Thank you for the insightful review, Alex! We had a unique vision for the game and are really happy with what we accomplished, but at the same time, we fully understand that it's not for everyone! That being said, we are going to add adventurer-driven stories in the expansion, where you really get to learn more about your adventurer and their background. Still, it's not going to radically change the game or who it is targeted for. 🙂
Despite absolutely loving what this game accomplished (I'm a huge fan of open world games), I totally agree, and it makes me sad. Few other games have as effortlessly created a living breathing world in a board game that you can just explore at your leisure (Sleeping Gods had both too much time pressure and way too many mechanical fiddly bits around the boat/crew/crafting that I don't think really enhanced the open world gameplay), in a design that has like a 4 page rulebook. I love just turning on the chill seasonal music, and sinking into the world for an hour (another huge plus, it can be played in an hour). But it feels like a prototype, a version .5 of a full game with more enhanced mechanics and progression. You probably can't played it yet Alex, but I think Earthborne Rangers is an amazing recommendation for people who like this sort of exploratory chill open world gameplay, but want more mechanical meat.
Kind of hit the nail on the head, it was exactly my experience, I love what they have done, just wished there would be a bit more meat on the bone when it comes to mechanics and progression agency :) Sleeping Gods fixed everything for me :) So this is definitely for some one that is new to board gaming, I would say this strikes nice balance for casual people who for example love choose your own adventure books, but dont like DND
Seems a little like Tales of the Arabian Nights in that it's more about, like you said, the experience you have alone or with a group of friends more than a "game." However, this seems like it makes much more sense as far as the stories and encounters than TOTAN which was wacky and random. And talk about not having agency. You had none in TOTAN. But for some that was part of its charm.
I get that apps are handy and cool and allow new oppurtunity, but I really really don't like the idea of relying on a device to play my board games. Kinda defeats the point of a BOARD game for me. I respect what apps can do for the gaming space, just not for me
While I do completely understand that train of thought, I also recognize that everyone is different and has different things they want out of a board game. From me. It's not the inherent technology, so much as the feeling of being on your phone versus playing a board game
@@BoardGameCo Exactly! Being on phones at the gaming table, I hate that. But yes, to each their own. I recognize that I'm "old fashioned" when it comes to cell phones.
I like apps in some games. I loved it in Mansion of madness, and I like it in Galzyr, I will probably love it in Destinies too. That is kind of games that needs apps and app for them is great. For Galzyr you don't even have to be online to use it. I will never use apps for games like Ark Nova or TM or Tiletum... On the other hand I don't like playing board games online over BGA or some other sites, that is just not what I want. I like having people around table. And in games like Galzyr, app is just tool, we pass tablet around and read stories to one another. Laugh, comment etc.
I agree. I really enjoyed this, but we didn't even end up playing through an entire year. One of the most annoying things for me was the lack of character growth - it was all in the random items that you found. When I first saw the pegs, I thought it looked cool: we could upgrade our stats as we go. But no it is just changing the position of the pegs.
I liked that the game limits your growth. No way to max out every stat, and essentially break the game. Allows for the ability for new players to drop in randomly.
@@BoardGameCo I need my daily 2x 500ml black pour over to function as human being. But in the evenings or when a game relegated me once again to the lonely corner of an inn, I enjoy a nice Scottish bog body infused peat and malt distillate.
The inability to level up kills this game for me. Yet, I love exploring the world so much that I keep coming back to it. Definitely more of an experience than a game.
Completely agreed. Also, having finally played eila, I do feel the same charm but also lack of depth... The difference is that eila is progressive. So at least I have the desire to finish the whole thing at least once.
@@BoardGameCo You must accept that this is game without leveling up. It is game about you wondering around that world, doing things that will have some impact in your character or at the world itself. And you can change your character, during game there are ways to choose new stats for your character but you must give up of something that you have. Like you don't want to be stealth anymore cause you are stronger now and you are better in fighting. And we had major effects in game that changed map and places, and some players did something that is hunting them fro some time now. I really like this game and I am player that doesn't like randomness in game like here with dice, but in this game it just not bothering me.
Thank you for the insightful review, Alex! We had a unique vision for the game and are really happy with what we accomplished, but at the same time, we fully understand that it's not for everyone! That being said, we are going to add adventurer-driven stories in the expansion, where you really get to learn more about your adventurer and their background. Still, it's not going to radically change the game or who it is targeted for. 🙂
This is the adventure I've been looking for AGES! True open world sandbox with no timer and no end. Amazing adventure! Can't wait for the expansion!
check The 7th Continent as well
I’m happy with Galzyr-relaxing experience games after work 😊 Dorfromantik, Tokaido
Despite absolutely loving what this game accomplished (I'm a huge fan of open world games), I totally agree, and it makes me sad. Few other games have as effortlessly created a living breathing world in a board game that you can just explore at your leisure (Sleeping Gods had both too much time pressure and way too many mechanical fiddly bits around the boat/crew/crafting that I don't think really enhanced the open world gameplay), in a design that has like a 4 page rulebook. I love just turning on the chill seasonal music, and sinking into the world for an hour (another huge plus, it can be played in an hour). But it feels like a prototype, a version .5 of a full game with more enhanced mechanics and progression. You probably can't played it yet Alex, but I think Earthborne Rangers is an amazing recommendation for people who like this sort of exploratory chill open world gameplay, but want more mechanical meat.
