Beast Review - Whether Hunting or Hunter....An Incredible Hidden Movement Game

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Welcome to the Northern Expanse, a place where nature is still unexplored, mystical and dangerous.
When the humans first arrived, they thought they found an unspoiled paradise, filled with bountiful forests, lakes swimming with fish and cold freshwater flowing from the mountains.
But as their settlements expanded and the surrounding forests grew thinner, nature itself pushed back. Great creatures known as Beasts emerged, and with their fangs, claws and mystical powers, they proved an incredible threat to the humans. In order to protect the settlements, humans enlisted specialised hunters, tasked with tracking and killing the Beasts before too many of their kin perish.
Kickstarter Link - bit.ly/3hZUb4q
BGG Link - boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2...
TimeStamps:
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:01:54 - Game Overview
0:07:50 - What We Like
0:13:04 - What We Don't Like
0:19:20 - What We Can See Others Not Liking
0:23:18 - Final Thoughts
Scoring System
5 - My favorite games. I'm disappointed when anyone I play games with doesn't like it, because it means I might play it less often.
4 - A great game. Almost always going in my collection.
3 - A solid game. Enjoyed it and can recommend it, but may or may not stay in my collection.
2 - I'm either not the target audience for the gameplay, or too many issues with it.
1 - An arguably bad game.
My Review Board - bit.ly/2Y9PFJF
Explanation of Review Board - • BoardGameCo Review Boa...
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[@renatocarvalho6059]

I was already so excited for this one. Now I’m even more! Thank you guys for the review! You guys rock.

[@M1_ke]

Thanks for the video guys! Looking forward to the campaign :)

[@Nioocik]

i'm so happy, i was looking for a video about this game, thank you :)

[@JimmyJoel2]

A lot of the things you didn't like have been addressed already in the latest rules and the kickstarted stretch goals! Love to see it!!

[@BoardGameCo]

Yep :)

[@kevinblazeii]

Wow, great solid overview!!!! thank you very much!!!!

[@wbeytel]

Thanks guys, it is fantastic to hear that you guys rate it so highly. I love hidden movement games and I already own Mind Mgmt and Letters from Whitechapel. I will definitely keep an eye out for when the Kickstarter campaign goes live.

[@studiomidhall]

We could not have wished for a better review! We are going live today!

[@wbeytel]

@@studiomidhall Awesome! Your game looks absolutely fantastic, I am definitely going to back it. Best of luck with the campaign 👍

[@DoppelgangerF02]

Awesome vid! Love the three triangles reviews!

[@BoardGameCo]

Thanks :)

[@orhan7255]

Sounds very promising. Let's see how much this will cost. As there are no miniatures i hope not too much...

[@BoardGameCo]

It's so good, my favorite hidden movement game so far.

[@studiomidhall]

We're doing everything we can to keep it as cheap as possible while maintaining a high quality!

[@studiomidhall]

@@BoardGameCo That means a lot since it's coming from you

[@renatocarvalho6059]

@@studiomidhall Campaign starts today! Can’t wait… One of my most anticipated this year, for sure. Looks amazing. See you there :D

[@craigandrews7544]

@@studiomidhall available via retail?

[@patrickkeehan9560]

Think they will consider acrylic standees, since they can still showcase the art, but provide something more durable than cardboard?

[@FranciscoRAmado]

I don't think so. It's part of their Environmental commitments. They say "Everything in Beast is made of recyclable materials".

[@patrickkeehan9560]

@@FranciscoRAmado They could use recycled plastics

[@FranciscoRAmado]

​@@patrickkeehan9560 Yes, they could make some using recycled PET which would be recyclable depending on the country. But I think I still prefer the cardboard ones which I find more in line with the theme and are universally more eco-friendly. And of course, I can always get some cheap acrylic standees if I feel the need to.

[@ryansprenkle6356]

I saw an ad for this months ago and fell in love with it just through the art. I can't wait.

[@BoardGameCo]

It's a great game.

