Table Flips Ep 6. Entropy

In-Person: is I asked my daughter
ep 6 long: I asked my daughter. what she thought about this game. And again, she's seven years old. She just smirked at me and said, That was so damn good.
In-Person: what she thought about this game. And again, she's seven years old. She just smirked at me and said, that was so damn good.
ep 6 long: Welcome to Table Flips, Episode 6, by two grown men who run up and down more tracks than Usain Bolt, and we don't even break a sweat. On this week's episode, we'll discuss the games we've been playing. I'll finally call another game. Travis wants to flip some more tables, and then we'll conclude with our featured review, Entropy. Did the Italians knock it out of the park again, or should they find a theme that actually makes sense? Well,
In-Person: Welcome to Table Flips, Episode 6, by two grown men who run up and down more tracks than Usain Bolt, and we don't even break a sweat. On this week's episode, we'll discuss the games we've been playing. I'll finally pull another game. Travis wants to flip some more tables, and then we'll conclude with our featured review: Entropy. Did the Italians knock it out of the park again? Or should they find a theme that actually makes sense? Well
ep 6 long: Travis, what have you been playing? Well, speaking of Italians, let's talk about Nucleum by Small.
In-Person: Charles, what have you playing? Well, speaking of Italians, let's talk about nucleium by Simone Luciani and David Turzi, published by Borden Dice in 2023. Nucleum is a heavy strategy game where you're a German industrialist in the nineteenth century, and you're fueled by the invention of nucleum. We're basically nuclear reactors. So obviously we're veering from history a little bit.
ep 6 long: Strategy game where you're a German industrialist in the 19th century, and you're fueled by the invention of nucleum, basically nuclear reactors. So obviously, we're varying from history a little bit. You're going to be developing a network of rails using nucleum and coal to power urban centers and complete contracts.
In-Person: You're going to be developing a network of rails using Nucleum and Cold to power urban centers and complete contracts. if you haven't played Nucleum, there's two things that make this game what it is. First, each player has asymmetric technologies that they can gain during the game. and second, and I think the most fascinating, is that you have action tiles that you start with and that you can accumulate through the game.
ep 6 long: If you haven't played Nucleum, there's two things that make this game learn this. First, each player has asymmetric technologies that they can gain during the game. And second, and I think the most fascinating, is that you have action tiles that you start with and that you can accumulate through the game that you have to sacrifice as you play the game to build your rail network. Blake, what'd you think? I you see, I only played the expansion.
In-Person: That you have to sacrifice as you play the game to build your rail network. Blake, what'd you think? You see, I only played the expansion
ep 6 long: And it was interesting to me. To me, it it again was just like barrage and brass had a little baby,
In-Person: and it was interesting to me. To me it it again was just like barrage and brass had a little bait.
ep 6 long: and we have nucleum. I really enjoyed how it literally was a combination of those two games. I think I might prefer to play either barrage or brass. I'm still kind of on the fence with nucleum. didn't know if it was a little too much.
In-Person: Of those two games. I think I might prefer to play either Barrage or Brass. I'm still kind of on the fence with Nucleum. I didn't know if it was a little too much.
ep 6 long: One of the best parts about this game
In-Person: One of the best parts about this game.
ep 6 long: was trying to figure out with your actions, you're playing actions with your rail tiles. And that was a neat mechanic. That these rail tiles that I'm going to use on my board or on the main board, they're also my actions. And so I'm either going to choose: am I going to take an action with this or am I going to, in essence, lay track on the board? Now, if you lay track on the board,
In-Person: Was trying to figure out with your actions, you're playing actions with your rail tiles. And that was a neat mechanic. That these rail tiles that I'm going to use on my board or on the main board, they're also my actions. And so I'm either going to choose, am I going to take an action with this, or am I going to, in essence, lay track on the board? Now, if you lay track on the board, you're going to be able to get some bonus moves, maybe if you do it correctly, if you match up certain areas, but you're going to be losing that action. So if you
ep 6 long: You're going to be able to get some bonus moves maybe if you do it correctly, if you match up certain areas, but you're going to be losing that action. So if you don't
In-Person: Don't pay attention to what's going on the board and other action tiles that you can grab later on, you might be losing a main action that you won't have access to for the rest of the game. Yeah. I know we played the expansion,
ep 6 long: pay attention to what's going on the board and other action tiles that you can grab later on, you might be losing a main action that you won't have access to for the rest of the game. Yeah. how do we play the expansion?
In-Person: and that's kind of interesting. so we added the Australia expansion, which was came out in 2024. so I I feel kind of bad. I mean, there's a there's a few things that Australia adds to the base game. It was a stuff.
ep 6 long: That Australia adds to the base game. It was a step up, definitely. It's made for seasoned nucleum players, I think. There are a few things that Australia adds to the base game. first there's shipping lanes to accommodate reaching the island of Tasmania on the
In-Person: It it's made for seasoned nucleum players, I think. There are a few things that Australia adds to the base game. first there's shipping lanes to accommodate reaching the island of Tasmania on the map. and then everybody had a new access to coal through coal mines. So you could use that to energize your buildings, you didn't have to connect to like coal stocks. And the I think the
ep 6 long: To coal through coal mines. So you could use that to energize your buildings, you didn't have to connect to like coal stocks. And the I think the I mean the biggest game changer is the map itself. It's very oddly arranged and it's meant to present a real challenge to seasoned players. So that being said, if we haven't played Nucleon before, I wouldn't start with Australia. But saying that, Lake.
In-Person: I mean the biggest game changer is the map itself. It's very oddly arranged and it's meant to present a real challenge to seasoned players. So that being said, if you haven't played Nucleum before, I wouldn't start with Australia. But saying that, Blake, you started with the expansion and you won the game. So who knows? Yeah, that was
ep 6 long: You started with the expansion and you won the game, so who knows? Yeah, that that was pure luck in that sense. I will say that the expansion was very restricting. It was really hard to figure out what I could do and how I could actually do it. And is that similar to just base vanilla nucleum? Yeah, I don't I don't think so. I I felt playing the Australian map, I mean, it seemed like the intention was to make
In-Person: Yeah, I don't I don't think so. I I felt playing the Australia map, I mean, it seemed like the intention was to make a very difficult map with an uphill climb. is that frustration fun? It wasn't for me. I I think I like the ba the base game just fine. Although the map is can get stale and static. You know, you have different experiment sets, technologies. You still have to play your action tiles and figure that out. so
ep 6 long: Is that frustration fun? It wasn't for me. I I think I like the bait the base game just fine. Although the map is can get stale and static. You know, you have different experiment sets, technologies. You still have to play your action tiles and figure that out. so yeah, I think the idea of a new map is great, but I think this one was definitely intended for more seasoned players. Yeah,
In-Person: Yeah, I think the idea of a new map is great, but I think this one was definitely intended for more seasoned players. Yeah.
ep 6 long: I think you're right. It's just
In-Person: It's just
ep 6 long: one of the things where I think I will enjoy the base game better. I just had to really fight too much with that expansion and that expansion map that I felt like I was just playing the map and I wasn't playing the other players. Does that make sense? Yeah.
