I was able to sleeve the cards and fit them in the box. I just had to "crumple" the center and the side parts of the cardboard insert to make them thinner .
Great detailed review. I've only played this once so far and I had the same issues as you regarding the playmat and the rulebook. I had to watch a how to play video to fully understand the game. However, overall I enjoyed it quite a lot and am looking forward to playing it again!
The cards are plastic in the super deluxe as well and can be bend and water proof. No need to sleeve them. Plus the mats are great to help teach the game to non gamers.
@@TheBrokenMeeple Demand a large outlay? How much should two large high quality playmats and thick high quality plastic tokens to replace the cardboard ones cost?
As a side note you can just get Deluxe and it'll come in the same size box as the retail, just with those awesome premium cards and chits. The version that is larger and comes with playmats is the Super Deluxe. I still need to get in a few more plays of this one. The first few plays didn't quite land for me for some reason.. it is still fun and the art and component quality are off the charts. I just haven't had the itch to get it back tot the table over other games for some reason is all. Great review as always.
I personally got the Deluxe version only due to the fact Roxley listened when I asked them to include shipping to my country. The play mats are not necessary at all. They look pretty, sure, but not a need. What I do love however is the thick plastic pucks used for the water. They are oh so satisfying to handle. It does however take up quadruple the shelf space as you pointed out.
Such an excellent 2 player game. Also surprisingly tight with games ending where both players were within a turn of winning. I enjoy the different starts and just seeing what I can make happen during play.
If you do choose to get the deluxe version, you still get the little box. The big box is just for holding the little box + the playmats. You can always toss it, store the mats separately, and still use the small portable box.
And even the smaller box is an upgrade to a magnetic one. I'm super happy having gone in on the Super Deluxe edition in the Kickstarter. Having played with the mats (which are top notch) from Day 1, I can't imagine nor would I want to play without them (seeing the game on the table without them looks incomplete to me), or the backgammon style water discs for that matter. The Synth pvc cards, practically indestructible, are the Chef's Kiss. All this with a storage solution that keeps the game and mats together, all in a tight little package. And room to spare in the box for another 30 or so card expansion! It doesn't get much better than that. Is it worth the extra $50? That obviously is up to the buyer... That being said under $20 is a helluva deal on this game for those not interested in the extras. So either way you can't go wrong.
People are gonna bring up quotes... in the video title :D well done I might pick this up because of the box size. This is the kind of game that would still fit into my shelf. The theme and artwork are phenomenal! I like post-apocalyptic in Ruination already and this reminded me of that. From the Kickstarter, I wasn't sure if Gameplay and price point would be good. A neat little game in that style is Clash of Decks. They send out their initiation pack for free, so you pay just a bit for shipping.
Great review. I'm not usually into this type of game, but we liked it quite a bit. I've also noticed the top decking issue. I haven't played enough to be certain, but I suspect it's more an issue of how the players are playing, and not with the design. I think keeping your hand size reasonable by not junking too many cards is important, and the corollary is that you should only let yourself get down to 0-1 cards if doing so is giving you a huge advantage that's likely to win you the game in the next few turns. I had this exact problem in a recent game. I had a huge board advantage and my wife thought it was hopeless for her, but I had played all my cards to create that situation. She then proceeded to very decisively win the game because she still had cards and options.
Excellent review, Luke! :) Coming from a person who generally does not like this type of head to head card game...I love it. I've had so many intense, tight competitions which were immensely enjoyable. I kickstarted the deluxe version, so obviously I love the player mat and the poker chip tokens, but you're right, its 100% unnecessary. I would say maybe try the game first (is it on BGA?), then if you love it, commit to the deluxe for the added experience. I am not super upset about not being able to sleeve these cards either since they are such high quality. It's funny you mentioned drafting camps, because that is one of the few rule changes we made. We always draft them now since not all camps are created equal, and it lets you create the type of game/strategy you want to play...this also helps mitigate the card drawing issue because you can choose a camp that starts you off with more cards in the beginning. LASTLY- we actually had a game that was so close that we went through the deck twice... INSANITY. The game probably went about 1.5hours, so you weren't far off.
I have trouble agreeing with you on this. Linen finish means you don't have to sleeve? Either production quality differs when games are mass produced for UK and Poland, or that's simply BS. Linen finish means to me that first thing I have to do is exactly sleeve these cards as those are wearing off faster than normal smooth cards.
@@TheBrokenMeeple Plastic cards are un-necessary according to you. I for one love them and the fact that they don't need to be sleeved or protected. I personally wish more game companies did this.