[@studiomidhall]

Thank you for the kind words about the art

[@shawnkays6821]

Hearing y'alls feedback on the Grudges for hunters is interesting. The economy is already so tightly designed for the Action Cards and such that I don't see any adjustments working without also increasing the hunters' costs for upgrades (although I see they're adding more upgrades to each hunter so I'm curious how the economy pans out for those). Also, killing Summons is already such a huge blow to the Beast, awarding Grudges would break the game. And if Grudges were awarded, all of the upgrades' costs would be greatly increased. It also puts too much emphasis on the already powerful Iona. With that said, it sounds like they're fixing the problems you brought up :)

[@danno4729]

Thanks for the review, folks! Shyra, excellent points you mentioned!

[@BoardGameCo]

Anytime :)

[@guinealover121]

Thanks!

[@christiannordin5328]

It looks really great! Love the art and the mechanics. My only concern is a personal one, I mostly play board games with my wife and I am wondering how good it will feel with just two players.

[@hendrickstrauss3311]

What a lovely surprise this video is! Thank you all!

[@steveowen7508]

Thanks for the review. I still like having 3 perspectives, even though you all like the game.

[@WanderingWisp]

Looks like one of the stretch goals they added for this is an extra 2 upgrades for each hero

[@BenjaminH_48]

This game had my curiosity, now it has my attention!

[@BoardGameCo]

It's really good :)

[@adamanderson1979]

Me and my brother played gates of Arkham as a campaign. The big thing we did was permadeath for each player character. That solution could be a good fit for this game.

[@gradybolte8077]

Alex, have you seen anything about city of the great machine? It's another hidden movement one vs many KS kicking off this week. The steam punk setting really appeals to me, but I haven't seen much about gameplay. I was curious if you had any thoughts or comparisons between the two.

[@danno4729]

Alex, any impressions of this (Beast) vs. Sniper Elite? If you could only back one, which one would you choose (very tough pick for me, both look great). Thanks again for the great video!

[@BoardGameCo]

I'd choose Beast...but that's because I played it :)

[@Luke_L]

Thanks for the informative video! I’ll probably wait for retail on this one as the art print(s) aren’t a big draw for me. Plus, I still have to get Mind MGNT to the table. I really should try to make more of a dent in my shelf of shame before buying new games.

[@eriklindqvist9923]

Probably backing this. Scotland Yard was one of my favorit games as a kid but I haven't played any modern game of this type yet. Got Letters from Whitechapel during spring but still on the backlog shelf due to covid.

[@eriklindqvist9923]

Just noticed it's from a swedish developer making it even more likely I'll back it to support the local board game developer scene which isn't huge. 🙂

[@studiomidhall]

@@eriklindqvist9923 Tack så mycket!

[@cyrus1469]

Fury of Dracula is my current favorite hidden movement game , though I have and haven't played mind mgmt

[@studiomidhall]

Beast will be your new favorite hidden movement ;)

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

"To be clear. If all of us said we don't want to play it again, you wouldn't be upset?" "I'd find other people." Ohhhhh!!!! Drop the mic!!!! Ba-Zing!!!!

[@BoardGameCo]

Lol exactly.

[@studiomidhall]

Best quote ever

[@guinealover121]

It's the truth!

[@RiHa_Games]

Insta back for me. You all look very rested somehow, where on the time line is this video 😳 I know I repeat myself but Shira that braid with those earrings are stunning😁 and since it is your channel Alex, you are not too shabby yourself 🤪

[@raycash2000]

Alex have you played citidels with 2 people? Talk about drafting, assassin, thief, gah. Great Video! I'm looking forward to this game 100%

[@CH-fp6gj]

Fury of Dracula uses a trail of cards for where Dracula has been, I think it is 7 cards. I made a mini laminated map and use a dry erase marker to track my Dracula movement, maybe this game could do the same.

[@BoardGameCo]

Good idea, that could definitely work.

