You know, this reminds of the Isaac Asimov's foundation. In the way that that its about the slow collapse of the galactic empire and the new kingdoms and dynasties that take its place. I feel as though Arc's with this expansion transforms from a wargame to a grand story generator In my head I imagine that all the games I've played of arcs are all happening in the same time in the same universe to the same crumbling empire, and that sets a tone of chaos around the fall of the empire and makes for an interesting backdrop to all my games.
Look, you already had me interested and on board after Part 1. Part 2 is a great look at the campaign, but also a great display of your passion and dedication to informative, comprehensive reviews, which you’ve excelled in from the beginning. Thanks for sharing your talents with us once again Tom. -Rodney
Comments about the game aside, Tom's review style has matured and deepened over time, granting character and weight to his writing, presentation and opinions. If 'Arcs Campaign' reflects the culmination of the gaming experiences Leder Games have created to date - then this video essay reflects the culmination of Tom's insight into what games can offer AND how to articulate those views in a relatively lengthly yet consistenlty engaging essay.
The role which predicts who will win reminds me of a rule in the original Dune board game. The Bene Gesserit player nominates another faction, and a turn, and if that faction wins on that turn, it was actually a plot by the Bene Gesserit and they win instead.
The Bene Gesserit role in Dune and in Rex is one of my favourites, something that permeates the whole game. Whether you're allied with them, or in an alliance against them, you always have to wonder if they're not moving the game state towards their prediction. Combined with them being able to move around without fighting until they decide to, it adds a lot to the game. (My only game of Rex, I was super relieved to get an alliance with them, as I was in a hard spot, so relieved that I didn't consider their plotting, and they won by helping me win😅 Even though I lost on the brink of my win, it was brilliant to look at in hindsight :) ) To tie it into this game/review, I think this campaign version of the game seems to condense a lot of the things I liked about Dune/Rex/TI/etc into a single game, and I really really hope I have the time and money to experience it :)
state your location. There's like 100,000 of us all feeling that way, I'm sure at least 3 of us live close enough for a game now and then. Let's use the internet like it's 1999, and make some new friends again :)
yeah same, I've realised that a lot of SD&SU's recommendations totally miss for me, because they're playing in a group who are excited to learn a game. That's ok I think, I still enjoy the videos a lot. eg: Tiberius and Euphrates: too punishing for new players. Escape from the Aliens in out of space: absolute miss, no one into it at all. Terra Mystica: one of my autistic friends enjoyed it, for a while. etc Good games, I'm sure, but only with a group that is ready to rock out before the rules are even understood. Not to mention the absolute pit of despair that was trying to understand Oath's terrible rules.
Cole agrees with what you said in the introduction. His original vision was around the campaign trilogy but he realised the base game was robust and exhilarating enough in and of itself to be its own very special thing.
This is far and away the best board game related video I've ever seen, and honestly it's probably the best youtube video I've seen in recent memory. I clicked on this video just to quickly see what the campaign was about, thinking I'd probably never play it. But I'm sitting here almost an hour later completely enthralled by the story and the universe, both that of the game and of your experience of it. I never would have thought I would cry watching a board game review, but it's hard for me not to tear up seeing your passion for this game and this review, and for the beautiful tribute you've created here. I honestly don't know if I'll ever play this campaign, as much as I'd like to. But either way I'm so glad that I watched this video and I am so impressed by what you've created here. Absolutely superb work here Tom, this really was something special.
Great video Tom, but I think you missed out on mentioning that if you succeed your objective, you still get an option to pivot to another fate. It can be very scary when a Steward or Admiral that have nurtured their empire and their navy willingly turn to Planet Breaking!
Wow that makes the system so much better. I'd have a tendency to try them all out so not being able to pivot incentivizes intentionally losing or stopping short 99% of the objective. Which would really break the role play aspect of the fates.
@@valentimambrilla9165 He might have been on the original Kickstarter? Otherwise I have pre-ordered retail from 4dados, but may not arrive for a couple more months.
I'm about to press play on my 3rd of possibly many more consecutive watches. This game is fascinating. Thank you Tom for giving it the coverage it deserves.
My group has just done act 1 of a campaign. Steward, Admiral, Believer and I'm playing the Magnate. We almost completely obliterated the blight and the empire holds nearly the whole map so now the empire rules just about the whole map. So up until this point, we've been largely cooperating against a common threat but now that the threat is largely contained, how long will these alliances last? The steward jealously guards his position as the empire's right hand man but as the Magnate, I now have reason to start trying to challenge him for it so as to have more control over the reach's resources. We helped the admiral with his war efforts as doing so saved us the trouble of having to deal with the blight ourselves but now we're a bit nervous due to the military power he commands and his status as a war hero. The believer's religion so far has seemed relatively harmless, even beneficial much of the time... but now it's starting to get more strict in it's rules and doctrines which are too entrenched now to hope to remove. I do have a lot of resources and debts owed to me going into act 2 so I'm intrigued to see how it all shapes out.
A bunch of other comments already say this, but wow, this was an amazing review. Your passion came through and was genuinely inspirational. I never would have expected a "space game" to be worthy of 1.5 hours of review, but you knocked it out of the park. I always enjoy your reviews, but this was on another level.
