Think my Street Masters pledge is at the local delivery office for collection.
First big Kickstarter I did and I'm still really excited about playing it.
That game looks so good, please post impressions once you've played
I missed the KS for that one but got in on altar quest. the last thing I needed was more fantasy games but the deck system seemed too neat to pass up again
I wish Tom had talked more about his impressions of the card play and what kind of decisions a player faces - i.e. is it a simple puzzle to maximize damage/diplomacy and minimize incoming damage (if that's the case, decisions would seem pretty light), or are there push your luck elements when choosing to play or withhold from playing a card? Also, if that'd remain fun 30+ hours later.
Just based on that elk example (and him saying that it is one of the easiest encounters in the game), it appears that you're going to be playing cards with a balance towards damage and protection. Considering that damage makes you worse at everything else by lowering the max points available in energy and terror limit, it would seem this game is focused more on survival than just finding the best damage combos. That was my impresssion from watching, anyway.I wish Tom had talked more about his impressions of the card play and what kind of decisions a player faces - i.e. is it a simple puzzle to maximize damage/diplomacy and minimize incoming damage (if that's the case, decisions would seem pretty light), or are there push your luck elements when choosing to play or withhold from playing a card? Also, if that'd remain fun 30+ hours later.
Hopefully more reviews hit in the coming months with a deeper evaluation of gameplay.
I'm in Australia and I also have a Street Masters pledge waiting at the Post Office for collection. I'll be picking it up after work this morning. I can't wait, I just hope the boxes aren't too heavy.Think my Street Masters pledge is at the local delivery office for collection.
First big Kickstarter I did and I'm still really excited about playing it.
I received my GeekUp Bit Set for Quacks of Quedlinburg today.
These new chips were kind of expensive, but they are so worth it!!! The colors are great, and they feel so much better than the cardboard chips that are included with the base game. I had some cardboard chips that were beginning to be heavily worn, especially the white ones. I'm not sure how many more games they could have lasted.
If you have Quacks of Quedlinburg in your collection I highly recommend upgrading with these!
They are incredible!! I bought the expansion ones too but my expansion is no where to be found . Mini mart has no info on it. It was at a local store 2 weeks ago. I assumed that meant minimart would be getting it ASAP but here we are 16 days later and nothin. Oh well
That game looks so good, please post impressions once you've played
I missed the KS for that one but got in on altar quest. the last thing I needed was more fantasy games but the deck system seemed too neat to pass up again
Even if a few copies are already out, I heard somewhere that the wider release of the expansion has been delayed. I'm not sure exactly why. I hope you'll receive your copy soon!
Please post impressions when you do! I'm really wondering if this expansion is actually a worthy addition to the base game.
Got Dune, God of War, and Quirky Circuits today. My copy of Nanny Narking also got delivered.
Would love to hear what you think of Quirky when you get to play itGot Dune, God of War, and Quirky Circuits today. My copy of Nanny Narking also got delivered.
Got Dune, God of War, and Quirky Circuits today. My copy of Nanny Narking also got delivered.
Dune is a great game.Got Dune, God of War, and Quirky Circuits today. My copy of Nanny Narking also got delivered.
Played paranormal detective last night. Was a huge hit. It's a party game but a nice change from the usual type.
highly recommend, great price too
I don't think you really miss out on anything going retail. There are promos and expansions that come with the pledges, but aside from the promos, those are generally available at retail if you want them. There's so much content in the base games and standalone expansions that the expansions mostly feel extraneous anyway.I have Marvel Champions arriving tomorrow but I've also been looking into Aeon's End. I know there have been quite a few KS projects, but am I missing much if I buy retail over waiting for their next KS? I'm currently circling a New Age pledge from someone in a local board game group, as well as a copy of Legacy. I know that New Age spoils the Legacy's story, so ideally I want to play it first.
I have Marvel Champions arriving tomorrow but I've also been looking into Aeon's End. I know there have been quite a few KS projects, but am I missing much if I buy retail over waiting for their next KS? I'm currently circling a New Age pledge from someone in a local board game group, as well as a copy of Legacy. I know that New Age spoils the Legacy's story, so ideally I want to play it first.
