Beyond the Sun Review - with Tom Vasel

Tom Vasel takes a look at a space tech tree game! Beyond the Sun!
Intro 0:00
Overview 1:18
Final Thoughts 10:14
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BGG Link: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3...

[@JohnDoe-jr4pt]

9:04 Easy solution, place the smaller board to the right of the main board and rotate it 90 degrees CCW and place all the cards on the main board upside down. Now everyone is screwed more or less equally.

[@ianoble]

Thank you for mentioning how much seating could affect people's enjoyment. This is an issue in a TON of games and I feel like no one says anything about it.

[@ryusuikarate]

I hope they get enough sold that they can develop a solo mode. My group isn't interested in the game but from what I have seen so far it would be perfect for me.

[@HellPet]

I've played this game. it's absolutely amazing. You make progress really fast and everything feels very rewarding. Absolutely fantastic gameplay and flow. My biggest issue with the game is the rulebook. Not everything is clear after you read it. But sometimes questions get answered later on in the book. It's a minor thing. Production isn't that great aswell, but it's fine. The dice are amazing but the cardboard pieces and the box aren't made of very good quality. I gave it a 9 and I see it even go higher.

[@bradlybillingsley1870]

I remember this game from BostonFIG in 2018 (under a different name). So excited to see that Dennis was able to get it published!

[@marcosseven8872]

Hi Tom, Just watched this review, And though, would be nice if you do a video about "top 20 Seal of excellence". Would be so good! Cheers

[@LookAtTheBacon]

That's easy. Go to BGG, visit his profile, click on owned, list by rating. I did it for you. The list is the following: Ticket to Ride: Märklin PitchCar Le Havre Cosmic Encounter Summoner Wars Kemet Viticulture Caverna Robot Turtles Marvel Dice Masters Balderdash Twilight Struggle El Grande Battle Line Race for the Galaxy Dominion Galaxy Trucker Arcadia Quest Blood Rage Puerto Rico You're welcome :)

[@Nerdfatuation]

played it with the designer and had a ton of fun. Grea game already preordered, Ready to play more!

[@AthexTube]

Looks amazing! Really wanting to try this one out now!

[@crushingit5128]

Love a good tech tree in a 4x game. Never thought I would want to buy a game that was only a tech tree. Can't wait to try it out

[@chaosinthechasm]

I love Tom's created on the fly idioms: "drawn in like a fly" lol

[@musicforall1859]

I watched the playthrough from Jongetsgames and I liked it a lot. Was waiting for this review. I'm satisfied now 😌. Hopefully I can get it for my Christmas present!

[@vaeleksk8252]

I can't wait to get a copy!

[@markoreilly4433]

Looks terrific!!

[@WernerFernandoOroxonRamirez]

Now I need it badly

[@terrencesoltz8943]

The idea of the techs being drawn randomly from a deck completely defeats the point of a tech tree for me. I want to plan my “research” to unlock specific abilities, probably in a specific order. That’s the real beauty of a well-designed tech tree system.

[@thedicetower]

This actually does that in a better way then you might think. It's random, but not THAT random.

[@terrencesoltz8943]

Thanks, Tom, that’s good to hear.

[@jeremyfrost3127]

There’s also an expert mode where four techs from each level are always available face-up in a “market” so you can plan ahead.

[@MoriMemento117]

@@terrencesoltz8943 Plus, it seems like each type of technology (economics/science etc.) specializes in only a few different things. So, while it's random, you can sort of hedge your bets, so to speak.

[@DakingofAP]

Seems like a sweet game ill have to give this a try...

[@fyrnice25]

Any thoughts... comparisons to Pulsar 2849? We really enjoy Pulsar and bought off your review. This looks intriguing but is it that much different? Thoughts?

[@jollyroger1009]

My thoughts exactly on Beyond the Sun. Good point about the seating: I think reading upside down is something board gamers inevitably get very good at!

[@StevenStJohn-kj9eb]

Yep, this one looks really promising!

