Paul (and Vicky) and everybody overhere: best wishes for 2024 and that it may a good year of boardgaming and not unimportant: hopefully with less war all over the world!
It's a hard question to answer about Gaia Project vs. Age of Innovation. For Gaia Project die-hards like myself, I would need to play AOI at least 50 times in-person before being able to say I'd pick one over the other (in the long run). I have played Gaia Project about 100 times in person, and over 380 times on BGA. The Tech track and variable board setup might be enough to differentiate GP from AOI. GP was already a TM killer for me, but I know there are die-hard TM fans that will be playing that game on their death beds. We're lucky to have such awesome games like this available!
Thanks for this wonderful start in 2024 with your VLOG. I fully agree with Revive: a complex but somehow short game. In most cases, you want to do many other things, and the game is going to end. Thanks a lot for the passion you put into your VLOG. Really appreciate it. All the best from Germany, Berlin. Frank
I am with Paul on the rulebook for Earthborne Rangers. What helps much more is to watch a series of playthrough videos on Earthborne Games' RUclips channel, which features the two designers teaching two beginners how to play. It was a much better introduction to the rules than the actual rulebook. For example, I realised I could still use basic tests to do things (like connecting with an NPC, or going through a feature), even though cards usually offer other ways to do it. I guess I assumed the rules worked as in Arkham Horror, where there are very particular ways you can progress through certain cards. The reference to Arkham Horror is not coincidental, by the way, as one of the designers has worked on AH games, even if mostly as a graphic designer, if I recall correctly. In any case, there are things that probably appear obvious to the designers but are not that obvious to new players, so it would have been nice to include a few sentences in the rulebook about it. For example, it wouldn't hurt to include a line about basic tests (which are indeed not described at all in the rulebook), saying that you can always use them instead of the test offered on a card. There are other things that are not mentioned, like the option for one player to pass for the round, while the others to continue playing. The way it is written, you will most likely assume that once one player cannot do anything, everyone should be done as well. Despite the far from perfect rulebook, this promises to be an interesting game, and a less punishing one than AH, while still offering an interesting setting and challenge. The general design concept for the campaign draws inspiration from the Elder Scrolls video game series. You are put in a world, and then you have a choice - you can either follow the main story, or just roam around and do various tasks, a lot of which will take you around the map. In that playthrough video, the designers explicitly mentioned Bethesda games as an inspiration, so I feel the comparison is appropriate. I haven't progressed too much into the story yet, but I enjoy the mechanics so far. They resemble AH, but they offer you a lot more freedom in how you approach obstacles, which is something I enjoy, as it allows you to progress in different ways. The deckbuilding element is solid enough, and there are quite a few options for synergies. I am not familiar with all the abilities yet, and I probably constructed my decks not very efficiently, but it has been a very pleasant experience thus far. As further pros, the game arrives with a full campaign, unlike AH, whose base box offers you only a short three-part scenario. Besides, it is one of the few board games that arrived with absolutely no plastic in it, which is also a big plus for me. Edit: I forgot to mention, Cole Wehrle also recommends this game, which is a very strong seal of approval for me, as I consider Cole one of those rare board game designers who are driving the board game hobby forward.
And you're right Paul here in Germany it's played by a lot of "non-boardgamers". I heard 2 or 3 times of families playing this together, when I mentioned I am into boardgames.
Halls of Hegra is a fantastic game and while it may share some themes and the odd mechanic with Pavlov's House I think they are different beasts, both very good at what hey do. PH does have that creeping, impending doom as the game goes on and you try to fight back but Halls of Hegra really needs a good first third to setup the rest of the game and needs a few plays before you get a chance of winning I found. I am probably backing Earthborne Rangers with the second crowdfunding this year so hopefully the rules are tidied up a bit more by then.
1. I want those Hegemony ornaments!!!! 2. In my few plays of Halls of Hegra (all on normal difficulty), I have made it to the last round. Yes, there is definitely a downward spiral, but a good buildup in the Mobilization phase will help (esp. morale and staffing the defensive positions with 4 soldiers). Notably, I've fairly ignored the supply runs for the most part; they take too long and are too risky, in my opinion. More plays to come...
