Game Info
Year
2020
Players
1-4
Age
14+
Playtime
60 min
Collection
Mechanic profile
Percentile rank vs. all games
Vibe profile
Not enough video data yet
Description
Paleo is a co-operative adventure game set in the stone age, a game in which players try to keep the human beings in their care alive while completing missions. Sometimes you need a fur, sometimes a tent, but these are all minor quests compared to your long-term goal: Painting a woolly mammoth on the wall so that humans thousands of years later will know that you once existed. (Okay, you just think the mammoth painting looks cool. Preserving a record of your past existence is gravy.)
What might keep you from painting that mammoth? Death, in all its many forms.
Each player starts the game with a couple of humans, who each have a skill and a number of life points. On a turn, each player chooses to go to one location — possibly of the same type as other players, although not the same location — and while you have some idea of what you might find there, you won't know for sure until you arrive, at which point you might acquire food or resources, or find what you need to craft a useful object, or discover that you can help someone else in their project, or suffer a snakebite that brings you close to death. Life is full of both wonders and terrors...
At the day's end, you need food for all the people in your party as well as various crafts or skills that allow you to complete quests. Failure to do so adds another skull on the tote board, and once you collect enough of those, you decide that living is for fools and give up the ghost, declaring that future humans can just admire someone else, for all you care.
Paleo includes multiple modules that allow for a variety of people, locations, quests, and much more during your time in 10,000 BCE.
Featured Videos
Rules Teach
Piles 👚🧦- Quick and find the matching clothes
Playthrough
Sail - Playthrough With Friends
Ask a Rules Question
Images
GID0238837.jpg
GID0238837_thumb.jpg
All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 20
This page: 20
Sentiment:
pos 16 ·
mix 2 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–20 of 20
Video unzItOoYVso
Analysis at 0:48 sentiment: positive
video_pk 69145 · mention_pk 165512
Click to watch at 0:48 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Simple and elegant
- Beautiful in a utilitarian way
- Feels nice, cozy, and relaxing
- New mechanics introduced in the travel line
Cons
- Might feel more competitive than it is
- Cloth maps are ergonomically challenging
- Little bump knocks tokens askew
- Lacks a bit of depth and could become stale with many hours of play
Thematic elements
- Connecting tiles to create nooks and patios to score gazeos
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Players compete to connect tiles, and whoever has the most tile spaces takes over a nook or patio if they have more gazeos attached.
- Domino laying — Players lay tiles with colors down on the board.
- End condition — The player who clears out their supply of gazeos first wins.
- set collection — Connecting tiles of the same color creates nooks or patios which get gazeos.
- tile placement — Players lay tiles with colors down on the board, connecting at least two or five tiles of the same color.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- These are great games. Gazebo and Gingham are the first two official entries in Bitewing Games new travel line.
- They're both simple and elegant and beautiful in a kind of utilitarian way that I find quite pleasing.
- However you want to pronounce them.
- But let's take a deeper look at both of them.
- Don't let this game sweet exterior lead you astray. It is deliciously mean in the best way possible.
- This this is genius.
- The truth, though, is that just as you've been building your path, they've been building theirs, and you were probably too busy to notice or interfere.
- Now, some notes on both games that I feel it's important for you to know.
- As mentioned earlier, these two games are the first entries in Bitewing Games new travel line. And if these are the first two entries, I am very excited to see what's going to come next.
- These are the perfect games when I'm thinking of what do I want to bring that's simple and easy to understand, but also offers some strategic choices every round.
- And they're so rugged that you can just toss them into a hiking bag or a luggage bag or even just strap it to your belt loop.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video GeB5XoYMSrY
Discussion at 1:22 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 68101 · mention_pk 164429
Click to watch at 1:22 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Very popular and very challenging.
- Cooperative tricktaking games are probably a little bit higher than like other cooperative games.
Cons
- Cooperative games are not really my cup of tea.
- I don't tend to like them very much.
- Very difficult.
Thematic elements
- Pirate
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management — you are dealt a hand of cards. You will have a hand limit.