Did you find it too easy by any chance?Cities Skylines: Didn't really grab me. It's an interesting idea but feels too puzzle and I don't like how the end is just counting up points and seeing how well you did.
The KS promos are completely skippable. Now, bear in mind that usually the small mini-expansions are baked into the KS (so you would have to get New Age + The Ancients + Shattered Dreams for all the New Age content, + Into the Wild which was an add-on for the KS as well). Iirc, retail of all that might actually be cheaper if you take shipping into account.I have Marvel Champions arriving tomorrow but I've also been looking into Aeon's End. I know there have been quite a few KS projects, but am I missing much if I buy retail over waiting for their next KS? I'm currently circling a New Age pledge from someone in a local board game group, as well as a copy of Legacy. I know that New Age spoils the Legacy's story, so ideally I want to play it first.
That game looks so good, please post impressions once you've played
I missed the KS for that one but got in on altar quest. the last thing I needed was more fantasy games but the deck system seemed too neat to pass up again
I don't think you really miss out on anything going retail. There are promos and expansions that come with the pledges, but aside from the promos, those are generally available at retail if you want them. There's so much content in the base games and standalone expansions that the expansions mostly feel extraneous anyway.
I would say for most deckbuilders (Dominion, Legendary, Star/Hero Realms, Aeon's End, etc) the base game and 1-2 random expansions are probably more then enough content to last the average player their entire life. Obviously milage will vary by group/player/game but I think this is true for 90% of players.
Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on Aeon's End. I won't bother chasing down promos.Did you find it too easy by any chance?
The KS promos are completely skippable. Now, bear in mind that usually the small mini-expansions are baked into the KS (so you would have to get New Age + The Ancients + Shattered Dreams for all the New Age content, + Into the Wild which was an add-on for the KS as well). Iirc, retail of all that might actually be cheaper if you take shipping into account.
Yesssssssssss join the dark side.
You can still pre-order 18Cheesypecks and 18MEX from All Aboard Games. If you're feeling absolutely nuts you can buy 1817 as well if you have a spare 11 hours free and nearly $200 dollars.
Don't buy 1817, it'll destroy friendships
It's also worth grabbing 1830 as that's in print at the moment. I'd suggest 1889 but that is looking like it's now going to be a 6 month wait for a hand made copy- while, imo, it's possibly the best 18XX I've ever played- if not one of my top 3 favourite games. It's hard to justify buying that at such a high price sight unseen.
Haha, slow down! So here's the plan - I'll probably get 1861/1867 Kickstarter, I'm still reading the rules, but it looks ok for now. It's hard to tell how it plays from the rules alone. The only issue is it's 3 player and mostly play 2 with my brother.
There's also 1830 and 1846 that I can get for about $65 each delivered from Amazon.
While I wait for 1861/1867 delivered, I thought about making my own print and plays. I saw Tets 1889 (is that the one in Japan?), and how well that turned out, so I think I want to try making my own. I live in Malaysia and most of the games I get are actually delivered to my home in Australia. So print and plays at least allow me to play right now rather than waiting for them. They take a long ass time to make, and the materials aren't cheap either, so I'd much rather buy them, but they can be a fun project.
As for those games from All Aboard Games, Ill check and see if they deliver to where I am, but I think they're already pretty expensive anyway, so I doubt I'll get them as my first 18xx.
Don't forget that we play on TTS if you want to try any of them. I am almost always up for game.
Legacy is a good way to start since it slowly introduces elements of the game. New Age is the sequel and adds a story Expedition, so if you want the narrative follow-up, that works (Into the Wilds mini-xpac adds a second story Expedition). From there, you'll see if you want more content (but the New Age randomized Expeditions benefit from having more content). Personally, I just had to own all the boss fights, the game's so good.Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on Aeon's End. I won't bother chasing down promos.
I'm leaning heavily towards just buying Aeon's End: Legacy and New Age as they are tied together narratively. I'm also keen to experience a legacy style board game that can be played solo. Will there be sufficient content between these two stand-alone boxes given their unique approaches to the standard Aeon's End gameplay?
Haha, slow down! So here's the plan - I'll probably get 1861/1867 Kickstarter, I'm still reading the rules, but it looks ok for now. It's hard to tell how it plays from the rules alone. The only issue is it's 3 player and mostly play 2 with my brother.
