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Game Info
Year
2020
Players
2-6
Age
7+
Playtime
15 min
Collection
Your Tier
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Mechanic profile
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Vibe profile
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Description
High Rise is a strategic city-building game with a bit of corruption. You can get bonuses on your actions by gaining Corruption, but the game will periodically penalize the most corrupt players, and everyone loses VP for Corruption at the end of the game.
You'll perform all your actions — like collecting resources, constructing buildings, and repaying favors — on a one-way track. Like other one-way track games, you can go as far as you'd like, but you'll only get another turn when everyone else passes you. You gain 1 VP per floor for each building you construct. Tenants offer powerful actions that change each game. You can collect a tenant power by landing on its space or constructing a building on its card.
The round ends after everyone makes a lap around the one-way track. Players score bonus points for tallest buildings in each neighborhood and the game. You'll play 2 rounds in the Standard Game (about 90-120 minutes for 3-4 players) and 3 rounds (about 2.5 hours) in the Full game. After the appropriate number of rounds, players lose points for Corruption, and the player with most VP wins.
—description from the publisher
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 24
This page: 24
Sentiment:
pos 20 ·
mix 3 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 1
Showing 1–24 of 24
Video 5eRNLnRxM6g
Watch It Played Top 10 List at 9:28 sentiment: positive
video_pk 90937 · mention_pk 243511
Click to watch at 9:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- push-your-luck with water rising
- beach and surfing
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deck_chair_placement — each player has a deck chair placed on the beach
- modules — four modules to add for extra depth (coins, abilities, etc.)
- Push Your Luck — risk-reward mechanic with advancing water
- push_your_luck — risk-reward mechanic with advancing water
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we love breakfast
- ten one minute rounds sounds easy it's not, it's a hectic chaos
- this is a push or luck game so if you take the highest number dice then you move closer to the water
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Od1tir5NrYs
Watch It Played News at 8:14 sentiment: positive
video_pk 90858 · mention_pk 243214
Click to watch at 8:14 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strategic city building
- Unique corruption mechanic
Cons
- Can be penalized for being too corrupt
Thematic elements
- City building with corruption
- City
Comparison games
- Rival Networks
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- city building — A strategic city building game.
- Corruption — The added ingredient of corruption. The game allows you to get ahead by being corrupt but you don't want to be the most corrupt as you'll be periodically penalized for being the worst person sat at the table.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Hello and welcome to call to the news
- I love penguins and it's come up from time to time they're fierce and mighty honorable beasts of the frozen lands and also they're clumsy which i like and they waddle which i'm a big fan of I love penguins they're my favorite animal leave me alone
- 10 out of 10 for marketing it looks like a lot of tongue-in-cheek fun in a well-established and fully fledged expansion scenario for the game i'm 100 behind it
- There's so many games being announced that rounding them all up would take only the most mutant of sheepdogs and a pen made out of mithril forged by dwarfs of some kind possibly magical
- It's called investigative journalism it's not always glamorous and beautiful all right
- Okay gotta go help me broadsword you're my only hope
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video xlE9KlWMCKI
Watch It Played News at 9:29 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89422 · mention_pk 237415
Click to watch at 9:29 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Deep into the Great Smoky Mountains with just your pack and your wits.
- Overcome challenges like injuries, dehydration, exhaustion, bad weather and bears.
- Make it back to the trailhead.
Cons
- Injuries, dehydration, exhaustion, bad weather and bears are challenges.
Thematic elements
- Survival and exploration
- Great Smoky Mountains
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — A mixture of action selection.
- Push Your Luck — Includes push your luck.
- Resource Management — Includes resource management.
- Set Collection — Compete for experiences, scenic spots, skills, camps, and gear.
- Take That — A touch of trading and take that.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Arknova is getting an expansion named Aquarius which is adding in a bunch of new elements to the game but focuses on sea animals that each have to be played in new special enclosures that must be built adjacent to water.
- My money would be on this not being the last expansion for Arknova a game that has been so very hot for so very long.
- The next two games in Stefan Feld's and Queen Games' Cities Collection were announced with Vienna being the reimagining of the classic 2014 title Isla.