- set collection — The icons are very important because the combinations of icons are what are going to trigger different things that allow you to like move your ship along the map or potentially attack a kraken.
- Trick-taking — Sale is a two-playeron cooperative trickt taking game. The mechanic of the game is still trick- taking. We are still playing tricks.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a legacy game. If you don't know what that means, it essentially means that you are building out a story kind of like a campaign.
- I think the best way to think about this game again with not rem not not mentioning spoilers or anything like that is you're playing Sale with a narrative story baked around it.
- losing isn't as bad as you think it's going to be. Because the story is just going to go wherever the story goes. And you losing doesn't mean, oh, I don't get to play anymore.
- It is a limited communication game.
- I don't know of any trick-taking legacy games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video T7jSSkuHgmE
Rules Teach at 0:10 sentiment: positive
video_pk 67445 · mention_pk 163569
Click to watch at 0:10 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Super simple rules
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Greek colonists and Etruscan warriors prepare for battle
- Where the Ionian Sea meets the shore
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Capture by Wedging — The way you capture your opponent's pieces in this game is by wedging them between two of your own pieces.
- Leader Piece — Each player has a leader piece. The leader piece can move and capture like a regular piece, but can also jump over other pieces, too, in a straight, vertical, or horizontal line.
- Movement — On your turn, you can move one of your pieces horizontally or vertically any number of unobstructed spaces.
- Multiple Captures — You can also create multiple flanks or pieces if you line up these captures that connect them both horizontally and vertically.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Where the Ionian Sea meets the shore, Greek colonists and Etruscan warriors prepare for battle.
- This is a game of strategy who'll decide who holds the most sway.
- This is a two-player abstract game called Patel.
- The aim of this game is to capture nine of your opponent's pieces or render them immo.
- This game is super simple.
- It's a game of strategic positioning on this grid of mayhem.
- There are multiple ways that the game can end, multiple ways that you can lose the game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video JOgl6gemk-s
Board Game Buzz Discussion at 11:53 sentiment: positive
video_pk 66427 · mention_pk 161768
Click to watch at 11:53 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Elegant abstract design
- Tight push-pull mechanic
Cons
- Abstracts can be niche for some players
Thematic elements
- Array
- Abstract tile placement world
- Direct, puzzle-like abstract gameplay
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Form groups of tiles to control spaces on the board.
- Area control through tile groups — Form groups of tiles to control spaces on the board.
- tile placement — Players place gazeos (tiles) to claim areas and create groupings on the board.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I'm so sad about it, but unfortunately I will not be at PAX unplugged this year.
- Aren't we in a great hobby and great? We're in the golden age of gaming, right?
- I love just getting excited over new board games. It makes my heart happy.
- We're in the golden age of gaming, right? Where we have so many great games that are coming out all the time.
- I need this game. I need it to complete my Formage collection.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 9UURAgusIGM
Meeple University Rules Teach at 0:06 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 64060 · mention_pk 157551
Click to watch at 0:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- clothing / outfits / fashion
- Clothing-themed cards used in a real-time set-collection game.
- No narrative; gameplay is a real-time competitive set-collection.
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dynamic central row — Four cards (or eight, if you adjust the setup) are placed in a central row to draw from and exchange with.
- end game bonuses — The game ends when a player has six matching sets; that player shouts piles and play stops, with verification.
- end game condition — The game ends when a player has six matching sets; that player shouts piles and play stops, with verification.
- face-up completed piles — If a pile contains four matching cards, you may lay that set face up on the table.
- piles as separate face-down stacks — Each pile is a separate face-down stack; you can look at a pile, then must place it back face-down before taking another.
- set collection — Goal is to collect six complete sets of four clothing items.
- swap with center — Exchanges are made with the center of the table; players swap cards from their piles with center cards in real time.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Piles is a real-time set collecting game for two to eight players.
