I've played only once for now, didn't feel much immerse and didn't understand all the cards I encountered, but I get the game better now that I've watched that video and will play more soon ! Some brilliant ideas have been implemented in a clever way.
I think my favorite aspect of Expeditions is how you've created so many different uses for the cards (items, meteorites, quests), and within each card type there are multiple uses as well (play for a resource, a temporary benefit, a special effect; meld for a completely different effect, etc.). It's an elegant way to keep the cards streamlined, but also putting a lot of depth in that (hopefully) doesn't overwhelm players. When cards have multiple uses I'm always reminded of Bhonanza in how you plant the cards for beans, but later flip them over and they become your victory points. When I work on my design ideas I always start by thinking about multi-use cards. :)
Thanks Joshua! Part of the design challenge for me was making each card category feel unique and yet them all still serve similar purposes for the Play action.
Scythe is one of my favorite games, and I'm excited for Expeditions. It certainly seems like it will be like a sibling to Scythe. Similar DNA but taken in different directions.
I’m very excited for another game set in the 1920+ universe! I’d love to see an expansion that adds a layer of narrative events to the exploration. I’d also love A TTRPG set in the 1920+ world, or just a setting book with more details.
Thanks Brennan! There's a little bit of narrative--mostly visual, but also the text on the cards--tied to the exploration in Expeditions through the quest cards and how they relate to locations. Are you looking for something more like a storybook or more like the encounter cards in Scythe? There was a time that we considered a TTRPG for Scythe...but then I remembered that I know nothing about RPG design, marketing, or distribution. :) It's something that Jakub might license to a company that knows what they're doing someday.
@@TheReaperXIII Awesome! My hope--if Expeditions does well--is to do a trilogy of expansions capped off with a campaign expansion like Fenris. We'll see what happens. :)
We can’t wait for this to come out! We will definitely do a play through as soon as we can. I think this is the most hyped for a game we’ve ever been. Scythe is Michaels number 2 game of all time, and it is in Janela’s top 20.
As you mentioned in the beginning, there is some bias to be expected as the designer of the game… but I still think there’s something special about your pride and excitement that comes out in this video as almost the entire rulebook fits in your favorite mechanisms. I think I’m gonna really love this game but even if somehow it doesn’t work out that way I’d still love the fact that this game exists for many of the mechanisms you list here. I love the pivot you talked about and also how there are multiple layers to the card’s actions (with worker vs without worker eg). I love it when cards, resources, etc change substantially with the arc of the game, I think it’s one of the reasons I gravitate toward engine builders so much. I can’t wait to see this in action and would love to see this idea continue to be played with in other games. If you already know and love a number of games that do something like this with cards/resources evolving over time, it might make a cool “ten favorite games with mechanism” video!
There's definitely a lot of bias as the designer! But yeah, I don't spend time on anything I don't love--whether it's a game I design or a game we sign--so I love a lot about Expeditions. I'll think about that top 10 list!
After playing a taster game it at UKGE last weekend, I think Expeditions is excellent. We didn't play long enough to get any upgrades so I've still got something new to check out when I play it properly. Asmodee had it on 1-2 tables over the 3 days and it was fully booked very early on, we were lucky to get on it even for just 30 minutes. I thought a rest action might feel wasteful and boring but in a 5 player game a few of us rested at the same time so it wasn't long between "real" turns. Play quickly came back to me and I had a 3- action turn which is very powerful. The card abilities combo are really interesting and give you options for your turn but turns are still quick enough that it's got a good pace to it, even when all 5 players were learning.
Are there actions or things that make you lose popularity or allow you to spend popularity such as in scythe? What was the biggest hurdle or challenge in the development of this game whether during play testing or other phases that you had to overcome and how were you able to overcome it? Also from a board gamers viewpoint how many playthroughs have you had of the finished game and what was your favorite feeling or outcome/surprise during the game?
Thanks Bethany! In Expeditions, your popularity only grows as you complete quests--you can't lose or spend it. The biggest hurdle for Expeditions was really more like a series of hurdles to get the game to be fun while being similar to Scythe but also different than Scythe. To make this more difficult, I went into the game design thinking it would be a deck- or bag-building game, and at certain points I was also fixated on it being a rondel game. None of those elements worked out, and the game only really started to shine when I let go of them. I've played my completely final advance copy twice just for fun, and I had a lot of fun both times (5 player and 2 players). I have the most fun creating combos in Expeditions--combining cards and/or mech improvements and/or gather benefits to do something cool on my turn.
Awesome! I really appreciate how (without knowing you) you are a very genuine person and appreciate you taking time out of your day to respond to our comments and questions. I look very much forward to receiving our copy when the preorders ship. Scythe is my first big game and was the catapult into games I really love playing with my wife and younger brother and my aunt and uncle who are also big gamers. Star Wars deck building, Scythe , Dune imperium, Brass Birmingham, Tapestry, 7 wonders duel and Ark nova are some of our favorites and I know based on everything I’ve seen and never being disappointed with stonemaier games that we will love Expeditions. (my Name is Cody but i use my wife “Bethany”’s CZcams account lol.) do you have bag building or deck building games in the works? That would be very exciting. What Dune Imperium has is truly special with worker placement and deck building and I would love to see what you would be able to do to bring a fresh and fun take to those mechanics.