- Super Meatball only a couple years ago reprinted a classic game Java by prolific designers and change the name to Cusco.
- Trick or Treat Studios... have been busy firstly with a semi-cooperative two to four player game The Texas Chainsaw Massacre based on the 1974 movie where we are told to find gas and van keys before Leatherface takes you to the killing room.
- The latest offering from Eagle Griffin Games designer Petar Asunder and artist Ian O'Toole has been announced coming after games like Lisboa and On Mars is Inventions: Evolution of Ideas releasing sometime next year.
- Flat Out Games have announced the one to six player puzzly tile placement game Fit to Print by Tiny Towns designer Peter McPherson where you play as editors of local newspapers in Thistleville.
- 2F Spiel have announced F F T for one to five players from Power Grid designer Friedemann Friese.
- Did anyone else see the best board game cover of all time? Because I sure did and it's Frieza's other 2022 release Fancy Feathers.
- eBay acquired TCG Player for $295 million.
- This speaks to the strength and growth of the hobby and honestly things like this make me very hopeful.
- eBay for one certainly seem to believe to the tune of almost a third of a billion dollars then the bubble has some room to grow.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video E4Uw4TJBVvA
UndeadVikingVideos Discussion at 1:23:32 sentiment: negative
video_pk 88393 · mention_pk 232903
Click to watch at 1:23:32 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
none
Cons
- Too expensive to publish
- Kickstarter campaign difficulties/failure to deliver
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Networks
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I remember playing the the original one and I remember standing at the table playing with Don and JB no Jamie wasn't there it was uh Chris and a couple other guys and I remember the cover of the game but I do not remember playing the game you know it's like it left no impression on me whatsoever
- I mean it hit the table a couple times for me and then like then it did hit the table forever so it was one of those things where you know just give it up you know let somebody else you know
- but but highrise was one of those games that everybody said no it's just too expensive to publish now I have no idea what happened with his high-rise campaign or or how he did it but when he only raised like 52 grand for it and then like and then he did his high-rise Ultra plastic Edition and he raised like a little over 100 Grand like for the life of me I I think like basically he didn't my me personally with with covet and everything else it was like one of those things where I think it was just way too expensive I mean you can't make a big old plastic fancy thing for 100 grand
- It's like it's like the the the the the the best answer in most situations if you are stopped by a police officer um and asked hey uh where are you going your best answer is I don't answer questions that is just yeah and just yeah yeah and that's I mean and yeah they're they're gonna be annoyed with you and they're gonna but you know you're just better off not saying anything and and just go the fifth
- I think it's a good thing for the hobby I think it really is I think it's just gonna some of those people just uh suck it suck it uh go go work at UH Burger Time and and try to uh the same pre-insured me okay go to the work houses
- I just don't understand it neither do I if you if you can't find a game for fifty dollars that's available right now and you will go back some 300 no no backer no backer history no prior history game I just don't get it why would you do that
- I don't think it's a perfect solution would you want to get bigger anymore I don't think so I mean I really like it the way it is I feel like it's it's unwieldy
- I think it's a lot of potential here too people really seem to enjoy I don't think the coffee ones are that funny if I mean me personally
- Yeah the problem is those those rooms go into the block or don't go back into the block price so they go in for stupid price so you don't get a good deal
- I mean it's just it's crazy hard like what yeah you know we we ship out we don't really let stuff sit in orders for more than a day maybe a day at most and it still like takes a couple days takes two three days three or four days yeah
- it is rules dense but it is nowhere near as rules and sense as uh as as magic Rome was
- I'm going to hate doing the video I'm going to absolutely hate doing the video because it is going to be it is going to be uh uh it's going to be annoying to try to get all the rules correct
- magic realm was one of his all-time favorite games when he was a kid
- bo Jackson bo knows baby
- I just don't understand how you make money on honestly selling games it's really tough
- people don't want to buy games that exist already they want to buy games that don't exist for some reason I don't get it
- I mean it is like it is like there are pages and pages and pages of games that are just like who is this who is publishing this what is this you know
- the flea market spoken Lobster steak
- it's like the the ideal game library was a database of mine oh sorry a database of more than 700 short board game reviews in French and broken English
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video aLfJ2RynyM0
Beyond Solitaire Discussion at 2:40:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 86332 · mention_pk 222988
Click to watch at 2:40:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
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)
- The Indie Games Night Market was a smash success, people were lining up hours in advance.
