How it Plays: Merchant's Cove Gameplay and Review

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How it Plays: Merchant's Cove Gameplay and Review

Рет қаралды 10,418

3 жыл бұрын

Merchants cove is an asymmetrical worker placement game, meaning each character has a different set of actions, with varying strategies, rules, and experiences.
Will this thematic game be exciting enough for two heavy gamers? Or will it miss the boat on strategy? Most importantly, will this be the first asymmetrical game to stay on our shelf?
Find out soon, as we show you, How it Plays.
Full boardgame playthrough and review.
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What are the best boardgames to play with two players? What games should I buy for my family? What boardgames should I back on kickstarter? What are the top boardgames of 2021? We have your answers! Welcome to Ant Lab Games. We deliver full playthroughs and gameplay videos for two players. Our goal is to show you how games play, and how to play, before you make a decision to purchase. Whether you are looking for cooperative boardgames, competitive games, games for families, kids, or the perfect boardgames for couples, we have you covered. Subscribe and hit the bell to make sure you never miss a new baordgame playthrough or kickstarter preview!

Пікірлер: 43

@AntLabGames 3 жыл бұрын

Let us know your thoughts. Did this video help you make the decision on whether or not to add this to your collection? If it did, please hit the thumbs up button on this comment.

@hoolio197900 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for doing this. I've played 3 times solo and once 2 player. Still yet to try the expansion merchants so this was great!

@Polovene 2 жыл бұрын

The video is very , very nice as well as your effort to it. But I wouldn't decide to add or not to my collection because of the player count: a 2 player game usually differs too much from the sort of 'aimed' player count which is 4 in this case

@LenLindsay 3 жыл бұрын

Great to see you both "in action" again!

@Domyarus 3 жыл бұрын

So glad you both enjoyed this game; was possibly one of my most anticipated Kickstarter backs to date. As a primarily solo-player with the occasion to be able to rope in family members on simpler games; this back was a no brainer for me. Featuring 7 'unique' solo play experiences with lots of additional content to further increase variability without unnecessarily over complicating things was an absolute winner! The balance of fundamentally similar minimal choices for each character whilst needing to appreciate and focus on the central board's competing mechanics makes truly this game for me. :-)

@cevo70 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for covering MC. You perfectly captured the essence and intent of the design in your final thoughts. Asymmetry can be accessible! :)

@LordoftheBoard 3 жыл бұрын

Me and my wife love this game! We have played over 15 games already 😅 glad to hear you enjoy it for the same reasons we do!

@Axel_Vrarimor 3 жыл бұрын

Because of the pandemic I ended up cancelling my pledge for this game, which I really regret, thankfully, I think I will be able to get it eventually, thank you for showcasing it, it was great.

@ShaolinSlim Жыл бұрын

Wow! This just pushed me to back the Master Craft expansion AND get the original. Thank you so much for this long form video in such a fun, digestible way that my fear of dipping my (and my SO's) toes in not only Euro gaming, but asymmetrical gaming as well. I've watched a grip of your videos and they always inform and sway me in the right direction. Cheers!

@AntLabGames Жыл бұрын

Thank you! This is exactly why we do what we do.

@TheMikeMugu 3 жыл бұрын

Glad to see you guys again. Your the best at demonstrating how to play. I usually play board games with my wife so really appreciate all the hard work you both put in. I already purchased this game and am excited to get it to the table now.

@michaeldarling7169 3 жыл бұрын

What stands out here is your excellent camera work! Well done! I do like asymmetry but not roll and write. You two are more interesting than the game, but thanks for the great play through and review!

@simonbrandon7289 3 жыл бұрын

I had resisted backing the Kickstarter for this game and had already watched Rahdo run through this game but after watching you guys play I just had to add it to our collection so have just ordered it. Thank you. I really enjoy watching you play. The difference in gameplay between The Oracle and the Innkeeper is great, I am sure I will need to get these as well.

@AntLabGames 3 жыл бұрын

It was surprisingly more fun than we expected; enjoy!

@2tonporcupine249 3 жыл бұрын

Great review!

@MrLinguist88 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for such a great video!! I love statistics and I am just baffled how so many variations and decisions during this game arrive at such close score at the end! The balance is just so elegant!! By the way I don't think that there is no interaction in this game - one "hate draftedely"- placed meeple on a wrong boat can cost an opponent 50+ points ;) not that I would do such a thing...;);) All in all, I am now even more excited to get my kickstarted copy soon! If there will be a possibility, it would be great to see a rematch with other characters you liked, or maybe even a test with the secret one - i think there is no good video of it anywhere yet ;)

@deanofgames4661 2 жыл бұрын

I just bought someone’s all-in KS copy and everything is punched and assembled, sleeved, and each character in their own plastic container. I guess I avoided the endless punching snd assembling (although I enjoy that). I can’t wait to receive it. I think I can get this to the table more often than other games and I think the basic difficulty level will be a good thing.

