Primal: The Awakening Review - After All This Time, It Holds Up

[@matthewharding579]

Awesome review Alex. After a very frustrating first play due to the rules and keywords being all over the place, I downloaded some game play aids from board game geek. I now have the following pdfs open on my computer while I play and it has made all the difference: Primal Player Aid, Keyword A-K, Keyword L-Z, and Primal game flow with trigger check boxes. The last one really helps to make sure you don’t forget things. Awesome game :) I also designed a 3D printable agro token holder, threatened holders, and a monster player board that makes it all a lot easier for me to keep track of things. I haven’t uploaded them to makerspace yet, but will soon so others can print them if they want. Awesome game :)

[@mylor1066]

So excited to get this to the table. Also, been keen for this since your original coverage.

[@BoardGameCo]

It's a ton of fun, one of my favorite games easily

[@rb4551]

if they made a standee version, both for storage and cost, they would have sold so many more copies. I would 100% back a standee version. Thats what i did for oathsworn and 0 regrets. They can keep minis for heroes and standee all bosses (or just flat our no standee just a big rotating top down view of a boss) Dont get me wront, these giant minis are amazing. But I just have too many and its too hard to store all that stuff.

[@morgaknightgames]

Yes! A top down standee/token for the bosses would have been perfect. I'm buying fewer and fewer of these mini heavy games because of space concerns. And I feel very guilty looking at all this plastic.

[@mithrandir510]

I would also love a standee version, but from what I've heard these versions sell much less

[@nihlify]

They would have sold many more copies if it was possible to find in retail

[@rb4551]

@mithrandir510 i think it depends on the game. Some games have 1 extra box for minis, and the price is overall lower due to mini size. This one needs many boxes and costs a fortune. Different market

[@TableTopWolf1984]

This is exactly how I feel, I'd give anything to trade the massive box that I've got for bits of cardboard in a smaller box. I haven't even opened my copy as I'm just to daunted to play it, an with me only having max 3 hours a week to play, I need faster set up an tare down time, along with easier storage, instead I bet I'll just sell my one without even playing it

[@joshuag7027]

You were part of the reason I decided to get this one, and I'm loving it, 20 plays so far including a full play-through of the campaign, and painted all the miniatures.

[@keithplunske6155]

Wow all the minis painted. Wow

[@a.c.s.6204]

So happy that you ended up doing a review!! Definitely worth the wait!

[@capnbob0618]

Thanks for the review. Box size and number of minis is sadly a huge ding for me. Loved the oathsworn standee version so much.

[@Vasileios_Fotopoulos]

Totally agree with your review. The game is fantastic but I have one major complaint. The game's biggest drawback is that it has too many triggers, too many rules and upkeep to keep track of which makes it almost impossible to play a game without forgetting something. You have to check for triggers before your turn, at the start of your turn, at the movement phase, after each card you play, after the attrition phase, after the monster orientation phase, at the end of your turn, at the start of the other player's turn, at the end of the round etc. etc. And triggers are not only behavior cards but also peril cards (one or more), objective cards, your items, your tokens, the monster's tokens, your weapons etc. I think they overloaded the game with unnecessary things, rules and details. If they kept it more simple it would be better.

[@TabletopFamily]

Kdm+gamblers have just as many rules but better pay off for our family. Resources feel so much more important when there's a settlement

[@Neon_Gorilla]

Really glad you are reviewing this, I couldn’t get my hands on it but am intrigued.

[@BoardGameCo]

It's absolutely amazing, easily my favorite game this year

[@Neon_Gorilla]

@@BoardGameCo now you are giving me FOMO, off to eBay I suppose :)

[@AlBundy4td]

@@Neon_Gorilla they've hinted about a 2nd print crowdfunding run. No announcement till after Primal is fully delivered though.

[@npckse8508]

@@Neon_Gorilla Black Friday sale on their website is pretty solid deal

[@kcw1879]

I just finished a 3rd game of this. Did not prefer it the first game; second game was "well, it's ok and interesting"; after 3rd game you REALLY start seeing the strategies and possibilities for deck building; crafting; and quests. Main gripe is there is SO many little rules to remember. If they ever make a good quality PC game for this, it will be a 9.5 game, because the computer will remember all the upkeep and rules, and you can just concentrate on the fun. In fact, a good app for this game would do wonders for it's rating.

[@derekgarcia3069]

Pretty sure the video game version is called Monster Hunter! ;)

[@damiankomimasa3609]

Thank you for this video. Still fighting with my thoughts buy it or not, but it was stiil nice to hear something about it from you:)

[@npckse8508]

Snagged all of this during the ongoing Black friday sale. Played this at the Retreat and loved it!

[@jinx8279]

This is one of my favorite games and I'm very thankful that you posted the preview during the campaign. It wasn't on my radar until I saw your preview and I might have missed it otherwise. It's been everything I hoped it would be. I think I've tabled it 7 or 8 times so far and I'll be playing it for years to come.

[@derekgarcia3069]

Great review Alex! I REALLY need to get this to the table! I'm just happy that the one-shot mode is so robust as I have near zero interest in the campaign.

