Apiary Review: Honey Bunches of Points

[@beautybyjessy9535]

I love it when Mike is able to “be there” too!! It’s so nice to see him.

[@bayareamasto]

*bee there

[@damobdaking]

*bee too*

[@brianl6151]

This was a big surprise for me this year. Absolutely loved my play of it and there is tons of replayability imo. Love having Mike participate more with the gang. Good job all.

[@HashStrid]

Thank you for the review and including Mike. I think it'll be great if you can have Mike on the screen at all times, similar to how MvM does their chit chat with Jeremy Howard.

[@Schaeff72]

I really had fun with this game. Not sure if it’s going to stay in my collection forever, but I’ve had fun so far exploring the different factions and the timing of when to use the “4” bees. I agree the theme/setting was interesting.

[@nickadams8460]

I am a veteran gamer of 35 years and think this is pretty special. I certainly disagree that it is too long - it always seems aggressively short and highly driven to the end-game - which I particularly like about this one.

[@juzaspex89]

love mikes input - more pls.

[@bkwestman22]

Nice review!! I really like the format of these reviews, and especially the great editing to make it feel like Mike is right there in the room with you guys! Nice job on that! We really this game! I don't feel it's too long - the ending always surprises me, at how quickly it comes!

[@eduardocarvajal2313]

I was waiting for this review ! Thank you for always helping out deciding!

[@andreaskohlbacher5751]

Mike: “This can be very AP-inducing” In my mind, Chris bit his tongue at the pun “APiary.”

[@JoeyjojoShabadoo7]

Lol to both 😂

[@ricochetjan]

I was gonna say

[@BluephsBlog]

Love the bumping mechanism. It's one of my favourite parts of Charterstone.

[@mikaelhansson9613]

I think this is one of the best games from 2023. I've played it at all player counts, and even though it's definitely best at 3 or 4, it works just fine at 5. It took us just over 2 hours at 5 players, including teach. And we had 2 rather slow players at the table (one of them played it for the first time)

[@JasperHayward]

I think it would work better having Mike on screen in studio and live switching to him when needed ( like Kinda Funny does with remote guests)

[@JonTimi]

'Stonemeier games like to make a bit of a splash'. Completely missed the opportunity to say 'Stonemaier games like to make a bit of a buzz'!

[@scottbrown701]

Love seeing Mike in some of these group reviews even though he's at the DT Midwest Annex

[@AzureRaiden]

My biggest hang up with the game currently is the recall workers action. At higher player counts, you hardly ever have to take a recall action. So if you're building farm tiles to gain a bunch of income from recalling, aside from the resource spaces you gain, they almost feel useless. It feels inefficient to recall your workers when you could place a worker instead. I struggle with that aspect of the game. Also, multiple times I've played this, our table has gotten 'stuck' with unwanted tiles in the display. Someone has to play a card to wipe them (if they're lucky enough to draw it), buy an unwanted tile, or use up the one precious hibernation space that wipes the row. It's very frustrating to get stuck wanting a certain type of tile, and the market sucks for it.

[@MitchellMiller1]

Recalling your workers yourself is the only way to level up multiple bees on a single turn. It also can mess with other players if you pulls bees on shared spaces before they expect you to and now aren’t going to get the total strength number they were hoping for.

[@thedicetower]

The recall hangup is the reason why I'm glad the holding space below the player boards exhists. If you know you want to take a recall action, you can set the there and wait to level them up until you are ready. I originally thought it was a weird move, but there are moments where it comes in handy. Also, I feel you on the poor lineups, but I'm glad there are at least a few ways to mix it up. - Wendy

[@kevinwallace1374]

Happy to see Mike in this! I do disagree about the 5 player game though. I think it works really well at 5 players.

[@12345678abracadabra]

I mean if you like more downtime for the same experience

[@kevinwallace1374]

@@12345678abracadabra the argument for which is better is valid, but it's not the same experience.

[@pictureframe1]

I've found this game is actually very short when playing with 5 players - I have about 6 plays at 5, and 2 at 4 players. More players means more opportunities to find ways to hibernate their 4's faster, and the more we play the better we get at it. Most our games are ending with 1 person completing their puzzle while everyone else is a few actions short.

[@thedicetower]

As with so many games, I think the group matters for length of game. Multiple AP gamers will make it feel long. Also, without a fixed number of rounds, this game can be slightly extended if people try not to hibernate their bees, and it can end quicker than expected if multiple people rush for the hibernation bonuses. - Wendy

[@ricochetjan]

Two of you said that this is not the first game you'll get from the shelf. What's the most similar game to it that does it better?

[@Socksrule3032]

This is my exact question too! Teotihuacan is similar, but much heavier and sometimes. I couldn't come up with anything else though. Maybe Viticulture?

[@wmarclocher]

I first became interested in this game when I was looking for a honey beehive simulation, (i've been obsessed with colony insects my whole life) which this isn't, but I fell in love with the game none the less. As I understand from the Stonemaier website the space theme was added to make the game mechanics make more since to the bee theme.

[@BGing_Foodie]

Have you heard about Honey Buzz?