Great review. It’s an 8.5 for me, the limited card draw can be frustrating and can also result in snowballing if one player had an advantage (and cards) and the other is out of cards, but I like the restriction because it makes each card very valuable. The variety of camps and how they change each game is where the game shines for me. Even though there are so many camps already I feel like it’s begging for an expansion with more camps (and events/characters too, of course), and MAYBE a slightly more efficient way to draw cards. I think a universal 1 water to draw a card might be overkill but could see something like you can draw an extra card to start your turn by paying a water, or something along those lines.
I love this game! GF beats me every time but I'm still enjoying it. I think the problem is that I like to use the junk tactics a bit too much, whilst my GF save her cards carefully. In the end I'm top decking and she eats my people up. I can agree that it's expensive to draw a card, but she pays those water, takes a little damage and sits on double cards on the next round. So having cards on hand is almost as much power as having cards on the playfield. I keep forgetting that and then I loose.
I don't think it's a card draw problem per se. The only thing that bugs me is when someone top decks into a healing effect. Pretty much every stalemate / long boring game I've had has been due to someone being able to heal a base that can itself heal. I'm just not sure that effect should be aviable as a trash effect. But mostly the decision space and the economy of the game is based around limited card draw. The game isn't about min-making complex combos from a plethora of options. It's about incremental gains. Doing your best with what you have and making difficult choices about leaving your boardstate vulnerable for future payoff. There could be more intresting draw effects in the game, I agree. But the standard draw one card at the start of your turn and your choice of bases determining you starting hand is absolutely fundamental to the tension of the game. I echo sentiments elsewhere aswell. Deluxe is 100% worth. Mats are super useful and plastic cards are great.
@@TheBrokenMeeple they could have included paper ones like a lot of TCG starter boxes do I guess. How many people want the standard version but with the mats? They've atleast made them available and not made it KS exclusive. I don't see anything wrong with how they've done it. How many people would have complained if they only made the super deluxe and there wasn't a cheap entry alternative.
Great review, but I always find it interesting that the things reviewers would change in this game would change what the game is meant to be fundamentally. Many of the changes would turn Radlands into every other CCG/drafting game out there. The quirks of this game tie directly into the theme. (Imbalances, scarce resources, swinginess)
The imbalances are mainly just the starter player camp setups - when you draft your own it's better. As for the scarce cards, I feel like they could be a little more liberal with those.
I really wanted to love this game. It looks gorgeous. Has interesting mechanics. Multi-use cards. Variable camp powers that increase replayability. And it plays relatively quickly. However, I am not keeping it. The game loses its tempo mid-late game. Typically this is when players have played all of their cards to gain an edge - such as destroying a second camp. The end game typically features a lack of resources and options in terms of cards and a final but well protected camp to destroy. This leads to a strong focus on the raiders event and drawing cards for a recovery/heal card - > rinse repeat until one player can't activate the raiders or recover/heal the camp. Or you are insanely lucky with the event that makes a camp unprotected for a turn or the character that destroys an enemy camp. In summary, great ideas in a gorgeous looking game, but not a keeper because of the late game grind and luck dependency.
I was able to sleeve the cards and fit them in the box. I just had to "crumple" the center and the side parts of the cardboard insert to make them thinner .
The 3 camps you discard at the start of the game can be used as a milestone for the 1,2,3 spaces of the event track.
There are deluxe and super deluxe versions of the game. Super deluxe comes with playmats. Both come with plastic cards and hard plastic chips.
Great detailed review. I've only played this once so far and I had the same issues as you regarding the playmat and the rulebook. I had to watch a how to play video to fully understand the game. However, overall I enjoyed it quite a lot and am looking forward to playing it again!
The cards are plastic in the super deluxe as well and can be bend and water proof. No need to sleeve them. Plus the mats are great to help teach the game to non gamers.
Then the mats should have been packaged with the retail box and not demand a large outlay direct from the website.
@@TheBrokenMeeple yeah it's a shame. The 3 people I taught it to all would want the mats. But price is to high now.
@@TheBrokenMeeple Demand a large outlay? How much should two large high quality playmats and thick high quality plastic tokens to replace the cardboard ones cost?
And the mats can be purchased separately from Roxley's site.
Great review. I’ve found this game to be a winner with all I’ve introduced it to.
As a side note you can just get Deluxe and it'll come in the same size box as the retail, just with those awesome premium cards and chits. The version that is larger and comes with playmats is the Super Deluxe.
I still need to get in a few more plays of this one. The first few plays didn't quite land for me for some reason.. it is still fun and the art and component quality are off the charts. I just haven't had the itch to get it back tot the table over other games for some reason is all.
Great review as always.
