Oh, you have made my day. Starting a video by actually diving right in, instead of what people usually do, two minutes of “here is what I am going to talk about”. Please keep doing this. We already know from the title what you are going to talk about!

Thanks for the review. Really enjoy the style of your videos. Impressed by how you manage to create an almost 20 min video almost without misspeaking. I had to record a 90 second clip the other day and really struggled :D. Thanks for the content!

Thanks Alex for the shoutout re the 4 page rules (even though you didn't know my name :P). Anyway I'm planning to edit the in-game tutorial scripts so that it guides you a little bit better (via an app that a few of us are working on as a fan project). Think of it as you will, a video games "patch" (but for a board game).

The way I feel about this game: ain't nobody got time for that! But more seriously I really like the aesthetics of the game but it would never hit the table.

You completely nailed it with this review, and I agree with you 100%. I’ve finished the wave 1 content, and I plan on replaying it with a different character or two.

Etherfields put out an update on continuous dream mode, a way to skip slumbers. www.kickstarter.com/projects/awakenrealms/etherfields-board-game/posts/3045465

Nice timing for uploading the video. Timing is everything.

Great video Alex. I was looking forward to this all week in anticipation. Really helps with putting my mind at ease with our backing of the game.

Alex, stand up and take a bow for one of the most candid and pragmatic (and well-delivered) reviews that you've posted. I hemmed & hawed about backing this when the campaign was live (wasn't this the game that allowed you to place cards on top of one another in irregular patterns to create the 'dream map'?) but ultimately bypassed it. I was awed by the lush artwork, but got an early uncertain vibe about some core aspects of the gameplay. I will further rationalize my decision by echoing the negative points you raise, but I'm also intrigued by your considered enthusiasm for the game it aspires to be. Your overall conclusion reminds me of my experience with Lords of Hellas- I love that game despite its flaws. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 🖖

I think you should mark your calendar or remember to do a 'return review' where you revisit your initial review after you have more time and play sessions under your belt. It would be interesting to see how your experience changes over time.

So overall I think the slumber and world is what I dread about getting this to table... what house rules do you use to skip the world circles for keys? Also as a solo player, do you play one or two characters?

Great video and really original opinions as usual. You acknowledged everything other reviewers said while bringing in the much needed "Alex" flair. I'm excited to get Etherfields to the table today.

Became one of my favorite channels quickly. Also not so long winded with good tempo. one of the few ones I did not spead up. good job!

Hi! I'll finally receive my core box in the wave-2 and I'd be very much interested in your thoughts now that you got further down the dreams? I've heard the deck-building experience pretty much kicked off about the 10h marks, which is where you were when reviewing the game. Anyhow, I am very pleased to have seen a more nuanced approach to the review and look forward to see what more content you'll offer us! :)

I really feel like i got a different box from everyone else... I absolutely love the slumbers i have an absolutely fantastic time always discovering something new every time. I currently have completed 13 dreams (plus had to repeat 2 twice and 1 three times, and have done 3 of the return dreams) and i still look forward to flipping over the slumber cards.

Thank you Alex! Between your and Quinns' (Shut Up and Sit Down) reviews my expectations are now well and truly tempered. I am still awaiting my all-gameplay pledge but I will give it a thorough go before trading it away.

I think the thing about Etherfields which bugs me the most is the issue with the wording and text issues. As a person would plays MtG, it's made me appreciate the consistent rules language. Do you feel that the text is good enough? As for the rule of limiting the amount of Slumbers, is that a difficulty change?

Thanks for that well-balanced report! Still waiting for the language version here, and I hope the manual is not a mess, keeping me from playing. I will check that 4 page guide you have mentioned - thanks for the hint! I'll also keep in mind that skipping some slumbers might be a good idea... :)

Great review, and you really explained my exact experience with the game. Keep doing what you are doing!

11 dreams in and I'm hooked. Playing 2-handed "solo".

As always. Thanks for a wonderfully passionate review. The theme didn't pull me in, although the production quality caught my eye. Looking forward to your comparison review with ISS vanguard as it's theme and the prototype overviews have peeked my interest. Curious if the box of miniatures will add to the experience.

Another great video. Really amasing work what you're doing. Thanks. We gamers do appreciate. :) About this game, thanks to one of your last live videos with quack, i've decided to go for tainted grail instead of etherfields. It seems to fit more with my taste. But now i'm wondering if TG minis are as "useless" as this ones. If each of them land on board for just 5m, and stay in box most of the time, then i don't want/need them. Do you know, or someone know if TG minis are more used?

