@TheDungeonDive Thank you! You inspired us with your tutorials, reviews,…and your passion. Thank you for a wonderful year of videos (I realize that it’s very time consuming and takes much energy). I wish you health and joy. And, many more rapturous magical moments in 2025 ! -Dr D
I bought the base game off the publisher site after watching your review. I love this game. Tied w/ Dungeon Degenerates as my favorite right now. Can't wait for the new kickstarter to add the two expansions.
Great preview - looking very much forward to this expansion! Now nearly all of old Magic Realm is present in this game - what is still missing is 1) seasons (winter makes movement harder etc.) 2) character advancement (you start weak and have to collect experience to reach full strength) 3) automatic enchantment of tiles (caused by seasons). But I'm sure Scott can think of some more things to merit a third expansion!
Thanks for this preview, Daniel. Simply an amazing job covering the Natives portion of the expansion in detail. I cannot wait for people to see what we have been working on for the last year.
Will the crowdfunding campaign include the option to purchase the core as well? I presume it will as it’s pretty standard but I just wanted to be sure. 😊
Another great video, really have enjoyed your content since subscribing a few weeks ago. Not surprised to hear DD is your favorite game of 2024, it has a lot to like!
Oh man, I can't wait to back this new campaign! Seeing all those chips reminds me of the soon-to-be-released The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era, which is going to have super-deep character creation and tactical combat.
Many Thanks for the video! Looking forward to the expansion and will definitely back the campaign. Was always interested in Magic Realm and this is a great new version that is much easier to get into.
@@TheDungeonDive Yes, I have enjoyed my plays of it. I find it to be a chill experience. Still playing around with with the best use of the brown cubes (attack speed vs. dodge). If you are playing stealth from range, it is obvious. But if you fail a hide check, there is a lot of strategy there. I almost always play conservatively and do two actions followed by sneak and alert (the 6th cube is so useful in combat). So, I would love to be able to get a 5th action. Rounds go by fast if you both sneak and alert. The new wandering monster optional rule does look great. It is a pain when you finally find a location and a huge stack of monsters plops down on top of you. Native possessions also looks great as well.
Happy to hear this isn't going to be a bloated campaign filled with funding goals to chase unlocks! This is a really useful preview. I'm still reading through my base set rules and I also get more of an RPG than board game vibe, but I'm really looking forward to jumping in when this goes live on 1/7. I also thought of how this was quite similar to Shadows of Malice but with much more of a specific classic fantasy theme.
You are KILLING ME!!! Thanks for breaking my New Year's resolution to stop buying games. 😀 Keep up the great work, Daniel. You've helped me discover so many great games, including this one. Instant buy....
The enemy chips remind me of Too Many Bones, and that's a good thing. I'd love a Too Many Bones level character complexity with this kind of exploration.
Thanks for the preview! I have promised my wife that I will not buy more than TWO new games in 2025 (due to a very large backlog and shelf of shame!) but this will be one of the two for sure! 😁
Happy New Year and thanks for the review. I look forward to backing this game on Jan 7th. I personally do not like journals or journaling RPGs. No matter how many times I have tried, it feels like forced schoolwork to me. Maybe because I am required for my IRL job forces me to do a lot of technical documentation and requirements that I do not like to write for pleasure. I like keeping track of where you have been and other parts of that journal page but not writing in the entry about the turn. The journalling portion takes me out of the immersion of the game. I am also visual, if the game does not provide an image, I will find something to visualize, and my Pinterest account has various categories for games I have played including dungeon walls or items. I also have a sketchbook for the RPGs I do play with pictures I have sketched or pictures I have printed and taped into a notebook. I am happy this game can be played in many ways. I wish you had to roll for the merchants' items. A D6 will tell me how many treasures, items, and missions this way it would be more random like in a video game. I have been playing HexploreIt recently and it would have been cool if this game had a terrain tile for a cavern or dungeon and then separate tile or tiles for a mini dungeon crawl like in HexploreIt. That would be interesting as now you could discover underground dwell as well and what lies beneath could be very interesting.
It is worth pointing out that a fan built a simple companion app for phone that can be used to track information as well. Though, the adventure journal is very much optional as the information you track is not arduous.