- there are no turns in piles players will be trying to swap cards with the middle simultaneously and in real Time Racing to be the first to complete their sets
- The game comes with 200 cards
- 50 different sets of four clothing items
- If you have four matching cards in the same pile then you may lay that set face up on the table instead of face down
- As soon as you complete your sixth matching set place all your cards face up and shout piles play stops
- it's fine if the central row of cards gets out of alignment
- and that's how to play piles
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 17GniXsx23c
Getting Games Playthrough at 0:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 63300 · mention_pk 156654
Click to watch at 0:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- cooperative two-player play
- asymmetric powers add variety
- tension from Kraken and tentacle threats
- short playtime (box lists ~20 minutes)
- scenarios add replayability
Cons
- high difficulty and learning curve
- mistakes can dramatically affect outcomes
- color interpretation and component visuals may cause confusion
- asymmetry can feel punishing if not used effectively
Thematic elements
- pirate voyage with Kraken, mermaids, cannons
- two-player cooperative voyage across treacherous waters with Kraken, storms, and islands
- asymmetric powers and deduction during live play
Comparison games
- Hamlin Cave
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- asymmetric player powers — each player has a unique power affecting movement or game actions
- Asymmetric powers — each player has a unique power affecting movement or game actions
- mermaids and cannons — mermaid and cannon icons trigger special moves or effects; cannons can defeat Kraken and alter deck order
- scenario-based board — board shows progression; scenario one used in this playthrough
- ship movement via symbols — cards show symbols (e.g., ship wheel, tentacle) that move the ship or cause effects
- simultaneous card passing — both players trade one card without looking before each round
- timers and Kraken deck — damage adds Kraken cards to the discard/deck; round progression depends on Kraken cards
- Trick-taking — players play cards; must-follow-suit; highest value wins the trick
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a fully Cooperative two-player only trick-taking game
- the goal of this game is to get our boat from here sailing through these treacherous Waters to any of these spots
- this is a re-implementation of a game called Hamlin cave
- Canon beats the Kraken
- I backed this on Kickstarter and I paid extra for these wonderful chunky screen printed components
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 2q06TbO9hu4
TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews Review at 1:09 sentiment: positive
video_pk 62698 · mention_pk 155392
Click to watch at 1:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Simple turns with deep strategic depth, a hallmark of Knizia design
- High depth-to-weight ratio; lots of planning and foresight
- Replayability through multiple maps and expansion options
- Balanced mechanics reduce luck via controlled domino draws
- Absorption/steal mechanic adds Engage-with-competitiveness similar to Acquire
- Two-player performance is particularly satisfying and chess-like
Cons
- Play mats can wrinkle and may require additional care to stay flat
- Hard to catch up once behind in the race; fewer catch-up mechanisms
- Fewer captivating dynamics with more players due to turn spacing; best at two
Thematic elements
- Constructing and racing to place gazebo-related structures; strategic control via nooks and patios
- Garden/to-be-built gazebos and patios race
- abstract, procedural
Comparison games
- Qin
- Acquire
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- board_variants_and_expansion — Base board has A/B sides; expansion maps add new rules and a fourth board style, increasing replayability.
- domino_placement — Players place dominos next to existing structures to create nooks, with size and color affecting outcomes.
- draw_from_supply_or_hand — On a turn, players draw dominos (from the supply or from a personal hand) and may reveal or keep them secret.
- gazebo_and_patio_placement — Gazebos and patios determine scoring and strategic influence; larger patios can host multiple gazebos and are more valuable.
- majority_absorption — If a space is surrounded by the majority of gazebos, ownership can shift from one player to another upon placement.
- nook_creation — Forming connected groups (nooks) of size two or more yields bonuses and control over spaces.
- Race — The core objective is to be the first to run out of gazebos; the race is influenced by tactics and board state.
- race_to_empty_gazebos — The core objective is to be the first to run out of gazebos; the race is influenced by tactics and board state.
- zen_square_draw — Certain Zen squares allow drawing a single-color domino from the supply, offering a degree of controlled luck.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a race. It's simple turns, tons of depth.
- Not an ounce of fat on it, and I love the replayability built in this with multiple maps and deluxe components.
- Two is definitely my favorite [player count]; it's chess-like.
