The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era

Video mcIk3Fh7RCQ game_review at 0:02 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Deep build diversity through race, skills, class-like paths, and cooldown management
Clear evolution of the Too Many Bones design lineage with fresh systems
Companions and quest structure add meaningful strategic depth
High-quality components and substantial content value

Cons

High complexity may deter newcomers
Potentially AP-prone and time-intensive sessions
Item draws can feel unrelated to current build or strategy at times
Less emphasis on traditional narrative in favor of systems-driven gameplay

Thematic elements

adventure, exploration, character progression within a persistent campaign
Tamriel-based open-world campaign spanning multiple provinces, with dungeon delves and guild-driven quests
emergent, quest-driven experience framed by province/guild choices and side quests

Comparison games

Too Many Bones

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Adventurer customization (race, skills, battle forms) — Create a character from among races, then assign stats, skills, battle forms, and a cooldown-based progression system.
Companions and encounters — Companions join encounters, providing extra turns and power, balanced by time-limited use.
Cooldown/fatigue tracking — A cooldown track returns dice each turn; fatigue dice clog the track and XP powers upgrades.
Deck-based encounter resolution — Encounters are resolved by drawing and resolving cards with branching outcomes (peaceful, conflict, unstable).
Dungeon Crawl — Delves and dungeons expand endgame content with tile-by-tile exploration and dynamic enemy setups.
Dungeons and delves — Delves and dungeons expand endgame content with tile-by-tile exploration and dynamic enemy setups.
Items and loot system — Loot cards, town rewards, glyphs, potions, and other items that influence builds and tactics.
Open-world map with encounters — Navigate a large map with distinct province effects that alter town encounters and available actions.
Province and Guild selection — Choose a province for the campaign and one of nine guilds to dictate quest focus, town abilities, and flavor.
Quest and side-quest system — Draw and execute province/guild-specific quests, with flavor text and rewards including companions and loot.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

this game is fun
build diversity is high
the cooldown system is such a wonderful little mini game
it's an evolution in most cases for the better
dungeons are the pinnacle activity and the best test of your Adventurer
if you like Too Many Bones you're probably going to like this game

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 3Sa3vs7jgoo The Brothers Murph top_10_list at 18:15 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

three-section journey provides focused, structured play
character progression feels satisfying and thematic

Cons

longer, heavier experience not ideal for casual players
complex rule set may require careful teaching

Thematic elements

journey-driven RPG-style progression
Tamriel-based journey with guild specializations
campaign with three major sections

Comparison games

The Elder Scrolls video game series
Black and Cruz (mentioned in context of discussion)

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

campaign progression with three sections — players advance through a structured three-act journey
dice-based skill advancement — experience gained to upgrade skills across a three-section arc
tableau-like character development — you build and customize your character with skills and gear

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

We’re obsessed with board games.
I freaking love Unstoppable.
This game is great because there’s also it's a very open game where when a threat is out there, you can know what's on the other side of that.
You can see from the other side like what is on the other side.
Terra Mystica is getting a giant crazy big box version.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video ZxXxKPkBJeU Brothers Murf top_10_list at 21:48 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Strong thematic tie to Elder Scrolls IP without requiring video game play
Flexible, short campaign arcs that fit a weekend playthrough
Rich character development and dice-based progression

Cons

Requires commitment to campaign structure; can be heavy for casual sessions
Balance between IP fanservice and generic campaign mechanics

Thematic elements

character progression, questing, world-building
Elder Scrolls universe; campaign-driven adventures across different guilds
campaign-driven with a focus on building a character and pursuing quests

Comparison games

D&D-style campaigns
Other Chip Theory cooperative campaigns

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Campaign — three-session campaigns that can be reset and re-launched.
Dice-based progression — experience to unlock more dice and expand character capabilities via skill trees.
multi-session campaigns with focused arcs — three-session campaigns that can be reset and re-launched.
town trainers and itemization — locations allow training and acquisition of common/legendary items; progression paths a la RPGs.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

This is a living website, which one we really like about it.
The list is a snapshot in time; it will morph over time as people rate more games.
BG is this living website; the community can contribute their own photos, their own feelings about a game.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video cl3a1WZvJtE Going Analog top_10_list at 24:32 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Faithful Elder Scrolls vibe with a smooth combat flow
High character variety and progression depth
Open-world feel in a cooperative board game format

Cons

Long play sessions; heavy and complex to teach
Still in development/shipping status at the time of review

