Beast: Shattered Isles Review - One Of My Favorite Hidden Movement Games Just Got Better

[@JohnClem56]

I'm interested in the Shattered Isles Returning Backer Deluxe pledge level as it corrects some fairly negative aspects of the original production (rulebook, better sleeves, an insert that actually fits the sleeves, meeples that stand up, etc). I also can get the Great Hunt expansion free as a pre-launch follower of the campaign. But even given that, the €128 pledge cost + €22 shipping is really expensive for what you're getting. Especially since a lot of the cost of that pledge level is fixing stuff that shouldn't have been wrong in the original all-in pledge I already spent $125 on. Even with what sounds like interesting new mechanisms, hunters, beasts, and maps I just can't see putting another $175 into the game. Beast just isn't a $300 dollar game to me. Also not really confident they will nail the production on this run or be able to deliver on what appears to be a pretty aggressive target date of October next year. Might wish I'd backed it if people rave about once it releases but right now it feels like a pass. I assume you'll cover this in TBoNTB next week.

[@dav1dgear]

Great first impression Alex. Btw Esmeria Black Stars only triggers once each day before the beast first turn. Its not truggered each time the beast has a turn, that would be broken AF

[@BoardGameDylan]

Further rule clarification, Esmeria's Black Star is a one time upgrade. It triggers one time once bought, not every day :)

[@dav1dgear]

@@BoardGameDylan right I forgot about that one. It's one time only when you bought it

[@hammerdall]

Can’t speak to the new stuff, but I got to play a couple rounds of Beast at Level Up Con and thought it was great. Solid design, interesting choices and counter play to be making on either side. If my friend who tried it with me wasn’t planning to back this campaign, I probably would

[@BoardGameCo]

Lol that totally makes sense :)

[@ShelfClutter]

Thanks Alex, I've been back and forth on this one ever since the first campaign but have seen a lot of mixed reviews. One of which was Tom Vasel's whom I generally align with. Did you get a chance to catch the Dice Tower review? Any thoughts on their criticisms?

[@dilandoalbatou7522]

Thank you for your thoughts on the expansion. I had a similar feeling going through the campaign. It’s nice, more of the same, but not essential. But good to hear that I didn’t miss anything. I’m happy with the base game and don’t need more right now.

[@Sini-Haapanen]

Skipped backing this the first time around as I thought I'd be fine with the retail version, and then I heard of the second printing with even more stuff. Now I'm wondering what path I should take, especially with both acrylic tokens and minis being options (I do paint minis, so that is also intriguing). On another note, if you're interested in a tidbit: "Vacker" is Swedish and means "beautiful", and is pronounced with an "a" like in the word "bark", with the "ck" sounding like a double k. Kinda makes sense that it's summons are called "admirers". :)

[@blakemeplz]

I backed the first kickstarter and I have to say that the acrylic standees are excellent but the cardboard punch out ones aren't great.

[@nomadsound]

I wonder how the game plays at 2. Mind MGMT does extremely well at 2, but I have heard Beast is not great at that player count. Thoughts?

[@Paul-ro6py]

We enjoy Beast at two, Hunter plays double handed.

[@Jonaelize]

This is all fine and that, but that they release an improved version of the base game, not even very long after the first edition, and don't offer an upgradepack is highly disappointing. Not sure, if I should back as a returning backer.

[@s_215]

Had no idea they released an improved version of the base game?

[@cookedghost]

I didn’t look at it too closely, but iirc they do have an upgrade pack as add-on

[@Nidamir]

So I'm really tempted by the new shiny moster/hunters.. but considering how much I enjoy the genre (very..) and how often I get to play hidden movement (..rarely xP) it's not as easy back as I would like it to be. Also prices on campaigns nowadays aren't helping either.

[@kiralred_30k]

Looking forward to your thoughts Alex, glad you got a copy for review.