- I like that there's different boards... expansion maps... balance the game and reduce luck.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 0iUBHxLH8tk
Stonemaier Games Analysis at 0:03 sentiment: positive
video_pk 62610 · mention_pk 155328
Click to watch at 0:03 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Two distinct paths to obtaining double tiles (board-based and private stack) create flexible strategy
- Double tiles are powerful and add meaningful decision points each turn
- Race-style victory with gazebos provides tension without relying on points
- Clear, tangible tension from majority control and potential to overturn it
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Array
- Abstract
- explanatory
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area majority — forming a majority in an area allows the player to place a gazebo and also extend control to adjacent spaces
- Area Majority / Placement Lock — forming a majority in an area allows the player to place a gazebo and also extend control to adjacent spaces
- Color Matching / Set Formation — colors are placed to form pairs or larger color groups, enabling the player to place gazebo tokens
- Double Tile Acquisition (Board Overlap) — overlapping a tile with a special icon on the board grants a double tile from a face-down pool
- Double Tile Acquisition (Private Stack) — each player starts with a private stack of five face-down double tiles from which they may draw at the start of a turn
- Double Tile Power — double tiles are powerful and remain valuable even without color certainty, driving decisions long after they are acquired
- Majority Overturn / Direct Interaction — an opponent can later overcome the majority and replace the other player's gazebo, creating direct interaction
- Pattern Building — colors are placed to form pairs or larger color groups, enabling the player to place gazebo tokens
- Race — the objective is to place all gazebos before the opponent rather than maximizing points
- Race to Gazebo (Non-Point Victory Condition) — the objective is to place all gazebos before the opponent rather than maximizing points
- Strategic Draw Timing — the choice of when to draw from the private double-tile pool versus the common pool adds significant strategic play
- tile placement — tiles (domino-style with two colors) are placed to form color pairs and connect regions on the board
- Tile/Map Shifting — double tiles are powerful and remain valuable even without color certainty, driving decisions long after they are acquired
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- my favorite mechanism in this game is how players can obtain these special tiles that have the same color on both uh parts of the tile.
- there are two ways to to get them.
- not a points driven game. It's all about trying to get your gazeos out there faster than the other player.
- The combination of the two is really nice in gazebo.
- they are really good tiles.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 7MHGFVvIT9g
Jamie, Tabletoptiktok Review at 0:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61335 · mention_pk 154001
Click to watch at 0:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- gorgeous art and deluxe components
- simple core rules with deep strategy
- high replayability across multiple maps and variants
- tension from majority control and blocking opponents
- portable storage with a hard-sided case
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- tile placement and area majority in a stylized, garden-town setting
- A tiled landscape featuring gazebos, patios and decorative elements on a modular board.
- abstract, strategic competition with elegant presentation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area majority — Gaining the most gazebos around a space allows you to place more gazebos or gain control.
- area_majority — Gaining the most gazebos around a space allows you to place more gazebos or gain control.
- expansion_and_variability — Two-sided board with alternate starting areas and optional expansion elements (vases, additional maps).
- hand management — Starting hand of tiles with options to draw from the common area or from private, private double-sided tiles.
- hand_management — Starting hand of tiles with options to draw from the common area or from private, private double-sided tiles.
- tile placement — Players place tiles adjacent to existing tiles to create areas and trigger gazebo placement.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's tile laying, it's abstract, it's area majority and it has gorgeous art.
- This game is good.
- And it is a ton of fun because there is really good replayability with that.
- I would get my five. I wouldn't look at them. I would have them off to the side.