[@wmarclocher]

I have now

[@matt7912-j9p]

@wendy is spot-on again with her 8.5 for this game

[@thedicetower]

Thanks! - Wendy

[@matt7912-j9p]

@@thedicetower Wendy, are you and Chris going to review the new Bruxelles 1893? Confident you guys would love it.

[@c.w.2000]

Just to chime in regarding this format with Mike… First of all, I love Mike, and these suggestions are to make his incorporation more seamless for me and maybe others. Someone else mentioned the way MvM handles Jeremy Howard being remote in their Chit Chats with the little window in the screen, and I like that. As well, I listen more than I watch, and Mike has an echo or reverberation that I’ve noticed in his other videos too, and I think maybe he was a bit too loud in comparison here, which accentuated that sound difference.

[@MegaSNES64]

We really enjoyed this…. an 8.5 from me

[@thedicetower]

Hey, we have the same score! LOL - Wendy

[@andrewimpellezzeri3886]

For me ,in my opinion, this is a game that would have been better with a turn tracker instead of players triggering the endgame.

[@0cellusDS]

This game is all the buzz right now. Hive five!

[@kostiantynshapran163]

Oh, hi Mike

[@chrisfong8929]

I really like the editing here incorporating Mike remotely. I know you are all experimenting with different formats and I think this worked nicely. I'm sure it's more work, but this editing felt more natural and conversational which must have been difficult to pull off.

[@JamesOrr1987]

From another video they said he is present 'live' with them, just cutting to him when he speaks.

[@pikkdogs]

Bees in space. Great, now I want a Pigs in Space game from the Muppet Show.

[@thedicetower]

Or the Sesame Street aliens that say "Yup, Yup, Yup" and "Uh huh"? - Wendy

[@JamesOrr1987]

Love Mike being there! I guess some people aren't used to it yet but imo it's really a non issue to cut over to mike when it's his turn, obviously it's always great when he's in studio but if he can't be than remotely splicing in is fantastic, I honestly don't understand the complaints some have. Yes the audio will be different, that's unavoidable and also...who cares!? Keep it up!

[@LeeKenshin7]

Y'all alluded to games you would rather pull out. Would be nice to mention those recommendations. I agree with all the issues mentioned in this video. Haven't kept a SM game since Scythe and even that will be leaving soon.

[@Drewkas0]

Yeah. I think I would've preferred a non-space theme, but this is cute. I didn't like Apiary at all in my first few plays, but strategies really opened up and now I love it. I really like how there are very different strategies to pursue (or ignore): queens favor, seeds, farms, bonus tiles, lots of bees vs few bees, lots of cheap stuff vs a few powerful things, etc.

[@thedicetower]

I also tend to love games that have a lot of strategies you can try out each game to mix things up. - Wendy

[@seferis101]

I highly agree about player count better below 5 or even 4 and game length as well the luck factor mentioned. 5 player was definetly too long and also had a game with 40 points difference between winner and 2nd and mostly because of one extremely powerful luck move.

[@markusbaumgartner9266]

Interesting - our group is more on the slow side in games, and 4 or 5 was never over 2 hours - including explanations.

[@seferis101]

@@markusbaumgartner9266 Took us almost 3,5 hours for 5 players, including explanation

[@elliotelin]

Go Mike!

[@HazardGoat]

Beads?

[@ccggenius]

Bees in space? A large influx of bees oughta put a stop to that!

[@soogymoogi]

HWHATS THIS? A DR. BEES REFERENCE?

[@clanechelon]

Is it a game that can be "solved" on repeated plays like Scythe?

[@thedicetower]

No, I don't think so. The line-up of the tiles that come out changes what you can go for in each game.

[@_Cervantez]

Best nature game of 2023?

[@TylerAndToast]

The interaction seems very good!! The balance or swingy luck seems poor tho

[@Benny_Shoga]

The copy of Orongo behind Mike proves he has impeccable taste.

[@rudykraft5526]

I would’ve preferred beavers in space

[@rudykraft5526]

@@TabletopFamily but otters don’t really make anything. It would have to be a game about eating fish and playing.

[@rudykraft5526]

@@TabletopFamily I know funny joke. I just really would like to see a beaver game. Maybe it could be the next pandemic variant a cooperative damn building game

[@thedicetower]

@@rudykraft5526 If you like dexterity games, there's always Beaver Creek. - Wendy

[@joshjenson8111]

Great game, but i completely disagree about the cover being good I actively dislike this cover Its definitely not the reason i wanted to play the game

[@jmarac]

Roy's hair is totally out of control.

[@Filthyy1]

I really like this game. Its my goto entry game for workerplacement now over everdell/waterdeep

[@thedicetower]

Wow, those are some classics you are replacing. I see that this is a straightforward teach. - Wendy

[@DarthPizza777]

why is mike not on set anymore?