- It really started from my experience going to the Tokyo Game Market in Japan.
- We don't really have anything like that in the US like the design scene is very much focused on pitching to publishers.
- I wound up getting 26 applications and then had to kind of filter out what I thought would be the best kind of group of games to have available.
- The spirit of like just knowing that these were small Indie runs really like uh got a foothold in like a lot of people here in America.
- It's like the quintessential problem of like making art uh which is how do you do something for yourself that you also want people to play and to buy.
- I feel really strongly that a product that was made by hand made by one person should feel like it was made by one person made by hand and that those little Perfections actually breathe life into the thing that you made.
- The more Tools in your tool belt for what you know how to build you actually can make more interesting games.
- It's a Razor's Edge of like how much could you right cost versus time.
- It's important to me that it wasn't just like folks who were already hustling wanting to find another space to sell their stuff.
- Convincing a US audience especially to buy in is a little trickier.
- I don't need it to last forever I'm not looking for evergreens.
- For me it's not about leaving a mark necessarily it's about just like getting the thing I want out there and then moving on to the next thing I want to get out there.
- The best people utilize that as much as possible.
- Try Thinking by like subtraction right what is missing is such a good point.
- The Indie Games Night Market is a space to have fun when you're working.
- I got absolutely fooled by the bad guys on turn one I was poisoned and I was the investigator.
- I have not been excited for an exploding kitten game literally ever.
- It's definitely happening the next Pack's unplugged November 22nd.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video vKLrGojBs1g
Good Time Society Discussion at 14:37 sentiment: positive
video_pk 85442 · mention_pk 218952
Click to watch at 14:37 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- High initial buzz and rapid sell-out at indie market.
- Designer's story of quick creation is appealing.
- Comparisons to well-regarded games like Hive and Santorini.
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Hive
- Santorini
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Players aim to get their pieces as high as possible to score points.
- Stacking — Pieces are stacked, similar to Hive 3D.
- tile laying — Players place tiles.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Truly, I I do believe I'm in a fever dream and I will wake up because it it's so cool.
- I've just wanted to create something that had all the good pieces and none of the bad.
- This is what really stood out to me, Becca, is this part right here, the dice uh, manipulation.
- I love this stop motion rules explainer.
- Stop motion is so undervalued these days in these days of horrible AI.
- Basically, she had a bunch of components laying around and decided I'm going to make a game in the next like hour or so and just threw it together and this became a game.
- It's an ambitious design uh from um excuse me, from uh Totem Game Studios.
- Everybody loves cute critters doing war.
- Game of Thrones but animals.
- Today I learned you could type in naughty words in hardback.
- Fat with a ph is a word. Pretty hot and sexy.
- Penny Dreadful is the AI here.
- Even though I tricked Becca into playing a cooperative game, you got to see how hardback is played, just like paperback, but with those genre cards.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video vs_oLcPIcdk
Rob's Gaming Table Playthrough at 18:48 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 85244 · mention_pk 218075
Click to watch at 18:48 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Mechanics for managing unrest are discussed
- Item management and Overtaxing debated
- Side quests offer strategic choices for unrest reduction
- Delve mechanics add complexity
Cons
- Complexity of rules, especially regarding the 'swarmed' and 'penumbra' keywords
- Difficulty in remembering game state and rules
- Companion mechanics and their interactions are confusing
- The 'unbridled' enemy ability is potentially worded confusingly
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Character progression — Discussion about spending experience points on character upgrades like cooldown reduction, stamina, health, and tenacity dice, and the strategic choices involved.
- delve — The gameplay involves delves with mechanics like 'uncover', 'survey', and 'swarmed' tiles. The objective of collecting 'sky shards' and the penalty for retreating are mentioned.
- Item Management — Discussion about whether to overtax items for a benefit, with the player expressing 'gear fear' of discarding useful items.
- Keyword (Swarmed) — A 'swarmed' keyword is mentioned, with the mechanic triggering something when at a swarm location. It's noted that swarm stuff might not have happened in a previous delve.