Very excited to hear your future thoughts on Earthborne Rangers. My two cents. I was very very excited by it and similarly couldn't get it out of my mind. Arkham Horror LCG is my #2 game and I also really like Marvel champions. Earthborne unfortunately fell flat for me though because I did not like the structure of the game day/session and objectives. I much much preferred Arkham Horror's doom clock putting pressure on every action I take to be efficient as I complete the objective and fend of the mythos deck. I really liked the energy tokens and how that gave you general actions and paid for cards and tests. Deckbuilding was perfectly good. Tests I really liked that 2 over the target and you know it's a success. But with all this good stuff I didn't actually like what the game wanted me to do with these tests. It was really fun going through the forest the first time and seeing a person and then a deer and a wolf. They interacted with one another which was fun. But then I travelled and then those same cards got shuffled up and I saw them again. Dealt with them the same way. Found a person. Did a test. Moved on. The narrative didn't capture me either. A lot of cards had entry text. But none of it wowed me as I prefer gameplay to the story text. It was a real shame as I was really trying to love this game. But as I played it I realised I could be spending my time playing more Arkham horror. I love the sustainability of the game and what the designers were trying to create. I think it showed me that I just don't like board games doing open world adventures. I want a gauntlet that demands efficient moves and creative ways to deal with problems whilst swiftly continuing on with the mission at hand. Earthborne showed me why I love Arkham horror so much. But I completely can see why earthborne is getting so much praise. Really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the game.
There have been 3 occasions in the past week where there was almost a Patreon only live stream of me playing it, but each time, I was sensible and did stuff I SHOULD have been doing instead. Such as filming this video :)
Are you going to do a playthrough of Imperium: Horizons? I really hope so because your video on Imperium: Classics/Legends was what got me hooked on the system and I can't wait for Horizons to hit the stores.
I finished the Earthborne Rangers campaign and I had a great time with it. I will say the rulebook is a very mixed bag and probably works better for a veteran player of card games. The visual spoiler for all the base cards is very handy for a vet planning out deckbuilding, but of less use to a total newbie. Also don't stat dump fitness if you are playing solo.
Dune Imperium is indeed done well, we have the board game, and the EA version hasn't had a single bug yet. The game lounge to find online players needs some work, but the core game is excellent.
I have pledged for the second printing of Halls of Hegra, so hopefully that will deliver soon. My group has really enjoyed Oltrée, but even with house ruling the movement mechanics to let you move 2 spaces per move action (instead of having to waste your entire turn moving) we still find the game surprisingly difficult. That chapter dice just hates us. 😂 Agemonia has been my most anticipated game for the last year now. I loved the TTS demos and I'm so excited that it's so close to delivery. I'm also surprised that the campaign didn't do better, but if I'm remembering correctly it launched around the same time as Arydia, which had a bit more coverage. I'm hoping it gains steam post delivery and does very well at retail.
We player age of innovation a month or 2 ago at 5 players twice in 1 day! Think it took 3-4 hours per play, but we all enjoyed every second of it. Never played original terra mystical, but played alot of gaia, and my wife and I prefer age of innovation! BTW, voidfall is best. Love it as well!
I have both Gaia Project and Age of Innovation and played them a lot. Gaia Project is better for me but there are some good stuff in AoI as well, for example the races are amazing and the extra innovation tiles and abilities
Age of Innovation is awesome. I don’t understand the lack of hype. Revive is incredible. I own Oltraa but haven’t tried it yet. We’ve enjoyed the previous games from them though, Last Bastion and Ghost Stories. I’m curious about Crusoe Crew now. We just started playing through The Initiative which is better than I expected it to be so far. Not sure how people rate Marvel United a 10 and give this like a 7.
I prefer Age of Innovation over Gaia Project. In GP the map is looser but the economy tighter and it's the opposite in AoI. Also, I find it easier to miss the rules in GP because of the extra gaia stage. And it's probably slightly above your threshold but the solo is the same you described : the first play is a bit tedious but the second one is much better and it improves from there to the point I don't need it to use my brain much to run it. And while Victorum is probably the better game I think I would rank AoI higher as my personal favorite solo in 2023.
