I appreciate this review from a non-COINer. I have all the games and know them well, and was looking forward to this game so as to introduce me teen to the series (the others are either too complex, or too heavy thematically for him still). I was disappointed at a few of the misteps (the lack of a player aid with your opponent's plots & deeds as you mentioned, as well as the fact that they made the Sheriff's events dark green on the event cards, instead making those Robin's events). Still, it's a fun tight litt egame, even for old COINers like me. I think a lot of people re going to be introduced to the series through it.
I'm by no means good with rules (many euros defeat me) but after i got over my intimidation i didn't find COIN games that bad. It helps that their rules references are so well indexed that you can answer questions in half the time you often can wirh much simpler games. I think anyone who can manage Root can manage Cuba Libre. I think with COIN its not the playing thats tough its playing well. If you want a fantastic intro (and have the time) Rodney at Watch it Played has a big teach and a much quicker play through (with Monique and Naveen).
Absolutely! I think you nailed it, the rules themselves aren't hard, but it can be difficult to know how best to employ them in a meaningful way. Most games give you far less latitude to make unintentionally bad decisions which means that there's also a great depth to COIN games.
I don't there are plans for any sort of official solo mode, though I imagine community members will come up with something. A lot of the game is built around the hidden info and bluffing that comes with Robin Hood and the carriages, so not sure how that can be replicated in a solo-friendly way.
I was really excited to get Robin Hood as a quick war game adjacent game. It really surprised me,and I’m a big fan of it. It seems well balanced, but I think the Sheriff side is harder to play/more punishing if you spend all your money, so that might address your concern of unequal player skills.
Ooh good call on the need for a player aid that also shows what opponents can do. I think I am gonna print a copy for my opponent the next time I play. I’ve pretty much memorized it all in learning the game, but yeah come to think of it my opponents have played out exactly as you did in your review asking what I am capable of etc… didn’t really think about it.
Thank you for an upload. The game is really good. Can easily attract interest of your seasoned wargaming friend or help you in tricking your wife into hobby. Distilled down COIN principles contribute rather a great deal than gives a sense of castrated game. One of the best game I have played since the beginning of the year 👍🏻.
My roots in boardgaming is as a wargamer, going back a long ways. So, I've been playing GMT games since 1991 or so. I'm quite familiar with the COIN series, and I own 7 of the volumes in the series. Perhaps ironically though, the COIN games, particularly starting with the first volume, Andean Abyss, really drove me into branching out into other types of games, for instance Euro games and other corners of the modern hobby. What struck me early on about COIN games was how little dice were used, and I loved that. Blind dumb bad luck drives me up a wall in wargames, and here was a wonderful historical series where dice wasn't a factor! Sign me up! And so, even though by 2012 I was already playing games like Arkham Horror and Battlestar Galactica and others, Andean Abyss was the embarkation point where I really started to step outside the wargaming world, and I'm so glad I did.
@@jeffkouba6521 GMT since 91? Oldschool! Though I suppose I’ve been playing Heroquest and Scotland Yard since roughly then. I agree on the random elements, I imagine GMT designs went a long way in influencing all sorts of games even outside of the war game sphere. Thanks for watching and thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for reviewing the game!
Thanks for watching, and by the way I love your channel!
I appreciate this review from a non-COINer. I have all the games and know them well, and was looking forward to this game so as to introduce me teen to the series (the others are either too complex, or too heavy thematically for him still). I was disappointed at a few of the misteps (the lack of a player aid with your opponent's plots & deeds as you mentioned, as well as the fact that they made the Sheriff's events dark green on the event cards, instead making those Robin's events). Still, it's a fun tight litt egame, even for old COINers like me. I think a lot of people re going to be introduced to the series through it.
I'm by no means good with rules (many euros defeat me) but after i got over my intimidation i didn't find COIN games that bad. It helps that their rules references are so well indexed that you can answer questions in half the time you often can wirh much simpler games. I think anyone who can manage Root can manage Cuba Libre. I think with COIN its not the playing thats tough its playing well. If you want a fantastic intro (and have the time) Rodney at Watch it Played has a big teach and a much quicker play through (with Monique and Naveen).
Absolutely! I think you nailed it, the rules themselves aren't hard, but it can be difficult to know how best to employ them in a meaningful way. Most games give you far less latitude to make unintentionally bad decisions which means that there's also a great depth to COIN games.
this game looks incredible! was really disappointed to see it didn't have any kind of solo system...will likely pick up anyway. thanks for covering
Its bit difficult to buy here in Poland, but hopefully I'll get it by the end of the year. I wonder how will it play solo. Thanks for the review.
I don't there are plans for any sort of official solo mode, though I imagine community members will come up with something. A lot of the game is built around the hidden info and bluffing that comes with Robin Hood and the carriages, so not sure how that can be replicated in a solo-friendly way.
I was really excited to get Robin Hood as a quick war game adjacent game. It really surprised me,and I’m a big fan of it. It seems well balanced, but I think the Sheriff side is harder to play/more punishing if you spend all your money, so that might address your concern of unequal player skills.
This has been my game of the year so far for 2024. Love, love, love it!
I’m totally going to get this now.
@@amagrude awesome, I hope you dig it!
Ooh good call on the need for a player aid that also shows what opponents can do. I think I am gonna print a copy for my opponent the next time I play. I’ve pretty much memorized it all in learning the game, but yeah come to think of it my opponents have played out exactly as you did in your review asking what I am capable of etc… didn’t really think about it.
Yeah, seems like such an easy inclusion; printing one up would be great. Or even just a small reference card would do the trick.
Great review! I welcome you to a game over at BGA. I'm The Professor (knight astride a horse avatar) over there.
I'll keep that in mind! I don't do as much gaming online but I occasionally hit up TTS and BGA.
Awesome review of a great game!
Hey thanks for watching and saying so! Cheers from AK.
Thank you for an upload.
The game is really good. Can easily attract interest of your seasoned wargaming friend or help you in tricking your wife into hobby.
Distilled down COIN principles contribute rather a great deal than gives a sense of castrated game.
One of the best game I have played since the beginning of the year 👍🏻.
Completely agree. This will be a strong contender in top games of the year, and it's been a VERY good year in terms of releases.
My roots in boardgaming is as a wargamer, going back a long ways. So, I've been playing GMT games since 1991 or so. I'm quite familiar with the COIN series, and I own 7 of the volumes in the series.
Perhaps ironically though, the COIN games, particularly starting with the first volume, Andean Abyss, really drove me into branching out into other types of games, for instance Euro games and other corners of the modern hobby.
What struck me early on about COIN games was how little dice were used, and I loved that. Blind dumb bad luck drives me up a wall in wargames, and here was a wonderful historical series where dice wasn't a factor! Sign me up! And so, even though by 2012 I was already playing games like Arkham Horror and Battlestar Galactica and others, Andean Abyss was the embarkation point where I really started to step outside the wargaming world, and I'm so glad I did.
@@jeffkouba6521 GMT since 91? Oldschool! Though I suppose I’ve been playing Heroquest and Scotland Yard since roughly then. I agree on the random elements, I imagine GMT designs went a long way in influencing all sorts of games even outside of the war game sphere. Thanks for watching and thanks for sharing!