Exactly what I was hoping for. Again you hit the mark.. love youre work best boardgame review on youtube . No 1 ..

I'm clearly a glutton for punishment, since I like the feeling of having to grind and earn or unluck the dream. This hasn't bothered me at all.

I wonder if the slumbers can be optional? I haven't played and didn't back it because I didn't know about it. I'm new to Awaken realms games. Majorly late I know. From what I hear, as this is about dreams, I imagine somethings are designed to be changed by house rules?

Hi, did you try the Continuous Dream Mode?? What do you think about it? Thanks :)

Great video. Definitely feel that my initial view of this that it would make a better RPG than a board game is on the mark, at least for my tastes. In fact, I'd be tempted to pick it up to just rip ideas off for some of my similar RPG campaigns/games. Invisible Suns really springs to mind as something and I ordered just the miniatures for this game to use in that one a couple of weeks ago.

Great video, love your passion! Best review of the game so far in my opinion. Glad I late pledged it!

Hi Alex, can you describe all your house rules you have to enjoy the game more? Thank you.

@BoardGameCo Thank you for your always balanced review! I do have a question- do you think Awaken Realms may take the criticism and make a second edition with tighter rule set? Would it be worth waiting? Thank you again!

Thank you for doing a different review and acknowledge, there is good and bad, its your decision to love it or not. Awesome"review" :) you have a new subscriber. And I do not even own the game nor have I backed it.

Tbh, this and SDSU’s review of Etherfields curbed my enthusiasm for ISS Vanguard. Should we be worried about that game? Will it turn out to be unplayable or just plain boring?

Thanks for the review. It is nice to see your perspective, and also to see that the issues/criticisms aren't necessarily the be all and end all. I also like the willingness to just modify the parts of the game you don't like. At the end of the day, games are about having fun, and if a modification/house rule here and there improves the experience for you, then go for it. When I get my copy in wave 2, and hopefully I'll really enjoy the game, too. I will keep your advice on the slumber in mind, as well.

Good review. It captures my feelings pretty well. Despite it's flaws and barrier to entry, there's still an experience in there that I'm really enjoying. I haven't hit the slumber grind that you and others mention but there's ways to house rule that. It was odd to me that SUSD equated house ruling to cheating, but I guess to each their own.

Awesome review!

Interesting too see this game recent videos, it looks like it's so close to perfection I guess it will receive a second kickstarter to address all those, as always great contents

Nice, good review! So I buy only core set, that will be enough for begin right?

Great review. Is there written down anywhere modified rules similar to what you used to enjoy the game? Some systematic way to skip slumbers and the tedious elements of the game?

I have Etherfields but I haven't had a chance to play it yet. I have been trying to determine if I want to play it solo or with 3 players. Do you have a recommendation in that regard? Happy Hannukah

Sounds like by the time I get it (second wave, rookie mistake) they will have a official work around the slumbers if need be. Despite negatives I am still very much looking forward to this !

That’s the same way I treat Tainted Grail: if a rule is getting in the way of the fun: I ignore it or change it. Are you going to rob yourself of fun because you want to be beholden to the rules? Unless you are playing competitively, who cares? Good even review of the game. I have it on order and look forward to diving into this dream-world. Cheers!

Thanks great review. Makes me feel better for the incoming wave 1 and 2 ;-)

I rarely subscribe, but for your channel I had to.. Great, balanced review mate :)

What would you choose between this and Machina Arcana? It may be strange question, but this 2 games looks similar enough for me to compare and choose only one

I'd appreciate your thoughts on the 2.0 improvements that came with the wave 2 content.

as a single-wave-backer, I enjoyed watching your review (now without headphones). still not sure, if I will keep my pledge once it arrives with wave-2? but at least, thanks to you I understand what can be avoided (rulebook, game board, slumbers) and what can be enjoyed about the game.. :)

I am not as far in, but I had a fun experience with the game so far. The butcher actually entered my dream from the sidelines, but I had a card that let me create a spawnpoint for dream entities, so I let him spawn in a locked toilet, where he stayed for most of the dream. (With the downside of me not being able to explore the toilet myself, but it sure was funny.) I think the fun factor of this game is higher if you play it with other people, they even added cards that let you roleplay.

Alex, I really appreciate the balanced review. I have heard rumors that AR is taking a look at the slumbers and might change how they function when the 2nd wave ships. Have you heard about this?

I got excitement goosebumps listening to what you like about Etherfields. I played solo with the Specialist until I died around the 5th dream in, loved it that far but decided to put it away for a bit. Now I am so getting this back on the table! Have you switched Dreamers yet? I think I'm going to try that out this time around.

