A timely review as I just purchased Viticulture Essentials yesterday, along with some wine bottle upgrades for the bling factor. It's not a perfect game, but it is still one of the greats when it comes to worker placement and deserves a place in anyone's collection, in my humble opinion.
Spot on. I love the game as a kind of relaxing zen sort of game but as a Euro it's very difficult to take seriously (a trait I find very common in Jamie Stegmeier games) due to the random and sometimes very powerful nature of the cards.
I have viticulture EE & tuscany expansion & agree that tuscany transforms it from a good game to a great game. They need to print a new version that has them combined - it's almost criminal to keep selling both separately.
Good list of Don't Likes and everything. For all the flaws (randomness, over-powered visitor cards, etc) we still really like the game -- BUT with a couple conditions. The newer board, the Tuscany board, is a must have, can not consider playing on the old/original board. And use some discretion and leave out all those expansion cards -- all those unnecessary visitor cards -- it just adds more randomness and encourages people to churn cards for the win instead of engaging the board.
The random card draw IS terrible in this game, which is why I play with a house rule of having 3 vine, order and building cards visible for the players to choose from (or drawing from the top). This DRASTICALLY improves the game for me.
What do people think about the house rule of "any time you draw a card, draw +1 and then discard 1"? I usually hate house rules but I'm wondering if there's a drawback to it since it addresses the main complaint about it.
It might only make a slight difference. You're probably just as likely to draw two duds than to draw one really good card. Plus, you'll certainly churn through all the cards a lot quicker. Give it a whirl and see if it seems much different. I had thought that perhaps you could do something like have the cards shown face-up. It might really incentivize people to "overpay" to draw a card- to take the action even though it didn't really play into their current plans.
This has been a standard for us over the past year and a bit, playing over Zoom with another couple with a physical copy on either side. (We actually did THREE couples with THREE copies, once.) The randomness, and feeling like you're stuck until next year... perhaps that's even more thematic. Running a business? Making things work? ARG! And for anyone wondering, it's really good without the expansion, but... now that we have Tuscany, we'll never play without it.
Excellent review as always. I love Viticulture despite of its shortcomings. But whenever I look for my wallet to buy it, I relaize that there is Agricola with similar theme, more clever mechanics and for about one forth of Viti EE+Tuscany price.
Another clear and honest take! I asked about a review on this a while ago, was curious on your view on this one as I've owned it for quite some time. Although I sold my set it is not out of hate for the game. It's more about your gaming group with this one I reckon. I think I'd rather play caledonia, caylus, troyes, Keyflower and the list goes on. But I get the vibe of this game. It's ZEN. It's the most relaxing and friendly WP. And pretty cute to boot. I just rather meditate for an afternoon so I can play Vinhos the next, which not cute but a hard mistress, unfortunately. :-(
Yes I have the Deluxe now which went on sale here in the Netherlands. The double board I do enjoy because you don't just switch out the bank but also add a different winefair and favors. Definitely room for both wine games if you enjoy Viti though. :-)
Hilarious review. "Make wine, get drunk !", "5 victory points, Mental !!" "Two bob space you can go to if you are sad as fuck" "Get rid of any gimp in my cellar"
You're totally right about being able to win without doing anything. The one time I played this I ran the worst winery ever and I still won in a game of 4 (or 5? can't remember). A bit weird lol
@@BoardGameBollocks I played multiplayer for the first time on Board Game Arena a few weeks ago (had played probably a dozen times or more solo, which is actually great). One of my opponents, and this is the base game, won without selling any wine, and one of the things he did was select that #6 spot on the wakeup track every time to get that extra point, so like at least... 6 points?. The rest of points were scored with cards. I found that annoying.
@@paulhamrick3943 Yes I won this game once by selling practically nothing and using point cards. It's kind of dumb I think and super antithematic. I don't hate the game tho.
- it would be unkind to describe this as one for the onanists. Happy summer days with a bottle of Hirondelle...or Rougemont Castle...Ze French adore Le Piat D’or...burp.
