I agree with your opinions, but I did purchase it after playing it - simply to use as a very simple introduction to auction games. I think it will work well for non-gamers because the production is so good and the price was right. I think it will make the jump to something like Medici simpler. From reading comments online I think DoW is in shock at the lackluster response it is getting.

I found it a fun to play game. Then I bought it, hated the box placement (Can't close the top thanks to the bag). But love the game... It's an either hate it or love it game.

Fantastic to see you back in the saddle, Tom! We've been missing you ;) X

I actually enjoy the game. I find that the artwork and components really help me to get into the spirit of the theme. It was the first bidding game that I have gotten so I didn't really have anything else to compare it to. I do think it would have been cool if each mob family had a different special ability. I have even thought that it would be interesting to pair up certain types of cargo which seem to correspond to the crime families and make collecting that type more valuable.

you can put the token bag under the black container for all the pieces

Place the tokens and bag under the insert. It fits fine.

for those who are having this problem - you need to put the bag under the plastic form if you want to fit the goods. cheers. :)

Fiuuu thanks for the review, I was going to buy this game blindly because it's from DOW but since the theme isn't so much there, I'm rethinking my buy quite a bit ...

Colosseum, another Days of Wonder release, has the same "bag in the box" problem. They give you a handy chart which shows you how to fit all the other pieces in the tray, but when it comes to the chits in the bag, there's no way you can get that lid closed...

Great, simple auction game with a pleasant playing time. Does cut the mustard!

I played a 2 player game once. Had a blast. But I agree with Tom about the theme being disconnected and the game being to simple. Also there is too much luck in this game for it to have any lasting appeal for a gamer. It would have been cool if you bid on something which actually did something. Like instead of buying more ships etc you had to bid on them. Would make this game a bit more complex, but it would improve this game a lot. Maybe an expansion can fix this...

You'll have to stick the bag of tokens underneath the plastic insert. It worked for me so...

hey, i'm from Europe! great review, saved me from buying this game. can you do a quick review to the ticket to ride expansion "Allen & Dexter"?

@calebbunch Well i don't know where Days of Wonder is based, but if it is a European company then it would explain a family game having somewhat inappropriate art work. After all her in Europe sunbathing topless is par for the course. So a bit of Cleavage is not considered very risqué in any way.

I don't know why, the gameplay is different obviously, but the ship placement keeps making me compare it to Pirate's Cove, substituting ship to ship combat with outbidding.

A game that I won't turn down to try, but unless for some reason it is a total balst with the group, its a game that won't make its way to my library.

There is ALOT of tweaking that can be done here...I really hope Days of Wonder makes something of this opportunity.

At 8 min 15 seconds Tom says "It feels so been there done that" Say it Tom, say it. "It feels so Eurotrash." I know you wanted to sat that. Lol

Anyone come here after that Funhaus video?

all signs pointed to this one being a stinker... Scott's blog, Drakkenstrike refusing to make a vid, now you confirm it... glad I told my friend to stay off this one.

Well that was a real downer...

i bought this blindly and found it to be pretty lame. i love DOW but this game had several things that were uncharacteristically disappointing. 1. the pieces didnt all fit in the box. 2. tons of cleavage and inappropriate artwork especially since their audience is families. 3. theme didnt seem to fit. 4. not much fun at all. thanks for the great reviews