At The Gates of Loyang - Playthrough & Review (Uwe Rosenberg Series)

[@BeforeYouPlay]

If you were a vegetable, what would you be? 😎

[@supercoupon2]

Nobody's beet me to this reply

[@BeforeYouPlay]

@@supercoupon2 Killing it beet red haha!!

[@AisforAwkwardd]

Potato for sure- versatile and loved by all!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

@Abby Bender Yum! 😋

[@tylerbrown9797]

Probably just a cucumber honestly

[@ericyeung5296]

That is so great to share and show a “vintage” game. You really don’t see this type of content every day.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Totally! It's why we love doing the "designer series"! 😀

[@stevegeorge7773]

Agree, it's great for a BYP to do the vintage and not so mainstream games. But the designer is a powerhouse!! That! is! for! sure!

[@EmmaNovaheim]

At 1:12:46, I think Naveen should have removed the leek from his market stall. Unfortunately that means it wouldn't have been there for Monique at 1:21:11. 😕 Loved seeing the next game in the series - I've been looking forward to these so much!

[@henribcosta]

I was just coming here to point up this haha

[@tuesss]

I was going to point it out as well. I wonder if that would change the final result 🤔

[@vancer.8886]

My wife and I LOVE this game. We have played it so many times that the cards are worn to the point of needing to be replaced. Thank you for featuring Gates. Btw, our copy was made by Z-man games who produced this game before TMG

[@Viragomp]

Yup, ours is Z-man too.

[@billyguinigundo4849]

The tight puzzle is one of the reasons Loyang is a solo player favorite. Very tough and no pressure for AP. It does play more quickly.

[@heidicakessoapco5343]

Another great Uwe game. His games are the jam in my pb&j. Thank you for the very good playthrough. You two are so good at making games understandable. This one has a bit of a learning curve for me, and if it was in production, I'd snap it up. I'll keep an eye out! Thanks again!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Such an amazing designer. It’s so impressive how many games he made within a short period of time!! Hopefully this will get picked up by another company for a reprint.

[@manuelkooijman5757]

I have managed to find a copy in a game store in Amsterdam yesterday (3rd August 2022) with a nice discount. Going to pick it up in the weekend. Cannot wait to play this one. The solo is also supposed to be pretty good.

[@tracytroutman7188]

On any given day, this might be my favorite Rosenberg game.

[@VictoriaKim93]

Hi i am a south korean who loves board games. In my country we don't have many boardgame playthrough youtube channels. One day, I jst visited your channel and I really enjoyed it. Anyways, I am gonna visit your channel everyday. please upload lots of famous boardgame videos! thanks🥰

[@andrewstroud9745]

Great video. One of my favorites from Rosenberg. I think there might be a mistake in the card phase. The two player variant allows the starting player to put a card from the top of the deck into the courtyard and gives the starting player the option of immediately taking that card. At least I think that’s the rule. I have the old printing. Here’s the text… SPECIAL RULES FOR 2 PLAYERS: During the Distribution round, at the start of his turn, a player may choose to turn over the top Action card from the Draw pile and place it in the Courtyard. (This is also allowed when only one player is left and he must immediately choose from the available cards. This special rule gives players a wider choice of cards. The rule also allows the Starting player to immediately make a selection, even before his opponent has had a turn).

[@keshavjee1977]

18:59 just marking the timestamp. My understanding is that both players may draw a card in their first turn of drafting (not only the first player) and then they have another chance to do it if only a player is left. This exception was created for the 2 player variant because of this rule: “Note: The last player left to choose in a given round may no longer place any cards into the Courtyard, but must immediately choose from the available cards.” For sure this will reduce the gameplay for about 15/20 minutes

[@kindredspiritm]

Really excited to watch this. Always looking out for a good play through of this game and you guys are the best!

[@coyotemoon722]

This is the 2nd Uwe you guys have introduced to me. I hadn't played Le Havre before this series, and I've been enjoying that one as well!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Nice!! Hope you will get a chance to try this one out too!

[@coyotemoon722]

@@BeforeYouPlay I just shipped out a trade for it so I'll be trying it out soon enough! 😎

[@improg]

Naveen's expression as Monique started her final turn gave me a literal LOL.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

She played so well!!!

[@VTboardgamer]

Hey Monique and Naveen, great explanation and playthrough as always! I was able to pick up a Z-man Games version of this last month (November 2022) second hand for only $15, and am looking forward to getting this to the table soon. It's exciting to hear you guys liked this as much as you did, hopefully my wife and I feel the same!

[@scottpayne8640]

Thanks for the video! Even though I am familiar with the game it's great to watch y'all play and I learned a bit about strategy. It is a tough game, but very enjoyable although I have only been able to play solo so far. Keep up the good work. Y'all are enjoyable to watch and are producing some great videos.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bookaddict777]

I love this game. It has a terrific solo mode too!

[@Kr1stmas]

The rules mention a little beginner variant where everyone starts with 1 customer in their hand that they can choose to activate in the cards phase.

