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Description
Clans of Caledonia is a mid-to-heavy economic game set in 19th-century Scotland. At this time, Scotland made the transition from an agricultural to an industrialized country that heavily relied on trade and export. In the following years, food production increased significantly to feed the population growth. Linen was increasingly substituted by the cheaper cotton and raising sheep was given high importance. More and more distilleries were founded and whisky became the premium alcoholic beverage in Europe.
Players represent historic clans with unique abilities and compete to produce, trade and export agricultural goods and of course whisky!
The game ends after five rounds. Each round consists of the three phases:
Players' turns
Production phase
Round scoring
1. Players take turns and do one of eight possible actions, from building, to upgrading, trading and exporting. When players run out of money, they pass and collect a passing bonus.
2. In the production phase, each player collects basic resources, refined goods and cash from their production units built on the game map. Each production unit built makes income visible on the player mat. Refined goods require the respective basic resource.
3. Players receive VPs depending on the scoring tile of the current round.
The game comes with eight different clans, a modular board with 16 configurations, eight port bonuses and eight round scoring tiles.
Year Published
2017
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 11
This page: 11
Sentiment:
pos 9 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 1
Showing 1–11 of 11
Video 2V6r8YGEbo0
Foster the Meeple general_discussion at 12:39 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12939 · mention_pk 37884
Click to watch at 12:39
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Meaty euro with strong economic engine
- Small box offering depth via modules
Cons
- Can be heavy for a small box title
- Some players may prefer different worker-placement flavors
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Blood Rage is my number one game of all time
- Code Names is one of my favorites I actually like playing this game at four more than any other player count
- I got cocky early with Blood Rage
- I love trick taking love it
- it's a really fun cooperative game it's worth the 15 bucks to throw at it just for the artwork
- I like paladins way more than Architects of the West Kingdom
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video FjP-ciP5gOc
Foster the Meeple top_10_list at 3:14 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10766 · mention_pk 31765
Click to watch at 3:14
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Smart use of export goods and contract fulfillment
- Accessible yet crunchy scoring and tension
Cons
- Limited expansions so far
- Can feel crunchy and punishing at times
Thematic elements
- agriculture, resource markets, and regional control
- Scotland trading with villages and clans
- economic, market-driven
Comparison games
- Terra Misca
- Gaia Project
- Queens of Caledonia
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — Eight actions that drive purchasing, selling, and expansion.
- Area Control — Control areas to gain income and influence ship routes.
- Stock market-like market dynamics — Simple supply and demand mechanics influence scoring and decisions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- these games are phenomenal
- it's a true semi-co-op and not a lot of games do semi-co-op well
- the board in the middle the whole point of terraforming mars is to terra for mars
- this is a foster the meeple favorite
- every deck is unique to that character
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video JTjJ4r3UOG0
Ask the Chairman general_discussion at 10:47 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 10324 · mention_pk 30463
Click to watch at 10:47
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Rich engine-building and thematic consistency
Cons
- Rule complexity can be intimidating
- Heavy to teach to new players
Thematic elements
- Economic engine-building with raw resource management
- Scotland-inspired agrarian economy
- Historical-themed economic simulation
Comparison games
- Babylonia
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Resource gathering / engine-building — Construct production chains to turn raw resources into goods and score points.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I generally don't like table hog games; I prefer it to be a bit more concise and reigned in.
- I do enjoy teaching games and I feel a much more comfortable teaching games than learning games from other people.
- Luck vs Randomness—Luck is about controlling decisions; Randomness is when you have no control over what happens.
- Publishers underestimate negative reviews; sometimes a negative review can be positive for a publisher because it shows a different demographic that would enjoy the game.
- Babylonia is one of my highest rated games.
