Off topic but man it is nice someone mentioning Trismegistus because I think it is very underappreciated, keeps getting better every time I play it. Also still haven't been able to get my hands on Terramara, and yes I will ask BGR why they don't like it.
I really enjoy this one. 4 solo plays and two 3 players games. One 3 player game was super long, just over 3 hours with the teach. The other 3 player game was 1:45 with the teach. The first game had one very AP prone player that always min-maxes all his decisions in his head. He usually does well but not sure if I will play this one with him again. As far as aesthetics I gave the obelisk a quick base coat and wash and that improved the look quite a bit. The little layer of paint also helps it stick in the cardboard cutout a little better and we haven't had any issues turning the obelisk and having it stay in place. I also much prefer the look of this one over Teotihuacan. Teotihuacan just feels more bland to me from a graphic design perspective (though the gameplay is solid).
If he's min maxing decisions in his head, and doing well, doesn't sound like AP. AP is when you can't manage to think clearly anymore due to an overload of options and can't decide because of that.
In a game's duration you can't include the teach, and you should always count 1,5x-2x the normal duration with new players anyway. So then is this still a long game? Also, you seem to be using 'analysis paralysis' just as a synonym for taking a while to think on your turn (when that's not the same thing). Btw, really appreciating your review which is an actual review rather than a rules overview with 2 minutes of conclusions.
Glad you liked the review, but yes It is still a long game. Firstly it is common that you will have someone new to the game and it is a very long teach. Most people don't play the same game continuously with the same group. Always factor in teach and setup. That's part of the game experience and precious time used up that you don't get back. AP is where players freeze up over the options available which happens frequently in this game.
@@TheBrokenMeeple ok clear. Yes it's true that most people (me included) unfortunately often don't have a regular group for the same game anymore. But I'd say that's a problem with the players and not the game. There are some games that are almost completely pointless to play when you mix experienced and new players (eg because of L-R binding, like Puerto Rico where the player to the left of the newbie just wins), or where it's not even fun with new players since they won't have a clue what to do and just mess around, so the game doesn't have any strategic interest (T&E). Still, that doesn't count against those games at all I think. You should just only get them if you have committed players. Similarly, whether 'the teach' is a regular part of the game experience depends on the people. If the game takes a long time to teach, an alternative is to have everyone read the rules and watch a video beforehand (for heavy wargames this is normally mandatory and expected). Now in some environments that's not common practice, but that's again a player issue and not the game's. One can't say that it's a long game because you factor in the need to teach a new player on the spot every time.
Sold me copy... Good game, a bit tight, but good. Problem is it is crazy fiddly. 16 rounds, 8 maats, 4 scoring, X rotations... Oh god, who invented that round structure? Having to keep changing the dice everytime it rotates is boring too and the Obelix gets in the way. The game needs a manager and that is a tiring job.
Luke, I really like your channel, but I find a little insulting to us latinoamericans that you make fun of the pronunciation of our words. As Spanish speakers board gamers we usually play games with English names and we learn the correct pronunciation for them, it's not that hard, at least we try. Because most games do not get translated to Spanish it's very common for us to learn games that are in English, being the rules or even heavy text loaded card games, so I think you English speakers can make a little effort in learning how to pronounce board games that have the title in other languages, or at least try it. Nobody is going to judge for mispronunciations, but you at least have to try.
As a Latin American I totally ~agree with~ get this. Nevertheless I don’t think Luke or any of the other reviewers do this with intention... what i think is that even if I’m not bothered by this, it would be a welcomed plus if they took the time 😊
As another latin american, I am NOT offended by any this. Learning new languages is hard, we all pronounce things wrong. Nothing wrong in dealing with it with some humor. Obviously they chose names difficult to pronounce on purpose, exactly to generate discussion. Keep it light folks. The words in question are not even spanish.
@@jeremyfrost3127 I did not say I was offended. I enjoy life a lot, I am just trying to communicate to Luke something I don't like about his channel. The word being in spanshi or in aztec does not change the point.
Mate you are certainly a refreshing voice in the board game scene. With you it’s always no BS and I appreciate that
Excellent and well balanced review, everyone seems to be raving about how good the game is and I appreciate this more nuanced review.
Much appreciated!
Thanks for the review Luke!
Off topic but man it is nice someone mentioning Trismegistus because I think it is very underappreciated, keeps getting better every time I play it.
Also still haven't been able to get my hands on Terramara, and yes I will ask BGR why they don't like it.
Thanks for the review Luke, and thanks for the shout-out at the end!