I love the C Fates for specifically the reason you mentioned. In a couple of our three player campaigns I've dominated pretty thoroughly, carrying my A Fate character all the way through to Act 3 and the fact that my thorough success put me in the unenviable position of having to fight off two lunatics feels so thematic. In both instances it took every bit of might I had to defend and uphold my version of the Reach against their more radical ideas. Both games were extraordinarily well balanced as well, feeling like the extremely tense final portion of a Pax Pamir game where there's only one Dominance Check left. I find it pretty cool that you've described the C Fates in the same way I have to my players. I tell them that in general the A Fate characters are either about maintaining the status quo or re-inventing the Reach in a relatively straightforward manner (adding a religion or changing the political landscape) while the C-Fate characters are desperate, terrorists and nutjobs looking to radically alter the course of existence or smash it to smithereens. The fact that they only come into play if one or two players haven't left room for anyone else's vision is Arcs' narrative genius coming through.
SUaSD got me into Root and has been my go to game for my friends for years now. Each one genuinely loving it. Arcs is gonna be an easy sell and hopefully they like it as much as Root as this revew made it seem
I've slowly been getting into Wehrle games playing digital Root and Pax Pamir over the table. My group plays a ton of TI and Dune. As we're a bunch of dads with extremely limited time, Arcs looks to be exactly what my table needs. Having the ability to play a weeknight game after the kids go down or a compelling Saturday campaign is perfect for us. Tom, you're a master of your craft. This video caused me to purchase $160 of game and also contribute to SUSD. I find your videos cathartic as you're able to relay my passion for games in words I can't find. Please keep up these excellent long form reviews!
Christ on a crumpet! That is so much game! I want to play this so badly, but sadly I fear I never will, as I don’t know enough “weirdos” like me. I’ve tried to table Oath several times now and the people I try to play with just didn’t get into it. Definitely getting the base game though.
As soon as my box(es) arrive, I’m gonna message the manager at the local board game shop and I’m going to tell him that he just lost a table, because I am going to park there, set up the game, and just play with whoever the fuck comes close to me. Every day of the week.
I am in the same boat as you, my Oath lasted 5 games and then nobody wants to play it. Root some people like but I get it is not for everyone. So far I had 5 people enjoy the base game a lot. I think you can find some over time
This was great Tom - your best work and some of the best I've seen on this channel full stop. I played Arcs for the first time around a week back and it's been stuck in my head ever since.
I genuinely feel quite emotional after finishing that. Your passion really comes across and I could listen to people gush about and analyse the things that they love for hours; perhaps why I love the channel so much. Thank you. I ordered the base game after watching part 1, it's wonderful seeing how may people you have inspired. I hope your drop in the ocean increases to a mug of waters worth!
Brilliant. My copy just arrived today and I couldn't be happier to have such a positive and in-depth pair of reviews to immediately throw myself into. Can't wait to play. Thanks for all the hard work Tom!
As part of the Concordia teach, I referred to the various ships and men loafing around in players' warehouses as "shiftless nephews" and "let's get those lazy nephews to work" and while I don't regret it, I absolutely see how language integrated into The Teach will just never go away.
I love Arcs but I think base game is much more fun. The campaign railroads you on many fates and stops aggression and pushes everyone towards a very court based playstyle which makes certain characters simply better than others. For example Act 1 Admiral needs to move and fight blight for around half (maybe more) of his actions if no one goes Outlaw. It feels like you're playing a single player game at that point, and afterwards if you manage to keep your fate, you're the poorest character on the board by far in ship/resource/building count. Just in general, maybe it was bad fates/decisions on our parts, but it felt like we were playing 4 single player games most of the time unlike normal Arcs where it feels more interactive. The capacity to raid and battle is diminished greatly especially when your fate bans you from going outlaw. Some of your decisions feel meaningless, like when I fought the game leader and diminished their ship force by blowing up 7 of their ships to try and diminish their control of the board... then act changed and they replenished their fleet and are actually rewarded for it since you can just place them wherever you want. Not great design IMO. Summits are kinda fun but almost not worth it because of how much they slow down the game. (I wish I was Magnate) I need to play more campaign I guess but after playing it for 13 hours and not having all that great of a time (two act 1s and full completion), meh. I almost don't want to continue trying it. I feel like I'd rather just play Cosmic Encounter and then play base game Arcs, and then still have time left over for a game of either and have much more fun.
3 месяца назад+3
Great video Tom, you keep knocking it out of the park. I just received my pledge and already have 2 games planned this week! I just want to say something about Twilight Imperium: the way you describe it is not how I personally feel about it. With several dozen games under my belt, I feel like TI is much more a game about negotiation, politics and even cooperation. There is warfare, conquest and domination for sure, but I wouldn't say the game is about these things. They usually play a role at the end most of the time. After all there's a reason that "playing space risk" is a derogatory qualifier in the community. War for the sake of war is a sure way to lose the game fast, being seen as a menace or aggressive is the best way to get shunned by the rest of the table. And it's very hard to win TI if the table doesn't let you. Of course all this is dependent on your group meta. Though I would agree that TI is a game more limited in its scope and more blunt in its mechanics (which is not necessarily a bad thing). Its resolution can also whiff sometimes. Anyway just a small rant... TI and Root are my favorite games ever, so I am extremely eager to start my journey with arcs.
