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Description
Welcome to Forever Home, the puzzly pattern-building game about second chances for shelter dogs.
Using a combination of tile placement, set collection, and drafting, you and your friends take on the role of shelter workers. Take it in turns to bring dogs into your shelter, complete training cards, and match pups up with new families. You'll be competing for valuable shelter commendations, as well as gaining reputation for training and rehoming the dogs in your care. At the end of the game, the shelter worker with the most reputation wins!
Featuring quick and simple turns; a unique solo mode; and a second advanced side to the player board, Forever Home is a replayable, easy-to-love abstract game.
—description from the publisher
Year Published
2023
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 11
This page: 11
Sentiment:
pos 8 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 1
Showing 1–11 of 11
Video s64uEqU7OBw
Our Family Plays Games (OFPG) gateway_games_roundup at 18:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11220 · mention_pk 33012
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- promotes adoption and rescue themes
- thematic to pet adoption
- from makers of Dog Park
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- dogs
- rescue
- animal welfare
Comparison games
- Dog Park
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I think I would wait yeah September maybe a little bit after September because I know people gonna rush in there and get everything
- gateways don't grow old for me no they don't I like Gateway games I like simple games sometimes
- I can just go on and do other games so I love the Gateway Games
- we don't need no more bad boys you know they gonna come
- if this is your mindset that I'm gonna come to these big conventions and take things no no we don't need no more bad boys
- I have Discerning tastes
- we are advertising Buffalo but they're doing it right
- I was blown away by it
- It's a Wonderful game it is a wonderful game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video f0U_acVAZpU
Unknown Channel game_review at 0:16 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 7700 · mention_pk 22759
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Lovely theme focusing on dog rescue
- Solid family-friendly design
- Core gameplay is simple and fun
- Good variety of scoring cards
- Different training cards enable quick wins
Cons
- Scoring is complex and can feel grindy to tally
- Can slow down pace and reduce the speedy play experience
Thematic elements
- Animal rescue; finding, training, and rehoming dogs
- Dog rescue centers; modern day
- family-friendly, light, optimistic
Comparison games
- Dream Home
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action economy — Two actions per turn, with the possibility to take them twice.
- card management — Managing training cards and using them efficiently.
- drafting — Drafting dogs from a central display onto your board.
- pattern/formation — Scoring involves matching shapes/colors to patterns on cards.
- set collection — Players collect sets of dogs by color/types to score points.
- set scoring — Different scoring cards/regions with unique objectives and potential multiple instances.
- tile placement — Placing dogs onto a training board to unlock scoring patterns.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the best thing about this game is the core gameplay is really simple and quite fun
- however, I've telegraphed my big issue with the game early on and it's the scoring
- it is by far the most complex part of the game and I feel it actively trips Forever Home up
- first of all the theme of Forever Home is a lovely one
- the components and overall direction are pleasant, and for a game that's heavily focused on scoring I'm pleased that there's a good variety of scoring cards to use
- almost everything in the game makes it a solid recommendation for family game night
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video nEbfRnVEnN8
Broken Meeple review sentiment: neutral
video_pk 6204 · mention_pk 18373
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
- Dog-themed game
- Cute theme appeal
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- dogs
- pet adoption
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I just acquire a couple of games that I was interested in a couple of review copies here and there
- the Expo was still good fun but they do need to work on utilizing the space and getting those costs down
- a game that I kind of have a hit and miss relationship with you know some of it I like
- I immediately decided it was the first one I was going to gun for on the Friday
- when it gets released later in the year at Essen I believe oh man do I want this game fast
- Shut Up And Take My Money
- it's kind of on the levels of something like lost ruines of arac for me
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video EmMfTX0sGF8
The Broken Meeple game_review at 1:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6000 · mention_pk 17794
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Stellar production values and attractive dog-themed artwork
- Simple, gateway-friendly rules and approachable play
- Two modes (basic and advanced) plus a solo mode
- Clear, approachable objective with varied scoring opportunities
- Good balance of luck and strategic planning for a light game
Cons
- Abstract theme may not appeal to players seeking a strong narrative
- Advanced mode adds fiddly rules that can slow early learning
- Some players may find the 2- to 5-player display scaling inconsistent
- A mild luck element in card draws can affect pacing
Thematic elements
- pattern matching and training dogs to different homes
- Abstract dog-adoption and pattern-building in a contemporary setting
- abstract veneer with dog imagery; not strongly thematic
Comparison games
- Dog Park
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action-selection — On each turn, players choose up to two actions from three options: take a dog, take a training card, or move a dog on their grid.