- Side quests — Side quests are mentioned as a way to lower unrest, and the decision of whether to take one is discussed. The mechanics of completing them and the rewards (XP, unrest reduction) are detailed.
- Skill System — The native skill 'insight' is mentioned, and after a unit is defeated, allied units heal for HP equal to the current unrest. This is described as risky if native units are killed in the middle of combat.
- town actions — There's a town action called 'kiosk action' which is unlikely to be used if the player has already tossed their 'magicka stat or whatever skill line'. There's also a mention of a town action that involves discarding legendary equipment to decrease unrest.
- unrest track — There is an unrest track with sections like peaceful, tense, dangerous, and chaotic that affect encounters and possibly quest steps. Symbols can increase or decrease unrest, or have no effect. Completing side quests can decrease unrest by 'four, five minus player count'.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- But, uh, I'll be honest, Vantage when they said it's not a campaign, there's no impact to the box, but it's a sandbox. I was like, I don't know how that can be a good game that I'd be interested in.
- I have gear fear where I like I'm afraid to like lose my gear.
- It's It's me. I'm I'm admitting it. Like I'm not I'm not hiding it. I'm telling you why. This is what my problem is.
- Oh, man. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that that felt cool. That that's like where acrobat is cool. And I didn't even do the um, the changing positions and damaging a bunch of things cuz that when they have armor it's not as good.
- The fact that you saying I'll wait. It it it it's not so much of a problem because you're only waiting weeks, months. Usually the game's announced and it's out a month or two later and it's usually already printed and and shipping, which is the crazy part.
- Quest units cannot gain status effects from abilities or rules unless explicitly stated.
- The player's own 'gear fear' affects item usage and overtaxing.
- Stonemire Games is known for like a game gets popular. I know this I think this how Jamie kind of works is what I've kind of understood for the last like following his games and playing his games for like the last like 12 13 years is like he sees a popular game in the industry that that fires off in most situations and then he'll go oh I want to make my own version of that or take components of that game in some other popular game that just fired off and got super hot and I want to make my own and like put my own twist on it, my own high quality production.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video bL4jbUDSo8U
Where There's A Wilz, There's a Play Review at 1:14 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 85023 · mention_pk 217116
Click to watch at 1:14 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- easy to learn
- offers meaningful depth and strategy despite small footprint
- portable and compact components
- quick rounds—about five minutes per round, up to 25 minutes total
- strong fit as a two-player filler or travel game
Cons
- the theme can feel weak or incidental for some players
- potential for repetitiveness after multiple plays
- limited social interaction due to being strictly a two-player game
- not ideal for larger groups
Thematic elements
- tile-laying, stacking, and blocking in an abstract ocean setting
- coastal/ocean tide environment with a beach motif
- abstract/procedural
Comparison games
- Zool
- Coral
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- randomized setup and round structure — Initial setup uses a bag to randomly place the yellow neutral and blue/pink tiles around a central center tile; the game consists of up to five rounds, with the first to three stones winning the game.
- scoring by visibility — Rounds end when a player cannot move. Players count how many of their tiles are showing from above; the player with more exposed tiles earns a stone.
- stacking and blocking — Tiles are stacked and rearranged around the board to influence who can move where, creating a strategic landscape to block your opponent.
- tile movement and placement — On your turn you may move the top tile of a stack (or a yellow neutral tile) to an orthogonally adjacent space, and the tile must end up higher than its original location. The moved tile must have at least two free sides, only the top tile may be moved, and all tiles must remain connected.
- Tile Placement — On your turn you may move the top tile of a stack (or a yellow neutral tile) to an orthogonally adjacent space, and the tile must end up higher than its original location. The moved tile must have at least two free sides, only the top tile may be moved, and all tiles must remain connected.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the rounds only take about five minutes to play
- it's a 25 minute game
- the portability and the ease of setup and the play are a highlight
- I would recommend this one if you want, like I said, a good filler game
- I love abstract tile lane games. I love tile lane games.