This is just a brilliant review video - thank you Tom and SUSD crew. I thoroughly enjoyed the first video review on the base game of Arcs and this is an even better follow up. Similar in scope and quality to your review of John Company which up to this point was my favorite board game review of all time. This two part review of Arcs is now my favorite. Thanks again for all you do.
Every time I look at the C Fate, the Judge, I grab hold of one of its most important cards called, “the Arbiter.” I’m sure you can see how I must always always say its name out loud in the most Ben Wyatt fashion possible.
Dude, I’m currently playing through my first campaign of Arcs and I got Caretaker then failed into Pathfinder… JUST like you described…. You’re the prophet they spoke of!
I bought it all, I have still to touch the campaign, played three games, I am hooked to the leaders and lore model! a reduced level of complexity of the oath system. LOVE IT. I find the assimetric dynamic that changes game by game, during the game! absolutely brilliant. I am now just anxious to try the campaign expansion.
@@jacquesfouche4278 I don't even know where in the video he said that, so I don't have the context to give you an answer. I definitely know I wouldn't have said that, though.
I already loved the campaign game, and thought it was rich and complex and beautiful and all that... but Tom has played more than me, and revealed to me that I hadn't even appreciated how rich and complex yada yada it actually is. Thanks!
Have helped my group through our first base game last week and was instantly hooked. Can see us sticking to the base game for the next few months but cannot wait to get to the campaign in due course. PS if there was an Oscars for board game reviews this would sweep the board (pun fully intended!), great work Tom 👏👏👏
That's it, that's the moment I'm realizing he's one of the absolute best reviewers out there (with Zee Garcia, in my opinion). Thank you Tom, I haven't considered buying this one but now I can see the creative genius in it.
Amazing exploration of a unique game system. Your success in the medium of board games is in part to the success of those very games you mention before you. Daring to challenge the status quo of what a review can be, injecting humor, intelligent comparisons, and well thought out perspectives. Thank you for what you do. I eagerly look forward to trying Arcs for myself!
Watching this makes me wish I was back in uni or my kids were a bit older, it feels like the perfect game that you and a couple of friends would dive into for weeks on end.
Excellent review, thank you for sharing your passion for this game. We have played it once on TTS and the group chatter has me hopeful that we will enjoy the campaign as much as you and your group have over the last couple of months. I am so glad that I sprung for the expansion during the kickstarter and the upgraded ships as well. I am going to try to get some of our local gamers to give it a try as it would be awesome to have two groups to play it with over time to see how different personalities influence the game.
"The ultimate space opera" In my opinion, this is quite an overstatement. If you are looking for a good mind puzzle, with often-narrow room for manoeuvre, high interaction among players and with some luck-dependant features, that's what Arcs is. If you are instead searching for a full immersion in a lore, or for a full emotional engagement in a space opera, you might get disappointed. This because the rules at the base of the game system are just abstract mechanical shenanigans that make everything work, but that don't represent/evoke much the setting. While playing, most of the time you will find yourself worried about card suits (or the number/ pips printed on them), rather than being immersed in the game setting. For me, when looking for that kind of experience, the "briscola" card game is more than enough.
Fantastic review Tom, one of your best and having bought the full Kickstarter package I´m eager to get into the campaign. Have played one game so far and we had a blast, looking forward to playing Arcs for years to come (we will still play the other Leder titles, Dune Imperium and TI as well :). Love your content and will keep watching all of it!
Wow these two videos have made me so excited to play this game. It's so interesting to hear how enthusiastic you are about this game. Your review keep getting better and more wholesome, I believe you have completed your own Arc of becoming the main face of SUSD ❤
I don't think it's even an opinion, it's just a fact. Quinn's was the main person and since leaving to do his own RPG-focused channel, he officially handed the reigns to Tom because of a) him being a genuinely phenomenal reviewer and b) Matt not being the leader type. Hell, Tom's even started bringing in his own people, like Emily who is also fantastic and I really wanna see more of her reviews on the main channel. Tom started out great, and has grown to be one of the best board game reviewers going.
You have highlighted all the reasons this is my new favorite game. The beauty and complexity in the narrative in the campaign are the reason for the season and I am trying desperately to build a group who will play this with me.
I'm here wondering how it compares to Inis, the best game I've played so far with what looks like a similar feel to the base game. Have you played both? I'd love to hear your thoughts if you have.
Hey, Let me first say this was an absolutely amazing review! I think you totally nailed it. You mentioned that this game is built upon the previous leader and wehrle games, which I totally see. However, I feel like this game deviates from Cole's statement that all his games are supposed to be someone's favorite but not for everyone. I feel like everyone can love this game because it does everything right. But in my opinion, I would rather play another of his games. To give a numerical example, this game does everything at 90%. However, if I want to play a legacy game, I would rather play Oath, which creates numerous amazing stories at 110% but is frustrating in other situations (50%). The same thing applies to negotiations, which are the main driving force in John Company, which obviously has other flaws. (Just two examples) I just think I personally would choose to play a game like JoCo, Oath, or Pax over Arcs, depending on what I want to experience that day. I think the only exception is if I want to be competitive and stick to a leader game, I would choose the base game of Arcs.