In-Person: Does that make sense? Yeah, I I I agree with that. I I I like Nucleum. I just recently traded for it after I played it five or six times over the past couple years. I certainly don't think it's better than Barrage, but I I do like it better than brass. dare Yeah, right? I know you remember Brass. That's one of my top favorite games. It's one of the few games that I actually agree with BGG, and number one. And one day get to play another game.
ep 6 long: How dare you. Yeah, right. I know you don't like brass. That's one of my top favorite games. It's one of the few games that I actually agree with BGG, and I'm excited that it's number one. And one day I might get you to play another game of brass with me. Well, you gotta remember that I played it probably
In-Person: Well, you gotta remember that I played it probably five, six times before you were even a gamer. So you played it before they called it brass, right? No, it was called brass.
ep 6 long: You played it before they called it brass, right? No, it was called brass.
In-Person: I I'm not a Martin Wallace fan. I think rail games like brass and kinda like this too, sometimes they can run into that issue where
ep 6 long: fan. I think rail games like brass and kind of like this too, sometimes they can run into that issue where if you're a person who has a path of least resistance, you'll tend to find
In-Person: If you're a person who has a path of least resistance, you'll tend to find your way to the win. And so that can be a little frustrating for me. So I even though I mean I still I still like the puzzle and I I still like messing around with it. So
ep 6 long: So that can be a little frustrating for me. So even though I I still I still like the puzzle and I I still like messing around with it. And did you feel that way with Nucleo? It it has a tendency to do that. I think in the three player game, you're looking at like a truel, like a three-way duel. Like two players are really kind of duping it out for certain parts of the map, that other player can kind of just do what they want and and get away with it. So I don't know. I haven't I haven't played the four players.
In-Person: It it has tendency to do that. I think in a three player game, you're looking at like a truel, like a three way duel. And if two players are really kind of duking it out for certain parts of the map, that other player can kind of just do what they want and and get away with it. So I don't know. I I haven't played a four players. so that would be kind of interesting to see if that still is the case. So that was Nucleum from twenty twenty three.
ep 6 long: so that would be kind of interesting see if that still is the case. So that was Nucleum, from twenty three, by Simone
In-Person: by Simone Luciani and David Turtsy.
ep 6 long: Lucciani David Trick. Now, real quick, Travis, I know we talked about Bordeaux by Ben Rossett, produced by Road to Infamy Games a lot last week, but I want to say I introduced this to my wife and
In-Person: And
ep 6 long: it was a lot of fun. You're right in the sense that it was a little barrier for her to understand how workers could be gone either one year, two years, or three years. But once she understood that aspect, she enjoyed the game. Now you ready for this, Travis? She enjoyed the game so much that within a week, I've already played it twice with her, and she's even asked to play it a third time. Now that's unheard of when it comes to my wife playing games.
In-Person: barrier for her to understand how workers could be gone either one year, two years, or three years. But once she understood that aspect, she enjoyed the game. Now I read for this Travis. She enjoyed the game so much that within a week I've already played it twice with her and she's even asked to play it a third time. Wow. Unheard of when it comes to my wife playing games.
ep 6 long: And she just found it relaxing. We played it
In-Person: And she just found it relaxing. We played it
ep 6 long: in bed just right before we went to sleep. We pulled it out instead of reading a book. We played this together. She really enjoyed it, asking for more of it. And I enjoyed it so much, Travis, that I went out and already purchased a second copy of this game. I mean, it's so cheap. In for twelve bucks, why not go ahead and just get one more book that I can have in case I run out of all days?
In-Person: in bed just right before we went to sleep we pulled it out instead of reading a book we played this together she really enjoyed it asking for more of it and I enjoyed it so much Travis that I went out and already purchased a second copy of this game. I mean it's so cheap it for 12 bucks why not go ahead and just get one more book that I can have in case I run out of all these so really enjoyed that.
ep 6 long: So really enjoyed that. Yeah, I've done the same thing. There's just sort of one that I don't break into and it just sits on the shelf and then there's one that I can mess up. I think is the the idea for me. It's it's interesting, it's kind of an odd duck because it's it's really a just a simple pencil and paper game. But I've taught now seasoned gamers and the work here timing mechanic still is a bit obtuse to them. So it's once you get through the first couple of turns.
In-Person: Yeah, I I've done the same thing. There's just sort of one that I don't break into and it just sits on the shelf and then there's one that I can mess up. I think is the the idea for me. It's it's interesting. It's kind of an odd duck because it's it's really a just a simple pencil and paper game. But I've taught now seasoned gamers and the work here timing mechanic still is a bit obtuse to them. So it's once you get through the first couple of turns, then you know, you know, by
ep 6 long: Then you know, you know, by that midpoint game, and it takes thirty minutes it well and wants to play it again. So
In-Person: That midpoint of the game, it it takes thirty minutes at most. I I think everybody kinda understands it well and wants to play it again. So
ep 6 long: definitely. And that was Bordeaux by Ben Rossett. Now, Travis, I'm sorry. I'll try to stay away from this designer for a few weeks, but I got to talk about another Kenitsia game. Well, you have that tattoo. Road to El Dorado by Reiner Kenizia, published by Ravensburger in 2017. Now, in the Road to El Dorado.
In-Person: Now, Travis, I'm sorry. I'll try to stay away from this designer for a few weeks, but I got to talk about another Kenicia game. Well, you have that tattoo. Road to El Dorado by Reiner Kenicia, published by Ravensberger in 2017. Now, in The Road to El Dorado,
ep 6 long: This is the doctor's take on deck building, and he knocked it out of the park. It's fast, it's furious, it's quick to learn with a lot of chunky decision spaces. In this game, you're racing to El Dorado, hence the name. the board is usually four to five big hex pieces laid out in a path, and each big hex piece is divided up into about
In-Person: This is the doctor's take on deck building, and he knocked it out of the park. It's fast, it's furious, it's quick to learn with a lot of chunky decision spaces. In this game, you're racing to El Dorado, hence the name. The board is usually four to five big hex pieces laid out in a path, and each big hex piece is divided up into about
ep 6 long: 40 little hexes. And each space has an icon that shows a certain type of card
In-Person: 40 little hexes. And each space has an icon that shows a certain type of card.
ep 6 long: you have to play from your hand to enter into that space. You're either going to play pay money for desert spaces or machetes for forest areas or paddles for water spaces. Each round, you're going to draw four cards and play some for movement, and then play some to buy some fun cards from the market. And that's it.
In-Person: You have to play from your hand to enter into that space. You're either gonna play money for desert spaces or machetes for forest areas or paddles for water spaces. Each round, you're gonna draw four cards and play some for movement, and then play some to buy some fun cards from the market. And that's it.
ep 6 long: And you have to decipher the best path to go down to
In-Person: And you have to decipher the best path to go down to
ep 6 long: hopefully discard some of your crappy cards when you can and and choose which of the best market cards you'll need to buy each round in order to beat your opponent to El Dorado. Now, one of the best things about this simple game is that only one player can be in each hex space. So you can easily get in other people's way and block them.
