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Biggest gripe with original was players rushed to OC over and over and caused game to end earlier than other players wanted. Argentina made it even worse. New Zealand fixed it. New Zealand is the only one we need to own. We own all three but it truly added everything and elevated it.

Nice review, very thorough thank you.

Hello guys!! I hope your doing great. I wanted to like this game but after reading and now watching your review, definitely is not for me. The wallet remains safe ... for now

I've been checking daily for a new video from you guys! Glad to see you guys back, hope you're both doing well.

Hi Brad. Good review, as always. I had my bud search this and missed it because the title didn’t include the name of the game. I think it might be easily overlooked by nonsubscribers. Thanks.

They’re back!!!!!🎊 🎉

The long teach has it as a no for me. I need more games that can quickly get to the table

You are not alone! Root is my favorite game of all time and I love Ahoy and Pax Pamir, but Arcs just isn't fun. Too much take that and randomness for a game that lasts that long. The expansion campaign mode of the game adds a little more strategy and finesse, but still feels like a slog. My group wondered whether a draft of the action cards (pick one, pass the stack around) would fix a lot? That way you could at least somewhat draft into a strategy for the round.

Your opinion is not isolated. The majority of opinions I have heard are saying the same thing .... "its ok ... kinda" I am excited to try it for sure, but still, this one is hype.

I appreciate your genuine review. No hyperbole, no sugar coating. I always wait for your take on a game, especially if there’s so much buzz and hype. You have saved me a quite a few times (example: Wyrmspan). Having said this, I will still try to play the game and see if I like it. But thankfully, you have tempered this mindless frenzy. Now, I feel there’s no need for me to rush and make an impulsive purchase. This is why I wait for your reviews. Thanks Brad!

Regarding your argument at 3:05 (beginners choosing initial placements badly). That is why with a beginner the first few games you should play with the beginners setup (as explained in the rules). Typically after two games, they get the idea and you can go to the random setup. Alternatively from the second game onwards you help them with advice on the initial setups, say what you would do and why. I don't agree with many commenters below that the game is decided after the setup. I find it exciting throughout, especially with the bargaining. And end-game situations can become very exciting.

Thank you so much for the thorough review. I was getting caught in the hype and I’ve always deferred purchase until I heard your point of view. You’ve saved me quite a few times (example: Wyrmspan). I’ll still have to try the game myself but my impulsive desire has been fortunately dampened. Thanks again for taking the time to help us all out!

As someone who liked and ejoyed the game greatly, I really appreciate reviews like this, not all games need to be for everyone.

Loved the review! Gorgeous intro by the way. A second hand one of these showed up on the local boardgame store, hoping it is still there because this review convinced me to snag it! I enjoy worker placement, and the scoring mechanics seem to scratch my itch for the right amount of complexity! Have you tried/heard of Doggerland? It's a hunter gatherer themed worker placement game with map exploration and resource exhaustion, it's already one of my favorites!

The bgg rating right now seems so skewed. If this wasn't a Leder game, I think the game would be a lower rating and more split on it.

Sorry if I missed it, but did you say how many play you've had of Arcs at the time of the review? I am wondering because you have the same cons as most people that played it only a few times, yet many enthusiast claim that once you've had a few experience, the game clicks and you get to see how you can maneuver around the randomness and ''swinginess'' of the game. Are these enthusiast full of it?

thanks, Brad! Played once so far and .... meh. Not a fan of, like you said, needing to go after other people in order to secure a path to victory. I just don't want to be pushed into such tactics and strategy though am okay with a lot of games where toe to toe encounters are frequent.

Oh look, it's another Cole Werhle game to avoid like the plague. It's like they're designed from the ground up to be as repellent as possible to me. Always interesting, never fun. Opinions eh?! Thanks for your thoughts though, as always!

I’ll go out on a limb and say this: There are only two types of gamers. Those who love Arcs or those who love Ezra & Nehemiah :D

I’d rather try last light over this game. Thanks for the review.

when something is overhyped or too much on the hotness, it always puts me off, but I have to swallow my pride and acknowledge that this game is actually pretty good, I just played it a couple of days ago and it totally blew me away! and that's coming from someone who doesn't like root

Love to hear your thoughts, keep producing great reviews!

I enjoy this game but I get it. Sometimes there's runaway points, not seeing card suits for multiple chapters, people stealing all your stuff, the person to your immediate left getting the initiative, etc. But I found the game and experience clicked for me once I treated the game more like poker in that I play the hand I'm dealt and play reactive (tactical) vs. traditional 4x games and try to be proactive (Strategic).

Thx for the honest review, Brad! Haven’t played Arcs yet, but from everything I’ve seen this one looks like a pass for me. I was dissappointed by Root and sold it tbh, but John Company and Pax Pamir look promising - haven’t tried those yet.

Didn’t back this and don’t think I’ll get a copy. Leder games are great but are hard to table.

Omg what a let down 6 ?? Of course it s fun, whole family loved it on my end - 10/10 for me

I have much preferred this to Oath, felt a lot more locked out and for much longer periods in Oath than this, but I'm not sure I'll keep Arcs.

Here it is the most anticipated review of the year!!!

Do you have a gate on your audio? It sounds like it, and like the settings are off such that it’s cutting off some words and almost making your voice sound choppy.

Also wonder how long until this and a few other KDM bosses get a release. Wish I could have been there to see them in person

Artist that you're probably talking about is Gustave Dore (for Dante's Inferno) or for non-Dante's Inferno there's Hieronymus Bosch, Fra Angelico, Lochner, Memling. There's a lot but those one's are popular

1 Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition (Has Not Moved) 2 Too Many Bones 3 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles (Down 1 Spot) 4 Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island 5 Heroscape Master Set: Rise of the Valkyrie 6 Cosmic Encounter (Down 2 Spots) 7 Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game 8 Dead of Winter: The Long Night (Down 3 Spots) 9 Dinosaur Island 10 Terraforming Mars

Haha I love the explosions intermittently added in! Kept me in the moment!

Hi Brad. Did you end up backing? I’m waiting for your Arcs review to choose between the two. GameNerdz has the AE Deluxe All In available and the Arcs + expansion + campaign too and am very interested in both.

It’s the Oblivion Mosquito

Thoughts on the game?

How late is it open at night

I have my copy ready to go and organized. Now I just need to convince my game group to play a heavy euro 😂