- this is one of those quick very quick games to get out
References (from this video)
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Video bqzW7BQGhfs
Where There's A Wilz, There's a Play Playthrough at 0:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 84945 · mention_pk 216753
Click to watch at 0:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- compact, portable with a bag included for easy travel
- strong two-player head-to-head appeal with quick rounds
- accessible rules that are easy to teach and learn
- high replayability due to variable setups and shifting middle-blocker dynamics
- puzzle-like, spatial reasoning elements that stay engaging
Cons
- two-player only limits audience and party versatility
- some players may prefer more thematic depth than abstract tile puzzles
- visualizing and communicating levels on video can be challenging without clear zoom or perspective
Thematic elements
- tiling and stacking to maximize your color on top while navigating a limited space
- Abstract coastal/tidal environment with a hex-grid board
- procedural abstract puzzle with playthrough commentary
Comparison games
- Trekking the National Parks
- Trekking the World
- Trekking Through History
- Her Story
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- color dominance / top-face scoring — at the end of each round, the player with more of their color showing on top claims a point/stone.
- grid management — the board starts with a central yellow and expands into a hex-like perimeter; clever placement shapes the path to the middle.
- Movement constraint — a stone may be moved only if it has at least two sides showing, adding a spatial-cognitive constraint.
- round end rule — round ends when a player has no legal move available.
- scoring / victory condition — the first to collect three stones or hold the highest stacks by the end of the match wins.
- tile laying — players place and arrange color tiles to form and adjust a grid layout.
- tile stacking — players move and stack tiles so they rise above their starting level, aiming to control the top surface.
- two-player focus — designed specifically for head-to-head play, reducing downtime and increasing clash dynamics.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This game is a two-player only title, which is a bonus for us.
- It's a nice little filler game.
- Portable. Portable and compact with a bag included.
- The rounds end when one player cannot move.
- There is some thickness to this one, but it is a nice lighter one.
- We like the tracking stuff and the learning stuff they do with the smaller box games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 9S--g74QQoc
TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews Top List at 0:48 sentiment: positive
video_pk 84904 · mention_pk 216625
Click to watch at 0:48 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- No luck
- Allows thinking turns ahead
- Cozy but crunchy
- Quick
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- abstract strategy — The game is described as a 'no-luck abstract game' with players needing to 'think two or three turns ahead'.
- Set Collection — Winning rounds involves seeing 'whoever's color you can see more of'.
- Stacking — Players are 'basically trying to stack your colors' and 'stacking your tokens'.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This one is the top 10 games that I've already played cuz I'm fortunate enough to get some early copies of things that are releasing at Gen Con.
- Jungo is the reason why I'm never going to play Scout again.
- This is one of the most unique experience games ever.
- Breaking down barriers, growing relationship board games by helping you find the next one you love.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video bpXBawEtPkQ
Watch It Played Discussion at 16:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 84747 · mention_pk 215839
Click to watch at 16:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- clever and highly interactive
- tight scoring and meaningful choices
Cons
- looks heavier than it plays; box size and presentation can mislead
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Tokaido
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area_control_and_building — Construct buildings, gain floors, and collect tenant powers.
- corruption_mechanic — Gain corruption to bonuses but lose points if not cleaned up.
- rondelle_movement — Movement around a round track similar to Tokaido.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Tile placement. I said it's fun.
- I can't see a world where I don't enjoy this game.
- This is just a perfect little game.
- Oh Hanami is such a brilliant little game.
- It's a very light, great family weight game.
- What a decision. Love it.
- Kayakawa. A game of bluffing and deduction with only 15 cards and 32 tokens.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video jbae6EWkedM
Where There's A Wilz, There's a Play Top 6 List at 10:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 84588 · mention_pk 215071
Click to watch at 10:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fast, thinky, and accessible in a small-box package
- Good for travel or casual game sessions
Cons
- Could feel luck-influenced or light for some players
- Not as deep as larger box titles
Thematic elements
- maritime stacking and competition
- Stacking game with tide/sea-themed tokens
- thinky, approachable party-style puzzle
Comparison games
- Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
- Slapjack
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Stacking and positioning — Players stack color blocks to create the highest stack.
- token manipulation and blocking — Strategic moves to influence opponents’ stacks and options.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I really like Trekking Through History.
