If you read the design diaries on BGG.. the designer seemed to take a while with this design tweaking it and developing it. I think that's part of reason why I think this is so solid. Too many games just speedrun it through development to get it on crowdfunding.
Great review luke! Sometimes things don't need to be super innovative to stand out but bring everything together well. Would love to play this at a convention
Thank you for review! River of Gold is just realising in Poland and I was waiting for a proper overview. Great that you covered it as I highly value your reviews, you don't mess around and sweet talk every game ;) For sure River of Gold goes to shopping list. As a adult, with limited time, it's nice to have clean, smooth games that take no more than 2 hours to play with rules you can get back to in few minutes.
I've played this on BGA and in person and really enjoy it. It's a fun, light game that has good decisions. Especially as the building pile decreases and you have to decide if you want to try to build one more time or deliver one more time.
Agree with your comments, my partner and I quite enjoy this game. A good expansion could elevate it further. My only nit-pick is the gold box insert which is not fit for purpose!
Love this game both live and on BGA. I understand where you are coming from with wanting maybe more variety, but that’s the beauty of it - it didn’t venture too far to make me roll my eyes and think it chose to be overly complex for the same of being overly complex. Streamlined and elegant to a T. I would be up for an expansion but hope it’s more goals, cards, etc and not some extra board.
Another great review, this was very helpful and nice to see that your high rating mirrored what the recent DT review gave the game. It's now on my wishlist! What do you think of this game compared to another game you had given a glowing review to in the past, Whistle Mountain? I enjoyed that one but I find that it's not the greatest with 2 players since all the action spots are almost always available.
Yeah, not often tying with the Dice Tower ratings, but on this occasion it happened. Whistle Mountain is midweight level with all the combos and different machines etc. I wouldn't really compare them at all.
Sounds good. Added to my wish list. Though I don't think I will try it on board game arena until I can see it in real life, because there is so much going on.
His frustration towards poking cardboard hole through cardboard asian coin is so a reviewer problem 😂. Like any other gamer would care about that. He make it feel like it is such a burder to have so many game with asian coin 😂. I like him, but he is so dramatic some time. Good review btw
I think this compared to Lords of Waterdeep isn't a a terrible comparison. Although there is no real player interaction here, in terms of negative interaction. There is a bit of positive interaction in terms of wanting people to visit your buildings because when they get stuff, you get stuff. There were a few turns my last play where I was dying for money and resources and 3 people hit up my buildings and gave me so much more to do. Definitely some feel good moments here. I do think some of the player abilities are just so much better than others. Specifically the clan that lets you build anywhere and the one that lets you deliver anywhere. They are so much better abilities than the other 2.
I followed the same path to this game through BGA and love the smooth mechanics. I think this one might be my top game of 2024 or at least in the conversation. I did find a set of coins that replace the cardboard. I probably make too many snide comments myself when people take too long because they don't plan their turns.
Looks very nice this game, but, I´m surprise it got a 9, since you mention the blame theme, or none of it, the low replay compared to something like ARK nova, Caverna, whistle mountain or Agricola, for me thats a very light game, but with a lot of replay. I´m going to see if an expansion comes out and maybe I´ll buy it, going to try it in BGA or TTS if its there.
It would have got a 10 if it did have the higher replay value. The theme is a small gripe, it makes it look the part, but in no way was a Euro like this going to be thematic.
What a great game. Everyone walking by our table at our game night stopped and said "WOW! That is a really good looking board"... Game set up is quite intimidating and looks like a long game but it was really fun
I really liked this in BGA, maybe should buy it. It is not an incredible game that is showing unique concepts and groundbreaking innovations, but it is a very nice, simple and good one as you say. Its like food; this may not be a 3 Michelin Stars game, but it is a nice and solid steak with fries in your favorite place to eat. And for sure I eat more of the second than the first :P
This is an Instant Buy for me. I really love the Legend of the Five Rings LLC and it's art style. While yeah, the L5R theme means nothing for the gameplay, but using this art style makes a very pretty game! Quick player turns with and the die sets one up for the following turn both giving options and limitations is a nice touch. Easy to understand icons and a proper length. Just have to wait two weeks before I can order my copy!
