I’m generally not a fan of apps in games, but this is EXACTLY what I want out of an app-assisted game. It feels like, for so many app games, you’re playing the actual game on the app and most of the physical components are just extra, but I love how this genuinely feels like a board game first and foremost and the app just adds variability and events.

@CaptLoquaLacon

2 жыл бұрын

I'd also say that it stops one of the issues with branching stories in games where players can deliberately game around which branch they trigger. If they don't know the exact points, or even if they exist, they can instead concentrate on playing their games in the moment without that 'meta' going on. Heck, there could maybe even be certain branches that are decided randomly too, and the players would never know the potential for alternate versions

@icomur825

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. The game is on the boards, the app is there just to remind you of setup stuff and tell you when what's happening on the table should get shaken up a bit. And to provide some cool story context if you do want to read through it all, but a lot of it can be skipped. Nice that that is an option though if you don't mind the longer play time by reading through why stuff is being shaken up in the ways that it is. I just wish they'd release the source code for the app at some point, I know that might ruin it for some people because they can maybe see triggers for different stuff but. I just don't want this app to ever be lost to time and make the game unplayable because it is a very highly polished and cool game.

We have played five times in the last 10 days. I love the theme, and do not mind the long narrative. I do wish I could figure some of the Algorithm out though as we have yet to build a hospital despite maxing out hearts. I already look forward to new content once available.

Great video! Hoping to see this at Gencon.

Such a great assessment. I've played the game only once, but you really captured the essence of it here. I couldn't agree more with your review.

Just played this Sunday and absolutely agree. It was amazingly fun. We had some of the rules wrong however, but it was still hella fun. I imagine it'll be even more fun now that we know the rules better.

Have played a few times now, and really enjoyed it... just finished painting my minis, and really looking forward to playing again soon!

Agree with all these sentiments. I honestly love that we have a heavily themed euro game with strong narrative element. It scratches so many itches in one game and it’s all incorporated so well.

I really like this one! I wish they let me know that the app was finished! No one told me! Thanks for the review, this is a fun one!

This is fantastic to hear about a game I am getting ready to start

12:37 Game of the year for that addition right there.

I've given a go at all scenarios at this point and I really do love it. I also appreciate the amount of text despite the fact that in all of my games so far we have agreed at the start that I'll just shorten it as I read it for people. It isn't too hard to do that. It is really surprising how it consistently feels like way shorter than the three hours a game takes.

One of the best ways to fill the vials is to use UV resin and some dye. Turns out really well. Do a test to make sure you get it right though so you don't ruin your components.

@siriactuallysara

2 жыл бұрын

I say just add colored glitter fast and easy

It's a wonderful game. I've only played it with 3 players, with a competitive, yet not mean feel. I've only seen 4 of the endings so far. The text in the app can be a bit much, but it's very immersive, making it worth the slog in most cases.

Hahaha. First time ever I write a comment to a you tube video. But I think you were hilarious in your final thoughts. Maybe I will buy a copy of the game if ever available in German. But I will definitely watch this video moreover. Maybe it will turn out to be a different game each time I watch it.😂Tom, thank you so much for this emotional video. It saved my day. Rainer

I saw it at my FLGS. I'm very tempted.

I can't recall Tom being so hyped and excited for a looong time! It was a pleasure to watch it regardless of the game itself.

@grog3514

2 жыл бұрын

Ummm... Ark nova?

Hearing Tom makes me wonder how Zee would take to the game. He generally doesn't take to long games, but he is a fan of Fury Of Dracula which goes long, and he is fine with darker themes. Having listened to TC on popdcasts over the years, I'm glad his work is getting this kind of review!

@CaptLoquaLacon

2 жыл бұрын

PS Tom, any chance of a Halloween live play through?

just picked it up. haven't opened it up yet. can it be played solo?

One of my my top three worker games

I really enjoy the game (backed it on Kickstarter) but after playing four times, I have yet to complete the masterwork; you really need the tiles that give you extra completed experiments. That said, some of the experiments are hilarious...like the Reverse Flame Thrower and The Mistake.

Played this game for the first time this past weekend with a group of 4. Took us 10 hours to play through with all the text! Literally you can read Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" in less time than it took us to play. Granted there were also a few rules we didn't play correctly so it wasn't a 'pure' playthrough but geez do I ever love this game but because of its length, not sure how many other times it will ever hit our table.

I play it 3 times, and love it, the only down for me its the huge amount of text, as long eveyone agrees to simplify the text fluff it speeds a little, great components to and the game its great and gets a diffferent feel than other worker placement games.

If the app goes out of service, can you still play the game? Does it come with a book you can use that serves the same function, or would you be SOL?