@jonnypac 3 жыл бұрын

🤠 Thank you for great review! Tbh I’m not a big fan of highly asymmetrical games either-so I’m glad you enjoyed it too 😂

@fredericbarbe 3 жыл бұрын

Well deserved break! You guys really improved the overall quality of your videos. Thank you so much ! -from an old fan

@edifanobbonafide 3 жыл бұрын

I went all in. So far we did not play it. I appreciated your video. Now I want to play it. Thank you.

@Cleansweep38 2 жыл бұрын

I like this game a lot! I always like playing the captain, even though I always lose, but he is my speed of play. I also have played the Smith and that is fun too. The potion maker and Time travelers both have a rep. for scoring highest. When playing the Oracle, you are not rolling the bones like dice. If you watch any movie, you see them shake them between both of your closed cupped hands (like you’re praying) and then just let them fall into the cup. This might help you from missing the cup as much.

@Vantagegamessg 3 жыл бұрын

Did you guys try the Thief character?

@JoeyjojoShabadoo7 3 жыл бұрын

Back in full effect! 👍

@dougradcliffe1466 3 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy this game, it's certainly not super deep but it's just fun.

@embellish22 3 жыл бұрын

you both are class acts.. so good

@TheHexyBeast 3 жыл бұрын

i really want to try this solo... its one of the few jonny pac designs that seems to have a solo mode and im always a fan of The Mico's art... such an amazing table presence the asymmetry seems like it would really add a lot of replay value as a solo player... im probably going to get a copy soon. Great video guys Stay Hexy!

@AntLabGames 3 жыл бұрын

This would be a fun solo game for all the points you mention. I too love the art and overall look of the game when set up. This is a keeper for us.

@boardgametrucker9376 3 жыл бұрын

Cool great job!

@scorpian223 3 жыл бұрын

Very intrigued by this game. Not sure what's keeping me away, but I think it's one I want to try before I buy.

@Repodicus Жыл бұрын

I super glued the edges of the cardboard to make them more resilient.

@AntLabGames Жыл бұрын

Lol smart move

@mr.rogers7612 2 жыл бұрын

For the love of Pete! What's the icons lower left on rogue cards??!! Ij secret stash ones I think

@jokerES2 3 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure if I'd call it a rondel, because if you straighten it out it's just a linear time track like Tokaido. I hesitate to even call this asymmetric beyond the mini games since the middle board is the universal game. You both touched on this, and I agree. The mini game output has to end up roughly the same to stay competitive which really constrained how asymmetric it could be. I wish the time track had more flexibility. Having only 1 and 2 time actions means that the choice doesn't seem as substantial. I wish there were some 0s and 3s baked in to try to make the time track matter more.

@AntLabGames 3 жыл бұрын

All valid points! Definitely a good point about the asymmetry (or lack thereof). There certainly is symmetry in the different characters and in fact, that’s what we liked. So, maybe the quest continues for a “true” asymmetrical experience that works for 2. Nonetheless, it will stay in our collection!

@raymyers700 3 жыл бұрын

Glad to see the ALG machine going again! Great review! I am with you both: I don't like the asymmetrical games. I feel like games are hard enough to get into when everyone is on the same page. Now I have to know how YOU play and how SHE plays and how HE plays....AND how *I* play. If the reward was good, I'd be up for it more, but now it feels like a gimmick.

@BoardGamesinaMinute 3 жыл бұрын

Care Bear Euro Players! 😹 Good review!

@AntLabGames 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

@petrified2254 3 жыл бұрын

Great play-through! I personally really enjoy asymmetrical games, and look forward to adding this one to my collection! I completely agree with the 2-player asymmetry problem. What are your thoughts on the new root expansion that’s supposed to fix the 2-player experience? Not sure if you’ve seen it, but curious if you might try it out again to see if it changes the experience enough.

@billjensen51 3 жыл бұрын

Looks like some fun gameplay for a theme I have NO desire to have in a game. Still like the design from what I see.

@hoolio197900 3 жыл бұрын

Peddler might be 2 gold per member of guildm

@RottenJeeves 3 жыл бұрын

I was on the fence but after watching I decided to pass. I like a little more player interaction. Not mean, take that, but some level of interaction is mandatory for me. This game really seems like two people are playing two different games. The game exists be almost be a median between those two (or more) games to calculate a base score and see who wins. I like the idea and I like the theme but I don't like the execution. Thanks so much for the playthrough.

@deanofgames4661 2 жыл бұрын

We don’t do take backs. Lol

@boardgametrucker9376 3 жыл бұрын

I enjoy interaction the most in boardgames - interactions positive or negative “take that” - so, this is a pass for me.