Better than Here I Stand!?! - Tanto Monta [GMT] Review (and Here I Stand comparison)

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Күн бұрын

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@Justegarde 3 ай бұрын

I am fully aligned with your impressions. I actually got a chance a few weeks ago to go to the Canary Islands and Isabella’s seat of power at Segovia and my appreciation of the history of the game really went to the next level. I suspect that this game is for a certain type of wargamer (acceptable of detailed chrome for historical immersion), which is totally fine. I can see this being a much deeper and more replayable game than HIS with the right group.

@IRLBemused 3 ай бұрын

I enjoy the game too and find your commentary reflects my experience. I understand why some don't find it engaging and there are valid criticisms about game length (if your expectations are based on existing games in the series) and some rules bloat. That said, there are a few commentators out there who seem to get enraged at even the idea that others see this game as playable and fun!

@009radix 2 ай бұрын

Tanto Monta is a very rich game, at first it was frustrating trying to memorize all the minor rules and exceptions, like the treaties and avenues of earning VP. Keep in mind that two cards from the hand are automatically discarded in the Headline Phase. So there is still a possibly of having a poor hand, having to burn high point cards if you want to be higher in turn order. Having played other CDGs like The Napoleonic Wars and Wellington, I believe the limited cards in Here I Stand, was a conscious design choice. Both Napoleonic Wars and Wellington feature larger hand sizes, cards with high CP values, and also the ability to chain card play using "plus" cards. Where as HIS features none of this. The CP values on average are lesser than TM and there is only one 6 CP card in the game. This makes each decision that much more difficult and mistakes that much more impactful or painful. Also it drives at least for four of the player powers to conquest for keys in order to gain more cards.

@Dangerous27Dave 3 ай бұрын

This game has some very different opinions! I have decided to take the plunge and a game over a week-end is being organised...... hopefully, we can get that set up and we have a lot of fun....... Thanks for the review and your play through!

@WiseGuyHistory 3 ай бұрын

Awesome! I HIGHLY recommend 4 copies of the rulebook [one per player], plus the Reference Sheets in the file section here: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/291334/tanto-monta-the-rise-of-ferdinand-and-isabella-147/files

@FoxLeeTube 3 ай бұрын

I love Here I Stand and I enjoyed Tanto Monta even more. It's true that there could be some streamlining of some rules (Borgia and the Venetian-Ottoman war are a good example of this) and it's a game that you cannot play in one day as it's longer with those bigger hands and all the maintenance. But you have more options in combat, the cards that you draw feel better and having players controlling more than one power is great and even if part of the diplomacy is kind of enforced by events you have soooo many choices in how you conduct war against the other players. The shorter scenario may be easier for a first game, as you don't need to care about many rules like the diplomacy limits of the first two turns or the rules about various treaties as they are already on play. I believe that if all players learn carefully the rules and you take your time for the game (like maybe playing 1 turn each day) it can be a great experience...

@WiseGuyHistory 3 ай бұрын

Yeah a huge motivating factor for me playing solo is to iron out the uncertainties before I introduce friends to the game, now I'm better equipped to handle tricky issues that arise.

@MaxMustermann-sp9yq 3 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for your playthrough and review. Love the theme but the rules are intimidating. Your videos give me hope 😊

@WiseGuyHistory 3 ай бұрын

I solo'd this, and it took me about a week, taking my time, resting between turns, etc. If my first time was with a group it'd be a real challenge.

@clarkcommando1983 3 ай бұрын

Nice review I’m intrigued by the history

@WiseGuyHistory 3 ай бұрын

I've just finished watching a 3 hour doco on the reconquista, plus a heap of other smaller videos on the various people and events of the era! It's really pushed me into the whole period!

@strelnikoff1632 3 ай бұрын

I've played several times, on balance I enjoy it. Even for a player like me that is not intimidated by excess chrome, this one is a challenge. Not for everyone but I like the game.

@jeffanderson5406 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the series of videos, l learned a lot I have a concern about the headline phase. It seems the player with fewer cards stands to lose another card if they come in last, putting them further in a hole. Not sure if this is balanced by the VPs needed to win, but I would find that frustrating as a player. All that being said, i got the game in the sale too.

@WiseGuyHistory 3 ай бұрын

@jeffanderson5406 my initial reaction was the same, particularly as the Muslims on Turn 1. They only got 4 cards (plus home cards), then they had to lose 2. But pretty soon their hand size increases and, of equal importance, they start getting several resources which gives them extra card and CP boosts!

@steveoh9285 3 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Nathan, but the rules are just too much for me.

@WiseGuyHistory 3 ай бұрын

Yeah I completely understand and respect that. I took my time with it, playing it solo over a week, but I think if I were introducing new players to it over a weekend I would really struggle with the time and teaching pressures.

@MrDragonkin 3 ай бұрын

I gave up after checking all the special rules every minute. It took more time that gameplay itself.

@brachson 3 ай бұрын

The cover art is better.

@66morningview 2 ай бұрын

If GMT is listening I would love to see Ivan Caceras do a cover with Martin Luther (Here I Stand) and Elizabeth I (Virgin Queen) for the next printings. I think they would look great together.

@henryrodriguez6260 3 ай бұрын

Having played two intro sessions, I concur with your assessment. I do think there are a few areas where some streamlining could have been implemented, yet it is a brilliant crunch of a game. What are your thoughts on their sister, Virgin Queen?

@WiseGuyHistory 3 ай бұрын

I've played a heap of Here I Stand [30+ games] but have barely scratched the surface of Virgin Queen. I need to play it more!

@Justegarde 3 ай бұрын

@@WiseGuyHistoryA lot of VQ’s DNA infuses Tanto Monta, such that I think HIS is actually the outlier in the family.

@henryrodriguez6260 3 ай бұрын

@@WiseGuyHistory I've played a third of HiS compared to you. VQ seems to me to be halfway between HiS and TM (closer to HiS). Look forward to your opinion when you've solidified it.