Very excited to give this game a try finally.

I really need to play this. I've had a hell of a time tabling it between waiting for the Android app (still not done but I got the app off Amazon) and wrangling my playgroup

3 hours, but you're invested the entire time. That reminds me about how I feel about Star Wars Rebellion.

I rarely completely agree with one of Tom's reviews but he touched on every "issue" and positive that I have. I don't think I'll ever need another euro game.

Just played this today 4 player 6+ hours. 💯 agree! Super fun and loved it but yes 1/2 the text would have made it way better for me too. 😅

I love this game too. the length hasnt been a problem for me.

So how do get this one?

Really great game! Dripping with theme, good variability, and excellent gameplay. The components and storage tray system are fantastic as well! They definitely cut down on game setup time. Yes, the Journal track markers are a bit tippy (as Tom mentioned) but they haven't been an issue for us so far and they fit perfectly with the overall setting/theme. I filled the chemical vials with different colors of art sand and it completes the look and works great. They look like they contain different types of powdered chemicals. The stoppers fit tightly so there's no leakage. Also, it isn't permanent or damaging since you can always just empty it out and rinse the vials and be back to the original game component. So glad I backed this one!

@Sam-vk8xd

2 жыл бұрын

Dripping, huh? I’ll have to get some towels when I decide to play this.

@JohnClem56

2 жыл бұрын

@@Sam-vk8xd 😂Yeah, recommend neoprene game table mat and plenty of towels! This Victorian mad scientist stuff is a messy business...

Fantastic game! Glad to see a seal of excellence for this one! 👍🏻

There is the smash the leader thing but it just punishes the player who starts scoring too early. You need to build engine and not do things the game tells you to do until it hits the guy who never played it before, then you can start your scoring afterwards

Nice review great game 😊

This would of been an instant back for me, but I have already amassed quite a shelf of games that last 2+ hours that never get played. Glad I learned from my mistakes, but wow, I thought this looked amazing and am glad it is! Anybody in Pittsburgh area who needs player let me know 😆

I saw this at my local game store and was immediately intrigued by the cover art and name. Picked it up and turned it over to read the game description...and it was just the cover art on the bottom of the box as well. Hard to make a decision to buy a game with no description of what it is! Has anybody else run into this?

@uscrivera

2 жыл бұрын

yes, same here. I saw on the publishers web site that it is not meant for retail. Game shops could buy it and I think that's where they depend on the game shop to explain it, or for true gamers like us to check it out online.

So looking forward to getting this played, patiently awaiting the Google app release. To those who complain about it being an app, this is precisely what I want from a board game with app assistance. Story telling elements and a branching story handled by the app so you never see anything you shouldn't or have any sense of the other choices. Can't wait to play

@johansvanborg5870

2 жыл бұрын

My grife with "need an app to play" often translate to "need an Apple product to play".

@joncockayne4625

2 жыл бұрын

@@johansvanborg5870 yeah it's becoming somewhat annoying waiting for them to resolve their Google app store release

@GazzaMouche

2 жыл бұрын

Party, because the app it online!

@joncockayne4625

2 жыл бұрын

@@GazzaMouche yep!! already giving it the once over !!

I've played it once with 3p and enjoyed it a lot. My biggest complaint other than the noted component complaint is that we were uncertain which things the app would read and which we had to read ourselves. As you said, when having to stop to read it slows things down. I think if all of the public text were read aloud it would be better and keep the atmosphere even more. Skipping the text would throw out too much of the theme.

This looked pretty fun at the Kickstarter already but it was just too much money before I would have it. Maybe a reprint some day.

There are massive reports of the newly released Android app only being compatible with the very latest Android version, leaving many users with incompatible devices. I bought my tablet less than a year ago, and it won't run the app. Someone really made a bad decision somewhere in the development process.

@scoops2001

2 жыл бұрын

That's true. Android 11 or higher is what's presently required, though Renegade has stated that they are investigating. In the meanwhile I've managed to sideload the app onto my Android 10 phone and tablet via the Amazon app store. But, yes, what with an initial incorrect submission to Google too, Renegade really messed up the Android release.

@steelbeard151

2 жыл бұрын

They are going to release a web based app, too, which will help out tremendously. It's not up yet, though.

@jasonc2784

Жыл бұрын

Android 10 is out of support. You don't want to use device that no longer receives security updates.

How often do you skim through the story when researching a game review?

15:53: sounds like A Special Military Operation.

At first I felt like i was playing a re-skin of Viticulture, but this is its own thing in many ways.