@@BoardGameBollocks Cool, yes I like the stories that that game generates. That's me on the previous comment I have a personal account active but didn't see the comment when I entered it so I went back on this one, LOL Dont worry there are only two of me, though. Plenty. :-p
Only watched the pros and cons. It’s one of the first gorgeously produced games (was new at the time), so it gives a good impression to new players. That said, it’s effectively a random card game. And I wasn’t impressed with it. Still have it though.
Quite good game but not the best in my opinion. I don't really feel the urge to play it as often as my other games. I like that it's quite thematic for a euro game, but I don't like that the theme itself is quite boring. Though the overall design and production is excellent, it's very enjoyable to look it. Another good thing is that it's quite easy to explain. Out of eurogames I own I think it has the lightest rules.
@@BoardGameBollocks I guess thats true. I dont know why I have turned away from euros. Gaia Project I still love. But then the other puzzle type games are just getting boring.
Depends on the people you play with. My wife hates any type of conflict in board games and interaction in board games usually means conflict, so I specifically chose games with little interaction. I appreciate euro for that reason, there is very little confrontation (or no confrontation at all) in these games.
this is wild, the dude belongs in a guy ritchie film but nerds out hard on boardgames and makes excellent videos, what a legend. SUBBED
A timely review as I just purchased Viticulture Essentials yesterday, along with some wine bottle upgrades for the bling factor. It's not a perfect game, but it is still one of the greats when it comes to worker placement and deserves a place in anyone's collection, in my humble opinion.
Spot on. I love the game as a kind of relaxing zen sort of game but as a Euro it's very difficult to take seriously (a trait I find very common in Jamie Stegmeier games) due to the random and sometimes very powerful nature of the cards.
I have viticulture EE & tuscany expansion & agree that tuscany transforms it from a good game to a great game. They need to print a new version that has them combined - it's almost criminal to keep selling both separately.
I was thinking exactly that the other day. At least make a combined rule book and Chuck it in the Tuscany expansion.
To be fair Stonemaier hands out more free copies than most publishers. But yea after wingspan they could probably buy the moon
It played it solo so I can’t really tell you. If it’s anything like the multiplayer then yes.
Good list of Don't Likes and everything. For all the flaws (randomness, over-powered visitor cards, etc) we still really like the game -- BUT with a couple conditions. The newer board, the Tuscany board, is a must have, can not consider playing on the old/original board. And use some discretion and leave out all those expansion cards -- all those unnecessary visitor cards -- it just adds more randomness and encourages people to churn cards for the win instead of engaging the board.
I love Viticulture... seems I need to get the Tuscany expansion. Great video as always.
👍🏻
The random card draw IS terrible in this game, which is why I play with a house rule of having 3 vine, order and building cards visible for the players to choose from (or drawing from the top).
This DRASTICALLY improves the game for me.
I would say display a number of cards face-up equal to the number of players-1...?
What do people think about the house rule of "any time you draw a card, draw +1 and then discard 1"? I usually hate house rules but I'm wondering if there's a drawback to it since it addresses the main complaint about it.
It might only make a slight difference. You're probably just as likely to draw two duds than to draw one really good card. Plus, you'll certainly churn through all the cards a lot quicker. Give it a whirl and see if it seems much different. I had thought that perhaps you could do something like have the cards shown face-up. It might really incentivize people to "overpay" to draw a card- to take the action even though it didn't really play into their current plans.
This has been a standard for us over the past year and a bit, playing over Zoom with another couple with a physical copy on either side. (We actually did THREE couples with THREE copies, once.)
The randomness, and feeling like you're stuck until next year... perhaps that's even more thematic. Running a business? Making things work? ARG!
And for anyone wondering, it's really good without the expansion, but... now that we have Tuscany, we'll never play without it.
Excellent review as always. I love Viticulture despite of its shortcomings. But whenever I look for my wallet to buy it, I relaize that there is Agricola with similar theme, more clever mechanics and for about one forth of Viti EE+Tuscany price.
We have only played a couple of games with the base to get a grasp of the game flow but I definitely want to mix in Tuscany and try that out
We’ll worth it.
thanks for the review, looking to pick this up once the kids get a little older.