I personally got the Deluxe version only due to the fact Roxley listened when I asked them to include shipping to my country. The play mats are not necessary at all. They look pretty, sure, but not a need. What I do love however is the thick plastic pucks used for the water. They are oh so satisfying to handle. It does however take up quadruple the shelf space as you pointed out.
Storage is another thing, for a game I doubt I'll play often due to player count, I don't want it taking up a ton of space.
Such an excellent 2 player game. Also surprisingly tight with games ending where both players were within a turn of winning. I enjoy the different starts and just seeing what I can make happen during play.
If you do choose to get the deluxe version, you still get the little box. The big box is just for holding the little box + the playmats. You can always toss it, store the mats separately, and still use the small portable box.
But then I have to store mats on their own as if I don't have a wardrobe full of them already.
But the mats are truly brilliant. Great for teach, great for keeping the game flowing.
And even the smaller box is an upgrade to a magnetic one. I'm super happy having gone in on the Super Deluxe edition in the Kickstarter. Having played with the mats (which are top notch) from Day 1, I can't imagine nor would I want to play without them (seeing the game on the table without them looks incomplete to me), or the backgammon style water discs for that matter. The Synth pvc cards, practically indestructible, are the Chef's Kiss. All this with a storage solution that keeps the game and mats together, all in a tight little package. And room to spare in the box for another 30 or so card expansion! It doesn't get much better than that. Is it worth the extra $50? That obviously is up to the buyer... That being said under $20 is a helluva deal on this game for those not interested in the extras. So either way you can't go wrong.
People are gonna bring up quotes... in the video title :D well done
I might pick this up because of the box size. This is the kind of game that would still fit into my shelf. The theme and artwork are phenomenal! I like post-apocalyptic in Ruination already and this reminded me of that. From the Kickstarter, I wasn't sure if Gameplay and price point would be good.
A neat little game in that style is Clash of Decks. They send out their initiation pack for free, so you pay just a bit for shipping.
I got this on Friday but I haven't played it yet. I'm glad to see another positive review.
Thanks for doing the review
Hope you enjoy it!
Great review. I'm not usually into this type of game, but we liked it quite a bit. I've also noticed the top decking issue. I haven't played enough to be certain, but I suspect it's more an issue of how the players are playing, and not with the design. I think keeping your hand size reasonable by not junking too many cards is important, and the corollary is that you should only let yourself get down to 0-1 cards if doing so is giving you a huge advantage that's likely to win you the game in the next few turns. I had this exact problem in a recent game. I had a huge board advantage and my wife thought it was hopeless for her, but I had played all my cards to create that situation. She then proceeded to very decisively win the game because she still had cards and options.
Having more out though in general will be an advantage.
Excellent review, Luke! :)
Coming from a person who generally does not like this type of head to head card game...I love it. I've had so many intense, tight competitions which were immensely enjoyable. I kickstarted the deluxe version, so obviously I love the player mat and the poker chip tokens, but you're right, its 100% unnecessary. I would say maybe try the game first (is it on BGA?), then if you love it, commit to the deluxe for the added experience. I am not super upset about not being able to sleeve these cards either since they are such high quality.
It's funny you mentioned drafting camps, because that is one of the few rule changes we made. We always draft them now since not all camps are created equal, and it lets you create the type of game/strategy you want to play...this also helps mitigate the card drawing issue because you can choose a camp that starts you off with more cards in the beginning.
LASTLY- we actually had a game that was so close that we went through the deck twice... INSANITY. The game probably went about 1.5hours, so you weren't far off.
That is literal insanity! What I hate is that to get the mats you need a large outlay direct from their website. It's an expensive purchase
I have trouble agreeing with you on this. Linen finish means you don't have to sleeve? Either production quality differs when games are mass produced for UK and Poland, or that's simply BS. Linen finish means to me that first thing I have to do is exactly sleeve these cards as those are wearing off faster than normal smooth cards.
They haven't shown any wear for me so far. And the main cards you use are white bordered so you don't see edge marks easily anyway.
I sleeved them and they fit fine in box, and with premium sleeves not thin ones.
P.s obviously I had to get rid of the insert.
Hi Luke, good in depth review. One thing you missed with the deluxe version is the cards are made of plastic.
Indeed, though honestly it's not like the basic cards are bad quality. Plastic cards are un-necessary.
Unbendable plastic (no sleeves necessary!)
@@TheBrokenMeeple Plastic cards are un-necessary according to you. I for one love them and the fact that they don't need to be sleeved or protected. I personally wish more game companies did this.
