Yeah, the art (as with any game) is going to have some people liking it, and others not. We dig this art, but either way, the game is super solid, and always has been. Plus, as you said, more clans - 16 total in fact.
I am so glad Ethnos got a 2nd edition for everyone to enjoy. The old one had amazing art with a bland board and almost posphorescent pieces, this one looks more coherent and overall great (even though I do like the old art A LOT better though). I like the terrain banner of the new card design, it is a big improvement along the new map, but I am not sold on the different look of cards on the same clan. Even though I appreciate the effort I believe mechanically it makes something that should be easy to read a little more clumsy. Instead of a small icon in different shades I would have gone with just the same art, even though less flashy it's probably more readable from anywhere on the table. Function over form.
This is a great comparison. Thank you! I’ve been very curious about the new additions. I like the point adjustments for the area control. I hope they support this more with even more tribes! You’d think with such divisive art in the first one, they’d go with something other than anthropomorphic animals. It looks like they borrowed the look from the new Libertalia. Which I wasn’t really a fan of, but I’m still looking forward to this 2nd edition for the additional gameplay.
The 2nd edition needs a 2nd edition. The new card design is a miss. I don't mind the artwork, but the clan members aren't coherent and can't be distinguished quickly when a lot of cards are out. Every clan member having different colors is confusing. Maybe if their clothing more closely matched the color of the clan icon? More like a uniform for each clan. Normally I love when every card has unique artwork this looks cluttered. Also not a fan of switching completely to iconography. Of course you will memorize it after enough plays but with so many factions it will take a while. Makes it harder to teach too.
My biggest gripe is lack of card text, in favor of symbols. I get why it's done, but I still hate it. Also I wonder what the availability of the promo content will be after a certain window of time.
Yes you do. And I'm in the middle of editing our light overview for what it brings to the game. Spoiler alert: this expansion is tuned bot BOTH Imperium and Uprising. 😁
for people who have a problem with anthropomorphic animals, that's okay. i feel the exact same everytime i see another dark fantasy themed bg. i play games with my family and anthropomorphic animals are more fun, just like kungfu panda & ninja turtles are fun. the next time i want to hang out with a bunch of nerds, i'd let them pick a dark fantasy theme.
Well said. Different strokes for different folks. The good news is that Ethnos just might find a wider audience with this release. I actually told them at the expo that they should consider a new theme every few years - maybe with a new clan or two each time.
Ethnos is a great game. It does not seem different enough playwise to buy the new one for me but a few more factions is great. Being able to vary the factions used some more is gold.
Oh wow! You'll definitely want to experience it too. The tension players feel as cards are drawn toward the end of each era is some of the best tension in board gaming. Maybe we'll try to get a playthrouh on the channel before the end of the year.
Agreed. I haven't thought about it for a while, but I seem to recall the conversation of a different looking version being something people wanted back shortly after the original released. I grew to love the charm of that one too, but this one pretty much nails it for me.
@@meeple I have the first edition and still enjoy it tremendously, although it was disappointing for what I've seen CMON do with their awesome productions of other games. Was it just me or was It almost like CMON didn't have much faith that this game was going to succeed..... Surprise! It did in spades.
I think archeos society had a great theme for this and decent art, and if they had made that area control like this one, it woulda been a great balance.
1st edition had text on the cards, which makes it better by default. One positive I'll say about this new edition is it will be more appealing for a younger crowd ...
Yeah, for those of us with the old version too, it's nice to have options. I agree though, this new version will appeal to a wider audience, and I've already heard some people in the comments talking about it being something they can more likely get their family to play with them just from the looks alone.
@@leventeopelcz6203 localization is pretty common for game text, if they are printing a copy with the box and rules and reference sheets in another language, then the same can be done for the cards
The Region bars are shaped like the terrain, i.e. blue waves, black rocks, etc, and the Clan/Faction icons are unique animal symbols; so I think that should work for all color-blindness types. I think the bigger readability issue is that the clan icons are small compared to the wildly varied character art and all the bizarre symbology for abilities instead of text -- although I suppose the symbology is another way to identify clan/faction at a glance since the character art is far less readable. IMO though it will definitely require every player to have a reference card with all the abilities listed.
@@minimoose7890 yeah I really don't understand why they didn't give characters the same background at least, to make them somewhat discernible without looking at the tiny faction icon on the left or the incomprehensible icons at the bottom. I personally like the art style but e.g. my parents will have a hard time telling the cards apart
How much input did the designer have in the changes to the second edition or were they just imposed by the publisher? That seems important if there is new scoring, new factions and a new solo mode. Thanks for the overview!
I don't want to say anything 100%, but we were told that the initial run at retail should ship with the promo boxes as well. After that initial printing, it may just be a convention purchase to get the promos.
