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!

@rahdo

2 жыл бұрын

that would be awesome, but we've all got to wati a bit longer for that one! :)

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.

@rahdo

2 жыл бұрын

well the thing is, this automa mode was originally developed for gaia project, so you can get it there too, so i'd still be pro GP if i were choosing :)

@junleong6080

2 жыл бұрын

@@rahdo thanks! I really appreciate your channel and reviews!

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).

@rahdo

Жыл бұрын

i'm definitely keen to try out terra nova myself, but don't know much about it

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

@rahdo

Жыл бұрын

sorry but nope! :(

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.

@rahdo

2 жыл бұрын

one of the reasons i always say don't focus on my opinion... watch the runthrough and decide for yourself if it looks like a fit for you :)

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

@JJ_TheGreat

Жыл бұрын

7:25 I KNEW it was 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?

@rahdo

2 жыл бұрын

there's different expectations i would say for a solo experience. when you're playing against a human in a interactive area control game, you expect there to be interaction. when you're soloing, you care more about the optimization puzzle and less about the direct conflict :)

@singlemeeple

2 жыл бұрын

That makes sense, thanks!

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?

@rahdo

Жыл бұрын

yes, i should have said that the rules specificially mentioning add automa to 2 and 3p games :)

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. :)

@rahdo

2 жыл бұрын

this wasn't a sponsored video. if it was i would have said so :)

@tomiyabut4164

2 жыл бұрын

@@rahdo Thanks! This makes the expansion even more interesting for me. I've been considering it. :)

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.

@rahdo

2 жыл бұрын

i'll admit, i think Gaia is superior in almost every way as well! TBH i think part of TM's appeal is that I think there's a greater love for fantasy over scifi amongst hard core boardgamegeeks (I have no evidence of this... just a feeling i've gotten over the years). plus there's the fact that TM came first as well, which i'm sure also plays a part :)

@tmcd5049

2 жыл бұрын

@@rahdo Yes, game geeks of a certain age will probably have TM so they still play it at meet-ups and introduce new players. GP has to contend with that problem. A gaming buddy has TM, I prefer the theme but have never played it. GP, being the better game on paper, is also very tempting. Does it have anything like this solo expansion, though? I love and own, Clans of Caledonia, does that mean either of these games are really necessary for me, then? What do you think?

@El_Quemico

2 жыл бұрын

Terra Mystica is much more positional and restrictive . It is the tighter design and I would guess the much more popular version . I have played both games hundreds of times and the tension in Terra Mystica is higher. Both games are actually wonderful but the edge For the solo goes to TM

@rahdo

2 жыл бұрын

@@El_Quemico that is a good point! Gaia is much more 'relaxed' in its territory grabbing, so i can see TM being more attractive to masochist gamers (and i mean that in a good way!) :)

@rahdo

2 жыл бұрын

@@tmcd5049 yes, the solo i demoed here was first developed by the same folks (automa factory) for gaia project! :) re: caldonia, i did keep it over gaia project when i had both at the same time and was trying to make shelf space, so there's one datapoint!