Octopus Overlords

Posted: **Thu Jul 04, 2019 7:52 pm**

Montag wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2019 7:13 pm Any OO experience with Middara?

I'm trying! I picked up a copy right as I was moving as it seemed to tick all the boxes I was looking for. The issue now is simply time for me as I'm up to my eyeballs in boxes.

I honestly don't care for the theme and/or art style. Instead, I was drawn to the idea of playing what has been described as a board game version of Dragon Age or Mass Effect. I really like how the story changes based on choices and discoveries and that the game hides things from you using the old-school red-lens trick. The "Five in Five" video from One Stop Coop Shop is solid:

There's the story/campaign play (which is based out of a ~500 page spiral bound book, a hunt mode (where you fight advanced monsters) and a one-shot crawl mode where you can just experiment with different characters and builds if you want a single session adventure.

I wish I could offer some practical hands-on experience, but I'm backing the current KS with the hopes that by the time it ends, I'll have been able to put a few hours into it. I don't know if Gloomhaven is a reference point for you, but I've been told that Gloomhaven is more combat/puzzle focused - trying to figure out or puzzle out the optimal moves each round. Middara has combat, but the focus is more on the story/narrative and the events that happen. Kingdom Death (which I do have experience with) is also more focused on a narrative, but not really about individual characters. Again, I can't confirm it with hand-on experience, but it seems to be the general consensus from comparisons I've read.

Posted: **Fri Jul 05, 2019 8:00 pm**

Blackhawk wrote: Tue Jun 25, 2019 5:27 pm I won't be there this year due to the cost, but I'll be rooting for you all from home!

Turns out I will be at GenCon this year after all. It'll only be for Sunday (the badge for Sunday is only $15), and I won't really have spending money, but at least I'll get to be there. As I've been offered both room and transport, the $15, plus the gas to get to Indy (which is only two hours away) are all it will cost me.

Posted: **Sat Jul 06, 2019 9:16 am**

My copy of "Unbroken" arrived yesterday.

Posted: **Sat Jul 06, 2019 10:56 am**

And it's coming up on the time to finalize my Tainted Grail pledge and I am really waffling on going with the Sundrop option. Leaning towards no but wondering if anyone here has done that before or is doing it for this?

Posted: **Sat Jul 06, 2019 12:06 pm**

MonkeyFinger wrote: Sat Jul 06, 2019 10:56 am And it's coming up on the time to finalize my Tainted Grail pledge and I am really waffling on going with the Sundrop option. Leaning towards no but wondering if anyone here has done that before or is doing it for this?

I thought about this, but - ultimately - I can't justify the cost for what would basically be equivalent to me buying the Army Painter dip and doing it myself. Also, if you plan to do any painting at all, this is at best a waste of money or, at worst, a hindrance. That said, with the number of minis, if you never want to mess with this on your own, it does make the details pop. For my money, I would rather have more stuff than the Sundrop version (and I that was the choice I had to make, given the cost of the game).

Posted: **Sat Jul 06, 2019 1:57 pm**

I did the Sundrop on Nemesis. It looks great and definitely makes the game look better on the table. But I skipped it for Tainted Grail. It didn't seem like there were enough miniatures to warrant it. I keep telling myself that maybe someday I'll take up painting... and then I'll do something about the miniatures.

Posted: **Sat Jul 06, 2019 5:05 pm**

Thanks, was wondering if anyone did that for Nemesis. I've got no plans to get back into painting them and while it's awesome they have a professional paint option, it's too rich for my blood. Still waffling but appreciate the feedback.

Posted: **Sat Jul 06, 2019 7:20 pm**

I think I'm close to pulling the trigger on Middara (Act 1 only, I do have my limits). I'm just a sucker for those gigantic dungeon crawls and Tom Vasel liked it. The threads I've read on it in the FB Solo Board Gamers book are very positive as well. If nothing else, it seems like you get a LOT of gameplay per dollar. Unlike a lot of people, I also dig the theme - I love anime and JRPGs so that's actually a positive for me compared to some generic fantasy setting.

Posted: **Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:08 pm**

YellowKing wrote: Sat Jul 06, 2019 7:20 pm I think I'm close to pulling the trigger on Middara (Act 1 only, I do have my limits). I'm just a sucker for those gigantic dungeon crawls and Tom Vasel liked it. The threads I've read on it in the FB Solo Board Gamers book are very positive as well. If nothing else, it seems like you get a LOT of gameplay per dollar. Unlike a lot of people, I also dig the theme - I love anime and JRPGs so that's actually a positive for me compared to some generic fantasy setting.