My only objection to the art on the earlier version is that some people REALLY didn't like it, and that was literally the reason those same people refused to try it. I prefer the new art, but even if it isn't your thing, it's easy enough to ignore, unlike the original art, which made a super-fun, engaging, quick to learn rummy game look like an old school miniatures game or dungeon crawl.
None of the changes in this new version are appealing to me, especially the art and graphic design. Even the map and tokens seem unnecessarily busy and more difficult to tell height and placement. Happily keeping my 1st edition.
It seems to be a near-even split among people familiar with the original. Newer board gamers look to be on the pro side of the new art. I appreciate both, but really like this new stuff personally. Thanks for watching!
It is kinda ironic because 1th edition art was, as many said, one of the reasons why it flew under the radar and perform as good as it should... And the name. And here we are, with same name and, to me to, very... well, strange art. And what even funnier - while old "Slovakia" map was kinda a meme... what is this, just a star with biomos? So they somewhat pulled out even more weird map then previous?.. Very, khm, interesting. I hope that it would perform good, because game itself is very solid. It just strange to see new art direction
I think they are making this purely because people didn’t like archeos society. But strangely.. I prefer the old art.. I wish they just didn’t same game with better art. Not weird whimsical art.
Promos are lame! Why have 4 promos? That's 1/4 of all the clans, which adds up to an expansion. Unreal how these companies actually want promos to be overvalued, and those who actually support he company by owning the game to suffer by not having them, or paying $50 for a promo to have it, which happened with the Fairies in the first edition.
Agree. Unfortunately that’s the world, or America, we live in. Heaven forbid someone (the current correct someone), or group(s) (the current correct group(s)), might take offense.
I like the new art much more. I like old school fantasy art. But the first edition only had cool art for the box. Is really awesome. But the game it self was meiocre at best. The new one is pretty cool. Like you said is a cartoon that I would love to watch. Not the best mind you. There are many games with best cartoonish art. But its good. I will get one second edition for me for sure
The choices for the new card format don’t make any sense. If this is catering to new players you would never know it. Not user friendly at all, to the unilateral clan display, very very similar colours and horrible iconography. Who in cmon is responsible for giving the thumbs up on this?
Thank you for prefacing that the way you did. I genuinely appreciate people recognizing that things like art (and even games in general) are often up to personal taste. And thanks for watching too!
John Howe is an artist for sure, but with the growing market for board games these days, something more friendly and accessible is probably a good idea. Totally understandable if it’s not everyone’s taste though.
@@shanerion The art is much better then the new art in my opinion. The new art feels extremely generic. For example the art on Endeavor: Deep Sea I also don't like. It just feels generic. The art on for example the latest version of Puerto Rico also feels generic. It doesn't feel special. For comparison. The art on say something like Dark Blood or Sirens: The Deep Sea is quite good.
@ as someone who never played the original, I just find it interesting because the art was really the only part about the original that was heavily criticized.
Idk. Everyone always put down the art on the original but man all those people were wrong. Art on the old edition is way better. The new art is just tooo modern or maybe to ai if i may say that. Meeeh...we see it all the time..this new vibrant art...its really not that great. And the board too with that gredient shaded water...its a meh. Thr art on the ild is just unique. This new art style is just seen everywhere these days. Im glad i didnt sell my old edition.
Stoked , definitely jumping on this , thanks for the video
Thanks for watching. Definitely try to jump on it in the first wave so you can grab those promos too.
To each their owN when it comes to art. For a first time player, the fact that this has 13 clans and a solo mode gets me excited to play it 🤩
Yeah, the art (as with any game) is going to have some people liking it, and others not. We dig this art, but either way, the game is super solid, and always has been. Plus, as you said, more clans - 16 total in fact.
I am so glad Ethnos got a 2nd edition for everyone to enjoy. The old one had amazing art with a bland board and almost posphorescent pieces, this one looks more coherent and overall great (even though I do like the old art A LOT better though). I like the terrain banner of the new card design, it is a big improvement along the new map, but I am not sold on the different look of cards on the same clan. Even though I appreciate the effort I believe mechanically it makes something that should be easy to read a little more clumsy. Instead of a small icon in different shades I would have gone with just the same art, even though less flashy it's probably more readable from anywhere on the table. Function over form.
This is a great comparison. Thank you! I’ve been very curious about the new additions. I like the point adjustments for the area control. I hope they support this more with even more tribes!
You’d think with such divisive art in the first one, they’d go with something other than anthropomorphic animals. It looks like they borrowed the look from the new Libertalia. Which I wasn’t really a fan of, but I’m still looking forward to this 2nd edition for the additional gameplay.
I’m excited to add to our collection finally!
The 2nd edition needs a 2nd edition.
