This series is definitely going to be a keeper. I really enjoyed the thorough description of each game without having to go through a full review and gameplay discussion. Dicetower also does a shelf review, but the description of each game is very minimal. This is much better. I look forward to more of these videos in the future.
Best Keep or Cull video I have seen so far. It really goes in-depth about mechanisms, similarity to other games, pros and cons. I’m too in a ‘one in, one out’ situation and I will definitely apply the same logic to evaluate my collection. Thanks!
Nice vid Luke. I've got 3 of the four...and agree that yamati definitely doesn't get the love it deserves....I bought a beat up box copy for a tenner at Kcon bring and buy and we love it....prefer five tribes as 2 player is my usual player count ....and Heat solo mode is genius....and I actually agree with the theme....I'm a big motor racing fan and this really feels like I'm involved in an early 60's motor race..... Looking forward to the next vid... Cheers Mic.
I had that problem with Yamatai. You need to put some empty punchboard under the insert to lift it right up to the lid so there is no gap when board etc are put on top. Then the pieces stay put.
I'm glad you are doing this. Kind of breaks up all the reviews you do. Also it's interesting to know which games are at the front of the line of leaving your collection. Keep up the great work!
Five Tribes is truly excellent! I didn't know there was a solo mode - I'd like to try it. You've sold me on Yamatai, I'll keep my eyes peeled for it at a cafe or something 👀
That bag for Five Tribes looks great. I’ve got around the colourblind problem with the game by ordering meeple stickers from Etsy, it makes it really easy then.
Five Tribes is my favorite game of all time... my heart was rising when you were talking about that one🤣 So glad you are keeping it and I agree it is arguably the best mancala game out there. My problem with Yamatai is the board itself. It looks beautiful, but the board is not as easy to read as Five Tribes for me 🙃 Really nice idea for a series 👍
@@TheBrokenMeeple you think? I honestly think that the fact that the "board" is beige due to the arabian theme it tones down the overall colors and pops what its important. Yamatai uses blue and green so the board colors pop more and it is kind of harder to read, not impossible... I just do not enjoy it as much. My brain kind of works better with Five Tribes I guess 🤣
I liked five tribes but the problem is you need someone else to play with who loves it. I've played it with multiple people who said they enjoyed it but always asked to play something else when it came to the table next. The mancala game I can get played however is Istanbul. Can play with a full crew and it's much faster. All the number crunching takes place when it's not your turn in order to simply get 5 gems first. The only thing I miss is the bidding for turn order.
I played a couple of games of Yamatai, felt in love with the game... cannot find a copy anywhere without having to import it and it will cost like 100 dollars to do that, the problems of living in Latinamerica and loving board games.
I keep hearing solid reviews on Five Tribes. I'd like to try that one, multi player and solo. Is the solo a variant? The description on BGG says 2-4 player.
I tried Five Tribes once 4-player and once solo. Solo is reasonable, but not spectacular. And both times analysis palalysis was a fundamental issue for me. You either relax and play suboptimally, or pace grinds to a halt. Good game, but this is a real dealbreaker for me. Yamataï has similar issues, but I found it a bit more relaxed. Only played once tho.
For five tribes you have to choose something you want to do, like get market cards, and just look for those meeples that will give it to you. If you stop and analyze everything you’re going to have a bad time.
@@shortydancerwhich is why it’s not very fun. Love the production but the ap issues break this game and it’s not really that enjoyable of a puzzle. We culled it but understand why people like it.
I absolutely agree with you that Yamatai is criminally underrated. It’s my absolute favorite game. I’ve played it hundreds of times by now, and every time, new strategies emerge. I find Five Tribes has too much down time. You can’t even plan your next turn because the board state changes so much from player to player, and if one player has AP, forget about it. Not Yamatai. In Yamatai, I’m always thinking of contingency plans: oh, if you go for that building, then I’ll grab those culture tokens, but if you do this, I’ll do that,etc. I’m always engaged in Yamatai. It’s unfortunate that it sold so poorly because Bruno Cathala said that he and Marc Paquien have ideas for expansions, but Days of Wonder will never make one.