- card-display/selection — Face-up training cards and dog tiles are in a display from which players select during their turns.
- end-game-and-graduation — The game ends when seven training cards are completed, and dogs are graduated to homes affecting final scores.
- pattern-building — Players arrange dogs on their boards to satisfy patterns on training cards to earn points and graduate dogs to different homes.
- scoring-by-location — End-game scoring is driven by location-based cards (City, Suburbs, Countryside, Foster) and other board-based incentives.
- solo-mode-puzzle — A solo variant provides a time-trial style puzzle where a deck removes cards/dogs to create a solvable scoring challenge.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Forever Home is the newest release from Birdwood Games, who some fans might recognize as the creators of Dog Park.
- It's a pattern building game.
- It's meant to be a very simple game, very light, a gateway game.
- This is not reinventing the wheel.
- This game is gorgeous.
- It's a charming little game.
- The rule book is pretty sound and I didn't really find there was really any ambiguity.
- This is by all means a gateway game.
- I'm giving it a solid seven out of ten.
- There’s enough meat in the patterns to plan and adapt.
- The advanced side adds new strategic possibilities.
- The solo mode is a nice little feature.
- It’s a filler length time frame.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SbslypJ1K6c
OS Board Games top_10_list at 13:51 sentiment: negative
video_pk 5669 · mention_pk 16874
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- adorable theme about finding homes for stray dogs
Cons
- puzzle-y in execution but lacks novelty
- theme outweighed by gameplay weaknesses
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)
- it's a really, really good game
- I absolutely love this game
- it's an amazing game
- this is one of my most favorite solo games
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video UalH5uL4kFI
Chairman of the Board top_10_list at 9:49 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5543 · mention_pk 16484
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Surprisingly strong puzzly experience
- Elegant efficiency mechanics with evolving scoring
Cons
- Short play time may feel undercooked to some
- House rules recommended to extend play for longer sessions
Thematic elements
- placing dog tokens to satisfy scoring cards
- dog-themed village puzzle
- efficiency puzzle with pattern building
Comparison games
- Citrus
- Cascadia
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Drafting tokens — Draft tokens to place on a grid for scoring.
- Pattern building / scoring cards — Score by satisfying scoring cards and morphing patterns.
