Board Games

A session is 2-3 hours. TMB is gonna run you 1.5 with people who absolutely know their characters, and 2-3 if you're learning any part of it. There's narrative and a lot of player choice going on in D&D. TMB is "do I take dex or get a skill die." It's fun but it's lacking narrative depth and it could be added.

Speaking of D&D... Thoughts?

yeahthatisneathuh said:

A session is 2-3 hours. TMB is gonna run you 1.5 with people who absolutely know their characters, and 2-3 if you're learning any part of it. There's narrative and a lot of player choice going on in D&D. TMB is "do I take dex or get a skill die." It's fun but it's lacking narrative depth and it could be added.

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Where could they add narrative? You get that stuff between combat, which is almost every pen and paper RPG I have ever run. TMBs narrative has to fit on a playing card too.

After playing a half dozen games of TMB and probably 2 dozen scenarios in Gloomhaven I really don't want to play them anymore because of the similar feeling of I'd rather just play D&D. I wouldn't mind them in video game format though.

Finally played Xia last night. Really, really enjoyed it.

Table Top Simulator has a DLC on steam for like $8 too in case you don't want to fork out $200-400 on game/expansions.

Game group and duo mostly.

Chimney said:

After playing a half dozen games of TMB and probably 2 dozen scenarios in Gloomhaven I really don't want to play them anymore because of the similar feeling of I'd rather just play D&D. I wouldn't mind them in video game format though.

Finally played Xia last night. Really, really enjoyed it.

Table Top Simulator has a DLC on steam for like $8 too in case you don't want to fork out $200-400 on game/expansions.

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See this guy gets me. I think TMB is streamlined and wonderful, and I'll keep playing it, but I ultimately regret my Gloomhaven purchase cause it's D&D-lite, stripping away everything I love about D&D.

They could've add narrative for post-boss defeats in TMB, and I guess they have an expansion that adds an overworld of sorts? But it isn't nearly as well reviewed.

My friend has all of the TMB items and backed the kickstarter for the new one so I'm sure we'll play it again, but even he agrees it's lacking. He just really likes the style of everything. Art/chips etc. and I agree they do offer some premium stuff.

I do enjoy their other offering of Hoplomachus and Cloudspire is supposed to be coming in soon too so we'll see how that is.

Been hooked on space base lately. Like machi koro but much improved. Expansion isn't too bad. Nice and small, too us 6 games to complete, and adds interesting new elements but not necessary for the game. Probably only worth it if you enjoy the base game or like story campaign style games

The metal Scythe coins are so good that it makes me want to go full Prince Jon from the Disney Robin Hood and count stacks of them.

yeahthatisneathuh said:

Okay so after a few playthroughs of TMB, I'll say I enjoy it. I have 2 major complaints:

1. There is a lack of narrative sometimes and if you're not with fun people it feels mechanical.
2. It just makes me want to play D&D.

#2 is the same complaint I have with Gloomhaven. Also HP management in Gloomhaven as well as initiative is such a chore that I use an app on my tablet, which streamlines it, but then once again makes me ask, why am I simply not playing D&D? The HP and initiative in TMB is great.

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I kind of agree with you on your first point. Each encounter card is kind of a choose-your-own-adventure where you either selection option A or B, but since the cards are randomized, the story element takes a hit because their is no cohesion or over-arching plot. Also, once you kill the boss there is a "that's it?" kinda moment because their is no campaign or legacy component (which I understand gets fixed somewhat with the Age of Tyranny add-on....can't wait to get it).

Your second point, however, I don't feel the same, because it's two different beasts imo. First off, I have to preface by saying I haven't played D&D in ages, but I did play it for over 20 years in my youth. I only recently have gotten back into board games and I have to say one of the most enjoyable things about board gaming is that it's more accessible for the general public, and also it allows for true cooperative play for everyone. In D&D, you need someone to DM, and the quality of any campaign boils down to how good your DM is. D&D definitely has more depth and more creativity, but it's also kind of a 1 vs many mentality, which is why I never bought Descent (the board game) because I don't want to play against my family and friends anymore, I want to be on the same team (I used to DM a lot).

Which is why I love, love, love Gloomhaven. Because now I get to adventure with all my friends and family, and the "DM" is automated. Sure, it's not as creative or fancy as a human DM would be, but it is sophisticated enough to allow me to enjoy the game immensely. It's also why I love computer RPGs, because I get to just play the game while all the rules and background stuff is automated for me. However, for me computer RPGs are a solitary affair (Fallout, Skyrim, etc), while board games is something I really enjoy with other people because it's so much more social.

Same with Too Many Bones. The game isn't ground-breaking as far as combat, character advancement etc.....but it's such a joy to play because of the components. And this goes to board games in general. Something about sliding pieces around a board, holding cards in your hand like poker....it's the physical elements of board games that's got me hooked in a big way. Maybe D&D is more like that now? When I played D&D is was hand-written character sheets, DM hiding behind a screen, and moving lead figurines on pencil-drawn maps lol.

Fealorn said:

I'm a big fan of D&/Pathfinder and board games in general but since i've gotten married and had a couple kids I haven't really been able to play. I'm looking forward to when the kids are older and we can all play games together but right now its just a disaster if we try and play a game with both the 4 and 6 year old. i'm looking for a 2 player RPG style board game that is somewhat rules light that my wife and I can play. I backed Kingdom Death a few years back and tried playing that with my dad and wife....that was a mistake. I'm looking at teh base game of TMB. What's the learning curve like and how well does it play with 2 people?

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First off, lol at the T-Rex Hateyou , that's awesome.

As far as TMB goes, it's fairly easy to learn. It plays well with 2 people, but that is also the most difficult setting imo - it's easiest with 4 people. It is a great game, I think it belongs in any serious board gamer's collection. It is $130 though, so it's pricey.

Another game I could recommend for you is Aeon's End, or more specifically Aeon's Legacy to start. I don't know what your situation is, but for example, I am like you, an avid gamer, former D&Der....meanwhile my wife has never played D&D, does zero computer gaming, and only plays board games because of me. So of all the games she has played with me, she like's Aeons End the best. I think it's easier for a non-gamer to pick up on, it plays fairly fast, and there is a huge variety. I recommend Aeon's Legacy because it will introduce the rules at a slower pace for newcomers and I feel is a great introduction to the whole Aeon's End franchise. It's also less "fiddly" because it's mainly a card game, so set-up and breakdown times are quick. I think Aeon's End Legacy sells for around $65 and the original Aeon's End is around $40.

I also feel both TMB and Aeon's End are games your kids will enjoy when they get older and you start gaming with them.

Also there is this for Table top sim so you can mess with it to see if you will like the game. Steam Workshop :: Too Many Bones {Even More Scripted Setup}