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Game Info
Year
2019
Collection
Mechanic profile
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Vibe profile
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Description
Cloudspire is 1-4 player strategy game heavily influenced by both tower defense and MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) games. Solo and Cooperative play are driven by a scenario book that chronicles the story of the game from the perspective of each individual faction. Players control one of four unique factions in a battle to destroy and steal source energy from their opponents. Send and defend against armies and minions, build towers to protect your base, and explore with your heroes in search of resources and powerful Relics to turn the tide of battle.
Taking place in the floating realm of Ankar, Cloudspire tells the story of a war to acquire a powerful and rare energy known only as "the source." Every race has their own unique units and heroes as well as the ability to bid and draft mercenaries for hire.
Armies are placed either individually or in stacks to conceal powerful units until the last possible moments. Heroes, in the meantime, are controlled individually and may join the tide of battle or choose to explore points of interest in search of numerous resources. Meanwhile, the event deck regularly changes the terms of the fight, making every wave exciting and unpredictable.
As armies and minions approach opposing bases, they'll need to contend with Spires - powerful defense towers that can be built around the board. Fight for control of build sites and acquire new spire schematics to build an impenetrable defense and hold off the enemy. Upgrade your home base to unlock new strategies and abilities. Level up your heroes and lead your armies into battle with advanced and upgraded skills!
—description from the publisher
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 14
This page: 14
Sentiment:
pos 10 ·
mix 4 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–14 of 14
Video Xn9gV38Zmh4
Review at 0:53 sentiment: positive
video_pk 67121 · mention_pk 163095
Click to watch at 0:53 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Great quality
- Wonderful universe
- Imagination
- Passion
- Love for gaming
- Fantastic game
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card Play — New abilities are included which are mentioned alongside different cards.
- expansion content — The Harbinger content expansion adds a ton of really great stuff, including new sections, solo scenarios, map pieces, and hex tiles.
- New Units/Factions — The expansion introduces new units and three new factions (Kiel, Shada, and The Graft).
- solo scenarios — The expansion adds solo scenarios, which the host loves playing by himself.
- Upgraded Chips — New chip upgrades are introduced, including for PvP, market chips, and landmark chips.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- One of my all-time favorite companies is Chip Theory Games.
- God, I love to play this game by myself because it is a thinking man's game.
- This is one that is one of my all-time favorites.
- I love CloudSpire. It is so imaginative. It's so beautiful. It is one of my favorite games of all time.
- Imagination, passion, and and and love for gaming. Nobody does it better than than Chip Theory Games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video arN2jg781xo
Playthrough at 0:02 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 67041 · mention_pk 162947
Click to watch at 0:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Unique unit fusion mechanic offers variety.
- Interesting terrain bonuses encourage strategic placement.
- Challenging opponents and scenarios.
- Satisfying spire upgrades and interactions.
- Landmarks can significantly impact gameplay (sometimes positively, sometimes negatively).
Cons
- Can be very difficult, leading to repeated losses.
- Some mechanics (like hero abilities) may not be fully explored or utilized.
- Can be complex to learn and play optimally.
Thematic elements
- Elemental factions combining minions
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Placing spires and units on influence hexes and source wells is important for strategic positioning.
- Faction-specific Campaigns — Each faction has its own solo campaign with scenarios.
- Resource management — Players collect and spend 'source' to deploy units and build upgrades.
- Terrain Bonuses — Minions and spires gain bonuses when placed on specific terrain types, encouraging strategic terrain placement.
- tower defense — Players build and upgrade spires (towers) which have offensive and defensive capabilities.
- Unit Fusion — Minions can combine when adjacent to each other on a source well to create new, more powerful minions based on their types.
- Wave-based progression — The game progresses through waves, with increasing difficulty and enemy forces.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I hate them [the heirs].
- And I've tried it twice now and gotten completely blitzed.
