"An interesting game" is a very diplomatic approach to not being approved.

Pendulum Review Drinking Game: Take a sip every time Tom knocks a timer over

Pretty much the only thing I like about this is the cover. I absolutely love that cover.

Thanks Tom, such a helpful review - clear, honest, and entertaining. So good.

From Jamey: "I have some new information and good news about the sand timers in Pendulum. The short version is that (a) you may have seen some reviewers mention that at least 1 of their 3 sand timers got stuck a few times and (b) Panda--our manufacturer--fixed the issue at scale before they shipped the first print run to fulfillment centers. So the sand timer problems experienced by the reviewers will not be experienced by the vast majority of people who play Pendulum. A longer version: When a few reviewers originally contacted me about the issue over a month ago, I told Panda about it, and they informed us that sand timers have a sediment in them that needs a few uses to break down, and then they don't get stuck again. That's the information we've had since mid-June. What I didn't know until a few minutes ago was that Panda wanted to ensure that as few as possible of our customers experienced that issue, so they sent all of the timers back to their partner factory and requested a new quality check and replacements. When Panda received the timers back from that factory, Panda also performed a quality check on the timers and found a defective rate of only 0.25% (that's 1/4 of 1%, not 25%). Even those 30 sets of timers may not have issues after a few uses, but if they do, we'll be ready to replace them. I'm glad to share this with you, and I want you to know you're in good hands. hope you'll join us for the Pendulum preorder on August 5!"

Always feel like I can count on Tom for an honest review of games. I appreciate what you do. Keep up the great work!

Given how many times a timer was knocked over during the review, my klutzy hands should not go anywhere near this game.

Surprising to hear about the components. Quality components used to be a Stonemaier hallmark.

Thanks for the review Tom!

You are right about the fast thinkers in this game. I'm more of the contemplative thinker type not so much analysis paralysis level. I enjoy thinking about my moves and thinking about some extra moves ahead. I like the idea of a real-time game since we don't have too many of those. But I really enjoy seeing what others are doing and play based on that. I can see the benefit of not having to wait for some certain slow players but I don't know if I would enjoy like I do wingspan. Also, many people have brought up how in a lot of games you learn to play better by watching other players in the game you might always think to yourself I did something wrong but whos knows. An overall great comprehensive review. Thanks Tom!

This game lacks that infamous Stonemaier quality/polish that I appreciated in Wingspan. Even though I didn't care about the bird theme, the mechanics and component quality made it an easy sell for me. Pendulum doesn't look like it was given the same amount of love.

Real Time already had me apprehensive, but it doesn't sound as bad as I thought. I want to try the turn based mode, but I don't see myself getting it.

The number one turnoff for me is how apologetic and hand-holding they are about the time component. - "It's okay to make mistakes" - "You can choose to play without the timers" - Almost as if they're embarrassed by it. Why then make a game around it at all? It's not like there was any other substance that was the inception point of the design. As Tom said, the theme is non-existent. It's all about the mechanic. Make it the selling point, not the warning tape.

I was a little disappointed to see that the actions for both sides of each timer area are identical. Seems like it would be better with at least 2 unique actions on each side. And yes, I would have vastly preferred wooden pieces to these plastic ones.

Looks almost like it wasn’t finished.

How did the non real time version play for you?

Unfortunately the component quality seems like Jamie took the over production complaints with Tapestry to heart and went for a cost effective production vs high quality component quality.

Stonamaier annouced that the timers problem should be resolved by now!

How is this game compared to Fuse and Flatline?

Sounds like a game that'd work much better digitally... the timers always work, and you physically cannot cheat.

Good Thorough review 👌

What flavors of cake are those Tom?

This game would drive me nuts. Impossible to regulate other player's turns, and if you have a rules query you're gonna get screwed over while you flip through the manual looking for an answer

I even worry the layout of the board won’t be conducive to fair real-time gameplay. As for turn-based gameplay, I still doubt it’ll hold up. It has some decent mechanisms, but nothing that really stands out. The way it handles a rotation of available spaces is kind of neat... and the sort-of tableau stacking is okay... but it doesn’t seem to work together imo and there’s no theme pulling it together.

