Command of Nature - Watch This First Before Buying!

[@gerrrz]

I have the kickstarter version of this game and I have a lot to say about the retail version as I tried to play it as such even before its release as I have my reservations about how Unstable Games handled its KS campaign. KS have a lot of exclusive cards and an entire mechanic absent from retail that the retail is essentially just 70% of the KS version. KS have over 200 cards yet 60+ of those are exclusives. Just look at the elemental and command markets, in retail both decks have 40 cards each but in KS its 56 and 85 cards so it significantly differentiates your experience of the game, especially the command market being more than double and have much more powerful cards that defending against it is almost folly. The retail feels much more streamlined. There are fewer choices yet they feel more impactful. For example, basic elementals are better in retail because the command market is not that saturated so cards that focus on them appear more frequently compared to KS. Retail also have more emphasis on the elementals due to the command market not having powerful KS attack cards that the individual skills from you elementals are more impactful. This is in contrast to how KS version plays because the optimized way to play it is get the best KS command cards you can get early and then it has the tendency to snowball from there. One card can essentially let your weakest elemental deal at least 8 damage which is more than most elemental can handle that most defensive options can't protect you from it. Its a slow death in many occassions unless the other player find a strong command card themselves so they can race their opponent on who can thin out the other's formation the fastest. This changes the dynamics of the factions because the KS market makes the droplet faction one of the best faction because their early game lets them rake up gold faster than anyone else so they can buy the strongest commands early. This however leaves them at the mercy of RNG because if they cannot find the strong cards then their early game advantage goes to waste because their faction actions and elementals are the weakest. Another thing I noticed about this game is how easy it is to optimize your starter deck. You can sell any cards you have for gold and that thins out your deck fast so you can buy their more powerful replacements from the command market, especially the KS version. It really makes you wants to just keep a 5 card deck so your later turns become consistent. All other deck builders I played before uses card effects to thin out your deck so it takes times to optimize. If you keep a 5 card deck, this game is much more shorter that my 1.5 hour games before became less than an hour which I think applies to any board or card games. My opinion about this game is that the retail feels more balanced to play because it has more focus on elementals for the cost of lesser replayability while the KS version have more varied gameplay because the command market cards swing the game a lot.

[@BangersProject]

This is such an epic and helpful comment, I'm truly appreciative of you taking the time to explain all this. I think the most insightful aspect is you teaching me about the KS version and the differences. It does scare me that I truly felt the retail was inbalanced and that it is probably the better balanced version of the two. I can only talk from my experiences with the retail version, but the more I played the more I felt it wasn't a fair fight. I don't like feeling like that about a game and that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. The problem I face is that I can see so much potential in both this and Casting Shadows. But both times I just felt it was let down with gameplay related issues that could easily be ironed out. The artwork and production is great, the theme is great and there is still a good game in the box. It's just that this had the opportunity to be a great game but sadly just not in its current form. But like Casting Shadows, I create some house rules and all of a sudden I get more happiness. So I guess that's what this video was trying to achieve, if you feel like me, then try these to see if it will increase your enjoyment of the game. Again a massive thank you for the really well informed comment 👍

[@alextastic]

This is very useful info, thank you for that.

[@ender7278]

Kickstarter exclusive cards are such a scummy practice and I really wish Unstable Games would stop making them already.

[@CaroLiaGrace]

I am going to wait before purchasing! Thanks! I was hypnotized by the cute artwork and wanted to purchase right away.

[@BangersProject]

All of their games have great artwork, it is so easy to fall in love with this. I think this video just helps in understanding the gameplay elements and if the game is right for you or not. A lot of people will still really enjoy this game and others like me not so much.

[@nickb9239]

So I'm not sure if this is the way it's supposed to be played however today I bought and played with my child and we decided that your 4 actions included the reactions on your opponents turn so if you wanted to use a reaction you had to save an action from your turn to be able to play that reaction.