@@bethanyc197 My pleasure! They were great questions. I love all of those games you mentioned. Expeditions was my bag building or deckbuilding game, and that aspect of the game didn't work out, so I may or may not revisit that mechanism--it's rather tough to design something innovative with those mechanisms that also functions smoothly.
What about a mechanic where you taxi components (people or commodities) to specific locations on the board to receive a permanent benefit to your mech or another type of reward?
That's a neat idea that I playtested quite a bit--I wanted the mechs to ferry around the workers in particular. But it kind of just added work to the game that wasn't fun, so instead I just said that the workers and the resources (power and guile) are on the mech as a moving base for you to use at your current location as you move around. When I switched to that method, the game really started to shine.
I'm not sure I'd say that Scythe has ever been about war, but if you're looking for an all-out combat game in the 1920+ world, I've heard that's the focus of the Iron Harvest video game.
@@jameystegmaier Haha thanks, I agree Scythe isn't really a war game, was a little tongue in cheek question ;) But thanks, I'll look into Iron Harvest, looks interesting from a quick google search :)
Iron Harvest is really fun, though it has a very different feel to other strategy computer games you might have played (eg different from Red alert or StarCraft). It does dip a little deeper into the war (part three is brutal) but it also captures a lot of the intrigue and emotional drama. While it’s own story it does feel similar in tone to Rise of Fenris’s storyline (and has the same antagonist). I definitely agree with this recommendation.
Bealtiful game. I think when you refresh You should only recover 2 cards, recover all the cards is a waste of fun. You can create a mechanism to increase the fresh ability during the game.
@@danielluiz12345 Rescue is one of the abilities in the game? Have you not played Expeditions? I assumed you had since you were making a suggestion about gameplay.
So hyped to receive my copy :D I'm so in awe of how the shifting action selection works!
I've played only once for now, didn't feel much immerse and didn't understand all the cards I encountered, but I get the game better now that I've watched that video and will play more soon ! Some brilliant ideas have been implemented in a clever way.
I was already sold on Expeditions, so I had 21:10 minutes to just gawk over your t-shirt!!
I think my favorite aspect of Expeditions is how you've created so many different uses for the cards (items, meteorites, quests), and within each card type there are multiple uses as well (play for a resource, a temporary benefit, a special effect; meld for a completely different effect, etc.). It's an elegant way to keep the cards streamlined, but also putting a lot of depth in that (hopefully) doesn't overwhelm players.
When cards have multiple uses I'm always reminded of Bhonanza in how you plant the cards for beans, but later flip them over and they become your victory points. When I work on my design ideas I always start by thinking about multi-use cards. :)
Thanks Joshua! Part of the design challenge for me was making each card category feel unique and yet them all still serve similar purposes for the Play action.
Im digging the hidden tiles, and tile related cards, keeps it different and always a new game.
Scythe is one of my favorite games, and I'm excited for Expeditions. It certainly seems like it will be like a sibling to Scythe. Similar DNA but taken in different directions.
That's a good way to put it! :)
I’m very excited for another game set in the 1920+ universe! I’d love to see an expansion that adds a layer of narrative events to the exploration.
I’d also love A TTRPG set in the 1920+ world, or just a setting book with more details.
Thanks Brennan! There's a little bit of narrative--mostly visual, but also the text on the cards--tied to the exploration in Expeditions through the quest cards and how they relate to locations. Are you looking for something more like a storybook or more like the encounter cards in Scythe?
There was a time that we considered a TTRPG for Scythe...but then I remembered that I know nothing about RPG design, marketing, or distribution. :) It's something that Jakub might license to a company that knows what they're doing someday.
@@jameystegmaier specifically, I’d love to see a Rise of Fenris style expansion for expeditions someday.
@@TheReaperXIII Awesome! My hope--if Expeditions does well--is to do a trilogy of expansions capped off with a campaign expansion like Fenris. We'll see what happens. :)
We can’t wait for this to come out! We will definitely do a play through as soon as we can. I think this is the most hyped for a game we’ve ever been. Scythe is Michaels number 2 game of all time, and it is in Janela’s top 20.
I hope the game meets your high level of excitement! :)
As you mentioned in the beginning, there is some bias to be expected as the designer of the game… but I still think there’s something special about your pride and excitement that comes out in this video as almost the entire rulebook fits in your favorite mechanisms. I think I’m gonna really love this game but even if somehow it doesn’t work out that way I’d still love the fact that this game exists for many of the mechanisms you list here.
I love the pivot you talked about and also how there are multiple layers to the card’s actions (with worker vs without worker eg). I love it when cards, resources, etc change substantially with the arc of the game, I think it’s one of the reasons I gravitate toward engine builders so much. I can’t wait to see this in action and would love to see this idea continue to be played with in other games.
