Battle For Rokugan Review - Stands With the Best of the Year

[@francescomauro1722]

BGG jokes... THE BEST types of jokes!

[@DeyaViews]

10:34 I wonder how many takes that took, because if it took more than one then Elaine must've gotten a heck of a workout with running that whole way each time

[@savethefunk]

Will echo what has already been said: one of your most entertaining reviews to date, with an exceptionally funny joke (you know the one). Also, Elaine, I'm totally - totally - with you on box size rant.

[@Santorrinni]

That BGG/Eric Lang joke. :D

[@benshums]

This is such a QUALITY video :). Thanks for all the fun humor and editing

[@phillosmaster393]

Let me ask a question. What exactly is Final Fantasy? What is Earthbound? What is Shadow Hearts? What is Wild Arms, Langrisser, Shining Force, Breath Of Fire, Dragon Quest, Slayers, Valkyria Chronicles, Ogre Battle, Record Of Lodoss Wars.... Probably some of my favorite franchises in the world. All of those are Japanese creations that are using traditionally western fantasy elements, in western looking settings and with western looking characters. Tons of English and/or German language used throughout to name characters and label things and places. I'm not making some argument for two wrongs make a right. I've always treated my above list as a form of the Japanese content creators flattering the western world by basically saying, "your things have value. We want to play with them too". Sure you can present this stuff in a way that can be insulting or incredibly insensitive. Though just because some content creator in the western world decides to get excited about eastern fantasy there's nothing inherently shameful about that. I can't defend every piece of fiction put out in L5R's nearly 30 year run and I can't defend every piece of art that's every been created by the hired artists or by the fanbase. I'm not even gonna stand here and defend the entire fanbase for L5R. Bigotry either intentional or unintentional can be found in almost anything. Though in service of fighting bigotry I find many times people take the "nuke it from orbit" approach, which is a very hyperbolic response. I'm just saying it seems like people are starting to treat L5R as something they need to apologize for before saying they like it. That's ridiculous.

[@geko1408]

But you get bonus points for virtue signaling, and being offended on behalf of someone else can double your victory points.

[@aluminumchew]

Unfortunately many people today can't tell the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. I'd feel sad for these people if they weren't so poisonous to society.

[@goeshi]

I'm breaking my KZbin vow of silence to say that this is the best review you guys have ever done. Maybe the best review ever. A+ gold star red tomato! ... I'm going back to my cave now

[@patrickd8654]

"I will tell you what is behind this token if, and only if, you listen to Elaine talk about board game box sizes for about a minute or so." I don't even care about the token. I would listen to Elaine's rants anyway. But if I may say so, Elaine seemed less crazed than usual. I hope you are feeling alright.

[@falconette8911]

Okay, so I'm gonna get on my high horse for a second because the bit at the beginning is kinda egregiously wrong... >.> Japanese industrial period was not independent of Western influences. It was not brought about due to direct Western colonization like much of the colonized world and it was led by Japanese leaders rather than Western ones but its industrialization was very distinctly something that came about due to Western influences. The Meiji Restoration came about (1860-1920~ ish esque) due to Japanese leaders fearing that Japan would fall under the same colonial pressure from Europe that China was facing at the time. Due to this fear, they decided that they needed to industrialize to the same degree as the Western nations to show that they were "equal" to them to prevent colonialization and perhaps even be able to stand amongst them in political standing. This movement kicked the country into some of the highest gear industrialization the world had ever experienced which resulted in great progress at the cost of the common Japanese people. Japan sent engineers and scholars into Europe to learn Western industrial progress and bring that knowledge back to Japan (how they came to develop a rail system is quite fascinating and worth a read). This is what results in the early 1900s era of Japan that looks extremely European in fashion (men in that time period often wore English styled suits, not the traditional kimono). In other news...great review guys! Hope you have happy holidays and looking forward to videos next year!

[@NoPunIncluded]

Very true but we kinda abstracted for comedic brevity. Industrially Japan was very much influenced by the west, but culturally it wasn't until the Potsdam Declaration and it's effects on Shintoism and the idea of "emperor" that they were severely shook up. But I am sure you know this.

[@falconette8911]

Yeah, the bit about how they were culturally shocked did start before Potsdam but it definitely hit great full effect with that, resulting in great pieces such as the great Teito Monogatari. Thanks for replying!

[@NoPunIncluded]

Thank you very much for your input! We often just abbreviate things for better flow but it's so encouraging that commenters will come and fix our mistakes.

[@saintsalieri]

The historiography of Japan has pretty much moved entirely away from the idea of isolation as a defining feature of Japanese history. Yes, sakoku was a policy in the Tokugawa period, but there were also Dutch studies, trade with other Asian countries, and so on. In the Meiji period, there were many foreigners (European, Chinese, etc.) living in Japan. Japan was consciously modeled politically and culturally on states like Germany (some Japanese were a bit chagrined to learn all that effort expended on learning Dutch was in service of emulating a pretty minor power by this time!). It was a bit ironic that this video showed concern for cultural appropriation in some weird fantasy setting while engaging in some of the most common exoticizing tropes about Japanese exceptionalism, or a West/rest binary that no historians would really subscribe to anymore.

