Game Info
Year
2018
Players
1-4
Age
14+
Playtime
150 min
Complexity
4.3/5
Collection
Your Tier
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Description
A deckbuilding adventure game where players control Mage Knights to explore and conquer a fantasy land combining the base game and three expansions
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 9
This page: 9
Sentiment:
pos 7 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–9 of 9
Video D48U5QVIZlg
Nights Around a Table Unboxing at 0:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 91756 · mention_pk 246305
Click to watch at 0:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Can be played solo
- Massive amount of components and rules (viewed positively by the host)
- Ultimate Edition fixes component quality issues from expansions
- Well-designed insert
- Includes plastic bags for components
- Pre-painted miniatures are nicely done
Cons
- Component quality of expansions was inconsistent before the Ultimate Edition
- Fantasy artwork can be goofy and proportions are off
- Cards have rough edges and a coarse feel
- The host doesn't personally see the appeal of miniatures
Thematic elements
- Mage Knight (a mage who is also a knight)
Comparison games
- Codenames
- Alhambra Big Box
- Lisboa
- From Dusk Till Dawn
- Spy Kids
- Race for the Galaxy
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card Play — Cards can be used to cast spells, fight, or perform knight-like actions, and can also be discarded for extra powers, serving as both abilities and currency.
- Dice Rolling — Includes dice with arcane Mage Knight-y symbols.
- miniatures — Comes with pre-painted miniatures, including a goblin/troll/captain/monster figure and castles with twistable bases.
- tile laying — Includes terrain tiles that are punched out and placed.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- my friend Max described it as... he goes 'Oh Ryan, it's a... it's a BOX of rules!' And i was like 'SIGN ME UP!'
- this is the biggest game box in my entire library. Nothing comes close.
- Everybody on the internet who likes board games - a certain type of board games - seems to be crazy about miniatures. i'm not a D&D player. i don't play Warhammer, so i ... i really don't get what the big deal is?
- it was sold to me by my friend Max as a box full of rules, and it didn't disappoint, for here are the rules that come in the box.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video eP0PWecs0Rk
Meeple University Review at 1:06 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 91535 · mention_pk 245650
Click to watch at 1:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
- Deep engine-building and resource management
- Versatile player count (2-5) with competitive, cooperative, or solo play
- Content-rich with expansions: The Lost Legion, Shades of Tesla, Krang, and five new dual-colored cards
- Fame track and leveling up provide long-term progression
- Powerful spells and artifacts that can appear on top of the deck
- Varied combat with multiple attack types and enemy resistances
- Numerous scenarios and ongoing play with replayability
Cons
- Described as having heavy complexity
- Long play sessions (1-4 hours) per game
Thematic elements
- adventure with questing and fighting enemies
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Boss Battler — the most powerful cards are guarded by enemies that must be fought and conquered
- combat and defense — combat involves blocking, wounds, and resisting multiple attack types; enemies have defenses to overcome
- Deck Building — players start with a deck of sixteen cards and spend cards on their turn to perform actions; stronger bottom effects require matching mana
- Deck Manipulation — influence can recruit; artifacts and powerful spells can go on top of the deck when gained
- deck-building — players start with a deck of sixteen cards and spend cards on their turn to perform actions; stronger bottom effects require matching mana
- enemy gating — the most powerful cards are guarded by enemies that must be fought and conquered
- Hand Management — players manage a hand of cards to perform actions; ending the round when a player runs out of cards
- Mana system — each turn a player may take one mana die for free; other mana is gained through actions and mana crystals for a big turn
- progression — leveling up grants advanced actions, personal bonuses, or increased hand size/armor
- recruitment and artifacts — influence can recruit; artifacts and powerful spells can go on top of the deck when gained
- round-based play — the game is played in rounds with players taking turns around the table; round ends when all players have acted and a new round begins
- scenarios and modes — supports competitive, cooperative, and solo play with various scenarios or AI opponents
- territory and scoring — defeated enemies grant Fame; territories are claimed on the board for rewards; scoring includes cards, units, territories, and majorities
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Mage Knight Ultimate Edition is an adventure in game with hand management and deck building elements.
- Two to five players competitively or cooperatively as well as solo with a variety of different scenarios available.
- It is of heavy complexity and plays in one to four hours.
- Ultimate Edition combines the basic Mage Knight board game released in 2011 with its three expansions The Lost Legion, Shades of Tesla and Krang as well as adding five new dual colored cards to the game.
- Significant and rapid engine building elements.
- Three different types of attack fire ice and physical to which enemies and characters have different susceptibilities.
- You may take one mana die for free from the supply on each turn.
- As players defeat enemies through the game they will gain Fame on this track and each time a player levels up he or she can take an advanced action card into his or her deck.
