Radlands Review - Great Art Doesn't Make A Game....But Radlands Doesn't Just Have Great Art

[@kevinsayers5985]

I got my copy a few weeks back, and I've got to say, this is easily, not only the best game I've played this year, but in the last few years. I absolutely love it, the mechanics, the player interaction, the components (deluxe edition), the art. It's just a great game all around imo.

[@MrStevenvanL]

Really like this one - the playmats do add a lot in this case, much clearer layout (and great art).

[@zenmazster]

I love the playmats so much but thought it was a strange design choice to make the playmats opposite of each other

[@Gregthegreat88]

true, i don't think i would play the game without the playmats, it could be really messy

[@DMBuc2k1]

Totally agree! The playmates make organization of the game so easy.

[@BoardGameCo]

Yeah, I definitely plan on upgrading, But I can say that even without them it's awesome.

[@shanerion]

@@BoardGameCo 100% though, do go for that upgrade. I’m not kidding, the playmats somehow add more than you’d think they would. I am not a playmat guy. But they showcase so much of the color scheme and the aesthetic of the game, and the way it organizes the field of play is top notch. Having played with them, i don’t think there’s ever a case, ever, where I would choose to play without them.

[@kirilivanov92]

2:57 - when you discard a card like that, you need to check the exact symbol. That one is injure which apply only to people, and cannot be used on camps. Otherwise it will be too imbalanced if your starting hand consist 2 of these, and you just blow an enemy camp instantly. This was one of my first if not my first KS games I've ever gotten and i got to say, its been the most played game for past year :D

[@BoardGameCo]

Good catch! We've actually been playing it correctly, this is just the downside of making a mistake in a review.

[@arifmemovic3383]

Just picked this up for a great price from the local comic shop. It's exciting to read all of the positive KZbin comments on this video before opening the box!

[@raphajacob]

I think the start of the game is where you can be strategic, which is during the camps drafting phase. You draw 6 camps and draft 3, so unless you had a very bad draft , you will be able to find some synergies. After that, I agree that there will be luck involved since all players will be drafting from same deck. Note that cards having multiple uses, you can always find something useful to do with them which mitigate the chance of a useless turn.

[@renatocarvalho6059]

Great game. So happy with my Deluxe copy. One of my favorites in my collection at the moment! Since it arrived it has been consistently requested by my friends to hit the table. Gotta love those playmats, not only gorgeous, but really useful and easy to store inside the Deluxe box. And those camps give you so much variability. I can’t recommend it enough!

[@renatocarvalho6059]

And that MTG comparison you pointed out at the end was totally on point. I already was a good number of plays in, never having lost one. Then later I introduced a friend of mine that plays MTG. He destroyed me twice. This game rewards experienced players and I think that’s awesome.

[@BoardGameCo]

Yes, I used to play MTG back in the day, and this very much gives me the same feeling of seemingly simple decisions that are much more complex than you think.

[@WendyGa]

It is indeed a lovely looking game. The deluxe version loses in portability, but adds nicely to the ease of play and table presence. Like you, I enjoy the interaction and the amount of choices you must make each turn. 3 water a turn does make for tough choices on how to spend it. It's a game in looking forward to playing a lot more to see what variability the various base and card combinations create.

[@BoardGameCo]

Yep, really surprised me, works really well.

[@SoManyGames]

I don't know that you lose portability. The Super Deluxe Version is simply a deluxe box (which I believe is practically the same size as the retail version) inside of another deluxe box. The bigger box's purpose is only to hold the mats as well as the smaller box. Built-in storage solution! For that reason I see it as the best of both worlds. You want it to be portable? Travel with the smaller box. Although having played with the mats, I can never see myself playing this game without them. Such a great effing game and production!

[@deemich1815]

I love how thoughtful your reviews are and how you come at them from different angles. Keep up the fantastic breakdowns!