- The big difference for the shada or shada, I don't really know how to pronounce it, is that when one of their minions ends its movement next to an unoccupied source well, they can for free move onto that source well.
- There's a lot more variety in their units because they have so many combinations and that's really their biggest special thing.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Nh_8fjLDXaM
Analysis at 0:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 66958 · mention_pk 162834
Click to watch at 0:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- The theme is super cool.
- They are an awesome faction to have.
- Relatively straightforward units, easier to understand than other complex factions.
- The ability to control opposing heroes is 'disgusting' and 'mean' in a good way.
- The rotten worms are surprisingly versatile.
- The emilate ability, especially with the false messiah, is very powerful.
- The moving fortress is a unique and interesting concept.
Cons
- You can't build three spires until the nucleus has at least one upgrade, making spires harder to get out initially.
- It would be nice to have five rotten worms instead of three.
- The nucleus needs to be strategic until the mutagenic furnace is upgraded.
- The movement of the nucleus can be restrictive if it sticks to paths.
Thematic elements
- A bio-organism called the Graft has parasitically controlled units on a world.
- A world where fighting has been going on for so long it activated a bio-organism.
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Absorb — Minions that would be returned to the barracks are instead placed underneath a spire, acting as a fortification and requiring the attacker to kill the unit first.
- Air Defense — Allows the unit to attack flying units.
- Armored — Reduces damage taken by one.
- Autonomy — When the nucleus would lose health, motility can be reduced to remove an upgrade chip instead, allowing the nucleus to move.
- Autophagy — The nucleus can remove a spire to recover health based on the spire's upgrades or return all units under the spire to the barracks on their promoted side.
- Blood Pact — Allows the 'infested' talent to be used against opposing heroes, making them take damage if they start attacking while infested.
- Cytokinesis — When a spire with the 'organel' talent is constructed, a graft minion from the barracks with a CP cost of four or less can be added as an additional starting upgrade.
- Despirit — After defeating a unit or spire, opposing promoted minions within range can be demoted.
- Fortress — The nucleus acts as the fortress, which is a constantly moving unit that is also the starting hero.
- Healing — At the start of the turn, the unit heals one health.
- Helment Gut — Related to gaining source and increasing CP.
- Immolate — If a unit is adjacent to an opposing fortress gate, it deals damage equal to its current health to all adjacent units, spires, and the fortress gate, then it is defeated.
- Impale — After a unit's movement, if it lands adjacent to another faction unit, it deals damage to it.
- Infest — A unit can be placed underneath an opposing faction unit, infecting them. Infested units lose one health after attacking and if they are defeated, the Graft gains the source reward.
- Membrane Barrier — When the nucleus is not moving, the talents of all adjacent opposing units are ignored.
- Metabolic Energy — Increases the maximum motility reservoir and grants an immediate gain when purchased.
- Mindbreaker — After the nucleus or a controlled mercenary hero defeats an opposing hero, that hero becomes controlled by the player, retaining upgrades but ignoring faction-specific talents.
- Modular Function — A die rolled alongside the spire's attack die provides effects like removing health, moving units, or increasing motility reservoir.
- Motility — Instead of health, the nucleus tracks 'motility' which increases and is used to spend on actions like giving the nucleus terrain movement or an additional hex of movement.
- Mutagenic Furnace — Focuses on the nucleus, allowing it to look at face-down landmarks, explore them, and gain additional motility or abilities related to spires.
- Neurochemical Hijack — Allows mercenary units to fight for the player, provided they are grouped with exactly one rotten worm.
- Organel — The starting upgrade of a constructed spire matches the nucleus's current upgrades, allowing for the building of spires based on the nucleus's progression.
- Powerhouse — After a spire is defeated, a specific unit (Rotten Worms) can be upgraded for free.
- Quick Strike — Allows a unit to attack before the spire's attack.
- Rancor — A die that increases when your units are defeated and can be decreased to increase a unit's attack die.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The graft is a little bit more unique in that they are a constantly moving fortress.