Episode as opposed to season? :-) No Quadropolis was sold off in favour of Meadow which scratched the same itch but has the theme/aesthetics advantage.
Heat didn’t win “most thematic game” - it won “best thematic game” - but I still consider Flamme Rouge to be the most thematic game I’ve ever played, so I would be fine with Heat winning either. It really is a very thematic game. The way the heat cards work in the game evoke much more theme for me than narrative heavy games can do. Haven’t played the ones you mentioned, but I have played Arkham Horror: TCG - generally considered very thematic - and the mechanisms just pulled me out of the game, so I felt no theme.
"Best Thematic Game" though is just like saying "a good game that happens to have a theme attached" - If it's going to be a separate category, it needs to be more relevant to its subject matter. I don't get how you can't think of Arkham Horror LCG as non-thematic though!!
Five tribes is best at three. At two, the turn order mechanic is basically nonexistent. Downtime isnt that bad. Three player games take us less than 1.5 hours. Just pick something you want and look for meeples.
I am surprised you say you wouldn't ideally play Heat at 6 players. I think it's one of the best 6 player games. The AI players are fine, but they are pretty easy to beat without you boosting them somehow once you have a bit of experience, and the way they move gives them far more predictability than an experienced human player. The only real AP I've seen at the game is in player's first game, assuming everyone has played it before you fly through the turns as most of the thinking decisions are done simultaneously. I find you can do 6 player races inside an hour, which isn't significantly slower than say Downforce which also plays best at 6 imo.
@@TheBrokenMeeple That's what I'm surprised at. I think it's very doable providing you aren't teaching someone for the first time. I find the game almost lends itself to being played at a good pace, I've not really seen anyone AP at the game.
@@TheBrokenMeeple Solo: 30-45 3p: 60-75 4p: 75-90 6p: 90 I would say, once every player is experienced, 4-6 players should be about 75min. Well, with all the module, there will be some time added.
Great episode! It did feel like you were forcing yourself to talk too quickly for the first 2 minutes or so. Appreciate the pressure for the attention seeking algorithms, but there's a balance.
@@TheBrokenMeeple literally just the first two or so minutes of the video. It felt like you settled into a natural rythm after that and weren't so rushed. Amatuer's impression so don't pay too much attention
I loved the description of "A combination of the sloth from Zootopia and Rhado"
😆 best
Not a combo you want to game with! :D
I like this content, it helps me be conscious of managing my collection. Even if I don’t have the games it gives me things to think about!
Thank you! Glad that the new series are enjoyable!
This series is definitely going to be a keeper. I really enjoyed the thorough description of each game without having to go through a full review and gameplay discussion. Dicetower also does a shelf review, but the description of each game is very minimal. This is much better. I look forward to more of these videos in the future.
Thank you! Glad that the new series are enjoyable!
Best Keep or Cull video I have seen so far. It really goes in-depth about mechanisms, similarity to other games, pros and cons. I’m too in a ‘one in, one out’ situation and I will definitely apply the same logic to evaluate my collection. Thanks!
Thank you! Glad that the new series are enjoyable and this one is elevating above others!
Nice vid Luke. I've got 3 of the four...and agree that yamati definitely doesn't get the love it deserves....I bought a beat up box copy for a tenner at Kcon bring and buy and we love it....prefer five tribes as 2 player is my usual player count ....and Heat solo mode is genius....and I actually agree with the theme....I'm a big motor racing fan and this really feels like I'm involved in an early 60's motor race.....
Looking forward to the next vid...
Cheers Mic.
Loved this episode. Like the short description of the games giving a good idea of what's going on. Will surely watch the rest in the series
Thank you! Glad that the new series are enjoyable!
I had that problem with Yamatai. You need to put some empty punchboard under the insert to lift it right up to the lid so there is no gap when board etc are put on top. Then the pieces stay put.
Yeah I think I didn't put enough or forgot!
Great new series. Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks a bunch - it's grown so much already compared to a 30 minute hot Euro review!
I had a board game sale yesterday, and sold both Downforce and Flamme Rouge. Heat is superior keeper for sure!