My 10 year old had no problems playing this. It’s pretty simple really.
Another clear and honest take! I asked about a review on this a while ago, was curious on your view on this one as I've owned it for quite some time. Although I sold my set it is not out of hate for the game. It's more about your gaming group with this one I reckon. I think I'd rather play caledonia, caylus, troyes, Keyflower and the list goes on. But I get the vibe of this game. It's ZEN. It's the most relaxing and friendly WP. And pretty cute to boot. I just rather meditate for an afternoon so I can play Vinhos the next, which not cute but a hard mistress, unfortunately. :-(
Still can’t decide which I prefer, this or Vinhos. If pushed I’d probably say Vinhos for the added complexity.
Yes I have the Deluxe now which went on sale here in the Netherlands. The double board I do enjoy because you don't just switch out the bank but also add a different winefair and favors. Definitely room for both wine games if you enjoy Viti though. :-)
Hilarious review.
"Make wine, get drunk !",
"5 victory points, Mental !!"
"Two bob space you can go to if you are sad as fuck"
"Get rid of any gimp in my cellar"
You're totally right about being able to win without doing anything. The one time I played this I ran the worst winery ever and I still won in a game of 4 (or 5? can't remember). A bit weird lol
Good for me as I don’t drink
@@BoardGameBollocks I played multiplayer for the first time on Board Game Arena a few weeks ago (had played probably a dozen times or more solo, which is actually great).
One of my opponents, and this is the base game, won without selling any wine, and one of the things he did was select that #6 spot on the wakeup track every time to get that extra point, so like at least... 6 points?. The rest of points were scored with cards.
I found that annoying.
@@paulhamrick3943 Yes I won this game once by selling practically nothing and using point cards. It's kind of dumb I think and super antithematic. I don't hate the game tho.
- it would be unkind to describe this as one for the onanists.
Happy summer days with a bottle of Hirondelle...or Rougemont Castle...Ze French adore Le Piat D’or...burp.
Lambrini it is not…
What term do you like for engine-building? It’s my favorite element of many games
Engine building maybe 😂👍🏻
@@BoardGameBollocks awesome channel, btw. I just stumbled across it a few days ago and I’m really digging it!
Cheers mate 👍🏻
Good video
👍🏻
Curious hoe you would rank this alongside Obsession?
Prefer Obsession but Viticulture is easier to teach and play.
Sold mine.
😢
How would you compare this to Obsession BTW?
Someone just asked me that funnily enough. Prefer Obsession any day of the week, but this is easier to teach and play so it depends on who’s playing.
@@BoardGameBollocks Cool, yes I like the stories that that game generates. That's me on the previous comment I have a personal account active but didn't see the comment when I entered it so I went back on this one, LOL Dont worry there are only two of me, though. Plenty. :-p
😂
Only watched the pros and cons. It’s one of the first gorgeously produced games (was new at the time), so it gives a good impression to new players.
That said, it’s effectively a random card game. And I wasn’t impressed with it. Still have it though.
You skipped the rules?! I want my money back 😂
I've still never had a chance to play this game with the expansion. Seems like a much more open game where the original is just a block-fest
Never play without Tuscany…ever.
Quite good game but not the best in my opinion. I don't really feel the urge to play it as often as my other games. I like that it's quite thematic for a euro game, but I don't like that the theme itself is quite boring. Though the overall design and production is excellent, it's very enjoyable to look it. Another good thing is that it's quite easy to explain. Out of eurogames I own I think it has the lightest rules.
Most overrated game of all time in the hobby imo... Scythe and Gloomhaven being close second.
Opinions are overrated
I think games with as little interaction are a waste of time.
Depends how much you hate people…
@@BoardGameBollocks I guess thats true. I dont know why I have turned away from euros. Gaia Project I still love. But then the other puzzle type games are just getting boring.
Depends on the people you play with. My wife hates any type of conflict in board games and interaction in board games usually means conflict, so I specifically chose games with little interaction. I appreciate euro for that reason, there is very little confrontation (or no confrontation at all) in these games.