- The theme is super cool.
- I on a scale of 1 to 10, I'm going to give them an eight.
- I feel that the graft is like a perfect middle ground.
- You can't purchase merc units from the market. They just don't want to fight for you.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 90f0rlDexz8
Analysis at 0:19 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 66957 · mention_pk 162833
Click to watch at 0:19 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Factions are cool and drastically asymmetric.
- Solo scenarios are well-designed and engaging.
- Asymmetric design is a personal preference.
- Chip Theory customer support is top-notch.
- The game can be fun for casual play on a game day.
- The game is still good, but swinginess bumps it down a point.
Cons
- Overly long playtime for content.
- Swingy mechanics (Rift Cornerstone, Source Monolith) can feel unfair.
- Gameplay doesn't evoke real excitement.
- Turns can be frustrating due to mechanics or ambiguity.
- Events are optional but make the game dull if not used.
- Not ideal for tournament settings.
- The game feels heavily leaned into solo play.
- Lack of engaging content for recording.
- Long setup and play time make it difficult for content creation.
- Swinginess of events and landmarks decreases its rating.
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Battle Con
- Dead Space
- Root
- Too Many Bones
- Elder Scrolls
- Twilight Imperium
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Mentioned in comparison to Root as a skirmish area control game.
- asymmetric factions — Highlighted as a core positive, with factions being drastically different.
- Combat — Gameplay involves units attacking and damaging each other, with mechanics like retaliating and bombing.
- cooperative play — Co-op scenarios are available where players work together against an AI.
- Deck building — Mentioned implicitly through the use of units like Powder Monkey and Glider with specific abilities.
- Optional Events — Events are technically optional but considered necessary to make the game less dull.
- Resource management — Source points (SP) and CP are mentioned as resources that can be gained or have costs.
- Solo Play — The game has extensive solo content with curated scenarios and AI opponents.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- We got one game in before I realized this is probably going to be a bad idea um for a multitude of reasons.
- And that's 3 hours of not entertainment because it's reading our boxes and it's I mean, the gameplay doesn't evoke any real excitement.
- This game ends up being way swingier than I actually like for a tournament setting.
- I don't think Cloudspire is a bad game by any means. I think as a two-player game, it's perfectly fine. You just have to go in knowing that landmarks and events can swing completely in your favor or against you.
- this one just doesn't quite do it for me.
- The only reason I would want to do the tournament is because it would be interesting to see all the various match-ups.
- And at this point maybe when we finally run out of campaign games to play and we got nothing else that we want to do uh maybe in 20 years we'll come back to Cloudspire.
- I don't want to upload garbage.
- It sucks though that I realized I could have dropped the plank and just moved over there and then glided and just started bombing you.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video eudsRmhj8_I
Playthrough at 0:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 66486 · mention_pk 162035
Click to watch at 0:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Very fun fusion mechanics.
- Strong upgrade system for factions.
- Factions have unique playstyles.
- Good replayability with different factions and scenarios.
Cons
- Can be overwhelming with many decisions.
- Relies on specific unit combinations (like Dust) to counter certain enemy abilities (like camouflage).
Thematic elements
- Elemental factions fusing elements
- The land
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action Point Allowance — Players use combat points (CP) to deploy units.
- Area Control — Players try to assert dominance over the land, placing spires on source wells.
- Modular board — The game utilizes earthscapes and placement of spires on source wells.
- set collection — Collecting specific fusions is important for objectives and for gaining control of enemy units.
- Unit Progression — Minions and heroes can promote, and the Shada faction fuses minions to create new unit types.
- Variable player powers — Each faction has unique spires, fortresses, and units, with Shada focusing on elemental fusions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- You f wounded priest, I love you so much. You You were so good to me. I'm so sorry you're dead.
- My gosh, this dust is wreaking havoc on this, y'all.
