Burgle Bros 2 Review - A Safe Bet?

[@buggy65x]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Tom is a fantastic addition to the SU&SD team. His reviews are insightful, his videos are superbly produced and edited, and his comedic timing is spot-on. Keep up the good work!

[@eggenberg4ever]

From a nervous "I'm the new intern" start, Tom's really grown as a regular reviewer - his TYOV review inspired me to purchase a genre I'd never considered since I were a lad and Choose Your Own Adventure books were all the rage. Also.......... I dig is shovel sight-gag.

[@jgjgjgjg9654]

Yes! Absolutely

[@dedicatedenemy]

Thanks Tom's mum.

[@ValosarX]

He certainly reviews games that the others would probably never touch.

[@kylesmorgabord5592]

The timing on that shovel joke killed me lol

[@xChikyx]

sameeee

[@MarcusBeirne]

I did a spit-take with a mouth full of coffee 🤣

[@nbo8644]

I rewatched that bit 10 times in a row 🤣🤣

[@MisterSlick85]

1: "What do you want for dinner, honey?" 2: "I don't know, whatever you feel like really, I don't mind." 1: "Pasta?" 2: "Nah I don't feel like pasta." 1: "..." 1: *raises decision shovel*

[@hywel4767]

SU&SD has affected me so much that i just read “whats for dinner mum?…..Cuuuubes!” Ref to the Terraforming Mars review

[@lc7664]

"Running headfirst into walls like an excited toddler." This is the Shakespearean writing I subscribed to SUSD for. XD

[@luigiscazzari4724]

I was that toddler. :D

[@AndreSamosir]

@@luigiscazzari4724 it's true. I'm the wall.

[@Elbiman]

I was prepared to leave a meaningful comment, but Tom! TOM! You absolutely destroyed me with that shovel. I burst out laughing. This was just what I needed after a long day. Amazing. Thank you.

[@davidmoore1253]

Those whiteboard works of art are really impressive. Must take ages!

[@Flon22]

Great video as usual, music's a bit loud though at the start

[@paladia_gorom1973]

The shovel gag was top notch

[@EvilChancellorJorge]

Great review. I like how the last part of your review is like, "The problem that I had with this game was Blah, but it wasn't really that big of a problem, and I don't really know why I am bringing it up as a problem."

[@wufireGotPower]

Tim Fowers taught my group how to play Burgle 1 at the first SHUX. One of my favorite convention memories!

[@SnoopyThe4th]

This is the most Tom has ever embodied the SUSD animus and it's gorgeous

[@LightandFire676]

Oh my gosh Tom is good at this. He was hired on right when SUSD was needing back a little of that catapult-a-game-out-the-window, classic SUSD feeling. I think that decision shows the skill of the rest of the team as well. So much work and so much quality in these vids. And I lost it at the shovel. Also, Tom's collection vid when??

[@hywel4767]

Tom was such a great edition to the SU&SD team 🙌 almost at Quins level banterrificness! Thats a word. Keep it up 👍

[@ShjadeNexayre]

A thought on the "happening to you" detail: it seems to me that in this Ocean's Eleven style con-heist, reactive plays dealing with unexpected occurrences seems more on-theme for the heist in progress. A stealth burglary, thematically, is more about executing your plan to perfection, never being seen or affected by your environment because you have it all planned out for when the place will be vulnerable and empty, etc. This kind of heist, however, you're going into live-fire territory, so to speak, with a set of *goals* in mind, but knowing you'll have to just deal with whatever's happening the night you make your attempt since you're doing it while the place is open and packed. That's why dealing with your Heat is emphasized over doing things stealthily: you're still trying to be stealthy, sure, but it's the Public that's the problem more often than the Security. Best laid plans and all that. Not to say your take on it is wrong, we like what we like. I just thought I'd chime in to say from my perspective it makes sense that the design would work out that way, focusing more on things happening to you and messing up your plans rather than things you're doing to mess up your own plans.

[@stefanoprada1101]

Tom is elevating the classic SU&SD's "but" as a form of art Bravo

[@aarcade6676]

for anyone who's wondering: the little van in the corner of the table is a miniatures set for burgle bros 2.

[@pFe1FF]

We play BB2 with the 2 Floors above each other, we build some LEDs into the box to have better light below.

[@sicsided]

What lights did you purchase? That was our issue, just too dark under the box.

[@pFe1FF]

@@sicsided we have 2 10cm 5V led stripes with 12 leds

[@evanstrong4064]

The whole board looks very busy with everything on it while trying to keep the tiles compact. That said, great review!

