I got this for Christmas. After playing it 3 times now (only with the 6 recommended learn to play races as I've not played TI3) I have to say that it's awesome and think it's the perfect game for anyone who has a decent amount of board game experience. It's a big commitment to play a game of it but it never feels like the game is dragging on (which I have felt with Arkham Horror wich also takes a while) and there's so many more possibilities that I've still not explored yet. I can't imagine Fantasy Flight will ever make a 5th edition because unlike the 3rd this really does feel like the perfect game.

Sam looks extremely happy in this review. I love it!!

I'm sold...I've never played, but I HAVE to own this! These guys have re-invigorated my love of board games. I bought Pandemic, Robinson Crusoe and Legendary: Marvel after watching these videos. All of those are fantastic and the family loves them! Thank you Dice Tower!

Superb video quality. You guys look so different from the older videos! In a good way of course :) Lov'n the updates!

Can't wait to see TI4 on every Top 10 list Sam makes.

Great review chaps. I have this on pre-order and can't wait to get it to the table. The streamlining makes it a lot easier to teach and less fiddly to play..oh and the tech tree (or lack there of) is genius!

I could of told you this game was coming out. How? Well 3 months ago I finally purchased TI3, and every time I drop big money on a game a new edition comes out or a company goes under. You're welcome, now if you'll excuse me I'm off to play my first game of Dystopian Wars. Oh hey this 40K Conquest looks interesting.

I am so hyped for this. Pretty to new to board games myself, but really feeling a desire to play Twilight Imperium .... the problem is that as I am living in Germany, the number of people who would not only commit to playing a monster of a game like Twilight Imperium, but also do so in English was never enough to justify buying it. But everything changed at Gencon this year when they announced to also release a German version :D.

Great video, just played this for the first time and it lives up to the hype!

I've been a bit unsure about getting this since I typically play with three or four players and the game is quite long but Sam giving a positive story about playing three players in about three and a half hours with a first time player and the new player doing well has made me more confident about picking this up when it hits the shelves. :)

The moment we've all been waiting for!

I am so looking forward to playing this game! Just can't wait! Almost ready to fly down to Sam's neck of the woods for a play-through!

Great review and overview of the game guys! Ok! Now going over to Sam's Video comparison! :)

Thanks so much for getting this one out so quick after GenCon.

That was the best end to a review ever! LoL Loved it!

Loving the graphical updates. Beautiful...

Really nice looking finish on the cards.

I'm painting my minis from TI4, I'm so excited.

I really think I could get this to the table so much more. My group definitely leans toward 1 hour ish long games but we often play 3-4 rounds in a row. That's a game of TI.

I always warn people how long it is but when you get in it-wow. I've had people complain when the game ended so we did a few extra rounds just to see how some event would unfold.I have won several times without firing a single shot, having a big fleet is important to make people second guess attacking. That is one thing I love about this game is you can play and win to your style.

Just played this over the weekened - AMAZING Game! Not too hard to grasp after a round or two, though it is daunting. Excellent excuse to get together with friends and BBQ and make it a social event with an epic galactic game that is super fun to play because you're always involved.

I've seen/heard about how much Sam loves TI3, so I was immediately curious his reaction to the TI4 announcement and changes. He seems beyond stoked in this particular video. I'm very curious about the game, but I don't think any of my friends would be willing to commit *that* much time to it.

My glee nearly matches Sam's! Must buy!

I WANT THE 48HR EDITION!

3:56: Aaaaarrgghhh~*! (I'm colorbind. Always purple pieces for Jol-Nar!)

I absolutely LOVED TI 3rd edition! But I just don't have 4-8 hours of time to play a game anymore. :( If someone could make a mobile version that I could play on the toilet with my friends... that'd be greeeeeaaaat.

Been waiting for this.

