I think they have similar issues (luck of the draw), but I find Reef slightly more enjoyable/engaging since there is a bit more planning you can do in the game. Honestly though I am about to sell both games since I feel like I'm done with this particular genre (just dont find them that exciting anymore).
Impressed with your video - first ive watched. Enjoyed the animation, clear rules explanation, and multiple game comparisons. Plus you offered an honest review. Thanks, ive subscribed
Nice video and animations. Initially I thought the landscapes looked fun and I love drafting. However as I watched the explanation of scoring I realized that I really dislike pattern matching games. 🤣 Cascadia, Calico, Verdant are all games that I don’t enjoy… so now I know that this game is also a pass.
I can't really argue with your points. They're valid criticisms of the game but it's more a breakdown of the parts than a good assessment of the game as a whole product. I will add that the quality of the bag is a complete failure, it's straight garbage. With that out of the way, Ill say why I love the game. First thing is just how easy this game is to setup. It's insane how easy it is for the depth of game you get. Next the game is gorgeous the chips, art and little cubes/figures is soooo pleasing! It adds to my enjoyment. Reef comes off as a Fisher Price toy in comparison, and the reason I passed on getting it. Also there is strategy and planning in this game that is a step up from Cascadia. The limited space and choice of tiles makes you really work to try to get the most out of what you have. I have never once stood in awe of how my board came together in Cascadia, the pieces just some out and I make choices. But I get that from Harmonies. Finally I know it's not in the box but the solo campaign on BGG is great.
1. Easy game setup - Agree, but so is Cascadia and Reef. Though depth to setup ratio probably not as great in Reef (more below) 2. Gorgeous components - Also agree, art wise is top tier. Component wise I'd say Reef is still better. (though I get the comparison to children's toy lol) 3. Better Strategy and Planning than Cascadia - I'd say Cascadia is the harder game out of the two. There is a bit more to plan in Cascadia imo because you can't place the animal chips anyhow you like like the landscapes in Harmonies. So you need to plan your hex tile AND the animal chips on top. While Cascadia's does not have the stacking element, I'd argue that the land tile + the animal chip is similar to a stacking mechanic in a way (i.e., 2 level stack). 4. "The limited space and choice of tiles makes you really work to try to get the most out of what you have" - This is the premise of all 3 games we mentioned here. Where this kinda fail for Harmonies and Reef is the randomised scoring element. Instead of building up pieces tactically/strategically to get the most points out of your limited options, you often instead do the reverse and look for scoring cards that match your already built landscapes. There is no strategy in doing the reverse, it's all pure luck and gives you not negligible free points in Harmonies. To make it worse, they put in card synergies (the overlaps I talk about in the video) in only some cards, which meant that you can now even get LUCKIER by getting the card pairs that automatically complement each other in terms of scoring requirements. 5. Never played board games solo so I cant comment. In hindsight, I probably should elaborate on the points above a bit more in the video. I just didnt even talk about how good the game look because the uninspired design and luck factor is really overshadowing everything. I get why people still like the game though, it's short, simple and pretty.
@@realjon4220 Going to have to agree to disagree on Cascadia being as limited. But I do recommend you try the solo campaign cooperatively by switching turns with another person. It's fun and really challenges you to play the game with different strategies.
You've become my favorite reviewer. Just adding a comment here for the algorithm :)
Thanks for your contribution! lol
Thanks for the review! Good timing since I was considering trying it. How do you feel about Reef?
I think they have similar issues (luck of the draw), but I find Reef slightly more enjoyable/engaging since there is a bit more planning you can do in the game. Honestly though I am about to sell both games since I feel like I'm done with this particular genre (just dont find them that exciting anymore).
Impressed with your video - first ive watched. Enjoyed the animation, clear rules explanation, and multiple game comparisons. Plus you offered an honest review. Thanks, ive subscribed
Thanks! Glad you liked it 😁😁
Agree. it was soooo underwhelming. Yet it's pretty popular for whatever reason.
Just I watched this video with no expectation and look. I got surprised! Very interesting. Congrats
you got a subscriber. great video and format
Nice video and animations. Initially I thought the landscapes looked fun and I love drafting. However as I watched the explanation of scoring I realized that I really dislike pattern matching games. 🤣 Cascadia, Calico, Verdant are all games that I don’t enjoy… so now I know that this game is also a pass.
Yeah this is definitely a hard pass if you dont like those games you mentioned, it's the same thing.
That was a great review, thanks!
👍👍👍
👍👍👍👍
Thanks for the honest review.
Thanks!!
I can't really argue with your points. They're valid criticisms of the game but it's more a breakdown of the parts than a good assessment of the game as a whole product. I will add that the quality of the bag is a complete failure, it's straight garbage. With that out of the way, Ill say why I love the game.
First thing is just how easy this game is to setup. It's insane how easy it is for the depth of game you get. Next the game is gorgeous the chips, art and little cubes/figures is soooo pleasing! It adds to my enjoyment. Reef comes off as a Fisher Price toy in comparison, and the reason I passed on getting it. Also there is strategy and planning in this game that is a step up from Cascadia. The limited space and choice of tiles makes you really work to try to get the most out of what you have. I have never once stood in awe of how my board came together in Cascadia, the pieces just some out and I make choices. But I get that from Harmonies. Finally I know it's not in the box but the solo campaign on BGG is great.
1. Easy game setup - Agree, but so is Cascadia and Reef. Though depth to setup ratio probably not as great in Reef (more below)
2. Gorgeous components - Also agree, art wise is top tier. Component wise I'd say Reef is still better. (though I get the comparison to children's toy lol)
3. Better Strategy and Planning than Cascadia - I'd say Cascadia is the harder game out of the two. There is a bit more to plan in Cascadia imo because you can't place the animal chips anyhow you like like the landscapes in Harmonies. So you need to plan your hex tile AND the animal chips on top. While Cascadia's does not have the stacking element, I'd argue that the land tile + the animal chip is similar to a stacking mechanic in a way (i.e., 2 level stack).
4. "The limited space and choice of tiles makes you really work to try to get the most out of what you have" - This is the premise of all 3 games we mentioned here. Where this kinda fail for Harmonies and Reef is the randomised scoring element. Instead of building up pieces tactically/strategically to get the most points out of your limited options, you often instead do the reverse and look for scoring cards that match your already built landscapes. There is no strategy in doing the reverse, it's all pure luck and gives you not negligible free points in Harmonies. To make it worse, they put in card synergies (the overlaps I talk about in the video) in only some cards, which meant that you can now even get LUCKIER by getting the card pairs that automatically complement each other in terms of scoring requirements.
5. Never played board games solo so I cant comment.
In hindsight, I probably should elaborate on the points above a bit more in the video. I just didnt even talk about how good the game look because the uninspired design and luck factor is really overshadowing everything. I get why people still like the game though, it's short, simple and pretty.
@@realjon4220 Going to have to agree to disagree on Cascadia being as limited. But I do recommend you try the solo campaign cooperatively by switching turns with another person. It's fun and really challenges you to play the game with different strategies.
Good👍,
Yeah I bought into the hype and fomo 😅
At least it'll be really easy to sell it because of how popular it is lol