Black Forest | Solo Board Game Tutorial and Playthrough

[@ainsleymurray7146]

I feel like this is a sign, I've been looking at getting this mainly for solo and now my favourite channel has a video up for it!

[@TotallyTabled]

That's very sweet of you to say. Thank you. I hope you enjoy the video. I'm having a blast with Black Forest as a solo game. If you like Rosenberg games, then this is a must play!

[@Theplaysthet]

Goodness me your videos are sooooo well made! Ive been enjoying Black Forest a lot solo since I got it!

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks so much, that is very nice of you to say. I agree, I've also been enjoying it solo. I'm curious how it plays multiplayer, but I suspect I might prefer it solo. I like the puzzly aspect. I might stick to Glass Road for multiplayer. Thanks so much for watching!

[@luce6799]

Really enjoyed watching this! Looks like a great solo mode, pretty satisfying to have the wheels go around!

[@TotallyTabled]

Yeah, the resource wheels are awesome here. The automatic production really adds to the puzzle. Sometimes you have everything planned out and then you produce glass and mess everything up. Works great. Thanks for checking out the playthrough.

[@asavi3]

Thanks for this playthrough! I’ve gotten it tabled once and simply was not making enough combos or connections to progress the way you did here. Nice to see how things can work more smoothly!

[@TotallyTabled]

It took me a few plays to get the hang of it. I tried something new in this playthrough and it worked pretty well. This game really lets you experiment with different combos -- sometimes they work and sometimes not so much. But it is so quick you can just play again and try something new. Very fun. Thanks for watching!

[@asavi3]

@ great to see how quickly it went here! I think my play took almost 2h with some interruptions, so this will be the impetus to get back to it

[@TotallyTabled]

I edit out a lot of think time in my videos, but I'd say games take a bit over an hour for me, depending on how much I'm contemplating things. But that is one of the great things about solo games -- no time limit!

[@keithnemes5466]

Great video. This is my first Uwe game and the choices are overwhelming. I think spent more time playing my second turn than it did for you to make and edit this video. Fun game. Thanks for video.

[@TotallyTabled]

Ha, yeah, lots of choices in this one. The key for me is to find two buildings that look cool and combo together nicely. And maybe look at one of the major buildings and shoot for completing it and maxing out its end game scoring condition. Then I try to stay laser focused on completing those mini goals. And when I'm in doubt, just make glass. In Roseberg games I don't worry as much about efficiency early in the game, as long as I'm making stuff. And that stuff tends to inform decisions down the road. Maybe not the most strategic way to think, but good for dealing with my AP tendencies. Thanks for watching!

[@dannyverbraeken7729]

Many thanks for making this playthrough !

[@georgeresso6835]

dude u r a true master at this game...lol! as ur score indicated...nice manipulation of the resource wheel...people should watch and learn from this video...and they too will be come masters...lol! great playthrough@

[@bassboyjon]

Excellent video as always. I'm interested in how much (if any) thinking time you edit out - because you made this look so easy!

[@TotallyTabled]

Ha, yes, I edit out a lot of thinking time, indeed. Most of it is between rounds. In my videos, I often step away between rounds to stretch my legs and double check equipment and framing, focus, etc. I usually make a basic plan for the next round, so I can avoid wasting too much storage space. I do a lot of editing on my videos to make them flow as smoothly as possible, so it is more enjoyable to watch. In real life, I'm just as AP prone and awkward as everyone else. That's why I'll never do a livestream. :) Thanks for watching!

[@bassboyjon]

@@TotallyTabled Oh thanks goodness - otherwise I was thinking I may as well retire as a gamer haha!

[@TotallyTabled]

@@bassboyjon Ha. Yeah, the power of editing can make anyone look competent. I'm proof of that!

[@toddbartel6300]

Looks like fun. Enjoying my air,land,and sea game very much

[@soloflo]

So good!!!! I ordered this (ages ago 😒 not yet delivered) but super good to see you do a video on it!! Also bought Men-nefer.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks so much for watching! I'll have to check out Men-nefer. I'm not familiar with it.

[@soloflo]

@@TotallyTabled I think you will LOVE it. Don't forget about Arborea either.

[@TotallyTabled]

@@soloflo Ha, yeah, I hope to pick up a few during some sales this holiday season. I have Arborea on the list.

[@soloflo]

@ awesome! I really look forward to your reaction and tutorial on Arborea and Men Nefer. I am like 10000% sure you will enjoy them hahaha

[@hanklan9398]

Nice, Rosenberg game! Been looking forward to this!

[@TotallyTabled]

I'm glad. I hope you like the video. Thanks for watching!

[@helena_b.]

Yaaay, have been looking forward to this one! 😊

[@TotallyTabled]

Hope you enjoy the video! I really like this one -- at least as much as solo Glass Road, if not more. Thanks for checking it out.

[@bookaddict777]

Thanks for this video, Shaggy! I really need to get this one to the table soon.

[@TotallyTabled]

I really like it. Works great solo. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@tonybowers9490]

Thanks for sharing. Have a copy on the way. Looks fun! At 30:10 you spent a wood, then changed your mind, but didn’t add back the wood. Not sure if that made a difference later.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks for watching. It is definitely a great game. I hope you enjoyed it!

[@TheSludgeMan]

The solo mode looks incredibly smooth. I'm considering swapping Nusfjord out for it (Uwe's euros all feel kinda the same to me, so I'm happy to just have one!)

