Fields of Arle - Playthrough & Review (Uwe Rosenberg Series)

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Have you played Fields of Arle? Let us know your thoughts!

[@damaddestgamer]

Yes a few times, quite like it, second best to Feast for Odin in my book. Thanks for showcasing it!

[@Torabayama]

Really happy to see this one. Have been looking for a copy for a while and haven’t been able to get a hold of one!

[@jacobmason3313]

Nice game, had it since it was released. Missed the expansion though :( Hoping for another reprint

[@MrAxebane]

I've only played Fields of Arle solo, but it is one of my all-time favorites (probably in my top 5 of solo games it is around position 2 or 3!). And I agree that it does kinda have an "adventure in farming" feel each time I play it, because there are SO many different things you can try to focus on. I'm not that good at optimizing my score, so each time I play I just try to focus on something new for the fun of it, and if I can end up with a decent number of points in the end, even better! The last time I played I focused on getting a lot of cows and wood. Then halfway through I realized I kinda needed more of the other animals or else I would get almost no points for animals! So I ended up getting a bunch of sheep and a decent number of horses too, and all the wood was nice, but I also ended up going for a decent amount of food and clay so I could try and purchase some of the more expensive buildings. I think my score ended up being 98, which is not great, but it still was fun to get more and more animals, materials, and buildings as I played. Anyway, thanks for this play-through video, I enjoyed watching you two play the game, and Fields of Arle is such a fantastic game!

[@ninnaskriver9776]

Fun fact: When you travel in real life, you can collect new travel tiles for your fields of Arle game, in certain German and Austrian cities. I have a couple of them. They are fun souvenirs that remind you of that city. You cannot buy them, they have to be picked up at the board game shops in the particular cities.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

That’s so cool!!!

[@TheEricBooth]

I have over 20 plays of this game. It's the one game I'd take to the proverbial desert island. I just love it.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

It’s so good, we hope to find the expansion in the future!

[@dramajoe]

Fun fact about workbenches: if you upgrade them with the Master action, you get to use the new one right away. So a workbench upgrade is "free" from an action point perspective.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

That's clever, and it comes with a point too. Parting with resources has been a mental block for both of us with that action. I think we need to just trust the balance lol.

[@AlexNguyen]

Came here to say this. Maybe it’s a mental “block” for me to always upgrade the master workbench itself when I go there!

[@Maefyre]

Oh my god small world. We literally finished a game of this like 2 hours ago! Such a fantastic game we think it's our favourite farming game so far!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

No way, that's so cool!

[@petergross7235]

I've waited a loooong time for this one. It is my #1 Uve game. It's great at 1 and 2. I am lucky that I have the expansion, but haven't explored it enough to comment on it. Thanks so much for giving it the spotlight, and I'm super glad you both really liked it!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Yeah it was great!! Gave you tried the expansion, if so would you recommend?

[@petergross7235]

@@BeforeYouPlay I have played it several times but only in solo play so far. The tea can really increase your productivity and farm advancement if used right. The new ships also add some fun offering food or trade goods. They also are the easiest way to get more tea. There are tons of new buildings to consider. It really adds a lot without making it overly complicated. Those of us that are prone to AP might have a hard time deciding how best to use the Tea at their disposal, but overall it is a worthy addition to a great game in my opinion. I wish I could speak to the multiplayer side but I am sure it will be as good or better.

[@TheBrothersMurph]

FINALLY you covered this! This is such an overlooked Uwe!

[@paulnorthey6712]

Great rules teach ( as always) for a complicated game. When i say 'complicated' the strange thing is that playing the game it just flows, with a logic that seems straightforward.

[@icypunk880]

This is my fav uwe! Love this sandboxy goodness. Its truly one of Uwe's masterpiece.

[@Marky-by4zv]

Very zen like game. No hidden information. Very satisfying to see all the work you did at the end of the game.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Yeah! So much to do but the best player wins!

[@yannisguerra]

The expansion is as fantastic as the base game, opens up many other strategies, and also makes you feel even more lost when you are starting. I love this game, to the point that I print and played fan expansion buildings to have even more variability! Thanks for the video

[@joshgeiger8942]

Whoa fan expansion buildings!?!? I need to check that out! Thanks Yannis.

[@gregd9178]

The master action description in the rule book describes how to use it and why it is such a powerful early game action space. Scores in general will benefit from taking the master early and often.