[@78OTTU]

Hi! Do you feel the expansion introducing any powercreep? The new hunters look awesome, but is there any reason not to play with the new over the old? Might be a stupid question, but I dont own the basegame, definately interested though

[@theresabellflower8123]

I know my friend enjoy Beast. I wonder how he will feel about these expansions. Of course, with me going back to school and his schedule, we will have to see if we get back to play board games consistently again.

[@MauricioHoffman]

Hi Alex, great video. Are the boxes the same size as the core box from the original campaign? Thanks in advance and Chatimah tovah

[@morgaknightgames]

Not sure. In the campaign they do mention that the reprint will have a larger box. I couldn't find anything about the comparison size for the expansion

[@BoardGameCo]

Right now yes, unsure of the final version.

[@Hydr312]

If I dont have Beast shot I get Beast first or is it better to get Beast: Shattered Isles? Bc you dont realy need both or Im wrong? Bc then Beast: Shattered Isles would be the way

[@BoardGameCo]

Shattered is an expansion, you'd need the base game.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

But you did title this a "review"... Did you change your mind?!

[@a.c.s.6204]

Where do you see the word review in the title?

[@Kamion991]

​@@a.c.s.6204read the title again 😐

[@a.c.s.6204]

@@Kamion991 ah now I see it lmao, I should not have been typing anything at 3 am

[@Kamion991]

@@a.c.s.6204 😁 that may cause some problems

[@Deadomen123]

I love the art work of the Beast and gameplay also seems to be up my alley, but I have heard so many negative comments about the balance of the game. Feels like the opinions about this game are more divided than any other board game I have been interested in. Mind MGMT and City of the Great Machine have mostly favorable reviews.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

1:04 And that was true at the time, right?... You hadn't played MIND MGMT at that point in time.

[@BoardGameCo]

Correct!

[@damiankomimasa3609]

Hi, I really like your videos, and hearing from you about new game. Great job as always!

[@Filip_eF]

I want to remind you guys that on official website you can find fan made scenarios, which are even better than official. They are changing the rules and some mechanics. I don't see the point to buy an expansion personally.

[@michal4736]

Damn, currently Monumental Deluxe is available for like 100$ and still not sure is it worth :/

[@Sebastian-rt9qf]

Seems like a nice expansion with some functional new elements, but doubt I feel I need it at the moment. Beast is a very good game, but not the game I play so much for an expansion.

[@mithrandir510]

BGG links to Founders not Beast :)

[@BoardGameCo]

Fixed thanks!

[@randybookman]

Feels like a 2.0n vs an expansion.

[@djoj20]

I find it unacceptable that the rulebook for Beast is so awful

[@SquiddyOne]

I totally agree! It is beyond appalling but noone seems to mention it!

[@matthewhoyle3223]

They’re redoing it for the reprint I believe

[@michaeljoesph8687]

Soooo has gamefound asked for you to no longer give numerical values to reviews to games funding??

[@BoardGameCo]

Not at all. They have no say over my reviews. Both beast and hoplo are expansions that I didn't get a complete game for. I'm hesitant to give a score, instead relying on my previous score and then just talking about what the expansions did for me.

[@patrickzhao0610]

still no solo mode？

[@SquiddyOne]

I backed the first Beast campaign based on the art, supposed gameplay and reviews like yours. Unfortunately the game is a garbled mess with a diabolical rule book, truly style over substance and not really a "proper" hidden movement game. I wanted to love the game as much as I loved its aesthetic but simply cannot. It baffles me how some reviewers are speaking so highly of it. I appreciate tastes differ but there are so many sloppy and ill conceived elements and the diabolical rule book! It should never have been released as it was.

[@BoardGameCo]

I respect that the game isn't for you...but it's a 7.7 on BGG and generally well loved. I wouldn't put this as a reviewers vs audience conversation so much as a "tastes differ" conversation.

[@olafpieters]

Beast is not a hidden movement game. It's a complete mess.

[@BoardGameCo]

You don't have to like the game, but it objectively is a hidden movement game.

[@olafpieters]

No, it's not. Sorry. You know where the beast is most of the time. @@BoardGameCo