- Through the Desert is different enough from Babylonia; Babylonia allows you to place tokens anywhere, Through the Desert has a different scoring mechanism.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video dei9vCA83ys
Beyond Solitaire top_5_list at 1:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10024 · mention_pk 29535
Click to watch at 1:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- charming, puzzle-like Euro with elegant math
- engaging decisions and planning
Cons
- can be heavy on math for new players
- solo variant limited or less developed
Thematic elements
- resource production, building upgrades, and market puzzles
- Scotland, historical rural economy
- puzzle-driven economic simulation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- economic engine building — developing production chains and markets to generate income
- Resource management — balancing inputs and outputs to optimize growth
- tile/board optimization — placing resources and buildings for efficiency and scoring
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's basically a euro game set in the Caribbean where you are sailing around
- I really like legendary encounters alien it's one of my absolute favorite deck builders
- Time of Crisis with the iron and rust expansion
- I'm a Roman history enthusiast
- that's my personal Christmas wish list for this year
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cSqiUjeW-qA
Our Family Plays Games interview at 8:09 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9961 · mention_pk 29297
Click to watch at 8:09
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- complex, satisfying resource-management experience
- a favorite for strategic players who enjoy heavy Euro mechanics
Cons
- scaling can be tricky for new players
- long playtime may deter casual groups
Thematic elements
- resource management and strategic planning
- highland farming and economic development in 19th-century Scotland
- world-building with heavy resource tension
Comparison games
- Concordia
- Tonight
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- resource management / network building — players cultivate crops, manage resources, and develop their economy to score victory points
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we're not afraid to call out that bs that can unfortunately come up
- we've got a long way to go
- tabletop games get coverage everywhere so that's fantastic
- you know we got a long way to go definitely
- tabletop games get coverage everywhere so that's fantastic
- it's the board game quiz show
- nine out of ten right now you're kicking butt
- tonight we run out of time but it was very entertaining to listen to you
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 8OTPm2TWY6Y
Foster the Meeple top_10_list at 6:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9145 · mention_pk 26969
Click to watch at 6:52
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Takes proven design system from two successful games
- Adds interesting economic stock market element
- Includes multiple euro game mechanics
- Relatively simple to teach compared to peer games
- Not a huge box
- Was inexpensive when available
- Accessible entry point to complex euros
Cons
- No longer readily available in print
- Overshadowed by games it's based on
Thematic elements
- Economic development and trade
- Scottish Highlands
- Economic engine-building with stock market
Comparison games
- Terra Mystica
- Gaia Project
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Controlling regions of Scotland
- contract fulfillment — Fulfilling contracts for resources and points
- Design system — Uses system from Terra Mystica and Gaia Project
- Economic spin — Adds stock market manipulation to the design system
- Stock market — Manipulating stock prices and selling stock for profit
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Overrated has a very negative connotation but if i say something's overrated it means to me this game is ranked something on bgg and i think it's higher than what it should be
- Raiders of the north seas is just like has a really unique work replacement mechanism but all the actions are pretty boring
- The crew is not necessarily like a heinous game i don't think it's a 0 out of 10. i just i'm shocked that it's in the top 50
- Azul is the perfect entry-level game it's very easy to teach it's beautiful it's very quick to play
- Viticulture should be about making the wine right you should be making wine you should be fulfilling wine contracts to to win the game
- Gloomhaven is a dungeon crawler that was kind of a first adopter but it's almost been surpassed
- Losing gloomhaven sucks it sucks so hard because if you lose you gotta replay that mission if you lose you just spent four hours
- I think brass does things so well it's complex but it's not so complex that everybody can learn it
- This is maybe more of a me problem but i get kind of quarterback-y in gloomhaven because i don't want to lose
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 0_uIGOPHm5Y
Cardboard Harold game_review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2819 · mention_pk 8245
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Lean, economical design with interwoven systems
- Rich thematic flavor for a Euro-engine
- Deliberate and clever without excess
Cons
- Potentially heavy for newcomers
- Rules phrasing can be opaque to new players
Thematic elements
- Economy-driven growth of clans through production, resource management, and market activity
- Caledonian Scotland during a historical period of rural development and early industrial activity, with emphasis on farming and trade
- Historical-economic flavor with an economy-first design aesthetic
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- engine-building — Develop a production loop on your own board that scales with choices and purchases over the game.
- market/trade — Sell goods on markets or routes to convert resources into money and future actions.
- Resource management — Gather and manage multiple resources (e.g., livestock, grain, whisky) to optimize income and scoring opportunities.