[@BangersProject]

I actually really like that as an idea as well. I will need to go back and give this another try 👍

[@shazam2323]

that's incorrect

[@FerLezz]

I just bought the game on prime day and I come after reading the rules, very good video

[@BangersProject]

Really appreciate the comments. Hopefully it gives some extra insights and considerations. This is not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, I think I was just hoping for a few more refinements. Would love to hear your thoughts after playing it.

[@FerLezz]

@@BangersProject Today I was able to play a game with someone used to games like Yugi and One Piece TCG, he played Droplet and I played Leaf and I felt a good feeling of strategy and entertainment, however it went on longer than I would have liked, I liked it but I should try it but before giving a definitive answer

[@FerLezz]

​@@BangersProject Sorry if my English is not good, I'm not a native, today I was able to play the game for the first time, I played it with a Yugi and One Piece TCG player and (he with droplet faction and I with leaf faction) it gave us good feelings about strategy and training, however the game did take longer than I would have liked, however I think I should give it more games before giving a definitive answer.

[@BangersProject]

Your English is great so thank you. I'm really glad you got a good first impression of the game. There is some good strategy in this game. Does give the feeling of TCG/CCG, so I could see players with that background enjoying it. I really want to try One Piece next 😃

[@FerLezz]

The mechanics of melee attacks and range by lines seem very similar to that of pixel tactics, you could take a look at that game, also very strategic

[@BangersProject]

I have not played this, thanks heaps for the recommendation. Would be a good comparison.

[@TheKatsMeow113]

Something I spend a lot of time thinking about is how Kickstarter culture makes games promise all these things they weren't originally created to do. So like you said, this is really meant to be a 1v1 game, and yet there's a not well thought out solo mode and a not well-thought out 3 player mode. This game was designed to be 1v1 or 2v2, and the other modes were added on as stretch goals. I'm not saying there aren't good ways to play this solo or at 3 players, but I am saying you can tell they were tacked on and not as well-thought out as the original game. I think it's ok if games don't do everything (e.g., this game is great at 1-8 players), and I despise the way that KS culture forces games to do this in order to appeal to a wider swathe of people in the hobby who like diametrically opposed things.

[@BangersProject]

This is such a well thought out comment. I agree with everything you said. KS has created a culture that there must be everything added in, to create the allure that this game is a must-have for everyone. Stretch goals are fabricated to make you believe you are getting extra value, when in reality these are either originally meant to be in the core game or are rushed and not well thought out extras. The fact that each game is trying to beat all the other games on KS, means games are now over-inflated so you 'feel' you are getting great value. Amazing comment thank you 👍

[@amagrude]

Personally, I hope they do a 2.0 version at some point which adds some more factions. That would be a great time to address these issues.

[@BangersProject]

Sadly I feel they rush on to their next game, so we never get the very best version that this game could be

[@janbabinski573]

Hey! Great analysis! I must admit, at first, I was very opposed to most of what you're saying, but the more I think about it, the more I realize you're right in many cases. I love a defensive play style and holding onto my instant cards, but I see how using them skillfully can prolong an already lengthy game. While I enjoy the extended gameplay, I understand that other players might expect something a bit shorter from a game of this caliber. Although I'm not a solo player, I can see how that mode could work really well-great catch on that! I haven't played enough to comment on balance, but what you're saying is concerning. Regarding the ideas for improvement, you made a great point about not getting any rewards for kills after reaching level 8. Adding an offense-oriented incentive could help shorten the game, which would be fantastic. However, I can't agree with the suggestion to limit playing one elemental per round. From what I've seen, buying and playing multiple elementals per round is a strategy that often backfires if your opponent knows what they're doing. Since it costs both gold and actions, you end up with a weaker deck while your opponent destroys your elementals you spend most of your reasources on. Anyhow, great video! Thanks a lot for sharing your insights!

