Sounds like a great game, thanks for the review! Prolly won’t have the time for this, wish they could just offer a choose your own adventure or fighting fantasy novel alternative for ppl who just want to read the story.
Loved your Maracaibo review but I feel we had different experiences with TG. We haven’t come across much grind at all. Proper note taking, planning and paying attention to the map & story helps a lot. Great game. 9/10 for us. Loses a point because I would not want to play with a full group. 2 is the perfect # imho.
The note taking is needed but that doesn't help with the grind. Most of the time you get told too get a status that you have not seen yet so you aimlessly wander trying to find it, all the time having to relight those stupid statues!
I think it is really important to clearly communicate what the core mechanics of the game are. I'm waiting for my single shipment to be delivered later this year and knowing that there is a lot of grind I will be better prepared for that - and probably I will choose to play with some homerules to mitigate frustration and dice related luck factor. This should be a first sentence in a Rulebook or in KS campaign: "This is a grind fest, you have to like it. You like it? Good. Welcome to Avalon!". ;)
I use the variant included in the game that scales down the ressource for the mehnir and increase the duration becase of that grind. My games have been drasticly better since then.
I can't recall, but doesn't the scale down only really affect groups as opposed to solo mode? Either way I'm inflicting all necessary house rules/variants for next campaign. Even potentially adding + 1 range to them.
@@TheBrokenMeeple you are absolutely right, for solo player, it does not scale down. I was in the wrong idea you were playing with a dedicated group. Because I'm with you on that boat, it does bog down the game speed. With my friends I played with the variant and it changed the pace of the game quite drastically.
You hit the proverbial nail on its head. It did feel a bit grinding. At many points I did not want to prolong the game so would auto succeed on those dice rolls. The game is brutal enough and I wanted more of the story and to finish. Combat was fun.
Would 1. Menhirs last a turn longer And 2. The first dice roll you do as usual. The first time you rerty you get a reroll. And if you have to try a third time you get two rerolls. Would that work?
@@Ultr4l0f You could try that. My problem was I am 20-25 hours in the game. I come across something that outright wrecks me because of a decision or a combat. Should I start the whole game over? Or do I just do a redo. I play video games so for me I would save before major things and then I could just go back to that save point. I played the game similar to that.
@@davidm4771 id probably just redo a bit back. Kinda like you say. Saving and choosing continue. Ive played alot of Choose Your Own Adventure style of books. And you die alot in those but I just rewind a bit. Its like im keeping a "soft high score". "That went realy well. I only died once and never cheated' vs" Goddamn. I died like 8 times BEFORE The final boss, and I had missed an item so I died even more there. This is a source of shame for me" kinda deal :D
@@Ultr4l0f Exactly what I was thinking about as I wrote my other statement. Play those style of books the same way by making notes of where to move back to so I did not have to go through the whole book again. In the end if you play TG play it how you want so you find the most enjoyment. I doubt I will play through the base campaign again. But I will play the expansions when I receive them.
We played TG last night we got through chapter 2, do you think it would be a good idea to house rule only having to active the menhirs once? I believe it will become annoying quite quick to keep reactivating them.
It does need a house rule. I either add +1 to the range of all menhirs or support the idea that you remove the time limit dials on all menhirs but limit yourself to 3 being active at any one time.
Hi Luke, Thanks for a great review - I've been looking at this game to buy, but not so sure now with it being so grindy 😕. I have a question have you played this game solo?
Menhirs ? Yes, they're too big and beautiful. In order to appreciate the Island I rarely remove map cards unless forced to do so by table space. Proper note taking is essential while playing this one. Are you guys worried about the grind? Make notes of required statuses/enhancements which will unlock additional content. For me 9/10 with app possibly 10/10 Thanks for the review. :)
The grind isn't related to taking notes - and yes you need to take notes in this game - it's the fact you have to CONSTANTLY keep activating those things which takes time, resources, etc.
The Broken Meeple If you are taking proper notes and pay attention to the hints and story you don’t have keep relighting menhirs as often. My gf & I haven’t noticed any grind.
Hey there really loved the sincere review! What do you think about mixing in characters from other campaigns ( the wave 2 ones)? Do you think we will lose too much of the story ? Cause me and my group really love to have a character variability to chose from. Thanks and keep it up!
Thanks, Luke. Starting our first campaign this coming Saturday. re: the minis: Major disconnect for me with the Maggot sculpt and the concept art. Hate the mini. A lot. I think the other travellers are ok ... well ... other that HUGE mold misalignment for Niamh on her thigh. The menhirs and monsters are all pretty awesome :)
I think it would remove a lot of the resource management aspect so I say keep them in. But I'm thinking of extending their range by 1 so you don't have to activate like 6 of them on route across the map to everywhere.