[@TylerAndToast]

I think he moved back to Indianapolis to be with family, but don't quote me

[@DarthPizza777]

@@TylerAndToast okay i wont lol

[@c.w.2000]

@@TylerAndToastYes, that’s what Mike said on video when he was leaving Florida. You can quote me. 😀

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Bounced off, 5/10 for me. Nothing new or innovative, a pasted theme and some balance issues much in SM's usual fare. Maybe for Mike we need like a disembodied head floating around the screen! :P

[@PurpleSmurfProds]

blatantly false.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Opinions are an interesting thing...... 🙄

[@12345678abracadabra]

Another contrarian, passive-aggressive comment to get people to your channel. What a reputation to build for yourself. Do you even have friends in the industry anymore?

[@edwindrood2816]

Nice editing. Bees in space...and no combat? Sad.

[@thedicetower]

Bees are a hive mind and work in unison, why would there be combat? - Wendy

[@TheQueketh]

I love Mike, wish he was in every video. But man this format did not work, at all. Would it not be easier for everyone to have mike in a live call as you record the video? more dynamic. Surely a tv screen where people can join in live on zoom or whatever you want to use. Could even open for guest appearences in the future via call? Maybe i'm way off, this just seems off as a format, and seems to be a lot more work, atleast how i envision it must be done.

[@JamesOrr1987]

I don't get why it doesn't 'work'. he's there replying, live, just cutting over to him when he talks. What's there to complain about?

[@kevinrivera5554]

I didn’t like the game, minimal interaction and no mean play made it a little boring

[@tyrussleightholme7261]

What happened to Mike??

[@xabulense]

Uff, I really don't like those Mike interventions, that feels very scripted and at the same time clunky. I like Mike, but for me this is not the best way to do it.

[@bobtee123]

100% agree. Maybe they should do like four squares but instead of 4 squares one rectangle and one square for mike.

[@JasperHayward]

I think it would work better having Mike on a screen in the studio, like Kinda Funny does with remote guests

[@justinwebb2214]

I think they should just do a zoom/teams meeting so that it’s non-scripted interaction but Mike records his own audio/video that can be dubbed over and replaced in post.

[@elqord.1118]

Perfectly average game. I don’t see how I would pick this over the many very good worker placement games. Sold it already

[@kanedafx]

Strong disagree with Chris on games being close. This game is highly imbalanced like Tapestry (which I don't mind, as long as I understand it's that sort of game). Players who get OP items will destroy others. Me and another player figured out our own wombo combos and we doubled the score of the other two players, who were competent and played well, but couldn't find a crazy combo of powers like we did.

[@Jootie_de_Kop]

Probably a very well designed game. But: Apiary?! Can it be more niche?

[@ArnieHorta]

I found this game to be...ok. The cards make it really swingy,. Normally when I play a Euro the first time, I don't do that well but right away I see what I could have done better. IN Apiary I could not see that...other than get more cards and ride the randomness. That is not completely satisfying. All in all, of the two SM games for the year, I would rather play Expeditions....

[@ConeDefense]

Miss Mike but as others have said, this just doesn’t work. Love the review though very curious about this one.

[@JamesOrr1987]

Why not? I don't get why people are so picky about the screen switching over when he talks. I don't see the problem, only the benefit of another great reviewer on hand.

[@andrewwdavvid]

I appreciate that y’all are experimenting with the format, but the sudden cuts to what seems to be a pre-recorded Mike are are jarring and not great to watch.

[@JamesOrr1987]

it's not prerecorded

[@svenmund4906]

Personally I feel seeing Mike turn up huge on screen all of a sudden just doesn’t seem organic and disrupts the flow of the videos. I actively avoid videos where I see Mike is in them now. But way more importantly, I think we need a kickstarter to clone Tom. A dice tower video just isn’t the same without him

[@JamesOrr1987]

No way, More Mike the better!

[@nshaw1299]

the audio changes between the studio and mike's location are unwatchable for me... (video too - I want to see people's reactions as other ones speak - but the audio kills it). I don't know what's more work... doing these cuts like u did here, or a window-approach... but the cut-offs are just a mess for me personally. Put him in the same screen in a window... and don't switch the soundtrack abruptly...

[@adamcholt9160]

Several videos in now, and I do not like cutting Mike in. Also, over SM too.

[@daniellebackus819]

I love Mike, so if keeping him in the mix means cutting to him, I have no issue with it.

[@ArnieHorta]

@@daniellebackus819 I would rather they have him spliced in and interact in a live fashion as they review so they cal all play off each other. Doing it the way they are doing it now makes the review too disjointed so it seems like two different reviews pasted together.\

[@Drewkas0]

It is jolting. It would be better if they could stream with him live and have his face onscreen in a window.

[@grog3514]

I sold this after the first play. Its not fun enough for how long it is. Luck shouldn't be so prominent in long games. I didn't hate it but can't imagine playing this over so many other better WP games.

[@andymcguire237]

It's a good game and worth playing, but it is not doing anything new or special beyond the theme. It's a reeeeally basic euro game.

[@DontNickMe]

Confusing to me that they will praise a game and give it just a 7-8 score. Then this review where it's mostly complaints and they give it.... a 7-8 score? Also giving something a 7.5 is no longer a 10 point scale. That makes it a 20 point scale.

[@thedicetower]

I don't think it was mostly complaints, and there's always been half-points. For example, the standard for years has been that an 8.5 is the required rating to get a seal of excellence. -Chris