- The most powerful cards are guarded by enemies which must be fought and conquered.
- The game ends at a set trigger or duration and scores will be added up.
- Points for each improved card in their decks, each unit in their tableau, and each territory they control on the board as well as bonuses for majorities in each of these categories; the player with the highest score wins in the competitive or solo modes.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 7lAu7YTlbLM
Meeple University Discussion at 3:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 91528 · mention_pk 245582
Click to watch at 3:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Very well regarded game over many years
- Original Mage Knight was inducted into the origins or the Gamma Hall of Fame at Origins this year
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Puzzle solving — Nice puzzle solving with a deck of cards in your hands.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Academy deep water games really good to play a games yeah we freakin yeah this is one of our last ones against the table out of everything we purchased but it's a quick little jewel simple rules deep strategy and quick so I very much recommend this one yep I know that you want to play once you play it feels playing this terran wants to play against her away because I think he's that because I want the game know I was working fun because okay just let me have the last week okay yeah it is quick and fun but I was I got my bad thing I was a little bit late at night and we didn't end up playing good again but we'll definitely play again
- next is roughly guard position we have the other view for you of this one as well it's a social reduction game yep social reduction sedna Magic the Gathering universe yeah for me we haven't we haven't got a group of people around to play this one yet but I like its idea and I like that it is a biscuit now we've had it yeah because if you've watched a vlog from a couple of months ago I always struggle with the blank slate nature of a game like Avalon or werewolf this one structures things a bit better specific events are going to happen right you can respond to those that's that's what I prefer in a social reduction game and I think this puts it together pretty nicely we really need to get a group together that can play this with us because our normal gaming group is usually four because most games can be played with four so our gaming group is naturally for people
- next one if it's not you'll play a game trick-taking game called claim by deep water games yep I think like we don't play a lot of trick taking games I played a lot of 503 university but Stella didn't say yeah it's still fun though we'd see the twists with a special power of which sections trying to claim throne yep I think what I would say for this game I've seen a few modern trick-taking games out there and they all have these twists on gaining points in certain ways of trying to get certain cards I like this one because it's not too convoluted each suit has a relatively simple ability that you've got to manage it's not like you know this number does this and this suit gives you that sort of points it's like you know just trying to get suit majorities and each suit has a small ability that doesn't throw the the standards of trick-taking out and so I think this is one of the best design modern tricked design bicycle else hi Scott yep considering I haven't actually played a lot of trick-taking units this one's pretty easy
- so please a some pads here which is the welcome to expansions oh thank all of those outs away yep so this one's the Easter egg hunts Halloween the bomb shelters they do all change up the game changer game out quite a bit and I think the one that's stood out in my mind we played doomsday and it was the shortest game welcome to with a plague by far because the three the three objectives we were playing just you could complete them all in one street essentially and so we were done so quickly and I did not adjust my strategy I can't even thank you I can't remember we're playing for you this is one of our my favorite go-to when it just have two of us or there many people wanting to play
- and that's the the Roland rifle Copenhagen alright that's a really good quality Roland right it is currently a diploma filament is on Kickstarter yep yep yeah it's it plays very quickly it has some clear strategies you can go for with different types of colors you get I think they've put together a really good lead and follow Roland right there yeah there's another one as well that is steel prototype which is for plant so they're still in development and they're still changing up the rules changing up the card so it's a little bit like welcome to is this by the same publisher is welcome to which is support against so it we play it once it has got that similar sort of taste - welcome - when you put which one you're gonna do you know which one you're gonna solve face and so on that's very interesting
- yeah there's another one as well that is steel prototype which is for plant so they're still in development and they're still changing up the rules changing up the card so it's a little bit like welcome to is this by the same publisher is welcome to which is support against so it we play it once it has got that similar sort of taste - welcome - when you put which one you're gonna do you know which one you're gonna solve face and so on that's very interesting
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video vR3wjj8ZLCA
Board Games UnLocked Top List at 15:56 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 82476 · mention_pk 207189
Click to watch at 15:56 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Widely renowned as the best solo game of all time.
- Art is awesome on the cards.
- Ultimate Edition has all original expansions.
- Excited for the story-driven campaign aspect.
- Campaign mode will turn it into a story-driven campaign.
- New playable hero and enemies in the expansion.
- Game is very heavy.
- Not an easy game to win.
- Solo game that goes three hours.
- Can leave it set up and run through a few scenarios.
- Story driven campaign mode is exciting.
- Main designer is Vlaada Chvátil.
- Paul Grogan helped overhaul the solo mode.
- It's his favorite game of all time.
- Gameplay is very very solid.
Cons
- Did not click for the host, despite having no issue with it.
