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Phoenix New Horizon box art

Phoenix New Horizon

Game ID: GID0244306
Game Info
Year
2024
Players
1-4
Age
14+
Playtime
120 min
Collection
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Mechanic profile
Percentile rank vs. all games
Vibe profile
How this game feels to play
Description

In the year 2021, after years of seclusion underground, humanity emerges onto the surface, propelled by the development of groundbreaking new technology. Decades of catastrophic fallout from a nuclear disaster during the Cold War have laid waste to the known world, compelling civilization to seek shelter beneath the earth. The pressing task now is the construction of regenerators, which will generate new habitats to facilitate the resurgence of life and the reclamation of the Earth. A world brimming with hope awaits aboveground.

Phoenix New Horizon is a Euro-style board game in which players assume control of a team of commandos tasked with the mission of recolonizing Earth. Throughout the game's four rounds, players accumulate victory points by constructing regenerators and buildings, bolstering the planet's population, and achieving diverse objectives that vary between playthroughs.

Players must adeptly allocate their commandos to various actions throughout the game while also specializing them to enable more potent abilities at the expenses of versatility. Fulfilling missions assigned by the governing authorities yields additional actions on a player's turn.

—description from the publisher

Description

In the year 2021, after years of seclusion underground, humanity emerges onto the surface, propelled by the development of groundbreaking new technology. Decades of catastrophic fallout from a nuclear disaster during the Cold War have laid waste to the known world, compelling civilization to seek shelter beneath the earth. The pressing task now is the construction of regenerators, which will generate new habitats to facilitate the resurgence of life and the reclamation of the Earth. A world brimming with hope awaits aboveground.

Phoenix New Horizon is a Euro-style board game in which players assume control of a team of commandos tasked with the mission of recolonizing Earth. Throughout the game's four rounds, players accumulate victory points by constructing regenerators and buildings, bolstering the planet's population, and achieving diverse objectives that vary between playthroughs.

Players must adeptly allocate their commandos to various actions throughout the game while also specializing them to enable more potent abilities at the expenses of versatility. Fulfilling missions assigned by the governing authorities yields additional actions on a player's turn.

—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 21 · mix 0 · neu 1 · neg 0
Mentions per page
Showing 1–24 of 24
Video Pnf6ECQdNkg Board Gaming Ramblings Top List at 13:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 86629 · mention_pk 224786
Board Gaming Ramblings - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 13:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Interesting worker placement mechanism (moving instead of placing)
  • Strategic worker evolution paths
  • Tight gameplay
  • Efficient playtime
  • A big surprise and a lot of fun
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Area Control — Building buildings in different sectors and types.
  • Track Advancement — Using meeples to climb tracks for scoring and bonuses.
  • worker movement — Instead of placing workers, players move them.
  • Worker upgrading — Workers can be upgraded to access better placement spots and actions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • This is a also kind of a worker placement game but you you place workers three times then you move them three times to do something else and then you are deciding what actions you want for the next round so you have like you want yes and it's really clever the timing of those things
  • The actions that you do the most multiple times will uh be upgraded so you get to do them better and better the more you do them
  • It's a really really fun game one of yeah obviously one of the best of the year
  • I really like El Grande
  • it's just pure fun
  • this is a game about exploring space and trying to find a connection to the alien
  • it's so tight on the resources it's like ridiculously tight
  • this is a very accelerating game
  • the resource management in combination with all the fun things you do on the board trying to uh basically upgrade your actions uh with these technologies that you can get this this is so much fun it's so fun
  • it's so tight it gives you again that Gaia project Terror Mystic feeling where in the beginning you're like it's so hopeless
  • I love the exploration of the aliens they changed up the game a little bit from time to time and it is again a plain fun game
  • this is one where you have this main mechanism that makes the game really good and then you have the the um H the mini games around it which are good but it is the main thing in the middle that makes the game sing that makes the game feel like a fantastic fun time
  • there's so many things about this I love and also one thing that I think in this game was absolutely Superior to Gloom Haven is like the level this sign if you could call it that
