Thank you for designing such a fun game Ivan. We play it at the university almost every week with fellow marine scientists. Our only complaint is that the mantas look more like eagle rays than manta rays :p
I wonder if they were contemplating going the same route as Dune Imperium: Uprising. Would it have been too much of a stretch? I feel like all the old boards are going into the trash can now, especially since this sounds like the new way to play Aquatica.
How deep is your cove, how deeeep is your cove, (I really meannn to learn)... Cause - we're - living in a world of whirlpools, Making us drown... When we wish it would let us be... But we belonnng to the rule of the sea... Na na na na na...
I haven’t bought Aquatica yet but am going to. With this new expansion is it necessary to buy cold waters at all? My only thought is that I like the aesthetic of the base board a lot more than the brighter shallow water board and the bright coral reef pieces. Maybe I’ll just keep it flipped to the darker side and still put the 8 tribe cards there. Not sure if that makes sense but essentially do we not need to buy cold waters at all anymore? Does this expansion provide all the necessary components or would I be losing gameplay value.
I actually think cold water is better. This expansion is quite fiddly and I don’t really think it changes that much at the end of the day. It makes the game harder to teach there is more to read on the board. Whereas cold water just fundamentally changed the game end condition which is quite a big changer to the game
Camilla is spot on in the fact that this expansion gives life to the game, as in we see appearing reefs and corals in the locations we get. I like this thematic a lot. About the defend keyword, I don't like it. It seems cheap and sometimes, all players could (and would?) use the defend mechanism to fill up the board, and then simply wait for someone to scout, like at the beginning of the game for example. Finally, I disagree that this expansion is better than the first one. Cold waters gave the tribes mechanic, which changes the game quite a lot, and is really good.
Defend seems like it woukd break the game a bit. It makes it more lucky/based on turn order when you can just get expensive locations for free if you are in the right place in turn order, and other players can't really buy those cards from under you.
Any way to fit this content into the original box? Maybe if I trash the original board? Was there a way to play with the kings as well or do those cards get retired for this expansion?
Too bad it does not come in a box that lets you put everything in one box. I hate having multiple boxes for a game you are always going to include expansion content from.
Honestly, I think I would like "Aquatica" more if the mantas weren't plastic thingies with bad printing on them. I think they could simply be cards with nice artwork, would also be cheaper and better for the environment.
I get that our hobby is a luxury one and most games are cardboard and plastic heavy, but a brand new board just because there are tokens seems incredibly wasteful. Those new tokens could have easily gone on top of the character you purchased.
The icons above the scouted locations would also be incorrect if you used the old board. They could have made another overlay, but then you'd have 2 of them if playing with coral and cold waters.
Hi! Developer here Actually there are way more differences so the board was a cheaper option - new bonuses on location row, new tiles, and on the other side of the board place for clans. So we either needed to make 3 more things to put on top, or new board which will make set up way easier
Great review. I am glad that Camilla called out the colour issue on the purple mantas. That is the most annoying thing in the game. Thanks.
Agreed
Thank you for the kind words and soooo detailed review and discussion! Wish interesting games and deep diving for all!
Thank you for designing such a fun game Ivan. We play it at the university almost every week with fellow marine scientists. Our only complaint is that the mantas look more like eagle rays than manta rays :p
I think if you put Metroplex’s antennae in the vertical position, it may help keep that left arm from sagging so much.
Love The Bee Gees reference
I wonder if they were contemplating going the same route as Dune Imperium: Uprising. Would it have been too much of a stretch? I feel like all the old boards are going into the trash can now, especially since this sounds like the new way to play Aquatica.
How deep is your cove, how deeeep is your cove, (I really meannn to learn)... Cause - we're - living in a world of whirlpools, Making us drown... When we wish it would let us be... But we belonnng to the rule of the sea... Na na na na na...
I haven’t bought Aquatica yet but am going to. With this new expansion is it necessary to buy cold waters at all? My only thought is that I like the aesthetic of the base board a lot more than the brighter shallow water board and the bright coral reef pieces. Maybe I’ll just keep it flipped to the darker side and still put the 8 tribe cards there. Not sure if that makes sense but essentially do we not need to buy cold waters at all anymore? Does this expansion provide all the necessary components or would I be losing gameplay value.
I actually think cold water is better. This expansion is quite fiddly and I don’t really think it changes that much at the end of the day. It makes the game harder to teach there is more to read on the board. Whereas cold water just fundamentally changed the game end condition which is quite a big changer to the game
Camilla is spot on in the fact that this expansion gives life to the game, as in we see appearing reefs and corals in the locations we get. I like this thematic a lot.
About the defend keyword, I don't like it. It seems cheap and sometimes, all players could (and would?) use the defend mechanism to fill up the board, and then simply wait for someone to scout, like at the beginning of the game for example.
Finally, I disagree that this expansion is better than the first one. Cold waters gave the tribes mechanic, which changes the game quite a lot, and is really good.
Defend seems like it woukd break the game a bit. It makes it more lucky/based on turn order when you can just get expensive locations for free if you are in the right place in turn order, and other players can't really buy those cards from under you.
Any way to fit this content into the original box? Maybe if I trash the original board? Was there a way to play with the kings as well or do those cards get retired for this expansion?
Too bad it does not come in a box that lets you put everything in one box. I hate having multiple boxes for a game you are always going to include expansion content from.
Will there be a mass bleaching promo module with white coral?
I love this game and will only use new board now. Can’t wait to try this expansion!😊
You won't have a choice. So I'm glad you're on board lol
Dune: Imperium Uprising did it well in that regard, not that it was great. But something like that goes without saying.
Would it be easy / good to play with both expansions together or would it be messy / too much?
I think you could do it without too much problem. Will I? Not sure yet.
We test it with expansion a lot. Just through everything in and you will be fine
Honestly, I think I would like "Aquatica" more if the mantas weren't plastic thingies with bad printing on them. I think they could simply be cards with nice artwork, would also be cheaper and better for the environment.
Im guessing they didnt replace the player board so it can fit sleeved cards
Why do some companies insist in making horrible rulebooks?
I get that our hobby is a luxury one and most games are cardboard and plastic heavy, but a brand new board just because there are tokens seems incredibly wasteful. Those new tokens could have easily gone on top of the character you purchased.
The icons above the scouted locations would also be incorrect if you used the old board. They could have made another overlay, but then you'd have 2 of them if playing with coral and cold waters.
Hi! Developer here
Actually there are way more differences so the board was a cheaper option - new bonuses on location row, new tiles, and on the other side of the board place for clans. So we either needed to make 3 more things to put on top, or new board which will make set up way easier
@@MrMyerto Why did you guys choose purple for the upgraded mantas? Horrible to see the symbols.
@@MrMyerto why didn't you just make a standalone game instead? Like Dune Imperium Uprisings
Some of the components look so so cheap. Card design is amazing though
Omg, they didn't improve on the rulebook? The game with the worst rulebook in my collection?