Alternatively, I'm enjoying Arcs more than Oath or Root, because I feel it does the things I like about both of those games... a bit better. I still like Oath, and will play it for certain reasons, but if I'm picking my favorite... its Arcs at this point. Also, while I think this game is more accessible than other Leder titles, looking around it also clearly has its haters right now
Haven’t played yet but watching this video and thinking about the implications and innovations has my jaw fully on the floor. Plus Tom knocked these videos out of the park and then out the whole town. Amazing work. You should be proud!
Don't worry Tom, a local political leader here also has "Daddy [the guy's name]" as a common way to refer to him (except in french, it doesn't that weird ?) We also kept calling the ships and empire at large that name throughout the whole game. You are not alone, you are seen
here I was after the first video thinking a mashup of trick taking and space game was a perfect game for me, but an optional and relatively short campaign somehow seems more perfect
![Quando Rondo - Grow Up [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8zFnCg3BO4Q/mqdefault.jpg)
Part 1: ruclips.net/video/iP36OXiPkoo/видео.html
Our Cole Wehrle's Games Roundup:
Our Root Review: ruclips.net/video/Gup6lTgGdjI/видео.html
Our Root Expansions Review: ruclips.net/video/_DeiLju40I0/видео.html
Our Oath Review: ruclips.net/video/bkYNFiJ6xLo/видео.html
Our John Company Review: ruclips.net/video/ykrqCX2_mhU/видео.html
You know, this reminds of the Isaac Asimov's foundation.
In the way that that its about the slow collapse of the galactic empire and the new kingdoms and dynasties that take its place.
I feel as though Arc's with this expansion transforms from a wargame to a grand story generator
In my head I imagine that all the games I've played of arcs are all happening in the same time in the same universe to the same crumbling empire,
and that sets a tone of chaos around the fall of the empire and makes for an interesting backdrop to all my games.
Look, you already had me interested and on board after Part 1. Part 2 is a great look at the campaign, but also a great display of your passion and dedication to informative, comprehensive reviews, which you’ve excelled in from the beginning. Thanks for sharing your talents with us once again Tom. -Rodney
That means an awful lot coming from you, Rodney. Thank you so much.
Game recognizes game.
My two favourite Board Game experts being nice to each other - this has made my day! Thanks for being awesome people!
@@jacquesfouche4278 Board game recognizes board game.
On “board”…I get it.
A creator at the absolute top of their game celebrating a creator at the absolute top of their game. ❤
A creator at the top of their game celebrating a top game created by a creator of top games at the top of their game.
Well said!
Comments about the game aside, Tom's review style has matured and deepened over time, granting character and weight to his writing, presentation and opinions. If 'Arcs Campaign' reflects the culmination of the gaming experiences Leder Games have created to date - then this video essay reflects the culmination of Tom's insight into what games can offer AND how to articulate those views in a relatively lengthly yet consistenlty engaging essay.
Totaly agree. This video had great production value on many levels. Really fun to watch in that regard.
"Equal parts inspired and unhinged" is also an accurate description of Tom
Unhinged in the best way.
Pin this comment forever
YES! So true.
And a broken door art installation
The role which predicts who will win reminds me of a rule in the original Dune board game. The Bene Gesserit player nominates another faction, and a turn, and if that faction wins on that turn, it was actually a plot by the Bene Gesserit and they win instead.
I've played a game where this was the result, and at time it looked very unlikely.
I think many of these roles have vibes of powers in Dune and also Cosmic Encounter
The Bene Gesserit role in Dune and in Rex is one of my favourites, something that permeates the whole game. Whether you're allied with them, or in an alliance against them, you always have to wonder if they're not moving the game state towards their prediction. Combined with them being able to move around without fighting until they decide to, it adds a lot to the game.
(My only game of Rex, I was super relieved to get an alliance with them, as I was in a hard spot, so relieved that I didn't consider their plotting, and they won by helping me win😅 Even though I lost on the brink of my win, it was brilliant to look at in hindsight :) )
To tie it into this game/review, I think this campaign version of the game seems to condense a lot of the things I liked about Dune/Rex/TI/etc into a single game, and I really really hope I have the time and money to experience it :)
Now all I need are any friends.
Ill be your friend. I want to play on tts. I know, in person is prefered, but still.
state your location. There's like 100,000 of us all feeling that way, I'm sure at least 3 of us live close enough for a game now and then.
Let's use the internet like it's 1999, and make some new friends again :)
Anyone in Germany/Saxony want to meet once I get my copy in fall?
Nope... word is they are coming out with a solo mode for Arcs.
yeah same, I've realised that a lot of SD&SU's recommendations totally miss for me, because they're playing in a group who are excited to learn a game. That's ok I think, I still enjoy the videos a lot. eg: Tiberius and Euphrates: too punishing for new players. Escape from the Aliens in out of space: absolute miss, no one into it at all. Terra Mystica: one of my autistic friends enjoyed it, for a while. etc
Good games, I'm sure, but only with a group that is ready to rock out before the rules are even understood.