No worries!
i still havnt played teotihuacan to completion from my shelf but for some reason i want this too lol nice video man !
I really enjoy this one. 4 solo plays and two 3 players games. One 3 player game was super long, just over 3 hours with the teach. The other 3 player game was 1:45 with the teach. The first game had one very AP prone player that always min-maxes all his decisions in his head. He usually does well but not sure if I will play this one with him again.
As far as aesthetics I gave the obelisk a quick base coat and wash and that improved the look quite a bit. The little layer of paint also helps it stick in the cardboard cutout a little better and we haven't had any issues turning the obelisk and having it stay in place. I also much prefer the look of this one over Teotihuacan. Teotihuacan just feels more bland to me from a graphic design perspective (though the gameplay is solid).
If he's min maxing decisions in his head, and doing well, doesn't sound like AP. AP is when you can't manage to think clearly anymore due to an overload of options and can't decide because of that.
My copy is waiting to get to the table. Having Tzolk’in and Teotihuacan this was a no Brainer. Let’s see where it falls
In a game's duration you can't include the teach, and you should always count 1,5x-2x the normal duration with new players anyway. So then is this still a long game? Also, you seem to be using 'analysis paralysis' just as a synonym for taking a while to think on your turn (when that's not the same thing).
Btw, really appreciating your review which is an actual review rather than a rules overview with 2 minutes of conclusions.
Glad you liked the review, but yes It is still a long game.
Firstly it is common that you will have someone new to the game and it is a very long teach. Most people don't play the same game continuously with the same group.
Always factor in teach and setup. That's part of the game experience and precious time used up that you don't get back.
AP is where players freeze up over the options available which happens frequently in this game.
@@TheBrokenMeeple ok clear. Yes it's true that most people (me included) unfortunately often don't have a regular group for the same game anymore. But I'd say that's a problem with the players and not the game.
There are some games that are almost completely pointless to play when you mix experienced and new players (eg because of L-R binding, like Puerto Rico where the player to the left of the newbie just wins), or where it's not even fun with new players since they won't have a clue what to do and just mess around, so the game doesn't have any strategic interest (T&E). Still, that doesn't count against those games at all I think. You should just only get them if you have committed players.
Similarly, whether 'the teach' is a regular part of the game experience depends on the people. If the game takes a long time to teach, an alternative is to have everyone read the rules and watch a video beforehand (for heavy wargames this is normally mandatory and expected). Now in some environments that's not common practice, but that's again a player issue and not the game's. One can't say that it's a long game because you factor in the need to teach a new player on the spot every time.
The obelisk is the most critiqued component I have seen, I bought the game and still don't know when I will be able to play it
For solo, is this better or Teotihuacan?
Game play they are about the same but Tekhenu is easier to manage.
@@TheBrokenMeeple I see.
Tabannusi is the next T game.
Sold me copy... Good game, a bit tight, but good. Problem is it is crazy fiddly. 16 rounds, 8 maats, 4 scoring, X rotations... Oh god, who invented that round structure? Having to keep changing the dice everytime it rotates is boring too and the Obelix gets in the way. The game needs a manager and that is a tiring job.
Certainly does make the TTS mod of this more appealing!
Luke, I really like your channel, but I find a little insulting to us latinoamericans that you make fun of the pronunciation of our words. As Spanish speakers board gamers we usually play games with English names and we learn the correct pronunciation for them, it's not that hard, at least we try. Because most games do not get translated to Spanish it's very common for us to learn games that are in English, being the rules or even heavy text loaded card games, so I think you English speakers can make a little effort in learning how to pronounce board games that have the title in other languages, or at least try it. Nobody is going to judge for mispronunciations, but you at least have to try.
As a Latin American I totally ~agree with~ get this. Nevertheless I don’t think Luke or any of the other reviewers do this with intention... what i think is that even if I’m not bothered by this, it would be a welcomed plus if they took the time 😊
1) Teotihuacan is Aztec, not Spanish, and 2) Being offended is a choice. Choose not to be, and enjoy life more.
As another latin american, I am NOT offended by any this. Learning new languages is hard, we all pronounce things wrong. Nothing wrong in dealing with it with some humor. Obviously they chose names difficult to pronounce on purpose, exactly to generate discussion. Keep it light folks. The words in question are not even spanish.
That’s true and I am sure we mispronounce a lot in a lot of languages. 🤣.
@@jeremyfrost3127 I did not say I was offended. I enjoy life a lot, I am just trying to communicate to Luke something I don't like about his channel. The word being in spanshi or in aztec does not change the point.