In-Person: Hopefully discard some of your crappy cards when you can and choose which of the best market cards you'll need to buy each round in order to beat your opponent to El Dorado. Now, one of the best things about this simple game is that only one player can be in each heck space. So you can easily get in other people's way and block them.
ep 6 long: And I love that. And I played this game with experienced gamers
In-Person: And I love that. And I played this game with experienced gamers.
ep 6 long: and they've enjoyed it. And then I recently taught my 10-year-old and my seven-year-old this game. And this was their first deck builder. This was their introduction to deck building. And they even learned how to overhand shuffle by playing this game because you have to shuffle your deck a lot when you run out. And I raced up a certain path, I got stuck, and then my dang son came from behind.
In-Person: And they've enjoyed it. And then I recently taught my 10 year old and my seven year old this game. And this was their first deck builder. This was their introduction to deck building. And they even learned how to overhand shuffle while I playing this game because you have to shuffle your deck a lot when you run out. And I raced up a certain path, I got stuck, and then my dang son came from behind
ep 6 long: And he actually beat me and I was proud of him.
In-Person: and he actually beat me. And I was proud of him. I I I love it. I I really love it when somebody sets it up before I sit down at the table. So I
ep 6 long: It can take a second.
In-Person: I think this has the most setup of any Reiner Kenizia game I can think of.
ep 6 long: Probably the most pieces for a Kenitzia game. It's just a lot. You gotta get all the decks, you know.
In-Person: It's just a lot. You gotta get all the decks, you know, s centered out and you need to get all the the hexes planned
ep 6 long: And
In-Person: and try and pick a map from the book and I don't know, it's it's a lot.
ep 6 long: that's it's a lot. Now that's a lot, but you did remind me of something cool about this game is how you can make this game easy, you can make it medium,
In-Person: Easy, you can make it media.
ep 6 long: you can make it really difficult. The way you set up the tiles and on what sides you set them up, you can make this an easy quick game or you can make this a hard game. And I thought that was really nice to be able to play this with more experienced gamers, if they want a little bit more of a challenge, or if I'm just gonna play with my kids, I can make it nice and easy for them to learn.
In-Person: You can make this an easy quick game or you can make this a hard game. And I thought that was really nice to able to play this with more experienced gamers they want a little bit more of a challenge. Or if I'm just gonna play with my kids, I can make it nice and easier for them to learn. Yeah, well for
ep 6 long: For me it's always a difficult game. I think I've won this
In-Person: me it's always a difficult game. I think I won this the very first time I played and I haven't won since I usually get caught in some sort of quicksand and then just sort of sit there for several turns and do nothing.
ep 6 long: And I think that one time you won was actually with me and you had an interest interesting strategy.
In-Person: You had an interest interesting shadow.
ep 6 long: you hung back and you really got these extra player powers by going up, I think it's a volcano, and you get these tokens that you can play on your turn, and they can really boost you forward. And so I think I raced ahead of you, and then all of a sudden on one turn you cross all the way to the finish line in that sense. And so that was really
In-Person: volcano and you get these tokens that you can play on turn and they can really boost you forward. And so I think I raced ahead of you and then all of a sudden on one turn you cross to the finish that was really interesting.
ep 6 long: interesting.
In-Person: Yeah, I don't remember that at all. It's probably somebody else. I am old, so maybe I just don't remember. And so
ep 6 long: I am so maybe I just don't remember. And so I think you're right that this is one of the biggest games of Reiner Kenizia in the sense of pieces.
In-Person: it's it's vast, you can make it long, and then you can even add the Golden Temple. Now, the Golden Temple was the sequel to the road to El Dorado, and you can play that as its own game. And in that game, you're not just racing to El Dorado because you're already at the temple.
ep 6 long: it's it's vast, you can make it long, and then you can even add the golden temple. Now, the golden temple was the sequel to the road to El Dorado, and you can play that as its own game. And in that game, you're not just racing to El Dorado because you're already at the temple. You're just racing to get three jewels and then go back to the exit. So you're entering, getting the three jewels, and then exiting. First one who does that wins the game.
In-Person: You're just racing to get three jewels and then go back to the exit. So you're entering and getting the three jewels and then exiting the first one who does that wins the game. Now the coolest thing, I haven't done it yet, but I want to do this. You can combine both games and you can race to the temple. Then once you're at the temple, race to get the jewels and then to exit. It would be pretty long. After that, three hours is over. That's true. It would be a long
ep 6 long: Now, the coolest thing, I haven't done it yet, but I want to do this. You can combined both games and you can race to the temple. Then once you're at the temple, race to get the jewels and then to exit. It would be pretty long, it'd be pretty massive. Three hours is over. That's true. It would be a long game, but it would be interesting to see how that holds up. But one of my favorite things that night when I introduced this to my kids is
In-Person: Interesting to see how that holds up. But one of my favorite things that night when I introduced this to my kids
ep 6 long: I asked my daughter.
In-Person: is I asked my daughter
ep 6 long: what she thought about this game. And again, she's seven years old. She just smirked at me and said, That was so damn good.
In-Person: what she thought about this game. And again, she's seven years old. She just smirked at me and said, that was so damn good.
ep 6 long: And yeah, I don't like my daughter cussing all the time, but that was amazing.
In-Person: And yeah, I don't like daughter cussing all the time, but that was amazing.
ep 6 long: that was The Road to El Dorado by Reiner Kenizia, published by Ravensberger in twenty seventeen.
In-Person: that was the Road to El Dorado by Reiner Knitzia, published by Ravensberger in 2017. Okay, so let's talk about Rainbow. This is from AllPlay, designed
ep 6 long: Okay, so let's talk about Rainbow. This is from AllPlay Design.
In-Person: by Mito Suzuki, and published in 2024. This is based on the original Japanese release from 2010 called Neon, which I had never seen before.
ep 6 long: and published in 2024. This is based on the original Japanese release from 2010 called Neon, which I had never seen before. Rainbow is a trick-taking game, but unlike other trick-taking games, tricks could consist of single cards mixed with either runs or sets.
In-Person: Rainbow is a trick-taking game, but unlike other trick-taking games, tricks can consist of single cards mixed with either runs or sets of any number. You must play runs if somebody plays a run in that trick, or you must play sets if sets are led. Or you can always play any single card. And then there are prize cards in the middle, and whoever plays the most or highest cards will take their prize card first, followed by the next highest, and so on.
ep 6 long: play runs if somebody plays a run in that trick or you must play sets. Sets are led. Or you can always play any single card. And then there are prize cards in the middle and whoever plays the most or highest cards will take the prize card first, followed by the next highest and so on. And then after each trick, the cards played in the previous trick become the prize cards for the next trick. One of the interesting things about the structure of this is that the players are playing variable numbers of cards in each trick. But
In-Person: and then after each trick, the cards played in the previous trick become the prize cards for the next trick. one of the interesting things about the structure of this is that the players are playing variable numbers of cards in each trick. But
ep 6 long: Someone running out of cards just means they're out of the round. The other players will keep going and effectively shutting that person out of scoring more prizes. Blake, we played this recently. We played two games of this back-to-back. The first game we played, we played it a little loose,
In-Person: someone running out of cards just means they're out of the round. The other players will keep going and effectively shutting that person out of scoring more prizes. Blake, we played this recently. We played two games of this back to back. The first game we played, we played it a little loose.
ep 6 long: just messing around. The second game was very different and tight. We didn't want anybody to get too much of a lead. I'm hoping this was just groupthink. That'll kind of work itself out.