Is the board double sided? The board in the Rahdo review is different, and more challenging in my opinion, than the one played here!

My game group includes players who typically take take longer turns than others, typically at a factor of 2x. To be honest I am guilty of this at times as well. I'm looking forward to leveling that aspect of the playing field and seeing what it's like. Even chess has time management... it's a bit surprising that most board games seem to just ignore this when for some players a big negative to enjoying board games can be waiting for others to take their turn, especially in interactive games where your turn is highly dependent on the previous turns of others. I'll say I'm not stoked on the plastic components. Jamey noted in response to feedback on Pendulum's components "My primary reason for choosing plastic for Pendulum is that a few years ago, I heard some stories about games exported from China being turned away at port in Australia because the wood wasn't fumigated." and also noted that costs for wood vs. plastic are comparable, so there's that for what it's worth. I know people get upset/start claiming unsavory business practices when they can't get the game they want when they want it (Wingspan), so pick your poison.

Well, as a SM game fan I’m almost glad for this. We needed a downer to cleanse the palate so to say. Well, look forward to the Wingspan expansion and the sand box game that is in the making... that one better be amazing tho!!! 😱😅😃🤗

What if you played this game without the timers?

"It's the ultimate solitaire" - this is the thing that turns me off most about it. Which is funny, because I like games like Paladins of the West Kingdom or Castles of Burgundy where you are pretty much focused on your own game. But in those games, I enjoy watching what other people are doing. And if I lose, I might have at least learned something from watching the winner. With Pendulum, I feel like you will only know how you got from point A to B, and that, for me, isn't enough. I don't mind that in, say, Escape: Curse of the Temple, but I think it would bother me in a strategic game like this.

17k views, dang that is pretty good Tom

Wow, this sounds like all work and no play. I ask myself "Why am I doing any of this?" The theme is completely nonexistent. Thanks for the honest review, Tom!

Thanks for the review, I seen the Stonemaier logo and was immediately interested but your video affirmed it's not for me.

rahdo said there was a turn based variant option in there too, you didnt mention that at all, was it not in your copy ?

For the first time, I am not racing to get the latest Stonemaier Game. I am a huge fan of their games and have most of them, but sadly I have zero interest in buying this one. I will be happy to play it at some stage, if someone else has a copy, but the lack of theme and pretty average look components means this is a pass for me.

Thanks for the critical review. Now I really doubt whether this is something for me.

I have a feeling that knocking over the timers a couple of times (or even once?) when everyone is rushing across the board may just ruin the game ...

Very thorough and honest review - your reviews are the best!

Good job on the final thoughts, Tom. Spot on on many of those remarks.

Got it on the cheap for amazon $12 simply because I am a Stonemaier games collector and wanted to get it before it is out of print completly Hopefully i will enjoy playing it too

Real time is a non starter, i could see the timers getting knocked over well I prefer the social part of gaming; racing to move my meeples isn't that.

Looks very interesting. I wish the main board graphic design is more involved. The timers look like they are naturally prone to tip over. I don't mind the rest of the components if there are simply more illustrated pieces on the board.

Can we get the space dealer review?

To me, the real-time element feels a lot like a gimmick that the designer latched onto and then built a mediocre game around. It definitely does not look or feel like a SM game based on past releases. But, as others have said, sometimes it's good to have a bit of an outlier/stinker to remind us why we love Wingspan and Viticulture so much :P

I havent played the game but here is my analysis so far: + I love the asymmetrical track and combined with the different timers. First time I saw them I was impressed. + The tucking of card/bonuses underneath the player boards and the way you can rotate them for different bonuses are really cool as well. - I think the main problem here is Theme. The theme and the mechanism isn't working at all. Yeah pendulum is swinging and timer flips. That's all. What kind of world or reality is this simulating anyway? Some fantastic land where people run around to do their work with each swing of a giant pendulum in the city square? It reminds me of a nightmare. The theming is too.... Surreal. It's like Salvador Dali made the theme for this game. They could've just made it into an abstract game and it would not affect the game play at all, in fact it might even help it. - The layout is not good at all. I think the layout artist also did not like or understand the theme. - 'Grande' meeple. Really? It sounds like the biggest size of beer or french fries. Speaking of french fries, they should have just used a cooking theme for this game: Different timers: Different food cooking at different times: Everyone bustling around the different stations in the kitchen in a race to serve a dish. This theme could work better. I really think so. Better than this surreal theme.