- Might not be as good with another person.
- Annoyed that the Apocalypse Dragon expansion might not fit in the Ultimate Edition box.
- Host has never played the original version, only the Ultimate Edition.
- The host is not a pure solo gamer unless it's for the channel.
- The host believes TI4 is not as complex as people make it out to be.
Thematic elements
- Story driven campaign
Comparison games
- TI4
- Voidfall
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign play — The Ultimate Edition includes all original expansions and the upcoming expansion adds a story-driven campaign mode.
- Deck Building — The host mentions it's a deck building game.
- Modular Board — The host mentions roaming around the map doing different things.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The easiest one is just to get um, get both of them. [referring to Sleeping Gods and Distant Skies]
- So many of this game is go to a location and it asking if you have like three keywords and if you don't, then it takes you to a certain section. But it it gives the perfect feeling of exploration.
- There's so much out for this game, you know?
- The end so much gameplay in this like they always say like if you could pick like five games to keep, you know, this this would be one of them just because there's so much
- The amount of uniqueness that this game brings.
- This game has an excellent element of roleplay. [...] It incentivizes it. It it encourages role playing because you actually get like role playing points that you can use to modify a die roll.
- It is damn near perfect. [referring to Aridia]
- Once you once you sit down and learn the system then it's all about pretty much just getting your character down you know and and because that's the biggest crutch learning your character is the game I mean is is learning the game more or less
- this combination of like otherworldly horror mixed with Greek mythology does just really works for me
- The writing is absolutely exquisite for this game.
- As you are damaging them, you make them stronger. As you get wounded with titans, your rage goes up and that gives you extra abilities.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _SsbkrSlxjs
Board Games UnLocked Top List at 53:22 sentiment: positive
video_pk 80526 · mention_pk 196134
Click to watch at 53:22 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Tons of gameplay in the Ultimate Edition
- Long strategic games
- Always different due to deck building and exploration
- Heaviest game on the list
- High weight on BGG (4.66)
- Components are well-produced
- New standalone version offers an entry point
Cons
- Scenarios can be boring in the early stages
- Games take a very long time
- Intimidating entry point
Thematic elements
- fantasy
- scenario-based
Comparison games
- Star Trek Frontiers
- Jaws of the Lion
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Combat — Players engage in combat with enemies.
- Deck Building — Players build their decks and use cards for actions and mana.
- exploration — Players explore a map.
- Resource Management — Managing mana and other resources is crucial.
- scenario-based — Different scenarios offer varied objectives.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- So it's like if our entire collection were to go up in flames and we didn't and we didn't off ourselves. We didn't unalive, you know.
- If I lose all this Right. I'm out of the hobby. Right. I'm not I'm there's that would be so much lost money that it wouldn't be worth it. I would just find something else to do.
- The amount of content that's in this game of discovering stuff, of reading stuff, of the routes you're going to take, the world you're discovering. I mean, I've played this game quite a bit. And it's always something new.
- This game is just that good that you don't have to have all the bling necessarily.
- The core box of Aeon Trespass is three cycles.
- The amount of content in this game from a narrative perspective is insane.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video P9J_AaAcH24
Top 10 List at 13:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 74239 · mention_pk 178681
Click to watch at 13:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- best possible pick at this complexity level
- cooperative scenarios are genuinely great
- leveling up with a friend is satisfying
Cons
- incredibly dense
- engagement can feel methodical at times
- not a lot of direct interaction between players
Thematic elements
- exploration, conquest, and strategic army building
- a sprawling fantasy universe under the Atlantean Empire
- epic, narrative-driven with cooperative scenarios
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Deck Building — build your mage knight's abilities and armies; explore, recruit, and conquer cities
- deck-building and army-building — build your mage knight's abilities and armies; explore, recruit, and conquer cities
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Just do it now.
- My life is ruined.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video JNAm-a2uOgE
Review at 0:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 74201 · mention_pk 178587
Click to watch at 0:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful components (pre-painted miniatures, hero clicks style cities)
- Infinite replayability
- Engaging deck-building and sandbox elements
- Deep strategy and complexity
- Satisfying and calculable combat system
- Dynamic map that feels alive
- Deserves its complexity and high rating on BGG
Cons
- High complexity can be overwhelming initially
- Steep learning curve, benefits from experienced player guidance for first playthrough
- Game can be long, especially with more players (e.g., 3-4 hours for 3 players, potentially longer for 5)
- Aged design aspects are noticeable
Thematic elements
- Deck builder sandbox Adventure
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — In the competitive scenario discussed, players vie for control of locations like cities, keeps, and towers by placing flags to claim them and earn Fame, indicating an area control element.