Thematic elements

Cooperative RPG with open-world exploration and dungeon-crawling
Elder Scrolls universe; Skyrim-inspired fantasy RPG
Living-world RPG experience

Comparison games

Too Many Bones
Skyrim (video game)

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Character classes, races, and dice — Each player builds a character with unique class/race and dice that affect actions and cooldowns.
Character progression — XP unlocks more dice and new skills; builds feel like classic Elder Scrolls progression.
Cooperative campaign structure — Overworld choices lead to dungeon runs, side quests, and longer campaign arcs.
Dice-based skill checks and cooldowns — Dice faces determine actions; cooldowns limit actions between turns.
Open-world overworld and encounters — Cooperative exploration with an Overworld map and dungeon encounters.
Terrain and combat tokens — Poker-like chips for units, attacks, and defenses; streamlined combat.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's not terribly complicated but you get that same feel as more complicated games it's just really elegantly designed
the stone thing is so cool it's so weird is because it looks like a limitation and it almost feels initially like oh they didn't really think this through but then totally thought yeah
I absolutely love this game but if I had to pick something negative to say I think I've already played it a bunch and I'm starting to be familiar with the deck
the 3x3 grid like that alone ... that's a really cool idea of like having to pick which row and which column to trigger
it's a contender for my early game of the year

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video jzSsS-TKwYs Unknown Channel top_100_list at 2:27 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

vibrant world feel
deep tactical battles

Cons

solo play can be unwieldy
example items could be better balanced

Thematic elements

living world with evolving map and narrative
Tamriel
story-driven with world-events and random encounters

Comparison games

Too Many Bones

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

skirmish campaign — tactical battles with class-based powers and route-planning
world map events — random encounters and evolving map influence the route

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

This is obviously an S tier game.
I'm combining a few Clank games here, but they're all A tier.
I hate Kingdom Death Monster. I hate it.
This is an easy A tier game.
This is an S tier game.
Don't yuck yums.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video DjSi2y0VaVk Good Time Society general_discussion at 2:27 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Impressive scale and ambition
Becca provides approachable guidance for large, heavy games

Cons

Complex rules; steep learning curve for new players

Thematic elements

epic fantasy exploration with campaign-style play
The Elder Scrolls universe in a board game format
immersive storytelling with heavy lore

Comparison games

Skyrim (video game experience as fan context)

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

campaign/education format — how-to-play and instructional approach to a large, complex game.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

This game has been around since 1963.
This is Acquire. This game is fascinating.
The world series of board gaming is super competitive, but super friendly.
The art is beautiful; I wish I could punch in on it quick.
Becca did The Elder Scrolls how-to play. It hurts to bring it inside the house; literally, it was like rocks.
I love puzzle games; labberia looks wild.
Magical Athlete is back now in a new version implemented by Richard Garfield.
You just grab a tile, put it on. Nope, that's not it.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video ovBi-cXr9Zg Tabletop Turtle top_10_list at 36:05 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

highly thematic dungeon crawl with robust character options
strong tactical combat and campaign potential

Cons

solo play is strong; two-handed (two-hero) mode noted

Thematic elements

hero progression with tactical battles
Tamriel, dungeon-crawl exploration
campaign-like with modular experiences

Comparison games

Jaws of the Lion
Skyrim / Morowind campaigns

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Character building — distinct hero abilities with campaign-driven progression
cooperative dungeon crawl — group of heroes engaging in tactical battles

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

This is the kind of game you play when you want to feel smart.
Everything feels like a good decision.
The card play in this game is absolutely stellar.
A lot of little things come together to feel cohesive and satisfying.
You reap what you sew, you know, you need to be strategic and methodical about it.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video gEl1z35HXhw Broken Mele Show general_discussion at 40:54 sentiment: negative

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Overall sentiment (raw)

negative

Pros

visually appealing components

Cons

high price point
complex and cluttered rule set
maps and icons can slow play

Thematic elements

adventure in Tamriel with betrayal dynamics
Elder Scrolls universe
map-driven, chip-based components

Comparison games

Tainted Grail
Nemesis

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

chip_and_map_overlay — chips overlay maps altering layout and effects
encounter_variability — varied boss and event encounters

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's only a game
it's not worth it to hype something that may never come out
remember, it's only again merry Christmas and have a happy new year