Last time we played TI3 we were four players and it took us 3 ½ hour, though the owner of the game had it all sorted out and set up for quick introduction and to get on with the game and I was probably the only one that had not played it befor (almost got the victory too, so close, so close). Great game though I agree on the once every year or two, atleast for me.

11:55 Scumbag fighter stealing focus :-) Great vid, insta-buy when it comes out in French in 4th trimester!

I want to play this with Sam and Tom !!!!!

Hey, where's the part where you build ships? Or get action cards? Doesn't seem to be covered by strategy cards.

A toutorial/walktrought app for phone , so dont need to explain the game over and over , is a must for this game

My friends intro to get me to play this game: you have a Sunday free? Cool, on Friday and Saturday, read this rulebook and watch this 2 hour video to get the gist of how to play. I've played about 7 or 8 times in 3rd ed... Very fun, finding the time and scheduling with friends is the hardest part but very worth it

I want to see a live play of this with Zee in it. :)

Doesn't seem different enough from TI3 to warrant the extra expense. The tech system seems the most different but, to be honest, the old system was not that clunky and after a few plays it becomes second nature. I'll stick with version 3 for now. Good review, thanks :)

Great review! How do you think this game compares to eclipse?

I guess that brings up a question...my gaming group avoids any game box that says 2hrs+. Is there an alternative to TI4 that isn't so long that someone would recommend?

Is there a live play of 4th edition somewhere on the horizon?

No component drop??? Didn't even get to see the insert :(

Get Zee to play it ! He might enjoy it more than he'd think. Worst case scenario we get to enjoy seeing him suffer. Whatever happens the audience wins !

It's a real shame that Zee couldn't put down the game long enough to actually join in on this review.

Not sure if I should keep 3rd, or sell it and get the 4th edition :/

Is that a faux-brick background? Kinda looks like an open mic nite lol.

One thing Tom or Sam hasn't mentioned. One card, the Hyper Metabolism technology card, is a misprint. It SHOULD read "gain 3 command tokens instead 2".

Funny thing. I keep using TI3 as a gateway game, and it works every time.

Aw no Zee on this one? ;)

I wonder what would be the chances of FFG doing an upgrade kit like the did with descent. I be pretty happy with getting new rules, player aids, and cards for $50-60. But as a once every two year player I don't think that I justify an entirely new version.

This is your best set up for videos, like it.

I wanna play! =-(

I've only ever played TI via message board, never in person. I'm curious how much of the infamous play time is due to AP. I've noticed that the people I know in real life who say they play TI are also some of the biggest problem AP people I know. I guess a sprawling space epic just attracts them. As long as I'm planning my moves while it's not my turn, I can't imagine any of my turns taking longer than 30 seconds to plan out.

lol @16:00: One of my group did exactly that- won a game without ever firing a shot.

Looks like the game of the year. Definitely the reprint of the year.

I finally save up enough to buy TI3, and then this happens. Should have seen it coming with the price drop. The tech looks way streamlined in a great way. Overall, this looks just a little better than TI3 in a lot of ways that really would make the game noticeably more enjoyable and easier to drag people into. Plus it essentially comes with the expansions that are now prohibitively expensive! Oh well, TI3 is still great.

I had the first edition, but nobody to play with. Maybe I will find someone for this? :)

Hey everyone, I was looking to buy a game to play with my friends but I'm a little undecided. Twilight Imperium looks great, but I'm not sure if it is the setting I would really like to play. I was hoping to great a strategy war game, so I stumbled on Axis and Allies, but as far as I know the game was made to be played the Axis vs the Allies and it's unbalanced if you wanted to play a free for all, and I love the alliances and betrayal part of war games, so I feel like I would be losing a lot. Then I found Ikusa, the new version of Samurai Swords and Shogun I think, and it looked awesome, but I can't find anywhere for a reasonable price and there might not be quite enough ways to play the game as Twilight Imperium (wich you don't need to necessarily beat everyone up to win). I wanted a heavy mechanics strategy war board game. Maybe you guys can help me, maybe I'm asking too much for wanting a perfect game (on my standards). Thanks any way! Btw, great video guys! Just found your channel and I love it.