In-Person: Just messing around. the second game was very different and tight. we didn't want anybody to get too much of a lead. so I'm hoping this was just groupthink that'll kind of work itself out over several plays. the game it's most similar to in my mind is for sale. So for sale can sometimes it can stall if the difference between the worst prize on the table and the best one is is negligible, so you don't really care.
ep 6 long: Over several plays. the game that's most similar to in my mind is for sale. So for sale can sometimes it can stall if the difference between the worst prize on the table and the best one is is negligible. So you don't really care if whether you take last or first. it seems like that can kind of happen here. I think we just need to play it more. But it was really quick. It was really a great sort of trick-taking filler game.
In-Person: if whether you take last or first. it seems like that can kinda happen here. I think we just need to play it more. But it was really quick. It was really a great sort of trick taking filler game.
ep 6 long: Now, Travis, I haven't told you this, but after you introduced me to this game, I was really intrigued by it. And I loved how crunchy it got after our second play and how we figured out basically how to play the game
In-Person: Figured out basically how to play the game.
ep 6 long: and had a lot more fun with it. I bought this. You can easily get this on Amazon right now, very cheap. Again, it is just a small deck of cards that we're playing with. and I think, Travis, that
In-Person: This on Amazon right now, very cheap. Again, it is just a small deck of cards that we're playing And I think, Travis, that this is the most played game of mine this year so far. really? I've played this at least 15 to 20 times already. So I brought this out with my kids, I introduced it to my daughter.
ep 6 long: This is the most played game of mine this year so far. I believe I I've played this at least 15 to 20 times already. So I brought this out with my kids. I introduced it to my daughter saying basically, hey, look, it has unicorns on it. It's called Rainbow. And I was like, maybe this could be their first trick-taking game. This might be over their heads. No, they picked up on this instantly. And it's such a quick game, too, that we pull this game out all the time.
In-Person: Saying basically, hey, look, it has unicorns on it. It's called Rainbow. I was like, Yeah, maybe this could be their first trick-taking game. This might be over their heads. No, they picked up on this instantly. And it's such a quick game, too, that we pull this game out all the time.
ep 6 long: And just like Bordeaux, I went ahead and already bought another copy because my kids are wrecking this deck. We're playing it so much. I play it with my wife, she enjoyed it a lot. I brought this to my other game group
In-Person: And just like Bordeaux, I went ahead and already bought another coffee because my kids are wrecking this game so much. I play it with my wife. She enjoyed it a lot. I brought this to my other game group.
ep 6 long: and they really enjoyed it. I played it at five players. I think that might be the max player count.
In-Person: And they really enjoyed it. I played it at five players. I think that might be the max player account.
ep 6 long: And it was beautiful at five players. And what I love is seeing people realize that if they play too many cards down.
In-Person: And it was beautiful at five players. And what I love is seeing people realize that if they play too many cards down, they're not going to have enough cards left to continue on in the game, and they're going to be out a little too soon, and everyone else is going continue to get more points. And then you also could start poking fun at other players when you see how there's only maybe a six-point card or a five-point card or a four-point card out there, and then all of a sudden they
ep 6 long: They're not going to have enough cards left to continue on in the game, and they're going to be out a little too soon. And everyone else is going to continue to get more points. And then you also can start poking fun at other players when you see how, there's only maybe a six-point card or a five-point card or a four-point card out there. And then all of a sudden, they just
In-Person: just whip out four cards. And you just know they are completely overpaying for it. And it's it's just enjoyable. It's
ep 6 long: whip out four cards. And you just know they are completely overpaying for it. And it's just enjoyable. It's crazy.
In-Person: crunchy enough, but so easy. And there's so much strategy to this game upon just first playing it. What did you think about that? Yeah, I don't I don't know about strategy. I was trying
ep 6 long: Crunchy enough, but so easy. And there's so much strategy to this game upon just first playing it. What'd you think about that? Yeah, I I don't know about strategy. I was trying to
In-Person: to find a way to maybe set
ep 6 long: S.
In-Person: out, you know, larger numbers and kind of do it in you know, sort of a sequential order so that I could play big numbers to the table and then try and pick those up again. But I don't know if that necessarily worked out. I will say you have to really pick your spots and kind of slow play it. You definitely don't want
ep 6 long: Worked out. I will say you have to really pick your spots and kind of slow play. You definitely don't want to.
In-Person: to be the first one to run out of cards. And then
ep 6 long: And then one thing about this game is going first sucks because everyone can come around you and do whatever they want. Going last is amazing. But if you win the trick, you're going to be going first. And you're going to be seeding the points out
In-Person: Exceeding the points out.
ep 6 long: there. I really enjoyed that. And then the funniest thing to me is people will get all of a sudden just caught up on playing sets and then forget about runs and someone throws a run out there and it completely destroys your hand.
In-Person: The funny thing to me is people will get all of a sudden just caught up on playing sets and then forget about runs and someone throws a run out there and it completely destroys our game.
ep 6 long: So being able to realize, hey, I need to be ready for sets and runs, and if someone just throws a single out there, then the next person they can lead the hand by playing either a set or a run. Because if someone just throws a single out there, it doesn't set the hand up yet. You know what I'm saying there?
In-Person: So being to realize, I need to be ready for sets and runs, and if someone just throws a single out there, then the next person, they can lead the hand by playing either a set or a run. Because if someone just throws a single out there, it doesn't set the hand up You know what I'm saying? i I think the the issue comes when
ep 6 long: Yeah, she comes with
In-Person: the you s realize that the cards are only numbered one to six. So if you look at your opening hand
ep 6 long: You look at your opening hand, you're gonna have several large runs and then several sets. So when you hold out to play your s your runs and everybody's just playing sets, you're gonna be breaking those up somehow. So it's it's an interesting thing where you it's like how do I even arrange my hand? I don't
In-Person: you're gonna have several large runs and then several sets. So if you hold out to play your s your runs and everybody's just playing sets, you're gonna be breaking those up somehow. So is it's an interesting thing are you it's like how do I even arrange my hand? I don't I don't know what people are going to do, yeah it it's it's the hand management is is I don't know if it's either non existent or really cool.
ep 6 long: Yeah, it it's it it's the hand management is is I don't know if it's either non existent or really cool. If it's I can't quite figure that out yet, I need to play it more.
In-Person: It's I I can't quite figure that out yet. I need to play it more.
ep 6 long: And Travis, I just have to thank you because I know we're in this weird era in board gaming where there's so many trick taking cards coming or trick taking games coming out, and that is the main theme with board games right now. There's so many coming out left and right. And I thought I didn't like trick taking. I thought it was too boring to me, but you've introduced a few to me that I'm on to this kick. I'm riding this train right now. I'm really enjoying trick taking. I'm definitely enjoying
In-Person: I'm not in the screen right now. I'm definitely a member of the cult. I always have been. I've been playing, you know, obviously the the main, you know, trick taking games hearts and spades
ep 6 long: Okay.