- I really like this game, but I suck at it.
- This is a thinker game along with it.
- Her Story is underrated.
- Ticket to Ride feel to Trekking the World second edition.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _ALWkEppEBI
Where There's A Wilz, There's a Play Top 10 List at 17:31 sentiment: positive
video_pk 82740 · mention_pk 207858
Click to watch at 17:31 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- compact, quick play
- very thinky for a light-weight title
- easy to teach, high replayability
Cons
- some confusion about exact stacking rules early on
- board setup and move tracking can feel fiddly
Thematic elements
- building up a coastal scene with stacked tiles
- tile-based area control with color-coded players
- puzzle/area-control tiling
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- multi-color competition — each color represents a player and a neutral color blocks or influences placements
- Tile Placement — players place tiles to form straight or diagonal configurations while contending with blocks
- tile placement and stacking — players place tiles to form straight or diagonal configurations while contending with blocks
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- If you haven't played Boop, I highly suggest you run out and pick this one up.
- it's a two-player maximum game. There is a solo mode to this game.
- the artistry on this is absolutely adorable.
- it's a really fun two-player kind of dueling game.
- I really enjoy this game. The art is fantastic.
- Wonder Tales, one person plays as the blue character, one person plays as the red character.
References (from this video)
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Video ET3a6LO6Z7I
Where There's A Wilz, There's a Play Showcase at 13:55 sentiment: positive
video_pk 81375 · mention_pk 201653
Click to watch at 13:55 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Small box, big strategy
- Quick to play
- Very portable
- Really like it
Cons
- Can be frustrating when plans are disrupted
Thematic elements
- Stacking tiles to reach the highest point
- Beach
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Whoever has the most showing when nobody can move a tile.
- Movement — you can move your piece. You have to move When you move a piece, you have to move it to a higher spot. You can move your piece or you can move the yellow neutral piece.
- tile stacking — you are at the beach and you're trying to stack your tiles and you're trying to get your tiles stacked the highest than anybody else's tiles.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The artwork in this I absolutely love.
- It's such a small little box to have so much strategy involved.
- It's so fun. It's so engaging that the time just kind of flies by when you are playing it.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Xm8v72Ovxlo
Unknown Channel Top 10 List at 0:54 sentiment: positive
video_pk 65809 · mention_pk 159669
Click to watch at 0:54 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Very tactile
- Strong two-player experience
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- tile placement and movement restrictions
- Two-player abstract strategy with hex tiles
- abstract
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Compound Scoring — Multiple rounds; whoever has the most visible tiles wins the round and ultimately the game.
- round-based scoring — Multiple rounds; whoever has the most visible tiles wins the round and ultimately the game.
- tile placement with movement constraints — Hex tiles can move in specific ways; players seek to maximize visible tiles.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video i1j3fWK1qsg
Jamie, Tabletoptiktok Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61433 · mention_pk 154105
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Highly portable with bag or magnetic box packaging
- Wooden components and glass beads; durable and pleasant to handle
- Beautiful color palette and visually appealing design
- Depth and strategic complexity emerge quickly despite simple core rules
- Short, punchy rounds suitable for casual and gamer audiences
- Two-player focus makes it ideal for head-to-head play and travel
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Abstract strategy
- Center-focused abstract two-player game with a circular board and a central neutral tile; variable setup via bag.
- Instructional and analytical during playthrough
Comparison games
- Hive
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Bag-based randomization — Remaining tiles are mixed in a bag to determine variations in setup each game.
- Center-neutral piece and color scheme — There is a fixed center neutral piece; players use distinct colors around it.
- Exposed-sides rule — A piece can be moved only if it has at least two sides exposed.
- round-based win condition — Play multiple rounds; the first to win three rounds claims the game.
- Stacking and moving top piece — On a turn, a player moves only the top piece of a stack to a higher adjacent piece.
- Tile Placement — Neutral and colored tiles are placed around a center tile to create a circular setup; setup varies with each game.
- Visibility scoring — At the end of a round, the player with more visible pieces wins the round.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This game there is a neutral color and two player colors.
- I think it's really, really excellent in my opinion.
- The pieces are wooden, so it is something you can play outside easily.