- worker placement — Players place workers to trigger actions and acquire resources or income.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- clan's of Caledonia pastoral vibrant
- a game of economic cunning where every placement in every dollar counts
- with tons of systems elegantly woven together
- sculpted with virtually no fat to trim with tons of systems elegantly woven together
- clever innovative and deliberate
- economy of design
- Greatest Hits of every economic euro
- it's not too precious about that tradition
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 5VRzzmZqz-c
Before You Play top_50_list at 18:14 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2336 · mention_pk 6834
Click to watch at 18:14
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tight integration of economy and geography
- strong asymmetry creates varied play
- great hidden depth for seasoned players
Cons
- certain factions can feel overpowered in some setups
- rules complexity can be intimidating
Thematic elements
- economic engine, board dominance, resource markets
- Scotland; clans competing in a developing economy
- immersive, robust
Comparison games
- Terra Mystica
- Caverna
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area/territory building on a hex grid — expand territories and exploit neighbors for bonuses
- commodity/market dynamics — in-game markets influence pricing and availability
- engine building with asymmetric clans — use clan powers to drive different strategies
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a really intense game
- this is the meanest tree game out there
- it's the best trick-taking game of all time
- the economy in this game is probably one of the most interesting parts
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video vlElaEpecEw
Cardboard Herald analysis at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1179 · mention_pk 3440
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Three distinct solo variants offering variety and replayability
- The OG solo mode is very consolidated and easy to manage
- Automated opponents in fan and official variants simulate multiplayer dynamics well
- Potential for a robust digital implementation of solo play
Cons
- Official solo automata can be maintenance-heavy and less intuitive
- The most complex variant requires substantial setup and rule management
- Some variants may lack the tight competition of multiplayer games
Thematic elements
- economic strategy, resource management, and regional development
- Caledonia, Scotland; historical-economic landscape focused on farming, production, and trade within a rural-to-agrarian society
- historical flavor with Euro-style economic engine mechanics
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- contracts and market interaction — fulfill contract requirements while reacting to shifting market dynamics and available goods
- Resource management — manage goods and production to meet contracts, optimize scoring, and respond to evolving market signals
- solo-mode variants with dice-driven economy — three distinct solo frameworks where dice or automation simulate opponent behavior and market effects
- tile/board development — place and utilize spaces on a modular or gradually expanding board to influence production and scoring opportunities
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a fantastic multiplayer game but it has a solo variant in the rulebook
- it's very consolidated it is very easy to manage
- super aggressive it simulates multiplayer play really well
- the official variant is going to be the one that I most often play
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video VegHqKXVo3o
Chairman of the Board top_10_list at 7:56 sentiment: positive
video_pk 590 · mention_pk 1736
Click to watch at 7:56
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- solid market mechanism and approachable farming theme
- strong reputation in the community (BoardGameGeek top 100)
Cons
- lacks the highs and lows some players want; stays mostly in a steady middle gear
- scoring can feel obtuse to new players
Thematic elements
- agrarianEuro with market dynamics
- Scottish farming and resource development
- strategic, resource-based farming simulation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- market for buying/selling resources — people trade and manage resources for income and growth
- resource upgrading and board progression — upgrading farms/boards to improve efficiency and scoring
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the tile placement itself was meaningful
- the randomized grid of cars with all these different scoring criteria on them
- I still do think highly of this when it still holds my shield of quality
- didn't stay in the collection because it didn't stay played
- the more and more I played it the less satisfaction I got from it
- extremely highly rated
- gateway level game and the gameplay is fun, it's unpredictable, it's wild
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Ttpw1MBgVjc
Adam Porter (inferred from speaker) analysis at 21:01 sentiment: negative
video_pk 133 · mention_pk 414
Click to watch at 21:01
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- Clearly conveys gameplay (farming, herding, whiskey)
- Shows what player will be doing
Cons
- Very green color scheme
- Generic agricultural theme
- Doesn't differentiate from other agricultural games
- Box cover not selling the game
- Relies on reputation alone
Thematic elements
- Farming/herding
- Scotland
- Pastoral
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Worker placement/area control — Scottish agricultural game
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The box cover makes a promise to the customer
- Every box cover tells me what I'm going to be doing and how I'm going to be feeling
- This artist is one of the best board game artists working in the industry right now
- This is how you do it
- This cover is a mess
- Striking iconic design
- The box cover is not selling the game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–11 of 11