I love these reviews, It's obvious that both presenters love games and have spent time with the games. Always bringing up good observations about the games and present them in a clear, entertaining manner. Great production values as well.
Congratulations on reaching the 100! Fantastic and well-reasoned picks for this top 5. I enjoy how you are able to zoom straight to the source of enjoyment for each game and why that source really matters to you. Excellent work, here's to the next 100! :)
Your reasoning and analytical explanations are really interesting and intelligent. You rarely hear so well reasoned arguments in board game media. Great video, as always.
Congrats on reaching 100. For your next Top 5 list, since you commented on it, you could go in the opposite direction from this one and go with your top 5 abstracts. I suspect Blokus and Hive might be on there.
Great video. I really love how you focus on how the games feel to play rather than mechanics. Nicely done. Thanks. I don't know these games so may check them out.
I highly recommend Mice and Mystics. It has a wonderful story played as a co-op dungeon crawl with little mice heroes. It's charming, challenging and not so complicated that it scares away family and friends who don't play a lot of boardgames.
This was a fantastic video. Regardless of whether I agree with your choices or not, your in-depth discussions are a refreshing alternative to some other reviews out there. Too bad you guys aren't in Victoria. Here's hoping for another 100 videos.
Best thematic explanation of Claustrophobia! Please have the music change just a little bit more as I think that loop just told me to kill someone named Nigel :)
Woah, you've both got really, really good at confidently and clearly articulating your thoughts this season. That's not to say previous seasons were lackluster or anything, far from it, but the progress has been noticeable. A couple of things though: I understand that when one of you is talking you want to break up the solo close-up shot with one of the two of you occasionally but it always feels awkward, to me anyway, that the other is just sitting there starting at the talker. (Especially when Joanna is talking and Kaja is starting her down with her height advantage ;) ) To this end it would be nice if you guys could have a bit of discussion time after one of you talks for a bit, especially with lists like this. I would like to her what Kaja thinks of Joanna's picks and vice verse. Anyway, enough of the nit picking. Totally down with the Claustrophobia love; it's my wife and I's favourite dungeon crawler by a considerable margin for all the reasons you mention Kaja, as well as the reasonable playtime, smooth play and lovely components. Our modest table struggles to contain a completed dungeon but I love those big, chunky, beautiful tiles so much. Dungeon Petz is also utterly brilliant. A unique theme and really meaty Euro game-play married perfectly with massive dollops of humour, which is pretty much unheard of. Vlaada is a total genius. I really need get a play of Red November in sometime too.
I really like this video. You take enough time to really describe not just why you like the games but why you feel they're thematic games. I agree about Android: Netrunner, incidentally. One of the other things that's neat about it is just how much character and story overlap there is with the game Android. Android characters, NPCs, murder suspects, locations, and events all pop up in Android: Netrunner, and the A:NR cards' flavor text flesh them out just that much more. It's really cool.
Great video. I think in the future it would be more interesting to hear you guys comment on the choices from the other person, though I know you guys try to stray from the negative. Also, if you enjoy Netrunner so much because of the theme, you should go out of your way to try the original Android board game. I feel like that one is way more thematic and engrossing.
Great job ladies. In this video you both seam to be more at ease. You really sell your happiness on the games you like. I don't know how to explain it but you are looser not so stiff. Please don't take that wrong, I don't want to sound like I am being mean. It made me happy to see your opinions so enthusiastic. It sold me on those games. Thanks, keep up the wonderful video's.
Claustrophobia..... Love that game, just played today with my bro and owned him using the demons lol. I'm also getting Des profundis tomorrow possibly by mail. I wish they would have made a solo option for the game though , in have a idea for solo play but I must play test it first for balance.
You're obviously no Battlestar Galactica fans, because that game matches the series so well, it's crazy. I was SO skeptical when I first played it because games of a show or movie are always exactly the opposite of "thematic games", cause it's what Joanna said: a (poor) game that has some theme slapped on it. Anyhow, BSG the board game is such an insane match between theme and game mechanics and it's so well thought out, it shouldn't have been omitted from any top list!
Kaja... always interested in Netrunner (and Android)... have you thought about a playthrough about this game? Would love to see this.. great work on the reviews...