[@gizmo9256]

Oathsworn is still the best boss battler for me, mostly for it's compelling story, where Primals story are a big wall of tekst, that can be a bear to read through. But Primal is a close second, and it's smaller campaign do that I im playing it with my friends, as it's more accessible 😊

[@fy8798]

I feel the best campaign in primal is the three-fight campaign in one of the expansions, it gives a bit of progression, while not having the, ah, bad text.

[@haxan6663]

I bought a gameplay all-in last week, after dropping my original pledge. Haven't played yet as I am getting the core box painted first. I have painted just over half of it in the last 3 days and so expect to be playing by the weekend.

[@loc8653]

I got this awhile ago, and I've yet to set it up and play it. The models are absolutely gorgeous.

[@toddcontino7271]

I can’t stay away from this game. Been rotating between this, 6 Siege, Dawn of Madness, and Nexus non stop since I’ve gotten them. All sooooo good. I wish there was more time in the day

[@Ragingspoon]

Would have liked to give this a go but id rather have a standee/token version to slash the price and size. Seems like it has been overproduced for the sake of it which is an issue I have with quite a few games.

[@successfulgeek]

I so need to play this more. 3d printing some stuff to make it easier to table.

[@Nayr090]

I've gotten this to the table about 6 or 7 times now. It is indeed one of the best boss battlers I've played in recent years, and there are already a lot of good ones out there. Storage space issues aside, I'm really glad to have gotten this game!

[@twentysides]

Thank you for this video! I know it's a very small publisher that doesn't have the capacity to make different versions of the game, but it breaks my heart that it's only available as a giant box full of giant minis that could easily be monster disks and hunter standees. I'm willing to pay a lot for a great game (I have the standee version of Oathsworn) but this feels like it's a great game bundled with extras that a customer is not allowed to un-bundle.

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

The great thing about having a budget is that it prevents me from dumping $3-600 dollars on this sort of thing. I have Too Many Bones. I have Gloomhaven. I think I’m good on this sort of thing.

[@TableTopWolf1984]

The box size, set up an tare down time are basically holding me back from playing this one, have a feeling ill sell it soon as its just raking up too much space

[@LWo_Australia]

Sounds very tempting! Which is a better game, this or Too Many Bones? I know that they are different games, but does anyone have any advice?

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

Too Many Bones is wort a $60 try. The cheapest entry point for this that I see is $300. I’m sure it depends on taste, but one is much easier to try.

[@LWo_Australia]

@johnathanrhoades7751 I already have TMB base, but I am wondering if I should get Primal or invest more into TMB.

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

@@LWo_Australia ah. Well that depends how much you love TMB. If it’s fun but just ok, probably not worth investing more. It’s my second favorite solo so I have close to everything, but if you’re not playing it all the time you don’t need that. Even if you ARE playing all the time you don’t need it.

[@marcodavinci3150]

Sounds like this game need an app to help with the upkeep during the rounds! Would be a great option for them to make so we can focus on gameplay!

[@RAPHBENOIT]

Has anyone played Primal, Oathsworn AND Aeons Trespass Odyssey? I am interested in all 3, to play exclusively solo, and I'd love to know if there's a "clear winner" for a new solo life style game of the sort.

[@fy8798]

I have, and I can tell you that you're asking a bit of a wonky question, because these 3 are actually very different and appeal to different kinds of players, it depends on what you want. Story is important? Primal is out, its story is bad, its mainly focused on battles. Intricate fights important? Primal or ATO may be good candidates, Oathsworn less so as it's more an entry boss battler Do you hate upkeep? Never even consider ATO and try primal several times in TTS before considering it, Primal and ATO are both very upkeep heavy Want tons of replayability of the same fights? Primal may be best Want long, LONG campaigns with tons to discover? ATO is the prime pick, Oathsworn less so. There's pros and cons for all three, and it really depends on your specific goals.

[@kobusbrits3523]

I have, as well as KDM for what it's worth. Unfortunately there's no clear winner. Each game is a master piece in it's own different way. It really depends what is important to you, what you want out of it and what you find intriguing about these games.

[@jello6451]

I've played quite a bit at 2 players and man is it a fun, albeit difficult game. The models are also a JOY to paint with

[@coffeespoonman7931]

After 5 plays, I sold this on. Didn't enjoy it at solo, and while 2p worked okay, we found that, for some enemies at least, managing the constant triggers was just getting in the way of any fun we might have been able to have. I would almost recommend playing this with a Gamemaster - someone to manage all the monster cards and other related triggers. That might save it. But for me and my group (at least the ones that tried it), this was just not enjoyable.

[@RangonTheGreat]

I’ve really enjoyed it, been trying to paint the all-in (quite the undertaking) but just finished 3d printing an organizer to condense it all to one box, the mechanics are a lot of fun and want to try it with more friends, do you prefer the campaign or just doing the expeditions?

[@Metroidam11]

Only had a chance to play this once and I was underwhelmed. Felt too random and I couldn’t predict the monster movement. Guess I need to give it another chance

[@tbatrics]

I think I would love this game. I've been addicted to Monster Hunter board game and this is a close companion. I hope to afford it someday

[@youknowthething8262]

Surprised you didn’t find the crafting system clunky. Getting it all out and storing it between each play is a lot. Playtime balloons at higher play counts while difficulty increases at a lower player count. Also agreed about the difficulty being low for at least the first 3 games. People say they have lost scenarios but we only got dangerous close to losing two times.