As Scott says, I personally only use it to track the secret passage unlocks etc typically, definitely not required. " A D6 will tell me how many treasures, items, and missions this way it would be more random like in a video game. " The treasure number shown, at least away from town doesn't matter. Since you have determine how long you "sit there" to try to find said loot. The more treasure you want the more the odds turn against you. I think it's quite clever in this system. It does rub some the wrong way as loot isn't guaranteed, or handed out when it's drawn like that for the "sites".
So excited! My favorite adventure game since Shadows of Malice. Note the designer Jenna Felli is she. The one thing I really enjoy in Shadows is the creature spawn tables which add so much in the way of variety and emergent narrative. Otherwise this one takes the cake!
Thanks for your video. It's a great game, inspired by my favorite game Magic Realm. I don't know if an MR owner like me would be interested in backing Dragon's Down, but I'm still very intrigued... I see more ergonomic aspects in this game than in its predecessor. On the other hand, I feel that the added extensions, which are part of the basic MR game, are indispensable, so I think that all the rules for Dragon's Down + extensions will soon approach the 300-page MR rulebook.
I have been playing Magic Realm since it came out, first edition onwards and it is my favorite game of all time. I am enjoying Dragon's Down very much and will be backing this expansion in a heartbeat. I think Dragon's Down does a great job of capturing what makes Magic Realm so special, the generative story telling aspect and it does it in a way that is a lot more approachable for modern gamers than MR. But that doesn't make it a lesser experience for those of us who love Magic Realm. It just gives us another cool sandbox game to come up with marvelous adventures with. There are a ton of dungeon crawler games. There's enough room in the hobby for another Magic Realm-like game. Certainly enough room for it on my shelf next to MR.
What an huge deception!! I wa waiting for this campaign because you "sold" the game so well and I was so excited to get an awesome sand box game. ANd... No core box in this new campaign.... only expansions (and an expensive all-in I can't afford). Nevertheless thank you for the discovery... a bit late for me. 😭
@@TheDungeonDive Yeah I saw it but the shipping is three/four times higher than the shipping on KS. To send it in France the shipping for the corebox only is near 100$. So, french consumers won't go for it, and me neither I can't saddly. Thank you Daniel.
I'm watching you, because as a new potential buyer. They don't do a good job really displaying all you get for the huge $365 pledge. They really need to have more pictures and illustrations of the items in the pledge levels like CMON and AR do.
This game looks so cool. Everything about it intrigues me, especially the length. My 2 favorite overworld adventure games Hexplore It and Dungeon Degenerates are all very long, so this would be nice to have as it looks much more manageable time-wise. Unfortunately, it uses AI art. That's the one thing preventing me from purchasing it. However I don't think that means the product should fail. I'm super glad that yet another smaller designer has found success. AI art is a symptom of problems outside of their control
Amazing game, sadly overpriced!! Those skelly tokens are beautiful, chips are expensive and don't add really so much to the game other than increase the price. What a pity :( still hope for a "cheap" version in my dreams...
@TheDungeonDive
Thank you! You inspired us with your tutorials, reviews,…and your passion.
Thank you for a wonderful year of videos (I realize that it’s very time consuming and takes much energy).
I wish you health and joy.
And, many more rapturous magical moments in 2025 !
-Dr D
Thanks for the kind words, Dr. D. I’m glad you are enjoying the channel!
Another great video - such a great overview! My most anticipated expansion of 2025.
Thank you! Can’t wait to watch your let’s plays with the new stuff.
This looks cooler each time I take a look. Thanks for the content!
You bet!
I bought the base game off the publisher site after watching your review. I love this game. Tied w/ Dungeon Degenerates as my favorite right now. Can't wait for the new kickstarter to add the two expansions.
Dungeon degenerates. That’s a good title for hasbro’s d and d.
Do you think having weighted chips would be worth it?
@@chadsweatt9648 No not really. The chips are fine, and the cost is pretty high for them. I'm plenty happy w/ the standard version.
So pumped after watching this. Thanks for the video.