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video IsbMqrjqfl0 Box of Delights rules teach at 0:00 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Strong thematic integration with the Elder Scrolls IP and campaign-style progression
Co-op capable with solid solo play options and multi-character depth
Content-rich production with varied regions and dynamic encounters
Deep character customization through skill lines and dice-based progression
Region-specific rules and quests offer replayability and scalability

Cons

High complexity and lengthy setup typical of Chip Theory Games
Steep learning curve and dense rulebook that may deter newcomers
Prototype/demo status may indicate final components or rules could shift in production

Thematic elements

adventure, exploration, artifact collection, guild-driven quests and assassination contracts
Tamriel universe with multi-region exploration (Morrowind, Skyrim, Black Marsh, High Rock, etc.)
campaign-driven, modular quest arcs with region-specific rules and evolving objectives

Comparison games

Too Many Bones
Marcus Victorum

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Artifacts and artifact tracking — An artifact track records artifact discoveries by a nemesis and scales progression/difficulty accordingly.
Campaign arc and day tracking — The scenario unfolds over a fixed number of days (up to 12); day progression and quest objectives shape pacing and reward scaling.
Combat dice and cooldown — Combat uses dice with different levels and a cooldown mechanic to manage action economy across encounters.
Enemy bags and region-specific foes — Enemies are drawn from bags; region codes restrict which foes may appear, creating region-specific variety.
Gazette region pages — Each map region has a dedicated page in the Gazette that reveals shops, guilds, and region-specific events when explored.
Guild-driven quest setup — Players select a guild to align with; a session snapshot details the main objective and narrative flavor for that guild.
Overland movement — Players use Overland tokens to move across a branching map; travel distance and encounter options vary by region.
Skill lines and tokens — Characters have up to eight skill slots represented by tokens; players allocate health, stamina, magicka, and other skills across lines, adjusting as the game progresses.
Town encounters and Overland deck — Town encounters can add items to the peaceful Overland deck; advancing encounters can increase the Moro Tong presence for quest tracking.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

this is not a sponsored video I don't get paid to do any of my videos this is just purely me sharing the love of board gaming with you guys
this is a production sample that chip Theory games have sent me
I'm not going to be doing a full campaign scenario because just one game through of this is going to take about six hours
it's based on a popular video game franchise Elder Scrolls
I'm going to be playing solo but because it's a co-op game you can play multiple players solo if you want to

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 8AWaFF4v3r4 Rolls in the Family top_10_list at 27:48 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Epically themed, with a strong sense of campaign progression
Potential to scale and customize with modules

Cons

Campaign setup and length may be a barrier

Thematic elements

Fantasy exploration with overlapping objectives and player powers
The Elder Scrolls universe
Campaign-like experience with modularity

Comparison games

Gloomhaven
Too Many Bones (as engine-building and campaign-style comparison)

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Cooldown / card-based character progression — Character actions and cooldowns shape strategic timing
Cooperative exploration with modular objectives — Players cooperate to achieve larger goals while managing personal powers

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

There's nothing even close really, I think, to what this game is doing with this.
It's not a campaign. It's a campaign game, but it can be played in one-offs as well.
This one has the potential to be the best game we try this year.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video Bz9SUTUX3C0 Brothers Murf top_10_list at 5:47 sentiment: positive

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Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

deep Elder Scrolls flavor with familiar factions and races
dynamic dice-cycling adds tactical tone
strong character customization and replayability

Cons

heavy rules weight may deter lighter players
requires a committed group for full campaigns

Thematic elements

rpg-like classes, skill development, delves and dungeon exploration
Elder Scrolls world with Tamrielic races and locales
campaign-ish progression with class and skill advancement

Comparison games

Too Many Bones

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Campaign-style progression — Short, self-contained campaigns with a set number of sessions and customizable characters.
cooldown/recovery mechanic — Used dice go on cooldown and recover gradually, creating resource management decisions.
dice-based skill system — Character skills level up via trainers; dice are earned and used to perform actions.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I think it captures Stardew Valley the video game really well in a board game format and it's just fun to be able to work together and work on that community center.
It's a cooperative game where people can hop in and out of the game at any point because it's just like very casual.
The art in this game is so beautiful and it feels like it's from the books and it is again based on the books which of course is how we first encountered Middle Earth.
Star Wars in a box is awesome and one that does it really well where you're pitting the Rebel Alliance vs the Empire.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

100 Hours Later | Elder Scrolls Betrayal of the Second Era

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