  • I love how you choose your actions
  • it has these Snappy it's not super fat but I'm comparing it to Gloom heaven so but it's so it's you talked about it you were right
  • Amonia has it has these Snappy it's not super fat but I'm comparing it to Gloom heaven so but it's so it's you talked about it you were right
  • I praed this game up and down since I played it
  • I'm over the moon for this game it is such an amazing game
  • There's so many corporations in this game so you have a lot of V ability
  • they feel different
  • the workers are different colors they don't like they they get better if you do them with a specific action and there is just so much to love
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video hDnwfRQHN70 Board Gaming Ramblings Analysis at 3:03 sentiment: positive
video_pk 86596 · mention_pk 224581
Board Gaming Ramblings - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 3:03 · 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)
  • Congratulations to all the nominees and spectacular and to you for watching this award video Woo we will see you in 2025 bye
  • The spoiler alert he has designed set Tea Garden Galileo galile and the designer is obviously then toas holck a designer just like came out of nowhere got so much hype this year and I will say even though like we have ranked those games we like all three of those games like two of them better than the last one but this is a designer I am looking forward to see more games from
  • We are going to be bringing you the nominations and the winner for the best card game of 2024 and the nominees are Star Wars unlimited cortis an misos and 5050
  • Lone wolves yay and lone wolves was one of my favorite small box games of the year so I am so glad it made the list
  • If you like a High degree of uh interaction that head-to-head kind of style game this is I think my all-time favorite two-player trick game
  • Congratulations Agonia for winning best narrative campaign game for 2024 in these rambling Awards
  • Harmonies congratulations to Harmony is one of the most played games from this last year with the People's Choice as well over at the dice Towers uh game of the year uh so this is one that is very impressive so kudos to harmonies the winner of this year's abstract Game of the Year
  • Tranquility the ascent yes congratulations indeed we have played that game do you remember we were we were building the the the oh my goodness I love that game oh there we go I love that game it's a deserved win I'm sorry I don't hate co-op games anymore it's an amazing game it's beautiful on the table if you haven't played it check it out it won fair and square this is a great game
  • The winner is flip seven
  • To the winner is iron Forest congratulations
  • Most Innovative game is War Stories Occupied France designed by David Neil and David Thompson art by Mara and published by Osprey games congratulations to all the nominees but of course congratulations to War Stories Occupied friends
  • we have made a big list of awards that we are giving away to different games
  • this is all of the awards we have made a big list of awards that we are giving away to different games
  • we want to highlight these amazing games that gives our or all so much joy
  • I focus on cozy games welcoming games family games card games um also solo games as well
  • Winner for the category of the most Innovative game is War Stories Occupied France
  • that was amazing I really enjoyed that I hope you did too
  • please go check all those amazing people out because they make really good content
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ruot2bjYNpg Man vs Meeple Top List at 8:31 sentiment: positive
video_pk 86586 · mention_pk 224486
Man vs Meeple - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 8:31 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Very strategic
  • Interesting interaction
  • Enjoyed by players
  • Sold out at Essen
Cons
  • Visually unappealing
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • area influence — Players can gain control of areas, and others can piggyback on that control.
  • Worker Placement — Workers move on a network, allowing for continued movement and choice of action.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it is a bag of chips and once everyone's done this is the beauty to score
  • this is what title blades is and why it's so high on my list is because it does exactly what I want in a in a in a Dungeon Crawl type game it's it's actually top tier to me
  • fantastic game really really love fantastic game
  • this game feels right every time like everything feels right
  • I think seti is a is a perfect game I actually have played my first game where I'm like I'm not necessarily sure there's anything wrong with this game
  • has some of the best dice mechanics and mechanisms in gaming in my opinion
  • they did revive which was one of our fav always always a fave of mine
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video YWYVsu2vVOs Board Gaming Ramblings Discussion at 0:39 sentiment: positive
video_pk 84916 · mention_pk 216665
Board Gaming Ramblings - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:39 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Anticipated due to previous successful title.
