Amazon purchases are temporarily on hold, so find the game here - www.kayentapublishing.com/ - - - - - - 0:00 - Introduction 0:32 - Prestige and Reputation (Pro) 1:17 - Guests and Tiles (Mix) 2:02 - Courtship and VPs (Mix) 2:54 - Thematic Integration (Pro) 3:19 - Social Activities (Pro) 3:41 - Final Thoughts
With the expansion, there is an extra solo mode that removes the courtship all together and instead focuses on building your tableau and raising your prestige only, and that mode is amazing.
Glad you got a chance to play it. The positive that always stood out to me was managing the staff. Knowing that someone I use this turn can't be used next turn (usually) makes you have to plan out your turns carefully, especially leading up to the round where you can invite any guest, regardless of prestige.
I think I overused the tile that lets me pull from the middle, which downplayed this timing and management puzzle. I made a beeline for that one each time it came out. Maybe next time I'll avoid it on purpose ;)
Love this game! I think you nailed the top 5 with the exception of not mentioning the resource management mini-game with household staff! Definitely another pro for me.
Honestly, I think I get the building that lets you pull one staff member out of the middle 9 times out of 10, so the staff minigame never seemed as exciting. It just kind of gets wrapped up in the general activity and guest puzzle.
Thanks Mike, never heard of this one?! I will say... it’s a good looking game. Nice components. Might be a good entry level Euro style game for someone like me, whose not really into Euros.
I think it would perfect for that purpose, and yes, the game is beautiful. I didn't show you all the cool boxes to hold components they added to this edition.
I'll say it again, best reviews on the internet. I love that you've mixed in a couple euros lately. Can't wait for your reviews of Feast for Odin and Fields of Arle!! LOL
When I watched the playthrough, you definitely mentioned that's why you played against the expert AI. I was wondering whether that abundance of resources also had an affect on overall strategy insofar as feeling you could do a bit of everything. Love the theme. Looking forward to playing finally!
@@billyguinigundo4849 for sure. The suggestion is to play with the new solo mode in the expansion if you use the expansion workers. That one is sort of more of a building rush mode, and gives a nice sense of variety.
Hm, I’m a big Vlaada Chvatil and CGE fan, so I’d probably say Dungeon Petz, Lost Ruins of Arnak, or Last Will. Love all of those and would never turn down a play
Thanks, Mike! I like the format of your reviews, and this one has convinced me that Obsession would be a fun game! I can't seem to find it for sale, though. BTW, I'm a fellow English teacher. :-)
Hey @teachmarkey, I just ordered a copy directly from the publisher. Read the notice on their home page here www.kayentapublishing.com/ and then contact them by email to order.
Damnit... was hoping for a review from one who finds the theme as interesting as me. I like the upstairs downstairs kind of thing and LOVE it when it's tied to something like a murder mystery (yes - Gosford Park was amazing, no - Downtown abbey was not). So though I like the setting, I do not like the theme (if that makes any sense) I'll have to see an actual playthrough in order to make up my mind.... It seems like the kind of game that could tickle my fancy if only I would have liked the theme more.
With the expansion solo mode, the courtship is dropped in favor of focusing on just the estate, but that sounds like it still wouldn't be what you are looking for. Have you checked out Awkward Guests? That theme might appeal to you more.
@@OneStopCoopShop - maybe I have to make peace with the fact that the game that everyone raves about is perfect for solo is maybe not perfect for me (though focussing on the estate does improve it) Awkward guests had popped onto my radar just the other week. Will def look into it - thanks.
Amazon purchases are temporarily on hold, so find the game here - www.kayentapublishing.com/
- - - - - -
0:00 - Introduction
0:32 - Prestige and Reputation (Pro)
1:17 - Guests and Tiles (Mix)
2:02 - Courtship and VPs (Mix)
2:54 - Thematic Integration (Pro)
3:19 - Social Activities (Pro)
3:41 - Final Thoughts
With the expansion, there is an extra solo mode that removes the courtship all together and instead focuses on building your tableau and raising your prestige only, and that mode is amazing.