I thought Oltree was agressively 'fine'. It all works, and it was passably enjoyable - but unless you get into the narrative, I don't think there's anything special there.
It's not possible. But after removing it from the front page, it has made a noticable difference. However, I've still got a few new free members, so it is still possible, which is great.
@@GamingRulesVideos that seems barmy - Patreon allowing people free access whilst others pay for the privilege / to show their support?! I certainly wouldn't allow free membership levels at my business!
@@alanlacey5724Free members do not get any of the access that paying members do. When I make a post on my Patreon page, I can limit who sees it. For public videos, everyone sees it - which means free members just get an email telling them about the video. All the behind-the-scenes stuff, access to the community Slack channels, voting on what games I will cover - they don't see that.
@@alanlacey5724 You shouldn't. It's actually a great way to say "Please send me notifications about all the content you create" - which, considering it is all public anyway, is a great thing :)
The Andor games are not for “real” campaign gamers. They are for families and euro gamers that are turned off by minis and the normal campaign games. You could say the Andor games are for people that would like a taste of a campaign, but not really want to play one. Campaign-light for those of us who just want a sample of the genre. Gloomhaven, no thank you. Way too much for me. 😊
Your enthousiasm and passion for boardgaming are beyond this world !!! Please do not abandon our universe for whatever reason
You're welcome on Patchwork :) Glad you and the patreons enjoyed!
Paul (and Vicky) and everybody overhere: best wishes for 2024 and that it may a good year of boardgaming and not unimportant: hopefully with less war all over the world!
Your passion is contagious. Can't get enough!
Happy new year Paul!
Happy New Year, Paul!!! Hope you have the best 2024!
And you!
It's a hard question to answer about Gaia Project vs. Age of Innovation. For Gaia Project die-hards like myself, I would need to play AOI at least 50 times in-person before being able to say I'd pick one over the other (in the long run). I have played Gaia Project about 100 times in person, and over 380 times on BGA. The Tech track and variable board setup might be enough to differentiate GP from AOI. GP was already a TM killer for me, but I know there are die-hard TM fans that will be playing that game on their death beds. We're lucky to have such awesome games like this available!
Thanks for this wonderful start in 2024 with your VLOG. I fully agree with Revive: a complex but somehow short game. In most cases, you want to do many other things, and the game is going to end. Thanks a lot for the passion you put into your VLOG. Really appreciate it. All the best from Germany, Berlin. Frank
Happy new year!
I am with Paul on the rulebook for Earthborne Rangers. What helps much more is to watch a series of playthrough videos on Earthborne Games' RUclips channel, which features the two designers teaching two beginners how to play. It was a much better introduction to the rules than the actual rulebook. For example, I realised I could still use basic tests to do things (like connecting with an NPC, or going through a feature), even though cards usually offer other ways to do it. I guess I assumed the rules worked as in Arkham Horror, where there are very particular ways you can progress through certain cards. The reference to Arkham Horror is not coincidental, by the way, as one of the designers has worked on AH games, even if mostly as a graphic designer, if I recall correctly.
In any case, there are things that probably appear obvious to the designers but are not that obvious to new players, so it would have been nice to include a few sentences in the rulebook about it. For example, it wouldn't hurt to include a line about basic tests (which are indeed not described at all in the rulebook), saying that you can always use them instead of the test offered on a card. There are other things that are not mentioned, like the option for one player to pass for the round, while the others to continue playing. The way it is written, you will most likely assume that once one player cannot do anything, everyone should be done as well.
Despite the far from perfect rulebook, this promises to be an interesting game, and a less punishing one than AH, while still offering an interesting setting and challenge. The general design concept for the campaign draws inspiration from the Elder Scrolls video game series. You are put in a world, and then you have a choice - you can either follow the main story, or just roam around and do various tasks, a lot of which will take you around the map. In that playthrough video, the designers explicitly mentioned Bethesda games as an inspiration, so I feel the comparison is appropriate.