- these are great.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video nnt8Aj1319E
Bower's Game Corner Analysis at 1:09 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 36675 · mention_pk 150387
Click to watch at 1:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Innovative twist on rock-paper-scissors with a chaotic, fast-paced interaction
- Accessible, quick play (15–30 minutes) and 2–5 players
- Supports Make 100 crowdfunding model to seed production and experimentation
- Aesthetically appealing card design and packaging
Cons
- Usability concerns due to small font/text on some cards making it hard to read
- Lacks a comprehensive rulebook or gameplay preview beyond a 40-second video
- Shipping and price details are not fully clear on the main campaign page
- Very small initial print run (100 units) with potential ambiguity around international shipping
Thematic elements
- Chaotic take on rock-paper-scissors with combat and strategic card play
- Two to five-player party setting focused on quick rounds and social interaction
- Light, energetic, instructional
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- combat cards — Play combat cards when you’re behind or to swing rounds; both players may influence outcomes
- Combat: Deck/Hand — Play combat cards when you’re behind or to swing rounds; both players may influence outcomes
- deck manipulation — Look at top cards of draw deck or RPS deck, rearrange, and place back; affects future rounds
- Deck top-action and rearrangement — Look at top cards of draw deck or RPS deck, rearrange, and place back; affects future rounds
- Limited Points — Spend one point to cause both the active player and the last card to lose a point; ends the round; cannot be vetoed
- Point spend and round-end trigger — Spend one point to cause both the active player and the last card to lose a point; ends the round; cannot be vetoed
- Pre-round information and readables — Supplement your hand or mess with opponents via card text; reliance on reading card text rather than narration
- Rock-Paper-Scissors — Beat the center to gain a point; players may counter or disrupt with cards
- Rock-paper-scissors (center-beat system) — Beat the center to gain a point; players may counter or disrupt with cards
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Wallop is a rousing two to five player game that breaks rock paper scissors.
- Spend one point.
- The active player, the last person to play a card before this one, both lose a point and the round ends.
- This card cannot be vetoed.
- I love this basic concept.
- I hope it's fantastic.
- I'm going to go with a C.
- C minus.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video B7JknDGQ9S4
The Dice Tower Top 10 List at 4:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 35627 · mention_pk 161839
Click to watch at 4:23 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- 3D components
- Interactive
- Short, ~30 minute playtime
Cons
- Blocking can feel mean
Thematic elements
- building and placing hotels with rooftops
- Ocean-view hotels
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Blocking / interaction — Tower placement can block others from scoring.
- card drafting — Reveal two cards; highest number acts first.
- Card drafting / selection — Reveal two cards; highest number acts first.
- pattern / placement choice — Choose where to place buildings and roofs for scoring.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The gimmick is you have a large plastic cube that has magnets on it, and you are rolling it around a board picking up tiles.
- Magnets are cool, folks.
- This one's simple with a fun, bright theme, and I found it easy to jump into and play.
- Ink is a game in which you are, well, basically getting rid of ink wells. That's it.
- it looks very abstract because the inks wells don't mean anything, but it's easy to play and fun for people to get into.
- Simple, fun, easy. That is pencil pirates.
- chunky components very much interactive where your tower might block the towers behind you and then they don't score any points
- Very interesting, silly artwork, but anybody can play it.
- If you like games like Rummy or games that we call card shedding where you're trying to get rid of all the cards from your hand, this is an amazing one.
- beautiful bright color artwork. The whole package comes together very nice.
- Magical Athlete is not a game to be taken seriously by any means, but it's just so entertaining and fun to play.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video P_AcFfi3VJQ
Board Game Animal Discussion at 1:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 33124 · mention_pk 151389
Click to watch at 1:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Elegant production with deluxe gazeos (experimental) and tactile components
- Strong teachability with minimal rules overhead
- Portable, travel-ready design
- Deep spatial puzzle despite a light footprint
Cons
- Deluxe components may not be included in standard version; production details may change
- Some players may prefer a larger, less portable board
Thematic elements
- domino-style placement and spatial network building with an heirloom vibe
- A portable, elegant puzzle-world where gazebos and gazeos form cozy outdoor spaces; travel-friendly patchwork.
- heritage-inspired puzzle with a modern, elegant presentation
Comparison games
- Kenitia's Chin
- Canitia
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice placement — Connect a domino to a starting space or another domino to create continuous networks.
- domino/placement — Connect a domino to a starting space or another domino to create continuous networks.
- follow-on turn order — Your placement determines the turn order for the next round.
- highly interactive puzzle — Players influence each other's options through shared board regions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Gazebo is really just something else.
- Gazebo may just be the quintessential game that feels both like an heirloom classic piece, a forgotten gem.
- Gingham packs a lot into a really tight package here.
- It's tense, thought-provoking, while not sacrificing a clean, balanced design.