[@Mutimel]

You know, there still aren't enough games where you can play as spaghetti. Good to see that this one is ahead of the curve!

[@xenondoro8573]

Love this game! No unnecessary plastic junk or dice rolling, just the core essentials and a small box enabling you to carry it to a friend's house.

[@hrxm]

I clicked to watch a simple bg review but end up watching bg comedy show. And I apreciate that!

[@janpawedwa4590]

Be honest, how many times you had to film the bit at 1:00 to get it right?

[@NoPunIncluded]

twice and we used the first take.

[@metalislife2245]

There are cultural inappropriateness issues with L5R? I've been casually observing the ip for a long while and have never heard of this. Why would there be a problem? I guess...

[@JonDoe-kr6ee]

It's kind of funny that they talk about the cultural inappropriateness of l5r but then talk about the raid token as if it's a nuclear bomb in a japanese-themed game... lol.

[@thomasgomer4182]

Jon Doe THIS

[@uncertainsage]

Bunch of white guys designing something with an Asian asthetic. Don't think they did anything out of malice but some people are turned off or insulted by it

[@KujakuDM]

It isnt. Appropriate require more than just using a cultural aesthetic that isnt yours.

[@CFrom-nc5qf]

Wow, brilliant diceless idea for a strat bg. Thx for th review.

[@SkoonerJr]

What would be a better game for 2 or 3 player count?

[@NoPunIncluded]

Inis is fantastic at 3. And at two players? I just don't think area control games are meant to be played with two. Perhaps Memoir 44?

[@Southfloridelphia]

I know you didn't care for it Efka, but I think Cry Havoc works well at 2 because you always have the Trogs to deal with.

[@NoPunIncluded]

You are right, neither of us cared for it.

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

Area control for two = Battle Line/Schotten Totten

[@Cyanicide]

Hm, was wondering how it would play with lower counts, and I got my answer! For 4, sadly own more than enough area control/majority games already, but it is neat as a budget option, and I hope it's a direction more and more game publishers start going in.

[@megaderp1618]

I know it'sbeen a l o n g time since you posted this but I was wondering if you had any area control games? My group and I are a huge fan of warfare/battling games of territory control/conquest so I'm always looking for new games to scratch that itch.

[@kevinespinoza7128]

@@megaderp1618 Here are some weird/hybrid ones I like: - King is Dead - Brian Boru - In the Shadow of the Emperor - Renature - Reef Encounter

[@Sorastro]

"A piece of lint in a pocket full of knick knacks": Wonderful stuff as usual 😀

[@mylor1066]

2 years late to the party but... this is one of your best videos!

[@SimonALa]

Will I enjoy this if I absolutely refuse to hide my bits, or if I... or if I... sorry there is snow outside and I think I just saw Elaine run by my house.

[@Eisu]

You fool!! She's coming to attack your kingdom!! Man your defenses!!

[@jordanwilliams8994]

so where is the spatial element? Just how many borders a territory has?

[@ziemowitgowin4000]

What part of England are you from?

[@mandomerlie1997]

Does this game "work" with two players?

[@joelcole161]

I thought: " ... milkshake in a pickle dick?!? ... WTF, Britain? " Not that milkshake in a pickled egg would be much better, though.

[@Grimgrinpeg]

Most amusing boardgame tutorial type of video I've watched so thanks!

[@soren123]

Best review from NPI yet. And that's saying something.

[@carrmak]

Brilliant review and so much effort put into the editing! Also. You are making me buy wayyy too many board games. It's the holiday season. Please have mercy. ;D

[@NoPunIncluded]

That darn Matt Lees is making us up our game each time. I hear his Gloomhaven video might go up tonight and we'll cower in shame once more.

[@fingolfinfinwe]

This review, is brilliant!

[@Rafferty1968]

Is that Nigel Farage at 2:42?!

[@BehindtheBox]

Oooh this sounds really interesting. Thanks for another great review!

[@slydog75]

Excellent work guys!

[@nachoolo]

1:00 Yeaaaah...that's bullshit. And we have some black ships and the Meiji Restoration to say otherwise.

[@theturdreich9546]

Have people noticed some of the best reviewers of games are British just love these 2 keep up great work

[@wh3elson]

the turd reich no, because the biggest/best reviewers are American

[@Osborne4Life]

Loved that jab joke at BGG, as we all know ratings on that site don't matter.

[@mossydemon1984]

They kinda do, peer review is the basis of scientific publications, so i don't see how it's invalid when applied to boardgames?

[@B0rghalRantipole]

"we all know" ... riiight. I can with absolute certainty say more people like game #50 than game #500. That is some valid and useful information if you approach it correctly.