Always good at making things interesting, Luke. If you did a video on your top ten teas I'd probably watch.🍵
Chamomile is certainly up there!
Yamatai and 5 tribes are absolute faves of mine. We have only played Yamatai at 2 so I'm not sure how much difference multi players would make
Works fine at all counts I find.
Interesting for sure, Luke. I am in the "one in, one out-camp" as well for the moment mostly (not extremely strict, but trying to).
I'm glad you are doing this. Kind of breaks up all the reviews you do. Also it's interesting to know which games are at the front of the line of leaving your collection. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! Glad that the new series are enjoyable!
Five Tribes is truly excellent! I didn't know there was a solo mode - I'd like to try it. You've sold me on Yamatai, I'll keep my eyes peeled for it at a cafe or something 👀
Great concept for a video series! Great execution! I look forward to the next videos :)
Thank you! Glad that the new series are enjoyable!
That bag for Five Tribes looks great. I’ve got around the colourblind problem with the game by ordering meeple stickers from Etsy, it makes it really easy then.
How long did that it all take to sticker? :P
Yamatai seems hard to find these days.
I love the Cleopatra Game !
Yeah I think it's out of print.
Great episode. Nice fun pacing. Thanks.
Thank you! Glad that the new series are enjoyable!
Five Tribes is my favorite game of all time... my heart was rising when you were talking about that one🤣 So glad you are keeping it and I agree it is arguably the best mancala game out there.
My problem with Yamatai is the board itself. It looks beautiful, but the board is not as easy to read as Five Tribes for me 🙃
Really nice idea for a series 👍
I can see the visual comparison, it can look like a chaotic mess more in Five Tribes at the start of the game though.
@@TheBrokenMeeple you think? I honestly think that the fact that the "board" is beige due to the arabian theme it tones down the overall colors and pops what its important. Yamatai uses blue and green so the board colors pop more and it is kind of harder to read, not impossible... I just do not enjoy it as much. My brain kind of works better with Five Tribes I guess 🤣
I liked five tribes but the problem is you need someone else to play with who loves it. I've played it with multiple people who said they enjoyed it but always asked to play something else when it came to the table next.
The mancala game I can get played however is Istanbul. Can play with a full crew and it's much faster. All the number crunching takes place when it's not your turn in order to simply get 5 gems first. The only thing I miss is the bidding for turn order.
your shelf by shelf series got me through the early days of the lockdown
Wow, glad to hear!
I played a couple of games of Yamatai, felt in love with the game... cannot find a copy anywhere without having to import it and it will cost like 100 dollars to do that, the problems of living in Latinamerica and loving board games.
Guess it fell out of print and didn't get enough buzz to come back.
I have none of these, well I did have heat but can't say I liked it enough to give it a space in the kallax :)
I keep hearing solid reviews on Five Tribes. I'd like to try that one, multi player and solo. Is the solo a variant? The description on BGG says 2-4 player.
It's a solo you can get on BGG now and i think from the Days of Wonder website.
I tried Five Tribes once 4-player and once solo. Solo is reasonable, but not spectacular. And both times analysis palalysis was a fundamental issue for me. You either relax and play suboptimally, or pace grinds to a halt. Good game, but this is a real dealbreaker for me.
Yamataï has similar issues, but I found it a bit more relaxed. Only played once tho.
For five tribes you have to choose something you want to do, like get market cards, and just look for those meeples that will give it to you. If you stop and analyze everything you’re going to have a bad time.
But that's what Euro gamers do!
@@shortydancerwhich is why it’s not very fun. Love the production but the ap issues break this game and it’s not really that enjoyable of a puzzle. We culled it but understand why people like it.
I absolutely agree with you that Yamatai is criminally underrated. It’s my absolute favorite game. I’ve played it hundreds of times by now, and every time, new strategies emerge. I find Five Tribes has too much down time. You can’t even plan your next turn because the board state changes so much from player to player, and if one player has AP, forget about it. Not Yamatai. In Yamatai, I’m always thinking of contingency plans: oh, if you go for that building, then I’ll grab those culture tokens, but if you do this, I’ll do that,etc. I’m always engaged in Yamatai.