So sad I can't sleeve this game and keep in the small box. Oh well! Great game, much agreed 🤙✌️
Great review. It’s an 8.5 for me, the limited card draw can be frustrating and can also result in snowballing if one player had an advantage (and cards) and the other is out of cards, but I like the restriction because it makes each card very valuable. The variety of camps and how they change each game is where the game shines for me. Even though there are so many camps already I feel like it’s begging for an expansion with more camps (and events/characters too, of course), and MAYBE a slightly more efficient way to draw cards. I think a universal 1 water to draw a card might be overkill but could see something like you can draw an extra card to start your turn by paying a water, or something along those lines.
Definitely would like more events that you could chop and change.
Totally agree with your assessment on the game. Love my Deluxe version though.
Lots of key words = lots of depth, this is a good thing, as in Radlands it’s not overwhelming.
This has become one of my favorite 2 player games.
great review!! for some reason I passed on that game... it felt too complex for what it is really. Would you say it has a lot of "take-that" ?
Well kind of but its a two player dueling game that's kind of the point.
It's not TOO bad as a gateway game, managed to take my mom through a game and she won that one!
Nice review. Love this game!
I love this game! GF beats me every time but I'm still enjoying it. I think the problem is that I like to use the junk tactics a bit too much, whilst my GF save her cards carefully. In the end I'm top decking and she eats my people up. I can agree that it's expensive to draw a card, but she pays those water, takes a little damage and sits on double cards on the next round. So having cards on hand is almost as much power as having cards on the playfield. I keep forgetting that and then I loose.
Only if the cards you draw are useful though, you can dead draw a lot.
I love playmats and wish I had bought the deluxe edition.
I don’t find the drawing card issue an issue. Makes the game tight and gives you a nice puzzle of having to work with what you have.
But frequently only one card a turn, feels very restrictive.
@@TheBrokenMeeple yea I don’t disagree but I feel like I don’t mind it because of how good and balanced our plays have been.
Late to the party, Luke! But a great review, probably in your top 100 next year 😜!
Great review. I would have gotten this months ago, but it's just WAY (!!!) too pink for my taste. Such a shame.
I don't think it's a card draw problem per se. The only thing that bugs me is when someone top decks into a healing effect. Pretty much every stalemate / long boring game I've had has been due to someone being able to heal a base that can itself heal. I'm just not sure that effect should be aviable as a trash effect.
But mostly the decision space and the economy of the game is based around limited card draw. The game isn't about min-making complex combos from a plethora of options. It's about incremental gains. Doing your best with what you have and making difficult choices about leaving your boardstate vulnerable for future payoff.
There could be more intresting draw effects in the game, I agree. But the standard draw one card at the start of your turn and your choice of bases determining you starting hand is absolutely fundamental to the tension of the game.
I echo sentiments elsewhere aswell. Deluxe is 100% worth. Mats are super useful and plastic cards are great.
If the matts are so useful they should have been packaged with the retail game and not require a big out lay direct from their website.
@@TheBrokenMeeple they could have included paper ones like a lot of TCG starter boxes do I guess.
How many people want the standard version but with the mats? They've atleast made them available and not made it KS exclusive. I don't see anything wrong with how they've done it. How many people would have complained if they only made the super deluxe and there wasn't a cheap entry alternative.
Great review, but I always find it interesting that the things reviewers would change in this game would change what the game is meant to be fundamentally. Many of the changes would turn Radlands into every other CCG/drafting game out there. The quirks of this game tie directly into the theme. (Imbalances, scarce resources, swinginess)
The imbalances are mainly just the starter player camp setups - when you draft your own it's better. As for the scarce cards, I feel like they could be a little more liberal with those.
This is a swingy game, it’s meant to be. Lots of catch up mechanisms too.
I really wanted to love this game. It looks gorgeous. Has interesting mechanics. Multi-use cards. Variable camp powers that increase replayability. And it plays relatively quickly.
However, I am not keeping it. The game loses its tempo mid-late game. Typically this is when players have played all of their cards to gain an edge - such as destroying a second camp. The end game typically features a lack of resources and options in terms of cards and a final but well protected camp to destroy. This leads to a strong focus on the raiders event and drawing cards for a recovery/heal card - > rinse repeat until one player can't activate the raiders or recover/heal the camp. Or you are insanely lucky with the event that makes a camp unprotected for a turn or the character that destroys an enemy camp.
In summary, great ideas in a gorgeous looking game, but not a keeper because of the late game grind and luck dependency.
The lack of cards is a pain, probably the main negative I have.
I am sure it is good, but the art style turns me off.
Really? The art is gorgeous!
@@TheBrokenMeeple Not a fan of Cyber Punk.
💪😁
Why do you hate games so much? Stop sleeving them! It makes the game cry...