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The LOOP box art

The LOOP

Game ID: GID0338114
Collection Status
Description

The LOOP is a quirky co-operative game in which you battle the evil Dr. Faux. Play a Temporal Agent in four different game modes, full of new challenges and replay value. Gather powerful artifacts, defy the Doctor's duplicates, and sabotage his maniacal machine. Make the most of your cards and master the LOOP to use them multiple times in impressive chains — but the Doctor isn't going to make this easy on you!

The evil Dr. Faux has built a terrrrible time machine! With the help of the duplicates of himself that he is creating through the ages, he aims to carry out his Omniscience 2000 project to become master of the universe. But the rifts that he is opening in spacetime will probably destroy quantum space way sooner...

Join the Agency in the shoes of one of its most legendary agents, and co-operate to foil the fiendish schemes of Dr. Faux, using quirky but still powerful artifacts.

—description from the publisher

Year Published
2020
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 9
This page: 9
Sentiment: pos 6 · mix 1 · neu 0 · neg 0
Mentions per page
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Showing 1–9 of 9
Video ES_zLyDD6UQ Hunger Gamer top_5_list at 2:58
video_pk 62438 · mention_pk 154956
Hunger Gamer - The LOOP video thumbnail
Click to watch at 2:58 · 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)
  • Dark Tower is always fun to play. It's always enjoyable, it's a great group of people to play with.
  • Dice Command is one of my all-time favorite two-player games.
  • Weirdwood Manor is very very clever in how the day-based actions change the game.
  • Tails from the Red Dragon Inn is great, light, quick, fast dungeon crawl.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ycEAhaNio2Y Board Stupid analysis at 18:05 sentiment: positive
video_pk 38396 · mention_pk 115600
Board Stupid - The LOOP video thumbnail
Click to watch at 18:05 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • deep combos and high interactivity
  • stellar art and production
  • one of the best integrations of drafting with base-building
Cons
  • one of the more mechanically dense entries
Thematic elements
  • base-building via card drafting and power management
  • moon base / space colonization
  • sandbox with strong combo potential
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • card drafting — players draft cards and pass the remainder to opponents to build their moon base
  • card drafting (pick and pass) — players draft cards and pass the remainder to opponents to build their moon base
  • hand management — careful selection and timing of cards to maximize synergy
  • Rondel — movement around action spaces yields different shop/board effects
  • Rondell-like movement and action-taking — movement around action spaces yields different shop/board effects
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • you live and die by your own strategy
  • the more you learn, the more you want to play again
  • it's one of the most sophisticated advanced games on this list
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 2nvtKRXpPxg Totally Table top_50_list at 0:19 sentiment: positive
video_pk 28681 · mention_pk 84118
Totally Table - The LOOP video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:19 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • innovative cube tower mechanic
  • satisfying card loop for big turns
  • fun cooperative vibe
Cons
  • limited solo play in some variants
  • some players may prefer heavier euros
Thematic elements
  • time-bending cooperation and puzzle solving
  • Futuristic cooperative setting with modular sectors
  • light-hearted, silly
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — players coordinate to achieve a common objective
  • cooperative play — players coordinate to achieve a common objective
  • Cube tower — cube tower distributes cubes across three sectors; affects actions
  • cube tower distribution — cube tower distributes cubes across three sectors; affects actions
  • hand management — small hand where a type can be looped back into hand for reuse
  • hand management / card looping — small hand where a type can be looped back into hand for reuse
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • one of my absolute favorite cooperative games of all time
  • this is another time travel themed game
  • it's a ton of fun
  • the solo mode is so quick and simple
  • it's just a great worker placement Deck Builder
  • the theme really works
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video o-Lytb1JJD4 Brotherly Smurf top_10_list at 11:55 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11626 · mention_pk 34144
Brotherly Smurf - The LOOP video thumbnail
Click to watch at 11:55 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • one of the best solo-friendly coop experiences
  • extremely satisfying looping mechanic when set up with teammates
  • high degree of cooperative synergy and planning
Cons
  • availability can be limited; it’s not always easy to acquire