It’s unfortunate that it sold so poorly because Bruno Cathala said that he and Marc Paquien have ideas for expansions, but Days of Wonder will never make one.
Well it's not one I want to shift, if anything it must hit the table again!
@@TheBrokenMeeple maybe one day we can play it together!
It's a huge shame about Yamatai. I don't think we will ever get rid of our copy. ❤
New content is always good
That was a fun series to watch. I'm excited to see season 2 coming. Is quadropolis in the collection?
Episode as opposed to season? :-) No Quadropolis was sold off in favour of Meadow which scratched the same itch but has the theme/aesthetics advantage.
great video
Kull The Conqueror.
Five Tribes is 2p only. I have spoken.
I think he rarely plays 2p.
@@TheLuminousCleric I know, but still.
Indeed, but I did get to recently with a friend. I can at least cap it at 3 usually.
I also have mu eyes on Heat. I own Jamaica and Downforce, however Heat content really looks massive.
How do you mean? Massive in size?
@@TheBrokenMeeple In content, with modules and so many maps in base box.
Did Five Tribes put Yamatai in its shadow? It never got a reprint.
Yeah, I guess it lives in Five Tribes' shadow. I still love it and I have both!
Yeah most likely - no reprint ever expected.
Keep, Cull, Cull, Cull
Dang! :P
Top ten theme: Fabourite games I have never owned?
Not a bad one!
Heat didn’t win “most thematic game” - it won “best thematic game” - but I still consider Flamme Rouge to be the most thematic game I’ve ever played, so I would be fine with Heat winning either.
It really is a very thematic game. The way the heat cards work in the game evoke much more theme for me than narrative heavy games can do. Haven’t played the ones you mentioned, but I have played Arkham Horror: TCG - generally considered very thematic - and the mechanisms just pulled me out of the game, so I felt no theme.
"Best Thematic Game" though is just like saying "a good game that happens to have a theme attached" - If it's going to be a separate category, it needs to be more relevant to its subject matter. I don't get how you can't think of Arkham Horror LCG as non-thematic though!!
If you have a space issue - cull ruthlessly!
Well after getting rid of ISS Vanguard and trying to unload Nemesis as well, that will fill up a good amount of space!
Five tribes is best at three. At two, the turn order mechanic is basically nonexistent. Downtime isnt that bad. Three player games take us less than 1.5 hours. Just pick something you want and look for meeples.
3 is fine, 4 is too many!
Luke, why don't you ever talk about Automobiles. It's so neglected, you might as well cull it.
Maybe I'll do that shelf on the next video! ;-) It could well be a "cull" potential!
I am surprised you say you wouldn't ideally play Heat at 6 players. I think it's one of the best 6 player games. The AI players are fine, but they are pretty easy to beat without you boosting them somehow once you have a bit of experience, and the way they move gives them far more predictability than an experienced human player.
The only real AP I've seen at the game is in player's first game, assuming everyone has played it before you fly through the turns as most of the thinking decisions are done simultaneously. I find you can do 6 player races inside an hour, which isn't significantly slower than say Downforce which also plays best at 6 imo.
Never had 5-6 in an hour.
@@TheBrokenMeeple That's what I'm surprised at. I think it's very doable providing you aren't teaching someone for the first time. I find the game almost lends itself to being played at a good pace, I've not really seen anyone AP at the game.
@@TheBrokenMeeple
Solo: 30-45
3p: 60-75
4p: 75-90
6p: 90
I would say, once every player is experienced, 4-6 players should be about 75min.
Well, with all the module, there will be some time added.
Yamatai is pretty, it has good rules, it has depth
But for some reason it just kinda stays out of view...perhaps its missing some special factor X.
Overshadowed by the big brother I think.
Great episode! It did feel like you were forcing yourself to talk too quickly for the first 2 minutes or so. Appreciate the pressure for the attention seeking algorithms, but there's a balance.
2 minutes explaining the concept or 2 minutes explaining the first game?
@@TheBrokenMeeple literally just the first two or so minutes of the video. It felt like you settled into a natural rythm after that and weren't so rushed. Amatuer's impression so don't pay too much attention