Eldritch Horror while good should have been replaced with Robinson Crusoe. The mechanics of RC work perfectly with the theme of the game and create an absolutely fantastic experience. Maybe its just not trashy enough?
The omission of Betrayal at House on the Hill, Space Alert, The Adventurers, Rampage, Tales of the Arabian Nights, Zombie 15, Battlestar Galactica, and the Flying Frog games are a terrible oversight. All of these games are hugely thematic and far more than the ones on this list, save Eldritch Horror. And even that, is arguably less thematic than it's predecessor, Arkham Horror.
It's... It's their opinion? Oh my lord, I didn't know that. This... This opens up a whole new world for me. Here I thought that I was pointing out that there are games that better incorporate the theme than what theirs and you have shown me that I'm merely trying to change their opinion. How could I have been so blind. Nobody... I mean nobody has ever responded to someone's critique of a list with the "It's their opinion" defense. You, sir are a pioneer. This will forever change the way people who have a dissenting opinion of a list think. I'll never be the same, now. Thank you EATENG, thank you so much. I have seen the light because of you. Seriously, though, welcome to the internet.
If you really grasped the concept, then you'd realize it makes no sense to accuse someone of omitting something from their own opinion. If someone listed their favorite foods, does it make any sense for another person to say, "The omission of spinach on that list is a terrible oversight"? But hey, what do I know. I'm new around here.
I love these reviews, It's obvious that both presenters love games and have spent time with the games. Always bringing up good observations about the games and present them in a clear, entertaining manner. Great production values as well.
you're both so incredibly well spoken. easily my favorite game reviewers on RUclips.
Congratulations on hitting 100 reviews.
Keep up the great work Kaja and Joanna. You two do a brilliant job.
Congratulations on reaching the 100! Fantastic and well-reasoned picks for this top 5. I enjoy how you are able to zoom straight to the source of enjoyment for each game and why that source really matters to you. Excellent work, here's to the next 100! :)
Your reasoning and analytical explanations are really interesting and intelligent. You rarely hear so well reasoned arguments in board game media. Great video, as always.
Really enjoyed both of your reasoning on what makes a game thematic to you. Great job
You two get better with each season. Well done.
Congrats on reaching 100. For your next Top 5 list, since you commented on it, you could go in the opposite direction from this one and go with your top 5 abstracts. I suspect Blokus and Hive might be on there.
Your best review yet. You both look very comfortable, and you both spoke very well. Nice job!
Great video. I really love how you focus on how the games feel to play rather than mechanics. Nicely done. Thanks. I don't know these games so may check them out.
I highly recommend Mice and Mystics. It has a wonderful story played as a co-op dungeon crawl with little mice heroes. It's charming, challenging and not so complicated that it scares away family and friends who don't play a lot of boardgames.
I can't agree more.
Mice and Mystic is my son favorite game. I find the set up time a bit trying. but he sure loves the game.
The special rules for each chapter require a bit of prep, but its well worth it.
Enjoy!
This was a fantastic video. Regardless of whether I agree with your choices or not, your in-depth discussions are a refreshing alternative to some other reviews out there. Too bad you guys aren't in Victoria. Here's hoping for another 100 videos.
Best thematic explanation of Claustrophobia! Please have the music change just a little bit more as I think that loop just told me to kill someone named Nigel :)
netrunner!!! great vid, would love to see more like this :)
You just made me want to buy 3 games that I have passed up for months. Great vid as always.
Woah, you've both got really, really good at confidently and clearly articulating your thoughts this season. That's not to say previous seasons were lackluster or anything, far from it, but the progress has been noticeable. A couple of things though: I understand that when one of you is talking you want to break up the solo close-up shot with one of the two of you occasionally but it always feels awkward, to me anyway, that the other is just sitting there starting at the talker. (Especially when Joanna is talking and Kaja is starting her down with her height advantage ;) ) To this end it would be nice if you guys could have a bit of discussion time after one of you talks for a bit, especially with lists like this. I would like to her what Kaja thinks of Joanna's picks and vice verse.
