Great overview! My first impressions were that this looked very similar to Art Society from Mighty Boards. Obviously the I Split You Choose bit is not in that, but everything else feels pretty similar. Do you think they're comparable?
This is actually an interesting point, because we considered whether it was better to use the insert or dump piles on the table, based on usability as well. Most people probably will keep the stamps in the insert and pull them out during each setup. On the other hand, and especially during playtests, we piled the stamps up in front of different players and had each player take responsibility for their type of stamps. It made set up a bit faster probably and actually helped with randomization. Since not all the stamps will come out of the insert each game, you run the risk of putting the ones you used back in together and then pulling them back out. Luckily, with the insert included, we all get the choice!
Very well done review. Though the game itself seems like an unnecessarily over-complicated version of Art Society. And the theme is a bit strange. What next, a game about pay phones? I usually buy everything Stonemeier, but this looks like a pass. At least for purchase. I’ll play any game at least once!
I'm not sure why there are so many comments about the theme being boring. I mean, of course, it's all subjective, but I don't think stamp collecting is such an outlier on theme as some are making it out to be. Stamp collecting is (or at least was) an established, well known hobby, and it's well suited to tile-laying and drafting, imo. I don't particularly care for this theme, but I think it's a good fit here. Wingspan is about bird watching, which I think seems like a boring theme to most people, but it became one of the most popular games in the last few years.
Art Society was very popular, and I'm definitely eager to hear the comparison once the game gets broader play. For myself, I was very excited for Art Society and found the gameplay disappointed me. Something about how tight the tile placement was felt punishing, though the production was lovely. I can definitely see the comparison at the outset, but I'm curious if gameplay will feel as close.
Since 2018, SM has confused me. I think part of it is being a small one-man leadership pool making decisons. Not one single SM game since wingspan core box has caught my attention, or been worth owning to me. It's been an incredible spiral, and I bet sales show it. After scythe, wingspan, and viticulture, SM can't return to that golden wave of 2013-2018 ecstasy the hobby experienced. The vast majority of everyone's games since 2020 have been just "good" or derivative. There are exceptions are excellent games out there. A lot of established publishers just aren't pumping those quality titles out or developing them properly anymore. Shrug.
A (presumably downward) spiral? That seems a bit hyperbolic. I think maybe you're feeling what it's like to become an experienced hobby gamer. Thousands of games come out each year, and as your collection and games played count grows, you're realizing that nearly all games are just various combinations and tweaks of things you've seen before. And also, Scythe and Wingspan were massive hits in the board game industry. It's just not common for games to reach that level of popularity and sales, no matter how good they are.
I think you have it wrong. SM is incredibly successful and you're equating their success with whether or not you are excited by their games. As a creator, and someone working to create new things in the world, I think your comment is in poor taste.
Excited to see this. Is a must buy, as budget allows down the road.
Great overview! My first impressions were that this looked very similar to Art Society from Mighty Boards. Obviously the I Split You Choose bit is not in that, but everything else feels pretty similar. Do you think they're comparable?
Art Society is one of the few highly talked about games last had that I didn’t get to play :( wish I could be more help
Thanks for the thoughtful review, Dan!! Love the saxy time.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I'm with you on inserts vs bags...bags all the way!
Oh that’s cool Jonathan! and I thought I was the only one!
Inserts are a lot better when they include a fitted lid, though that's pretty rare
This is actually an interesting point, because we considered whether it was better to use the insert or dump piles on the table, based on usability as well. Most people probably will keep the stamps in the insert and pull them out during each setup. On the other hand, and especially during playtests, we piled the stamps up in front of different players and had each player take responsibility for their type of stamps. It made set up a bit faster probably and actually helped with randomization. Since not all the stamps will come out of the insert each game, you run the risk of putting the ones you used back in together and then pulling them back out.
Luckily, with the insert included, we all get the choice!
@@olanmills64 This one does have a fitted lid
@@paulsalomon27 thanks for the inside info! Interesting!
Break out your Scott’s, amirite?
Scott’s?
Hanamikoji is a kind of I split you choose that works pretty well with 2.
Ah that is correct! You should definitely try Marabunta if you haven’t yet
@@TheGameBoyGeeks Never heard of it. I'll check it out. ^_^
@@lystic9392 Marabunta Board Game Review
ruclips.net/video/OacQmZHVqSI/видео.html
Played Hanamikoji again last night and I was just floored by its elegance and simplicity. A MARVELOUS game design.
Very well done review. Though the game itself seems like an unnecessarily over-complicated version of Art Society. And the theme is a bit strange. What next, a game about pay phones? I usually buy everything Stonemeier, but this looks like a pass. At least for purchase. I’ll play any game at least once!
I think the theme is refreshing. I’m so tired of the same old song and dance for 90% of the have that come out.
I'm not sure why there are so many comments about the theme being boring. I mean, of course, it's all subjective, but I don't think stamp collecting is such an outlier on theme as some are making it out to be. Stamp collecting is (or at least was) an established, well known hobby, and it's well suited to tile-laying and drafting, imo. I don't particularly care for this theme, but I think it's a good fit here. Wingspan is about bird watching, which I think seems like a boring theme to most people, but it became one of the most popular games in the last few years.
Art Society was very popular, and I'm definitely eager to hear the comparison once the game gets broader play. For myself, I was very excited for Art Society and found the gameplay disappointed me. Something about how tight the tile placement was felt punishing, though the production was lovely. I can definitely see the comparison at the outset, but I'm curious if gameplay will feel as close.
Since 2018, SM has confused me. I think part of it is being a small one-man leadership pool making decisons. Not one single SM game since wingspan core box has caught my attention, or been worth owning to me. It's been an incredible spiral, and I bet sales show it. After scythe, wingspan, and viticulture, SM can't return to that golden wave of 2013-2018 ecstasy the hobby experienced. The vast majority of everyone's games since 2020 have been just "good" or derivative. There are exceptions are excellent games out there. A lot of established publishers just aren't pumping those quality titles out or developing them properly anymore. Shrug.
A (presumably downward) spiral? That seems a bit hyperbolic. I think maybe you're feeling what it's like to become an experienced hobby gamer. Thousands of games come out each year, and as your collection and games played count grows, you're realizing that nearly all games are just various combinations and tweaks of things you've seen before. And also, Scythe and Wingspan were massive hits in the board game industry. It's just not common for games to reach that level of popularity and sales, no matter how good they are.
I think you have it wrong. SM is incredibly successful and you're equating their success with whether or not you are excited by their games. As a creator, and someone working to create new things in the world, I think your comment is in poor taste.