In-Person: and I'm a you know intermediate bridge player I picked up on a lot of the German stuff in the two thousands and I love games like Bargain Hunter and Moo and now I feel like it's great. Like everything's coming out. I think a lot of it is
ep 6 long: Coming out. I think a lot of it is these games have been in Japan for a decade now, and they're just finding their way, you know, to be reprinted because there's a lot of little magic there. I think what they the Japanese will do well is they'll take a traditional trip-taking game and they'll just change one thing. And that one thing changes the way you think about trip-taking games so much that it's you know it's really you know novel and interesting when you
In-Person: These games have been in Japan for a decade now and they're just finding their way, you know, to be reprinted because there's a lot of little magic there. I think what they the Japanese will do well is they'll take a traditional trick taking game and they'll just change one thing. And that one thing changes the way you think about trick taking games so much that it's you know, it is really, you know, novel and interesting when you when you get to play it. so that was Rainbow from All Play, designed by Mito Suzuki and published in twenty twenty four.
ep 6 long: And published in twenty twenty four. Alright, we have to do it. Many times we don't want to, but you gotta rip the bandage off. Now it's time for call of the week. What are you calling this week?
In-Person: Alright, we have to do it. Many times we don't want to, but you gotta rip the bandage off. Now it's time for call of the week. Blake, what are you calling this week?
ep 6 long: So, Travis, my call is Roth by Manny Trimblee, published by Chip Theory Games in twenty twenty-five. I was kinda really excited about this game. You know, I like Chip Theory Games. I like how they're games you can just
In-Person: excited about this game. You know, I like chip theory games. I like other games you can just throw them in the tub or play them at the beach, all the neoprene mats and all the plastic to where you can't ruin these games or you really have to try to ruin these games. And they
ep 6 long: Throw them in the tub or play them at the beach, all the knee pre mats and all the plastic to where you can't ruin these games, or you really have to try to ruin these games. And they they
In-Person: They produce great games. so I was really excited about Raw. You know, it's built as a fast-paced air-majority game where each round dice are rolled and then drafted and the actions you are taking are on the die. You then get to either place more figures on a mat,
ep 6 long: produce great games. so I was really excited about Roth. You it's built as a fast-paced area majority game where each round dice are rolled and then drafted, and the actions you are taking are on the die. You then get to either place more figures on a mat.
In-Person: move them around, or fight. It was entertaining, but again I felt like I had to fight with it for it to be entertaining, and I really just don't think it's worth the effort.
ep 6 long: move them around or fight. It was entertaining, but again I felt like I had to fight with it for it to be entertaining, and I really just don't think it's worth the effort. Now everyone has different factions with special powers. Now that's neat. That's something that kind of drew me to this game. Now, are these powers described in the rule book or player aid?
In-Person: Now everyone has different factions with special powers. Now that's neat. That's something that kind of drew me to this game. Now, are these powers described in the rule book or playery?
ep 6 long: No, that would be way too convenient.
In-Person: No, that would be way too convenient.
ep 6 long: It's described on your own neoprene mat, which you need a magnifying glass to actually read, and you're gonna constantly be reading these out loud for your opponents because they're not going to remember it, and they're gonna be caught off guard when they take a move, and then they're gonna want to take moves back because of it throughout the whole game. The rule book was short, that's
In-Person: It's described on your own mediaprene map, which you need a magnifying glass to actually read, and you're gonna constantly be reading these out loud for your opponents because they're not going to remember it, and they're gonna be caught off guard when they take a move, and then they're gonna wanna take moves back because of it throughout the whole game. The rule book was short, that's
ep 6 long: usually great, but it
In-Person: Usually great, but it doesn't explain everything. It doesn't explain how certain powers are going to interact with one another. It doesn't describe a lot of edge cases. So you're gonna be pouring over all the rules forms in BGG a lot with this game. Again, build is a fast game. Last game I played, it took forever.
ep 6 long: Doesn't explain everything, it doesn't explain how certain powers are going to interact with one another, it doesn't describe a lot of edge cases. So you're gonna be pouring over all the rules forms in BGG a lot with this game. Again, build as a fast game. Last game I played, it took forever. Yes, someone I was playing with was prone to AP, but the game almost makes you have to calculate everything.
In-Person: Yes, someone I was playing with was prone to AP, but the game almost makes you have to calculate everything,
ep 6 long: Which easily led to king making. The last action of that game was a player literally just deciding if I do this, this person wins. If I do that,
In-Person: which easily led to king making. The last action of that game was a player literally just deciding, if I do this, this person wins. If I do that
ep 6 long: that person wins. It's not a fun conclusion to that game. Yes, the components are great, the storage trays were awesome, the layout of the map is good, they designed that well, you can almost get anywhere in the map very quickly.
In-Person: That person wins. It's not a fun conclusion to that game. Yes, the components are great. The storage trays were awesome. The layout of the map is good. They designed that well. You can almost get anywhere in the map very quickly. Kind of felt very comet-ish like that. But give me a better rulebook.
ep 6 long: Kinda felt very Kimet-ish like that. But give me a better rulebook, get me some player aids, less king making, maybe adding in a secret component where everything can't be mapped out. Cause if it can be, then people will do it, and it's going to bog down the game. Yeah, I haven't this, but it's commonly
In-Person: Give me some player aids, less king making, maybe adding in a secret component where everything can't be mapped out. Because if it be, then people will do it, and it's going to bomb down the edge. Yeah, I haven't played this, but it's commonly known that there are very few dudes on a map games that I can tolerate. And everything you said there, AP, king making, bad rule set,
ep 6 long: you said there AP, game making, bad rule set
In-Person: yeah, that sounds just truly awful.
ep 6 long: Yeah.
In-Person: I don't I don't want anywhere near that game.
ep 6 long: Yeah, I I didn't want to put you through it, Travis. And again that was Roth by Minnie Trimblee, published by Chip Theory Games
In-Person: And again that was Roth by Minnie Trembling, published by Ship Theory Games.
ep 6 long: in twenty twenty five. Now on to what flips your table. You know, we've talked about player perfectionism, ruining games, the lack of tiebreakers, bad rule explainers. But today, Travis, what's gotten you uptight, making you want to flip some tables? Well.
In-Person: Now on to what flips your table. You know, we've talked about player perfectionism, ruining games, the lack of tiebreakers, bad wool explainers. But today, Travis, what's gotten you uptight, making you want to flip some tables? Well, I thought since we were gonna be talking about entropy here in a little bit. That maybe we should talk about entropy in game design. And by that I mean taking a novel mechanic and a simple game system and adding heaps and heaps of other mechanics that make something simple needlessly complicated. So this is my passionate plea for new or seasoned game designers. If you have something cool, new and unusual, make that the centerpiece of your game.
ep 6 long: Maybe we should talk about entropy in game design. And by that I mean taking a novel mechanic and a simple game system and adding heaps and heaps of other mechanics that make something simple needlessly complicated. So this is my passionate plea for new or seasoned game designers. If you have something cool, new and unusual, make that the centerpiece of your game. And although that single piece may not make an entire game design, don't just chaotically add new mechanics around it to make a bigger game. I have a couple examples of this. first I have my list here is Wondrous Creatures. Have you played Wondrous Creatures, Blake? Yes,
In-Person: And although that single piece may not make an entire game design, don't just chaotically add new mechanics around it to make a bigger game. I have a couple of examples of this. first I have my list here is Wondrous Creatures. Have you played Wondrous Creatures, Blake? Yeah.
ep 6 long: and that game took flipping forever. So this is by Bad Comet Games.