[@TotallyTabled]

Nusfjord never clicked for me the way some of his other games have. I don't know why. I know it is well loved for solo. I prefer Black Forest. But it in no way replaces A Feast for Odin or At the Gates of Loyang for me. I'd add Oranienburger Kanal to that list as well. Those all feel very unique to me. Thanks for watching!

[@johndavidharding]

I would love a reskin of Fields of Arle in this art style.

[@TotallyTabled]

The art is very charming. I'm a fan. Thanks for checking out the playthrough!

[@javiervareacalvo8911]

Another amazing video, thanks 😊. Which game would you prefer for solo only, this one or Kanal? Cheers

[@TotallyTabled]

Hmmm. Personally, I'd say Kanal, for the replayability and variety between games. Kanal is a more intense and multidimensional puzzle. But it is also dry as dirt. :) I don't mind that, but I know others will. Black Forest has a sandboxy feel solo, with all the buildings just available (although 10 random different buildings per game, so some variety). Black Forest is the more causal and cozy choice. It comes down to mood and taste. I love them both. Thanks for watching!

[@rezakhan9153]

​@@TotallyTabledHi Shaggy! I see!, Kanal looks awesome. I may pick that up instead but is it fun? I wasn't sure what you meant by dry as dirt lol. Also, are the O Kanal expansions essential? I'm hoping the game will have long term solo replayability since it's fairly expensive at the moment.

[@TotallyTabled]

@@rezakhan9153 Thematically and visually it is very dry. It is also very puzzly, which I love but others might not. If you like puzzly games then you will find it fun (definitely check out my playthrough to be sure). I don't think the expansions are essential -- but they add a ton of replayability. That said, I haven't touched the expansions yet because I'm still working through the base game content, which has lots of replayability IMHO. The game itself doesn't change very much, but the puzzle changes a lot depending on what deck of cards you use. Some people might find it a bit samey game to game, but I don't because I enjoy the puzzle. Hope that helps!

[@javiervareacalvo8911]

Thanks a lot for your comments 😊!!!

[@onlyfoolsdontfear]

Would you trade GR for BF? On what basis would you take one or the other? Thanks a lot 😊

[@aorakis5795]

Hi there, it Looks like a lot of setup doesn't it ?

[@Biodelic]

I know it is nitpicking but these upside-down action fields are annoying as hell. Excellent video Shaggy, as usual. Thank you very much.

[@TotallyTabled]

That's funny, I didn't even really notice that. I must be used to playing upside-down because I'm usually teaching games to others and I make sure they get the best seats to aid in learning. The orientation doesn't even register in my brain anymore. Thanks so much for watching!

[@kirlin111]

Are you sure you need to spend a resource if you place a pawn in the SAME village as your previous turn. I feel like the rulebook on solo play is clear that you must spend a resource if you're traveling to a new village where pawns are present

[@TotallyTabled]

I just reread it and you are probably right. It does sound like you have to move to a different village and have another pawn there to incur the resource penalty. Seems like a weird distinction but I guess I was playing on hard mode. Thanks!

[@Xauberfux]

@@TotallyTabled German rules are totally clear here. Its just when you change the village not if you stay in the same village.

[@Nicky9215]

Thanks for the playthrough. I hope you could play ROME: Fate of an Empire soon!

[@TotallyTabled]

Honestly, I've been trying to move away from covering games that will never hit retail. I want viewers to theoretically be able to purchase and play a game after watching my video. So I doubt I will feature this series of games on my channel, unless it gets a wider release. I'm tired of making videos exclusively for crowdfunding backers. Thanks for watching!

[@soloflo]

@@TotallyTabledgood call!! People watch your videos for purchase decisions. Most people I would think.

[@Nicky9215]

@@TotallyTabled I got it! Thanks for your kind reply.

[@mariuszkania9947]

Thanks a lot for a playthrough. Gameplay is so silky smooth but game is so very very dry that I am not sure is I would enjoy it in long term. I admire production wheels.

[@TotallyTabled]

I always find these Rosenberg themes to be quaint and charming rather than dry. Either way, the gameplay is fun if you like this sort of thing. It is a nice riff on Glass Road and the solo works great. Thanks for watching!

[@kirlin111]

Where are you ranking this so far?? I'm a big Rosenberg fan and I think this is now #2 behind FFO

[@TotallyTabled]

That's tough. I try not to rank things this new. For now, I like this better for solo than Glass Road. For me it might be A Feast for Odin, At the Gates of Loyang, Oranienburger Kanal, and then either this or Hallertau. Thanks for checking out the playthrough!

[@rezakhan9153]

​@@TotallyTabledlove Hallertau! I'm aligned with this order as well for solo play. I just need to try Kanal.

[@TotallyTabled]

@@rezakhan9153 Yeah, Hallertau has flown under the radar a bit I feel. I like it a lot, but I've heard mixed reviews. I think the card play is really fun, if a little swingy.

[@danmarquart1076]

Where's the cake?!

[@133sinister]

❤

[@andrethannhauser6302]

Didnt you have to produce 2 glass at the very end.

[@TotallyTabled]

Yes, I mention the mistake in the description. At the end of the day, I should have scored one point less. Thanks for watching!

[@clvrswine]

I'm gonna go ahead and hit the the thumbs up button. Then, I'm gonna go ahead and mention that you might not have thought about how often you say go ahead.