What i suspect in this game is that its meant to play in 3 sessions and thats how we've decided to do it. It's a short campaign of 3 games with stuff from one going into the other. I think the competitive nature makes us take this away from thinking of this as a traditional legacy coop game.

Yet another excellent game to spend my money on. I bless and curse you in the same breath Vasel! 😉😃

Are the little jars meant to be potions or can you put random things in? For example beads painted to look like eyeballs...

@dwaynehendrickson8854

2 жыл бұрын

They are listed as ‘chemicals’ but we have filled ours with peppercorns, pop rocks, puff ball, screws, googly eyes, metal ladybugs, etc

@Sam-vk8xd

2 жыл бұрын

You can fill em’ however you want. Kind of a useless, but fun little component to mess with.

I so feel a pang of regret that I didn't get this game on KS, but am hopeful that within a year or two, they'll make a full digital version on Steam so I can finally get this on my table and play it in small pockets of availability rather than needing to carve out a full 3 hours.

@LeeKenshin7

2 жыл бұрын

Same here. I'm hoping for the same treatment that Gloomhaven got

Where did you find a working app?

@amandapaulk2327

2 жыл бұрын

it's in the apple and amazon app stores, they also submitted to google, but waiting on it to get through to approval process

The time length is a big deal. with 3 of us who are definitely good with larger meatier games, it took us 6 hours to learn. Maybe an hour an a half can be shaved off for later plays... but the text in the app and all the decision space is a huge chunk of it. I wouldn't not read the stuff in the app, its a huge part of the theme. But still i am looking forward to playing again with the same guys in a few more months.

Played this now as a friend brought it to a meetup. With 2 it took just under 3 hours including me learning it. Without the story and theme, this game would be ok, but nothing amazing as its a very basic worker placement game at its core. I'm a huge fan of classic horror, so this game's theme was perfect for me. Without that theme and the setting, It'd play much faster, but be rather boring I fear.

I agree with the review. Sad to have to wait a year to see if it cracked Tom's top 100.

@Walter.Kolczynski

2 жыл бұрын

Only six months at this point

The wife and I have gotten our games down to 2 hours, but we only read new branching paths. Our 3-4 player games are about 3-4 hours reading EVERYTHING.

Yes ... the game is long, but does it feel long? No I wouldn't say so and I was entertained the whole time. One of my favourite games this year!

@Sam-vk8xd

2 жыл бұрын

16:28

So angry that the google app isnt ready. I dont own an apple product so i can't play it the way they want me too.

@BobbyJuno

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, it seems like it's been out on the apple store awhile now. Wonder what's taking so long

@TheErnieforss

2 жыл бұрын

@@BobbyJuno it's been only a week and a half on the apple store. I played it via the beta test website, it was a fun time, but watching everyone else who played it using that beta test app, it follows the same plot line. I will say that writing.... i felt like i was in college again. Which i enjoy and it bring so much theme to the game. It kills me hearing tom just skips it, but i guess if he knew whats up you can skip the theme. I do love that the box does support sleeve cards. My only problem is the jigsaw board is already fraying, because how it moves in the box, when stored, can get dinged.

@amandapaulk2327

2 жыл бұрын

here's an excerpt from a recent update (when they announced the Amazon version of the app is live): The Google Play version was submitted at the same time as the others and we were expecting it to be approved in 24-48 hours. We have not received approval yet but we can see that it is flowing through their system. There are no issues that we know about, but it is just taking some time. We know that many of you are anxious for this version to drop and we will update you the moment we have further news.

@TheErnieforss

2 жыл бұрын

@@amandapaulk2327 that doesn't really help with the sting that i got the game on 5/29, and its been almost 2 months and the app isnt ready yet. I really want the desktop app to be ready, but i can settle for the andriod one until it's ready. I feel really sorry for the people who dont have an apple or andriod phone/tablet to play with, because they will have to wait even longer.

@CaptLoquaLacon

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheErnieforss The company could have held on to the games and only send them out once the apps were ready, BUT that would delay people playing the game, and also incur a number of storage costs. It wasn't ideal to send games out before the app was ready but it was the least worse option for the company. Honestly, it doesn't really make a difference to the customers as they'd have the game on their shelves either way.

This does sound pretty fun overall, but that game length issue kills my desire to grab it except for solo play assuming it has that, especially at the price point it was asking for. Legacies of Dragonholt showed how listening to people read to you for hours can get stale and the last thing I want to hear in a story telling game is “can we skip to the end?”

@mikeharman4257

Жыл бұрын

It doesn't have a solo mode nor is there any plan to add one

Lengthy games are totally fine. I prefer my games to be longer anyway.

