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Description
“Natural disasters will soon be a thing of the past!” proclaimed Professor Sêni Lativ, Project Chief of Meteorological Manipulation at Lightning Technologies. Tests of his new invention, the Weather Machine, showed positive results. Visions of quelling floods, subduing cyclones, and ending droughts made him smile.
In Weather Machine, you are scientists on Prof. Lativ’s team, tampering with local weather: adjusting rainfall for farms, maintaining wind and clear skies for ecological energy sources, and tweaking the temperature for resorts and sporting events. The prototype is quite effective so far; however, a pattern has emerged, revealing a worrying side effect: Each use of the Weather Machine also alters the conditions elsewhere on the planet — a “butterfly effect”.
"We must build a new prototype,” he announces as the agents shoot him sidelong glances; “…but this time we’re going to get it right.” The agents silently give a single, crisp nod of confirmation. “The government is funding this, and we will succeed.” As Prof. Lativ explains the plan, the need to secure suppliers for sufficient bots and chemicals is clear. In addition to the materials, time is of the essence; you must be focused and efficient to have any hope of reining this growing global terror, Earth’s atmosphere before conditions are too harsh for Homo sapiens and other species.
Note: The solo mode is NOT included in the base game's box. It is part of Weather Machine: Upgrade Pack.
Year Published
2022
Featured Videos
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 16
This page: 16
Sentiment:
pos 11 ·
mix 2 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 2
Showing 1–16 of 16
Video tWNDysNkAso
Totally Table game_review at 0:05 sentiment: positive
video_pk 42891 · mention_pk 130355
Click to watch at 0:05 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong thematic integration for a heavy Euro
- Solo play is engaging and easier to manage than other heavy Euros
- Fits between Kanban and The Gallerist in complexity, with a rewarding solo rhythm
- Tension from voucher mechanics and the risk of getting temporarily stuck adds drama
- Excellent production value and cohesive design by Lacerda and O'Toole
Cons
- Rule complexity and potential to forget small rules, especially in solo
- Theme may not be as thematically strong as some other Vital Lacerda titles, though still solid
Thematic elements
- Scientific research, climate manipulation, and political economy
- Running a weather-modification project under a government-funded research program; implementing improvements while handling negative externalities.
- Pragmatic, technology-forward
Comparison games
- Kanban: EV
- The Gallerist
- Lisboa
- On Mars
- Vinhos
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- solo-opponent dynamics — In solo mode, two saboteurs and two spies provide opposing forces; their behavior is predictable enough to plan around, with visibility into upcoming moves.
- subsidy system — Government subsidies influence research progression and resource flow, adding strategic incentives and tension.
- tight resource management — The game emphasizes precise alignment of actions and resources; there is little wiggle room to recover from mistakes.
- voucher economy — Actions are purchased or activated using a limited pool of vouchers; careful budgeting and timing are crucial.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Weather Machine is now my favorite Vital Lacerda game to play solo
- Weather Machine fits really nicely between Kanban and The Gallerist
- This gets a huge recommendation from me
- The solo mode was way easier to manage here than in Kanban
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Ww4nCzPKcdk
Tali & Faro game_review at 0:00 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 41939 · mention_pk 127187
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- deep, rewarding puzzle with multiple viable strategies across playthroughs
- beautiful physical components and art, particularly Latif's lab visuals
- smooth circular action system that supports thoughtful planning
- strong replayability and meaningful progression with repeated plays
Cons
- steep learning curve and notable edge-case rules for two-player games
- perceived disconnect between some mechanics and the weather theme
- certain prerequisites can feel restrictive or opaque to new players
- not designed for mass-market appeal; may be intimidating
Thematic elements
- Scientific competition to create a second weather machine while the original causes global weather disruption
- Global weather-control research spanning Latif's lab, government interests, and multiple regions
- Thematic ambition tempered by a heavy, puzzle-driven design; occasional disconnect between mechanics and story
Comparison games
- Kanbani
- On Mars
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- circular action system — actions advance in a loop, discouraging repetition of the same action and encouraging traversal between sections
- end game bonuses — endgame triggered by weather tiles and investment tracks; choose when to invest for higher final scores
- endgame scoring and investments — endgame triggered by weather tiles and investment tracks; choose when to invest for higher final scores
- publishing and prototyping — collect research and publish to score; prototypes built from learned research for additional points
- Rondel — actions advance in a loop, discouraging repetition of the same action and encouraging traversal between sections
- section-based actions — four primary sections (Supply, Government, Latif's Lab, Research & Development) with two actions each and prerequisites
- Simultaneous Actions — four primary sections (Supply, Government, Latif's Lab, Research & Development) with two actions each and prerequisites