Great preview - looking very much forward to this expansion! Now nearly all of old Magic Realm is present in this game - what is still missing is 1) seasons (winter makes movement harder etc.) 2) character advancement (you start weak and have to collect experience to reach full strength) 3) automatic enchantment of tiles (caused by seasons). But I'm sure Scott can think of some more things to merit a third expansion!
Thank you for your awesome video! Im going all in for this super righteous campaign!🤘
Super excited about this expansion!
I love seeing all the details of the updates/upgrades...
Again, my fave opening theme!
Thanks for this preview, Daniel. Simply an amazing job covering the Natives portion of the expansion in detail. I cannot wait for people to see what we have been working on for the last year.
Will the crowdfunding campaign include the option to purchase the core as well? I presume it will as it’s pretty standard but I just wanted to be sure. 😊
Yes.
Another great video, really have enjoyed your content since subscribing a few weeks ago. Not surprised to hear DD is your favorite game of 2024, it has a lot to like!
Right on! Thank you.
Oh man, I can't wait to back this new campaign! Seeing all those chips reminds me of the soon-to-be-released The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era, which is going to have super-deep character creation and tactical combat.
Many Thanks for the video! Looking forward to the expansion and will definitely back the campaign. Was always interested in Magic Realm and this is a great new version that is much easier to get into.
Sure thing! Are you enjoying the game so far?
@@TheDungeonDive Yes, I have enjoyed my plays of it. I find it to be a chill experience. Still playing around with with the best use of the brown cubes (attack speed vs. dodge). If you are playing stealth from range, it is obvious. But if you fail a hide check, there is a lot of strategy there. I almost always play conservatively and do two actions followed by sneak and alert (the 6th cube is so useful in combat). So, I would love to be able to get a 5th action. Rounds go by fast if you both sneak and alert. The new wandering monster optional rule does look great. It is a pain when you finally find a location and a huge stack of monsters plops down on top of you. Native possessions also looks great as well.
It's a totally chill game - perfect to leave set up and dabble with over a few days.
Happy to hear this isn't going to be a bloated campaign filled with funding goals to chase unlocks! This is a really useful preview. I'm still reading through my base set rules and I also get more of an RPG than board game vibe, but I'm really looking forward to jumping in when this goes live on 1/7. I also thought of how this was quite similar to Shadows of Malice but with much more of a specific classic fantasy theme.
Totally. I love simple and straightforward crowdfunding campaigns.
" I also get more of an RPG than board game vibe". It's close, I think the sandbox nature gives that feeling.
You are KILLING ME!!! Thanks for breaking my New Year's resolution to stop buying games. 😀 Keep up the great work, Daniel. You've helped me discover so many great games, including this one. Instant buy....
Haha! Sorry. :)
Looks great, can’t wait for this expansion, core is really good but I am missing big fights where I don’t fight alone.
The enemy chips remind me of Too Many Bones, and that's a good thing. I'd love a Too Many Bones level character complexity with this kind of exploration.
I had a feeling this game would be your goty the moment I found out about it!
Really looking forward to getting this to the table!
Thanks for the preview! I have promised my wife that I will not buy more than TWO new games in 2025 (due to a very large backlog and shelf of shame!) but this will be one of the two for sure! 😁
Make ‘em count! :)
Thanks. Still not sure what I think of this game, but I'll take a look at the campaign
Happy New Year and thanks for the review. I look forward to backing this game on Jan 7th.
I personally do not like journals or journaling RPGs. No matter how many times I have tried, it feels like forced schoolwork to me. Maybe because I am required for my IRL job forces me to do a lot of technical documentation and requirements that I do not like to write for pleasure. I like keeping track of where you have been and other parts of that journal page but not writing in the entry about the turn. The journalling portion takes me out of the immersion of the game. I am also visual, if the game does not provide an image, I will find something to visualize, and my Pinterest account has various categories for games I have played including dungeon walls or items. I also have a sketchbook for the RPGs I do play with pictures I have sketched or pictures I have printed and taped into a notebook. I am happy this game can be played in many ways.
I wish you had to roll for the merchants' items. A D6 will tell me how many treasures, items, and missions this way it would be more random like in a video game. I have been playing HexploreIt recently and it would have been cool if this game had a terrain tile for a cavern or dungeon and then separate tile or tiles for a mini dungeon crawl like in HexploreIt. That would be interesting as now you could discover underground dwell as well and what lies beneath could be very interesting.