In-Person: So this is by Bad Comet Games from 2024. I'd say the worker placement in this game is marvelous. You have these wooden crew members that occupy a number of spaces on a hex map. and one of your crew members has a captain meeple that magnetically rides on the back of the crew member. This is really cool. you can unlock special abilities for your captain piece. and when you play these pieces on the board, you
ep 6 long: Let's say the worker placement in this game is marvelous. You have these wooden crew members that occupy a number of spaces on the hex map. One of your crew members has a captain people that magnetically rides on the back of the crew member. That was awesome. You can unlock special abilities for your captain piece. And when you play these pieces on the board, you gain all the resources on the board that are adjacent to that crew member. And the placement on the board, because you're putting a big wooden piece on it, is exclusive.
In-Person: Gain all the resources on the board that are adjacent to that crew member. And that placement on the board, because you're putting a big wooden piece on it, is exclusive. So you have to figure out how to jockey around the other players to get the resources you need. And that's great. But then it keeps going in the game design. And this cool thing that is really, really neat and new gets diluted. So the designers add creature cards. And these are just loaded with lots of information.
ep 6 long: So you have to figure out how to jockey around the other players to get the resources you need. And that's great. But then it keeps going in the game design. And this cool thing that is really, really neat and new gets diluted. So the designers add creature cards. And these are just loaded with lots of information. Costs, habitat and species tags, abilities, endgame scoring. Some of the abilities can be simple, but many are exceedingly convales.
In-Person: Costs, habitat and species tags, abilities, endgame scoring. some of the abilities can be simple, but many are exceedingly convoluted. There's a lot of small text, and every card appears to be unique. there are now rules built around how you sweep the cards from the display, and all this information about the cards. You will accumulate so many of these cards that you spend so much effort trying to keep them all straight.
ep 6 long: There's a lot of small text, and every card appears to be There are now rules built around how you sweep the cards from display and all this information about the cards. You will accumulate so many of these cards that you spend so much effort trying to keep them all straight. Now we're gonna add on score trapper rewards that allow you to change the map. There are eggs that sit on your board that can be hatched or unhatched. Each player has a personal development board with achievement markers.
In-Person: now we're gonna add on score tracker rewards that allow you to change the map. There are eggs that sit on your board that can be hatched or unhatched. Each player has a personal development board with achievement markers. You can earn trophies, which typically decide the game. Then you have to recharge to bring your crew back to you. Did I mention that there are free energy actions to charge and use certain cards? It's kinda like terraforming Mars plus a full worker placement game.
ep 6 long: You can earn trophies, which typically decide the game. Then you have to recharge to bring your crew back to you. Did I mention that there are free energy actions to charge and use certain cards? It's kinda like terraforming Mars, plus a full worker placement game, plus playing recall or revive. Travis, I'm getting flashbacks. The rule book is 32 pages long. Now the box says, I kid you not, 40 to 80 minutes.
In-Person: Plus playing recall or revive. Travis and getting flashbacks. The rule book is thirty-two pages long. Now the box says I kid you not, forty to eighty minutes. I believe that. I really believe that. Yeah. My game was triple
ep 6 long: I believe that. I really believed that. I thought it was gonna be that long. Yeah. My name was trip
In-Person: that. Please stop adding just gobs and gobs of stuff to your game. the second that I want to talk about is Wonderland's war.
ep 6 long: Please stop adding just gobs and gobs of stuff to your game. the second that I want to talk about is Wonderland's War. Now I haven't played this. I've been wanting to play this, Travis. Yeah, so this is from Druid City Games in 2023. Wonderland's War is a Alice of Wonderland theme. The there's a Tea Party. And this the Tea Party part of this game, it's not exactly novel, but in this context, it's really, really great. And it's basically a
In-Person: Yeah, so this is from Druid City Games in 2023. Wonderland's War has a Alice in Wonderland theme. The there's a tea party. And this the tea party part of this game, it's not exactly novel, but in this context, it's really, really great. And it's basically a like a track where you can go as far as you want, but you can't go back. So we've seen that in various other games before, but here it just it just really, really works very well.
ep 6 long: Like a track where you can go as far as you want, but you can't go back. So we've seen that in various other games before. But here it just it just really, really works very well.
In-Person: and then it feeds this area control battle phase that's very chaotic, but is really fun. If the game stopped there and took 75 minutes, there wouldn't I wouldn't be mentioning it here. I would I would own the game most likely. But the designer did not stop there. So you have
ep 6 long: and then it feeds this area control battle phase that's very chaotic, but it's really fun. If the game stopped there and took seventy-five minutes, there wouldn't I wouldn't be mentioning it here. I I would own the game. That looks fun, Travis. I'm excited about that. But the design did not stop there. So you have
In-Person: quest cards, you have faction chips, you have Wonderlandians with special abilities. Each player has their own player board.
ep 6 long: Player has their own player board that has a tech tree with supporters and artifacts, and there's wonder cards, and there's madness chips, and there's ally abilities. And this is just a base game. So, of course, the game had a bunch of add-ons because we all know your Kickstarter doesn't rock unless you have at least three to four useless expansions added on. So the game takes forever. with the game being a
In-Person: With has a tech tree with supporters and artifacts and there's wonder cards and there's madness chips and there's ally abilities. And this is just the base game. So of course the game had a bunch of add-ons because we all know your Kickstarter doesn't rock unless you have at least three to four useless expansions added on. So the game takes forever. with the game being a
ep 6 long: Bag building game for battle resolution. It really the
In-Person: bag building game for battle resolution, it really the
ep 6 long: the length of the game just it makes that seem really, really random. I mean, could you imagine if your game of Quacks of Quedlinburg took three hours? That sounds horrible. Yeah, I don't know. I know these games are highly rated, eight and above, but let it be known, I probably don't like your favorite game.
In-Person: The length of the game just it makes that seem really, really random. I mean, could you imagine if your game of Quacks of Quedlinburg took three hours? Yeah, I know I know these games are highly rated, eight and above, but let it be known, I probably don't like your favorite game.
ep 6 long: Now this also reminds me of, you know, Through the Desert. I feel like every time they reproduce that game. They want to add more stuff to it. I think the newest version is by All Play. And Through the Desert is just the simple laying camels on a flipping map, and that's it, and making paths and trails and cutting people off. Simple game. Every time they try to do Through the Desert again and produce it again, they keep adding more and more stuff to it. That just bogs it down and makes it not what it's supposed to be. Yeah, I really think somebody will come along and make a very strong.
In-Person: Yeah, I I really think somebody will come along and make a very streamlined version of Wondrous Creatures that has all the interesting worker placement mechanics. It just makes a better game, I think.
ep 6 long: makes a better game, I think. I would be happy with that. I think I'm still trying to give away that game.
In-Person: Well, don't look at me. I don't want it.
ep 6 long: And so that's what's flipping our table this week.
In-Person: Table this week.
ep 6 long: Now on to our featured review.
In-Person: Now on to our featured review.
ep 6 long: This is intro.
In-Person: This is Entropy by Tommaso Batista, Simone Luciani, and Nestor Mangoni from twenty twenty six, produced by Borden Dice. This this is the same team that brought you Barrage and Shackleton Base.
ep 6 long: Produced by Borden Dice. Now, this is the same team that brought you Barrage and Shackleton base. And so I was excited about this, Travis. I really was. Now don't ask me about the theme just yet. We'll get to that in a second. in this game, you're creating a solar system. You go around a Rondell taking one of four main actions with creation tokens.