- This is the Kitia game that everyone should have.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video VM_xglr7DfU
Board Stupid Top List at 10:28 sentiment: positive
video_pk 31539 · mention_pk 92921
Click to watch at 10:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Innovative card-back hints create tension
- Brutally punishing yet rewarding
- Strong thematic integration and replay potential
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Outcome heavily dependent on card draws
Thematic elements
- resource management, basic survival
- Paleolithic era; hunter-gatherer tribe survival
- scenario-based with deck-driven exploration
Comparison games
- Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
- Forbidden Desert
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deck-building/style exploration — cards are explored to reveal resources and dangers; different backs hint at outcomes
- multi-deck/choice consequences — players must plan around dwindling resources and nightly fires
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Cooperative games are normally like very thematic.
- you’re not playing against each other you’re trying everybody together to solve the mechanic to solve the problem.
- it's a really friendly game that will everybody try to win or lose together.
- the desert moves around and blows around the desert… the desert is actually trying to kill you.
- it’s brutally punishing.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ioIwx8E4R4k
Board Game Spotlight Playthrough at 2:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11459 · mention_pk 107682
Click to watch at 2:11 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong thematic cohesion between tactics and narrative tension
- Accessible to teach with depth; quick to table
- Well-integrated cooperative puzzle that rewards nonverbal coordination
Cons
- Relies heavily on subtle coordination and can feel punishing with unlucky draws
- Nonverbal communication requirement can be challenging for new players
- Some rules feel nuanced and require careful reading
Thematic elements
- Cooperative pursuit under escalating danger from tentacles and Kraken, with ship maintenance and resource management
- Sea voyage where players pilot a boat toward anchors while facing Kraken threat and storm hazards
- Thematic, tension-driven cooperative puzzle with limited and nonverbal communication
Comparison games
- Chomp
- Dandelion
- Mountain Goats
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- character_abilities — Each player has a character with a special ability that can alter the round's actions or outcome.
- cooperative_trick_taking — Players play cards to win tricks as a team; the winning trick advances movement toward anchors and determines who leads next.
- deck manipulation — A Kraken deck introduces tentacles and damage; some actions can remove tentacles or reshuffle hazards.
- deck_and_hazard_management — A Kraken deck introduces tentacles and damage; some actions can remove tentacles or reshuffle hazards.
- hand_exchange_and_information_Sharing — Before tricks, players exchange a card to glean information about the partner's hand without explicit communication.
- loss_conditions_and_stress — Lose if Kraken reaches skulls, storm markers exceed limits, or anchors aren’t reached by round five; tension is thematic.
- movement_and_iconography — Movement is driven by cards with ship icons and mermaid abilities; movement can be straight or zigzag, constrained by terrain.
- Trick-taking — Players play cards to win tricks as a team; the winning trick advances movement toward anchors and determines who leads next.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is extremely thematic
- There are three ways you can lose
- No communication so we can't talk about the cars in our hands
- I love the puzzle of placing cards over like that
- It's so quick to get to the table
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video xrFFy3uoBPM
Getting Games Discussion at 26:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10330 · mention_pk 30498
Click to watch at 26:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- nominated for the Spiel des Jahres (kenner spiel) in some years
- looks like a strong cooperative experience
Cons
- needs read of rules before play
- not yet played by the narrator
Thematic elements
- cave people era
- prehistoric cooperative exploration
- cooperative tableau/engine-style
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative deck-building / tableau building — Cooperative game about shaping tableau to survive prehistoric challenges.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a full-time successful job for me
- the newest macbook pro line is significantly faster
- i'm in a much better headspace about the numbers
- i'm not sitting there thinking that a three video per week plan is sustainable
- there's a lot of evidence to show that putting out more videos is not necessarily better for me
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video NWO4GvviM6A
The Dice Tower Review at 1:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9040 · mention_pk 127773
Click to watch at 1:36 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tight, satisfying two-player back-and-forth
- simple core rules with emergent strategy
- elegant engagement of turn order and area control
Cons
- merging/connection rule can be unintuitive at first
- theme can feel detached from the mechanics for a pure abstract
Thematic elements
- building gazebos and area/territory control; stacking and absorbing rival structures
- Abstract strategy with a spatial, grid-based arena; indirect, thematic framing around ants and structure building
- abstract, tactical; minimal story, strong mechanical focus
Comparison games
- Chin
- Acquire
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Compound Scoring — connect two identical suites to form a linked group; stack one onto the other for scoring points
- connection and stacking scoring — connect two identical suites to form a linked group; stack one onto the other for scoring points
- End-game triggers and scoring — the game ends when a point threshold is reached or other end conditions are met; players score for piles and control of suites
- nook/absorption dynamics — construct ‘nooks’ to place gazebos; can absorb opponents’ gazebos by expanding a nook, with limits on absorption once a nook grows large
- sugar-cube powers — sugar cubes appear when sweets are taken; cubes activate special powers on the board
- tile placement — on your turn you place a queen and then place ants; you may replace an opponent’s piece and send their replaced piece to an empty spot
- tile/ant placement and replacement — on your turn you place a queen and then place ants; you may replace an opponent’s piece and send their replaced piece to an empty spot
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Gazebo is a game.