[@BangersProject]

Firstly I truly appreciate the effort and thought in this comment. It is extremely well thought out so thank you. I think for me I was trying everything in my power to get this down to Lorcana length and maybe that was unfair on this design. It obviously is supposed to be a longer game so maybe your compromise of doing 2 of the 3 does make sense. The natural flow of restricting elements of the opponent when you destroy 8 is probably more than enough to ensure a better and more repeatable average length of each game. Again really appreciate your thoughts 👍

[@pina66vandijk]

I actually like your tips, will probably implement some of them

[@BangersProject]

Thank you for your comment. Anything to make the game more fun is worth trying in my opinion 👍

[@longchen886]

nice Analyze results !! It's worth subscribing.

[@BangersProject]

Thank you so much, really appreciate your support

[@Shadow-zm9py]

How would you say this game compares to Here to Slay?

[@BangersProject]

I much prefer Here to Slay, I find the dice rolling a fun aspect and I love adding the items to my party to modify rolls. Not as much of a fan of the 2 separate win conditions though. But in saying all that Here To Slay is my favourite Unstable Game. Both Casting Shadows and Command of Nature are nicer looking games and decent enough follow ups in the fact they offer very different types of gameplay. The problem is both these games feel like there was no playtesting in the designs. A lot of very simple niggly things that should have been ironed out prior to release means they both fall short in my books.

[@lucasdiassilveira9762]

Really useful comment

[@tiofiliuspransisko5684]

One thing I noticed after watching the official trailer of this game is that we can summon elemental warriors from different faction into our troops, is it not? I mean, if we restrict it into one faction only, Pebble is the strongest faction with their shield ability and the toughest one to break. I think it is pretty balanced if you do this instead of using only one particular faction warriors that your sage correspond to.

[@BangersProject]

Yes you definitely do bring in other faction characters that you purchase from a deck. And yes this does mitigate to a small degree, but the base powers that your factions have at the start of the game is 90% of the game. So imbalance at this point does sway games regardless if you bring in new character cards. I hope that makes sense.

[@CliveyInSpace]

I'm suprised you went in for this considering your thoughts on Casting Shadows. This looked like a great battler however after the problems with CS and how there are never any independant reviews/playthroughs of the games Unstable Games are releasing, I gave this one a miss. Side Note - having too much of a good time at PlayCon and you were busy demoing - missed coming up to say.

[@BangersProject]

Mate, I so wish we got to meet at PlayCon. I will be there next year for sure, so let's catch up and play a game next time 👍 I didn't back this game after what happened with Casting Shadows, but instead got offered it for review. I was really keen to check it out as I felt Casting Shadows was a bit outside of their design wheelhouse, but a card game is very much what they do. So I had some sort of improved expectation going into it. Sadly while it's good, it's far from great. Again just those niggly things that I believe could be easily fixed. I believe they need to playtest this with people who aren't loyal fans, who can be honest with feedback. Again so much potential but sadly misses the mark.

[@flaccotuna]

the expansion Sand is OP too. i was thinking about which should i get first, Command of Nature or Casting Shadows?? ur analysis is good too. They said this game is more fun in 1v1 than 2v2/4 players. wdyt?

[@BangersProject]

I prefer Command of Nature over Casting shadows mainly because I do enjoy the 2 player duelling aspect. Command of Nature is a good game if you add a few minor tweaks just to keep the game length down. I guess my disappointment was magnified because I really do like Here To Slay, and I think the games that have followed haven't been up to that standard. In regards to the 2v2, this really felt like lazy game design. It was like they just stuck this in so they could say its a 4 player game. In reality it's you playing 2 games of 1v1 sitting next to each other. The interaction is minor between teammates, and I would love to have seen some innovative way to make you actually feel like a team and utilise strengths or bonuses from your team mate. It's just not fun or engaging at this player count. It's strength is 1v1 and it should just be thought as a 2 player game. I wish the expansion just came with the base game. It would be great to have 2 more options in the core box and I think I would have recommended it more. But it's hard to recommend if it's worth the price or not purchasing it as a separate expansion. I would need to test these 2 factions and check the balance and fun in playing them.

[@donnakeferlis1649]

You're so right about those official solos that don't come with the game. I just don't get it.