Anyway, enough of the nit picking. Totally down with the Claustrophobia love; it's my wife and I's favourite dungeon crawler by a considerable margin for all the reasons you mention Kaja, as well as the reasonable playtime, smooth play and lovely components. Our modest table struggles to contain a completed dungeon but I love those big, chunky, beautiful tiles so much. Dungeon Petz is also utterly brilliant. A unique theme and really meaty Euro game-play married perfectly with massive dollops of humour, which is pretty much unheard of. Vlaada is a total genius.
I really need get a play of Red November in sometime too.
What happened to Joanna's glorious hair? :(
I really like this video. You take enough time to really describe not just why you like the games but why you feel they're thematic games.
I agree about Android: Netrunner, incidentally. One of the other things that's neat about it is just how much character and story overlap there is with the game Android. Android characters, NPCs, murder suspects, locations, and events all pop up in Android: Netrunner, and the A:NR cards' flavor text flesh them out just that much more. It's really cool.
Great video. I think in the future it would be more interesting to hear you guys comment on the choices from the other person, though I know you guys try to stray from the negative. Also, if you enjoy Netrunner so much because of the theme, you should go out of your way to try the original Android board game. I feel like that one is way more thematic and engrossing.
Great work girls. As always very informative reviews. Wszystkiego dobrego.
Great job ladies. In this video you both seam to be more at ease. You really sell your happiness on the games you like. I don't know how to explain it but you are looser not so stiff. Please don't take that wrong, I don't want to sound like I am being mean. It made me happy to see your opinions so enthusiastic. It sold me on those games. Thanks, keep up the wonderful video's.
A suggestion for the next Top 5:
Top 5 "micro games", games packaged in a small set.
Claustrophobia..... Love that game, just played today with my bro and owned him using the demons lol. I'm also getting Des profundis tomorrow possibly by mail. I wish they would have made a solo option for the game though , in have a idea for solo play but I must play test it first for balance.
You should try spartacus if you like thematic games
Nice Video. I love Thematic Games.
I wonder if Kaja likes Claustrophobia.
whats that game with the octopus on it in the backround?
+Blocky Trilobite nevermind
You two have improved in your presentations, but have you considered trying out anyone new to help up the fun?
when you stare at each other it is very creepy.
You're obviously no Battlestar Galactica fans, because that game matches the series so well, it's crazy. I was SO skeptical when I first played it because games of a show or movie are always exactly the opposite of "thematic games", cause it's what Joanna said: a (poor) game that has some theme slapped on it. Anyhow, BSG the board game is such an insane match between theme and game mechanics and it's so well thought out, it shouldn't have been omitted from any top list!
I always found it really awkward how they continuously stared at each other while the other one was talking.
For the love of god, stop the music loop!
Kaja... always interested in Netrunner (and Android)... have you thought about a playthrough about this game? Would love to see this.. great work on the reviews...
Eldritch Horror while good should have been replaced with Robinson Crusoe. The mechanics of RC work perfectly with the theme of the game and create an absolutely fantastic experience. Maybe its just not trashy enough?
Hi i sent you a inboxed message its important so please cheack it out soon (:
The omission of Betrayal at House on the Hill, Space Alert, The Adventurers, Rampage, Tales of the Arabian Nights, Zombie 15, Battlestar Galactica, and the Flying Frog games are a terrible oversight. All of these games are hugely thematic and far more than the ones on this list, save Eldritch Horror. And even that, is arguably less thematic than it's predecessor, Arkham Horror.
It's just THEIR opinion. YOUR list may very well include some or all of those games, but theirs doesn't.
It's... It's their opinion? Oh my lord, I didn't know that. This... This opens up a whole new world for me. Here I thought that I was pointing out that there are games that better incorporate the theme than what theirs and you have shown me that I'm merely trying to change their opinion. How could I have been so blind. Nobody... I mean nobody has ever responded to someone's critique of a list with the "It's their opinion" defense. You, sir are a pioneer. This will forever change the way people who have a dissenting opinion of a list think. I'll never be the same, now. Thank you EATENG, thank you so much. I have seen the light because of you.
Seriously, though, welcome to the internet.
If you really grasped the concept, then you'd realize it makes no sense to accuse someone of omitting something from their own opinion. If someone listed their favorite foods, does it make any sense for another person to say, "The omission of spinach on that list is a terrible oversight"? But hey, what do I know. I'm new around here.
What EATENG said.
EATENG #pwnd Pelcurus