[@herr_der_spiele]

Definitivly need to get this on my table 🙂👍

[@studiomidhall]

Looking forward to seeing it in your content when you get it

[@herr_der_spiele]

@@studiomidhall definitivly 🙂

[@pocketacessuited]

Hello Alex and others, Any thoughts on going with the standees vs. the miniatures?

[@kenrickcarlsonkeh191]

Please have a comparison of Beast and Fury of Dracula 3rd/4th edition. This will surely help potential backers decide. Plus it could also help Beast improve.

[@sedraniM]

Sounds great! Unfortunately The core game + EU shipping + VAT is more expensive than the retail version, which makes Kickstarter a bad deal imo. Just gonna grab it in my local store for cheaper when its out!

[@anthonychilds8193]

This is a game I noticed for the first time as it was strategically(?) placed in prominent view in your 6 small box game review posted on Dec 6, 2023. The whole time I'm listening to this review/overview I'm thinking, "how great would it be if they published a Princess Mononoke game and it was something like this?!"

[@BoardGameCo]

Lol thanks :)

[@yusiablackpie8029]

Thanks for the video guys) Please, share your experience. This game is good and interesting when playing only two people like a duel?

[@Exozik]

I am so sad that the pledge closed 3 days ago and I just found out about it today from you guys. Seems like the perfect game for me.

[@LaughingDepressed]

Yeah I'm guessing the backerskit finally closed?

[@Exozik]

@@LaughingDepressed Yeah they closed on it on the 10th May.

[@CS-yv8ph]

Beast campaign has a new pledge level as well as new stretch goals! Nows the time to get into the action! 10 days to go

[@BoardGameCo]

Yep :-) I'll be talking about it next week

[@morphyyy86]

Hey Alex, have you seen that one of the SGs of Beast doubled up the upgrades of all 6 Hunters, so now they will have 4 each? Do you think that could make this change the game a 5/5 for you? I am certainly very excited about this implementation. :)

[@kylemcbee170]

Studio Midhall just announced fixes for their biggest complaints! I can already tell this is going to be a great game! Can't wait to play this one!

[@plep1046]

Where did they announce that?

[@BoardGameCo]

Yep :) They told me already :)

[@Max-pj9km]

Great video!. This video is 16 months old. It mentions the game as a 4 out of 5, but if rules were improved and tweaks made, could be an even better game. I wonder if changes have been made and if the Beast edition hitting retail soon has been improved. Thanks!.

[@BoardGameCo]

I am expecting it to grow even further on me...but we'll see.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

Gotta love Shyra.

[@BoardGameCo]

:)

[@koonfasa]

The board makes me think of Battleship!

[@BoardGameCo]

Interesting, how so?

[@koonfasa]

@@BoardGameCo all those locations are layer out almost like a grid, and when you mentioned hidden movement I was thinking of games like Captain Sonar and Escape from the Alien in Outer Space. Probably more like Scotland Yard… Anyway, looks interesting, thanks!

[@1Dreamking]

"I find other people". Savage! =)

[@BoardGameCo]

Lol yep :)

[@liamobrien292]

When will this be available to buy? Looks good.

[@BoardGameCo]

On Kickstarter now :)

[@HashStrid]

Now that you have fully covered mind mgmt, what's your comparison between the two games?

[@BoardGameCo]

I'll be doing a full comparison once they both arrive.

[@HashStrid]

@@BoardGameCo more than reasonable. Not sure if beast is going to retail in my area so gota make a decision. Like the theme of beast more but ease of play and game length are important to me

[@Filthyanimal9]

I get that dying should be punitive- you think?! It’s death!!!!

[@BoardGameCo]

Lol exactly :)

[@studiomidhall]

Awesome qoute!

[@dultanur]

Any chance this plays well at 2 players? Great video as usual guys. Edit: sorry you mentioned you haven’t played…

[@Tolbiakful]

It looks excellent... too bad that i missed the KS

[@HowardAbraham]

Any comments on Beast versus Forsaken Forest?

[@BoardGameCo]

I haven't been following forsaken forest

[@justicebolt5293]

Not sold on it yet since i don’t know if it play well at 2 players. And it is not so recommended at 4 players too…

[@dddmmm21]

Will it play well at 2p?