Not to mention the absolute pit of despair that was trying to understand Oath's terrible rules.
Cole agrees with what you said in the introduction. His original vision was around the campaign trilogy but he realised the base game was robust and exhilarating enough in and of itself to be its own very special thing.
Our Cole Wehrle's Games Roundup:
Our Root Review: ruclips.net/video/Gup6lTgGdjI/видео.html
Our Root Expansions Review: ruclips.net/video/_DeiLju40I0/видео.html
Our Oath Review: ruclips.net/video/bkYNFiJ6xLo/видео.html
Our John Company Review: ruclips.net/video/ykrqCX2_mhU/видео.html
Yall gotta pin this!
@@thequimsnaim Good call! I've added it to the pin.
This is far and away the best board game related video I've ever seen, and honestly it's probably the best youtube video I've seen in recent memory. I clicked on this video just to quickly see what the campaign was about, thinking I'd probably never play it. But I'm sitting here almost an hour later completely enthralled by the story and the universe, both that of the game and of your experience of it.
I never would have thought I would cry watching a board game review, but it's hard for me not to tear up seeing your passion for this game and this review, and for the beautiful tribute you've created here. I honestly don't know if I'll ever play this campaign, as much as I'd like to. But either way I'm so glad that I watched this video and I am so impressed by what you've created here. Absolutely superb work here Tom, this really was something special.
Great video Tom, but I think you missed out on mentioning that if you succeed your objective, you still get an option to pivot to another fate. It can be very scary when a Steward or Admiral that have nurtured their empire and their navy willingly turn to Planet Breaking!
Wow that makes the system so much better. I'd have a tendency to try them all out so not being able to pivot incentivizes intentionally losing or stopping short 99% of the objective. Which would really break the role play aspect of the fates.
Just finished our first campaign today. It was truly epic and yes, the narrative created as it went on was so cool.
What an absolutely lovely ode. I just got my copy today in Spain and I'm so excited to sink my teeth in.
where did u get the copy in spain? interested
@@valentimambrilla9165 He might have been on the original Kickstarter? Otherwise I have pre-ordered retail from 4dados, but may not arrive for a couple more months.
I'm about to press play on my 3rd of possibly many more consecutive watches. This game is fascinating. Thank you Tom for giving it the coverage it deserves.
I can't help but stare at the lizards faction beenie in the background... cheeky little guy!
My group has just done act 1 of a campaign.
Steward, Admiral, Believer and I'm playing the Magnate.
We almost completely obliterated the blight and the empire holds nearly the whole map so now the empire rules just about the whole map. So up until this point, we've been largely cooperating against a common threat but now that the threat is largely contained, how long will these alliances last? The steward jealously guards his position as the empire's right hand man but as the Magnate, I now have reason to start trying to challenge him for it so as to have more control over the reach's resources. We helped the admiral with his war efforts as doing so saved us the trouble of having to deal with the blight ourselves but now we're a bit nervous due to the military power he commands and his status as a war hero. The believer's religion so far has seemed relatively harmless, even beneficial much of the time... but now it's starting to get more strict in it's rules and doctrines which are too entrenched now to hope to remove.
I do have a lot of resources and debts owed to me going into act 2 so I'm intrigued to see how it all shapes out.
"Daddy ships" is ubiquitous in my group, too.
A bunch of other comments already say this, but wow, this was an amazing review. Your passion came through and was genuinely inspirational. I never would have expected a "space game" to be worthy of 1.5 hours of review, but you knocked it out of the park. I always enjoy your reviews, but this was on another level.
I love the C Fates for specifically the reason you mentioned. In a couple of our three player campaigns I've dominated pretty thoroughly, carrying my A Fate character all the way through to Act 3 and the fact that my thorough success put me in the unenviable position of having to fight off two lunatics feels so thematic. In both instances it took every bit of might I had to defend and uphold my version of the Reach against their more radical ideas. Both games were extraordinarily well balanced as well, feeling like the extremely tense final portion of a Pax Pamir game where there's only one Dominance Check left.
I find it pretty cool that you've described the C Fates in the same way I have to my players. I tell them that in general the A Fate characters are either about maintaining the status quo or re-inventing the Reach in a relatively straightforward manner (adding a religion or changing the political landscape) while the C-Fate characters are desperate, terrorists and nutjobs looking to radically alter the course of existence or smash it to smithereens. The fact that they only come into play if one or two players haven't left room for anyone else's vision is Arcs' narrative genius coming through.
SUaSD got me into Root and has been my go to game for my friends for years now. Each one genuinely loving it. Arcs is gonna be an easy sell and hopefully they like it as much as Root as this revew made it seem
I've slowly been getting into Wehrle games playing digital Root and Pax Pamir over the table. My group plays a ton of TI and Dune. As we're a bunch of dads with extremely limited time, Arcs looks to be exactly what my table needs. Having the ability to play a weeknight game after the kids go down or a compelling Saturday campaign is perfect for us.
