this is what reviews should be. thoughtful after so many experience. thanks so much!

I don't watch board game reviews that often anymore because I still have quite a pile of unplayed games since Corona started and I don't want to be tempted to buy new games to put on top of the pile ^^. Just wanted to say that this is probably the best channel for actual board game reviews. It's not as flashy as some other channels and there aren't comedy bits and things like that but these videos are the best source if you want to make an informed purchase.

Great review Joel. Answered a lot of the questions I had about the game (especially around what the expansion boxes bring to the table).

And finally, you can play as gods. This would be so ripe for expansions with other mythologies, it's the only time I want the CMON treatment lol

Great review. I've seen reviews on BGG for the Pharaoh expansion that it is essential. Anyway, would love to see an update after you've played it with the expansion some more.

Thanks Joel, always enjoy your take on games and had been curious to hear your opinions and experiences with Ankh. I've only played it twice, once at 4 players and once with 3. I personally loved my experience both times until the merge. in both instances i was leading and not part of the merge but then felt very crippled post merge with an inability to really recover as the other players, rightfully so, worked against me. The four player game, the two merged players made a good come back, and the player who had been in 2nd place ended up winning and in the 3 player game, the two merged players did win. I def had/have sour grapes with my experience, but with that said i think that there is a ton going on and to be successful really requires a lot of thought and when you suddenly have 2 players working together, it requires them to discuss and plan their moves, that part was a real drag for me, and i by no means blame them as it has to be done to be successful. For that reason, this is my least favorite of the series, i do think it's an interesting mechanic and one that i was really excited about, but i really disliked it in practice.

This has to be a contender for my game of the year. The groups I have played with have liked the merge mechanic, as it is an excellent catch-up mechanic as long as everyone at the tables knows it is going to happen and plans accordingly. My only concern in my 6 or so plays is that they Ankh Power/Guardian Rush strategy is very powerful and difficult to combat, especially for new players.

Awesome review again Joel! Same thoughts here... The four games we played were all EPIC...

Really GREAT and deep review! Completely agree with everything. I need to play it more, but for now it is one of my favourite games. I like it more than Bloodrage. I can understand why so many people hates the merge mechanic, but I think that it is the best part of the game. It is something new, and it works great. In my opinion players need to think that somene is gonna lose table presence and collaborate with another player, and may be even win together.

That burn for "we now who" on Chaos in the old world made me laugh more than it should have (I think his name starts with J...)

I really enjoyed my first play of this but some in my group didn't get behind the merge even though, like you said in your example, the merge was a point away from winning. I think I'm going to bring it again next week now thst we've seen the merge in action. Nice review as always!

Great overview and review of the game. I can see how merging could cause some players to balk especially if they are not fully aware of how and when it works. Personally, I think it is an interesting twist on "player elimination" and fits the theme of deities vying for preeminence and survival.

Those little miniatures look like milk chocolate bars

I still would rather play Blood Rage and certainly Rising Sun for 3+ players. 2 players Ankh is clearly best, however I think I may still prefer Kemet...

great great review....100% agree with you!

Didn't expect you to enjoy this and rate it highest on this series. I had this and sold it. It is a mechanically smooth game and I had fun... until the merge. It is conceptually and maybe thematically good but I really didn't enjoy the part of 2 players merging. Still, everything you said is on point and great review!

Man following your channel has cost me a lot of money .

excellent review Joel!

Great review. Base game is on sale for 60. Gonna pick it up.

Great review. I backed the KS but not the expansions and I started to have some FOMO about not having the expansions. Glad you don't think they are necessary.

Thanks, Joel.

One day we will see Billy and Francesca on camera…

In five players we gor for 4+ hours easly hahaha