[@kevindepauw9110]

Is there a solo mode?

[@davidcastonguay4114]

You must try the boardgame Flourish if you love card drafting. :)

[@BoardGameCo]

I'll have to give it a shot :)

[@manonfire4jc]

This or Mind MGMT? Which would you pick Alex? You can one have one.

[@BoardGameCo]

Both.... But in all seriousness, both are amazing but if I have to answer without getting three paragraphs of context in the choice, I would probably say mind mgmt. But if I were talking to you, I would ask you more questions before answering.

[@manonfire4jc]

@@BoardGameCo great answer. And very true that you'd need more info to make a good suggestion. 👍

[@taylorkowbel7078]

I know you guys are mostly board gamers, but I'm 3 mins in and thinking this sounds alot like the video game evolve. Any chance anyone has tried that?

[@BoardGameCo]

Yep, others have said the same before :) never played it myself.

[@wkdtmdwp]

haha that is a cute opening lol

[@BoardGameCo]

Lol thanks :)

[@tomzed156]

What do you think of this game now when it has come out? They have fixed most of, if not all, the things you didn't like. It's a solid five for me at this point. Very enjoyable, both with two and three players. Haven't tried with four players yet though.

[@steveza2146]

Hi, Why do you think 3p is better than 2p? Seems like all of you have this oppinion. Thanns

[@johnbrody738]

I'd like to know this also! Most of our games are played at 2 and I'd like to know if this is a good player count before I back it.

[@MrJake193]

Sounds like scottland yard...but better loved that game as a kid...

[@FrostFawks]

Wait...the hunters get traps!? Sign me up!

[@jeroenvanderhorst1513]

One hidden movement game and still in the making is Sniper Elite

[@BoardGameCo]

Yes! I backed that one, eager for it.

[@jeroenvanderhorst1513]

@@BoardGameCo okay, I was curious if you knew about it, because you didn't mentioned it. I am curious how it compares with Beast. I think Beast is more on the heavier side and longer?

[@justmakingthistoreply5085]

Mind MGMT vs BEAST

[@BoardGameCo]

It will happen :)

[@MartinKragRas]

@@BoardGameCo, when? 🙏🏻❤️. I really need to make a decision about which one to go with soon.

[@maxf.7262]

Oh, Quack&CO! InstaSubscribe!!!🦆

[@BoardGameCo]

:)

[@andremcmillan1504]

I’ll be looking into this one, but right now, for me, Mind Mgmt is boss and the theme is off the charts. Especially with the Shift system that they used. I actually played the game first and enjoyed it. Then I read the comics and then my head exploded. Such a great series and such a great game!

[@OffThePageGames]

Love you Andre! Thanks for your support and for also digging into the comics!! Awesome!

[@studiomidhall]

Have heard great things about Mind Mgmt, makes you want to try it out :)

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Hey Alex, I was wondering whether you and Jesse are still respectful of each other? It doesn’t seem like you guys are close anymore, so I was just curious. Please say what/however much you feel comfortable with about this. I know it is a personal question - and respect if you choose not to answer. Thank you.

[@BoardGameCo]

We're not close but not sure what you mean respectful? I try to avoid talking negatively about him as much as possible, he very much was a close friend once.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

@@BoardGameCoWhat I mean is because sometimes when you have someone who was once a good friend - and those two people have a falling out with each other (even friends/former friends) - I know from experience, there can be a lot of drama involved… Perhaps it wasn’t the right wording, but I was just wondering, you know, if you could still respect him as a fellow content creator and as an individual, considering that he is in the same space as you - but has gone on to do other things - which should tell you how big this space has gotten, even if it is still small in comparison to the video game industry, for example. And yes, I know that you have also gone on to associate yourself with others in this space, as well… That is pretty much what I was getting at.

[@Houjixful]

A hard pass on Mind mnmt. I don't like games that come with "subscription charges" ala dry erase markers

[@BoardGameCo]

Wait what?