  • some players may find the loop mechanics repetitive over long sessions
Thematic elements
  • cooperative time travel mission completion with looping card mechanics.
  • Time-travel crisis management with Dr. Foe as the antagonist across multiple ages.
  • thematic, cinematic co-op with a strong loop mechanic and shared goals.
Comparison games
  • Pandemic
  • Time-looped co-ops
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • cooperative missions with multiple ages — Players coordinate across seven time periods to complete four missions before losses (vortexes).
  • deck-building with looping — Each card shows a symbol; if you have multiple, you can loop and reuse cards using energy cubes.
  • energy cubes as loop currency — Energy cubes let you 'buy back' cards with the same symbol to reuse effects.
  • solo and multi-character play — Strong solo mode with good support for running multiple characters.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • After five years it's where you can really start to be like, 'Oh, is this game still around? Is this game still good?'
  • The turns are slick and easy.
  • It's sort of like a deck building game in slow motion where the cards that you're gaining and which ones are in front of you are going to be changing but not completely every single turn.
  • You can actually play with all this stuff because it's a short, simple game.
  • This looping mechanic is really, really cool and cooperative because you can set each other up.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video XmA-vR0aUzk Before You Play rules teach at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9346 · mention_pk 124810
Before You Play - The LOOP video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Accessible, family-weight cooperative design
  • Engaging looping mechanic that rewards planning and sequencing
  • Strong thematic charm and charming artwork
  • Multiple modes and mission variations boost replayability
Cons
  • Two-player scaling lacks explicit rules for all mission types
  • Can become chaotic and lengthy at higher player counts
  • Luck in card draws significantly influences outcomes
Thematic elements
  • Time travel, stopping a mad scientist, cloning and era-based combat metaphors
  • Across seven eras from the dawn of time to the end of time, where time agents attempt to stop Dr. Foe and his clones from destroying the universe
  • Cooperative puzzle-brawler with light deck-building and time-hopping tableau
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Asymmetric time agents — Each player has a unique Time Agent with a distinct power and starting deck that changes how they contribute.
  • Cooperative Game — Players work together to complete missions before time/eras collapse due to rifts and vortexes.
  • cooperative play — Players work together to complete missions before time/eras collapse due to rifts and vortexes.
  • End conditions and vortex management — Lose by vortex formation or by exhausting cycles before completing four missions; critical to manage the board and timing.
  • Looping and exhaustion system — Cards have symbols; looping can untap exhaust cards to reuse them, with costs that depend on symbols and card types.
  • Mission tiles and artifacts — Rotating mission tiles around the board define objectives; artifact cards grant ongoing and situational effects that alter future turns.
  • Resource management — Green energy cubes fuel movement and actions; red rift cubes are the primary threat to stop from mounting.
  • Time machine and rift cubes — Dr. Foe moves through eras producing red rift cubes; if an era accumulates too many, a vortex forms and some missions become impossible.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • The Loop: Dr. Foe Strikes Back — a fully cooperative time-travel epic.
  • Two-player mode is challenging but rewarding with asymmetric powers.
  • Thematic, wacky, and family-friendly — a charming co-op experience.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ToaXVsg6uTA Chairman of the Board top_10_list at 0:40 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 2621 · mention_pk 123424
Chairman of the Board - The LOOP video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
  • Production choices (wooden monsters) add a cool tactile aesthetic
  • Simple turn structure that remains crunchy via plan-ful play
  • Interesting thematic premise and tension around conversions
Cons
  • Unpredictability can be off-putting and board state is busy
  • Rules are memory-intensive and can be hard to recall under pressure
  • Overall complexity may overwhelm casual players
Thematic elements
  • religion, conversion, and territory control
  • Border hex grid with priests, conversions, and temples in a cult/religious theme
  • asymmetric influence and ritual conflict with modular chaos elements (monsters)
Comparison games
  • Dominant Species
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • action draft with non-repeat rule — On your turn you activate one of four actions and cannot perform the same action back-to-back.
  • action drafting — On your turn you activate one of four actions and cannot perform the same action back-to-back.