Tom, you're a master of your craft. This video caused me to purchase $160 of game and also contribute to SUSD. I find your videos cathartic as you're able to relay my passion for games in words I can't find. Please keep up these excellent long form reviews!
Agree!
Brilliant review. A piece of literature in-and-on-itself. Thank you for the joy of listening.
Yup. This was a beautiful 45 minutes.
Campaign Arcs has completely taken over my brain in a way no game has before…
Not even Root?
Because, if so, high five and a very big “same”.
@@FBracht not even Root.🤯
Daddy.
@@FBrachtYou now put the idea of Campaign Root in my head and my head feels so heavy.
Christ on a crumpet! That is so much game! I want to play this so badly, but sadly I fear I never will, as I don’t know enough “weirdos” like me. I’ve tried to table Oath several times now and the people I try to play with just didn’t get into it. Definitely getting the base game though.
As soon as my box(es) arrive, I’m gonna message the manager at the local board game shop and I’m going to tell him that he just lost a table, because I am going to park there, set up the game, and just play with whoever the fuck comes close to me.
Every day of the week.
I am in the same boat as you, my Oath lasted 5 games and then nobody wants to play it. Root some people like but I get it is not for everyone. So far I had 5 people enjoy the base game a lot. I think you can find some over time
This was great Tom - your best work and some of the best I've seen on this channel full stop. I played Arcs for the first time around a week back and it's been stuck in my head ever since.
I backed this and apparently largely misunderstood/underestimated what this box is, and im pleasantly surprised.
It was reworked a LOT from its initial revealed form; probably why you had it filed away differently.
Amen! But I know these designers would touch it and make it gold.
I genuinely feel quite emotional after finishing that. Your passion really comes across and I could listen to people gush about and analyse the things that they love for hours; perhaps why I love the channel so much. Thank you.
I ordered the base game after watching part 1, it's wonderful seeing how may people you have inspired. I hope your drop in the ocean increases to a mug of waters worth!
Brilliant. My copy just arrived today and I couldn't be happier to have such a positive and in-depth pair of reviews to immediately throw myself into. Can't wait to play. Thanks for all the hard work Tom!
As part of the Concordia teach, I referred to the various ships and men loafing around in players' warehouses as "shiftless nephews" and "let's get those lazy nephews to work" and while I don't regret it, I absolutely see how language integrated into The Teach will just never go away.
I've stolen Quinn's line from Flamme Rouge and refer to the "bicycle boys" as "bi-boys" every time I play
Tom's transition into New Quins is nearing its final phase.
Reminder that you can change to c fates if you complete your objective but most players would choose their same one.
I love Arcs but I think base game is much more fun. The campaign railroads you on many fates and stops aggression and pushes everyone towards a very court based playstyle which makes certain characters simply better than others. For example Act 1 Admiral needs to move and fight blight for around half (maybe more) of his actions if no one goes Outlaw. It feels like you're playing a single player game at that point, and afterwards if you manage to keep your fate, you're the poorest character on the board by far in ship/resource/building count. Just in general, maybe it was bad fates/decisions on our parts, but it felt like we were playing 4 single player games most of the time unlike normal Arcs where it feels more interactive.
The capacity to raid and battle is diminished greatly especially when your fate bans you from going outlaw. Some of your decisions feel meaningless, like when I fought the game leader and diminished their ship force by blowing up 7 of their ships to try and diminish their control of the board... then act changed and they replenished their fleet and are actually rewarded for it since you can just place them wherever you want. Not great design IMO.
Summits are kinda fun but almost not worth it because of how much they slow down the game. (I wish I was Magnate)
I need to play more campaign I guess but after playing it for 13 hours and not having all that great of a time (two act 1s and full completion), meh. I almost don't want to continue trying it. I feel like I'd rather just play Cosmic Encounter and then play base game Arcs, and then still have time left over for a game of either and have much more fun.
Great video Tom, you keep knocking it out of the park. I just received my pledge and already have 2 games planned this week!
I just want to say something about Twilight Imperium: the way you describe it is not how I personally feel about it. With several dozen games under my belt, I feel like TI is much more a game about negotiation, politics and even cooperation. There is warfare, conquest and domination for sure, but I wouldn't say the game is about these things. They usually play a role at the end most of the time.
After all there's a reason that "playing space risk" is a derogatory qualifier in the community. War for the sake of war is a sure way to lose the game fast, being seen as a menace or aggressive is the best way to get shunned by the rest of the table. And it's very hard to win TI if the table doesn't let you.
Of course all this is dependent on your group meta. Though I would agree that TI is a game more limited in its scope and more blunt in its mechanics (which is not necessarily a bad thing). Its resolution can also whiff sometimes.
Anyway just a small rant... TI and Root are my favorite games ever, so I am extremely eager to start my journey with arcs.
This is just a brilliant review video - thank you Tom and SUSD crew. I thoroughly enjoyed the first video review on the base game of Arcs and this is an even better follow up. Similar in scope and quality to your review of John Company which up to this point was my favorite board game review of all time. This two part review of Arcs is now my favorite. Thanks again for all you do.
Loved this video. This expansion seems like a life work of art! I hope to own it one day!