What's your thoughts on the announcement (in their last update) that they're adding rules to avoid the slumbers?

Alex, You and I think alike in how we game. I have no issue customizing a game to optimize our experience playing the game, and I have done just many times throughout my gaming life. I love the practical application you shared with this game. I am one of those who choose single wave shipment. I did this for the shipping, as well as in hopes that AR will fix cards, texts, and rules the find from the Guinea pigs (😜) that played it first. I’m hopeful the rules will be revised but we shall see. The last reason I choose one wave shipping is because I know by the time I get my game there will be plenty of tutorials and player aids available. My wife and I are still excited about this game and look forward to our play throughs. Thanks for the pro tips about the board and slumbers, I will implement that as well. 👍👍

Great review.

Great review! A few people have referenced AR bringing out a "dream only" mode or implied modification of the rules at least. Is this official? Do we know when or how this will take shape? I await my copy, but personally would like to play the game as intended although if I did start to feel the game dragging, would feel better following some guidance on possible house rules/game adaption by AR themselves

Hey Alex, have you tried the 2.0 rules yet. It seems that you can skip those slumbers now somehow 🙂

another great video Alex. love your content! was interested in this but just seems.....too much. I love This War of Mine & Nemesis, they for me are perfect games. More succinct and managable than Tainted Grail or Etherfields. Have Arkham Horror LCG that scratches whatever itch Etherfields may instigate. But we are all so blessed to have so many games to choose from!

This was extremely helpful, thank you. I'm playing with the revised rules (easier key getting and I think fewer slumbers), and I still find the slumbers and dreamscape to be....busywork. I LOVE the theory of things you do in drams having consequences with the slumbers, but the grind to get to the next dream is still not enjoyable. I appreciate this giving me 'permission' to cheat a bit. I also don't know why I didn't occur to me to just NOT use the board at all. I was going to cut it and hurt the resale value...but there really is no need for the board in the first place.

@boargameco : if you had to rate all the awaken realm games that you have played. What would you rate them ?

Quinns's complaint were all things I had heard/read before on forums or other video reviews. But he definitely seemed to have magnified a lot more than others. But hey, people value things differently. I love the idea of playing w/o the board. It's actually pretty genius lol. Thanks again for another grounded, fair and balanced review! And the reminders to viewers to still weigh what they like/dislike! Btw, I laughed at the "it is what it is" at the end lol.

One quick question! If, I get only core set that enough to joy and play?

I pledged pretty much all in but single shipment, so won't see it for a while. Now I am looking forward to it, but wary at the same time. It should be interesting. Thanks for the review

Thanks for the review Alex, I enjoyed your point of view. I've late pledge the All-In to play with my girlfriend since I think it's a really interesting concept and world and will only be getting it next year. Having heard your review and SU&SD perspective, it does worry me that the experience, but from the way you've both described it, I would fully expect fans will eventually remake house rules to fix a lot of the "problems" that Etherfields seems to have and make it more fun / engaging for players (and find a way how to actually use the beautiful minis as well ;). This having been said, one of my worries is that this is the second time I hear this issue. I heard a similar critic for Tainted Grail and I fear that they will repeat the same mistake for ISS Vanguard. (out of the 4 designers, 2 were on tainted grail and 1 on Etherfields) That's one of the reason why I'm iffy on this future campaign.

Tha is for stating your opinion and your reasons. I own Etherfields and I believe I will highly enjoy it when I actually am not working 10+ hours a day. One question I have is what do you think about the storage aspects?

I appreciate how thorough you are man! You're going to be a board game power house sooner than later! (You already are ;) Question for you, do you feel that ISS Vanguard plays out similar? You said something here that it's like playing a narrative and maybe a good mystery book would be better (something like that). I'm at the section where you're speaking about the minis. I got similar impressions of ISS Vanguard but I know you played it. Do you think they are similar in this regard?

Very good review ^^

I'm *ALL* in Wave 2 in for this...!! I was a little worried about this game because of some of the polarizing reviews but YOUR review hands down *EXACTLY* what I needed to hear. Not 100% happy about two (2) issues you raised:. 1. Miniatures (enemies/bosses) are not needed, hardly utilized... 2.) Narratives, just read book, I know what you mean, but I'm hopeful that this is just maybe 5% ~15% true if it's more like 40% or more, I'm going to be upset that I spent $$$ on a gigantic mystery/horror/suspense novel... I will tell you that I *ANTICIPATE* re-visiting the dream sequences again and again (replayability) just to ensure *ALL* cards have been reviewed/exhausted, (some cliche inserted here about leaving no stone unturned..) Overall VERY VERY happy for this review and glad to be a patron on Patreon for you!!! Keep this up please!!! :D :D :D

Great review! Do you think the comment about the miniatures will also apply to ISS Vanguard? At first sight the same issue will apply there but I love miniatures :p

a fair review, seeing both sides is kin to genius. i agree with all you said and now i am not sad over accidentaly tearing my playmat apart xD ty🙏

I really want to like this game. Love the theme. Wondering if people, more familiar with Awaken Realms, can share a hypothesis for what the retail version will end up costing.