- voucher tracks — track-specific vouchers on dedicated tracks; more vouchers allow more actions but require planning across sections
- worker placement — move a scientist to a section and perform actions by spending vouchers corresponding to that section
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- weather machine is a very rewarding and addictive experience
- it's not a game designed for Mass Market appeal
- system of circular actions
- looping and very seamless system of moving between the sections
- it's definitely weirdly addictive
- it might be the most beautiful of all the Serta games
- the joy this game gave tally in the last two games we've played
- we really enjoyed playing it
- a crunchy brain-melting board game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SBUpLEWU2xs
Board Gaming Doctor general_discussion at 18:50 sentiment: negative
video_pk 40391 · mention_pk 122286
Click to watch at 18:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- Demonstrates impressive depth and ambition for a heavy euro
- Potentially very rewarding for players who enjoy deep pre-planning
Cons
- Extremely complex and abstracted from a thematic standpoint
- Hard to learn; core concepts can be easy to overlook and misinterpret
- Flow can suffer at lower player counts; may demand three or four players for smoother interaction
Thematic elements
- Weather manipulation through coordinated experiments
- Abstract climate experimentation and bot-driven research
- abstract, highly strategic
Comparison games
- Lisboa
- On Mars
- Venus
- Gallerist
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative/competitive_experiments — Players contribute to shared experiments while pursuing personal scoring.
- pre_planning_sequence — Players pre-plan a sequence of actions to activate experiments and bots.
- programming — Players pre-plan a sequence of actions to activate experiments and bots.
- Resource management — Balance wind, rain, and bot resources to progress experiments.
- resource_management — Balance wind, rain, and bot resources to progress experiments.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Hello everyone and welcome back to the board gaming doctor.
- When I first played Nucleium, I played it solo and I enjoyed it. I gave it an 8 out of 10.
- it's a middling, you know, kind of down the road type of game experience.
- This was the hardest game for me to learn out of Lassera's repertoire.
- as soon as it becomes a chore, it's not fun.
- I think I'll leave it there.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video P7yM5Al9lL8
Holy Table top_10_list at 11:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 28566 · mention_pk 83801
Click to watch at 11:59 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- intricate voucher system
- satisfying long-term planning
- strong thematic production
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Vouchers, research tokens, and long-term planning
- Industrial-era weather manipulation and scientific inquiry
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- long-term research and publishing — Collect research tokens to publish papers and score points through breakthroughs.
- tiered action placement with bonuses — Positioning workers affects voucher yields and action power.
- voucher economy — Actions cost vouchers; choosing spots can yield different voucher rewards.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- my number 10 is Woodcraft
- the zombies are represented by little cubes
- I love the voucher system here where when you take one of the actions you have to pay certain vouchers and then you also receive other ones
- Frostpunk has aspects of War of Mine it has aspects of Robinson Crusoe
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SfmJai0NZEA
Tabled top_10_list at 8:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 28436 · mention_pk 83478
Click to watch at 8:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beloved from Vital Lacerda's line
- Strong solo play with approachable AI
Cons
- Requires more set-up time
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 still absolutely love this design
- the AI system is so smart
- it's on the totally table Todo list
- Frost Punk is incredible
- I absolutely plan to get to the table this year
- the slide puzzle mechanism I love
- Weather Machine remains one of my favorites
- Sleeping Gods no reason to believe that I won't love this one as well
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 14yRyq4Adl8
Totally Tabled playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 27695 · mention_pk 80877
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong thematic integration of climate engineering and scientific discovery
- Robust solo mode with an active AI opponent (Sabots) that creates meaningful competition
- Deep engine-building with multiple upgrade paths and strategic choices
- Rich interaction through AI behavior and endgame tension
- High replay potential due to variable setup and tech/sabot behavior
Cons
- Steep learning curve and heavy iconography can slow first-time players
- Rule minutiae around sabots and token interactions require careful tracking
- Long play sessions, especially in early rounds with setup complexity
Thematic elements
- Climate engineering, scientific research, and unintended global consequences
- Global climate manipulation project set in a near-future research facility
- Solitary researcher narrating progress and setbacks while building a prototype
Comparison games
- The Gallerist
- K-Bon
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- AI opponent (Sabots) with card-driven behavior — Sabot opponents act via their own deck and location cards, affecting board state and endgame timing, independent of player tokens.