- Combat System — Combat is resolved in a single round with distinct phases for ranged attacks, enemy attacks, and melee attacks, requiring players to meet or exceed enemy defense values.
- Deck Building — Players start with a basic deck and add cards (spells, empowered actions, units) to make it more powerful over the course of the game. The game's core identity is described as a deck builder.
- Hand Management — Players manage a hand of cards each turn, with the number of cards drawn potentially reduced by 'wounds' taken.
- Map Exploration/Tile Laying — The game features a randomized map built by players placing tiles as they explore, revealing locations, enemies, and objectives.
- Reputation system — Player actions affect their reputation with locals, which in turn influences the cost of recruiting units and can have other gameplay impacts.
- Resource management (mana) — Players manage different types of mana (white, green, blue, red, gold, black) to power up cards and spells, with mana tokens, crystals, and dice being sources.
- Sandbox Adventure — The game is characterized as a sandbox adventure where players explore a randomized map, undertake various actions, and pursue objectives.
- Set Collection (Implicit) — While not explicitly stated as a mechanic, acquiring different types of cards (spells, advanced actions, units, artifacts) and skills contributes to unique character builds.
- Variable player powers — Each Mage Knight has unique starting cards and potential skills to unlock, leading to asymmetric character builds.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a deck builder sandbox Adventure game for one to five players
- it has a pretty high complexity so there's a lot to cover
- Learning this was a joy and a privilege but it really was a big bite
- So Glorious and large I can barely fit most of the components on one shot like this here
- Having the correct build and combos in your deck is vital to set yourself apart from your opponents
- Overall review and feeling about this game is super positive
- This is a quality game that if you've not gotten a chance to play as a gamer I certainly encourage you to get this one kind of off your shelf and give it a try
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 7K8fkuv9KPc
Rolls in the Family Top List at 57:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13173 · mention_pk 38531
Click to watch at 57:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- deep, RPG-like progression and customization
- cooperative play can be incredibly satisfying
- immersive fantasy–themed experience with varied encounters
Cons
- very long play sessions
- learning curve for new players
Thematic elements
- pursuit of mastery and epic campaigns
- fantasy realm with hero-centric adventure and quests
- video game–like progression in a board game form; strong co-op potential
Comparison games
- Mage Knight (base game)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Boss Battler — late-game climaxes with heavy challenges and rewards
- Cooperative Game — tailored experience that emphasizes teamwork and combined planning
- Deck Building — players level up and gain new capabilities across a campaign-like arc
- Deck-building and progression — players level up and gain new capabilities across a campaign-like arc
- epic boss battles and boss-level progression — late-game climaxes with heavy challenges and rewards
- two-player cooperative mode — tailored experience that emphasizes teamwork and combined planning
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Age of Innovation feels like it delivers the pinnacle experience of that kind of whole system.
- Twilight Struggle is a borderline masterpiece.
- The arc of Twilight Struggle is so exciting; tension grows across the board.
- This is Mage Knight Ultimate Edition—changing it to cooperative mode is incredible; I’d never go back.
- Eldritch Horror highs are the top board game experiences I’ve had.
- Agricola is the best board game we have ever played and it has stayed at the top for years.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video OgU5cPBDWV0
Beyond Solitaire Discussion at 0:32 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8122 · mention_pk 23876
Click to watch at 0:32 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Includes all expansions inside the box, plus additional cards
- Cost-effective for new players who want everything in one purchase
- Uniform printing and card stock in Ultimate Edition
- Excellent organization and storage options (inserts, trays, sleeves)
Cons
- Very large box size can be unwieldy
- Some expansions (e.g., Shades of Tesla) use different card stock/thickness across printings, which can be noticeable
- Older printings required tweaks to storage and components; mixing editions can cause minor mismatches
Thematic elements
- Adventure, exploration, spell-caster heroes assembling their forces
- Fantasy realm with mage-knight adventures across ruins and dungeons
Comparison games
- Mage Knight (Base Game)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card_driven_actions — card-driven system where action cards define possible moves and effects during turns
- Hand Management — players select actions by playing cards from hand to move, explore, and resolve combat and abilities
- hand_management — players select actions by playing cards from hand to move, explore, and resolve combat and abilities
- modular_board_and_tokens — tile-based map with tokens for enemies, resources, and terrain; organization/storage is emphasized in this edition
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- everything for mage night all of the expansions everything can fit in a box that's this size
- I will say that the role books are better and I do like their sheets to clarify which tokens are in which expansion
- if you're getting mage night for the first time I do recommend that you just pick up the Ultimate Edition it's more cost-effective because you don't have to buy the base game and then all of the expansions separately
- I would probably pull the inserts out and put in tackle boxes and deck boxes
- it's Meisha night anyway
- I love this game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
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