Seems like it’s all about the cones.
Every time I look at the C Fate, the Judge, I grab hold of one of its most important cards called, “the Arbiter.”
I’m sure you can see how I must always always say its name out loud in the most Ben Wyatt fashion possible.
Dude, I’m currently playing through my first campaign of Arcs and I got Caretaker then failed into Pathfinder… JUST like you described…. You’re the prophet they spoke of!
Love the expression "fail into"
Thanks! As a story teller, I enjoy failing into things
I bought it all, I have still to touch the campaign, played three games, I am hooked to the leaders and lore model! a reduced level of complexity of the oath system. LOVE IT. I find the assimetric dynamic that changes game by game, during the game! absolutely brilliant. I am now just anxious to try the campaign expansion.
The scriptwriting on this is absolutely top-tier, by the way: "They are the friction that simmers on the seams of ideology." *chef's kiss*
That kind of writing just seems pretentious and superfluous to me, but what do I know.
@@Gamer2k4 What would you have said?
@@jacquesfouche4278 I don't even know where in the video he said that, so I don't have the context to give you an answer. I definitely know I wouldn't have said that, though.
@@Gamer2k4 yeah I woulda done it like that
I already loved the campaign game, and thought it was rich and complex and beautiful and all that... but Tom has played more than me, and revealed to me that I hadn't even appreciated how rich and complex yada yada it actually is. Thanks!
Have helped my group through our first base game last week and was instantly hooked. Can see us sticking to the base game for the next few months but cannot wait to get to the campaign in due course. PS if there was an Oscars for board game reviews this would sweep the board (pun fully intended!), great work Tom 👏👏👏
We need a third video.
Why do we need a third video? Not that I would object.
I agree. It seemed like he had much more to say.
I’m so excited to get my copy of Arcs because of your video!
I should play Arcs one of these days
That's it, that's the moment I'm realizing he's one of the absolute best reviewers out there (with Zee Garcia, in my opinion). Thank you Tom, I haven't considered buying this one but now I can see the creative genius in it.
Thank you for your reviews and thoughtful discussion!
Really fantastic video, Tom. Right up there with your John Company one.
Amazing exploration of a unique game system. Your success in the medium of board games is in part to the success of those very games you mention before you. Daring to challenge the status quo of what a review can be, injecting humor, intelligent comparisons, and well thought out perspectives. Thank you for what you do.
I eagerly look forward to trying Arcs for myself!
Tom, please, I’ve already ordered it. I can’t get any more excited
Watching this makes me wish I was back in uni or my kids were a bit older, it feels like the perfect game that you and a couple of friends would dive into for weeks on end.
What a review, Tom. Genuinely, fantastic and heartfelt. Thanks for what you do for our hobby.
Hope they release a digital version of this one!
Really spectacular work Tom ❤
Excellent review, thank you for sharing your passion for this game. We have played it once on TTS and the group chatter has me hopeful that we will enjoy the campaign as much as you and your group have over the last couple of months. I am so glad that I sprung for the expansion during the kickstarter and the upgraded ships as well. I am going to try to get some of our local gamers to give it a try as it would be awesome to have two groups to play it with over time to see how different personalities influence the game.
Thank you for such a thoughtful and captivating review, Tom! I loved Oath and cannot wait for my copy of Arcs and the expansion to arrive!
"The ultimate space opera"
In my opinion, this is quite an overstatement.
If you are looking for a good mind puzzle, with often-narrow room for manoeuvre, high interaction among players and with some luck-dependant features, that's what Arcs is.
If you are instead searching for a full immersion in a lore, or for a full emotional engagement in a space opera, you might get disappointed.
This because the rules at the base of the game system are just abstract mechanical shenanigans that make everything work, but that don't represent/evoke much the setting.
While playing, most of the time you will find yourself worried about card suits (or the number/ pips printed on them), rather than being immersed in the game setting.
For me, when looking for that kind of experience, the "briscola" card game is more than enough.
Love the comment on "I'm also spinning mugs, a crockpot and an imersion blender" Brilliant writing Tom, cracking script
Thanks Tom! This was a wonderful delight to watch and I'm looking forward to picking this up :)
was so looking forward to seeing part 2. Great video!
That example of your most recent game was the most incredible thing I've ever heard. I have to play this game!
Yes! Just finished part one and was wondering when the next episode came out 🎉 good job guys
We played the campaign after 2 base games, but we all agree that 4 would have been better.
Fantastic double review and had my attention from start to finish- all 74+ minutes! Tom, well done my friend. You have outdone W!
Nice subtle shout-out to Mothership RPG. I really hope you all play that again. It was so fun to watch!
Fantastic review Tom, one of your best and having bought the full Kickstarter package I´m eager to get into the campaign. Have played one game so far and we had a blast, looking forward to playing Arcs for years to come (we will still play the other Leder titles, Dune Imperium and TI as well :). Love your content and will keep watching all of it!
I just bought TI4 last month and now I have to buy this too?! Damn you Tom
Both great games!