[@artboymoy]

Got my super deluxe version of the game and have played two games with a friend. He had some of the same problems that you had with the game in the terminology and the rules and how they can shift if the card says something different. I also had to explain to him that it's meant to be a fast game as well. Both games he managed to put out a lot of people and good ones at that and I was usually up against a wall trying to get rid or just damage them so he'd want to use his resources to restore them. My luck held out and I was able to draw some great events while doing raids with little or no people guarding my camps. In the end I won both games but I do feel he did a number of misplays and just didn't think he could have done stuff that he actually could do. I enjoyed it, but yeah, he's not sold on it.

[@stevekingswell9143]

Echo all of that, and the thematics are strong too, especially with the player mats!

[@jmch6359]

Good review, but a better bird's eye view of the table would be nice.

[@BoardGameCo]

Agreed...sadly I filmed this thinking my top camera was on ...and it wasn't.

[@derickkopff1314]

I recently got this. I enjoy it for the reasons you discuss. I love the art, and the playmats add a huge step up as well.

[@BoardGameCo]

Really solid game :)

[@successfulgeek]

So excited to table this. It finally just arrived!

[@BoardGameCo]

It's solid :)

[@laniston]

I would love to get a copy of this some day. Been enjoying Sanctuary for my lane battling card game

[@BoardGameCo]

It's surprisingly solid.

[@MrScrawnjuan]

Lol just posted asking if he's played Sanctuary and then noticed your comment :)

[@MrNicktwin]

Why do you have cardboard water tokens? Shouldn't these be heavy backgammon-style painted water discs?

[@BoardGameCo]

Depends on the edition, this is the retail edition.

[@MrNicktwin]

@@BoardGameCo got it! Thanks

[@Chris-yl7lz]

Review begins @ 3:57

[@BoardGameCo]

Yep, don't I already timestamp that?

[@Chris-yl7lz]

@@BoardGameCo Oh I see now you did. I just looked for the segmented progress bar for time stamps. Guess KZbin removed that feature?

[@DMBuc2k1]

Really enjoying Radlands and the combos that the three camps can produce!

[@BoardGameCo]

Yes!

[@shanerion]

I love this game. 5/5 for me. Just hits the right notes for what I want.

[@BoardGameCo]

Yes!

[@ginsbu]

Any thought on age range? I have fairly game proficient kids, but Radlands is different enough from what we usually play that’s it’s hard for me to gauge.

[@BoardGameCo]

It will depend on your kids for sure. I would say 8 + is probably fine if your kids are familiar with games. But that will definitely depend on each person's family and kids proficiency.

[@ginsbu]

@@BoardGameCo Thanks, that’s helpful. The BGG poll has just 2 votes, so it’s not much to go on.

[@MrScrawnjuan]

Seems a bit like Sanctuary: The Keepers Era. Have you played that one?

[@BoardGameCo]

Sadly not

[@MrGaiakid]

is that a genre? "Lane battler"? What other board games would fall under this category?

[@XTCyan]

Is there enough room in the retail edition box to fit sleeved cards? Looks pretty tight.

[@trojan403]

The cards are hardy plastic, no need to sleeve them

[@XTCyan]

@@trojan403 the *retail edition* uses regular cardstock

[@doctork3817]

No, unfortunately there is no space for sleeves but there's barely any need for it imo

[@williamnickeas5788]

Thanks for the review - great detail - looking forward to playing this with my wife. Agree with you re Air, Land and Sea - absolutely love it - simple but compelling 2 player game.

[@DermoniS]

Are those cardboard water tokens ? Is this like normal (non-deluxe) edition of game that will cost 20-25$ ?

[@reznor_59]

Waiting for it to come back in stock so my order will ship!

[@picklebuckeye]

Just a heads up, I don’t believe you are supposed to draw a card at the start of your turn, only when you pay for it or with some card effects. EDIT: I was wrong, I just missed that step in the Watch it Played video, sorry!

[@rainingtalent]

You're wrong. The instructions clearly say to draw a card at the start of your turn.