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)
  • First off, we have Movie Tricks, which is a a trick checking game from Shilly Fox, the company that did a spectacular last year.
  • One of my most anticipated games from Spiel because of the Phoenix New Horizon they did last year which was fantastic and I cannot wait to dive into this one.
  • This looks very interesting. I have not seen a game where you have your own little pin board here. This is what made me most excited about this.
  • There's a daily bugle and it's going to be fantastic. Hope you stick around and let us know if there's any games you're excited for for speed.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video moT204eN1UA Grant Lyon Top List at 25:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 84436 · mention_pk 214529
Grant Lyon - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 25:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Unique worker placement mechanism
  • Good player interaction for a Euro game
  • Highly anticipated
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • recolonizing Earth and building things up
  • new dawn of humanity on Earth
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Tech Tree — It's almost like a tech tree for your workers. And you can upgrade workers along specific paths.
  • Worker Placement — It is a worker placement game, but it has a very unique worker placement aspect to it.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I try to keep it to about 25 games and sometimes that slides to like 30 games, but I don't want it to be more than 30 games because I don't want this video to be crazy long.
  • if you want a smaller box pretty game, then check out Parks and Potions.
  • it's a really good introduction to strategy games.
  • This is one that is going to be a huge hit with young kids, I imagine.
  • So, if you want a lot of story in your solo games, that is a reason to play this one.
  • It adds more player interaction to the worker placement game.
  • I like that sort of fluctuating market aspect of the game. It makes it feel different than other worker placement games out there.
  • I think a lot of gamers and just a lot of people in general really respond to this theme, right? I think it's something that's super relatable about having to charge up your social battery in order to go out into the world and do stuff.
  • there's just a lot of intrigue on like, why are you moving that? What are you doing right now? How do I outsmart you?
  • Vantage over the last month has been fairly divisive.
  • if you like worker placement games or if you like visually interesting games, then that's, uh, for sure a reason to play T- Witches.
  • It is a deck building game, but it has an interesting aspect to the deck building because every round you're going to shuffle your entire deck and then you're going to flip out cards in a 2x3 grid.
  • I love Flip Tunes
  • The OP is also releasing fountains.
  • This plays 1 to five players in 30 to 45 minutes and it is a mediumweight game though at the lower end of medium weight.
  • This is another sort of visually very interesting game.
  • It is a deck building game, but it has a interesting aspect to the deck building because every round you're going to shuffle your entire deck and then you're going to flip out cards in a 2x3 grid.
  • And so there is a real strategy to the deck building of the game, but there's also just these fun exciting moments where you're like, "Ah, yes, I got that where I needed it to go."
  • I love Flip Tunes a lot. I really recommend it.
  • I've been doing this Green Team Wins live show at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, and it's been going super well
  • Next night of that is Sunday, November 2nd.
  • It's really fun. It's really interactive. It's memorable. It's different every time the show happens.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SxJx0vFj5pU Man vs Meeple Analysis at 19:48 sentiment: positive
video_pk 83633 · mention_pk 211222
Man vs Meeple - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 19:48 · 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)
  • I just I thought this was going to end up being a huge game.
  • If you can get a copy of Men Nefer, if you can find that game and you like Eurogame, that is definitely one to try.
  • My number one, Star Wars Unlimited, which even at the time I was like, I'm it didn't really feel like a board game, but like it was the game I played most in 2024.
  • this was my number one, this was the one for me that beat out STI was Saltfield.
  • Saltfield I 100% stand behind.
  • He destroyed everybody just like he always does. And it felt like, you know, and again, this is not unself because I played uh what was the one Sor also with him and he destroyed everyone in that to the point where I was like, "Oh, what? Either we're dumb or the game is broken and the games aren't broken."
  • this is what makes Isaac such a great game designer. And this is how we get games like Gloom Haven
  • The ones I didn't get to play, they're just going to get shoved over to the 2026 year.