[@zomborya]

Awesome playthrough as always. Naveen could have had this one at the end though. 1:37:12 - Naveen could by two wheat ($6 total), then trade for a pumpkin and a bean using his market stall and serve his casual customer for $9 netting $3 and winning by $2 instead of losing by $1. You coulda been a contenda Naveen! Seriously, great games for each of you and fun to watch no matter who won or lost...

[@marknadeski7485]

Ooh, I like your idea of seeing the first 8 cards before making your starting vegetable decision and then shuffling those cards again before dealing them out. Good idea!

[@olloplays]

I remember seeing this one and shrugging it off because the art style was questionable but looking at some of those cards it doesn't seem like anything is problematic. I definitely want to look into that more because gameplay looks pretty solid. I'm glad you two went over this one!

[@pauloyanez2640]

Excellent playthrough as always!!! 😬👌

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks 😋

[@kingspadez7978]

So close!! 1:27:30 - use the shopper to buy wheat for 1 from the supply - buy wheat for 3 from your store - trade wheat for turnip - trade wheat for cabbage. Instead of paying 8 to satisfy the non-reg customer you only needed to spend 4.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Ahh so clever!!! Would have made a HUGE difference!!!

[@PetrSojnek]

I really love, you decided to do this Uwe Rosenberg series :) And can only hope you will do Stefan Feld, who is my favorite designer. One thing I want to say... it's kind of difficult to watch these heavy euros without shouting at screen :D

[@bushibayushi]

Actually you store your vegetables and pay to advance on the prosperity track after you end your turn (as soon as you pass doing your actions), it's not a separate phase for both players ;). It might matter because sometimes the money flows between players. ;).

[@thomaswilson7718]

A bit late to watching this one. It was completely under my radar looks fun and will be going on the wish list :D Thank you all

[@ChrisLogsdon]

Wow this looks like so much fun! Thanks for the great video :)

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks for checking it out Chris!

[@AisforAwkwardd]

Monique your sweaters always look so warm and cozy!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Aww thank you! Naveen got it for me for Xmas!

[@dimpleza]

Have you tried Reykohlt? This is also by Uwe Rosenberg, flew a bit under the radar and is very similar but more streamlined I feel. Awesome playthrough as usual! Thanks you two ❤️

[@HuntressMedia]

Wow…Loyang!!! Fun

[@HuntressMedia]

Very first game my wife and I learned at a board game convention. Good thing someone taught us, it was a little tricky at first. Still own mine! 😀😊

[@Torabayama]

Thanks for doing this video on an Uwe game that doesn't get as much love as the biggies. Also, there isn't much content on KZbin for this either. I don't own it currently, but would really like to complete my Farming Trilogy. Will you be doing a top 10 Uwe Games list upon completion of your series? Can't wait for the next!

[@arturmachno2223]

Another great video about great game. I played it about 10 times with music wife. At some point every game ended with 17-18 points. It kinda felt like whatever we are doing we are scoring the same.

[@giacomorimatori8483]

True, but it make big difference to finish with 17 pt and 15 coins or 17 pt and 2 coins.

[@jellevancamp7190]

Another house rule for the beginning of the game could also be to flip over customers equal to the number of players + 1 and draft your initial customers. Or bid for them, using your scarce money. :)

[@martinprivat5908]

I am so looking forward to Glassroad!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Next is Merkator, Glass Road will be a little bit down the road

[@amethystwolf24572]

In the first round or two, I didn't think this game seemed very interesting. But as the game wore on, I could see the fun in the insane management it takes to make it work. It did seem difficult to get some synergy going, but very satisfying once it did.

[@jurds216]

I didn’t quite understand this game from the teach but watching the play through was helpful. Great game. As an aside: Idk about using Monique those two cards together (trading 2:1 on another opponents market stall). Technically the parameters didn’t quite overlap for them to be used together. Idk just a thought

[@boardthenplay8878]

This is my grail game. Totally hard to get a hold off. Hoping someone would take over and produce a reprint. If you take a close look at the art. There’s a few resemblance to the characters of Mulan.

[@MrFirefox322]

how did you get your hands on a copy of this??? i've wanted to get it for years, enjoyed your playthrough!

[@TheYashakami]

I didnt think i was going to like this game, but it actually seems super fun. I wish it wasnt out of print!

[@lorelielomaloma6569]

Ora et Labora was reprinted in 2020, Glass Road in 2021… so maybe Gates of Loyang in 2022?

[@BeforeYouPlay]

That would be so cool!!

[@matslarsson6919]

I have yet to play this with others. It’s a great solo game though.

[@jay7a2j]

Love Merkator! Can't wait for your playthrough. I have Loyang but started to play it once and got frustrated at trying to get my engine going so I put it away...lol Are you going to do a Feld series, he's my fav. game designer.

[@j.r.cilliangreen4083]

Mercator is my favorite Uwe game and no one seems to know about it

[@oooDORIENooo]

Just letting you know, you’ve not added this to the playlist. Been working my way through and only knew this video existed, because you said at the beginning of the Merkator vid 👍🏻

[@dkoudrin]

I think I got to 17 the first time I played. Without really knowing any strategies. Also our game only took about an hour.