It is worth pointing out that a fan built a simple companion app for phone that can be used to track information as well. Though, the adventure journal is very much optional as the information you track is not arduous.
As Scott says, I personally only use it to track the secret passage unlocks etc typically, definitely not required.
"
A D6 will tell me how many treasures, items, and missions this way it would be more random like in a video game.
"
The treasure number shown, at least away from town doesn't matter. Since you have determine how long you "sit there" to try to find said loot. The more treasure you want the more the odds turn against you. I think it's quite clever in this system. It does rub some the wrong way as loot isn't guaranteed, or handed out when it's drawn like that for the "sites".
So excited! My favorite adventure game since Shadows of Malice. Note the designer Jenna Felli is she.
The one thing I really enjoy in Shadows is the creature spawn tables which add so much in the way of variety and emergent narrative. Otherwise this one takes the cake!
Thanks for your video. It's a great game, inspired by my favorite game Magic Realm. I don't know if an MR owner like me would be interested in backing Dragon's Down, but I'm still very intrigued... I see more ergonomic aspects in this game than in its predecessor.
On the other hand, I feel that the added extensions, which are part of the basic MR game, are indispensable, so I think that all the rules for Dragon's Down + extensions will soon approach the 300-page MR rulebook.
I have been playing Magic Realm since it came out, first edition onwards and it is my favorite game of all time. I am enjoying Dragon's Down very much and will be backing this expansion in a heartbeat. I think Dragon's Down does a great job of capturing what makes Magic Realm so special, the generative story telling aspect and it does it in a way that is a lot more approachable for modern gamers than MR. But that doesn't make it a lesser experience for those of us who love Magic Realm. It just gives us another cool sandbox game to come up with marvelous adventures with.
There are a ton of dungeon crawler games. There's enough room in the hobby for another Magic Realm-like game. Certainly enough room for it on my shelf next to MR.
What an huge deception!!
I wa waiting for this campaign because you "sold" the game so well and I was so excited to get an awesome sand box game.
ANd...
No core box in this new campaign.... only expansions (and an expensive all-in I can't afford).
Nevertheless thank you for the discovery... a bit late for me. 😭
Looks like the base game is available right now on the website - www.mrbgames.com/products/dragons-down - so no need to wait if you want it.
@@TheDungeonDive Yeah I saw it but the shipping is three/four times higher than the shipping on KS. To send it in France the shipping for the corebox only is near 100$.
So, french consumers won't go for it, and me neither I can't saddly.
Thank you Daniel.
Worldwide shipping just sucks right now. It's super unfortunate.
@@TheDungeonDive Yeah!
thank you 😘
I'm watching you, because as a new potential buyer. They don't do a good job really displaying all you get for the huge $365 pledge. They really need to have more pictures and illustrations of the items in the pledge levels like CMON and AR do.
This game looks so cool. Everything about it intrigues me, especially the length. My 2 favorite overworld adventure games Hexplore It and Dungeon Degenerates are all very long, so this would be nice to have as it looks much more manageable time-wise.
Unfortunately, it uses AI art. That's the one thing preventing me from purchasing it. However I don't think that means the product should fail. I'm super glad that yet another smaller designer has found success. AI art is a symptom of problems outside of their control
i hope i am soon too
Take care of yourself!
@@TheDungeonDive thanks
Do you have any thoughts on the standard edition vs the one with weighted chips and double layers? (Thank you for the review)
Do you know if there's any plans on a revised rulebook? That would be great. Even if it's just a print at home option.
Not that I’m aware of. I think it’s mostly pretty good already.
More of the same.... can't wait.... Literally , I wished I didn't have to wait at least 1 year for this....
+1 for the algorithm.
algorithm i am increasing engagement by engaging with this comment.
Amazing game, sadly overpriced!! Those skelly tokens are beautiful, chips are expensive and don't add really so much to the game other than increase the price. What a pity :( still hope for a "cheap" version in my dreams...
I’d prefer all cardboard as well.