just proves to me that there’s absolutely no reason to replace Mombasa with this…
Actually some things that were mentioned are actual improvements: there are now dedicated spaces for the bonus tokens. Also the game is now playable for colourblind people. That's huge for some.
Thank you, Chris! I can only imagine the time it took to compare these games in such detail. Your work is appreciated, and really helpful. 😄👍🏻
Everything about Mombasa seems functionally better. Heavier games need clear iconography, fonts, colors, etc., so that players can parse information and focus on their plan.
This isn't the first time where a Pfister game got a new version that's less readable, it happened to GWT2E, but to a much lesser extent (bandits looking like cowboys are a downgrade from teepee's, newer board/tiles are a little harder to read). But whereas I wouldn't have any reservations about buying GWT2E if I didn't already have 1E, this actually convinced me to go out and buy Mombasa while I still could
Extra stuff in Skymines is worth the busier art in my mind. Mombasa is a "if you could only bring three games to a deserted island with you" game and I'm looking forward to the additions for added variability. Hopefully the art/design changes don't detract from it too much. Mombasa is one of the games in my already too large collection that gets played often so I'm looking forward to Skymines.
@@andrewv3515 In a deserted island scenario I can see the extra ways to play being valuable, but I have plenty of games to pick from, so when I bring one out, I don't want it to be more difficult or play longer than it needs to.
I’m sticking with the old one.
I don't know why they didn't call it Spacemines. Skymines has me envisioning more of a fantasy setting, with floating islands in a sky.
Should have called it, "Moonbasa."
@@Atlasfilms08 "Moon Base" kkkk
I saw your other video review where you mentioned the difficulty with the new symbols...and wao, you were not overstating it. If you have any level of visual impairment or color vision issues, that is very difficult to use. Not approaching this version ever
Very thorough comparison, thank you!
yea If I got this game I'd for sure go for Mombasa despite the potentially disturbing theme. I hate the new art and icons that I see showed in Skymines.
It's a historical theme why is it disturbing ? As long as we are informed and aware of the theme i dont see the problem. We can play wargame like Memoir 44 and play the nazi side, or Monopoly which is the apology of capitalism, or play a dark game such as This War of Mine, or playing Mr Jack, a guy who murdered several wemen but not a colonial game ? What is disturbing is we are trying to hide a part of our past in order to be politically correct. And if you think the theme of skymines is fine you are wrong, it is still about exploiting (using people to extract the ressources + destroying environnement to make money).
Great comparison, thank you. I'm not a fan of the muted colour scheme of Skymines, makes it look very bland.
I've found a copy of Mombasa I can still pick up, so now I have to make a choice. Skymines would actually cost me less, but the clarity issues are worth noting for sure. I also don't know how essential the cooked books mini expansion is, since I likely can't find that anymore but would benefit from it being rolled into Skymines already.
Thanks for this. We own Mombasa, and the primary question I have is does Skymines improve the two-player experience? I suppose I need to look at the solo rules to see if I think using the bot helps or if it is more trouble than it is worth.
All due respect Mombasa is excellent at 2p. The push-pull of the area control on the map does a great job of improving interaction at low player counts. I guess the cards don't move in the market much but Mombasa is a favorite at 2p for me and my wife
@@andrewv3515 I don’t think it’s terrible at two. It’s not even bad. I just think it could be a little better. Two things I’ve noticed: New players or old ones returning after a long hiatus tend to play “those are your companies; these are mine,” which doesn’t help. I think more players forces everyone out of this thinking. Also with two, it takes longer for the map to fill up, and the game could almost be over before things get interesting and they get in each other’s way. I’ve thought about having each company start with two buildings to speed it up, but I haven’t tried it yet.
@@stanhilinski7280 That's interesting. what sometimes happens in our 2 player games is we end up only investing in about 3 companies and its about jockeying for those. That can change based on the powers the company tracks offer and if our strategy warrants chasing down different ones. I find the game really fun still at 2, but I could see that scenario being less exciting.
I hate it how boards are getting bigger and bigger. Our table ain't.
Also gutted didn't get the original.
Not sure there's any reason for me to get Skymines. It looks like a sidegrade at best from Mombasa.
It's unfortunate that the new version is less usable than the old one.
It’s larger!
Couldn't we have done a better theme, something more relatable. Mombasa's card look better, the asteroid concept is cool.
I really dislike the look of the new one,. A shame they didn't make it better
Thanks Chris! It looks like a definite downgrade to me. As dry as the original looked, the iconography and graphical design is far better with Mombasa.
A swing and a miss. Glad I kept Mombasa.
Moonbasa would have made more sense, someone fumbled the bag there
Shoudl have been called Moonbasa...
So I’ve heard great things about Mombasa, but theming made me steer clear of it. You can argue about colonial theming is problematic, but honestly there’s no way around it with Mombasa. A game about investing in companies mining in Africa…anyone who knows anything about history knows how horrid this was….This kind of theming Alexander Pfister is no stranger to, but he seems to be learning how these game do not age well and instead of defending problematic designs he listens to the community. This is how we got an expansion to Mara Caibo, and how we got Skymines which I did pick up, and am excited to play.
"... how horrid it was"?
I mean no offense but unless you ve been living under a rock there are major companies still draining some of africas countries resources and have completely destroyed the countries economy and environment.
Just make a quick search on what shell did to Nigeria.
Its worse than what old colonialism did.
this theme is horrible. The previous one was way better. These days people are too sensitive with everything best example cancelign wife and husband in Everdell xDDD
It is part of History and its important to remember these tragic moments instead of eluding it. We can play wargame like Memoir 44 and play the nazi side, or Monopoly which is the apology of capitalism, or play a dark game such as This War of Mine, or playing Mr Jack, a guy who murdered several wemen but not a colonial game ? If you are sensitive or woke play Point Salad or Wingspan. So, i will keep Mombasa and boycott Skymine. And if you think the theme of skymines is fine you are wrong, it is still about exploiting (using people to extract the ressources + destroying environnement to make money).
@@arowelor1007 okay first. The history of Monopoly is fascinating. It started as a game called “The Landlord’s Game” and it was specifically created to exemplify the problems with Capitalism and Monopoly’s. Other developers got the rights to it and turned into what it is, but I’m sure Lizzie G. Magic would not be to thrilled with what became of her game. Second, the reason Skymines is less problematic is because it’s on the moon or asteroid or whatever. There’s no indigenous people to enslave or exploit, and arguably no real environment to destroy. If you wanna play Mombasa over Skymines go ahead. I don’t care, but saying you’d boycott Skymines because it’s “woke,” is laughable.
The difference between Monbasa’s historical context and say Memoir ‘44 or Undaunted is they don’t make an effort to sugarcoat what happened. It’s has direct historical context. Pax Pamir 2e is one of my favorite games for this reason because the game does attempt to educate you. I do not see how Mombasa does this apart from “some corporations were mining Africa dry while exploiting the populace, now go play as them.” You don’t even play as them. You play as a third party investing in them which has this, “whatever happens to the people over there doesn’t effect me so whatever,” feel.
Mombasa is the only game I really like but didn't get due to the theme being frankly offensive. But the step back in usability is a letdown. Just might have to pass on both versions then. Favourite pfister game for me though from a mechanical perspective.
I bet the only game you don't find offensive is Point Salad 😂
@@arowelor1007 point salad is just offensively bland 😋
@@JacobEngelbrechtGollander 😂😂