[@emmaplaysgreen2849]

Having now watched the video: Yeah, even if there wasn't the wibbly-wobbly issue, having the other floor on legs would only really work in an extremely well light room! I like still having it on the box cover to give some differentiation and the idea of moving upwards though. But I've only played solo so far. And I must recommend the app for the original! It's one of the few boardgame apps that transcends its cardboard origins.

[@meeplefanatic9266]

The root app

[@AndreSamosir]

@@meeplefanatic9266 sudo

[@marquisdan7659]

Will I understand the story if I haven't watched the original Burgle Bros?

[@UCxcRAwlfb7ozS7ZHtmUqonw]

I personally found that 1830: Railways & Robber Barons could be well understood without having watched the previous 1829, so I'm guessing you shouldnt come across any difficulty from Bulgar Bros 1 to 2

[@IslanKleinknecht]

@@UCxcRAwlfb7ozS7ZHtmUqonw 1830? yeesh, that's almost as big of a series as the Marvel movies!

[@joejohnson2291]

I'm really surprised there aren't more quality heist-themed board games on the market.

[@CitrusArchitect]

“ How to rob a bank” is simple fun

[@liencam]

Escape Plan is a deeper, non co-op, heist game you might want to look at. Technically it's after the heist, you're running around town trying to collect up the loot you stashed before the Police catch up with you.

[@yourbellboy]

wow, Tom! 👏👏 your white board presentation skills rival the quality of an anchor for a not-at-all-suspicious baseball league! Impressive! 😲👏

[@rexloyer6478]

Best cinematography that I've seen a board game review video. Very engaging. Amazing work Tom!

[@radiorev13]

Good use of a Steely Dan's "Do It Again" cover

[@BasketOfPuppies642]

The jazz at the beginning is a little loud; I found it hard to hear what Tom is saying over it.

[@spinrodriguez8930]

I was going to say the same thing. Very distracting trying to hear over the music.

[@TeoRandi]

This video was done with so much care, it definitely shows your love for Burgle Bros games! 😊 Best comical heist simulator board games... I kinda want a Decision Shovel promo for BB now...

[@douglasmayer7461]

Thanks for reviewing this. We have been playing Burgle 1 on TTS for a while now and got Burgle 2 earlier in the year. We have had so much fun with both. Anyone else find them very hard? Give me a headache lol. Wonderful puzzle though.

[@AndreSamosir]

Is it really that much difference in difficulties compared to BB1? I found BB1 is very OK, ie. some successes, some fails, all fun. I'm thinking of hanging on with BB1. Thanks for any insight.

[@douglasmayer7461]

@@AndreSamosir maybe not. I think it was just the addition of the ‘punters’ in the casino that caused us some issues. Maybe just getting used to the changes in rules. Never played this without a few drinks, so maybe that didn’t help lol!

[@thedrellum]

The shovel was perfectly timed clanging.

[@linforcer]

As someone who backed Burgle Bros. 2 on kickstarter.... I kind of regret that I did. Not because it's bad. It's great. It's fine. But because I own the original Burgle Bros. and Burgle Bros. 2 is only a teeny tiny bit better, to the extent that I would have been fine owning just Burgle Bros. and for this BB2 was a bit too expensive. Also, I really wanted the floor thing to work, but the REAL reason it does not is that you probably don't want to keep sticking your hand in between floors to handle things on the bottom floor. It felt so awkward to me.

[@AdamDrew]

I actually think it's worth getting hung up on the production. I own three Fowers Games games, and two of them shipped damaged and misprinted (my copy of Now Boarding) or with missing pieces (my copy of Burgle Bros.), and their customer service in terms of getting parts replaced, or even an "I'm sorry!" is pretty much the pits.

[@illannoyed9431]

Tom is really coming into his own! Well done sir!

[@lc7664]

The shovel was brilliant

[@joelcole161]

Your shovel guy really knows his craft.

[@RichieDcik]

As a teacher, I have to admit that Tom’s Board game is on point.

[@superdude4464]

His Board game while talking about a Board Game is real solid

[@ianwrzesinski5676]

I've been really enjoying "How to Rob a Bank", which has interesting asymmetric guard vs robbers gameplay, and really emphasizes planning first, and then executing the plan while your opponent executes theirs.

[@jonbeckettschreiber52]

Oh gosh, laughing again. Such a fantastic opening combined with some nice details.