- Breakthroughs and investment tiles — After publishing a paper, players can take breakthroughs or invest tiles that provide lasting endgame effects and score multipliers.
- end game bonuses — End conditions include weather level 3 on any column or depletion of the Sabots deck; final scoring rewards completed goals, breakthroughs, and prototype points.
- Endgame triggers and scoring — End conditions include weather level 3 on any column or depletion of the Sabots deck; final scoring rewards completed goals, breakthroughs, and prototype points.
- engine building — Publish papers to unlock breakthroughs, which in turn enable prototypes and endgame scoring opportunities.
- Engine-building / prototype publishing — Publish papers to unlock breakthroughs, which in turn enable prototypes and endgame scoring opportunities.
- Resource management — Manage chemicals, machine parts, government subsidies, vouchers, and science tokens to fuel actions and upgrades.
- worker placement — Four main zones (Government, Lab, R&D, Supply) offer actions; some spots allow two actions, others only one; setup and sabots AI influence available actions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Weather Machine this was my most anticipated game of 2022 and it has not disappointed.
- this is a big heavy Euro
- we're the good guys we're the good guys here all right
- the sabots tours take two random chemicals you then Shuffle their deck
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video pInvgnKl-iw
Broken Meeple general_discussion at 1:13
video_pk 9833 · mention_pk 28981
Click to watch at 1:13 · 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)
- temper your expectations people
- i want board games to be different
- it's the hotness news at the moment
- i definitely want publishers to push the envelope
- i'm not hyped about this at all
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ZFZKOeOKiWY
Unknown Channel general_discussion at 5:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8188 · mention_pk 24051
Click to watch at 5:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Heavy, deep strategy with strong thematic flavor
- Engaging planning and multi-turn payoff
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Long play time (heavy weight)
Thematic elements
- control of environment, crisis management and economic strategy
- Global climate control and weather manipulation in a mechanized world
- Euro-style, thematic but abstract
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — Players choose actions from a shared action set to optimize their personal engine.
- engine-building — Players develop their engine by selecting actions that generate resources and victory points.
- resource_management — Resources are exchanged to progress on tracks and activate effects.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we are giving away five full weekend badges to pax unplugged
- it's going to be a really fun weekend
- we are planning a playthrough of weather machine which is more than planning actually like we're in the process of finishing exactly yeah it's happening
- loans are not a bad thing a viable part of your strategy
- we're going to be putting out the top 50... probably December is a fun time to do that
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video keUMLQ3vgsM
Broken Meeple discussion at 0:00 sentiment: negative
video_pk 4016 · mention_pk 11717
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
none
Cons
- Did not win him over
- Not as good as previous Leder Games
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)
- it's only a game
- Matt Leacock will you grow another thread of innovation in your skull and do something else
- we're done with pandemic
- I would rather be pessimistic and then pleasantly surprised then optimistic and then constantly disappointed
- I could rank something like Alice's garden a 9 10 out of 10 for how perfect a game for its genre it is but that doesn't mean I want to play it game after game
- this theme is going to speak to me heavily from a Nostalgia perspective
- you're not as good as you used to be mate
- this is why you've got to get your demos right
- head cubes on tracks is that really what I'm supposed to get excited for
- this one I think is the game that void fall should have been
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 5Kry7ELGvsw
Before You Play top_10_list at 3:53 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3112 · mention_pk 9064
Click to watch at 3:53 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- gorgeous production and tactile components
- deep, circular strategy that rewards long-term planning
Cons
- fiddly rules can be intimidating
- not as accessible to casual players
Thematic elements
- weather manipulation and scientific planning
- fictional early-20th-century weather-control experiments
- circular, system-driven heavy Euro
Comparison games
- The Gallerist
- Bonfire
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- circular action flow — gameflow revolves around circular emphasis on interconnected actions
- resource/outcome orchestration — players balance resources to push their weather prototype toward a successful outcome
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's basically discussing our top 10 games that were new to us in 2022
- this is like a podcast today
- Weather Machine ... would have made this list if it came out this year
- it's a pure Euro for sure through and through
- hirelings ... game changer for the two-player Root
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video tYktE_Xftc0
Board Game Coffee general_discussion at 35:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3116 · mention_pk 9145
Click to watch at 35:16 · 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)
- it's not a fan to jump the story; you have to wait and finish
- this is a real board game coffee seal of approval
- it's so simple that you can teach anybody how to play that
- have fun, keep gaming
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video -pMx8fAZNQg
Broken Meeple general_discussion at 51:30 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 2870 · mention_pk 8406