[@karenfischer7916]

Definitely recommend the expansion, there are also some challenges on BoardGameGeek that were fun to try and helped explore various strategies.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Naveen's on the search for the expansion now lol!

[@clementhossaert5234]

Whoo!! The Rosenberg series continues!!!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

😝

[@Thickgoggles]

So glad you both finally got to play this. Definitely one of my favorites to play with my wife! Such a great example of worker placement and it being 1v1 allows the gameplay to be so tight. Out of all my plays even when I feel like one of us is struggling the scores at the end come out close. Great design.

[@coyotemoon722]

Thanks for continuing this epic saga of the Uwe Rosenberg series! This is definitely one of his best and easily top 5 Uwe for me. It is interesting that this game has a couple of similarities to Feast but it is also one of the most unique Uwes out there. There are so many strategies and the different seasons offer so much interesting decision space. Also one of the richest theme-wise. I'm really happy you were able to get this one to the table because it truly is an adventure.

[@heidicakessoapco5343]

Uwe and his food mechanic....it makes me nervous too. I really stress when I can't feed my people and/or animals. I do not have this game, but it is now on my Wishlist. It is hard to come by these days. Thank you for the always thorough and professional playthrough! You two always make the game seem so easy to play! it does look a little daunting with all the space choices, and decisions, but it's good to know that it grows on you with experience. Feast for Odin is my favorite thus far, but I own many of Uwe's games that are just wonderful.

[@Duxa_]

you guys used the lighthouses a bit incorrectly (it is confusing from the manual), but didnt impact the game. But the way you are supposed to use them is at start of game flip them over (they have blank back side so that you can draw one to figure out who will go in winter and who will go in summer), the summer player goes first since game starts in summer. Then you keep the lighthouses at the respective sides (summer with Naveen, winter with Monique), you dont take them off or swap them unless a player gives up their first turn next round. So for example. Naveen went first, if its still first round (summer) and monique jumps to winter side, she gives up her first player for winter, so now you swap light houses. Now if no one gives up for rest of the game, Naveen will go every winter and Monique will go every summer. If someone gives up again you switch lighthouses again. Otherwise you keep them with the assigned players for rest of the game, that way you can tell who starts first every winter, and who starts first every summer. Again, this didnt impact much. But perhaps would make things easier next time you play.

[@marcoperilla9152]

Oh I just LOVED this game. Hopefully I'll be able to find it anywhere in Florida Thanks for the great video! It's thanks to you guys I'm really into the hobby right now, getting to know the Uwe Rosenberg games so me and my wife can play and enjoy together. Thanks Monique and Naveen! Keep it up, great job you two!! 👏

[@ShmavinShmenhouse]

Wahoo! My favorite. I’ve heard rumors that there might be a reprint of the Tea and Trade expansion in the not-too-distant future… I’ve been wanting to get my hands on that.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Please rumors be true!!!

[@Jon-G]

Easily my favorite heavier Rosenberg. I had Feast for Odin and others of his, had my fun with them and moved them on. Fields of Arle will never leave my collection. Sometimes my wife will tolerate it and sometimes she won't. When she won't, I play solo and usually don't even keep score. I know how much satisfaction buying that 25-food building delivers Naveen! I kind of make that my goal every game. If I build that, I feel ok. My goal is usually to max the dikes, clear all the peat, max out the travel track and buy that 25-food building without totally ignoring animals. I've had lots of his games in (and out) of my collection but Nusfjord and Fields of Arle will never leave.

[@martinabendrin9988]

This is my favorite game of all time. With the Expansion Tee und Handel Its even more perfekt. 😊

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Really want to see what the expansion offers now 🤔

[@martinabendrin9988]

@@BeforeYouPlay There you can build ships wich produces Food or converts tee into Ostfriesentee, wich let you do an extra Action. Love it.

[@danielkeim8558]

I haven't played too many Uwe games but recently picked up Feast for Odin and am pretty convinced I'll love it so extremely pumped to hear that one is next!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Spoiler: We Love It!!

[@ethicalzombiegaming]

This is one of the few Uwe Rosenberg games that I have not played and likely won't unless there is a reprint. It looks so good though.

[@Inncomendatus]

Commenting to help the algorithm. Love you guys!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thank you!!

[@JamesI88]

Ever find tea and trade? Your video series on Uwe made me get this one out for a play today. Taking advantage of the tea bonuses and the ditches is always a good feeling.