I Wonder if a bit of houseruling could ease the grind. I own it but havent played it yet. Perhaps as a form of easymode. Say that all menhirs last one turn longer. Would that eleviate Some of the grind, without making it too easy? Also dice roll? Maybe second f time you try it you get a reroll. The third time TWO rerolls?
I'm already planning to house rule that the menhirs have +1 range so that you don't have to activate 6 of them just to cross the map. Otherwise I don't think that will hurt it.
Awaken Realms may put some copies out on retail release but no date is confirmed. I would advise getting in touch with them directly or swing if any second hand copies are on the market by KS backers.
@@Vascariz If you're wasting XP on those skills, you're really playing subpar given that there are much better skills to obtain to actually do well at the game for combat or action points then simply adding one to a menhir dial.
@@TheBrokenMeeple then don't complain about Menhirs if you decide to ignore those skills. The game isn't just about combat/diplomacy. An extra turn on Menhirs can be decisive.
I didn't have much trouble with the combat itself and I like the card system. Could it be shorter especially for quick fights, yes and certainly I think diplomacy could be handled differently.
This is the best and most exhaustive review of TG I've seen. Subbed!
Thanks! And I had to cut a ton from the footage to bring it below 20 min of talking! :P
same
Sounds like a great game, thanks for the review! Prolly won’t have the time for this, wish they could just offer a choose your own adventure or fighting fantasy novel alternative for ppl who just want to read the story.
Not a particular fan of story-driven games but I appreciate the review Luke. Comprehensive & objective as always. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
this game looks incredible! i want to play this so so much! great vid btw
Loved your Maracaibo review but I feel we had different experiences with TG. We haven’t come across much grind at all. Proper note taking, planning and paying attention to the map & story helps a lot. Great game. 9/10 for us. Loses a point because I would not want to play with a full group. 2 is the perfect # imho.
The note taking is needed but that doesn't help with the grind. Most of the time you get told too get a status that you have not seen yet so you aimlessly wander trying to find it, all the time having to relight those stupid statues!
I think it is really important to clearly communicate what the core mechanics of the game are. I'm waiting for my single shipment to be delivered later this year and knowing that there is a lot of grind I will be better prepared for that - and probably I will choose to play with some homerules to mitigate frustration and dice related luck factor.
This should be a first sentence in a Rulebook or in KS campaign: "This is a grind fest, you have to like it. You like it? Good. Welcome to Avalon!". ;)
Ha ha, well it wouldn't do well in the rulebook, but I'm here to tell it how it is! :-)
thanks for the review, i am waiting for the .2.0 up
Nice review! Unfortunately I cannot hear the title of this game without also getting a certain early 80's pop song lodged in my head.
Dammit! I can't unhear that now!!! LOL :)
@@ningaubleotse171 Sorry about that! 😁
I think The Manson cover might fit better :D
Also, I think The song is even older, but probably the 80s one is the biggest hit
I use the variant included in the game that scales down the ressource for the mehnir and increase the duration becase of that grind. My games have been drasticly better since then.
I can't recall, but doesn't the scale down only really affect groups as opposed to solo mode? Either way I'm inflicting all necessary house rules/variants for next campaign. Even potentially adding + 1 range to them.
@@TheBrokenMeeple you are absolutely right, for solo player, it does not scale down. I was in the wrong idea you were playing with a dedicated group. Because I'm with you on that boat, it does bog down the game speed. With my friends I played with the variant and it changed the pace of the game quite drastically.
You hit the proverbial nail on its head. It did feel a bit grinding. At many points I did not want to prolong the game so would auto succeed on those dice rolls. The game is brutal enough and I wanted more of the story and to finish. Combat was fun.
Would
1. Menhirs last a turn longer
And
2. The first dice roll you do as usual. The first time you rerty you get a reroll. And if you have to try a third time you get two rerolls.
Would that work?
@@Ultr4l0f You could try that. My problem was I am 20-25 hours in the game. I come across something that outright wrecks me because of a decision or a combat. Should I start the whole game over? Or do I just do a redo. I play video games so for me I would save before major things and then I could just go back to that save point. I played the game similar to that.
@@davidm4771 id probably just redo a bit back. Kinda like you say. Saving and choosing continue.
Ive played alot of Choose Your Own Adventure style of books. And you die alot in those but I just rewind a bit. Its like im keeping a "soft high score".