This games triggers my anxiety issues by just watching the review

It doesn’t look like much to me. I am mostly playing two player, with my wife and I, I think this looks like a multi player game. I also think it also does not allow for much interaction, and I like to play games for interaction between each other as we play together. This is just a simple competition for time and space. That is just not my style. The cover art is gorgeous.

That sucks to hear about the component issues. I agree that the plastic meeples look cheap. All that said the game still looks cool and I'd like to try it at some point. Thanks for the review.

I love how honest you always are.

Question: how does the worker placement and blocking aspect work in real time? Was there ever a disagreement about who placed a worker in an area first?

Interestingly, on the Scythe FAQ page SM uses the Pendulum box art as the background image. Which suggests they know this one is a stinker?

What about the option to NOT use the timers, like in Rahdo's playthrough?

Hey Tom! Which game is that one you have one your back? Medieval Realms. Looks amazing and I remember you did an unboxing few months ago. I'm quite intrigue as I can't find that much information about the game. Are you planning to review it anytime soon? Cheers and keep doing the best show in youtube :)

I’m really surprised Tom is so down on this game. I obviously have not played it yet, but I am very excited to get it to the table! I have faith that Jamey is correct in his statements about this not feeling like a “standard” real time game. I’m also surprised at how worried people are about other players making mistakes. I’m looking forward to no one being able to play “game master” and just letting everyone play a game for pure enjoyment.

Agreed on all points. This one was really a let down in so many areas. There are a couple nifty mechanics that are fun and ingenious on their own but they don't overcome the many lacking areas where this game falls short as you pointed out. The timer aspect introduces to much room for error or "error", if you catch my drift. Thanks Tom for the honest and succinct review.

I'm not sure if this was said in the comments but Stonemaier has said that the components are plastic because Australia has strict import laws when wood is concerned. That being said this game is really not for me.

Tom, Did you have a chance to test this without the real time using the turn based system? Rahdo seems to think that this is the best way to play this game and from his runthrough I tend to agree but also because I dislike timers in games. Would be cool to hear how you feel about the game in that aspect as it may be a good way for those who dont like to play with timers to have fun with this. heck, it may even make the game more fun.

They're really not dual layer player boards like Scythe?

hmmm....this doesnt seem like my vibe at all. Time will tell how this hits folks

I agree with you on mistakes in a timed completive board game being a problem. This is a digital board game.

Was curious what Tom would think of this one. Turns out he feels as I do about it and I haven't even played it yet lol.. I saw Rahdo's runthrough and felt this was themeless and geared more towards those who already memorized all the action spaces and learned the strategies. Hard pass for me, and disappointing at that. I'm waiting for Stonemaier to strike lightning again and I feel like these are just flashes in a pan.

Being a SM game it should do well, but the plastic components are really off-putting. Scythe has a huge aftermarket for upgrades to your game, but also has a game people swoon over to want to do that. I'm wondering if the game designers were thinking people would upgrade their own game so they didn't have to but the problem with that is if the game isn't engaging to begin with, then they won't spend the extra time or money.

I hate not being able to keep other players accountable. I don't think anyone intentionally cheats but it's so easy to slip up. Me included. I like when players can keep eachother honest

Played it tonight! It was incredible, ive not played another game like it. I see alot of negativity from people who haven't played it, which is a pretty common thing now it seems with games in general both table and video. Its a great game! If you like fast paced thinking strategy games and u have a group you can trust to play with its amazing.

Tapestry was a dud for me. This looks even worse. Good thing they made wingspan.

Everyone's got to remember, Tom knocked them over so many times sure, but he was also pointing at absolutely everything, while also moving a camera.

Wow, this review surprises me. I thought this was going to be a game Tom would rave about. He harped on the fact that he did not like the art, but that's subjective... I don't mind it at all. Does the art blow me away? Not really, but the game HAD to be functional and simple over beautiful and colorful. Anyways, this game does a lot that I have never seen another game do before. Tom almost never mentions anything about that. I'm on board for this one, I think i'm gonna like it :)

I have a feeling the timing mechanism is really unique and engaging for a large pool of players. Jamey is an excellent developer, and I trust he has solved a lot of things. Also not mentioned is the optional turn-based play which should help with some of the complaints here. I’m intrigued.