[@BoardGameCo]

Instructions seem pretty specific unless I missed something.

[@renatocarvalho6059]

Nope, you do draw 1 card at the start of your turn and replenish 3 water tokens, after advancing your events by 1 :)

[@picklebuckeye]

@@BoardGameCo ah, ok, I must have missed it in Rodney’s How to Play. My mistake, thanks!

[@alwaysplayblue]

Yeah, I watched Rodney's video and missed the draw card at start of turn on our first game. I make it a thing to rewatch How To Play videos after a first play for this very reason. I then go home to my girlfriend and say "we're playing it again, I missed three rules". 🤣

[@crivgil]

I just love Radlands, it will hit the table a loooot

[@BoardGameCo]

Yep :)

[@GearDiego23]

3 lanes!? 3 bases!? wait... IS THIS ARTIFACT!?

[@Janisurai]

I am looking to replicate a card duelling experience that those who are into CCGs get, is this a good bet? Also tempted by mindbug Thanks!

[@marlonsansivirinitoledo337]

That retail version, are cards cardboard or synthetic made?

[@raphajacob]

Cardboard.

[@patriziopastore9895]

Nice review and I agree in most of pro & cons (if I can call like that). Not a cheap game but amazing quality and super easy to table.

[@Paul-ro6py]

Thanks for the review

[@steveowen7508]

Thanks for the review.

[@BoardGameCo]

Always :)

[@DuGStp]

Played a game that went the entire 2 times through the deck. It was way too long. Gonna house rule that to 1 time through the deck and it ends.

[@BoardGameCo]

Interesting.... Never went that long for me

[@raphajacob]

Wow. I see that happening with two very experienced players. Or maybe you misplayed a rule here and there .

[@zenmazster]

Did i miss a rating?

[@rainingtalent]

The rating was there...did you watch the full video?

[@zenmazster]

@@rainingtalent ill go back, distracted w kids, this was one of my fav games of the year

[@BoardGameCo]

Should be in there :)

[@ilqrd.6608]

Pretty upset that they are selling the kickstarter version on their website before all backers received their pledges. Makes you feel really stupid for backing it and paying a lot more

[@peetu734]

Interesting, I paid total of 66€ for super deluxe copy and received it mid october. Buying super deluxe from their web store would cost me 77€. So at least as european backer I can’t be more satisfied

[@ilqrd.6608]

@@Dstinct no it isn’t at least for me. I pad 74 CAD incl shipping and the same version of the game out under 67 CAD incl. shipping on their website

[@SoManyGames]

I hear ya. Only $1 less after shipping than what I paid for the Kickstarter (received a month ago). But definitely makes me question whether or not I should back any future Roxley Kickstarters.

[@roosterchains]

That is unlucky, I have had my copy in US for over a month now.

[@ghstrdio]

I have no clue what is going on with that tutorial haha

[@BoardGameCo]

Fair :) but also not a rules teach, it's a review with an overview.

[@ghstrdio]

@@BoardGameCo it's not the rules, can't see the cards

[@StrangeObscureStories]

Is it necessary to say "Go ahead" in every sentence? Bad KZbin habit.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

Pass.

[@BoardGameCo]

Why?

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

@@BoardGameCo - Whoa! This comment was not meant for this video. I'd love to try this game.

[@BoardGameCo]

@@EfrainRiveraJunior :)

[@dead-zo-nd]

Alex I have to respectuflly disagree. For those who understand probability and enjoy strategic games, stay away. The gameplay is nothing more than a complex coin-flipping game. There is zero player agency with everything being random; player turn order, start cards, and draw cards. This means you are doing your best with what you have and hoping that it achieves something meaningful. There is no way to plan ahead and pull off winning combinations strategically. Games are won or lost by a single draw of a random card. You will finish every game with an overwhelming sense of frustration and a feeling you have been fooled into playing snakes and ladders.