[@kobal008]

I have loved this game since I got it and my only trouble is I am probably one of the few people in my group who loves boss battlers so I can never really get the same group of people to sit down and play through even part of a campaign

[@BoardGameCo]

I love this one enough I'd happily play it solo

[@kobal008]

@@BoardGameCo that's pretty much how I've been playing it. I play marvel champions with a group regularly but until you mentioned it it hadn't occurred to me that they might enjoy Primal so I'm going to see how that goes.

[@siriactuallysara]

I’m am extremely happy I backed this game. Top 5 favorite KS.

[@BoardGameCo]

Nice!

[@its_thms]

Dear Alex, great review. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I just picked this game up and looking forward to play it. One additional question. What is the game on the top of your shelf between Oathsworn?

[@BoardGameCo]

Unsettled :)

[@XileboW]

I would enjoy seeing you play one of the harder monsters at the end. Also did you played 4,3,2 players and solo double handed?

[@winghong3]

Looks alright. But idk, when it comes to boss battlers, if it's not tactical grid-based, I just feel like it doesn't feel as epic or immersive. I feel like for battles like these, a lot is lost when not accounting for spatial distance / movements between you an monster as well.

[@fredericcourcy1915]

Love this games Paint it all and played half a campaign 😅... Hope to finish it before october (gaming group plan)

[@jonathana6298]

I have to admit, this is another one of those games where I went all-in, unboxed it, and have yet to play it.

[@nihlify]

Now is a good time to sell it, it's impossible to find right now and still got decent hype.

[@juliusvanbergen927]

You really should play it. Its amazing.

[@fy8798]

Great review. I enjoy this game a lot, though yeah, some of the keyword stuff is silly. Kickstarter issue, at least not as bad as ATO >_>; Ended up fully painting it because this one is a keeper for sure.

[@bartga1963]

My biggest surprise of 2024 and 3rd game I gave a 10/10!

[@jecabreradc]

Which were the others, please?

[@bartga1963]

@@jecabreradc Too Many Bones, this game is my no. 1, and Aeon Trespass Odyssey - battles, story, just pure joy to play

[@jecabreradc]

@@bartga1963 Noted, Thanks for sharing!

[@xChikyx]

I have my copy with all in stuff without opening here xD

[@Frankzoar]

New favorite game. Sorry, Mage Knight.

[@BoardGameCo]

Basically the way I feel

[@Peetoo6]

So torn on this one, reviews are hooking me up. I hate character and especially weapon art style (dragons are beautiful on the other hand). Because it was smaller kinda first time creator, and it was during the time when i thought that 250 for gameplay allin was too much (sweet innocence), i passed.... but, every time im watching video with it, want to play it badly. Just those over-the-top anime style weapons (it also shows how fragile our picking choices are, if this wouldnt be the case, i would be more than probably admiring those dragons personaly 😄)

[@BoardGameCo]

While I do love the game, I'm also a big fan of the idea that there are so many games out there, that we shouldn't have to convince ourselves to get something we're not certain of. There will always be more games than we have time to play or buy.

[@XileboW]

Have it, played it, love it! Only the story leaves me unhappy, oathsworn i loved the story part while in primal somehow the big chunks of text bore me :(

[@djfusion2808]

Early bosses are easy? Toramat is the 1st boss I fought after the prologue and he’s kicked my butt twice already!

[@rodrigomarra2710]

Better than oathsworm?

[@kobusbrits3523]

Way different games. Both are very good in their own way.

[@Cryptandos]

I'm surprised that you didn't compare it to Monster Hunter at all.

[@AlBundy4td]

He did three years ago when both were running their initial campaigns... He prefered Primal then, unsure now.

[@jonathanetetiennekinesiolo5102]

I think you forgot a lots of rules if you think the game is easy . we have a succes rate of 66% at chapter 6 !

[@BoardGameCo]

Starts too easy :) just the first few missions

[@megalodon2012]

I backed it, but sold it as soon as I got it because a family member needed some quick cash. The regrets are real.

[@BrettWStewart]

I am sure there will be another crowdfunding campaign again soon for an expansion where you could buy the base game again.

[@benisataco]

The one and only comment.

[@zimbo5521]

Monster Hunter World Iceborne has way bigger and way better miniatures, and therefore way better table presence.

[@toddcontino7271]

You’re high lol

[@zimbo5521]

@@toddcontino7271cope

[@fy8798]

Bigger sure, better lol no. It's typical steamforged minis, they're so-so at best. It's not as bad as the gap(filled)ing dragon in dark souls tbg, but they're inferior to primal's.

[@kobusbrits3523]

That game tries to be what Primal achieved.

[@zimbo5521]

@@fy8798Wrong. Monster Hunter World Iceborne has better sculpts and much bigger miniatures. It is a more high-end game than Primal and that’s why MHW Iceborne is significantly more expensive than Primal.