Ditto, I pulled the trigger.

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2019 10:26 am**

Nothing about...

This amused me:

If the phrase "12+17" makes you feel unhappy, Prêt-à-Porter might be not the game for you.

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2019 1:36 pm**

I am tempted to get this for my sister.

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:31 am**

Smoove_B wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2019 7:52 pm
Montag wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2019 7:13 pm Any OO experience with Middara?
I'm trying! I picked up a copy right as I was moving as it seemed to tick all the boxes I was looking for. The issue now is simply time for me as I'm up to my eyeballs in boxes.

I honestly don't care for the theme and/or art style. Instead, I was drawn to the idea of playing what has been described as a board game version of Dragon Age or Mass Effect. I really like how the story changes based on choices and discoveries and that the game hides things from you using the old-school red-lens trick. The "Five in Five" video from One Stop Coop Shop is solid:

There's the story/campaign play (which is based out of a ~500 page spiral bound book, a hunt mode (where you fight advanced monsters) and a one-shot crawl mode where you can just experiment with different characters and builds if you want a single session adventure.

I wish I could offer some practical hands-on experience, but I'm backing the current KS with the hopes that by the time it ends, I'll have been able to put a few hours into it. I don't know if Gloomhaven is a reference point for you, but I've been told that Gloomhaven is more combat/puzzle focused - trying to figure out or puzzle out the optimal moves each round. Middara has combat, but the focus is more on the story/narrative and the events that happen. Kingdom Death (which I do have experience with) is also more focused on a narrative, but not really about individual characters. Again, I can't confirm it with hand-on experience, but it seems to be the general consensus from comparisons I've read.

I have backed the reprint Kickstarter, which is the first board game I’ve ever backed. Have heard it described in multiple reviews as “Final Fantasy in a box”, which sounds perfect for me.

Guess I’ll find out next May(ish), when I actually get a copy.

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2019 8:18 pm**

I backed it too, and I don’t even like JRPGs.

Posted: **Sat Jul 13, 2019 9:49 pm**

After a lot of reflection, I'm probably going to pass on Middara. But not because of the game. I love the concept, I love giant box dungeon crawls. Everything I've read says the asking price is more than reasonable for the amount of stuff you get.

However, I keep coming back to whether or not I'm REALLY going to sit down and play a 90+ hour game. I'm going through Gloomhaven now, but it's with a weekly group. The chances of Middara ever getting to my group table is slim to none, because I just don't see them jumping into another game that big after GH. If I bought this, it would have to be with the expectation I'd be playing it solo.

And then there's that looming $200+ worth of Street Masters staring down at me this fall...

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 8:52 am**

I have the game and I find myself with the same thoughts! It's been a pretty crazy ~3 weeks for me with the move and I've started to wonder if I'm drawn to these longer campaign games because I like the idea more than my actual ability to play them. It's no different than PC gaming for me any more. If I can sit for an hour or two to play a game that's great, but to stay focused on something for 90+ hours anymore? Feels unrealistic. I know Middara will be a completely solo effort, yet I just checked and my copy of Gloomhaven is untouched after 1.5 years. Feeling low.

EDIT: I can at least say that the official Middara tutorial videos are some of the best I've ever seen.

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 10:01 am**

I have no illusions that I’ll actually finish a 90-hour campaign. It’s never gonna happen. Heck, I probably won’t get even halfway through something that massive.

But if I get 20, 30, or 40 hours of fun out of it (I’m probably around 30 with GH right now), then I usually feel it’s well worth the investment and that I got my money’s worth. I expect that’ll be the case with Middara.

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 1:06 pm**

That's what I keep hoping - not only for my bigger board games but any of the larger computer games as well. But I'm a card-carrying member of the cult of the new and there's always something over the next hill...

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 4:08 pm**

If the game is good enough, I'll play it enough to get my money's worth. I've got easily 80 hours of Gloomhaven under my belt over the last 2 years. And I'm still planning on another 40 or 50 with the remaining solo and side quests, as well as the expansion I picked up.

Also, when I retire to a beach resort in 10 years or so, I'm just going to purchase an extra guest house with 8 tables. Then I'll just keep 8 different games going at the same time.

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 10:23 pm**

In on DinoGenics and the expansion.

Posted: **Sun Jul 14, 2019 11:15 pm**

Time for a mid-year status report. I've done an OK job of cutting back on Kickstarters over the past year or so. Backed over the past 12 months:

Drive Thru Reviews (boardgaming YouTube channel)

No Pun Included (boardgaming YouTube channel)

Pax Pamir 2nd Ed (technically pre-ordered after the kickstarter closed)

Master Monk dice tower

Dinogenics expansion

1,000 Year Old Vampire (solo RPG)

The last 3 are pending, but I have no concerns about them delivering a good experience.