  • It came out in December of 2024. Not a lot of people got to play in 2024.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video VidDkpBgcWI Board Games UnLocked Top List at 41:21 sentiment: positive
video_pk 83481 · mention_pk 210424
Board Games UnLocked - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 41:21 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • It's a prototypical Euro game.
  • The theme is funny and relevant to current events.
  • The meeples are screen-printed, not stickers.
  • It has a lot of objectives, so you're not doing the same few every time.
  • It was a fun game.
  • The theme comes out in the game.
Cons
  • You have to be in a Euro mood to like it.
  • The release date listed on BGG is incorrect.
  • The theme's decision to be set in 2021 when the game came out later feels odd.
Thematic elements
  • Populating and reconstructing Earth after a cold war and seclusion underground.
  • Moon crater Shackleton
Comparison games
  • Revive
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Area Control — There's a bit of loose area control as you place stuff in different zones.
  • Objective-based scoring — Different objectives are laid out, and that's where you score your points.
  • Resource Management — Collecting resources and building structures.
  • Worker Placement — You have to allocate your workers smartly.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Grim Coven is an absolute amazing boss battler.
  • This is a genre that I just absolutely love. It is so good.
  • the stories that they tell are like nothing that we've seen, you know, and just just knowing that
  • that's Bonkers the for foresight and thought that had to go into designing this.
  • This just brings it into the into the Elder Scrolls universe.
  • it makes it a much more in my mind deeper experience than like a Too Many Bones cuz it's got a it's like a campaign game.
  • This game is a masterpiece in its design.
  • This is the epitome of where exploration RPG and campaign games really need to be.
  • It was a no-brainer at this case. I knew what my number one and number two were, you know, pretty pretty easily.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6M1fTw_NArs Board Games UnLocked Top List at 49:14 sentiment: positive
video_pk 83132 · mention_pk 208980
Board Games UnLocked - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 49:14 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Positive, a pleasant surprise
Pros
  • Engaging gameplay that exceeds initial impressions from the art
  • Good component quality with screen-printed meeples
  • Fits a similar weight class to other medium-weight Euros
  • Relatively inexpensive for its quality
Cons
  • Cover art is not particularly inspiring
Thematic elements
  • Repopulating Earth, recolonizing
  • Post-apocalyptic Earth, 2021
  • Euro-game style with thematic description
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Area Control — Implied by the 'area control nature' mentioned when discussing player count, suggesting competition for map areas.
  • Engine Building — Players specialize their commandos and build structures like regenerators and other buildings.
  • Resource Management — Players gather resources to build structures and make progress.
  • Worker Placement — Players control commandos and place them to perform actions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's not much of a looker.
  • this is a two-player deduction game where you have two demi gods that you draw from a deck
  • Orléans, you know, was one you showed me a long time ago.
  • this was my really kind of my first bag builder experience
  • This game is not intuitive in any way.
  • this game has theme.
  • this game feels really really video game like.
  • have your family be a glor glorious and famous family is kind of what you're working towards.
  • if you like perfect information 1v one fighting games, then BattleCon is probably the best
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video HJzqyQPbY0I Board Gaming Ramblings Top List at 9:18 sentiment: positive
video_pk 82674 · mention_pk 207729
Board Gaming Ramblings - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 9:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • One of our favorite games from last year (2024).
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Building buildings, taking advantage of other players, scoring victory points
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Action Drafting — Drafting tiles and dice simultaneously.
  • Area Control — Placing similar colored tiles together to score points for groups.
  • Set Collection — Scoring points for groups of animals of the same color.
  • worker movement — Workers can be upgraded and only have available actions in that row.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • This is not science. This is a snapshot of feelings.
  • It's tight but it's tight in a nice way.
  • it's an exploration game you will be exploring.
  • It's wonderfully thematically. It's funny.
  • Role Player Adventures, it was a great storydriven game.
  • it's fun and fast and simple and easy to teach and uh it's just like a lot of laughs.
  • Hard to get is like um mix between similar and code names I usually say.