Looks really cool. How come the price tag gets not mentioned at all? I would say that's one for the cons column... no matter how cool the rest of the game is... not everyone gets review copies...

I hope Sam is right: is love to get TI* to the table more often. The last few times, we quit TI3 after the 12 hour mark.

Cool stuff in tampa/brandon?

In 2022 should i get this game...sounds fun... but i dont have friends =0(

I really love these toe of games. Very thematic where I get lost in the cardboard and plastic. I feel lucky when I have not Bight a game and then they release a better or updated, streamlined version. It just makes you feel like you have the best and and decades in this case of work and refining etc. The trouble is I want to buy this now but I have no one to play it with add no one I know will play games this long or I can only find one person. I wish there was a way of making games like this sometimes only go for day 2 hours. Even then people think that is too long. Are purples attention spans ruined on modern times because of instant gratification, lack of patience and fat things like microwaves or mobile phones etc. I mean purple used to waste their time on bad gamers like monopoly fur way longer and that's a bad game. Yet you get fantastic games, like the best ever made on the entire planet and now people won't play them. Come on people's learn to enjoy big epic matter piece space operas like this. Please, I want to play it..... ( I say while stamping my feet on the ground; vet much akin to a childhood tantrum).

Are the armored tanks and mercenaries in this game? The mercs were "meh" but the tanks were wonderful against infantry.

Guys, I love your reviews but very of my friends nerds cannot espeak english... is to much put subtitles in spanish?... but I really like your comments and observations about our loveved board games.

Where's the component drop? :D

June 2020 and still no expansions... just get the game already if you haven't yet

"Yeah, right!" lol

i think there should be a kickstarter/gofundme #banthehats

Twilight imperium the same game play as star wars board game?

Better production??? is it a better game? It seems like the rules are the same, only tweaks in the components.

Zee would play if they had Pandemic: Twilight Imperium.

What's with the brick wall set, you guys starring in a school play? ;)

Haha so sad that I got TI3 for my birthday and then literally a week later they announced TI4. Sellin my TI3 already haha

Sure, but what does Zee think about this one?

huys, what if i play twilight imperium 3 ad least once a month? should i upgrade it? :p Of course im kidding. Im waiting for my local language release and we will plaaaay a lot once it release.

My wife says 48 hours sounds about right for TI

"You could even win the game without even getting into a battle". Yes, I did it, nearly! I won my *first* game of TI(3) by battling only once.

Great video guys. May i ask a question? My name is Mario and im from Brasil; my board game group, loves catan, lords os waterdeep and puerto rico. Do you think TI4 maybe a good game to try? The political aspect of the game may be a plus since we like\love political stuff. We range from 33 to 43 (me) years old. Thank you

Aw, no component drop?

Board gaming according to Sam. $150 price tag on Cthulu Wars that takes 60 minutes to play is superfluous. $150 retail price for Twilight Imperium 4 that you'll play one or two times a year is highly recommended.

What are these "thumbs" you guys speak of?

well last time i did trash eric lang games for the price.well for me this is worth 150 msrp.if i can squeze the 4 player game in 5 hours tops i am sold.

oh come on.. still no individual ship molds for the different races/players.. :P

48 hours seemed about right, though...

Those player boards look a bit papery... paper with square corners? Aren't we past this in 2017? You know the player boards in Quantum? That's how they're done right.

A couple of more editions and it might be as streamlined and efficient as Eclipse.

Mechanized Infantry should have been included.

Everytime i hear this Miami dice music, i imagine "the trio" there grabbing rail and twerking on tune..

You never answer the big question, if you have your choice between TI3 and TI4, which would you play?

You can win TI3 without fighting. I have done it once. I haven't played TI4 yet though.