In-Person: Me about the theme just yet. We'll get to that in a second. In this game, you're creating a solar system. You go around a rondel, taking one of four main actions with creation tokens,
ep 6 long: Dropping these tokens as you take these actions. You can build a star, planets, create life, set up biome for a planet. In between these actions are minor actions like get an asteroid, draw cards, and so forth.
In-Person: dropping these tokens as you take these actions. You can build a star, planet, create life, set up biome for a planet. In between these actions are minor actions, like get an asteroid, draw cards, and so forth.
ep 6 long: Once you go around the rondelle and pass a creation token you place down, then you can pick it up and do that action again in the future. You're doing all this to meet one of three interchangeable goal conditions on the board.
In-Person: Once you go around the Laundelle and pass a creation token you place down, then you can pick it up and do that action again in the future. You're doing all this to meet one of three interchangeable goal conditions on the board.
ep 6 long: Once two goals are completely met through one of those three goal conditions, or if someone has an ungodly amount of a certain life form and get a medal, the game concludes.
In-Person: Once two goals are completely met through one of those three goal conditions, or if someone has an ungodly amount of a certain life form and get a medal, the game concludes.
ep 6 long: Whoever did the best wins. So the theme. What is it? From just playing the game, you know, at first I thought I was some god creating a universe, then I thought I was some scientist, but
In-Person: Whoever did the best wins. So the theme. What is it? From just playing the game, you know, at first I thought I was some god creating a universe, then I thought I was some scientist, but how could a scientist create a universe? And so I don't think they knew either. And then I read the rule book. So humanity has evolved.
ep 6 long: How could a scientist create a universe? And so I don't think they knew either. And then I read the rule book. So humanity has evolved to understand entropy and bend it to its purpose. The rules state you are a scientist in a simulation with other scientists in a silent chamber with
In-Person: To understand entropy and bend it to its purpose. The rules state: you are a scientist in a simulation with other scientists in a silent chamber with holographic computers for a final exam. Rivity.
ep 6 long: holographic computers for a final exam. Rivetine. Well Blake, you may be a scientist in the game, but you're s you're a god to me. I'm sorry, I couldn't say that with a straight face.
In-Person: Well Blake, you may be a scientist in the game, but you're s you're a god to me. I'm sorry, I couldn't say that with a straight face. So entropy is a scientific measure of randomness or disorder or energy dispersal within a closed system.
ep 6 long: So entropy is a scientific measure of randomness or disorder or energy dispersal within a closed system.
In-Person: it's comes from the second law of thermodynamics. Total entropy in the universe always increases over time. In this game, entropy is a resource, which made no sense to me. I'm gonna start here and just say I didn't like this game.
ep 6 long: It comes from the second law of thermodynamics. Total entropy in the universe always increases over time. In this game, entropy is a resource. Which made no sense to me. gonna start here and just say I didn't like this game. But
In-Person: but I am a physical chemist, so in Seinfeld fashion, you might ask if the game bothers me as a gamer, and I would say yes, but it also bothers me as a scientist.
ep 6 long: I'm a physical chemist, so in Seinko fashion, you might ask if the game bothers me as a gamer, and I would say yes, but it also bothers me as a scientist.
In-Person: The theming is ridiculous. I know there are plenty of games with ridiculous themes, but it kinda just put me off right at the beginning. I there's three main resources in the game. There's mass and entropy, and I think energy. Being a scientist, it seemed to me it should be heat, work,
ep 6 long: Theming is ridiculous. I know there are plenty of games with ridiculous themes, but it kind of just put me off right at the beginning. I there's three main resources in the game. There's mass and entropy, and I think energy. Yeah. Being a scientist, it seemed to me that it should be heat, work, and mass. But that's just me. Yeah, the resources,
In-Person: in mass, but that's just me.
ep 6 long: those were pretty weird. Now, The Rondell is is cute.
In-Person: It's cute.
ep 6 long: I love a good mechanism. And they had a fun take on a Rondell using what they call creation tokens. These tokens allow you to take one of four main actions in the game, only if you have that token available.
In-Person: Creation tokens. These tokens allow you to take one of four main actions in the game, only if you have that token available.
ep 6 long: Then you're gonna place it on an action, and when you pass that action as you go around the rondell, you get that token back. You get goodies when you get that token back.
In-Person: Then you're gonna place it on an action. And when you pass that action, as you go around the Rondell, you get that token back. You get goodies when you get that token back.
ep 6 long: Plus, you can take that action again in the future. So you have to time when you want to take these actions, knowing that that action will be unavailable for you for a bit of the game. Later in the game, you can unlock a wild creation token, which kinda
In-Person: Plus, you can take that action again in the future. So you have to time when you want to take these actions, knowing that that action will be unavailable for you for a bit of a game. Later in the game, you can unlock a wild creation token, which kinda
ep 6 long: eases up the restrictions on the game.
In-Person: Eases on the game. Yeah, I I actually think the Rondell system is used pretty well here. I had fun trying to figure out how to get the timing of that Rondell down so you could eke out whatever additional resources you could grab. and I think just seeing the circular board on the table with everything displayed on it is pretty impressive. It looks pretty on the table. That's kind of where my praise of this game stops, I think.
ep 6 long: Pretty impressive. It looks pretty on the table. That's kind of where praise this game stops. Yeah, so with that graphic design, you know, I truly believe, Travis, that they try. you're creating a solar system. So a sun with a planet on each side, you can add these biodomes to each planet, and then three types of life form with cards, and and don't forget these asteroids you can add in there.
In-Person: So a sun with a planet on each side, you can add these biodovs to each planet, and then three types of life form with cards, and don't forget these asteroids you can add in there.
ep 6 long: I don't know how you would do it, but I felt it could have looked prettier in your player area. It could have come together in a prettier fashion. Instead it looked pretty messy. If you create a lot of solar systems, it's gonna be a big table hog and it did grow on me throughout the game, but but not enough, Travis, not enough.
In-Person: I don't know how you would do it, but I felt it could have looked prettier in your player area. It could've come together a prettier fashion. Instead it looked pretty messy. If you created a lot of solar systems, it's gonna be a big table. And it did grow on me throughout the game, but but not enough, Travis, not enough. Yeah, this is my first main gripe with this game is everybody should have some formalized player area. A large mat with maybe four maximum stars that you could possess with little areas to place all your life forms. Instead each player just has this random assortment of wooden pieces and cardboard in front of them that doesn't look organized at all. and it just doesn't fit the theme premise or other production design included in the game. It just you look in each player's play area and it's just a disaster.
ep 6 long: Little areas to place all your lightboards. Instead, each player just has this random absorption of wooden pieces and cardboard in front of them that doesn't look organized at all. it just doesn't fit the theme premise or other production design, including the game. It just you look in each player's play area and it's just a disaster. And Travis, I don't always need miniatures. But for some reason I thought with a solar system game that it would have been cute to have like little miniature planets. That would have been neat.