[@geokami6793]

really good video as always, If I offer a bit of constructive criticism the music at the beginning was a bit too loud had some trouble making out exactly what he was saying, not all of us are native speakers :P

[@titanuranus3095]

The intro gave me massive Noah Caldwell-Gervais vibes.

[@popskism]

What a fantastic opening. Love the editing in this one.

[@JonTripp115]

Decisions Shovel vs. Quentin Strings battle for Most Valuable Prop. Winner to be revealed at AwSHUX!

[@emmaplaysgreen2849]

Yay! A new SUSD review, this should be the highlight of my YT viewing week! Oh...Tom's reviewing Burgle Bros 2, one of the few KS camaigns that I actually backed because I am constantly skint. (And that I had to wait even longer than everyone else for because I backed the French language edition so I only just got my copy a couple of weeks ago and I haven't ad a chance to play with other people yet!) I've only ever played the app version of the original by myself so I have no idea how that plays with other people either. Right, here we go...presses play button very tentatively, whispering quietly "Please be nice Tom, please be nice!"

[@housecaldwell]

10 out of 10. Did not see the shovel coming. Neither did Tom.

[@GrievousFrom]

This man just got shoveled.

[@DerfeeUK]

It's not a competition, but hot darn, Tom's reviews are straight fire!

[@ssenrah]

Now I have to go check out Burgle Bros. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@DenisRyan]

Fantastic review, really fun video. I love the original game, and went all in on the KS for this sequel, so I've had it for a while and even with a pandemic, have managed to get it to the table. It's so great, but in different ways from the first. I'll happily be keeping both in my collection. Plus, I appreciate that you didn't mention them because they're not r required for the game and just a premium add-on, but the minis that come in the van box are gorgeous!

[@MarjoleinVeenendaal]

I just played this at SPIEL Essen, having never even heard of Burgle Bros 1. It was amazing and I instantly bought it. It was awesome being able to meet the designer of the game and I cannot wait to sit down and work my way through all the finales. I have a feeling this is going to be a staple.

[@meeplefanatic9266]

I got burgle bros last month, and it is one of my all time favourites. I desperately wanted you to review the sequel, and now you finally have! A few questions though. Where did you get the fowers flowers van, and if I have burgle 1, is it worth buying burgle 2 as well

[@christophermenart8870]

Fantastic production on this one!

[@oziancitizen]

So maybe, you'd like to have the players be able to seed in their own random events? Like in the casino you set off an distraction, maybe pulling the guards away, or you have a popular celebrity vouch for you reducing the heat.

[@capmelonie]

Tom the family... booster! (waiting for the MTG pack) What a review mate! Absolut great work. Thank you

[@timtiny01]

I can't get over that whiteboard! Must've taken AGES to draw!

[@Flea_ip]

Have never even heard of these games, but they sound kind of fantastic.

[@PhalenPoint]

I immediately went to buy it after watching and then.... sticker shock. OUCH!

[@MrRichardMoran]

The whiteboard is giving me major vibes of Blaseball's The Anchor and his updates. I would give an opinion on this, but I fear what might come for me from the void if I do.

[@lllorez]

Awesome. Now maybe it will be easy to find a version of BB.

[@amparorodriguezbogosian3994]

OMG, is that a piece of Joel's Hitman stream messing around with the didgeridoo?

[@bmackVR]

For me, the original is far better. It feels more fair and has less moments where the best thing you do is just nothing. In Burgle 2 I found a lot of the time the best action was to just sit and wait it out. The tiles are so punishing that far too often not moving is the best choice. It is also not balanced for 2 players. 1 sales women on a different floor can wreck the game. If you are out of equipment, you are effectively stuck on that floor by yourself unless your partner comes to save you, but what if your partner already escaped? Also, the bouncer moving towards you 3 steps at 2 players when its 1 player per floor is basically broken.

[@AndreSamosir]

Thanks for the insight.

[@shadowscribe]

12:45 I wish there was a toy horn and a crudely drawn Tom approves patch right here.

[@brutus_salazaar]

Another whammy of a review. And this game (and its predecessor) is now on my hit list. Congratulations Tom, your shirt looks fine, and the shovel seems to be on point! Also - you have way too much time on your hands for such White Board Artistry!

[@lucasjarmin6885]

Note that (aside from a new deal where you can find them at Barnes and Noble), Tim Fowers' games (including these, Paperback, Hardback, and more) are only sold directly on Tim's website, at least in the US.

[@Fameuz]

Everyone are complaining about the music - I wanna know what song it is, so I can put it on my Burgle Bros playlist... Anyone? I have found the LP is Jazz at the Philharmonic 1944/46 but i don't belive the song is on that.