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 11:59 am**

You guys twisted my arm on Middara.

Actually it was the How to Play videos that pushed me over the edge. They just reinforced that this game is COMPLETELY in my zone. In for Act 1.

Two other things I really liked:

- Designed to be played once a week for 6 months. Considering I'll be doing this solo, I anticipate getting in at least 2 sessions a week which makes it seem not quite so overwhelming.

- The idea that the campaign proceeds win or lose makes it seems much more doable, since you won't be wasting time replaying scenarios over and over again. I also really liked this about JOURNEYS IN MIDDLE EARTH, and it's one of the mechanics that inspired me to play through that campaign twice.

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 12:36 pm**

STFU!

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 12:52 pm**

And the debacle of Unbroken continues. I just received the following email from Golden Bell (the company that shipped it).

Finally, I am writing to let you know that we really need your help. As described in the April Kickstarter update, the campaign has run into significant trouble because shipping costs were considerably under-estimated. As a result, the project is currently running at a significant loss. In addition to this, we have come under fire from a lynch mob of backers due to the delay that was caused by one of our Founders, Rachel, being diagnosed with a tumor, and one of our associates Nikki suffering a mental breakdown due to the harassing comments she was receiving due to the delays. We are extremely sorry for this and hope you understand.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could help us cover the actual shipping cost of the game – that would require an additional payment of $15 for US backers, but we are asking for $10 as we are willing to personally take a hit on the project even if that means the game won’t be profitable to us until an expansion is hopefully made. Providing this optional payment would ensure the financial feasibility of Unbroken and help us create more content for the game in the future. We regret having to ask for this and we do not make this request lightly but are really counting on backers’ understanding and support in this difficult situation we’re facing.

I hate to say this, but Golden Bell brought a lot of this on themselves. They tried to scam USPS by attempting to ship the games as media mail and they got caught. They also spent a LOT of time taunting anyone who criticized their actions, or took issue with the shipping times, instead of just taking the high road and avoiding all out name calling and nasty fighting in the game's comments section. They're like a "how not to" guide for future kickstarter entrepreneurs.

In addition, the 15 bucks on top of the original cost of shipping seems inordinately high considering that the game is a small box game. I pay that much in shipping for games 4 times that size. But I'm not in the business of freight, so I could be wrong.

The game itself is fine (although kind of easy). And the actual designer seems like a genuinely nice guy who attempted to be the adult in the room at all times. But I doubt I'll be backing any games in the future that Golden Bell are associated with after all this.

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 1:08 pm**

FYI, in case folks are interested and want to get in on the first day, Awaken Realms is supposed to be launching their Etherfields tomorrow.

Well, now the time has come for Etherfields to finally see the light of the day! This game was quite a looooong time hidden in our development chambers and now, on 16th of July (5pm CEST time) we will launch a Kickstarter for this project.

If cooperative, adventure Dream Crawler sounds like something that might interest you, make sure to check out Etherfields Draft page! As with Nemesis there will be a pretty awesome bonus for all Day 1 backers - Thorn Knight!

Man vs. Meeple preview.

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 8:11 pm**

TheMix wrote: Mon Jul 15, 2019 1:08 pm FYI, in case folks are interested and want to get in on the first day, Awaken Realms is supposed to be launching their Etherfields tomorrow.

This terrifies me.

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 9:38 pm**

Hadn't heard of this at all. I'm...intrigued.

Posted: **Mon Jul 15, 2019 11:00 pm**

I'll probably back it. Granted I've only gotten Nemesis so far. But Tainted Grail is shaping up nicely. And they clearly put a lot of effort into their projects.

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:16 pm**

It's out.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aw ... escription

And I did.

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:22 pm**

I'm already in full on Tainted Grail. That's about all the speculative game types I can stomach at these prices.

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:36 pm**

If you missed out, Dice Throne is doing a solo/coop adventure game Kickstarter, allowing people to also get in on the older stuff. I didn't realize the S2 materials were so much better than the S1 box I have, and having just introduced someone to the game a few weeks ago, he's now going off the deep end with this - mission accomplished. I can say it's quite fun to play PvP - the mix of cards and dice are fantastic - so getting this Adventures game is a no-brainer for me.

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:36 pm**

Even though I don't play Warhammer any more, I really like the look of this stuff and will be backing it.

