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Description
Each player in Circle the Wagons is fixin' to build up their own boomtown, but only one'll build the best in the West!
Blaze a trail by draftin' cards 'round the circle and placin' 'em in yer town, tryin' to connect matchin' territories to score prosperity points! But don't forget about them three bonus cards in the center of the circle that can score ya even more points — that is, if ya play yer cards right. With over 800 unique ways to score and millions of draftin' and placin' combos, you'll never build the same town twice!
Circle the Wagons is a 2-player map-building game designed by Steven Aramini (Yardmaster), Danny Devine (Ghosts Love Candy) and Paul Kluka; featuring the art of Beth Sobel (Herbaceous, World's Fair 1893 and Lanterns) and logo design of Bryan Fischer (Chicken Caesar). Circle the Wagons is the winner of the 2016 Button Shy Wallet Design Contest, beating out over 70 other games.
Year Published
2017
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 9
This page: 9
Sentiment:
pos 9 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–9 of 9
Video HIkojodDuWE
John Gates Games general_discussion at 6:37 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13228 · mention_pk 38710
Click to watch at 6:37 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- astonishing depth for a wallet-sized game
- excellent two-player head-to-head experience
Cons
- downtime can appear as players optimize conditional bonuses
Thematic elements
- compact tableau building with conditional scoring
- two-player western micro game
- tight duel with shifting scoring conditions
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- circle draft and wallet mechanic — three cards dealt in the middle; wallet-like element guides proximity and choice
- conditional point modifiers — cards have varying VP modifiers based on the middle-condition tokens
- end-game scoring by area — points for largest contiguous areas and specific conditions in the middle
- micro card deck — 18 cards total; each card has territory symbols and a back-side conditional modifier
- two-player tableau growth — players add cards to their own tableau while gifting options to the opponent
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The act of actually throwing these runes is pretty fun and tactile, like coins flipping in the air.
- I think the action selection mechanism is fascinating; it just works so well.
- it's a neat little wallet game and it's not very long, which is perfect for quick sessions.
- The downtime can be a little long as others plan their moves.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cDmkUMEAU8k
OFG Voices live_discussion at 58:39 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12573 · mention_pk 36677
Click to watch at 58:39 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong two-player focus
- portable size
Cons
- depth may be limited for larger groups
Thematic elements
- Two-player card-driven game with thematic box flavor
- Frontier / cowboy theme
- light and rapid-fire
Comparison games
- Push
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- pattern recognition / set collection — Players match patterns and sets for scoring.
- two-player — Designed around a two-player dynamic with specific flow.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the minis are outstanding
- it's a fun fighting game
- it's kind of like a tableau building game and set collection game
- the box feels quality
- Ticket to Ride now they've got trains and then they have other Ticket to Ride with boats and all that stuff
- Lost Cities will make you mad all day long
- Salt and Sea is interesting
- the expedition system
- you kind of do cards and things
- circle the wagons... two-player game
- two-player game good
- Push... push your luck
- we're going to roll straight into the heart of this episode
- Terraforming Mars is the best game
- the art and packaging of Let's go to Japan is beautiful
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SAPlvaxwOGg
Chairman of the Board top_10_list at 3:38 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8568 · mention_pk 25247
Click to watch at 3:38 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- clever skip-and-take mechanic
- well-polished and compact design
- solid two-player suitability
Cons
- not as appealing in two-player formats for everyone
- may feel mid-weight for some players between fillers and heavier euros
Thematic elements
- puzzle-driven abstract drafting
- puzzle-oriented card drafting with overlapping symbols
- mechanics-focused
Comparison games
- Hanamikoji
- Mandala
- Battle Line
- Lost Cities
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Public objectives are drafted; players aim for overlapping symbol puzzles.
- pattern reveal / symbol overlap — Cards are laid to reveal and cover symbols according to the layout.