Excellent review ... couldn't agree more. I like this game far better than Tainted Grail. In that game, the "rinse and repeat" is the ever so boring run from monster, grind for resources, light menhirs that is always the same. In this game, the grind changes ever so slightly (going through the slumber deck) in where the entities spawn on the Dreamscape, what quirk cards happen to be in play, the turn cards, and individual player decks. Also, as you said, how the slumber cards can change based on the dreams and certain things than can happen while you are playing a slumber. I have about 30 hours in ... and I still can't wait to get back to the table.

I do love the theme. I'm have been working on a board game that explores a similar space and it's exciting and reassuring to see there is a market for the theme :) But I don't think Either field is right for me, I tend to need simpler easier games to play with friends and the occasionally thicker box for special occasion. But hopefully some people do find it and love it

Have to say I love SUSD but .... they are incredibly pretentious with any game that is ‘big’. In general they don’t like most things Kickstarter. Same as no pun included. I say this as a British board gamer. I always generally assume if both of the above dislike big campaign games I’ll probably love them 😉.

Thanks for the review. I am in a fortunate position that my brother is a board game junkie and buys everything so the question usually becomes do I want to borrow it? This has helped as I love shutup and sit down and was swayed by their review. Buying KDM a few years back with all expansions (haven't opened a single one yet) has seriously limited my buying power. More of a punishment to myself for making silly board game choices!

I saw the great reviews for this game on BGG and picked it up. Tom Vasel seemed to really like this game but everyone seems to absolutely despise the slumbers and the rulebook. The rulebook is definitely horrendous but if I recall, the game even encourages you to skip slumbers as long as you aren't afraid of possible negative consequences.

Hi Alex! On the chat with Marcin you asked him what could be the next AR recieving a second edition... And Martin did not answer straight away... Well... how about Etherfields? I decided not to back it, and the negative points are legit... Sounds like a great opportunity for a second version, don´t you think? Regards!

Yeah, I've struggled to get started with the game. Those few pages from BGG seem like they'll be helpful but I feel like it's a huge task just to understand what cards go where in the box or on the board/table. I guess if they are repetitive and boring then Slumbers are appropriately named.

Anybody else still waiting on there copy.? I was told it won't ship until next wave. Apparently I backed the wrong delivery method. I only ordered the plain base game.

where can I get the 4 pages of rules?

Alex, thx for your opinion. I don't know how many dreams i am in but i am so hooked and have to play every day (it is always ready to play and stays where i was when i stoped). I play the tough guy and realy does like him but almost never used his action (maybe twice in all 16 days played). My deck is already over 40 cards big (i never go to awakening so it will stay big), 15 items, 9 wisdoms, 1 s key, a lot of nice slumbers, a lot of flaw cards (some are nice too) and i realy like slumbers to rest from sometimes realy strange dreams. I had to do my last dream over 20 times (to get all availible cards out of it and i hate cheating my self so i don't do it ;) ). I like the board but swoped the places for world maptiles and slumber- / dreamtiles. cheers

This was all up my alley. Played at a friend’s house but they sold it before asking if I wanted to buy it! Now waiting for mine to come in.

I play Etherfields with 3 people and the game board isn't that bad with that many people. Everyone at the table equally can't see things haha. This wouldn't be much different if we had decided not to use the board though. The board would be hot garbage for solo play though. Other than that, I have really enjoyed Etherfields and think that most people's critique is just a matter of person taste since I haven't been bothered by what most people have said. Another thing I can agree with is that the rules for the game aren't super clear until you play it for a few dreams. This is evidence by the fact that there is a 3rd party 4 page document to help you get started. I think some of the complexity comes from 2 things: #1 not all rules will make sense when you read about it since you don't have access to those things immediately and #2 the terms for things aren't as clearly delineated as I might have liked. For example, Dreamscape, Dream Gate, Dream World, Slumber Deck, and Slumber Map. Once you get the hang of things and understand the terms, this game is great. I did the Dreamer Pledge originally since I didn't know what to expect from this game. Now that I do, I've gone back and purchased all of the other gameplay expansions + 5th player. People have complained about the Creatures of Etherfields being unnecessary, which is surprising since they are a cosmetic upgrade and have no gameplay value. I have personally loved dropping in a physical miniature for the Butcher, but the Butcher token they give you can serve the same purpose if you didn't have the mini.