Thanks for the review! Really great game, have got a physical copy and played on Board game arena. An expansion with more of the same (cards for customers or end of game points) or another player might be good. cheers
I think if some expansion content comes out for this that helps with variety i will consider picking it up. As of now though, it doesnt seem to offer anything i want. It just doesnt seem unique enough to stand out, aside from the way it looks. If i didnt have a large collection already then this might be one id be looking to add. Going to wait and see what happens with this game down the road.
For me, it’s just like how you said that it does exactly what it sets out to do. It’s a near perfect game for me as I also get tripped up by where the 4 adjacent ports are in relation to my ship. Only thing this game could use would be more of the same with its customers or tracks.
Regarding Carcassonne - draw your next tile at the end of your turn. How do you deal with the builder, when you don't know if you will draw one or two tiles at your turn?
@@TheBrokenMeeple Yes, but that means you have to ask for the bag to draw another tile, from whoever has it now. Someone might have already "stolen" your desired tile too.
This may seem like and odd comment but it’s intrigued me: Have you spent time living in the US? I cannot place your accent. It is midlands on the whole, but every now and then words are pronounced in a strong American accent….
I like streamlined medium light games, but this one seems to have a huge board and a heavier set up. However seems aproachable from the mechanics. Thank you for your impressiones.
If you read the design diaries on BGG.. the designer seemed to take a while with this design tweaking it and developing it. I think that's part of reason why I think this is so solid. Too many games just speedrun it through development to get it on crowdfunding.
The river of gold was route 66, initially...
@@Shogunic Yeah, I think that would've been a more interesting theme but it wouldn't have been nearly as pretty a game.
Great review luke! Sometimes things don't need to be super innovative to stand out but bring everything together well. Would love to play this at a convention
Should be an easy one to bring.
Thank you for review! River of Gold is just realising in Poland and I was waiting for a proper overview. Great that you covered it as I highly value your reviews, you don't mess around and sweet talk every game ;)
For sure River of Gold goes to shopping list. As a adult, with limited time, it's nice to have clean, smooth games that take no more than 2 hours to play with rules you can get back to in few minutes.
Thank you so much! Sounds like this will be good for you!
I've played this on BGA and in person and really enjoy it. It's a fun, light game that has good decisions. Especially as the building pile decreases and you have to decide if you want to try to build one more time or deliver one more time.
I see an expansion with more customers and objectives coming.
Exactly my thought as I listened to his good versus bad
Agree with your comments, my partner and I quite enjoy this game. A good expansion could elevate it further. My only nit-pick is the gold box insert which is not fit for purpose!
Love this game both live and on BGA. I understand where you are coming from with wanting maybe more variety, but that’s the beauty of it - it didn’t venture too far to make me roll my eyes and think it chose to be overly complex for the same of being overly complex. Streamlined and elegant to a T. I would be up for an expansion but hope it’s more goals, cards, etc and not some extra board.
Another great review, this was very helpful and nice to see that your high rating mirrored what the recent DT review gave the game. It's now on my wishlist! What do you think of this game compared to another game you had given a glowing review to in the past, Whistle Mountain? I enjoyed that one but I find that it's not the greatest with 2 players since all the action spots are almost always available.
Yeah, not often tying with the Dice Tower ratings, but on this occasion it happened. Whistle Mountain is midweight level with all the combos and different machines etc. I wouldn't really compare them at all.
Sounds good. Added to my wish list. Though I don't think I will try it on board game arena until I can see it in real life, because there is so much going on.
His frustration towards poking cardboard hole through cardboard asian coin is so a reviewer problem 😂. Like any other gamer would care about that. He make it feel like it is such a burder to have so many game with asian coin 😂. I like him, but he is so dramatic some time.
Good review btw
You'd be surprised how many people hate Asian currency hole punching 😉
In a world where complicated mechanics or grindy mechanics ruin games, sometimes something simply good makes it excellent.
Absolutely!!