"That went realy well. I only died once and never cheated' vs" Goddamn. I died like 8 times BEFORE The final boss, and I had missed an item so I died even more there. This is a source of shame for me" kinda deal :D
@@Ultr4l0f Exactly what I was thinking about as I wrote my other statement. Play those style of books the same way by making notes of where to move back to so I did not have to go through the whole book again. In the end if you play TG play it how you want so you find the most enjoyment. I doubt I will play through the base campaign again. But I will play the expansions when I receive them.
such a great review!! subscribed!
THANKS!! 😀
We played TG last night we got through chapter 2, do you think it would be a good idea to house rule only having to active the menhirs once? I believe it will become annoying quite quick to keep reactivating them.
It does need a house rule. I either add +1 to the range of all menhirs or support the idea that you remove the time limit dials on all menhirs but limit yourself to 3 being active at any one time.
Hi Luke, Thanks for a great review - I've been looking at this game to buy, but not so sure now with it being so grindy 😕. I have a question have you played this game solo?
That's the only way I play it!
@@TheBrokenMeeple Thanks so much for your reply
Menhirs ? Yes, they're too big and beautiful. In order to appreciate the Island I rarely remove map cards unless forced to do so by table space. Proper note taking is essential while playing this one. Are you guys worried about the grind? Make notes of required statuses/enhancements which will unlock additional content. For me 9/10 with app possibly 10/10
Thanks for the review. :)
The grind isn't related to taking notes - and yes you need to take notes in this game - it's the fact you have to CONSTANTLY keep activating those things which takes time, resources, etc.
The Broken Meeple If you are taking proper notes and pay attention to the hints and story you don’t have keep relighting menhirs as often. My gf & I haven’t noticed any grind.
@@Bandit-137 My point exactly. :)
Most of the time you get sent out to find a status you have never seen before. What good are the notes then? Also I do take notes just saying.
Hey there really loved the sincere review! What do you think about mixing in characters from other campaigns ( the wave 2 ones)? Do you think we will lose too much of the story ? Cause me and my group really love to have a character variability to chose from. Thanks and keep it up!
Thanks! I think that you won't lose a ton but yeah those specific quest elements won't turn up.
This game is meant to played with friends it is pretty easy to see all the cars even with Minis on the map
Thanks, Luke. Starting our first campaign this coming Saturday.
re: the minis: Major disconnect for me with the Maggot sculpt and the concept art. Hate the mini. A lot. I think the other travellers are ok ... well ... other that HUGE mold misalignment for Niamh on her thigh. The menhirs and monsters are all pretty awesome :)
I seem to be OK with the mini's, but I guess I don't get my eye right up close to the model when playing it to notice the oddities. :P
Great review Luke. I wonder though, would the game be broken if you didnt have to active the Menhirs?
I think it would remove a lot of the resource management aspect so I say keep them in. But I'm thinking of extending their range by 1 so you don't have to activate like 6 of them on route across the map to everywhere.
I Wonder if a bit of houseruling could ease the grind. I own it but havent played it yet.
Perhaps as a form of easymode. Say that all menhirs last one turn longer.
Would that eleviate Some of the grind, without making it too easy?
Also dice roll?
Maybe second f time you try it you get a reroll. The third time TWO rerolls?
I'm already planning to house rule that the menhirs have +1 range so that you don't have to activate 6 of them just to cross the map. Otherwise I don't think that will hurt it.
Nice review bro, but how can i buy it?
Awaken Realms may put some copies out on retail release but no date is confirmed. I would advise getting in touch with them directly or swing if any second hand copies are on the market by KS backers.
Seems like if your biggest complaint is the menhirs why not house rule it so they last longer or you have to pay less resources or something.
Oh next campaign I will. They will have +1 range so I don't have to light 6 to cross the map.
@@TheBrokenMeeple or focus on the skills that improve menhirs, e.g. Like +1 duration... complaints seem short sighted
@@Vascariz If you're wasting XP on those skills, you're really playing subpar given that there are much better skills to obtain to actually do well at the game for combat or action points then simply adding one to a menhir dial.
@@TheBrokenMeeple then don't complain about Menhirs if you decide to ignore those skills. The game isn't just about combat/diplomacy. An extra turn on Menhirs can be decisive.
@@Vascariz Those skills do not take away the slog of menhirs. They aren't powerful enough. And actually.....a good chunk is combat! 😉
You're the man.
Tutorial didnt explain the combat perfectly neither did help book. Game is fine but combat is awfully heavy and cumbersome.
I didn't have much trouble with the combat itself and I like the card system. Could it be shorter especially for quick fights, yes and certainly I think diplomacy could be handled differently.
The Menhirs really aren't that hard
It's not that they are hard, they are time consuming. It's like filler in anime shows, it's artificial padding that doesn't add anything to the story.