If you already know and love a number of games that do something like this with cards/resources evolving over time, it might make a cool “ten favorite games with mechanism” video!
There's definitely a lot of bias as the designer! But yeah, I don't spend time on anything I don't love--whether it's a game I design or a game we sign--so I love a lot about Expeditions.
I'll think about that top 10 list!
After playing a taster game it at UKGE last weekend, I think Expeditions is excellent. We didn't play long enough to get any upgrades so I've still got something new to check out when I play it properly. Asmodee had it on 1-2 tables over the 3 days and it was fully booked very early on, we were lucky to get on it even for just 30 minutes.
I thought a rest action might feel wasteful and boring but in a 5 player game a few of us rested at the same time so it wasn't long between "real" turns. Play quickly came back to me and I had a 3- action turn which is very powerful. The card abilities combo are really interesting and give you options for your turn but turns are still quick enough that it's got a good pace to it, even when all 5 players were learning.
I'm so glad you had a good demo experience with Expeditions! Thanks for sharing this about the refresh turns.
Are there actions or things that make you lose popularity or allow you to spend popularity such as in scythe?
What was the biggest hurdle or challenge in the development of this game whether during play testing or other phases that you had to overcome and how were you able to overcome it? Also from a board gamers viewpoint how many playthroughs have you had of the finished game and what was your favorite feeling or outcome/surprise during the game?
Thanks Bethany! In Expeditions, your popularity only grows as you complete quests--you can't lose or spend it.
The biggest hurdle for Expeditions was really more like a series of hurdles to get the game to be fun while being similar to Scythe but also different than Scythe. To make this more difficult, I went into the game design thinking it would be a deck- or bag-building game, and at certain points I was also fixated on it being a rondel game. None of those elements worked out, and the game only really started to shine when I let go of them.
I've played my completely final advance copy twice just for fun, and I had a lot of fun both times (5 player and 2 players). I have the most fun creating combos in Expeditions--combining cards and/or mech improvements and/or gather benefits to do something cool on my turn.
Awesome! I really appreciate how (without knowing you) you are a very genuine person and appreciate you taking time out of your day to respond to our comments and questions. I look very much forward to receiving our copy when the preorders ship. Scythe is my first big game and was the catapult into games I really love playing with my wife and younger brother and my aunt and uncle who are also big gamers. Star Wars deck building, Scythe , Dune imperium, Brass Birmingham, Tapestry, 7 wonders duel and Ark nova are some of our favorites and I know based on everything I’ve seen and never being disappointed with stonemaier games that we will love Expeditions. (my Name is Cody but i use my wife “Bethany”’s CZcams account lol.) do you have bag building or deck building games in the works? That would be very exciting. What Dune Imperium has is truly special with worker placement and deck building and I would love to see what you would be able to do to bring a fresh and fun take to those mechanics.
@@bethanyc197 My pleasure! They were great questions. I love all of those games you mentioned. Expeditions was my bag building or deckbuilding game, and that aspect of the game didn't work out, so I may or may not revisit that mechanism--it's rather tough to design something innovative with those mechanisms that also functions smoothly.
What about a mechanic where you taxi components (people or commodities) to specific locations on the board to receive a permanent benefit to your mech or another type of reward?
That's a neat idea that I playtested quite a bit--I wanted the mechs to ferry around the workers in particular. But it kind of just added work to the game that wasn't fun, so instead I just said that the workers and the resources (power and guile) are on the mech as a moving base for you to use at your current location as you move around. When I switched to that method, the game really started to shine.
Since this is the exploration part of Scythe, will you ever do a full war game for the other part? xD Joking not joking (I'd buy it) :P
I'm not sure I'd say that Scythe has ever been about war, but if you're looking for an all-out combat game in the 1920+ world, I've heard that's the focus of the Iron Harvest video game.
@@jameystegmaier Haha thanks, I agree Scythe isn't really a war game, was a little tongue in cheek question ;) But thanks, I'll look into Iron Harvest, looks interesting from a quick google search :)
Iron Harvest is really fun, though it has a very different feel to other strategy computer games you might have played (eg different from Red alert or StarCraft). It does dip a little deeper into the war (part three is brutal) but it also captures a lot of the intrigue and emotional drama. While it’s own story it does feel similar in tone to Rise of Fenris’s storyline (and has the same antagonist). I definitely agree with this recommendation.
Bealtiful game. I think when you refresh You should only recover 2 cards, recover all the cards is a waste of fun. You can create a mechanism to increase the fresh ability during the game.
Expeditions offers that in the form of the Rescue benefit. :)
@@jameystegmaier Nice. But What is it? Diferent way to play the game?
I wiling to buy it, i like the idea of the game
@@danielluiz12345 Rescue is one of the abilities in the game? Have you not played Expeditions? I assumed you had since you were making a suggestion about gameplay.
@@jameystegmaier i have watched many reviews and gameplays videos, but i did not play it yet.