- That's a bummer. Oh, you know what though? Hold on. They would have earlier attacked my spire. I forgot they can attack stuff.
- I think I just need to try and survive this round.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video GllY84TCGMU
No Pun Included Review at 0:00 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 35915 · mention_pk 107519
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Rich thematic depth with highly modular strategy
- Cooperative and solo modes provide alternatives to competitive play
- Tactile components (neoprene spires, chips) enhance immersion
- High replayability through multiple factions and scenarios
- Diverse strategies and scenarios encourage creative problem solving
Cons
- Steep learning curve and opaque teaching process
- Event deck and wave mechanics can feel punishing or arbitrary
- Very long play times, often 3+ hours
- Production can feel cluttered and some naming conventions confuse newcomers
- Primarily appealing to deep hobbyists; less accessible to casual players
Thematic elements
- MOBA aesthetics translated into a heavy, tactile board game with minions, heroes, and towers
- A fractured fantasy world where factions battle for source energy on a MOBA-inspired battlefield
- Abstract tactical with aspirational fantasy motifs; quirky faction names and eccentric terminology
Comparison games
- Gods of Atlantis
- Spirit Island
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Chip-based health and movement — Health and unit status are tracked with poker chips; top-unit health central to combat resolution
- Dispatch platforms and upgrades — Units deploy platforms, upgrade spires, and promote units via a variety of card- and board-based actions
- Event deck disruption — At each wave, an event card can dramatically alter board state and strategy, injecting unpredictability
- Events — At each wave, an event card can dramatically alter board state and strategy, injecting unpredictability
- MOBA-inspired combat — One-vs-one or two-player faction battles featuring hero and minion interactions inspired by MOBA games
- Stacking/monolith mechanism — Players stack units to determine movement order; the stack’s configuration drastically shapes play flow
- Tactile neoprene components — Optional neoprene spires and tiles that influence handling, aesthetics, and spatial planning
- Wave-based play — Each game is divided into four waves; players manage CP and assemble waves through a structured sequence
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Cloud Spire is the most ridiculous one of them all.
- This is the first board game in the world that offers you neoprene or neoprene action.
- An elephant riding a bicycle... this should have never been a competitive game.
- Restriction breeds creativity.
- The cooperative and solo modes exist.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video nTTsanD04C0
One Stop Co-op Shop Playthrough at 0:08 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 34649 · mention_pk 103205
Click to watch at 0:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Great variety via three factions and many mini-heroes
- Spires mechanic is clever and thematic
- High strategic depth due to limited dice and positioning
Cons
- Occasional misprints in cards (e.g., recovery rules) and unclear rules
- High learning curve and potential for dice luck to swing turns
- Some players may find difficulty balance inconsistent
Thematic elements
- faction-driven tower defense with dice-based combat
- Sci-fi tower-defense battleground with factions and Spires
- hero-based skirmishes with progression and boss encounters
Comparison games
- Tanglewood Roads
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- boss battler — Bosses have special effects, skull abilities, and stacking rules that alter flow
- Combat: Dice — Dice are loaded onto Spires to attack adjacent enemies; dice persist across rounds
- cycle/advance/engagement — Rounds include cycling enemies to bottom of deployment, advancing threats, and an engagement phase
- Deck building — Market draw, inventory space, and mini-heroes add strategic choices for upgrades
- Dice-based combat — Dice are loaded onto Spires to attack adjacent enemies; dice persist across rounds
- market/inventory/deck-building — Market draw, inventory space, and mini-heroes add strategic choices for upgrades
- mini-bosses and boss mechanics — Bosses have special effects, skull abilities, and stacking rules that alter flow
- spires as attackers — Placed Spires determine which enemies can be targeted; orthogonal adjacency matters
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I love the variety in that you have so many cards and every single one can be on your side or not.
- This is one of the coolest 20 strongs I've seen.