  • Prince of Florence is a great classic uh game that I will always enjoy.
  • And this also is one that I really appreciate because it's so easy to get it played.
  • It's one of the best games I've played.
  • We still have the original and I don't think we're going to let it go.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CNl2wKKbDWE BoardGameCo Analysis at 57:10:40 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 80733 · mention_pk 197617
BoardGameCo - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 57:10:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
  • One of the games the host wanted to play
Cons
  • Have not gotten to yet
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)
  • I made three videos earlier this year. Three videos where I cover the different games I want to play, some games, some expansions, some games in 2024, all the various categories.
  • Now, I've shown off some of the things they have in the past. I have this kind of messily over here right now. Just the various uh bits and bobs of various ways you can track 10 by 10 lists or you know uh the 5x5 lists or any different kind of challenges using fun little uh blanks that go in here and then you use little meeples to track the various uh scores you the various games you've played in order to see how well you're doing on your personal challenges.
  • Um, I mean, I've played a bunch of games and I have various games I will want to play, but stick around to the end of this video and you'll see me uh put together on the fly with subject to change a challenge board for me to go through separate from my uh current challenge.
  • Speaking of my current challenge, I have a package from him that just showed up over here.
  • As much as Vegas Geek 3D does fun little magnetic boards, if you want a fun place to put your fun little magnetic board, check out these shelves behind me from Allplay, the table from AllPlay.
  • Long story short, uh he saw that I have this challenge for myself of games I want to play. And so he said, "Hey, what if I think a challenge board for you?" And I was like, "That would be awesome."
  • Do I actually have 35? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. No, this is a 50 challenge board. Oh no, I need to add 50 games to the mix.
  • I'm going to go ahead and open up the tokens and simply see how well we've been doing.
  • Middle Ages is one of the games that I wanted to play and I have played Middle Ages.
References (from this video)
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Video 9bQ94K0jzs4 Top List at 0:24 sentiment: positive
video_pk 68115 · mention_pk 164443
Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:24 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Excited to finally get it
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Recolonize Earth
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Worker Placement — You got worker placement in it.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Here are the top five board games I am the most excited to see at Gen Con 2025.
  • If you made here, let me know which game you are the most excited to see from this list.
  • Or if I missed any cool ones, let me know cuz we're about to have a full-on shopping bag that's full of games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video K_lKQxIJmXg Top List at 0:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 67614 · mention_pk 163766
Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:59 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Action Point Allowance — when you upgrade them, there becomes more and more limited actions for them.
  • Worker Placement — strategic worker placement game. You can place your workers on the level that they're at, but you can also upgrade your workers to new levels.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Lightning Train is a bag building train game.
  • Rowdy Partners is a team-based trick taking game.
  • Hot streak is a wild and silly game about racing mascots.
  • Pinched is a really social set collection game.
  • Phoenix New Horizon is a really strategic worker placement game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video j5R24L8d5BM Top List at 19:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 67505 · mention_pk 163630
Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 19:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Unique worker placement system with a tech tree-like progression.
  • High strategic depth.
  • Interesting decisions regarding worker upgrade paths.
Cons
  • Can lead to regret if the wrong path is chosen.
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Tech Tree — It's essentially like a tech tree. And so, as you're upgrading your worker, you're picking a path for it to go down.
  • Worker Placement — Phoenix New Horizon is a worker placement game.
  • Worker upgrade — You can then upgrade your worker to the next level. and the actions become more powerful, but also they become more limited.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • And it doesn't seem like it's slowing down anytime soon.
  • And because I play a lot of games, it's really important to me to find games that feel like nothing else that f I want to find games that do something different that scratch an itch in my brain in a different way because I've never seen it before.
  • And I feel like all 10 of these games did stand out for various different reasons. They feel different than other games out there.
  • And I dare you to find a more unique theme in all of the board game industry.