- I like it at two the most.
- Gazebo is a remake Gazebo of Chin with a Q.
- This is a game that is about picnics and ants and then completely just gives up on that theme almost immediately.
- The tile distribution is a huge element and the production is nicer as well.
- I like this game at two the most.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CHbq5VX6-u0
Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Top List at 19:19 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3054 · mention_pk 84405
Click to watch at 19:19 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Classic Knizia dice game with accessible rules
- family-friendly and tactile
Cons
- Can be too luck-dependent for some players
Thematic elements
- family-friendly push-your-luck and set collection
- dice-driven, worm-claiming grilling theme
- lighthearted, accessible
Comparison games
- Yahtzee
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice rolling — roll multiple dice and set aside matching results
- Push Your Luck — decide when to stop rolling for bigger tiles or risk busting
- push-your-luck — decide when to stop rolling for bigger tiles or risk busting
- set/collection and scoring by tiles — claim tiles by matching results to worms represented on a grill
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a fantastic alternative to Scrabble
- it's not heavy on the awards
- a real simple introductory card drafting game
- this is a fantastic alternative to Scrabble
- the garden is home to an antagonistic Gardener and Panda
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SEG8Nr973SA
Before You Play Discussion at 16:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 973 · mention_pk 2740
Click to watch at 16:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- cooperative tension
- campaign-style progression
Cons
- punishing for new players
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Gloomhaven
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative — players work together with a shared deck to explore and survive as Paleolithic ancestors
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is like the pinnacle of board gaming awards that we know of
- paleo is really really punishing
- chaos pure chaos
- not a game for first-timers
- decrypto is so good
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video hDewR49-vUA
Board Games Circle News News at 0:59
video_pk 681 · mention_pk 1991
Click to watch at 0:59 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Strategic Game of the Year Nominee
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- if the game you like doesn't win then this was all just some big popularity contest and everything is rigged
- games are super gross so wash your hands
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 7hzFPsvDVdg
Board Stupid Top List at 3:24 sentiment: positive
video_pk 60 · mention_pk 100589
Click to watch at 3:24 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Cooperative survival feel
- New deck-building angle on a familiar theme
- Likely approachable despite depth
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Cooperative survival with resource management
- Stone Age survival, tribal groups wandering a prehistoric landscape
- Deck-driven scenario formation and exploration with memory elements
Comparison games
- Wingspan
- Architects of the West Kingdom
- Seven Wonders
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative Game — players work together to ensure survival of the tribe
- cooperative play — players work together to ensure survival of the tribe
- deck-building / scenario creation — cards form the adventure decks; players learn the land as they survive
- Resource management — food, warmth, and other survival resources controlled by deck outcomes
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- We do love a trick taker on the channel and the big craze for cooperative trick takers was born with this game.
- This is Daybreak... a fabulous game.
- Endeavor Deep Sea... definitely my favorite of all of the Kenes winners so far.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–20 of 20