Battle Systems Fantasy Wargame Terrain

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:40 pm**

Yeah, I think I'm in on that as well. After the move I've realized how much space I've lost. Storing board games is tough enough, but trying to keep scenery and set pieces for miniatures has become a problem. I was considering this system as a way to keep scenery for games like Frostgrave (solo variant coming in the Fall) and Rangers of Shadow Deep - scenery that I can disassemble and story in much smaller containers. This stuff looks really good and all the stretch goals you get with a core pledge are impressive.

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:41 pm**

TheMix wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:16 pmAnd I did.

Did you find the secret stuff on the the KS page - things you can find (print and play) and add to your game via print and play?

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:46 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:41 pm
TheMix wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:16 pmAnd I did.
Did you find the secret stuff on the the KS page - things you can find (print and play) and add to your game via print and play?

I didn't. Though I didn't read through it all that closely. Honestly, I rarely get through the content that I get. Having more isn't generally that useful for me.

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:51 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:40 pm Yeah, I think I'm in on that as well. After the move I've realized how much space I've lost. Storing board games is tough enough, but trying to keep scenery and set pieces for miniatures has become a problem. I was considering this system as a way to keep scenery for games like Frostgrave (solo variant coming in the Fall) and Rangers of Shadow Deep - scenery that I can disassemble and story in much smaller containers. This stuff looks really good and all the stretch goals you get with a core pledge are impressive.

I'm seriously thinking about buying into their Shanty Town set for F:WW.

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 8:47 pm**

If anyone wants to be talked out of the Middara kickstarter, the latest So Very Wrong About Games podcast has you covered.

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:39 pm**

hentzau wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:51 pm
Smoove_B wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:40 pm Yeah, I think I'm in on that as well. After the move I've realized how much space I've lost. Storing board games is tough enough, but trying to keep scenery and set pieces for miniatures has become a problem. I was considering this system as a way to keep scenery for games like Frostgrave (solo variant coming in the Fall) and Rangers of Shadow Deep - scenery that I can disassemble and story in much smaller containers. This stuff looks really good and all the stretch goals you get with a core pledge are impressive.
I'm seriously thinking about buying into their Shanty Town set for F:WW.

I don’t see the shanty town as an option in the Kickstarter. I see it on their website for sale though.

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 10:31 pm**

hepcat wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:39 pm
hentzau wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:51 pm
Smoove_B wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:40 pm Yeah, I think I'm in on that as well. After the move I've realized how much space I've lost. Storing board games is tough enough, but trying to keep scenery and set pieces for miniatures has become a problem. I was considering this system as a way to keep scenery for games like Frostgrave (solo variant coming in the Fall) and Rangers of Shadow Deep - scenery that I can disassemble and story in much smaller containers. This stuff looks really good and all the stretch goals you get with a core pledge are impressive.
I'm seriously thinking about buying into their Shanty Town set for F:WW.
I don’t see the shanty town as an option in the Kickstarter. I see it on their website for sale though.

Yeah, I missed that kickstarter unfortunately. I was talking about purchase outright.

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 10:36 pm**

I was trying to look at the FAQ or anything suggesting that you'd be able to pledge a $1 here and purchase the Shanty Town in the pledge manager as an add-on, but if it's for sale on their website, I'd guess no.

I did see this regarding the details of how much space this could take up:

The terrain is supplied flat-packed on A4 size sheets and is therefore quite compact. A starting pledge will take up a space approximately 12" x 9" x 3", although this may increase as stretch goals are reached. With the exception of any glued scatter terrain, the terrain will pack back down to the same size if you don’t want to leave it assembled.

While it is compact, the high-density card makes it relatively heavy. We expect a starting pledge to weigh 3-4kg (6.6-8.8lbs), and as above this may increase as stretch goals are reached.

Posted: **Tue Jul 16, 2019 11:10 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 10:36 pm I was trying to look at the FAQ or anything suggesting that you'd be able to pledge a $1 here and purchase the Shanty Town in the pledge manager as an add-on, but if it's for sale on their website, I'd guess no.

I did see this regarding the details of how much space this could take up:

The terrain is supplied flat-packed on A4 size sheets and is therefore quite compact. A starting pledge will take up a space approximately 12" x 9" x 3", although this may increase as stretch goals are reached. With the exception of any glued scatter terrain, the terrain will pack back down to the same size if you don’t want to leave it assembled.

While it is compact, the high-density card makes it relatively heavy. We expect a starting pledge to weigh 3-4kg (6.6-8.8lbs), and as above this may increase as stretch goals are reached.

Despite the weight, shipping isn't horrible. Of course, I'm assuming it's coming over on a garbage scow.

Octopus Overlords

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