References (from this video)
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Video mgdZfehRqRc Tim Chuon Top 5 List at 4:26 sentiment: positive
video_pk 42835 · mention_pk 130197
Tim Chuon - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 4:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • gorgeous box art and components
  • wooden meeples and double-layered player board offer tactile appeal
  • strong theme of post-apocalyptic recolonization with progression variety
Cons
  • no exact release timing confirmed in the excerpt
Thematic elements
  • post-apocalyptic survival, terraforming, and rebuilding civilization
  • Earth recolonization post-seclusion; year 2021; four rounds
  • Euro-style setup with a coherent sci-fi survival narrative
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Compound Scoring — score via diverse objectives across playthroughs
  • Engine Building — progress via constructing regenerators/buildings and unlocking capabilities
  • engine building / card-driven engine — progress via constructing regenerators/buildings and unlocking capabilities
  • set collection / objective-based scoring — score via diverse objectives across playthroughs
  • Tech Trees — unlock new mechanics by manipulating wooden meeples
  • upgrading through skill-tree-like progression — unlock new mechanics by manipulating wooden meeples
  • Worker Placement — commandos allocate workers to perform actions and advance objectives
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Don't worry about interrupting us. Just just do it.
  • Does your kettle have a medal to win?
  • I wish we could just buy it then and there cuz it looks freaking amazing.
  • Just look, can we just take a second and look at that beautiful box art?
  • This wooden meeples and double layered player board looks so fun to slot into.
  • 160 different animals illustrated.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video IgSskweQ8uM The Dice Tower Top 10 List at 17:32 sentiment: positive
video_pk 42315 · mention_pk 128410
The Dice Tower - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 17:32 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • fantastic worker placement system
  • beautiful components/art
Cons
  • complexity may be daunting for some players
Thematic elements
  • tech trees, worker placement, rebuilding society
  • post-apocalyptic world with regeneration and rebuilding
  • smooth, crunchy, decision-rich
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Tech Trees — tracks and upgrades for workers and buildings.
  • tech-tree style progression — tracks and upgrades for workers and buildings.
  • Worker Placement — regenerators level up and unlock better actions.
  • worker placement with leveling systems — regenerators level up and unlock better actions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • This is called Galactic Cruise. And this is one that if you buy this for your strategic gamer, they will love it.
  • It's very Lertaesque. And what we mean by that, Vital Lerta is very much known for his everything-in-the-kitchen-sink approach.
  • If you have a Game of Thrones fan in your life that likes strategy, that likes area control, that really likes Game of Thrones... it's a really good adaptation.
  • Dune War for Rackus is an awesome game. It's kind of interesting because these two games ended up next to each other and they both have a similar dice system.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video E02VOw3EdbU Board Gaming Ramblings Discussion at 16:39 sentiment: positive
video_pk 38759 · mention_pk 116821
Board Gaming Ramblings - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 16:39 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • clever worker placement with a unique upgrade twist
  • engaging interaction and pacing
Cons
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)
  • this month was a good month for gaming
  • it's a fantastic little game
  • the most fun experience is a fantastic little game
  • it's a great adaptation yes it is almost exactly the same
  • subscribe to the channel it's free you get cake
  • the video is over, thank you for watching
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video O_pm9_UhWjw Meeple University Rules Teach
video_pk 35619 · mention_pk 166716
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Comboastic.
  • At the base of the board are three blueprints.
  • Phoenix is all about finding the right combos to maximize your points.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video O_pm9_UhWjw Meeple University Rules Teach at 0:29 sentiment: positive
video_pk 35619 · mention_pk 106439
Meeple University - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:29 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Clear central loop of action economy and resource management
  • Plethora of synergy opportunities making for rewarding combos
  • Tactical depth with multiple routes to scoring
  • Flexible player counts with variable task layouts
Cons
  • High learning curve due to dense rules and notation
  • Some components and terminology require careful setup
  • Endgame scoring can be intricate and hard to track without reference
Thematic elements
  • Rebuilding, resource management, and strategic growth under constraints.
  • A post-apocalyptic wasteland where players rebuild civilization by constructing regenerators, power infrastructure, and population.