[@gpiershale]

Never played this one before, so I'm really glad to have been able to see you guys' playthrough! The worker selection spots divided between summer and winter, with that optional exception placement that changes turn order, is definitely the highlight here for me as well. That is just fascinating. It reminds me of some other games that make you plan well between two different areas of the board, like On Mars. I'm very intrigued for your A Feast for Odin playthrough, as I haven't played that one either, and to have this but with polyomino tile-laying and a cleaner worker placement system sounds like the chef's kiss. Thanks so much for the video!

[@ButOneThingIsNeedful]

Very helpful, as I was considering this one. Good breakdown afterward as well (as usual). BTW, I've watched enough of these now to say that Monique not only likes games, she's really good at them.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thank you! Monique is just too good at games haha.

[@BoardGameDave]

Fields of Arle!! 🐄 This game was in my Top 5 "Need to Play Solo in 2023" list so I'm very keen to check out this playthrough and review! Thank you so much for always covering such phenomenal games, Monique and Naveen! You always make the best playthroughs! ☺ (I was just watching your Trickerion playthrough yesterday!) 🎩

[@tehpickle1250]

Ooooo I’ve been itching to see a proper play through of this game for a long time. It costs over £100 to get hold of this in the UK 😔. My patience has finally been rewarded! 🙏🏻 If only it wasn’t 03:45. Guess I’ll have to come back tomorrow! Thanks in advance ❤

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hope the video helps! Now get some rest 😴 🛌.

[@damaddestgamer]

I'm surprised you guys didn't spam the master action, that's what I typically do to max everything out haha before taking the more powerful actions.

[@PrincessPoohs]

Yeah they were playing incorrectly, they were moving the tool tracks up every time they visited the associated space. The only time you move the track up is when you do the master, correct?

[@TimoAirikka]

@@PrincessPoohs No, they only move up the tool track when taking the fishing action, which explicitly allows you to move up the tool track when taking it (meaning you get one more fishing trap before you fish). So there's at least one space that lets you move up the associated tool track without using the master workbench.

[@doggyaugie]

Yay, was waiting for this, thanks! This and Nusfjord are my two favorite Uwe worker placement games. Would love to see you play with the expansion! Maybe for solo? And for the record, I find Feast For Odin way too overwhelming with the spatial goods placement puzzle.

[@travischapman9862]

I feel like a little bit of a rebel since everyone loves Feast for Odin, but honestly, I like Fields of Arle more. I can't really figure out why. It's just at the end of Fields of Arle but before I score, I always think I did really well, whereas as the end of Feast for Odin before I score, I always kinda feel like I didn't do so hot, which can make it a frustrating experience. I don't think it's the tension though; Agricola is my second favorite

[@gwengammon4200]

Love this!! I have the base and expansion, but haven’t played either yet 😬 read the rule books but love watching playthroughs to really learn the flow of the game. Thanks for another great video!

[@robertcrist6059]

Just a comment now and I'll watch later, this was a quick upload you both rock!

[@donnakeferlis1649]

After playing hundreds of games newer than Fields of Arle, it is still one of my favorites. It's in my top 5 actually. Incredible replayability. It will never leave my collection.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

It’s fantastic, can’t believe it sat on our shelf for years before getting ready to film this!

[@ExteBy]

That's interesting! I like it a lot as well, but my only criticism is that it has less replayability than other Rosenberg games like Agricola or Hallertau. There are only so many different building tiles while these others have hundreds of cards. Where do you see such a great potential for replayability in FoA?

[@daintydespacio2593]

Considering the amount of games he has(hundreds), I assume just playing it 5-10x just fits his bill of games with replayability 😂

[@donnakeferlis1649]

@@ExteBy Sure, not a lot of buildings when compared to the cards in Agricola. And less actions than A Feast for Odin. But I still find so many different avenues & combinations to try each game. And after all this time my scores still SUCK! Frustrating, but I love the challenge. BTW, I have yet to try Hallertau. I'm sure to love it (I'm a huge fan of Uwe).

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

Absolutely great game and great video. Couldn’t agree with many of your points more. This game is tough but in that toughness is such a great rewarding feeling. Excited for Feast which is actually one of my favorite games of all time. I also love Nusfjord but that takes some games and familiarity between players before it gets really really great.(also both Nusfjord and Feast have two of the best solo games ever) Definitely gunna be breaking this one out soon.