I think this compared to Lords of Waterdeep isn't a a terrible comparison. Although there is no real player interaction here, in terms of negative interaction. There is a bit of positive interaction in terms of wanting people to visit your buildings because when they get stuff, you get stuff. There were a few turns my last play where I was dying for money and resources and 3 people hit up my buildings and gave me so much more to do. Definitely some feel good moments here. I do think some of the player abilities are just so much better than others. Specifically the clan that lets you build anywhere and the one that lets you deliver anywhere. They are so much better abilities than the other 2.
Perhaps so on the abilities, but honestly I almost never use them. I think the game does better or just fine without them and they are just a variant.
I followed the same path to this game through BGA and love the smooth mechanics. I think this one might be my top game of 2024 or at least in the conversation. I did find a set of coins that replace the cardboard. I probably make too many snide comments myself when people take too long because they don't plan their turns.
Looks very nice this game, but, I´m surprise it got a 9, since you mention the blame theme, or none of it, the low replay compared to something like ARK nova, Caverna, whistle mountain or Agricola, for me thats a very light game, but with a lot of replay. I´m going to see if an expansion comes out and maybe I´ll buy it, going to try it in BGA or TTS if its there.
It would have got a 10 if it did have the higher replay value. The theme is a small gripe, it makes it look the part, but in no way was a Euro like this going to be thematic.
What a great game. Everyone walking by our table at our game night stopped and said "WOW! That is a really good looking board"... Game set up is quite intimidating and looks like a long game but it was really fun
I really liked this in BGA, maybe should buy it. It is not an incredible game that is showing unique concepts and groundbreaking innovations, but it is a very nice, simple and good one as you say. Its like food; this may not be a 3 Michelin Stars game, but it is a nice and solid steak with fries in your favorite place to eat. And for sure I eat more of the second than the first :P
This is an Instant Buy for me. I really love the Legend of the Five Rings LLC and it's art style. While yeah, the L5R theme means nothing for the gameplay, but using this art style makes a very pretty game!
Quick player turns with and the die sets one up for the following turn both giving options and limitations is a nice touch. Easy to understand icons and a proper length. Just have to wait two weeks before I can order my copy!
Thanks for the review! Really great game, have got a physical copy and played on Board game arena. An expansion with more of the same (cards for customers or end of game points) or another player might be good. cheers
I think if some expansion content comes out for this that helps with variety i will consider picking it up. As of now though, it doesnt seem to offer anything i want. It just doesnt seem unique enough to stand out, aside from the way it looks. If i didnt have a large collection already then this might be one id be looking to add. Going to wait and see what happens with this game down the road.
For me, it’s just like how you said that it does exactly what it sets out to do. It’s a near perfect game for me as I also get tripped up by where the 4 adjacent ports are in relation to my ship.
Only thing this game could use would be more of the same with its customers or tracks.
Regarding Carcassonne - draw your next tile at the end of your turn. How do you deal with the builder, when you don't know if you will draw one or two tiles at your turn?
Don't you trigger him when you add a tile next to him?
@@TheBrokenMeeple Yes, but that means you have to ask for the bag to draw another tile, from whoever has it now. Someone might have already "stolen" your desired tile too.
You don't need to answer - figured it out eventually.
I‘d play this over Windmill Valley any time of the day
This may seem like and odd comment but it’s intrigued me:
Have you spent time living in the US? I cannot place your accent. It is midlands on the whole, but every now and then words are pronounced in a strong American accent….
He sounds like he is from Bristol to me. My daughter now lives there. It is a great place.
@Goldfinch241 Somerset, though I've lived in Portsmouth area for a while and watch a fair amount of American content.
Now if only had a Solo Mode...
Doesn't need one! :P
I like streamlined medium light games, but this one seems to have a huge board and a heavier set up. However seems aproachable from the mechanics. Thank you for your impressiones.
Players scaling? Recommended for two?
there are specific objectives and goals for 2 players, good game for 2p for me :)
Luke gives player scaling score in the video near the end. Watch before you ask 😁
Scales just fine for two.
@@mikolajwitkowski8093 I must have been distracted, because I watched twice and I didn’t heard it. Please forgive me. 🥶
@@PeIon316I couldn’t find a mention either.