In-Person: bene.
ep 6 long: I don't know how it would have worked, but I would have liked to have seen this in the game. Something prettier than what they did, because it again, it just looks messy. Now the iconography, you know, I thought that was lacking too. It's not very intuitive at all. Things seem left out and certain forms of payment or actions.
In-Person: Yeah, it just looks messy. Yeah. Now the iconic paint, you know, I thought that was lacking too. It's not very intuitive at all. Things seem left out and certain forms of payment or actions were just not clearly identified on the board. For example, I think you pointed out that adding an asteroid only gets you to activate the sun ability. I don't know if that was anywhere on the board or our player area.
ep 6 long: We're just not clearly identified on the board. For example, I think you pointed out that adding an asteroid, well, it gets you to activate a sun ability. And I don't know if that was anywhere on the board or our player area. No. And this this game gives me a bad case of asteroids. And this is the second main gripe I have with this game. The iconography description of the rulebook is not all inclusive. So it has one page. If you know you have
In-Person: No. I this this game gives me a bad case of asteroids. I this is the second main gripe I have with this game. The iconography description in the rule book is not all inclusive. So it has one page. If you know you have so many icons in your game, take two pages and print
ep 6 long: Take two pages in a curtain.
In-Person: all of them out. we were continuously trying to determine
ep 6 long: We continuously try to determine, do these
In-Person: Do these life forms go on the what I'm building, or do they can can I put anywhere? What does this icon mean? It isn't in the rules at all. Well, I guess we just make it up. In addition, there's some like one off rules in the text of the rule book that are just asides. So if I didn't remember them when I was teaching the game, we
ep 6 long: life forms go on the what I'm building, or do they can I can put them anywhere? What does this icon mean? Isn't there rules at all? Well I guess we just make it up. In addition, there's some like one-off rules in the text of the rule book that are just the sides. So if I didn't remember them when I was teaching the game. We were gonna play without them 'cause there's nowhere that it's printed anywhere on the boards, blarings, back page of the manual nothing. So I don't know,
In-Person: were gonna play without them. Because there's nowhere that it's printed anywhere on the boards, player aids, back page of the the manual, nothing. So I don't know.
ep 6 long: it is a mess. And so these
In-Person: It's a mess.
ep 6 long: designers, they typically they they push the boundaries of games and game design.
In-Person: Yeah, same thing.
ep 6 long: I think well, I think they just missed the mark here. I didn't hate the game, but it's just not what I expected from these designers and They have so many other better games of theirs that I rather play like Barrage or Shackleton Base. It looks different, I'll give them that. It's a big circle shape on the board. The Rondell is okay. It's kinda neat how it's on the outside of the board.
In-Person: They have so many other better games of theirs that I rather play, like Barrage or Shackleton Bass. It looks different, I'll give them that. It's a big circle shape on the board. The Rondell is okay. It's kind of neat how it's on the outside of the board.
ep 6 long: If you're going to make a game about building a solar system, just make the player areas a little prettier.
In-Person: If you're going to make a game about building the solar system, just make the player areas a little prettier,
ep 6 long: More intuitive. Besides the Rondell, there's nothing new here. Again, one of the main things I'm doing is matching icons again and making sure I have similar icons. It almost felt like I was playing the card game Earth where I'm just matching symbols. This could have almost
In-Person: more intuitive. Besides the one dell, there's nothing new here. Again, one of the main things I'm doing is matching icons again. Making sure I have similar icons. It almost felt like I was playing the card game Earth where I'm just matching symbols. This could have almost
ep 6 long: been a fancy card game.
In-Person: Yeah. I I I already stated
ep 6 long: Yeah.
In-Person: I don't like this game. I think the main offense of
ep 6 long: I think the main offense.
In-Person: this game is the scoring. The scoring is a
ep 6 long: Yes, you're right about that.
In-Person: disaster. so you said earlier
ep 6 long: You said earlier
In-Person: variable scoring, but it's only what scores you points that you can change. The multiplier, what you need to gather to maximize the scoring is static. There's no way to change that with what the components that were put in the game.
ep 6 long: Static. There's no way to change that with what the components that were within the game. So on top of that, one of the three scoring areas is for a main action, which is two places on the Rondell. you do need your wild creation token to take them both on the same route around the rondell, but besides, there are two, the other two are minor actions represented once. So you're gonna have more opportunities to do that one scoring.
In-Person: So on top of that, one of the three scoring areas is for main action, which is two places on the Rondell. I mean, you do need your wild creation token to take them both on the same route around the Rondell, but besides, there are two the other two are minor actions represented once. So you're gonna have more opportunities to do that one scoring. Even worse, that action is upgrade a star, which you want to do anyway. The level four stars are crazy point scorers.
ep 6 long: Even worse, that action is upgrade a star, which you want to do anyway. The level four stars are crazy point scores. So you take all of the strategic breadth of this game and you basically just shrink it to a nearly singular focus. I need to do this better than the other players.
In-Person: So you take all of the strategic breadth of this game and you basically just shrink it to a nearly singular focus. I need to do this better than the other players. That's the way the game scores. And I think even worse is that you spend all your time acquiring life forms to meet the life form goals, but if you don't reach the goals before the other players, well, tough shit. There's no secondary scoring for lifeforms at all. So I think if you couple the bad rule book
ep 6 long: That's the way the game scores. And I think even worse is that you spend all your time requiring life orb meet the life orb goals, but if you don't reach the goals before the other players, well, tough shit. There's no secondary scoring for life orbs at all. So I think if you couple the bad rule book, the player areas being a mess, and the scoring in this game, I it's already out of my collection.
In-Person: The player areas being a mess and the scoring in this game, I it's already out of my collection. It's gone.
ep 6 long: Yeah, I I really don't blame you there, Travis. And I think in our game I really like hit that level four star power one too many times because in the game it it felt long in the sense of I didn't know if we were ever going to get to the end and meet those two of those five goals that were out there. and then once we were getting there, it got there fast and ended quickly.
In-Person: and then once we were getting there, it got there fast and ended quickly,
ep 6 long: once those goals started to be accomplished in that sense. And so I was just able to hit that level four star power and get all these points while we're all trying to figure out how t we can hurry up and end the game. And so that got very annoying in the game. Yeah, I think if the game were
In-Person: once those goals started to be accomplished in that sense. And so I was just able to hit that level four star power and get all these points while we're all trying to figure out how we can hurry up and end the game. And so that got very annoying in the game. Yeah, I think if the game were the combo tastic, changing life
ep 6 long: Anyway.
In-Person: forms into into higher level life forms and finding some other way to score those without the weird multiplier scoring and the the you know end game goals. I think I would still like this game to a certain extent,
ep 6 long: I think I would still like this game to a certain extent.
In-Person: but I I don't know it's just it's just a really weird release from this design team, I think.
ep 6 long: Weird release from this design team, I think. Well, I think Travis is gonna start applying some preparation H for his asteroids. And it's already cold from his collection. So that was our featured review of Entropy.
In-Person: Future review of Entropy by Damaso Batista, Simone Luciani, and Nestor Mangoni from 2026 produced by Borden Dice. Thank you for joining us on Table Clips Episode 6. Now get out there and play some games. Bye. Bye.
ep 6 long: Thank you for joining us on Table Flips Episode 6. Now get out there and play some games. Bye.