I haven't progressed too much into the story yet, but I enjoy the mechanics so far. They resemble AH, but they offer you a lot more freedom in how you approach obstacles, which is something I enjoy, as it allows you to progress in different ways. The deckbuilding element is solid enough, and there are quite a few options for synergies. I am not familiar with all the abilities yet, and I probably constructed my decks not very efficiently, but it has been a very pleasant experience thus far. As further pros, the game arrives with a full campaign, unlike AH, whose base box offers you only a short three-part scenario. Besides, it is one of the few board games that arrived with absolutely no plastic in it, which is also a big plus for me.
Edit: I forgot to mention, Cole Wehrle also recommends this game, which is a very strong seal of approval for me, as I consider Cole one of those rare board game designers who are driving the board game hobby forward.
Thanks for taking the time to write this.
andor won the kennerspiel years ago, so i think that's given it legs a plenty :)
Good point!
And you're right Paul here in Germany it's played by a lot of "non-boardgamers". I heard 2 or 3 times of families playing this together, when I mentioned I am into boardgames.
Happy New Year to you and yours, Paul.
Same to you!
Halls of Hegra is a fantastic game and while it may share some themes and the odd mechanic with Pavlov's House I think they are different beasts, both very good at what hey do. PH does have that creeping, impending doom as the game goes on and you try to fight back but Halls of Hegra really needs a good first third to setup the rest of the game and needs a few plays before you get a chance of winning I found.
I am probably backing Earthborne Rangers with the second crowdfunding this year so hopefully the rules are tidied up a bit more by then.
Happy New Year Paul - Best wishes for 2024.
And to you Tony!
Absolutely love Earthborne Rangers!
You rule!
No, Gaming Rules!
1. I want those Hegemony ornaments!!!!
2. In my few plays of Halls of Hegra (all on normal difficulty), I have made it to the last round. Yes, there is definitely a downward spiral, but a good buildup in the Mobilization phase will help (esp. morale and staffing the defensive positions with 4 soldiers). Notably, I've fairly ignored the supply runs for the most part; they take too long and are too risky, in my opinion. More plays to come...
I'm glad someone spotted them. They were a Christmas gift, but they arrived late.
Very excited to hear your future thoughts on Earthborne Rangers.
My two cents. I was very very excited by it and similarly couldn't get it out of my mind. Arkham Horror LCG is my #2 game and I also really like Marvel champions.
Earthborne unfortunately fell flat for me though because I did not like the structure of the game day/session and objectives. I much much preferred Arkham Horror's doom clock putting pressure on every action I take to be efficient as I complete the objective and fend of the mythos deck.
I really liked the energy tokens and how that gave you general actions and paid for cards and tests. Deckbuilding was perfectly good. Tests I really liked that 2 over the target and you know it's a success.
But with all this good stuff I didn't actually like what the game wanted me to do with these tests. It was really fun going through the forest the first time and seeing a person and then a deer and a wolf. They interacted with one another which was fun. But then I travelled and then those same cards got shuffled up and I saw them again. Dealt with them the same way. Found a person. Did a test. Moved on.
The narrative didn't capture me either. A lot of cards had entry text. But none of it wowed me as I prefer gameplay to the story text.
It was a real shame as I was really trying to love this game. But as I played it I realised I could be spending my time playing more Arkham horror.
I love the sustainability of the game and what the designers were trying to create. I think it showed me that I just don't like board games doing open world adventures.
I want a gauntlet that demands efficient moves and creative ways to deal with problems whilst swiftly continuing on with the mission at hand. Earthborne showed me why I love Arkham horror so much. But I completely can see why earthborne is getting so much praise.
Really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the game.
There have been 3 occasions in the past week where there was almost a Patreon only live stream of me playing it, but each time, I was sensible and did stuff I SHOULD have been doing instead. Such as filming this video :)
Are you going to do a playthrough of Imperium: Horizons? I really hope so because your video on Imperium: Classics/Legends was what got me hooked on the system and I can't wait for Horizons to hit the stores.
I am. It is scheduled for Monday 12th Feb :)
I finished the Earthborne Rangers campaign and I had a great time with it. I will say the rulebook is a very mixed bag and probably works better for a veteran player of card games. The visual spoiler for all the base cards is very handy for a vet planning out deckbuilding, but of less use to a total newbie. Also don't stat dump fitness if you are playing solo.
