Everdell Farshore Review - Do We Need Another Standalone Everdell Game?

[@urloony]

stacking duplicate cards seems like a great house rule for Everdell in general.

[@mothraw1]

My thoughts as well! Get the best of both

[@DrMcFly28]

Does get messy a bit if you use Mistwood farms though

[@jordanberman6194]

I feel like Starling games took the wrong approach to the everdell sequel. There's a real charm to the world of everdell, and most people would be looking for a new game with similar characters and a similar theme, but with different mechanisms. I don't see the appeal to a second version of everdell when the main audience for this game is people who want to explore more of the everdell universe

[@revimfadli4666]

Yeah because based on Spirecrest's design diary, I thought they were gonna make a full story-based game, like Snowdale did Perhaps their target audience is "people who want lighter Everdell but are too grown up for Lil Everdell"?

[@ScytheNoire]

I agree. I have Everdell Complete Collection. I don't need another game called Everdell that plays the same, but lacks the Andrew Bosley artwork. A reskin is not enough.

[@raggededge68]

100% agree. I love Everdell and have all the content for it. I was excited to hear of a sequel but this really isn’t a sequel. It’s a second edition with a bit of re-theming (ocean vs forest). I’d love this as much as the original if it had been the first out but it is so much the same game, there’s no way I’ll fill shelf space with Farshore. And having all the Everdell expansions, this is an easy and obvious pass for me.

[@Wylie288]

Then its not a sequel. Its a completely new game in the same world. Thats not what sequels are.

[@jordanberman6194]

Expeditions by Stonemaier is a perfect example of a sequel to a popular game where the world is a big part of the appeal. Borrows some parts but ultimately a completely unique game

[@NotbadNZ]

I always appreciate your reviews Alex, keep doing the great work you do please. This review in particular articulated a lot of my own thoughts very well and hearing it repeated from someone else was really useful.

[@kaesar98]

Thanks for the insight and preview. You've expertly summarized the game and offered valuable perspective on it's potential value in my game collection. I feel like I've still got a lot to discover in the massive Complete Collection box of Everdell so am glad to see how this is mostly just more of the same great stuff.

[@trevorsinnott123]

I have Everdell Complete Collection and it will take me ages to explore that first. Maybe years down the line I might consider getting Farshore.

[@joeferreti9442]

You can wait for the Farshore Complete Collection maybe. :D But it will still be basically the same game.

[@trevorsinnott123]

@@joeferreti9442 Sounds about right. Lmao

[@timlorow2679]

The automated captions spell Everdell about 10 different ways lol

[@kumanight]

Starling Games should take notes on how Tidal Blades makes different games based in the same universe.

[@npckse8508]

In fairness, Evedell and its expansions and this new Farshore and My Lil Everdell will have all been released far faster overall than the 2 games in the Tidal Blades series, the second of which is who knows how far away from being released. I agree to your central point though, this feels more like what Raiders of Scythia was to Raiders of the North Sea.

[@kumanight]

​@@npckse8508You're forgetting about Banner Festival, but I agree with you

[@ChadHensley]

Thanks for the insight. After watching Rahdo's video this morning I was worried I made the wrong decision by going in on the Everdell Big Box. Now I feel better about my purchase, even if I have only played the base game several times. BTW, I finally played Terraforming Mars hoping that it lived up to the expectations I had created by watching you gush about it and it exceeded them!

[@angye1037]

I've watched some explanations and playthroughs, and fully agreed with your conclusion. I didn't had the opportunity to play farshore, but knowing Everdell really well, you get a clear idea of Farshore. I'd also say that Farshore is less exciting, has less "magic" how you call it, and also noticed it's theme less cohesive. (Mushrooms at the shore? And why red mushrooms? Seaglass is veryyyyy dark blue) I'd say, Farshore is mainly for people who like Everdell but don't love it. Those who don't enjoy Everdell's luck factor will probably prefer Farshore. Those who plain didn't like Everdell also won't like Farshore. For us who we love Everdell, I also see like you the option to have Farshore as an alternative base game to introduce new players to Everdell. In my case, I was disappointed that there isn't Andrew's art im it. The new illustrator did a nice job, but it's not the same and I am sensitive to it as I noticed at first glance. This, together with the thematic flaws, make me unsure if I'd buy it. If it was thematically cohesive with Andrew Art, I'd probably buy it.