[@donnakeferlis1649]

Exactly! Tough but rewarding - that sums it up!

[@MrFirefox322]

just about to start, excited to see you guys play this!

[@robertcrist6059]

Well, what a nice game. Without ever playing or watching a playthrough of A Feast for Odin, it visually looked similar at a glance. During the play, I enjoyed the two season aspect and preparing for each during the one you are currently in, that seemed very thematic to me which is something I appreciate and value in games. I liked being able to take the opposite season action, it feels like a little cheat move you can do and its fun. Variable buildings and modules/expansions are always a plus for me. The only gripe I have is that it is 2p, I like being with more people and when a game is good, and the decision space is being met and the payoff is worth it, when a game takes longer because more people are playing, if we are having fun I think all that together is worth it imo. Of course because this is 2p I know it will work for so many people and that is great. This is definitely one I want to play and could see it being one I would own, which is on a very short list of one being Agricola haha so apparently that must mean to me it is good (Loyang also occupies that as well and I haven't played that either). Not sure if this means I will enjoy A Feast for Odin, I somewhat have actively avoided that game because it seemed bloated and grandiose for its own good; and truthfully when something is so popular I have a (bad) default to dislike/oppose that popular thing just because (Gloomhaven, Endless Winter, Arnak, Ark Nova and others), that is my problem and I do realize my faults in due time (Burgundy, Agricola, Rococco, Yokohama; I own 3 of those). But thanks for the playthrough, you are fun to watch!

[@fyrnice25]

Feast for Odin loses its theme in the Tetris like puzzle required to complete. Acquiring stuff for their shape versus actually utilizing the object. Fields of Arle highly recommend

[@doggyaugie]

Naveen definitely could've loaded more travel tiles, getting more food and points. Also, it's possible Monique illegally placed a cow at 1:10:17 (our interpretation of the rules is that you get the animal before moving the dike). Maybe I just miss the year of Naveen!

[@chrisjohnphillips6352]

Glad to see you review Fields of Arle! Will you be reviewing Atiwa?

[@dcerreta]

Thanks for the playthrough! It was great!

[@damaddestgamer]

Could Naveen have done more travel tiles in the last turn to both increase food and fill his track? He had resources to spend for them I believe :)

[@EmmaNovaheim]

Great playthrough! I've never played this one before, but I'm definitely going to try it at my local gaming cafe 🙂 I'm looking forward to hearing your overall thoughts on where this ranks, and what the best 2 player game is. 😀

[@joshgeiger8942]

I find Fields to be a wonderful, chill, meditative game. I like the small loving-touch details it has...clearly a love letter written to his home. What I don't like - my scoring is pretty static regardless of strategy. I have tea and trade but haven't explored it as much as I would like. And Caverna sits on my shelf....in the plastic (EEEEEK). Overall, I really enjoy this as a solo game or for a non-combative 2p worker placement game.

[@Duxa_]

Both Fields of Arle and expansion got reprint this year, currently on Boardlandia (just came into stock a few days ago), you should get the expansion and do a video of that playthrough.

[@jjschm20]

Favorite farming game. Expansion makes a great game amazing. Though I haven’t played a Feat for Odin yet.

[@richardhancock1505]

Great to see your thoughts on Fields of Arle; I have not played it; My favourite game of all time currently is A Feast for Odin, so I’m not sure whether playing or buying Fields of A. Would be a bit of a disappointment or whether it’d be yet another great game. I play solo and multiplayer and usually only buy games that have a solo mode so this has long been on my hit list.

[@donnakeferlis1649]

Go for it! You will not be disappointed!

[@fyrnice25]

Feast for Odin glamorized Tetris. Loses its theme for us. Game too centered on Tetris shapes to fill out. Arle more thematic.

[@hisfantor]

I'd love to hear your opinion if this is better for two players since its only designed for two or if the two player modes of the other games are so good that it dosen't make a difference.

[@popgas3821]

HOmigosh, finally 😅. I'm really curious as to what you guy's think about this game.

[@christiancraig2326]

I read in the rules that you can return any animal to the supply at any time without substitute. Wouldn't that help in the scoring?

[@Gamesablaze]

Hi, which game do you prefer for 3 players? Fields of Arle with the Tea and Trade expansion or Caverna?

[@lolcookie2]

I'd highly recommend the expansion which adds a third player and a few new mechanics like tea which is a wildcard resource.