- If you enjoy Hive, I do think this is a game that you will like.
- It's portable. It's small. You saw the entire footprint that it takes up.
- This is a wonderful game from Underdog Games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video m5F4QRdpggY
Jamie, Tabletoptiktok Discussion at 0:49 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61445 · mention_pk 154114
Click to watch at 0:49 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Adorable aesthetic
- Fits with the speaker's love of the Trekking series
- Potential for light, accessible gameplay
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Exploration and environmental awareness
- Coastal, nature-themed locations as the backdrop for exploration
- Casual, accessible, family-friendly
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Gen Con has been a bucket list thing for me that I have always wanted to do and I am so excited to go.
- High Tide from Underdog Games. They make the trekking series, trekking through history, the world, and the national parks.
- This game looks adorable.
- I really want to check that one out.
- I love all things '88s nostalgia, so I really want to see more about that game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 5oAzj4I5qm4
Board Game Animal Review at 0:05 sentiment: positive
video_pk 39751 · mention_pk 151381
Click to watch at 0:05 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- elegant, simple rules that lead to deep tactical decisions
- fast, smooth, and replayable due to variable setup
- cozy, appealing production and components
- great two-player abstract experience
Cons
- limited to two players (not scalable to larger groups)
- depth may be light for some players seeking heavier euros
Thematic elements
- tide, elevation, opposing strategy with stacking/visibility
- Cozy, minimalist hex-grid island/shoreline environment
- abstract puzzle with elegant, almost zen-like feel
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Compound Scoring — A move is only valid if the destination ends higher than the origin, influencing control through height.
- elevation-based scoring — A move is only valid if the destination ends higher than the origin, influencing control through height.
- Face visibility scoring — At game's end, the color with the most visible faces scores points; ties are broken by the highest piece.
- Hex tile movement — Players move a hex tile to a neighboring hex where the top surfaces alignment allows it to end up higher.
- Hexagon Grid — Moves can be made on neutral hexes only if they have at least two free faces on top.
- Neutral hex with free faces — Moves can be made on neutral hexes only if they have at least two free faces on top.
- variable setup — Tiles are drawn from a bag to create different layouts each game, increasing replayability.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a solid 9 out of 10 for me.
- an ideal coffee table sort of game
- playfully tactical
- elegance of design from a gameplay perspective
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ldALHMKgXpY
Game Night Picks - Pair Of Dice Paradise Top 5 List at 1:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 34483 · mention_pk 102698
Click to watch at 1:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- interesting urban development concept with a social/political twist
- anticipated 2.0 version replacing expensive plastics with cheaper components to improve accessibility
Cons
- original production was noted as expensive due to plastic components
- the initial premium model may have priced out a portion of backers
Thematic elements
- urban development with socio-economic corruption elements
- A future-tinged city where developers build towers and navigate urban policy
- satirical corporate city-building with a focus on cost and production decisions
Comparison games
- Lost Cities Rivals
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- city-building — players construct buildings and manage city resources to score points
- Resource Management — collect resources to enable development tasks
- socio-economic theme — incorporates corruption-style risk/reward decisions as a core feature
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I hate excluding people from my games it's the last thing I want to do
- I actually do appreciate and understand the tough decision that Gil Hova had to make
- it's a game that is definitely worth a second look if you missed it the first
- Hyperborea ... I scoop up Hyperborea when it first hit store shelves way back in 2014 and it remains on my shelves to this day
- you have conquered death and mastered all nine dimensions of space-time reality bends to your every whim and desire you yes you are the absolute best there has ever been a necromancer at the top of their game
- the dead back to life so they can throw a party with actual guests showing up
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video HA_u8oxU0kc
Board Game Animal Discussion at 1:09 sentiment: positive
video_pk 32558 · mention_pk 212316
Click to watch at 1:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- appealing presentation
- replayability and flow on a small table
Cons
- availability sometimes limited in market
Thematic elements
- calm, nautical abstract
- coasting abstract game previously featured at Night Market
- satisfying, cerebral
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- abstract strategy with elegant spacing — Previously highlighted as a standout abstract with simple rules but depth.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Indie Games Night Market is a special one-of-a-kind event, something you may not be used to where you can discover special treasures you wouldn't be able to anywhere else.
