Obsession is one of my favourite games. I was introduced to it at GameStorm this year, and I've absolutely fallen in love. It's that perfect mix of theme and ludology that makes a game work.
Some unasked for math advice: the smaller end of the < or > is the smaller bit. It really is that simple. So 33. I remember hearing the alligator thing, too, but its so silly when its quite intuitive!
I know you like don't consider your self an expert when it comes to board games or anything, but I would be cool if you did a video on what makes a good solo/solo variant. Like mechanics that work good, and examples of games that do it well (or not)
About the greater than/less than symbol... Consider that one side of the symbol is bigger than the other. Also consider that "bigger" and "greater" can mean the same thing. So whatever is next to the bigger side of the symbol is said to be greater than whatever is next to the smaller side of the symbol.
I only own Wayfarers, of these 3, but I have played it solo. In fact, that was my only play of it so far. I played against the space themed AI and holy crap was that hard!! It also took my 3.5+ hours as I too, was referring to the rulebook A LOT. Anyway, thanks Jenna! This was a lovely video with good info on those solo variants. 😊
I agree about Obsession! I didn't enjoy it the first time, the randomness was frustrating when I was learning it. There was also so much hype around it that I expected more out of the gate. I am loving it more with each play however. It will be interesting to see how I feel about solo mode.
What about calling it your trillium (definition - a plant with a solitary three-petaled flower above a whorl of three leaves, native to North American and Asia) or a play on that.
You can't say 'randomness' enough, because it is one of the most misunderstood elements in game design. You captured it exactly. Thematic immersion rarely takes place in the dry spreadsheets of perfect information. Of course, only rolling dice to see who wins is also bad. Good design tries to find that sweet spot, to use randomness to drive stories and variety. I am glad you are a convert! You are very charismatic; great review.
I've played all 3 solo and I have to say Wayfarers is my fav. I'm really curious about Earth behind you and how it plays solo! Perhaps for a future solo Sunday?
Have you played sleeping gods yet?? I’d love to know your thoughts! Just bought it and it’s my first solo game (it’s massive) and I’d love to see you review it!
I've yet to win Wayfarers too. Controlling the speed of the AI's journaling is important so you have time to use your engine, I've found. I'll crack it one day!
6:24 Let me try to make it easy for you: > = “Greater Than” < = “Less Than” and if there is a line underneath either of those symbols, you can add “or equal to” to the right of the above. I hope that helps! 😀
10:32 Yeah, but realistically, you just having said that you would much rather play MOTDR multi-player, if you were thinking about playing a game solo, wouldn’t you have a lot more/and better options of games to play - and so Merchants of the Dark Road doesn’t come to mind and would therefore be less likely to be played? Therefore, you would be saving it for those epic multi-player gaming sessions. That is how I am feeling (about a particular game right now).
7:18 I totally understand! There are some games, in which I feel just play better with more (HUMAN) players around - for the interaction. The games which I would like playing solo are the ones which are “multi-player solitaire” games to begin with - in a multi-player game, because the gameplay would be EXACTLY the same while playing it solo. If there is a game which I feel doesn’t play ideally solo - that the BEST way to play it is multi-player - because of the interaction, yet I am unable to play it multi-player - because I do not have a group - then my feeling at this point is that IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW GREAT A GAME IS, IF IT IS JUST STAYING ON THE SHELF AND NOT GETTING PLAYED! I have WAY too many games right now - and a massive culling is in order for me.
Merchants of the Dark Road is definitely my favorite game from 2022 as well! Everything about it is wonderful, and I really enjoy the solo variant as well. Did you play the little adventure that's in the solo rulebook? I am doing adventure A now, only have the last game left. It's nothing crazy, but it does give some variants to each game, things you otherwise don't have in a multiplayer game! Also for me, the AI mostly balanced their money/prestige quite well, so I would say it's more on the rare side that there is a big inbalance! edit: oops i commented too soon, you just mentioned the campaign haha! in that case, just wanna let you know the adventure is quite fun!😊
Have you tried Freshwater Fly? From the same designer as Merchants, it's got a fantastic solo campaign and with a similar strategic yet chill vibes. It's probably my favorite game from designer Brian Suhre
Call it "Triple Take" instead of "Triple Shot". Same idea, but it's not copying and it's a more accurate title since it's your take on three games. Cheers!
Also, where the heck do you all find people to play board games with??? I cannot find anyone whos into them like I am. Everyone wants the light, easy ones but nothing with substance
I wonder if a bit more scripting might help. Might just be me as I know a lot of people like "vlog" type content, but it felt like you were saying the same things about each game on a loop.
Obsession is one of my favourite games. I was introduced to it at GameStorm this year, and I've absolutely fallen in love. It's that perfect mix of theme and ludology that makes a game work.
Since you’re the board game garden, you should name these something like: Daily Waterings or Board Game Blooms, or something flower related haha 🌸
Ohhh I love these! 😊👏🏻🌷
Was thinking the same, but more like sprouts or seedlings or something else that starts separately before merging into the garden
Some unasked for math advice: the smaller end of the < or > is the smaller bit. It really is that simple. So 33. I remember hearing the alligator thing, too, but its so silly when its quite intuitive!
Not much of a solo gamer but here for the support! 😊
4:25 That actually sounds like something that I would enjoy - it is very situational! 😉
Just what you said about Obsession, I always cover next rows just to see current one, this can surprise you a lot. Great games, thanks for review
I know you like don't consider your self an expert when it comes to board games or anything, but I would be cool if you did a video on what makes a good solo/solo variant. Like mechanics that work good, and examples of games that do it well (or not)
About the greater than/less than symbol... Consider that one side of the symbol is bigger than the other. Also consider that "bigger" and "greater" can mean the same thing. So whatever is next to the bigger side of the symbol is said to be greater than whatever is next to the smaller side of the symbol.