I think that your review of this game gives me the vibe of having your cake (acknowledging crippling issues) and eating it too (still recommending it). However, I have not played it so maybe its just one of those weird things that has problems but you can't help but love

This is a review, a good review. This game and Tainted Grail are similar in that the reviewers feel ignoring the repetitive boring parts that drag the game down make it a very good game. At least these games are improved by leaving something out. Some game seem to have something left out from the start and filling that void is very difficult.

Great video as always, Alex! Let me ask you a question. If you had played this game with someone else, say a friend or Quackalope, for the first 5 dreams or so. Based on everything you had experienced, would you have gone out and purchased this game? Easy to find something you like in something you invested in after all. Objectively speaking, knowing what you know now, would you have sunk the money in? I often have far different responses to games I have invested in, even if they are okay. I went all-in with 7th Continent, loved what I played and then ended up offloading it. I wouldn't have bought the game had I played it prior to buying. Always curious to see if folks would still take the plunger under those circumstances.

best review so far :)

Etherfields improved for me once I decided to be flexible with slumbers, where for SUSD it collapses once he had to leave the rulebook behind. I think Etherfields is a glorious core with poor choices scattered around it. I think its a BGG top 50 game if it was just the dreams, so cheat and make it so. Good review.

Yeah personally I played a lot of Pathfinder and D&D where there is crazy grind a 10 million rules. I could never skip a rule and guess I love the grind so when my one wave shipping shows up next year I can't wait!

Could you add the list of components you added to streamline your game? Those card sheets are a great idea

Alex later on there is more mitigation with the slumbers. I suggest, you continue the dream and try and different characters too.

You can skip slumbers in the begin… but some of them is interesting to solve with deliverance cards

does etherfields 2.0 change your opinion on the game?

Nice review man! What are your favourite deck building games?

This the type of game collectors and enthusiasts are going to have to buy just because of the controversy. From people who say, no, we’ve fixed it, they way we play it, it’s now amazing, to yeah, you’ve got to play it just to experience had bad it is.

It's the experience that great and unique that we can ignore the flaws? Or are the dreams just a good experience (that we can find elsewhere).

I would have really liked your inputs about whether the game is good with 3-4 players or not. There might be others videos that review this, but I really do appreciate your content and your review. I already bought my copy and when it will arrived, I will probably try it at 4 players first to start off. If my group are not pull in it enough , well at least I know that I can finish it solo.

Another good video, though perhaps some of my feelings there is purely because you like the game... which I still haven't managed to get to the table. Space issues as much as time issues, but I still look forward to it. I've noticed recently that I have difficulty recognizing that a game can be flawed, perhaps notably, and yet still be enjoyable and worth having in my collection. As well, that it is okay to change the rules if they're getting in the way of the experience. Especially something like Etherfields, where the narrative IS such a big part of the game, I think it's perfectly okay to do such. Even more if you're playing a solo game. From what I've heard of the review from various sources, I still don't know that I feel like actually watching the SUSD video, but thanks for helping show that it is both not a perfect game, and that it's okay for it not to be a perfect game. Separate, I do greatly look forward to the rules set that AR is planning to release that removes slumbers, if for no other reason than the campaign sounds awful long even without them, and that's not even counting all the expansion campaigns once wave 2 comes in...

Completely agree with your points. The game has many problems, but I'm still very keen to play dream after dream and experience the story.

Actually I like the slumbers because they give you time to get ready for a hard to beat dream. Set up your progress cards get your shinning gems. If you play the tough guy or specialist you can set your progress cards. And huge spoiler alert read on your own decision. Some slumber rewards have to do with the mystery path which unlocks you the lucid mode and one more dream.

Still haven't played this yet, got everything, waiting for other to actually play any game. November and December for me get busy work wise, that its really hard to align actual board game days.

This is a game I'd like one of my friends to buy so I can play once. But it's really not my kind of game. It would end up sitting in the shelf for years. Great review as always!

Not sure if you already saw this, but in their most recent update on kickstarter, Awaken Games is going to release an official ruling on playing a sped up version of the slumbers so people can skip the grind but still gain resources. It's nice to see they are listening to feedback, but maybe they need to get a larger pool of playtesters who are not being coached by the developers directly to better evaluate their games and rulebooks in the future.