[@coreymayo8321]

El Grande vs. Hawaii... both by Rio Grande Games

[@InVinceIble009]

Ok now you picked my attention... BUT before running and buying it Efka... How does it compare to Knizia's classic Samurai? I feel there are some similarities, am I right? Seriously, this video is a blast man. I love it!

[@NoPunIncluded]

I'm sorry to say, but in all our time cardboarding we haven't had a chance to play Samurai. I know, I know.

[@InVinceIble009]

No problem! You mentioned briefly Inis though which became one of my favorite game ever. So would you mind telling me how you compare both in more details? Ooh and now that I caught your attention... what's the token you put?

[@Alandric1911]

It’s similar in that you draw tokens the same way and hide behind your screen but that’s it. Samurai token are placed open and its a much different game.

[@islyfe]

I’m looking to buy a new game and I have narrowed down my choices to BFR or Inis. 🤔

[@diamend85]

who was first you or shut up and sit down :D brothers from another mother, such a similar style. i like both

[@TheBoardGameKaptain]

This was one of your best ever vids!

[@jamespeterson9620]

I am resisting being part of the 20%

[@turtleandbear1179]

nice review, nice macguffin!

[@Gutock]

Better games at 2p and 3p? .... Inis? :) Not sure, honest question. Also, so hateful about the token it is nuts. Great review, game looks great, shame it's going to be called a Rising Sun knock off considering it looks quite different.

[@markonom2]

Gutock yeah, the reference to Inis was for the "if you get it, you get it" part

[@ultralalaful]

by far your best SHOW ^^

[@Mithandriel]

What an entertaining video. Thx for IT!

[@davedogge2280]

So it's Ker-plonk with a Feudal Japan ? grrrrreeeeaaaatttt !

[@tahsinshamma2369]

Solid, solid review.

[@MotiviqueStudio]

There should be a card game based on your 7 clans. Seeing as there won't be any other card game...

[@TopDesu]

I wanna play the spaghetti

[@NickRatRadio]

Really love this video :D

[@Southfloridelphia]

I miss when Elaine used to yell for most the reviews.

[@Argroh]

eh, probably a Bluff token.

[@gabrieldomocos7570]

Hahaha Muller and Flynn

[@jeremiaszbojanowski8595]

Something has changed... :D :D :D 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Naeddyr]

ok look here i am at 1:13 and elaine i am sorry but i have to stop you here because technically japan

[@NoPunIncluded]

very clever.

[@odie1973ro]

epic review....:)

[@Rafferty1968]

Lot5R was an RPG, a card game and a Tabletop battle game. But boardgame snobery ignores miniatures again.. smh.

[@smilingnavern]

Noooo....what's under this token?

[@Shugenjya]

Did i hear my name?

[@rkk667]

Well played... :-D

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

Feel like Rising Sun is the only Screen game I'll enjoy this next year. Rising Sun looks amazing

[@NoPunIncluded]

Nah man. Just cause Rising Sun has a knock-off L5R theme doesn't mean these games are at all alike. Anyway, Rising Sun is not even out yet and neither of us played it so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@wh3elson]

Casey Pierson ok...? Lol

[@shawngarbett6671]

Not even a cheese advent calendar?

[@michaelmelen9062]

Or a vegemite advent calendar...

[@shawngarbett6671]

I'm good with that as well, as long as one day has psychedelic marmite.

[@michaelmelen9062]

Brilliant! lol

[@NoPunIncluded]

wow, it took me a moment and then I... errr... Elaine remembered.

[@shawngarbett6671]

Does one ever quite remember what happens after that bite of magic marmite?

[@surfmunky7551]

Within the first minutes you provide the worst sum up of Japanese history I’ve ever heard. Japan became isolationist in response to the massive amount of western influence happening to the country during the Sengoku Gidai, all the way back in the 16th century. Christianity was spreading like wildfire. Oda Nobunaga surged across the country and defeated Takeda’s cavalry armies with imported matchlocks. Famous Japanese foods like Tempura descended from Portuguese influence. For 100s of years after Japan isolated itself from the world, Rangaku (or ‘Dutch studies’) was one of the driving forces of technological and philosophical change in Japan, slowly opening up the country to western ideas again. All culminating in the Meiji Restoration... I mean the most significant cultural, political, and technological change to happen to a country in such a short period of time and you talk like it didn’t even happen!? Within 20 years of the Meiji Restoration, Japan had modelled its government largely on the USA’s, sent emissary across the world to learn from the west, and regular Japanese people went from wearing kimonos to suits and ties. The idea that WWII was the first piece in this puzzle, rather than the last, is truly troubling :/

[@Bingo2501]

You look like a son of Peter Jackson...

[@void2258]

I'm sure the Muller reference won't date this review at all.

[@NoPunIncluded]

oh no!

[@meenki347]

Sorry, but I only watch if Elaine is in the video.

[@Thematic2177]

I have watched the first 5 minutes, and I still don't know anything about the game. This review is a bad joke.

[@Lwilibert]

you are a bad joke