Couldn’t agree more with your praise for the Automa box! I recently received a copy of Terra Mystica and immediately went to my FLGS to pick up this box. Since I never played the base game, I took a while to figure it all out plus the solo mode, but was well worth it. All the factions plus the ability to play each at different levels makes for such a wonderful solo experience.

When I saw this on your table on another video the other day I was hoping it was the new Terra Nova game!

I just picked up a used copy of terra mystica so this was great timing! With the automa expansion, would you now prefer terra mystica over Gaia project for a 2 player game (my main player count as well)? I'm debating making the jump or grabbing the terra mystica expansions.

So how do you feel about the upcoming streamlining of the game with Terra Nova? I am still waiting for the rulebook release so that I can see exactly what they are streamlining and how much they are streamlining. This way, maybe I could introduce my folks to Terra Nova first (I would be playing Terra Mystica either at a Game Night - not with my folks; or with this solo implementation).

Is there any chance you will do an automa solo runthrough of Gaia Project?

Interesting... this video reminded me of what I've been noticing lately, a common trait among many board game reviewers, specifically those who have been around for ages. After years of having to review hundreds of games, they come to appreciate a "shorter, tighter game." I only urge to remember that that is not necessarily a factor for regular people. We just play for fun and many of us don't mind the time because we don't have to play 100 games to make our deadlines. So make sure you're aware of this when reviewing because it's a meta thing and many reviewers forget that and complain when games seem too long to them. Of course if it is objectively too long you have to mention it, obviously, because for some it CAN be a turn off.

1:42 Ah, so you can’t add an automa player to a 3-player game to make it a 4-player game, for example?

1:32 However… I feel like there is going to be a “but” coming…

If you’re glad the solo opponent can be added to a two player game because two is the least fun player count, what does that say about playing it solo, which is essentially a two player game?

I noticed you didn't say at the start: But before I get going, this was a paid preview so take my words with a grain of salt. Did you just forget? Or was this on your own time. I'm just curious. :)

I’m a bit baffled why Terra Mystica keeps getting all this attention when Gaia Project is the superior design. The designers literally took everything they learned and made it better. More tension from the round bonuses, more interesting tech track, more theme, tons of super unique factions, a solo mode, and superior two player. It’s rated much higher and yet here is another product coming off an expansion that’s trying to propel the weaker design. Some like the theme, nostalgia or lack of added features, I get that. I don’t get the publisher pouring everything into this though.