- I won on the highest difficulty, which I sort of expected to.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video dh_7TD-3KJs
No Pun Included Discussion at 0:51 sentiment: positive
video_pk 33808 · mention_pk 100608
Click to watch at 0:51 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Mentioned as part of a spectrum of videos (from reviews to deep-dives), suggesting it is a recognizable title within the channel's repertoire
- Used to illustrate the depth the channel can bring to a topic when time allows
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- not specified in the episode
- not specified in the episode
- not specified in the episode
Comparison games
- Sleeping Gods
- 18xx games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- hello my name is efka this is bessie and i'm elaine
- we have a little board game channel called nope included
- reviewing board games is the best thing i have ever done in my life
- our channel is supported by our patrons
- we've decided to simply ask you to support us at whatever level you feel is right
- narrative storytelling in board games through the lens of ryan lockett's sleeping gods
- sharp criticism like our videos for horizon zero dawn
- feel-good reviews like sprolopolis
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 74EjieULwx0
Gaming Rules! Discussion at 11:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13353 · mention_pk 39169
Click to watch at 11:46 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Hybrid solo and multiplayer dynamics
- Strong for two-player co-op style play when planning together
Cons
- Complex rules and heavy components
- Rule learning curve could be steep for newcomers
Thematic elements
- Skirmish combat, engine-building
- Competitive sci-fi/ fantasy city-building on a floating world
- Strategic and modular with variable maps
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area-control / faction-based play — Players control factions on a modular map and build engines
- solo/multiplayer co-play — Solitaire and two-player co-op modes exist, emphasizing collaboration in some formats
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "Loving it, absolutely loving it"
- "I think Jaws of the Lion is a better all-round put together package"
- "it's one of the most complicated games out there; the learning curve is huge"
- "I rate the game I think like a 9.5 out of 10"
- "we played Star Wars Imperial Assault all day"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video g0wJTyc1620
Box of Delights Discussion at 0:54 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9461 · mention_pk 27962
Click to watch at 0:54 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Massive variety due to mercenary options and upgrade paths
- Distinct island fortress motif with deep drafting and market interaction
- Strong thematic identity for the Uprising faction with synergistic traits
- Potential for high strategic depth and dynamic play around way gates and landmarks
Cons
- Notable complexity; steep learning curve for new players
- Lots of moving parts can lead to analysis paralysis during drafting and setup
- Requires multiple components and clear reference sheets for smooth play
Thematic elements
- Asymmetric faction-based conquest and fortress-building with modular terrain and evolving capabilities.
- A planar, multi-archipelago environment where factions vie for control through mercenaries, gates, and towers.
- Tactical, crunchy, and flavor-rich with emphasis on unique faction identities and upgrade paths.
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Covert Ops (Level 1-3 upgrades) — Low- and mid-risk special actions that grant rewards via targeted unit defeats and positional play.
- Draft Market Phase — A new zero-cost draft phase where players can select from market options up to three times, with the option to refresh the market.
- Market and Barracks Integration — Mercenaries and equipment purchased from the market go to the barracks, forming the core of a mercenary-led faction.
- Morale Die (Captain's Cabin) — A morale counter that increases CP when advancing or defeating units; fluctuates with combat and prep-phase actions.
- Unrevealed Landmarks and Hazards — Lookout range and landmark interactions provide combat and strategy leverage, with rewards tied to activation and discovery.