- rondelle with skip — You may skip over multiple cards on a rondelle to collect those you want; skipped cards go to opponents.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is probably one of the best abstract style games I've played
- it's a shame it's not taking off as well as it could have
- I could still appreciate this game and I think it has huge untapped potential
- it's way better than it sounds on paper
- the best way to play it is shortening the map to keep it nice and snappy
- co-op isn't really my forte
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video d6ja-3HHALM
Good Morning Society board game discussion at 47:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7890 · mention_pk 23277
Click to watch at 47:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Compact size
- Multiple scoring methods
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Territory management
- Wild West
- Card placement
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area scoring — Score largest territories and objectives
- card drafting — Select and place cards to build tableau
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Manatees are the rock stars of the sea
- Read the card as you play it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 1KwIiviUFkA
Actual Law top_4_list at 7:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7367 · mention_pk 21803
Click to watch at 7:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- masterclass in simplicity with only 18 cards
- great travel game that plays quickly and cleanly
- tight, elegant decision-making with tangible tension
Cons
- can feel less clever or deep than some larger two-player games
- requires constant fresh assessment of options; may be mentally exhausting for some
Thematic elements
- card-driven town-building with a circle-draft mechanic
- Wild West boom town; compact, edges-of-map style
- playful, abstract thematic veneer around building a town
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- circle draft — a circle of 18 cards determines which card you may take; skipping rewards the opponent with that card
- largest-region scoring — points are awarded for the largest contiguous area of each terrain type
- special drums/points — three gold cards grant points for adjacency to specific symbols (guns, cows, wagons, etc.)
- three-goal scoring on each card — three goals are tracked per card (e.g., terrain and symbol combinations) and you must balance multiple objectives
- tile-as-card with regions — each card acts as a tile with four regions to connect; you place cards to extend your town
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- today I'm gonna share with you four two-player board games that are worth your attention
- the beauty of air land and sea is that there's only 18 cards in the whole game
- it's a brilliant game that I would highly recommend
- the city of light feels fresh
- circle the wagons is a masterclass in simplicity
- I'm almost never concerned with the position of my opponent to me they don't even feel like an opponent
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 3KfT4NmLyiA
Unknown general_discussion at 0:34 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7254 · mention_pk 21463
Click to watch at 0:34 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging for groups
- Solid for family/griend game night
Cons
- Rules can be dense for new players
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management / set collection — Players optimize actions by managing a hand of cards to maximize scoring opportunities.
- Simultaneous reveal / drafting — Players reveal or draft cards in sync to influence the round.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a wonderful world again
- they are simple they are quick and still very very fun
- Happy City, which is a decent drafting game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video qSTjdczxkIs
Button Shy playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7195 · mention_pk 21290
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- engaging solo mode that scales with the expansion
- clever scoring that rewards planning and spatial layout
- compact playtime with quick setup and payoff
- lone cowboy expansion adds a new flavor without overcomplicating rules
Cons
- not the absolute top pick among Button Shy titles for solo play
- requires careful setup to maximize four-corner scoring alignment
- theme and components lean abstract, which may not appeal to all players
Thematic elements
- territory development, fort-building, and resource/territory control
- Frontier settlement environment in the American West-inspired map
- puzzle-ish spatial placement with historical/adventure motif
Comparison games
- Ugly Griffin
- Death Valley
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Players draft cards from a shared deck, with opponent-driven card flow and skipping mechanics.
- grid/area placement — Placed forts and terrain pieces form a grid-like map; placement influences scoring opportunities.
- pattern/territory scoring — Scoring computes groups of four, adjacency rewards (guns near forts), and regional territory tallies.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a pretty good game i really like it
- it's definitely one of the best button shy games
- i really like the solo mode
- if you can get it for good shipping raids i would definitely suggest getting the game for yourself
- the key thing was to get all the fourths
- this is a very, very good game; it's definitely one of the best button shy games
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video B_LK6zOsuHE
Foster the Meeple playthrough at 51:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2437 · mention_pk 7125
Click to watch at 51:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Michelle's favorite Button Shy game
- Good puzzle element with placement rules
- Multiple scoring paths through objectives
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Building towns and settlements
- Western frontier and pioneer settlements
- Western themed strategy
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Second player chooses starting position, first player chooses card or pass to get remaining cards
- Scoring objectives — Three public objectives add variety: Circle the Wagons, Boom or Bust, Bootleggers
- Terrain building — Players build out boom (town) with cards representing mountains, forests, etc.
- Terrain majority — Players only score their largest continuous terrain group, one point per terrain
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's button shy day people there's no messing around
- I try to just choose ones mainly that I haven't played yet
- this game's incredible
- easy peasy lemon squeezy
- my brain
- pterodactyl eating a man
- we're brilliant geniuses
- we are moving along a time continuum
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6b1vGqJrC4c
Our Family Plays Games general_discussion at 2:33 sentiment: positive
video_pk 720 · mention_pk 2057
Click to watch at 2:33 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- interesting theme
- nice artwork
Cons
- rules complexity unknown
Thematic elements
- resource management/area control
- westward expansion
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Claim territories through cards
- set collection — Collect resources to build wagons
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's fun I played it it's really fun
- I love it I love it
- it's a racing game
- the island tries to kill you
- it's a competitive Legacy game that does toweling and and uh you know dice crafting
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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Showing 1–9 of 9