I'm a veteran player of card games and still had issues. But I have high standards :)
Earthborne Rangers is good fun, but friends who had played AH:LCG picked it up much faster, so I can see things from your dad's perspective.
Dune Imperium is indeed done well, we have the board game, and the EA version hasn't had a single bug yet. The game lounge to find online players needs some work, but the core game is excellent.
I have pledged for the second printing of Halls of Hegra, so hopefully that will deliver soon.
My group has really enjoyed Oltrée, but even with house ruling the movement mechanics to let you move 2 spaces per move action (instead of having to waste your entire turn moving) we still find the game surprisingly difficult. That chapter dice just hates us. 😂
Agemonia has been my most anticipated game for the last year now. I loved the TTS demos and I'm so excited that it's so close to delivery. I'm also surprised that the campaign didn't do better, but if I'm remembering correctly it launched around the same time as Arydia, which had a bit more coverage. I'm hoping it gains steam post delivery and does very well at retail.
Isn't Oltree 2 moves per action? Wow, so slow then...
And yeah, Agemonia is great.
We player age of innovation a month or 2 ago at 5 players twice in 1 day! Think it took 3-4 hours per play, but we all enjoyed every second of it. Never played original terra mystical, but played alot of gaia, and my wife and I prefer age of innovation!
BTW, voidfall is best. Love it as well!
3-4 hours for me is the right length for 5-player AoI.
I have both Gaia Project and Age of Innovation and played them a lot. Gaia Project is better for me but there are some good stuff in AoI as well, for example the races are amazing and the extra innovation tiles and abilities
Age of Innovation is awesome. I don’t understand the lack of hype. Revive is incredible. I own Oltraa but haven’t tried it yet. We’ve enjoyed the previous games from them though, Last Bastion and Ghost Stories. I’m curious about Crusoe Crew now. We just started playing through The Initiative which is better than I expected it to be so far. Not sure how people rate Marvel United a 10 and give this like a 7.
People rate games weirdly :)
I prefer Age of Innovation over Gaia Project. In GP the map is looser but the economy tighter and it's the opposite in AoI. Also, I find it easier to miss the rules in GP because of the extra gaia stage.
And it's probably slightly above your threshold but the solo is the same you described : the first play is a bit tedious but the second one is much better and it improves from there to the point I don't need it to use my brain much to run it. And while Victorum is probably the better game I think I would rank AoI higher as my personal favorite solo in 2023.
I thought Oltree was agressively 'fine'. It all works, and it was passably enjoyable - but unless you get into the narrative, I don't think there's anything special there.
I found the narrative "light and fluffy", and not really needed. It was the puzzle of the game that made it for me.
@@GamingRulesVideos is much rather play a Pandemic variant. Probably Thunderbirds (my personal favourite)
Happy New Year!
Free membership? I'd get rid of that completely if I were you - could drive away your paying Patreon members....
It's not possible. But after removing it from the front page, it has made a noticable difference. However, I've still got a few new free members, so it is still possible, which is great.
@@GamingRulesVideos that seems barmy - Patreon allowing people free access whilst others pay for the privilege / to show their support?! I certainly wouldn't allow free membership levels at my business!
@@alanlacey5724Free members do not get any of the access that paying members do.
When I make a post on my Patreon page, I can limit who sees it. For public videos, everyone sees it - which means free members just get an email telling them about the video.
All the behind-the-scenes stuff, access to the community Slack channels, voting on what games I will cover - they don't see that.
@@GamingRulesVideos I suppose that's not so bad then. Personally I'd feel guilty if I subscribed to a Patreon and took a free option!
@@alanlacey5724 You shouldn't. It's actually a great way to say "Please send me notifications about all the content you create" - which, considering it is all public anyway, is a great thing :)
The Andor games are not for “real” campaign gamers. They are for families and euro gamers that are turned off by minis and the normal campaign games. You could say the Andor games are for people that would like a taste of a campaign, but not really want to play one.
Campaign-light for those of us who just want a sample of the genre.
Gloomhaven, no thank you. Way too much for me. 😊