You can always change the rules of any game. And not every game will jive with everyone. I modify the rules to games all the time because the default rules have balancing issues or time issues or are not nearly as fun as they could be issues. The rules are a starting point but that doesn't mean the rules are set in stone. You suggest that you want to take the action AFTER the dice roll. So try that one time and see what happens. Does it make the game more or less fun/balanced? Are there other changes that would help too such as controlling how often busting happens OR what if the player can control how many dog cards are affected by a bust so it's not a total loss?

Game looks pretty fun, adding the files to my eink device now! Your score wasn't correct though...

You're the designer? Fair play, I've not played this one as I don't get to play solo game but absolutely love the Valeria "Universe"

I played it and I think it's cute, but there are so many combinations of actions that can just leave one player way ahead and everyone else frustrated. We'd rather play Zombie Dice or another more straightforward press-your-luck game.

Hello! Would it be okay if I embed this video on a page of the Mini DiverCity website as one of the few videos people can watch to learn rules and get a general idea of the game? :) Thank you

This is my 4 year old’s favorite game! He plays giant epic campaigns of Spots all the time.

To me the action picking is the game. The variety of ways the dice get rolled presents you with a landscape of probabilities and it is up to you to decide which risk to take. Add on top of that the bones where with enough of them you can just completely control your dice you have a lot of control over how much risk you want to take. Sometimes you do have to plan to bust though and spend your turn turning in your dogs before that happens just so you can clear your yard.

My kids and I love the idea of this game. And have enjoyed a dozen plays or so. But it’s gotten to the point where we just feel like the powers that get more dogs are huge and get selected first (which can leave a player or two forever hoping their turn comes around and it’s available). So we’ve talked about just starting everyone with a set number of dogs and playing first to that number. And taking out the action for drawing another dog. We haven’t gotten it back out to try yet, but will soon. We similarly have talked about toying with Space Base. Another game we want to love, but not being able to clear rows of cards stinks. And there’s a bit of a runaway leader problem when people start transitioning to getting ships that reward you with mega points every activation.

Mmh. Interesting, I‘d say you’re out of step or on an Island. Picking actions first is choosing your risk factor. For me this is where the fun and interaction comes from. There is a huge difference between what you choose depending on the game state, your own situation and that of others. Timing is crucial in this game. It can be quite tactical. For me this is the best light push your luck game exactly because it has such good dice mitigation. It’s still light, silly fun. It’s still push your luck. But you can plan and react to others. You have control. You can play it safe, or push hard. Plus, many Actions even feel thematic (fetch). Actually, I found many people of different ages I played this with approached the game in quite unique ways, which in and of itself was interesting.

I bought Spots because I felt the central idea was clever. Placing dice spots on dogs. It sounds like it would be fun, however both me and my wife (who loves Farkle and other dice games) just didn't care for the game. The art was cute, the presentation was good, I think there's a good game in there, but the current iteration of the game isn't very engaging. I ended up selling it for what I paid for it.

You're so right on that one!

Sounds like promising game. I've never been good at Euro games but I somehow find a way to get immersed and enjoy the experience. I think I'd enjoy this if I ever get to it. Thanks for the info!

Thanks for th input, I'm not sure I want to spend so much money to get another version of Gentes. I already have the first one and I don't think I'll get the second one, the game is very good but not enough to get another version of it. I like the comparaison with Concordia but I already have it and nothing come close to that game in the euro-stlye, nothing is as elegant, and refined.

Bonjour ! At 1:30 'reduce by NEGATIVE 3' .. why not 'reduce by 3' ?

Hello friends.... I'll start by saying Trajan from Stefan Feld is one of my favourite board games out there and as you said, Nova Roma has been heavily compared to it. I wasn't sure if I needed this in my collection. Well, I did, and now it is! LOL. Yes, Nova Roma is a fantastic game and has similarities to Trajan, but still feels different. In fact, it was so hard for me to get Trajan to the table because my main board gaming partner hated the rondel action-selection mechanic. Nova Roma has the interesting grid placement mechanic to choose your actions which seems to go over better with more people. Great review and I highly recommend Nova Roma.... If anyone is interested in my opinion hahahaha

Thanks for the well put together review! Just a quick note, though: Nova Roma actually takes place in Byzantium (modern day Turkey), not Italy. It's actually quite refreshing theme based on a fascinating piece of history.

I love your categorization of this game. With so many options does it feel like it’s too difficult to figure out a winning strategy ?

Jon here, looks like a great game! Thanks for the awesome video!

Waaaay late to this but thank you for the instructions! SUPER helpful. By the way there is a color version of this out there in the wild now.

Sold!

A great game, played it at a game event in Tokyo. Surprisingly great depth for a game of its size! We had a blast playing, and this review captures that really well! :)

Thank yo so much for the review. It was a wonderful surprise to see it this morning (just 14 minutes after you poasted it - lol). You did an excellent review and explanation covering the breadth and depth of the game, but not revealing all the card effects. Making a game for everyone, that grows with you as you gain expereince is challenging. I hope you and your daughter can enjoy it for many years to come. The game is for 2-4 players, but there is now a solo mode available on BGG.

If have have the maximum amount of champions, can I still use an instant action champion?

This one looks interesting. I'll keep an eye on it. Btw, it's the first of your videos that I have watched and congratulations! It's very well explained! Will watch more of your content for sure! Cheers!

I just hoping for a review that doesn't reference the other game by those designers and published with the help of devir. 😉

I did not enjoy my solo play at all. Maybe I need to give it a 2nd try.

This game feel similar to Transmission, both are rondel and set collection. How's the replayability?

Gates of arkham. Not streets

We find Macho Koro 2 extremely fun in our gaming group, it's one of our favs.

so glad you liked it!

It's helpful when you know this game is now on Kickstarter. I will watch your review when it comes to retail.

It'll hit KS fairly soon too. Pick up a copy. It's a good one: www.kickstarter.com/projects/chadelkins/big-sur-grand-central-skyport-sand-art-and-wine-cellar

My friend and I tried this tonight and couldn't figure it out. The rules were telling us *what* we could do on a turn, but we couldn't figure out the ultimate objective or why we might take one action over another. Also, the game came with some re-printed cards with errata, and we accidentally mixed them in and then had no way to tell which one was the errata'd version. Ultimately we gave up after the first turn and played something else.

Thanks for sharing, Glenn! Much appreciated. - chad

Welcome back.

Such a fun game!!

We love chicken, our girls are learning about pressing their luck and probability while playing

Havent watched this yet, will do later, but am glad to see your name pop up in my notifications again. Will watch later with a cup of tea.

Is the game out now on the Switch?

Wow. The implementation looks amazing.

Perhaps Pacify is referenced on a card in the cleric deck itself? I have read the rules so I'm not disputing your point at all, they are rather clunky rulebooks lol

Just wanted to say I enjoy your channel Glenn. I read your Siege of Valeria designer notes post on BGG and it was a very fun read.

This review convinced me to order the starter kit and try it out.

That money you get every round is because the base is mining the whole time, so if you stay alive they get more minerals. Also, when the early troops get traded out for later troops it’s that they are being promoted.

This was an interesting look and perspective on 2 games. Thanks for sharing your opinions and critics, helped me a lot .

I didn’t know that one piece could jump over the emperor

I used same mission cards and map and got -8 first time playing.

Condition B states the largest, not second largest. But it may not touch a mountain….

Castles of Burgundy dice is really good and overlooked