The new card design is a miss. I don't mind the artwork, but the clan members aren't coherent and can't be distinguished quickly when a lot of cards are out. Every clan member having different colors is confusing. Maybe if their clothing more closely matched the color of the clan icon? More like a uniform for each clan.
Normally I love when every card has unique artwork this looks cluttered.
Also not a fan of switching completely to iconography. Of course you will memorize it after enough plays but with so many factions it will take a while. Makes it harder to teach too.
My biggest gripe is lack of card text, in favor of symbols. I get why it's done, but I still hate it. Also I wonder what the availability of the promo content will be after a certain window of time.
Oh, I see that Dune Imperium Bloodlines behind you!!!
Yes you do. And I'm in the middle of editing our light overview for what it brings to the game. Spoiler alert: this expansion is tuned bot BOTH Imperium and Uprising. 😁
for people who have a problem with anthropomorphic animals, that's okay. i feel the exact same everytime i see another dark fantasy themed bg. i play games with my family and anthropomorphic animals are more fun, just like kungfu panda & ninja turtles are fun. the next time i want to hang out with a bunch of nerds, i'd let them pick a dark fantasy theme.
Well said. Different strokes for different folks. The good news is that Ethnos just might find a wider audience with this release. I actually told them at the expo that they should consider a new theme every few years - maybe with a new clan or two each time.
If you like board games, you're a nerd too. There's no harm in embracing this side of your personality
Ethnos is a great game. It does not seem different enough playwise to buy the new one for me but a few more factions is great. Being able to vary the factions used some more is gold.
I love the new art but never played the original. I would love to see a play thru. Interested !
Oh wow! You'll definitely want to experience it too. The tension players feel as cards are drawn toward the end of each era is some of the best tension in board gaming. Maybe we'll try to get a playthrouh on the channel before the end of the year.
I've been shouting this on the roof tops for years. So glad to see that they have seen the light. lol
Agreed. I haven't thought about it for a while, but I seem to recall the conversation of a different looking version being something people wanted back shortly after the original released. I grew to love the charm of that one too, but this one pretty much nails it for me.
@@meeple I have the first edition and still enjoy it tremendously, although it was disappointing for what I've seen CMON do with their awesome productions of other games. Was it just me or was It almost like CMON didn't have much faith that this game was going to succeed..... Surprise! It did in spades.
I think archeos society had a great theme for this and decent art, and if they had made that area control like this one, it woulda been a great balance.
Thank you for the heads up!! Would you happen to know when it's going to release? I don't wan to miss the promo clans 😭
Since posting this, we're told that it will be in the very first part of 2025 in the US.
3:37 So I'm gonna get promos with my game I already preordered?
Yes you should
1st edition had text on the cards, which makes it better by default. One positive I'll say about this new edition is it will be more appealing for a younger crowd ...
Yeah, for those of us with the old version too, it's nice to have options. I agree though, this new version will appeal to a wider audience, and I've already heard some people in the comments talking about it being something they can more likely get their family to play with them just from the looks alone.
It's so ironic because the switch from text to obtuse symbology, imo, makes it more difficult for youth/family players.
Symbol are much better for non English speakers. I always prefer symbols over text if it makes sense.
Text in your native language is always better. Terraforming Mars has both, which should be the gold standard ...
@@leventeopelcz6203 localization is pretty common for game text, if they are printing a copy with the box and rules and reference sheets in another language, then the same can be done for the cards
I like the new art!
Cheers to that!
I'm kinda annoyed that I settled for Archeos Society when I could have just waited for this!
Will the promos fit in the base box?
So excited! I wonder if the cards are ok for colorblind players? I love animals, not so jazzed about Asian-themed animals.
Thanks for the heads up.
The Region bars are shaped like the terrain, i.e. blue waves, black rocks, etc, and the Clan/Faction icons are unique animal symbols; so I think that should work for all color-blindness types. I think the bigger readability issue is that the clan icons are small compared to the wildly varied character art and all the bizarre symbology for abilities instead of text -- although I suppose the symbology is another way to identify clan/faction at a glance since the character art is far less readable. IMO though it will definitely require every player to have a reference card with all the abilities listed.
@@minimoose7890 yeah I really don't understand why they didn't give characters the same background at least, to make them somewhat discernible without looking at the tiny faction icon on the left or the incomprehensible icons at the bottom. I personally like the art style but e.g. my parents will have a hard time telling the cards apart
How much input did the designer have in the changes to the second edition or were they just imposed by the publisher? That seems important if there is new scoring, new factions and a new solo mode. Thanks for the overview!
I can't speak to how involved he was but he still has a box credit
Would every copy of the first print include the promo clans? do you guys know?
I don't want to say anything 100%, but we were told that the initial run at retail should ship with the promo boxes as well. After that initial printing, it may just be a convention purchase to get the promos.