Thanks for the great review! Although I don't think I would enjoy this game, that Sonora game in the background looks interesting...

Great point about not knowing if anybody else made a mistake and accidentally cheated haha! I'm a big Stonemaier fan but this is a pass for me as well.

It felt like he couldn't just be negative because this is coming from Stonemaier Games. If the publisher was a no name this review probably would go much more negative.

I like real-time, I don't like euro, I don't care about components if readability is at the forefront, which in real time is important. Still mixed on the game, just wanted to maybe comment that "in a real time game being able to know what something does at a glance is more important than it being pretty." Edit: Okay the timers need upgrading, that's something that should work.

No mention of the turn-based rules at all?

Incoming timer app for the game.

So... knocking over the timers seems to be an issue. Bummer.

Why do some designers feel the urge to complicate things - for no reason at all?

So many great games out there to choose from and this ain’t going to be one of them.

I remember SM saying that this was the highest rated prototype of any SM Games Design Day...how bad was everything else then?

I can see players knocking those discs off the tracks... Shame they never dual layered them.

I don't get the hype for Stonemaier board games. They're so varied and yet there's always one element in each that causes me to lose interest in trying them. I'd be happy to try one, and I am extremely appreciative that they usually have solo rules, but I just don't get that impulse to back/buy one if that makes sense.

I suggest watching the Rahdo runthrough to see how good the turn-based game is.

Everytime you spill the board game components I die inside

Disappointing, especially from a quality perspective. I love wooden components and plastic just feels so much cheaper, and this game shows it. Oh well.

I think Stonemaier are slipping. Wingspan was phenominal. Tapestry was so confusing and honestly made me feel like “meh”.

Pass

Gasp! No coveted seal of approval. Destined for Walmart bargain bins.

It is not only that is "ultimately solitaire" (low interaction)... but as Tom said, I hate games in which there is not opportunity or desire for cross auditing, like when a player does a bunch of mini combo actions in sequence and I have no idea what is going on there, if he is right or wrong, and worse, most times I wont care, because i am probably busy planning my master sequence of mini moves when it is my turn - I hate that style. Hence I disliked so much Monumental and Sierra West for example. This game is a hard pass for me.

Someone who's more fast being better at the game is not an inherent mistake of the game. Different kinds of games require different kinds of skills, someone who's better strategist will do better on strategy games, people with better hand-eye coordination will do better on dexterity games. 16:21 Yeah Tom, that happens on every kind of game, in strategy games too. In negotiation games too. In social deduction games too. Etc.

A refreshing and honest review. Tom stands out from many of the other reviewers out there who bend over backwards to rave everything about Pendulum. It's great to see Tom call out the issues in this game, including its components, its lack of theme and lack of variability. Not to mention that gamers who are quick thinkers will almost always outdo players who prefer to think through their turns.

I'm guessing this is the last time Jamie sends a game to DT for review.

Tom doesn't like it? It's probably a great game and I'll love it.

I must say I agree on the art... that is textbook generic.

Might be my first SMG pass.

I’m sad because it’s clearly my type of game but my group would hate how I’d crush them and never play with me :(

Sorry, Tom, I got lost and fell asleep 4 minutes in. How about this game instead: each player is a hedge fund manager and center of the board contains New York Stock Exchange, mercantile exchange, and foreign exchange?

Meh. Love Wingspan and love Scythe. Haven’t tried Tapestry but I’m sure it’s good. This one though? I don’t know. Is Stonemair just trying to get a game published in each genre? If so, they could have skipped “real time” games and I would have been ok with that.

I hate real time games. It contradicts the chill nature of boardgaming which is what I enjoy the most.

I feel like Tom felt rushed on the rules explanation...if I hadn't watch Rahdo's on how to play the game, I'd be totally lost.

Do gamers say 'elf' in the room instead of 'elephant' in the room?

Tom, your tie knot bothered me more than it should have. lol

finally an honest review of this mess