There's also 1830 and 1846 that I can get for about $65 each delivered from Amazon.
While I wait for 1861/1867 delivered, I thought about making my own print and plays. I saw Tets 1889 (is that the one in Japan?), and how well that turned out, so I think I want to try making my own. I live in Malaysia and most of the games I get are actually delivered to my home in Australia. So print and plays at least allow me to play right now rather than waiting for them. They take a long ass time to make, and the materials aren't cheap either, so I'd much rather buy them, but they can be a fun project.
As for those games from All Aboard Games, Ill check and see if they deliver to where I am, but I think they're already pretty expensive anyway, so I doubt I'll get them as my first 18xx.
Quirky Circuits is really fun. Really easy to learn, and pretty hilarious to boot. My 13yo was crying from laughing so much at our poor roomba just spinning in a circle one turn. A co-op programming game wasn't something I knew I needed, but I'm really glad I picked this up. Interested to check out other bots and scenarios.
I really want Quirky Circuits but I'm afraid it may be too complex and thus uninteresting to our 7 and half son. May pick this up a or so from now. Great to hear you all loved it.
Look, you're either all in or you're not an 18XX'er! ;D
It's a good time to play these types of games, no so much for your wallet/purse however:
- 1861/67 are on KS and have no path to a retail release
- Everything on All Aboard is going to have a full production run and the cheapest it'll be for quite some time with delivery and tax/customs included.
- 1824 and 18CZ are hitting retail but you need to catch them just after the KS deliveries land.
I'll write this for you and anyone else who is interested in getting in to 18XX's. As I feel like it's something that will save me time in future as I can refer back to it and update it as and when it's needed. These are the games I'd suggest trying in order and their 'type':
There are really two common branches you'll first come in to contact with:
- Operational: These focus on dealing with and the maintenance of good companies and rail. There is less stock shenanigans and companies sometimes will be able to run successfully for the the entire game.
- Stocks/Shares: These are considerably more mean, if you like Food Chain Magnate, Wargames or Area Control games these are for you. You'll be scorching each others share prices and damaging each other financially- taking turns to kick each other down the stairs. You absolutely need to be able to have a laugh with these games as you absolutely will be taking chunks out of your friends.
- 1889 (Light S/S, 3-5 hrs)- If you can make a P&P, it's a derivative of 1830 so rules are fairly standard and there isn't any odd rules for trains. It's also fucking incredible and is now in my top 3 games of all time. It's simple but we can knock it out in three hours and given the choice I would play this over literally any other Euro.
- 18Chesapeake (Light S/S, 2-4 hrs apparently)- Built from the ground up as babys first 18XX, aimed to be the most approachable 18XX ever made.
- 18MEX (Operational 3-5 hrs)- Ok now we take the training wheels off next step up- introduces a government railroad and more non standard rules.
- 1861/1867 (Operational 3-6 hrs)- MERGERS! Nationalisations! More weird stuff!
- 1830 (S/S knife fight 3-6 hrs)- This is so far down the list because it's savage- it's very much a stocks and shares 18XX so you will get punched in the face repeatedly by your opponents. This might not be suited to you. On top of that track is severely limited and punishing- nine times out of ten you'll want to build something but the track is already on the board.
- 18CZ/1824 (Operational 4+ hrs)- These are really getting in to the weeds now with multiple train types, company sizes and company acquisitions.
- 1817 (S/S financial hell 11+ hrs)- Worth mentioning as it's the cheapest it'll be on AAG at the moment, the big daddy of S/S 18XX games. A financial wargame- you short other peoples shares, you take loans and you dump companies a lot. Not for the faint of heart.
In summary I got in to 18XX games this year and I think Tet wasn't far behind. We can verify they are the most rewarding and punishing games you can possibly play. Sure they can be ugly as sin and appear incredibly intimidating- but if you take your time to dip your toes in the lake you'll find yourself swimming quickly enough.
It really is its own genre. The ones I have played have ranged from fairly different to "I dont even know how to play this game" lol. I would like to add that 1846 is often though to be a good starter game. It is the most Euro like 18XX and possibly a good transition point for eurogamers.