I have played base Arcs 10ish times. My record is 0-10. I can't wait to play again and be 0-11. I need to figure out a time to play campaign Arcs
Oh my God. Cole actually did it. He not only made Spite into an actual role and game mechanic; he made it into one that can actually _win_.
Colour me very interested. Great stuff, Tom from SU&SD.
What a review! I'm looking forward to having this game even more now
Wow these two videos have made me so excited to play this game. It's so interesting to hear how enthusiastic you are about this game. Your review keep getting better and more wholesome, I believe you have completed your own Arc of becoming the main face of SUSD ❤
I don't think it's even an opinion, it's just a fact. Quinn's was the main person and since leaving to do his own RPG-focused channel, he officially handed the reigns to Tom because of a) him being a genuinely phenomenal reviewer and b) Matt not being the leader type. Hell, Tom's even started bringing in his own people, like Emily who is also fantastic and I really wanna see more of her reviews on the main channel. Tom started out great, and has grown to be one of the best board game reviewers going.
Amazing review of an amazing game. Have yet to play the campaign version but the base game so far has been splendid.
you got me hyped for someday playing this expansion.
What a great detailed review. Thank you
You have highlighted all the reasons this is my new favorite game. The beauty and complexity in the narrative in the campaign are the reason for the season and I am trying desperately to build a group who will play this with me.
Such a moving and inspirational review, definitely following this game!!
Literally cannot wait for my copy
Yes you can. You're doing it right now.
I thought nothing could too the exitenment of the base Arc. This campaign mode seems insanely intresting.
I AM ONCE AGAIN SAYING THIS GAME IS THE GOAT. It's so unbelievably skill-testing while still being accessable and thrilling. 10/10
I'm here wondering how it compares to Inis, the best game I've played so far with what looks like a similar feel to the base game. Have you played both? I'd love to hear your thoughts if you have.
Hey,
Let me first say this was an absolutely amazing review! I think you totally nailed it.
You mentioned that this game is built upon the previous leader and wehrle games, which I totally see. However, I feel like this game deviates from Cole's statement that all his games are supposed to be someone's favorite but not for everyone. I feel like everyone can love this game because it does everything right. But in my opinion, I would rather play another of his games.
To give a numerical example, this game does everything at 90%. However, if I want to play a legacy game, I would rather play Oath, which creates numerous amazing stories at 110% but is frustrating in other situations (50%). The same thing applies to negotiations, which are the main driving force in John Company, which obviously has other flaws. (Just two examples)
I just think I personally would choose to play a game like JoCo, Oath, or Pax over Arcs, depending on what I want to experience that day. I think the only exception is if I want to be competitive and stick to a leader game, I would choose the base game of Arcs.
Alternatively, I'm enjoying Arcs more than Oath or Root, because I feel it does the things I like about both of those games... a bit better.
I still like Oath, and will play it for certain reasons, but if I'm picking my favorite... its Arcs at this point.
Also, while I think this game is more accessible than other Leder titles, looking around it also clearly has its haters right now
I haven't even played my copy of Oath yet, I can't have a new thiiiiing
Damn, that's been out for a while. Do you think you're actually going to get to it?
It's funny because I skipped Oath after watching it, loving it, and realizing it would NEVER hit my table, then Arcs crept up on my group!
@@JohnGottschalk At this point I'm just waiting for my kids to grow up.
@@Doomclownbut what if it turns out they have a different taste? Gotta be prepared that eventuality
Same
But I’m already on my first campaign 😮
I have this and can’t wait to dive in. Now to find some players!
I want this but I don't know any other absolute freaks that would come along for such a wild ride.
Haven’t played yet but watching this video and thinking about the implications and innovations has my jaw fully on the floor.
Plus Tom knocked these videos out of the park and then out the whole town. Amazing work. You should be proud!
Our TI4 Documentary: ruclips.net/video/iUpFlkTvQgg/видео.html
Our TI4 Review: ruclips.net/video/PLybps39ZwM/видео.html
Our TI4 Playthrough: ruclips.net/video/8aZyR6tbCaM/видео.html
Don't worry Tom, a local political leader here also has "Daddy [the guy's name]" as a common way to refer to him (except in french, it doesn't that weird ?)
We also kept calling the ships and empire at large that name throughout the whole game.
You are not alone, you are seen
We love you Tom! You’re doing an excellent job as editorial lead.
I was soooooooo waiting for this review from you guys!
here I was after the first video thinking a mashup of trick taking and space game was a perfect game for me, but an optional and relatively short campaign somehow seems more perfect
The story of the planet breaker and the admiral sold this game to me. Incredible!
Incredible, thank you!
I'm glad to see that it's as good.
can't wait to play this, and more importantly learn it well
This looks so good!
The theming! The THEME! I really need to try this game.
love the Netrunner NBN sticker and the Calvin & Hobbes cards on the pin board :)
oh, and: great review!
Not that it's a competition, but if it were, Tom would be winning the "this one viewer's favorite presenter on SU&SD" award.
Yup. I hope I'm able to get my gaming group into Arcs so that we can do the campaign.
"They're Assistant Manager coded - not necessarily doing any more work than the folks on the floor, in fact, doing less."
Truer words never spoken
What a great way to spend 45 minutes of my time