My only objection to the art on the earlier version is that some people REALLY didn't like it, and that was literally the reason those same people refused to try it. I prefer the new art, but even if it isn't your thing, it's easy enough to ignore, unlike the original art, which made a super-fun, engaging, quick to learn rummy game look like an old school miniatures game or dungeon crawl.
Nice! Looks interesting for sure.
How is the learning curve?
I need a solo playthrough. I still cant seem to understand how the solo mode works.
What’s the msrp?
None of the changes in this new version are appealing to me, especially the art and graphic design. Even the map and tokens seem unnecessarily busy and more difficult to tell height and placement. Happily keeping my 1st edition.
I prefer the old art.
So do it. I think we are in the minority here though. Sigh.
Hopefully you own the original. If not message me privately on our discord, and maybe we can work something out.
It seems to be a near-even split among people familiar with the original. Newer board gamers look to be on the pro side of the new art. I appreciate both, but really like this new stuff personally. Thanks for watching!
It is kinda ironic because 1th edition art was, as many said, one of the reasons why it flew under the radar and perform as good as it should... And the name.
And here we are, with same name and, to me to, very... well, strange art. And what even funnier - while old "Slovakia" map was kinda a meme... what is this, just a star with biomos? So they somewhat pulled out even more weird map then previous?..
Very, khm, interesting. I hope that it would perform good, because game itself is very solid. It just strange to see new art direction
@@meeple well I'm in NZ...so that deal might be a little expensive I think hahaha
New dont allways means better.
Promos only at conventions? Immediately not interrested anymore….
Is that what they said?
Two steps forward , two steps back
Fair perspective. I actually appreciate the variety of art, even if it means getting used to focusing on some other elements to organize my cards.
Paula Abdul fan? 😄
I think they are making this purely because people didn’t like archeos society. But strangely.. I prefer the old art.. I wish they just didn’t same game with better art. Not weird whimsical art.
Promos are lame! Why have 4 promos? That's 1/4 of all the clans, which adds up to an expansion. Unreal how these companies actually want promos to be overvalued, and those who actually support he company by owning the game to suffer by not having them, or paying $50 for a promo to have it, which happened with the Fairies in the first edition.
Stop making every game Anthropomorphic animals, it's lame
Yep, I like animals, but it appears to be the go to art of choice.
Agree. Unfortunately that’s the world, or America, we live in. Heaven forbid someone (the current correct someone), or group(s) (the current correct group(s)), might take offense.
I like the new art much more. I like old school fantasy art. But the first edition only had cool art for the box. Is really awesome. But the game it self was meiocre at best. The new one is pretty cool. Like you said is a cartoon that I would love to watch. Not the best mind you. There are many games with best cartoonish art. But its good. I will get one second edition for me for sure
Love that “cool cartoony” kind of art!
The choices for the new card format don’t make any sense. If this is catering to new players you would never know it. Not user friendly at all, to the unilateral clan display, very very similar colours and horrible iconography. Who in cmon is responsible for giving the thumbs up on this?
Archeos Society just sucked, and after it was realized Ethnos 2 was pushed out.
Personal taste - the art is awful
Thank you for prefacing that the way you did. I genuinely appreciate people recognizing that things like art (and even games in general) are often up to personal taste. And thanks for watching too!
The 1st edition’s art is even worse…personal taste of course.
Replace John Howe with an art style akin to a mobile game. Genius!
it's a family weight game. catering to just nerds instead of families is the opposite of genius.
John Howe is an artist for sure, but with the growing market for board games these days, something more friendly and accessible is probably a good idea. Totally understandable if it’s not everyone’s taste though.
This art doesn't do it for me.
You a fan of the original art, or just not so much for this art?
@@meeple Original. This art doesn't feel special.
@@Nozdormu1982did the original art feel “special” to you?
@@shanerion The art is much better then the new art in my opinion. The new art feels extremely generic. For example the art on Endeavor: Deep Sea I also don't like. It just feels generic. The art on for example the latest version of Puerto Rico also feels generic. It doesn't feel special. For comparison. The art on say something like Dark Blood or Sirens: The Deep Sea is quite good.
@ as someone who never played the original, I just find it interesting because the art was really the only part about the original that was heavily criticized.
Idk. Everyone always put down the art on the original but man all those people were wrong. Art on the old edition is way better. The new art is just tooo modern or maybe to ai if i may say that. Meeeh...we see it all the time..this new vibrant art...its really not that great. And the board too with that gredient shaded water...its a meh. Thr art on the ild is just unique. This new art style is just seen everywhere these days. Im glad i didnt sell my old edition.
A new example of brilliant, but very generic art.
"Adjusted Scroring" huh?
Sorry, someone had to notice AND make a comment... 🤣
Er...Um...I have no idea what you're talking about...(scrambles to update thumbnail).