[@leebrown5006]

All the times I've played this and when traveling I've only ever sold one good. Not noticing it was up to one of each depicted on the tile. Doh.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Haha!! Now you know!

[@thebutter5852]

Ngl starting the game off with -18 made me giggle 😂😂

[@JamesPattersonME]

Awesome game - I love when you just don't know how it's going to turn out and the scores are so close.

[@Skycroft1000]

I agree with your comparison of Fields of Arle vs Feast for Odin. The way I'd put it is that Feast for Odin stand on the shoulders of this game (along with many of Uwe's other games). That's not really a criticism of Fields of Arle - if anything, it's a compliment - but it is harder to get into this if you've played AFFO first. I _would_ have said this is better for two player... if Norwegians hadn't fixed that aspect of AFFO.

[@fyrnice25]

Feast for Odin loses any theme with its Tetris like puzzle. Acquiring objects for their shape versus any functionality. Fields of Arle a lot more thematic and open sandbox. Tea expansion even greater sandbox.

[@michaelmelen9062]

Does the winner become the Duke of Arle? 🙂

[@paulinaslomka7283]

Will you also play " At the gates of Loyang" by Uwe Rosengerg?

[@TiagoAreiasDias]

Nice one

[@benediktcz]

did you ever played the moor expansion to agricola?

[@BeforeYouPlay]

No not yet!

[@robertcrist6059]

I'm back! Let's do this!!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Haha!!! :-)

[@gidiyaniv82]

Finally :) Thank you so much!

[@benediktcz]

viticulture has well utilised the season actions

[@RulebooksForYou]

I love this game ❤🎉

[@JeFreeze]

It was heartbreaking to see Naveen get blocked from tanning on the last round! This looks like something I'd really enjoy, but I don't really get to play 2 player games very much, and I think it would be hard to justify buying it for solo play when I already own A Feast for Odin. It was great to enjoy it vicariously through you two at least!

[@fyrnice25]

Excellent Game! Much better theme brought out versus Feast for Odin. FFO loses its theme for us…. Too much Tetris versus actual theme. Fields of Arle + Tea expansion is a wide open sandbox. Highly recommend and glad to see this play through. 👩‍🌾 🐑 🐄 ☕️

[@bushibayushi]

I much prefer Caverna from Uwe's sandbox designs... Still, nothing beats Agricola with Farmers of the Moor when it comes to replay value ;)

[@ID10TSrule]

The hide comes directly from the animal. The skin has been tanned or otherwise cured.

[@david6975]

👋This game is 🔥and my wife enjoys it a lot

[@MattyPMoonboarding]

thanks

[@BeforeYouPlay]

:-)

[@NightangelLetsPlay]

Do you guys have a video on Feast of Odin?

[@damaddestgamer]

Not yet, but it's planned.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

It’ll be the next game featured in the Uwe Rosenberg series. Hopefully we can get to it in a few weeks.

[@TiagoAreiasDias]

Bring Carnegie to the channel 👌👌

[@Kirby7601]

ARLE NADJA!!!

[@juxt007]

hi

[@cjazerjay]

Noice

[@robertwegner8962]

What is she saying at the very beginning right between "Hi" and "My name is Monique"? It is completely unintelligible to me...

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Haha "Hi everyone, my name is Monique!"

[@TiagoAreiasDias]

Uhuh

[@RvLeshrac]

I own it; too expensive for the component quality ($80-90, for what I feel is $50-60 worth of game), WAY too much crap in a box with no way to organize it short of a TON of plastic baggies. I have a plano box, but it is extremely hard to keep everything in the box without a LOT of lid lift, without spending 30 minutes to Tetris everything back in, and the box is terrible quality, so I REALLY wouldn't want it to have any lid lift for fear it will come apart. Gameplay is fine, but the solo game and the multiplayer game feel exactly the same, unless you're playing mean.

[@someInternetPerson1]

The best way to play competitive games is to take the optimal action, which is very often cutting your opponent from the action they need. Not sure if that is what you consider by mean, but that's expected

[@silverfang6668]

There are a number of good inserts out there.

[@fyrnice25]

FEAST for ODIN too much a non thematic Tetris. 👎🏽

[@fyrnice25]

Fields of Arle is the Superior game thematically. FFO has no theme, acquisition of shapes for shapes not their true use. Super Tetris kills the theme.