  • Instructional, tutorial-driven with emphasis on optimal combos and planning
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Development tracks and cog actions — Advance along left/right population development tracks for benefits and to enable higher-level actions.
  • End-of-round and scoring — Four rounds with endgame scoring based on intercom objectives, energy, and development positions.
  • Mission cards and blueprints — Draw/complete missions by meeting building combinations; blueprint tiles are instant scoring options.
  • Modular Board — Regenerators of different types (bronze/silver/gold) unlock building possibilities and bonuses.
  • Modular regeneration and building — Regenerators of different types (bronze/silver/gold) unlock building possibilities and bonuses.
  • Population track and settlers — Move settlers along a population track to gain benefits or complete goals; multiple settlers can share spaces.
  • Resource Management — Fuel acts as the primary currency; energy tracks gate what can be built.
  • Track Advancement — Move settlers along a population track to gain benefits or complete goals; multiple settlers can share spaces.
  • Worker Placement — Commandos are placed on task tiles to perform actions and potentially complete mission cards.
  • Worker placement / action selection — Commandos are placed on task tiles to perform actions and potentially complete mission cards.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Comboastic.
  • At the base of the board are three blueprints.
  • Phoenix is all about finding the right combos to maximize your points.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video us62N4Bm8pI Grant Lyon Top 10 List at 20:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 35253 · mention_pk 105169
Grant Lyon - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 20:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Interesting upgrade path; strong end-game options
Cons
  • Path choices can be restrictive as levels increase
Thematic elements
  • Saving humanity; space colonization
  • Space exploration and city-building; tech-tree upgradable
  • Tech-tree driven worker placement with upgrade paths
Comparison games
  • Other games with upgrading workers and space themes
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • builder_and_regenerator — build regenerators and buildings; score via cards and tracks
  • Tech Trees — unlock actions and paths as workers upgrade
  • tech_tree — unlock actions and paths as workers upgrade
  • Worker Placement — upgrade workers through four levels
  • worker_placement_with_upgradable_workers — upgrade workers through four levels
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • "I'm a mediumweight gamer"
  • "these are all mediumweight strategy games"
  • "If you want a cool interesting amalgamation of a bag building and train game, then Lightning Train is literally the only thing that does that"
  • "I really like the space exploration and I like the player interaction"
  • "Everloom is so pretty"
  • "it's a really cool ending to a game"
  • "the turns don't take crazy long"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video tEFfxekX-OA Board Gaming Ramblings Discussion at 14:19
video_pk 32555 · mention_pk 96334
Board Gaming Ramblings - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 14:19 · YouTube ↗
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)
  • Everything here is a review copy because they're not out yet
  • This is a very unique game
  • If you like drafting games stuff like that you might want to check it out
  • We are going to be at SMV… Friday from 2 to 6
  • We’re going to try to get through as many as possible to talk about them before Spiel
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video B4AcZGIHvdk BoardGameCo Top 15 List at 6:31 sentiment: positive
video_pk 32264 · mention_pk 95375
BoardGameCo - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 6:31 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • High ratings; intriguing map-building/linked map design
Cons
  • Access/priority to table per time of release; availability
Thematic elements
  • progression through linked map phases
  • unknown map-chaining strategy game
  • system-driven progression
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • engine/point accumulation — players optimize actions for scoring
  • map chaining — building on a map as the game progresses
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • It's 2026 now, which means it's time for that thing that I like to do every single year
  • I want to play 30 of the 35 games I set out for myself
  • Three games a month would make it doable
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video RXazOjkQh28 Unknown Channel Top 5 List at 26:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 30374 · mention_pk 89415
Unknown Channel - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 26:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • old-school Euro feel with clear tempo decisions
  • contract-like sequencing allows effective chaining of actions
  • balanced trade-offs between upgrading and building
Cons
  • thematic weight may be light for some hard-core euros
  • setup and rule explanation can be lengthy
Thematic elements
  • dudes on a map; resource management; tempo
  • post-apocalyptic wasteland rebuild
  • old-school euro with tempo-focused action sequencing
Comparison games
  • Brass Birmingham
  • Vinhos
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • action-slot upgrades — pay fuel to upgrade and gain access to additional slots
  • Dice Placement — place electrical generators to unlock bonuses or block opponents
  • End Game Bonuses — multiple endgame targets to drive varied strategies
  • Endgame objectives — multiple endgame targets to drive varied strategies
  • generator placement — place electrical generators to unlock bonuses or block opponents
  • Worker Placement — classic Euro worker placement with upgrade options
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • It's gateway level game and the rules are simple, but the decisions can be surprisingly tense.