I almost backed this one, but it didn't have a solo mode, and I chickened out... and I'm having regrets 😅

Not to be confused with My Father's Work, a game about someone having an existential crisis about whether or not they live up to their parent's expectations. 😂

@nshaw1299

2 жыл бұрын

In the 2 seconds I saw this video's title - that was exactly what I thought it will be!

Did the game really name the doctors Doom, Evil & Strange? Or the players? Seems oddly non-thematic to throw in a reference like that.

@oneANGRYelf

2 жыл бұрын

You name your character before the game begins within the app.

@koalabrownie

2 жыл бұрын

@@oneANGRYelf Okay that makes much more sense, given it's Tom and all.

@thedicetower

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yes, that was just me being silly.

I think The Everrain broke me when it comes down to story-heavy eurogames. There's something about all the narrative and strategic worker placement and/or action selection games that doesn't gel for me. The length, sure, but also the disjointed 'relax and read a story' vs 'burn your brain and strategize' back and forth that does not synergize well. But hey, maybe My Father's Work is different...

@theblunder1983

2 жыл бұрын

Ever rain is a much much rougher and unfinished experience. I sold mine on pretty swiftly. This is great but does suffer at the end if you finish your masterwork as you’ve not got much left to do

@Rik77

2 жыл бұрын

This game is not a brain burn. Its actually a very simply worker placement, just enough to be a nice competitive experience, lifted by the start events. Its a good balance.

This game will never be in retail right ? It's Kickstarter exclusive .... It's really sad :'(

@Michaelrsted

2 жыл бұрын

Some retailers have it. But probably won’t be in normal circulation.

@danbojanowski2472

2 жыл бұрын

It's available from the Renegade web store, and some retailers that backed the KS will have it. We'll also have it at conventions we attend (like GenCon 2022).

I love the way Tom's dice avatar zooms off the screen in to the shadow realm.

Is this midarra level of reading or even more?

@manwithnoname4346

2 жыл бұрын

Nowhere near as text-heavy as Middara. Granted, this is a game intended to be played in one sitting as opposed to a true campaign like Middara.

@ChibiFlashify

2 жыл бұрын

2-3 paragraphs between rounds, 5-6 between generations.

The line between Euro games and Ameritrashes is becoming blurry

@thedicetower

2 жыл бұрын

Maybe it is, but this is straight euro.

@Rik77

2 жыл бұрын

There's not much anwritraah here, its a euro with interacrive story added.

Well the long awaited for app is out (?) . Is it really ? Not the android app is a no show app. I wish Tom had review how a game is out and does not work for all that pasd for the game. Should not have shipped as a half game.

@DTChrisYi

2 жыл бұрын

That's odd, I just downloaded it on my android phone today. Also keep in mind, if Renegade had decided to delay a completed physical game, they'd have a lot of extra storage costs.

@steelbeard151

2 жыл бұрын

The android app is out, but it only runs on Android 11. Still waiting on the web based version.

Figured this would have been a 4 square

Does this remind anyone else of "Abomination: Heir of Frankenstein"?

@andrewmoore194

2 жыл бұрын

Same creator.

@CaptLoquaLacon

2 жыл бұрын

@@andrewmoore194 How so? Different publishers, different designers, different art teams...

@andrewmoore194

2 жыл бұрын

@@CaptLoquaLacon Huh. Maybe not. I thought when I backed My Father's Work last year that I read that, but I don't see anything now when searching. Ignore me.

It does look cool, but I'm just not sure....

Blue jays hat!?!????

I was really disappointed that this game didn't have a solo mode, 'cause my group goes from game to game way too quickly to justify paying as much as this costs. With the app integration, it really seems like a an AI opponent shouldn't have been hard to include. Oh well! Maybe if they ever release a solo expansion or a second edition that includes one, or something.

Found this at my FLGS and returned it without opening. Was disappointed with the occult track. I get it matches the theme etc I just can’t bring myself to bringing that type of thing (even in a board game that is in name only) into the house. Wife wouldn’t allow it. @thedicetower (Tom) do you feel like the occult track is secondary and the game could be played without it or is it a must? Thanks!

@joelbergvonlinde1389

2 жыл бұрын

What ‘occult’ track? Is that in one of the scenario boxes? I have only played the disease scenario

@Michaelrsted

2 жыл бұрын

@@joelbergvonlinde1389 nope. It’s the bottom one in the journal. Grey cubes. And grey experiments.