[@MrJankTv]

The Anchors ARE the Golden Leaf tokens from New Leaf. The 8 unique cards in the Bay can be brought to Everdell easily. However, I love the A and B tokens that give points and and wild resources. I also like the 24 special parchment tokens. Overall, not enough here to sway me I think but I do prefer Everdell for now. However, the loss of Andrew Bosley for the artwork is noticed right away for me. His art style is magic.

[@BrettFit]

Thanks for the great review again, liked it a lot! 14:05 Concerning the anchors and matching cards: I mean you still have the matching aspect a lot. You just have 3 "joker" tokens to "cheat" out 3 critters, which btw still have to match the construction type. 3 out of 15 total tableau cards seems fair and should not make it too easy to fully build your city. Haven´t play tested it tho. Also, the anchors are like the golden occupied tokens from the last everdell expansion, but more restricting with the construction type.

[@randalladkins7452]

To me, this was such an unnecessary sideways mid-step that didn’t need to exist. This game is just weaker Everdell with some expansion stuff pushed in with and a house rule made official. Base original Everdell wins out every time, and this game only exists for people who don’t already know Everdell exists. At least My Lil’ Everdell was a light and quick variant. This is just milking the IP with a slight variant of the same base game. Hopefully others in this series will be more original designs.

[@BoardGameCo]

On the one hand...I love Everdell...on the other hand, I'll definitely be playing this again.

[@maxf.7262]

Ty for this video!

[@mjaew1]

Everdell is my #1 game so I was so excited to see the announcement but sadly I think I will give this a miss for now (and seeing as pre-orders are only for US and Canada, it's not like I have a choice). It doesn't seem distinct enough, and at least with My Li'l Everdell, I could understand what they were going for. And with both games so similar, the charm of Bosley's art and the original mechanisms work for me. Absolutely no disrespect to Jacqui Davis, it's just for me, Bosley's take is integral to that world. I look forward to other games in the Everdell world.

[@AnimatronicBadgerlord]

I love Everdell, a lot. Like... more than I should (Grew up reading Redwall, can't escape it) And I would have loved a new game in the same universe that isn't the same game, again... again. It's a lovely world and I want to see it branch out a bit. I feel like this is that kind of game where if someone is asking me for what I want for Xmas, I might add it to my list if I can't think of anything else. It looks great, most likely plays great if they follow the same path, but it's just too much of the same for me to justify the cost I guess? Thanks for your review mate!

[@patrickneky9638]

Great synopsis! I think i feel the same way about this. On one hand I love Everdell and a sequel really excites me but having been an original backer of the game and owning the big box starting over is really hard because there doesnt seem like there is enough change or content to preorder this. I also have scar tissue from previous KS with Starling games where the price point for the game went down after the intial KS. Therefore I think I will wait and see. I would like to see if they expand on the farshore iteration with new/fresh mechanics and if there is overlap with the original. Especially if the critter factions can cross play. If they do I will be back in! 20:53

[@npckse8508]

No doubt that in the last Everdell KS, the all-in was such a tremendous deal for new backers vs what original backers had paid. They simply never made any attempt to reward the folks who made it all possible and to their credit, were successful despite this. At least this is a direct-to-retail approach and no KS.

[@fludzbehindme]

Yes I noticed your not playing with the 4th yellow character lol

[@morgaknightgames]

As someone who has the Everdell complete edition... I'm good. I did buy the My Lil Everdell for my niece, but this one just doesn't have a spot in my collection.

[@JosephFlemming]

Yea this game sounds more balanced toward Euro tastes. I’m interested!

[@nirszi]

I guess not naming it Scythe: Expeditions was a good call by Jamie.

[@kanalune]

I would be interested in trying this because I love Everdell (have the complete collection) but my biggest gripe is that it’s currently on sale for preorder for $75 but the MSRP is $100. Unless the price of Everdell increased, Farshore is more expensive.