Click to watch at 51:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- clever integration of theme with mechanics in places
Cons
- thematic strength is questionable; some argue it doesn't feel thematic
Thematic elements
- ambitious but debated thematic fit
- the weather as a mechanical system
- thematic but niche
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- tech-tree / action selection — players work through devices and effects to influence the 'weather' outcome
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's dry as a bone
- beiges all get out
- the church track doesn't seem worth the cardboard it's printed on
- I gave this a 10 out of 10
- this is probably the best trick-taking game I've ever played
- it's unwieldy as anything can you tell what is going on
- the IP is important and you better make it thematically rich
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Zffm3BulyXI
Board Game Spotlight top_10_list at 45:26 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1460 · mention_pk 4229
Click to watch at 45:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
highly 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 love this game it's a bag builder
- it's so good
- the characters feel I mean so thematic
- this is going to be good
- this is family friendly but it's not kid's game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video HGQWJgfyxME
Unknown Channel best_of_year at 42:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 729 · mention_pk 2095
Click to watch at 42:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Thoughtful, heavyweight puzzle with multiple winning strategies
- Strong thematic integration and design pedigree
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Strategic tile drafting with weather patterns
- A weather-control-era puzzle
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Leveling structure and tile isolation/grouping — Higher placed tiles yield higher scores but require planning
- Tile placement with scoring layers — Tiles come out and score in multiple directions and patterns
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- there are no rules there are no rules there's nothing I was trying to say it's our Channel we get to do whatever we want
- Green Team Wins is the king we're talking Tom Brady the goat of party games
- Hands down the best racing game I've ever played
- the coziest board game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video HGQWJgfyxME
Unknown Channel best_of_year at 44:10 sentiment: positive
video_pk 729 · mention_pk 2099
Click to watch at 44:10 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Deep, thought-provoking puzzle with strong thematic coherence
- Broad repertoire of strategies
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Forecasting and manipulating weather patterns
- Weather-control themed strategy
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Tile drafting and scoring patterns — Tiles come out and score via multiple patterns; level-based scoring
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- there are no rules there are no rules there's nothing I was trying to say it's our Channel we get to do whatever we want
- Green Team Wins is the king we're talking Tom Brady the goat of party games
- Hands down the best racing game I've ever played
- the coziest board game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video KezeAGqeL1w
Before You Play playthrough at 0:04 sentiment: positive
video_pk 342 · mention_pk 982
Click to watch at 0:04 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Tightly engineered core mechanism with a rewarding voucher economy
- High player interaction and strategic depth, especially in two-player and higher player counts
- Beautiful, thematic component design and artwork
- Accessible rulebook and streamlined setup for a Vital Lacerda title
Cons
- Steep learning curve and dense resource management can be intimidating
- Two-player variant is not as sharp as higher player counts
- Planning surface can become overwhelming without careful organization
Thematic elements
- Weather manipulation, scientific collaboration, and political subsidies
- Global climate research project centered on improving a weather machine prototype
- procedural, documentary
Comparison games
- Lisboa
- Kanban
- The Gallerist
- On Mars
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action selection across multiple locations — Players move scientists to different board locations to perform location-specific actions; turn order and location access shape pacing.
- end game bonuses — The game ends when a set of conditions is met (e.g., Nobel Prize awarded, full branches, or final experiment tile); end-game scoring then tallies multiple tracks and goals.
- End-game triggers and Nobel Prize — The game ends when a set of conditions is met (e.g., Nobel Prize awarded, full branches, or final experiment tile); end-game scoring then tallies multiple tracks and goals.
- Publish papers and funding tracks — Publishing a completed row of tokens costs vouchers and can unlock benefits; players use funding/investment tiles to boost tracks and scoring.
- Robot economy and workshop management — Robots are scarce and must be built and reclaimed; they occupy workshop slots and enable actions, forming a central economy.
- Two-player variant adjustments — Two-player rules introduce special pieces (Latif’s assistant as a second active agent, neutral tokens) and altered access to spots, affecting pacing and competition.
- Vouchers economy — Five location-specific voucher types plus a wild science voucher; actions cost vouchers and yield tokens, with supply and value fluctuating by location and round.
- Weather machine and experiment tiles — Each round cycles weather tokens; the machine runs when an experiment tile matches the current weather type, triggering scoring and new tokens.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is the next in the true big box heavyweight series of games by Vital Lacerda.
- The voucher economy is off the charts.
- Two-player variant is a little different but still great.
- The board is gorgeous and the components are fantastic.
- It's extremely focused.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–16 of 16