[@chewiewins]

I like Tech tree games but looking at player board, not look inspiring. Nearly thought a prototype with plain white background. Do like the cubes with different faces. One to check out, but not rushing to pre-order (unlike Dune Imperium for example)

[@philamylon1479]

This game is phenomenal!

[@heliumpaste3613]

Wow!

[@supercommando440]

Whats up with the jacked up price on this? Are the cards triple layered, textured? High quality/heavy components?

[@lukesanwick4840]

It’s just been out of print a bit, you should be able find it in stock around $50 now

[@rudolfsidhu]

Good to hear that a Hongkonger is able to create a functional and satisfying Board Game that could be played both tall and wide :P

[@VTboardgamer]

Great review, but you had the ore and population markers in the wrong places

[@yugihoo]

Gotta love purple and blue looking the same for me

[@yugihoo]

Good thing I never play with 4 people lol

[@IronSalamander8]

I'm somewhat interested in this based on your review Tom. When you first showed it it looked very dull in presentation and the cards especially look like a game from the 80s! One to play at least once to see how it works out for me for sure.

[@emmanuelrodriguez1693]

Seems like a "not so tiny" Epic Galaxies... with no dice rolling

[@thedicetower]

It really doesn't feel like that t all.

[@zylo202]

Glad I bought this before people started taking notice of it. Could see this one selling out.

[@Slyfox1775]

Reminds me of roll through the galaxy and century spice road

[@OverlordZephyros]

Too bad there isn't a solo variant

[@bricelory9534]

When Tom described the look of the game on the podcast, it sounded really bleh, but the white aesthetic works really well: clean but the fonts and design choices are actually really nice!

[@kreeostravios5512]

no that is called lazy it looks like something a prototype would look like. IF they paid for that layout and art they got robbed.

[@keatontj]

@@kreeostravios5512 I played the prototype of this game. I know art is subjective, but this final version looks objectively way nicer.

[@kreeostravios5512]

@Tim Keaton haha wow that's crazy to think. Like i understand minimalistic design and i definitely see this needing a more minimalist design as pointed out in the video but a flat stock font on a white piece of cardboard is really, really bad.

[@keatontj]

@@kreeostravios5512 It's a choice. I think it works. Totally fine if you don't. I know from playing the game that most people won't be paying attention to the font or color choices soon enough anyway. The game is good enough that I'd still buy it even if looked like the original prototype.

[@ddolgov]

@@keatontj the game play might be great, but I am also disappointed by the look. Surprised Tom didn't take off points because of this, probably because he goes through so many games, art can become a distraction. Art is subjective, but complete absence of art (on technology cards and player boards) isn't.

[@bullno1]

So ... Epic and not tiny galaxy?

[@ifnyou]

Moderately-sized Epic Galaxy

[@captaincanuck6738]

Pass for me- need something with more player interaction

[@Archanon79]

Wow!? So the game is highly rated. That's what drew me to this review. But I couldn't focus on the review. Tom did a good job, but I was too distracted by how bland the game looked. It's like it was typed and printed from Microsoft word...on plain white paper. Couldn't they have done something to make it look better?

[@sm5574]

Tom's idea of complexity doesn't match mine. This may very well be a great game, but it sounds quite complex to me. Maybe it just sounds that way when you're trying to explain it.

[@kenhill5257]

It is a pretty straight forward game. Just take an action spot each turn.

[@spunx44]

I'm in the minority I guess. i think it looks soooo boring and mechanical. Love the cover art, but don't think it's for me.

[@derrickoakes4879]

I agree. Nothing unique.

[@Archanon79]

Blandest looking game I've ever seen. Not the mechanics....the art, or lack of it.

[@doodlenoodles846]

first :)

[@dddmmm21]

Production is crazy mediocre... Bummer

[@Crs9072]

It's Rio Grande, their production is always mediocre at best.

[@jeremyfrost3127]

There are better productions out there but it’s actually pretty decent for Rio Grande.