  • The engine build is strong and the routes are rewarding in Canals of Windrest.
  • Eight fate tokens zip around the table, and whoever holds the strongest fate can pull ahead in Soothsayers.
  • Post-apocalyptic wasteland rebuild and a fairly conventional worker placement core in Phoenix New Horizon.
  • Tile drafting city-building type of game with a push-your-luck feel in Solar Garden.
  • Mob and police come into each district and you have to fight them in Speak Easy.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video NKXxTzf0hTA Rahdo Runs Through Top List at 1:19:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2318 · mention_pk 6755
Rahdo Runs Through - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 1:19:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Wonderful worker placement with novel mechanics
  • Interesting post-apocalyptic setting
  • Cartoony retro presentation
  • Great game demonstration/teaching
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • post-apocalypse
  • rebuilding civilization
  • Fallout-adjacent
Comparison games
  • Fallout
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • life is too short to worry about games that don't work very well
  • all of these games are really really cool in various ways
  • Rich and deep and complex
  • phenomenal
  • no surprise that Designer artist Ryan Locket
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video PXsW25eOLsM Rahdo Runs Through Playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1251 · mention_pk 3621
Rahdo Runs Through - Phoenix New Horizon video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Very fast loop: 12 turns per game, under 90 minutes with high engagement
  • Rich depth for a mid-weight Euro: lots of meaningful decisions per turn
  • Strong theme integration and flavorful components
  • Excellent variability due to setup randomness and objective diversity
Cons
  • Solo learning curve and occasional ambiguity around rules (noted in the subtitles corrections scene)
  • Tracking and rule interactions can feel clipboard-heavy in practice
  • Kraken AI can feel punishing or mechanically tricky in solo/multiplayer interactions
  • Initial confusion around correct placement and rule interpretation in some turns
Thematic elements
  • Rebuilding civilization, resource scarcity, strategic competition, and inter-player dynamics
  • Post-apocalyptic future where humanity emerges from fallout shelters to rebuild after nuclear Armageddon; Phoenix Initiative as a reconstruction program
  • Narrative-forward Euro with a Fallout-inspired flavor; competitive but themed around rebuilding
Comparison games
  • White Castle
  • Earth (Big Crunchy Euros)
  • Holler tole (Holler-tole)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Asymmetric opposition (Kraken AI) — Kraken acts as an opposing player controlled by cards, simulating human competition and blocking/shaping your options
  • Blue shortcuts and modular board — Blue shortcut paths and a modular action board provide varied routes to top-tier actions and diverse setups each game
  • End-of-round and round progression — Rounds advance with income and card refreshes; the Kraken AI continues to push for advancement, influencing pace
  • Objective cards and micro-objectives — A mix of global and personal objectives that drive choices and scoring with varied rewards
  • Progress tracks and upgrades — Workers move up in levels to access higher-level actions; advancing tracks also impacts end-game scoring and income
  • Resource management (fuel, energy, etc.) — Fuel is scarce and pivotal for builds; energy and other tokens drive progression and incentives
  • Worker Placement — Players assign workers to actions; promoting/upgrading workers unlocks new action sets and alters available options
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I think it's one of the games of the year in my opinion
  • speed speed speed
  • the more I play this the more I fall in love with it
  • it's so wonderfully done
  • I love a Euro where we're building economic infrastructure
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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