Kind of hit the nail on the head, it was exactly my experience, I love what they have done, just wished there would be a bit more meat on the bone when it comes to mechanics and progression agency :) Sleeping Gods fixed everything for me :) So this is definitely for some one that is new to board gaming, I would say this strikes nice balance for casual people who for example love choose your own adventure books, but dont like DND
Yep, I both really liked it and was also really disappointed at the same time
Agreed
It’s more of an experience for me too and I really like the Dale of Merchants setting. It’s comforting and relatively risk-free..
It for sure is that :)
Seems a little like Tales of the Arabian Nights in that it's more about, like you said, the experience you have alone or with a group of friends more than a "game." However, this seems like it makes much more sense as far as the stories and encounters than TOTAN which was wacky and random. And talk about not having agency. You had none in TOTAN. But for some that was part of its charm.
I get that apps are handy and cool and allow new oppurtunity, but I really really don't like the idea of relying on a device to play my board games. Kinda defeats the point of a BOARD game for me. I respect what apps can do for the gaming space, just not for me
While I do completely understand that train of thought, I also recognize that everyone is different and has different things they want out of a board game. From me. It's not the inherent technology, so much as the feeling of being on your phone versus playing a board game
@@BoardGameCo Exactly! Being on phones at the gaming table, I hate that. But yes, to each their own. I recognize that I'm "old fashioned" when it comes to cell phones.
Switched from video games screens; app-board games- no thanks 😅
I like apps in some games. I loved it in Mansion of madness, and I like it in Galzyr, I will probably love it in Destinies too. That is kind of games that needs apps and app for them is great. For Galzyr you don't even have to be online to use it. I will never use apps for games like Ark Nova or TM or Tiletum... On the other hand I don't like playing board games online over BGA or some other sites, that is just not what I want. I like having people around table. And in games like Galzyr, app is just tool, we pass tablet around and read stories to one another. Laugh, comment etc.
I bought this thinking my daughter would like it but she’s addicted to Roblox and now I’m going to have to play it solo
Oh man I get that. My kids love Minecraft
I agree. I really enjoyed this, but we didn't even end up playing through an entire year. One of the most annoying things for me was the lack of character growth - it was all in the random items that you found. When I first saw the pegs, I thought it looked cool: we could upgrade our stats as we go. But no it is just changing the position of the pegs.
Exactly, I think there's an incredible game here, but the lack of progression holds it back for me
I liked that the game limits your growth. No way to max out every stat, and essentially break the game. Allows for the ability for new players to drop in randomly.
We played it at the Level Up Retreat. It was easy to get going for the first time with someone else managing cards. I enjoyed it.
Nice 🙂 this is actually that copy 🙂 it's going back to the retreat
End up often enough in your lonely little corner and it will start to feel like home. 😵💫 At least there is booze.😏
Lol, I'm more of a coffee person
@@BoardGameCo I need my daily 2x 500ml black pour over to function as human being.
But in the evenings or when a game relegated me once again to the lonely corner of an inn, I enjoy a nice Scottish bog body infused peat and malt distillate.
thanks for trying, but I knew it’d be 3.5- it’s too light, no clear goals (dorfromantik) solitaire 😅
Yep, no big sense of agency and progression. Went through the motions, but didn’t feel like I had an impact on the game. Quickly sold this on.
Yep, I think this is a game that many will love, for me I still want to love it... But I need a reason to keep playing
The inability to level up kills this game for me. Yet, I love exploring the world so much that I keep coming back to it. Definitely more of an experience than a game.
Completely agreed. Also, having finally played eila, I do feel the same charm but also lack of depth... The difference is that eila is progressive. So at least I have the desire to finish the whole thing at least once.
@@BoardGameCo You must accept that this is game without leveling up. It is game about you wondering around that world, doing things that will have some impact in your character or at the world itself. And you can change your character, during game there are ways to choose new stats for your character but you must give up of something that you have. Like you don't want to be stealth anymore cause you are stronger now and you are better in fighting. And we had major effects in game that changed map and places, and some players did something that is hunting them fro some time now. I really like this game and I am player that doesn't like randomness in game like here with dice, but in this game it just not bothering me.
Sold after one play.
I think it's got a good few plays in it