[@Onishi87]

just in time for Chinese New Year!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Lol total coincidence!!

[@jogumby]

Great video! Just as an FYI I was able to get a second printing of this published now by Z-Man Games.

[@ThomasKarenke]

When and where?

[@jogumby]

@@ThomasKarenke One of our local game stores had it. I bought it today.

[@martinabendrin9988]

Its one of my all time favorites.😍 Arler Erde is the best game from Uwe Rosenberg I think. We played it for years and we love it so much. Have you tried it?

[@drizztcj]

43:28 I think it's always worth taking the loan for one step if you have no money (obviously it's better to just have money) because you end up with four coins and at the same score

[@chandramohan5105]

You need to plan well for nine rounds- what to plant, when to plant and harvest, and how to sell.

[@ramorgan1]

Naveen... Around 1:12:50 you traded 2 resources for a leek. But then instead of taking the leek off of the market card you grabbed from the bowl, leaving the leek on the market card. Then in a subsequent round Monique was able to get that leek! Doh! Maybe you could have won? We'll never know...

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Oh man, I totally made a boo boo there. That's a huge mistake, but it was definitely my (Naveen's) responsibility to know that!

[@robertcrist6059]

Yep, watched this for the third time and it seems good enough to get. Slightly annoying to shuffle that deck each time. Personally don't like when the cards you just saw come back. In say Terraforming Mars, yeah a lot of cards, but any cards played or discarded I'll shuffle but they go at the bottom of the cards we didn't see as to work on something new. When I get Agricola, the A deck cards dealt will go back in the box backward facing to tell me not to use them in the next game and to use the unused A deck and so on. I wonder what a two deck would do balancing wise and what I mean is take the Helpers/Fields and the Customers into two separate decks, and when it is time to get your cards you could choose which selection you wanted, maybe put a restriction that you need to take from both decks so 3 from 1 and 1 from the other. Maybe even do four decks and then you can choose any combination you wanted and you know the style of card you are getting. And with the reshuffle part, I wonder if the cards not chosen sit out one round, then get shuffled back in the next round, if you didn't do the separate or two deck idea. Idk could be ways to check out.

[@henribcosta]

At 1:28:00 Naveen spend the Shopper (?) and payed 5 for the Cabbage, but I guess he could've bought two wheats for 4 total and use his trade card for the cabbage and turnip missing for the casual costumer, right?

[@user-sh3jf6tu4f]

Like seeing your playthrough. arond 1:12:44 a 2:1 leek was exchanged but he gets it from the supply, not from the card. I am a big fan of his work but...at 4~6rounds, I'm confused that a non planted farm is even visible. a planted farm at 4~6 round is much more bigger than a step. I go like 18avarage so, I think I'm probably right about this.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Yeah that was an error on my part! Totally made a boo boo there. :-(

[@itboznkgvjugjtfg]

What a fun game, thank you guys very much :) SPOILER! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monique deserved to win. Naveen had all that money and all that empty fields, and instead of buying and planting, he just let all that money sit there. Good game, though, thank you for showcasing it. I am now interested in finding a copy for ourselves :D

[@nawtyit6271]

I guess since they both chose wheat to start, there was no home field advantage...

[@Schumi2407]

At the end, when Monique fulfilled her casual customer, she got 9 base points + 2 extra points (for the helper). Shouldn't the base point value be modified down to 7 points because she had more casual customers than regular customers (min 11:14)? Wouldn't that mean that Naveen actually won by 1? ;)

[@tuesss]

Shouldn't this be part of the Uwe Rosenberg Series playlist, before Merkator?

[@PandaSquared]

Naveen may win or lose at board games but I'm pretty sure he wins Evens and Odds almost every time.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Lol true!!

[@TawanWorapol]

Agricola and Le havre please.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Done and done. Check out the Uwe Rosenberg playlist on our channel! 😙

[@annereynolds7930]

Renegade Game Studios published a (slightly) re-themed version of this game that is still available. It is called Reykholt.

[@joellekey6966]

I have Reykholt and I hope it will make the play through list but it is a VERY different game. Only similarity is you are planting vegetables.

[@afrank525]

The game is a lot shorter when played solo.

[@scottie771]

The more of Uwe Rosenberg's games I see, the more certain I am that he hasn't made a single game I'll find interesting.

[@Xenophiah]

I found the game on ebay... $400 lolz

[@BeforeYouPlay]

I wouldn't pay more than $379 😜 LOL!!

[@ModernPlague]

It's been selling for around $45 to $70 on eBay lately.

[@nakorbluerider]

You need that other $21 to reach the 20 square on the prosperity track in round 9, after all.

[@andyleggett18]

There's a good amount of copies on BGG Geek Market, ranging from $40-80 US, so you can definitely get ahold of a copy if you're willing to eat some shipping costs haha

[@linkforth]

I'm always stuck at 16 too 🥲