The picking of the strategies reminds me of Puerto Rico in choosing roles. Game looks way overly complicated and long. I'll be passing up on this game as I don't enough people that would play a board game that long. So is coolstuff.com your guys business?

You guys are way behind. I was playing ti85 in highschool.

didn't even build a legal board. Details matter Tom :(

Less FFG hate than usual, cool :D

Was hoping for more refinement. Don't think it's worth upgrade, unless FFG publishes a kit specifically for TI3 players. And there are no leaders, distant suns, mercenaries, or ambassadors? Well, there's GOTTA be an expansion. Star Wars TI makes little sense to me--it's not a galaxy of individual races competing for expansion, rather it's about countless races all intermingled. Star Trek, OTOH, works.

They supposed to make it lighter and faster than TI3. I'll skip this one.

You guys actually managed to get more than a single game of this in since GenCon?

Real talk do not offer to play this game with someone if they were your ride there or home. If you get destroyed in the first FEW hours it will STILL take MANY MORE HOURS. It is very possible that 6 hours in half of you will want to quit and the other half will be in too deep, so bring something else to do. Everyone needs to have at least some idea of what's happening before the game starts, if you are learning it for the first time it will take ages. If you like to libate / inhalate when you game with your group you need to keep that turned down. Mild lack of focus and poor decisions in the first few turns can easily result in being completely debilitated early or the game taking longer to conclude. The single most important factor is to embrace your species / lore, the only times i have ever won this game where when I understood the strategy of the specific race I had and played to it's strengths exclusively. Seriously read that bullshit on the back about your specific history, it's not advice, it's not for flavor it's how to play as you. I love / hate this game because there are so many variables that at a certain point it's just luck you still have to roll dice and draw cards, and just because you can't win definitely does not mean that you do not have the capacity to decide who does if you stick it out to the end. I've literally seen a game come down to a decision where a player that had functionally checked out of the game like six hours ago make was able to prevent the two players that had been "winning" for the last 4 hours lose and the person who everyone expected to be 3rd won the game. It's really ridiculous what can happen in this game if very complex. Oh yeah and also look into common play / fan rules because some things in this game are just too exceptional or debilitating.

The main problems of Ti3 have not been adressed as far as i'm concerned and that means a pass. The game could shave off an hour of it's gameplay if it was just structured differently. For example, as they said, there are lots of opportunities to be involved during other players turns... but it's not mandatory. So it means there is always a player who wanted to be involved, but failed to notice he could do so until everyone has done it (it's easy being absorbed into your own thoughts as there's a lot of things in the game and it's taxing to the brain when combined with it's length). So him catching up on actions is a not negligible part of the time the game takes. Most people will occasionally do this, even those who are not prone to such behaviours. I have never played with a group whwre it did not happen at least once a turn. Then there's the single thread processing of this game. Everyone takes his actions alone. When you built ships, you are alone doing it. Other games will take for example a combined game phase where everyone builds at the same time... meaning for much faster gameplay for the same amount of game decisions. Ultimately TI3/4 takes only, on average, 6 turns to play through with experienced players. You will take, on average, 5 actions per turn. A total of 30 actions taken overall. As a point of comparison, Kemet and Inis both have the same average of actions (close to 30). Why does TI3 takes 5 hours (4 players game) for the same amount of actions/decisions than those other two games and the later only takes around 90 minutes? Because those later two have better structures to them to reduce downtime... TI3 is convoluted and long, but it's not deeper than many other games. The amount of options blinds people, but ultimately half those options are pointless to it's end goal. Once you have played enough to spot those options that are not game winners (like half the tech tree for example, or the entire trade system, etc.) you'll be faced with a much simpler game that just takes a long time to play.

You should play a game at least 10 times before reviewing it! :D

TI4 SW would have no point what so ever... forced theme. But yeah... if you own TI3 with the expansions there is NO NEED what so ever to get this!

"LOL''S (laws) that come into play" Still not sure why I would spend my time to play this yet alone spend my money.