- Token removal and reallocation — Scoring cards cause tokens to be moved to scoring pools.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a jeweling game
- self-contained box so that you're not paying paying to win this style game
- these type of games aren't generally for me
- the rules are quite fiddly
- extremely simple rule set
- one of the best styles of games like this that I've seen
- instantly fell in love with it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video E7ZIoGY_H00
Unknown Channel general_discussion at 1:08:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3134 · mention_pk 9225
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- family-friendly theme
- retail release
- accessible rules
Cons
- some may find relatively light
Thematic elements
- family-friendly cooperative play about rehoming dogs
- dog shelter rescue
- heartwarming, accessible
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative play — players cooperate to find homes for dogs
- set collection / card-driven actions — cards drive actions and dog adoption outcomes
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Final Girl Series 3 Kickstarter is live right now they hit their funding goal in 37 minutes
- we hit our funding goal in 37 minutes
- the table is the heaviest table of all the tables in all of the world
- I am going to another full-time job in the board game industry
- Oogie Boogie will be in the mix
- Snow White – The Muppets version is great
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video c6whWG6Tc20
Board Game Buys general_discussion at 1:24 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2824 · mention_pk 8254
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- favorable prior review by host
Cons
- limited detail available in transcript
Thematic elements
- patterns and scoring in a compact package
- family-weight, abstract puzzle
- light, approachable
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- pattern/placement — place elements to form scoring opportunities
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I think this game is really cool
- this is a very simple kind of family weight puzzly game
- it's a very fantastic game
- the rules are absolutely horrendous
- I really love this game and I've played it a few times now and I think the balance is fine
- Luke from the Broken Meeple thinks this game is really imbalanced
- the row system where the positioning of your characters is important
- one of the best two-player games I've played in some time
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Avo685cKIHI
Foster the Meeple general_discussion at 15:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2280 · mention_pk 6629
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- cute and approachable theme
- family-friendly and accessible
- solo mode available; good for variety
- compact, attractive production
Cons
- might feel light for heavy gamers
- endgame strategies can be variable depending on cards drawn
Thematic elements
- dog adoption and care with endgame scoring
- dog shelter/adoption theme with homes in city, suburbs, countryside or foster care
- cute, light abstract strategy with a warm theme
Comparison games
- Grove
- Orchard
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- endgame trigger and scoring cards — end when seven tricks are completed; scoring cards determine final points
- grid placement — two-action turns on a 5x5 grid to place dogs
- move a dog on the grid — advance a dog toward a home with limited moves per trick
- trick cards — play trick cards to move dogs into their homes and score
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's very abstract
- it's very puzzly and honestly a very unique theme that I've not really seen anywhere else
- it's the travel game
- it's combo-rific
- I would definitely recommend checking this out if it sounds like something you might be interested in
- it's really cute
- you move the dogs into their forever homes
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video srGGs9fwmSE
Unknown Channel game_review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1502 · mention_pk 4331
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Simple two-action system with depth through pattern-building
- High production quality and appealing artwork
- Satisfying symmetry and timing of pattern completion
- Fast-paced with scalable player counts
- Variability through changing objectives and board setup
- Encourages planning and efficiency without heavy rules
Cons
- Very quick length at two players; may feel short
- Interaction is mostly passive; not a highly competitive game
- Not a groundbreaking design; may feel familiar to seasoned players
Thematic elements
- Rehoming and pattern recognition through dog tokens
- Dog shelter environment across city, suburbs, countryside, and foster homes
- Abstract puzzle with pattern matching and rehoming mechanics
Comparison games
- Rosio
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Endgame category scoring — Scores determined by distribution of dog types across homes at game end.
- pattern-building — Players place dog tokens to complete patterns on training cards; patterns can be mirrored or flipped.
- Rehoming mechanic and end-game scoring — Points are earned by completing training cards and rehoming dogs into various homes; end-game scoring tallies categories on a board.
- Token-drafting from central reserve — Take dog tokens or training cards from central display, with replenishment after selection.
- Two-action turn structure — On a turn a player may take two actions; actions include drafting a token, drafting a training card, or moving a token.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I appreciate the Simplicity of this game with some layers of depth here
- I love that symbiosis between the different patterns you can build
- definitely one of the surprises for the year for me
- very smooth gameplay no rules ambiguities
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Dc0CGeDOE5A
Unknown Channel top_5_list at 3:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 778 · mention_pk 2277
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed to positive
Pros
- dog-theme is charming and approachable
- quick playtime
- family-friendly
Cons
- theme can feel abstract for some players
- mechanics may feel repetitive over time
Thematic elements
- fostering and adopting dogs to score points
- dog adoption and care themes; families and homes
- light-hearted, approachable
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management — cards in hand determine how you score; you balance day-to-day actions
- set collection / card interaction — you collect dog cards and score based on breed fits and placements
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's called Forever home so instead of fishing for fish you're fishing dogs
- it's like a farm it's foster home
- Cyber Punk is a real time game which means we do actions on a strict time limit
- it's one of the best Real Time games I played
- this is a deck building race game
- it's a point salad game
- it has revived my belief in Euro games
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–11 of 11