I only own Wayfarers, of these 3, but I have played it solo. In fact, that was my only play of it so far. I played against the space themed AI and holy crap was that hard!! It also took my 3.5+ hours as I too, was referring to the rulebook A LOT. Anyway, thanks Jenna! This was a lovely video with good info on those solo variants. 😊
I agree about Obsession! I didn't enjoy it the first time, the randomness was frustrating when I was learning it. There was also so much hype around it that I expected more out of the gate. I am loving it more with each play however. It will be interesting to see how I feel about solo mode.
What about calling it your trillium (definition - a plant with a solitary three-petaled flower above a whorl of three leaves, native to North American and Asia) or a play on that.
11:30 LMAO 😂😂😂 That is too funny!!!
You can't say 'randomness' enough, because it is one of the most misunderstood elements in game design. You captured it exactly. Thematic immersion rarely takes place in the dry spreadsheets of perfect information. Of course, only rolling dice to see who wins is also bad. Good design tries to find that sweet spot, to use randomness to drive stories and variety. I am glad you are a convert! You are very charismatic; great review.
I own all 3, but I’ve only played Obsession solo and I enjoyed that. I’ll dive into the other 2 at some point. Thanks for your opinions
I've played all 3 solo and I have to say Wayfarers is my fav. I'm really curious about Earth behind you and how it plays solo! Perhaps for a future solo Sunday?
The tableau looks amazing in Wayfarers
I'm a bit daunted by it's heaviness though. But keen to try one day.
Have you played sleeping gods yet?? I’d love to know your thoughts! Just bought it and it’s my first solo game (it’s massive) and I’d love to see you review it!
I've yet to win Wayfarers too. Controlling the speed of the AI's journaling is important so you have time to use your engine, I've found. I'll crack it one day!
Always looking for more games to play solo. Great reviews
6:24 Let me try to make it easy for you:
> = “Greater Than”
< = “Less Than”
and if there is a line underneath either of those symbols, you can add “or equal to” to the right of the above.
I hope that helps! 😀
Call it the trillium! Also heads up Downforce by restoration games is $5.00 at dollarama in many locations here in Ontario.
YES! Francis and I actually purchased two copies the other day! Such a good deal!
@@TheBoardGameGardenWhy did you get 2 copies? Just curious!
Just saw this, should have read thru the comments first, I second the name!
10:32 Yeah, but realistically, you just having said that you would much rather play MOTDR multi-player, if you were thinking about playing a game solo, wouldn’t you have a lot more/and better options of games to play - and so Merchants of the Dark Road doesn’t come to mind and would therefore be less likely to be played? Therefore, you would be saving it for those epic multi-player gaming sessions. That is how I am feeling (about a particular game right now).
7:18 I totally understand! There are some games, in which I feel just play better with more (HUMAN) players around - for the interaction.
The games which I would like playing solo are the ones which are “multi-player solitaire” games to begin with - in a multi-player game, because the gameplay would be EXACTLY the same while playing it solo.
If there is a game which I feel doesn’t play ideally solo - that the BEST way to play it is multi-player - because of the interaction, yet I am unable to play it multi-player - because I do not have a group - then my feeling at this point is that IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW GREAT A GAME IS, IF IT IS JUST STAYING ON THE SHELF AND NOT GETTING PLAYED! I have WAY too many games right now - and a massive culling is in order for me.
Merchants of the Dark Road is definitely my favorite game from 2022 as well! Everything about it is wonderful, and I really enjoy the solo variant as well. Did you play the little adventure that's in the solo rulebook? I am doing adventure A now, only have the last game left. It's nothing crazy, but it does give some variants to each game, things you otherwise don't have in a multiplayer game! Also for me, the AI mostly balanced their money/prestige quite well, so I would say it's more on the rare side that there is a big inbalance!
edit: oops i commented too soon, you just mentioned the campaign haha! in that case, just wanna let you know the adventure is quite fun!😊
Have you tried Freshwater Fly? From the same designer as Merchants, it's got a fantastic solo campaign and with a similar strategic yet chill vibes. It's probably my favorite game from designer Brian Suhre
Thanks Jenna, the review was very helpful
No problem! Glad I could help! 😊
Jenna in the house!!!!!
My merchants of the dark road has a post it note in it now that tells me less than or more than. My head does not get it. 😂
Obsession may have spoiled me for all future solo modes. The admin is so easy, it keeps the game fun and lets me concentrate on my own problems!
Gardening Alone!
Paladins of the west kingdom or Wayfarers of the south tigris? For solo mode...
A tip with the greater/less than could be that the open end is greater/bigger than the pointy end. 🤔 I find it a bit confusing as well. 😅
Thank you so much! 😊 Yeah it's always confused me. LOL
That solo mini rulebook looks very useful
Call it "Triple Take" instead of "Triple Shot". Same idea, but it's not copying and it's a more accurate title since it's your take on three games. Cheers!
How about “Tea for Three in the Garden”?
That's an awesome jacket. Hoodie. Err, clothes.
Why thank you! 😊
Items on the smaller side of < are less than the items on the larger side of >
Three Leaves?
Call the series “Three and Me.”
Three times the fun, three by one, tabletop for one
Was thinking Three by one or Three for one! 👍🏻
17:10 Stop saying “randomness” 😂…
Just kidding! 😉
Just remember 1 thing, "L" or "
Also, where the heck do you all find people to play board games with??? I cannot find anyone whos into them like I am. Everyone wants the light, easy ones but nothing with substance
I wonder if a bit more scripting might help. Might just be me as I know a lot of people like "vlog" type content, but it felt like you were saying the same things about each game on a loop.
非常想和你一起玩桌游！
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