[@BangersProject]

It just makes no sense. I assume they created the solo after manufacturing had started but that's such a big mistake. This game really needs the solo to justify the purchase in my opinion

[@jstacy1888]

​@@BangersProject In addition to the solo variant I believe there is also a 3-person variant for this game. Which were released as a part of the Kickstarter campaign. I have yet to try them, yet I wish they were included to buffer the 2or4 person limit of this game.

[@BangersProject]

The 3 player variant I assume has the pyramids facing each. This is similar to Lorcana at 3 players, where there is always the worry of ganging up on a player. I always try and share the love around but others nay be different

[@justbenagain2291]

Heyyo. Thanks for the great video. I have a question real quick. You brought up how casting shadows also really struggles with similar problems (just came off of those reviews) I'm so in love with the potential of the game. Do you think it has potential to just overhaul it with house rules to make it fun? It seems so great down to the very dice.

[@BangersProject]

Yes I truly believe you can house rule the game to get more satisfaction from it. I agree the potential is certainly there, it has the bones of a really great game but just not in its original form. I'm a big believer in if you can make a game more enjoyable for you, then go for it. There is quite a few suggestions in the comments of my Casting Shadows video that hopefully will be a decent starting point 👍 I have kept both games in my collection mainly for the amazing artwork, but with tweaks there is still fun to be had with them.

[@justbenagain2291]

@@BangersProject thank you thank you. Yeah it’s weird teeturtle’s youtube channel took down their casting shadows videos and looks like there are either disabled comments or zero comments on all their videos. Wonder if that’s due to critical feedback

[@BangersProject]

I didn't realise they did this, very interesting for sure. I really hope they continue to learn and take more time in development on future games. As a community we just want the best game possible.

[@RecycledGarden]

At the start of the video you say " I was left Not really disappointed" or " Left disappointed". Clarify when you speak in the intro.

[@BangersProject]

I am truly sorry if I did this. I will ensure better consistency going forward. To summarise I am definitely disappointed in this game. There are plenty of games that do this simplistic combat better (Lorcana, Age of Eon), and if I am comparing it with a duelling type game I would say spend your money on Valley of the Kings, 7 wonders Duel or the new Lord of the Rings Duel. It is an improvement on Casting Shadows but does not beat out Here To Slay which is still my fave in this franchise. The Unstable team has now released 2 games in a row that feel like they skipped the playtesting phase, it has made me extremely cautious going forward for their future games.

[@ZiosNeon]

Hey great video what about the expansion do you think it helps improve the game?

[@BangersProject]

I have not played the 2 extra factions in the expansion sorry. But I would say that they should add more replayability, but I do wish it came with something different to mix up the game. If you find it cheap then certainly won't hurt to have them.

[@alonweinberg9248]

Do people still buying those games? The artwork is great but the gameplay is simply bad to the point it becomes clear nobody playtest it seriously or even care. They simply using KSE to sale out of people FOMO

[@BangersProject]

There is another game on KS currently and again people continue to back them. After the last 2 Unstable releases, I am shocked so many continue to back the game without proper reviews. I am not saying it will be bad, but I am now very cautious. The lack of playtesting is obvious, I just hope they will one day learn and improve. As you said the artwork is fantastic, so they just need to improve the gameplay to match the production and art quality.

[@Oscitant_Otter]

@@BangersProject I think it's just the artwork that's selling. People see pretty and buy without thinking about gameplay. The add-ons definitely give that impression at least: it's figurines and standees and stickers and playmats--accessories rather than gameplay. All the more so for cryptids, since cryptids are having a popular moment and people who aren't even into games will buy it just because it's got their favorite creature in it.

[@abdelazizbenjamea6688]

What are games that have good gameplay

[@BangersProject]

There is so many amazing games out there, let me know what are some of the games you like already, and I can let you know similar games that I enjoy 👍

[@abdelazizbenjamea6688]

Thanks for the help! I liked here to slay and some other good unstable games but on the other hand I didn't like Catan and ticket train since it looked boring and didn't have many exciting things. I would to love to know what you recommend!