- Rowan is a fascinating little abstract strategy game with dice for two players.
- Chasing Shadows is another trick-taking game with more twists on the formula.
- This is not a game about a pipe.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video tMcWwW1qe5k
Our Family Plays Games Discussion at 13:26 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12348 · mention_pk 36005
Click to watch at 13:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed to positive
Pros
- beautiful, 3D building aesthetics
- engaging spatial decisions
Cons
- requires three players for best experience
Thematic elements
- City development with stacked buildings
- Urban skyline and towers
- Strategic but accessible
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- route/track efficiency — manage actions around a circular track
- Tile Placement — build a city with varying heights
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a gateway game
- the artwork will make you hungry
- we love talking to you guys we do we love it
- awesome to see the final product
- Parks just looks beautiful
- we're going to check it out
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video AzRj5_4lnPY
Our Family Plays Games Discussion at 4:49 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12240 · mention_pk 35743
Click to watch at 4:49 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong visual appeal mentioned
- Forecasted to be engaging within the shelf-to-table plan
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- city growth with a hint of corruption or intrigue
- Urban skyline and skyscraper development
Comparison games
- Smartphone Inc.
- Nevada City
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- City-building / area control — Players build and manage a city’s skyline, balancing growth with competing interests.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "five about five games from our shelf of shame that we are going to play and put on the table"
- "we're going to go that is the goal"
- "we're swimming because you know no family... we are a family first"
- "learn the rules"
- "we are going to do this because we're telling family"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video f5m-APTBfJE
Good Time Society Discussion at 28:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11902 · mention_pk 116553
Click to watch at 28:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fast to learn
- Tense, impactful decisions
- Strong two-player head-to-head experience
Cons
- Limited to two players
Thematic elements
- tides and rising water; strategic placement
- Coastal town; sea tiles
- thinky, puzzle-like
Comparison games
- Hive
- Santorini
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Combat: Deck/Hand — Jacked Up Matchup designed for 2 players
- Tides/tokens — Tides force higher placements; mobility decisions matter
- Tile Placement — Place tiles to create elevations and pathways
- Two-player duel — Jacked Up Matchup designed for 2 players
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Grenle, the game of Crime and Mayhem
- I cannot recommend Grenle high enough
- Must go higher
- Two-player head-to-head
- This game is such a thinker
- I love a simple game I can teach in 20 seconds
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video qRGg3GzaDM0
The Dice Tower Review at 0:12 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 788 · mention_pk 100531
Click to watch at 0:12 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Portable and quick to learn
- Beautiful minimal production; tasteful but unobtrusive components
- Randomized setup increases replayability
- Good filler option for abstract game fans
Cons
- Presentation as cozy can be misleading; some players find it stressful
- Small footprint may not appeal to players seeking a larger physical presence
- Abstract market is crowded; may have a high hurdle for non-enthusiasts
Thematic elements
- Cozy seaside ambiance paired with strategic stacking and control of vertical height.
- Coastal/ocean/beach-themed abstract stacking game with neutral pieces and varying board setup.
- Abstract strategy with minimal thematic storytelling; emphasis on spatial reasoning.
Comparison games
- Devon
- Chess
- Checkers
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- adjacency movement — A piece must move to a directly adjacent space and on that move, must increase in height.
- End condition and scoring — Game ends when no moves are possible; scoring is based on the number of own pieces visible from the top and, if tied, tallest heights.
- neutral pieces — Non-owned pieces can be moved; they serve as strategic tools for climbing or blocking.
- randomized setup — Initial board setup is randomized, creating varied learning and discovery space each game.
- stacking/vertical growth — Players move pieces onto adjacent spaces and can stack on top of existing pieces, creating higher towers.
- Variable Set-Up: Board — Initial board setup is randomized, creating varied learning and discovery space each game.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's a stressy sort of game.
- Look, this game looks incredibly cozy.
- I'm so stressed when I play this game.
- This is a great kind of filler game.
- I would argue it is a potato chip game.
- I'm giving it an eight out of 10.
- The game in a bag maybe for traveling.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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