@joelbergvonlinde1389

2 жыл бұрын

@@Michaelrsted Ah, so not an ‘occult track’, but just the occult knowledge. Well, if the excistence of the word ‘occult’ in the game is too much, then definitely don’t look at all the other stuff in the game or the stories in the app. It is about mad scientist experiments after all. I think Jacob made the right choice

@Michaelrsted

2 жыл бұрын

The occult track is not a must use. But very useful. But you’ll most certainly get occult cubes when completing experiments. Hard not too. Is it the naming of it or the the experiments etc? You could just call it something else… like wierd knowledge/experiments?!

@joelbergvonlinde1389

2 жыл бұрын

@@Michaelrsted Yeah, but You woulf also have to ignore/reword a lot of stuff in the app. And if You are censoring keyword, cards, components, story and setting, wouldnt it be better and more productive to just play something else, more fitting, instead?

Looks interesting just way to long of a game for our tastes.

You need an app to pay this game? I'm out.

Getting to regret buying this game> No Play Store app

@LizGamerGirl

2 жыл бұрын

It's coming soon. Wish I had an iPhone instead of android right now lll

@Kosstheraidboss

2 жыл бұрын

Play store App is out and functional!

@markambs9914

2 жыл бұрын

@@LizGamerGirl you don't need an apple you need them to provide what you paid for.

@LizGamerGirl

2 жыл бұрын

@@markambs9914 it was in progress and is up now. So little bit of patience and I can now enjoy the game too! :)

There is also negative luck, you can get cards that are impossible to fullfill and get malajustment, while others get easy ones that bring them a few points. I still like the game a lot and will play again, but don’t go in expecting the best scientist to win, you are all mad after all.

No Google app. 1 out of 10!

@Michaelrsted

2 жыл бұрын

Gezzz relax. It’s coming. Only been out on iOS for a week and a half. We’ve been waiting for more than a year for the game. A week or two more Should be bearable.

Why not just play an app?

@thedicetower

2 жыл бұрын

Because it's not an app. It's an app assisted board game. Play it, and you'll see what I mean.

@SimpleRoad

2 жыл бұрын

@@thedicetower So, you can play it without the app?

@Michaelrsted

2 жыл бұрын

@@SimpleRoad you could. But the app is half the experience.

@thedicetower

2 жыл бұрын

@@SimpleRoad No, you can't, but that's not the same as saying "just play an app". You can't play it without the deck of cards, and it's not a card game.

@CaptLoquaLacon

2 жыл бұрын

No app presents the game state in the way that is so easy for a player to navigate. Think about all the information that you can quickly access on the table, between all the player boards, the main board, the cards, the miniatures - you'd be endlessly cycling tabs and menus to get to the bit you want instead of just being able to cast a quick glance. No app provides the same kind of camaraderie as being around the same table either.

This game is not for me, not interested to read on a tablet while playing a boardgame. Zee would say: I give it a 3

My impression during the Kickstarter was this was going yo be a great looking game. In my opinion it is not....

@Michaelrsted

2 жыл бұрын

That’s weird. The Kickstarter campaign was extremely similar to the final product. Oh well taste is subjective.

@angrysalad

2 жыл бұрын

I'm interested to know what didn't meet your expectations as I think the components and art in this game are all incredible.

@bryanwinston8820

2 жыл бұрын

@@angrysalad I don't like the board, most of the artwork, I don't care for the graphic design. I don't like the storage. I don't like the way the map book lays on the board, tho I couldn't think of a better way to do that. I like the figures ok, but everything else leases me cold.

@mickelboy182

2 жыл бұрын

@@bryanwinston8820 ....what KS were you looking at then? Sounds like you messed up.

hahahah "the game was 3hoursa but it was an engaged 3hours" My first game was 7 hours but it was an engaged 7 hours, and i wnet out an bought it first thing next morning. Loved my first play but yeah a LONG game

App? Yeah, easy skip, no matter how good the game is

"your spouse is your servant in this game" what a stupid design choice. They lost me there.

No way to solo? 👎

App? I'm out.

Sorry but if I want to play board games then I don't want to use a smartphone/pad and if I want to play an app then I don't want to play a board game. But of course that's just my opinion.

@Rkm0504

2 жыл бұрын

Fair enough, at least you said it's just your opinion, unlike a lot of people who just say "APP BAD 0/10". I totally get it not being for everyone. I will say, this game feels much more like a board game first, with an app on the side. You really only use it between rounds and to trigger events. And I think the app really improves this game. Without the branching storylines and events from the app, it would be a pretty standard worker placement with a cool theme.

@UnimatrixOne

2 жыл бұрын

@@Rkm0504 Ok, maybe. But I guess I won't try it. :)

Played it. It's just another worker placement game (boring) with very fancy components and an app. Nothing special.

For me, the game play was mediocre at best. The story and events aren’t worth the time investment for our game group. This was just “ok” unfortunately.