Agricola vs. Grand Austria Hotel: Which Is Better?

Join us as we debate two games we've greatly enjoyed recently, Agricola and Grand Austria Hotel. Farrell firmly believes Agricola is the better game, while Tallie insists Grand Austria Hotel has more to offer. So, we go over what we like and dislike about both, while trying to prove a point.
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[@Stutzkraft]

Both are great games. Recently purchased Hotel, and have owned and played Agricola for some years now. I never thought to compare them, but think the comparison is warranted as they are both first in class of their respective genres, worker placement and dice drafting. Both games ground the game play on clever navigation of options and creating combos. Agricola definitely has more variety over the long haul, just because of all the card expansions.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

We just got some of the card expansions, along with Farmers of the Moor, so really looking forward to diving into them!

[@MakeTimeForGames]

I’m finally able to comment on this video now that I finally purchased Grand Austria Hotel. I’ve had Agricola for quite some time and have thoroughly enjoyed it, but I have to agree with Tallie. I enjoy Grand Austria Hotel more especially with the Let’s Waltz expansion.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

🥳🥳🥳 - Tallie

[@WakeUpSmellTheCoffee]

Ah, I’m so jealous of you folks who can find that Let’s Waltz expansion, especially if you didn’t have to pay an arm and a leg for it. 😢

[@jbringas9582]

In my opinion, Grand Austria Hotel is better. I'm finding out that my tastes always align with Tallie's, which is of course, the superior taste and always the correct one!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Best comment! 🙌🏻😅 - Tallie

[@gabrielkuma8220]

As a seasoned Agricola player, my vote goes to Uwe's magnum opus, despite GAH being a fantastic game. Get more decks for Agricola and play with drafting rules! Avoid farmers of the moore, imho it makes the game a drag

[@sbar8595]

I really enjoyed this style of video. I've played Agricola (which I really enjoy) but have never played Grand Austria Hotel, and I feel like this video gave me a great idea of whether I would enjoy Grand Austria Hotel based on what I enjoy about Agricola.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Also glad it helped.

[@carlosvega9502]

I can see, and I literally just did, an argument for either game. It just comes down to which game you enjoy more, and for me that is Grand Austria Hotel.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Booooo (from Farrell). Yaaaay (from Tallie).

[@boardgamesandwhiskyuk1646]

Great debate. I'm on the Grand Austria Hotel camp. Strudel, Cake, Coffee and Wine. What's not to like 🙂. Even though my wife thrashes me at the game. Both great games tbh..

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Team strudel 🙌🏻

[@JBis.]

Can’t really cast my vote because I haven’t played Agricola 😆 however I do love Grand Austria Hotel, so that will be up to you if you want to count this as a vote for Tallie 😄 also enjoyed watching Megan snoozing in the background 🩷🐶🩷

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Definitely counts! 🙌🏻 - Tallie

[@alanswift6802]

Grand Austria Hotel for me!!

[@BoardOfItReviews]

🥳🥳🥳 - Tallie

[@timoseppa9124]

Agricola is a classic. Brain burner for me to figure it out, once upon a time. I'll listen with interest as to what you say about Grand Austria Hotel, as I have never played it, nor watched any video on it.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Such a delight to play, even now so many years on!

[@KenDudd]

One other thing. You mentioned that you can end up with unbalanced starting cards in GAH if you don’t draft, but the same can be said of Agricola if you don’t draft too.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

I'd disagree slightly! I think the issue with GAH is you have end game scoring cards, which do nothing to help in game. In Agricola, all cards help in game, so while you can be dealt a worse hand, it's still useable. Moot point really I guess as after you know how to play should always draft in both!

[@KenDudd]

I think both games are good, but GAH just hits all the right parts of my brain. Planning out an amazing combo turn that synergies with the customer bonus, your staff card etc. Agricola is a very static game in comparison. Also, I like that GAH has a really tight economy, but isn’t just feeding people. Also the GAH expansion is incredible, but absolute bonkers. You can have insane synergies.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

That's interesting, I don't feel the economy is tight in GAH at all! The only times I struggle is if you get 4 guests in the market who all need 3 coffee or something lol! I totally get the feeding thing and people not liking it, but after a few plays it just doesn't give me any grief anymore.

[@LeeStoneman]

Team Grand Austria Hotel

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Yeahhhhh - Tallie

[@KenDudd]

I’ll also say, I don’t feel like these games are remotely similar, but fun discussion non the less

[@BoardOfItReviews]

Thank you! Just some examples of what we mean : Same publisher, same artist. Feeding people and emperor track are very similar mechanisms e.g. do this or get punished. Both are made wonderful by the hand of cards you start with (different each game) and playing them allows you to make a niche for that game and alter how you play. Different actions have variable "power" at different times. Both you're trying to fill up a central space in front of you with different elements.

[@timstikkers7581]

I deleted my previous comment... Because i played Agricola again and... Had an absolute blast. So confused now... I think I will set them brotherly (or sisterly) next to eachother on the shelf. #First World problems.

[@BoardOfItReviews]

😂😂

[@pm71241]

Tallie's got some good points... Specifically "little piggies". I'll take that. Bacon eins every time.

[@deborahpate3238]

Agricola, easily. Sorry Tallie

[@BoardOfItReviews]

🥹 - Tallie