[@joeferreti9442]

Well, Starling Games is an expert in exploiting their fanboys.

[@briansaben5697]

@@joeferreti9442How is Starling Games exploiting fans of their games? Isn’t it simply good business to provide fans with what they want and make money in the process?

[@joeferreti9442]

@@briansaben5697 I mean the price tags. They're easily double of what would be appropriate.

[@MD-et8kz]

I'm still trying to convince myself to pay 60$ for new leaf expansion

[@npckse8508]

@@joeferreti9442 Compared to Queen Games, Starling Games is like the United Way.

[@lazyDude77]

It's just too similar to the base game and not like Rosenberg or Shem Phillips where each game is still unique enough to buy. But I do like the new rules introduced like the no medow duplicates and I will be applying it to everdell from now on. I also personally add 1-2 more slots to the medow per expansion included in the game. I wish they would somehow introduce a module similar to the ship of farshore for the original game as I don't like the events in the base everdell.

[@joeferreti9442]

I wonder how often they will try to sell the same game again in the future.

[@briansaben5697]

As long as people will buy, they will continue to sell.

[@buddywahlquist2467]

So you mentioned that you thought you might use Farshore to introduce new players to the system... does that mean you would recommend it over just base Everdell? I've got the complete collection and My Lil Everdell, so I don't really think this is for me (maybe a clearance rack buy in a year). But if somebody owned neither and were to buy one box, what would you recommend?

[@craigfindlater]

I love Everdell, own the expensive huge big box. But for a series that is “complete” they are trying to milk as much money as they can from the series. This will be popular and sell well, but it definitely comes across as a cash grab. Between this, base Everdell and My Lil Everdell, the core mechanics are all the same with a few changes. Was hoping for something new in the Everdell universe, like what Stonemaier Games did with Scythe and Expeditions, completely different games in the same universe. This seems too similar to own both. It’s a pass for me.

[@elgranjimenez]

I don't think they ever proclaimed that the "series" was complete. The game "Everdell" is complete. Other games in the franchise had never been off the table.

[@npckse8508]

I think they are simply attempting to make even more money off a successful series. It is a retail release and likely will be cheaper over time. I cringe at the term cash grab as literally anything could be labeled a cash grab and in this case they had numerous reviews out for this product letting consumers know what they are in for. A cash grab would have been a retail drop with no review/preview/gameplay coverage.

[@nightlightguy]

Thanks Alex - it looks nice, but after getting the Everdell big box I don't think I need this! (Massive hypocrit though given the six versions of Zombicide I own...) Can you (or have you) make a video where you show us all your 5 out of 5 games?

[@misterbxiv]

A video covering all of Alex’s 5/5 games would be a fun one to see

[@JosephFlemming]

Yea I played Everdell once or twice and sold it… it just didn’t feel fair to search the deck for specific exact combos esp for the goals. (Wingspan is a game that does giant decks right.) maybe this new Everdell game will get me back into it!

[@Blueynoes]

Interesting, I feel the opposite. Wingspan feels very limited with carddraw to me, so my strategy feels predetermined and highly dependent on what birds you start with. Everdell has tons of carddraw and multiple viable combos, and still works without this combos. With Wingspan if I start badly I never feel like I can get an engine going and it becomes tedious.

[@JosephFlemming]

@@Blueynoes true I guess Wingspan does have a somewhat limited card draw but the decks are balanced.

[@Pexikexi]

In one expansion they add gold tokens that you can use the same way as the anchors, you could just add that rule to the base game. It's also 3 per player.

[@AnimatronicBadgerlord]

One of the expansions, I think it was Bellfaire? Fixes the biggest issue I had with Everdell. The Goals were replaced with more general goals such as "Have 5 Production Buildings" or "Have 2 Prosperity Builds and 2 Location buildings" It was a much better system as it allowed you to build what you wanted rather than attempting to cycle through the deck for ages in a vague hope you get what you want, specially in solo mode where it was nearly impossible to complete a goal, now I can do 2 maybe even 3 if I'm planning well. That doesn't mean that you're feeling is invalid or anything and it seems off to put it with an expansion but it did help the game dramatically for me. It's now my favorite game.