- Way Gates and Fortress Gate — An island fortress mechanic using four-way gate chips; gates and unrevealed landmarks interact with fortress positioning and defense.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- two new factions the uprising and horizons wrath
- you can purchase from the market it's zero cost
- four-way gate chips during setup
- you can pull up the plank
- the fortress is like an island it's not attached to the mainland
- you tick this die up by one by going to a maximum 5
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video pNVxcNly6eY
board game coffee Discussion at 35:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5782 · mention_pk 17096
Click to watch at 35:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong tactical depth
- immersive production and minis
Cons
- complexity can slow first games
- set-up time may be lengthy
Thematic elements
- sci-fi/fantasy clash of factions
- tower-defense-style skirmish on a modular map
- scenario-driven with ongoing campaign feel
Comparison games
- Sky Tier
- Blood Rage
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- faction-based combat — Each faction has unique abilities and a map-wide strategy.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a solid game with like this it pulls you in each stream
- the tutorial format really helps you experience it differently
- we had this new evolution of our game group for a good three months
- betrayal legacy is still sitting on my shelf unplayed but I was intrigued
- it's slower at the beginning but picks up and it's a good overall experience
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video oDIArzZcDic
The Brothers Murph Discussion at 27:41 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3481 · mention_pk 10324
Click to watch at 27:41 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- deep engine-building; rich faction diversity
- solo/co-op support is excellent
Cons
- time commitment; learning curve
Thematic elements
- territory control and minimax skirmish
- MOA-style fantasy/conquest on towered map
- epic, strategic
Comparison games
- Dwellings of Elder Veil
- Eclipse
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- MOA (massive online army) style — minions and heroes; factions with different play styles
- solo/co-op options — strong solo and cooperative experiences; large content base
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Don't tell me theme doesn't matter. Yes, it does.
- This is one of those games where drafting out different teams could be really cool.
- It's a banger.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video HyfZjL2vicM
BoardGameCo Discussion at 17:09 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1834 · mention_pk 5300
Click to watch at 17:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Keeps for now; potential solo scenarios
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card-driven / modular map — Skirmish-style combat with layered strategy and map tiles.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I will not be going through campaign games in this.
- I want to be more cutthroat than I ever have before.
- Quad Heroes is going. I hate it. I hate it so much.
- Monumental. If Monumental is still here in a year and hasn't been played, if next year's Purge, if I haven't played Monumental, it's going to go.
- Last Light can go. I'm not thinking off the shelf.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video p19UXB7gjNI
3 Minute Board Games Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 448 · mention_pk 1338
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Excellent production values and premium components (notably weighty poker chips)
- Heavy emphasis on asymmetry, delivering distinct feel and playstyles per faction
- Deep strategic space with a blend of pre-planned actions and reactive hero movement
- Board manipulation, terrain and spire placement are central to winning
Cons
- High price point
- Steep learning curve due to numerous exceptions and unique unit skills per faction
Thematic elements
- territory control and fortress building within an asymmetric tactical skirmish
- Ancar, a realm of floating land masses inhabited by warring factions
- fantasy/science-fantasy fusion with competitive warfare
Comparison games
- Dawn of the Zeds
- Captain is Dead
- Dangerous Planet
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action programming — players plan actions for multiple units following pre-planned paths
- Asymmetric Mechanics — each faction has distinct units, upgrades, and play styles
- asymmetry — each faction has distinct units, upgrades, and play styles
- combat resolution — combat uses dice; hits remove health; top units may be exposed or defeated
- exploration and fights — exploration markers can trigger fights, influencing tactical decisions
- fortress upgrades — upgrades purchased via source and represented with pins on fortress boards
- hero units and non-hero pathing — hero units move freely; other units follow pre-set paths; terrain impacts movement
- market phase — source is spent to buy terrain tiles or mercenaries during the market phase
- range, damage, and defense tokens — tokens modify unit capabilities and defenses during combat
- spires and source wells — spires are built on wells controlled by a player and can expand influence
- turn structure and events — rounds begin with an event card; resource accrual increases over time
- unit deployment and stacking — units can be stacked for protection and have health, damage, speed, and costs
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Cloudspire is for people who want an intensely competitive and mentally challenging chess match of a game
- the asymmetry is off-the-charts
- production values are through the roof, in particular the poker chips are weighty and feel wonderful to play with
- you can manipulate the board and board positioning of spires and tiles is a huge part of winning the game
- the core gameplay isn't too complex, but the number of exceptions and special rules are a handful; learning curve is steep
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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