  • conversion majority to score — Majority control on hexes determines who converts who; races to accumulate temples.
  • monster summoning and rule perturbation — Monsters enter play and can disrupt or alter core rules, adding unpredictability.
  • presence tokens and border triggering — Place presence on borders of hexes to trigger conversions and expand influence.
  • Race — Players race to reach a temple-based threshold under varying conditions.
  • temple race / end condition — Players race to reach a temple-based threshold under varying conditions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • The unpredictability with this one maybe a bit too much for my comfort level.
  • The board state is very busy and hard to remember what each piece can do.
  • Not for me, hence why it's number 10.
  • Breezy this game is extremely easy to play.
  • I love the way that you have to manage your resources.
  • Everything in this game feels good.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ZOGmcdM3JEI Roto Run Through top_10_list at 17:45 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2276 · mention_pk 6617
Roto Run Through - The LOOP video thumbnail
Click to watch at 17:45 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Engaging cooperative tension with a deep engine-building core
  • Innovative time-loop mechanic that rewards planning and timing
  • Beautiful presentation and thematic cohesion
Cons
  • Thematic complexity may demand a longer initial learning curve
  • Some may find the time-loop mechanic laborious in longer sessions
Thematic elements
  • Time loop mechanics and time-travel drama
  • Time-travel agents battling Dr. Fu across zones
  • Cinematic, narrative-driven co-op with time-based objectives
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Cooperative Game — Players work together toward big goals while dealing with Dr. Fu’s timed disruptions
  • Cooperative objective-driven play — Players work together toward big goals while dealing with Dr. Fu’s timed disruptions
  • Deck building — Cards with symbols enable specific looped actions when drawn in a sequence
  • Deck-building with icon matching — Cards with symbols enable specific looped actions when drawn in a sequence
  • Time zone movement and time loops — Players move across zones in time and can trigger repeated hand effects via looping the same cards
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • It's the castles of Burgundy. Oh my gosh, this is Euro perfection.
  • Everything about Tiny Towns is fantastic. It's phenomenal.
  • The Loop is a very pandemic inspired style game.
  • This is the greatest cooperative fantasy deck building game of all time.
  • The most powerful things we can do in this game is call a meeting between department heads.
  • Earth is a masterpiece of positive player interaction. Really fun, tight, constrained tableau building and one of the best engine builders ever.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video YNx5h_-wupw Board Game Co. analysis at 2:13
video_pk 2080 · mention_pk 6005
Board Game Co. - The LOOP video thumbnail
Click to watch at 2:13 · 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)
  • The two by the way was Kingdoms for Lauren which is actually I think liked by others but I felt that you had to break your teeth on the rules to get to a game that was a whole lot of messiness.
  • I really did not love Kingdoms for Lauren but I respect that it's a game that will work for others.
  • The highest the highest individual score given out in 2022. So that's the 3.5 is the most common rating given.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Kep_C1q8ogM Rolling Dice and Taking Names general_discussion at 1:04:10 sentiment: positive
video_pk 358 · mention_pk 1086
Rolling Dice and Taking Names - The LOOP video thumbnail
Click to watch at 1:04:10 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • innovative twist on deck-building
  • tight cooperation
  • fast resolution of combat
Cons
  • can be solitary in 2-player mode
Thematic elements
  • cooperative deck-building with time-loop mechanism
  • Space-time continuum; time-travel theme
  • thematic, Sci-Fi
Comparison games
  • Dimension
  • Meadow
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • cooperative objective-based play — Work together to complete missions against Dr. Foe across time sectors.
  • deck-building with loop — Draw, exhaust and reset actions using green cubes to loop actions.
  • randomized infection-like events — Dr. Foe's agents insert cubes to threaten sectors; randomization via card/tower
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I think this may be my favorite of the three iron rail series games that we've played
  • Meadow is designed by Clemens Kalicki
  • the loop is basically being able to take the same actions again during your turn
  • Dimension this game had a lot a lot more attention to it than what i was expecting
  • not innovative in the sense of what you're doing of collecting sets and turning them in but i do think adding in the co-op aspect of it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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