[@richhutnik2477]

I want the SU&SD expansion for the game. It contains a Quinns plush.

[@redsands1001]

This came in and I have still not read the rules. Lot of kickstarters I backed before or early in pandemic have sat without being learned

[@SpoonyBard88]

Tom's use of midi music is the best in the business.

[@saladbar1212]

Both shovel hits were impeccably timed

[@markslater8529]

Great review. I have BB1. Which I now want to play again :)

[@maxriley9540]

The suspense on that yes

[@AwfulPlayerVids]

Burgle 2: Electric Burgaloo?

[@timothyfowers3648]

I was SO close to naming it this.

[@AwfulPlayerVids]

@@timothyfowers3648 Ha! Nice. Looking forward to giving this a go.

[@GregariousBant]

Just to make sure someone says it, that's a great shirt Tom

[@Grimmlocked]

hey it's the classic mid review turnaround Fakeout!!

[@kentsang6405]

I bought the game after Tom’s awesome video review. I do have a question though. I just started playing the game and I know that I need moles to get safe die into the owners office. However I noticed that I only have 4 mole tokens while I have 5 safe die. Is this correct or am I missing a mole token? If so, how do I get the 5th safe die into play?

[@tinstargames]

This is a very interesting distinction about random narrative

[@Robmonster]

Can the Decisions Shovel be a new regular feature alongside the standard reference pear?

[@georg194]

I hope no reviewers were harmed during the production of this video

[@Streetsy]

The shovel was worth the price of admission.

[@CAliforniaSUnshine4]

Rumor has it there will be a Burgle Bros 3 🕵‍♂

[@trduity]

great review, great jokes, as always

[@theosoler6624]

I got got by that shovel

[@guodan_vsl]

Absolute banger of a review!

[@QuantumJump451]

Is this the same whiteboard from the Blaseball Roundup?

[@reubenm.d.5218]

Tom, do you… do you put icing on lasagna?

[@eileensbian]

the SHOVEL

[@arnonym9746]

Awesome video, as usual!

[@xfoolsgoldx]

Vinyl fan I see😉 Is that a Audio-Technica LP60?👍

[@EzFlyers10]

Tom has gotten sooooo good

[@recklessroges]

Thanks Tom.

[@bdeink]

I don't really think this is that much of an improvement on the original. There are a few neat twists here and there on the original system. In isolation, some of these may be improvements, but I think BB1 is the overall better game. As a major nitpick, I really dislike the box. Apart from the tower gimmick (which I will never use and for which the box is poorly constructed), there is no reason for BB2 to take up more space on the shelf than BB1. This is not speculation. I have tried. As a matter of fact, if you throw out the insert, the two game mats (which are admittedly pretty nice) and the gimmicky equipment for the elevated 2nd floor, BB2 (sans the rulebook) fits _more comfortably_ in BB1's box than does BB1 itself...

[@AcidMonkie]

The most important question in a game like this: Does it suffer from the Pandemic problem, where the most knowledgeable player knows the "solution" to victory, and guides the other players at the table?

[@skyelarsen8172]

Game's developer here, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I think there is a bit of that, but one thing about the design for both games (1 & 2) is that there often isn't one correct solution on a turn, even more so in the sequel. There's usually a safer option, but that option also takes more time, so a player can make their case of if they want to boldly move ahead or just play it safe by peeking.

[@housecaldwell]

I've only played the first one, but the answer is no -- or at least much less so than Pandemic. Sometimes you can point things out to a new player that they might otherwise miss, but there's generally no "solution" to be found -- only choices. And I suspect given the "guest" tokens in 2 would make things even more chaotic.

[@joshlegacy1101]

Ocean's 11, the game.

[@bgsam8109]

Great review

[@Devon9812]

love the shovel

[@matthewharris-levesque5809]

The whiteboard is prettier than the game... And the music is boss.

[@cameronsprott8230]

I will, Tom. I will have fun with games.

[@shaunkhing]

Those first 2 minutes were hard to listen to, as the music was way too loud. Otherwise, good stuff.

[@Spyderjav]

5:42 9:19 Have fun.

[@brianbouton3091]

Watched the review and then immediately bought the game solely off your review and never having heard of Burgle Bros. Should any reviewer have this much power over a poor helpless KZbin viewer? Probably.

[@davidmelon9409]

If only for that Shovel, this video gets a like.

[@Table53]

What an intro

[@frankharr9466]

That sounds like a hoot.

[@Nick_Whiskey]

Wait the garnish is made from guests?