I love the idea of it, but haven't gotten around to trying it, cause... romance!? Where'd they put the romance!!!???
Glad you got a chance to play it. The positive that always stood out to me was managing the staff. Knowing that someone I use this turn can't be used next turn (usually) makes you have to plan out your turns carefully, especially leading up to the round where you can invite any guest, regardless of prestige.
I think I overused the tile that lets me pull from the middle, which downplayed this timing and management puzzle. I made a beeline for that one each time it came out. Maybe next time I'll avoid it on purpose ;)
Love this game! I think you nailed the top 5 with the exception of not mentioning the resource management mini-game with household staff! Definitely another pro for me.
Honestly, I think I get the building that lets you pull one staff member out of the middle 9 times out of 10, so the staff minigame never seemed as exciting. It just kind of gets wrapped up in the general activity and guest puzzle.
Thanks Mike, never heard of this one?! I will say... it’s a good looking game. Nice components. Might be a good entry level Euro style game for someone like me, whose not really into Euros.
I think it would perfect for that purpose, and yes, the game is beautiful. I didn't show you all the cool boxes to hold components they added to this edition.
Great review. I’ll buy this one. Thanks.
Hope you enjoy it!
I'll say it again, best reviews on the internet. I love that you've mixed in a couple euros lately. Can't wait for your reviews of Feast for Odin and Fields of Arle!! LOL
Hahaha, maybe! I have Lost Ruins of Arnak and Dune: Imperium coming in the next week or so, which are MOSTLY euros.
Just read the rules and looking forward to it. Wondering if the Upstairs Downstairs makes it too easy.
I think I added a note, but you aren’t supposed to play the base solo mode with the expansion, because yes, it makes it too easy to win :)
When I watched the playthrough, you definitely mentioned that's why you played against the expert AI. I was wondering whether that abundance of resources also had an affect on overall strategy insofar as feeling you could do a bit of everything. Love the theme. Looking forward to playing finally!
@@billyguinigundo4849 for sure. The suggestion is to play with the new solo mode in the expansion if you use the expansion workers. That one is sort of more of a building rush mode, and gives a nice sense of variety.
Awesome review as always, no doubt. Mike, as a none euro fan just like you, I want to ask, what is your favourite euro game(s)?
Hm, I’m a big Vlaada Chvatil and CGE fan, so I’d probably say Dungeon Petz, Lost Ruins of Arnak, or Last Will. Love all of those and would never turn down a play
I got Arnak and I'm definitely checking out Last Will and Dungeon Petz thanks!
Thanks, Mike! I like the format of your reviews, and this one has convinced me that Obsession would be a fun game! I can't seem to find it for sale, though. BTW, I'm a fellow English teacher. :-)
English teachers make the best gamers. Or so I've heard ;)
Hey @teachmarkey, I just ordered a copy directly from the publisher. Read the notice on their home page here www.kayentapublishing.com/ and then contact them by email to order.
@@bardospace Thank you!
Really love this game!
Would you say that you are, perhaps... "obsessed" with it? ;)
Damnit... was hoping for a review from one who finds the theme as interesting as me. I like the upstairs downstairs kind of thing and LOVE it when it's tied to something like a murder mystery (yes - Gosford Park was amazing, no - Downtown abbey was not).
So though I like the setting, I do not like the theme (if that makes any sense)
I'll have to see an actual playthrough in order to make up my mind....
It seems like the kind of game that could tickle my fancy if only I would have liked the theme more.
With the expansion solo mode, the courtship is dropped in favor of focusing on just the estate, but that sounds like it still wouldn't be what you are looking for.
Have you checked out Awkward Guests? That theme might appeal to you more.
@@OneStopCoopShop - maybe I have to make peace with the fact that the game that everyone raves about is perfect for solo is maybe not perfect for me (though focussing on the estate does improve it)
Awkward guests had popped onto my radar just the other week. Will def look into it - thanks.
You didn't dress up?!?! BOOOO
This is a fair criticism :)
See! This gentleman gets it!