[@johnpanagos5835]

Starling games should make something more unique. They should move on from everdell system.

[@PaulSzkibik]

Not saying you're automatically wrong but just saying "they should" twice without any ... arguments or other qualifiers feels a bit empty. There's plenty of other game makers, who stick to one type of game (e.g. Dominion having a billion expansions and stand alone versions, or Carcassonne). So "WHY" should Starling Games move on is a more interesting question. I'd say for a lot of people people everdell is comfort food. Everytime Uwe Rosenberg makes a game, a lot of people go "why isn't this more like Agricola/Caverna/Feast for Odin"? Sometimes people just like familar stuff with a bit of a twist. That's why sequels and generally franchises are a thing in movies and video games. A lot of people can play the same game for decades. Be it chess, or poker, or magic the gathering or world of warcraft. I'm not saying Starling Games shouldn't branch out ever, but there's a big fanbase out there and a lot of people are probably very happy with a game like farshore. Where would you take a new everdell game? Like what kind of game would you like to see?

[@crosscutgames]

It looks straight up better than Everdell to me - a game I enjoy, but have none of the expansions as I didn't love it. Farshore appears to fix the very things I did not enjoy in Everdell. However, I'm a little torn on getting this one - because it would directly replace Everdell. I think I'd like to play Farshore and then decide.

[@BoardGameCo]

Interesting...I'd be fascinated if it works for you :)

[@jeffmackey2740]

The game is cute but I'd rather play Everdell. I don't understand making a simpler version of a medium weight game in general. Finally the price point for what's included is pretty offside imho. Should be an interesting test of the market

[@Shun174]

Feels like a big rip-off and lazy design. Sure, there are changes, but you can see so many tried things being recycled. Big cardboard structure, check. 3 building and 1 food resource, check. No idea what audience is this suppose to target, between rather fresh Complete Edition and My Lil' Everdell. Starling Games dissapointed once again.

[@laurencesingh3948]

I feel exactly the same way. Farshore seems lazy and, honestly, misleading. This is less a sequel and more a reimplementation. Definitely passing on this one. Not even tempting.

[@fireshrine77]

Hmmmmm 5 out of 5 on Everdell. The more I play it, the less I enjoyed it. It's so solitaire and dragging at 4-5 players count. Great production value but I won''t say it's great

[@Selfreplyingbot]

To be honest it’s just the same with a doubled price compared to everdell. I’m very disappointed.

[@citan108]

Sounds like I won’t be getting this one. Especially when there aren’t even any deluxe components.

[@joeferreti9442]

The resource tokens seem plenty deluxe, well, at least ones I saw in another Farshore video today.

[@Josh-hz8vz]

This game was not needed. Marginal change to the Everdell formula that really doesn’t set itself apart form a million other similar games. It was kind of a lazy cash grab by Starling. I don’t blame them for doing it, they’re a small company and Everdell is “complete” so they needed a new venture. But I don’t see the real purpose of this one.

[@BoardGameCo]

I agree..but also enjoy it and will be tabling it again.

[@Luclidity]

They definitely should’ve just made a completely new game, rather than doing the same thing. That would’ve been so exciting. This was probably just less work for the design. Iterating upon what was done previously

[@MerrillWhiteKalEl]

I am just going to stick with Everdell.

[@guidodezwaan]

Humm i havent even played Newleaf yet while having it since the realease.

[@cjpeach11]

Given Everdell is just a low rent design compared to Empires of the North, this seems like a minor step up. Improvement but not enough to move the needle for me tbh.

[@npckse8508]

You realize Everdell was released in 2018 and Empires of the North in 2019. Given that Everdell was a KS game and Empires a retail release, there is no telling when either game was conceived. Still, there is no real basis in fact that one has anything to do with the other.

[@arthurdent9933]

This seems very unecessary.

[@DuGStp]

Seems a bit too derivative.