Cry Havoc Review by All the Games You Like Are Bad

[@SanjuroSan]

Recently discovered your channel. I love that you are fair in your reviews by both sharing your opinion, which can be negative, while simultaneously making an argument for why someone would like the game for the very reasons you don't. it is refreshing to find someone who reports in this fashion - please continue to make content!

[@creynolds6]

He is a critic's critic. Based on his BGG account you can see that Mark has certainly played more games than the average or even average hardcore gamer. Stay in this hobby long enough and you too will recognize that many games are just ok--like developing a critical palate for food or wine. I love this. Mark diagnoses game design flaws like a doctor who has seen the same thing over and over again. The hobby needs this critical voice, but at the same time viewers need to do the same emotional self exam to see what works for them. Mark understands that his taste may not be your taste and doesn't try to sell you any game he likes any more than explaining why he likes it, and therefore why you may or may not like it in turn.

[@RoccoPrivetera]

I've been churning through your reviews. These are really excellent. First new reviewer in a long time with a new interesting take on stuff.

[@r3dr4gon0]

a friend sent me to see this video... and i have to say I'm now a fan :) keep up the good work... it is really refreshing to have some one like you doing games reviews... i didn't know how much i needed someone like you till just now...

[@BadAndy3]

Wow! Finally a boardgame review with some meat on the bones! Exceptionally cogent and comprehensive. All your points and opinions are backed up with examples and reasons why you did/didn't like it. I didn't jump into the hype of this game because I wanted to see some more reviews. I'm glad I did. I hope you do more videos, well done.

[@ferver-san]

Very thoughtful and helpful reviews.I just discovered you and i am already a fan.

[@ostaskonstantinidis2708]

Very well done, educated reviews and a very refreshing approach to the hype of some new games. Excellent. Keep up the good work!

[@StephenGibson1988]

dude I love your videos. I pretty much will never watch a long review video for a board game but, you're great and I think all your points are fair.

[@way9689]

just found your channel and I have to say it is exactly what I have been looking for. I appreciate how much this doesn't feel like you're telling us what to think but a look into your own experience. don't know yet if our tastes match up but will definitely seek out your videos in the future to get a different perspective. keep it up

[@Lugo428]

I like how you try to remain objective during the review. I look forward to more content from you.

[@bodhi1991]

Awesome review, sir! Looking forward to see some more. Meanwhile I'll watch the previous ones :)

[@jasonpreder5173]

I wasn't sure I could articulate what bothered me about this game after playing it 3 times now, but this is it. Everything you said is right on. It's already in my basement :(

[@forenchef]

Your videos are really great. I'm reading and watching boardgame-related stuff almost every day but so far I've never seen anyone else making their points and critique as concise as you. I am not even interested in half the games you reviewed, but I watched them anyway because I felt like I learnt something about boardgames and/or boardgame design. Also some joke here and there, which are funny but don't feel forced, so really good stuff overall.

[@TheHeater2121]

awsome job bud, hope to see a lot more of these honsest reviews.

[@Grnhrz]

I have to say it's very refreshing to hear the perspective of someone who is not as easily enchanted by whatever the hot new thing seems to be, and who seems to approach games and form opinions about them with the same kind of scrutiny that I tend to have. You confirm all my suspicions about the latest hit releases so at least I know I'm not going crazy.

[@Bval000]

I haven't played this yet but I SLAMMED the pre-order button when it came up in my email (I live in Alaska and it's hard to get boardgames locally, especially new ones). I'm now a little less hyped about my purchase, but I liked your review and had some good points about how Portal and the lead developer are handling the game post release. Thanks for the video!

[@igorpersin7484]

Great review! Keep up the good work! Most of todays review end just as advertisements. You rarely hear any negative sides of the game. Then you proceed to buy it, and you are left with disappointment.

[@alam1000malam]

this kind of review that we all have been waiting for..

[@wizkidme]

Your the hidden boardgame gem of youtube, seriously

[@motty32]

very underrated dudes on a map game: bioshock infinite. The skyline has an element of risk to it but it makes turtling impossible

[@williamroverelli8287]

Hi Mark, thanks for your insight about Cry Havoc: to me, it was very useful! Some weeks ago I saw the "Watch It Played" explanation of the rules, and it seemed to me a quite enjoyable game, but you have pointed out the main flaw of the design: being too restrictive, and I think you are right, so I won't spend my money on that. Cry Havoc reminds me a game that I had the opportunity to play only once, but that I enjoyed: City of Remnants by Plaid Hat Games. City of Remnants has area control, resources management, deck building, auction, multi use cards and battles all in one; only the presentation and the graphic weren't so good. Did you tried that one? Can I ask you what do you think about it? Thank you very much for the work you are doing with the youtube reviews, keep going on!

[@jeffreyong6352]

William Roverelli My play group enjoyed it a lot and one thing I that kept me coming back to play the game is the restrictive nature itself. Because you only had that much moves and that much stuffs to do, it comes down to a point where you need to play to optimize your odds of winning. That makes it very intense, which stirs up the tension of the game. The fact that it ends early means you can always bet to start a fresh game again and go for the win.

[@umokden]

Thank you sir. I think you articulated my initial concerns enough to save me the hassle from purchasing. I will look to play someone else's copy down the line. Keep up the good work.

[@StephenGibson1988]

and as a designer, it's very helpful.

[@michaeloberly6129]

Really excellent review, as all of them have been. It's not about whether I agree with you, they are just well done reviews. Salute.

[@bobfitzpatrick6061]

Another great review. I have been really pumped for cry havoc. Your review is making me really hesitent to drop the money now... I still want to give it a try. But I'm unlikely to get a chance u less I buy it... :-/

[@gabbycross]

That was an outstanding review! Well done sir. Do you have access to a copy of Cthulhu Wars? I would be interested to hear your views on it. One of my favorite games at the moment.

[@gabbycross]

Ah. I've now read the further comments and your blog and see that you have played CW. I'm very much looking forward to your next review.

[@landmarkforum3652]

I love Cry Havoc for all the reasons you hate it - the tight gameplay, the agonizing choices, the inability to jump across the map and attack people, etc. I find that more open games often run into bash the leader patterns, which is probably the thing I hate the most in multiplayer conflict games. Having said that, I enjoy listening to your reviews, and I will grant that the rulebook is kind of a mess. Side note: the thing I thought was unfair in your review, in that it wasn't based in your personal experience, was repeating criticisms about game balance. 'I didn't notice it but others have also had all these other criticisms' - this makes it seem like you have something against the designer or the game.

[@Jy3pr6]

Hi LF. I have a few questions. Have you played this game with the expansion? If so, would you say it alleviates the issues he mentions in the video? How would you say it has aged relative to your favorite area majority games?

[@johndanielroos]

Good review. I would also like to recommend Cthulhu Wars as a better "dudes on a map" experience with more possibilities and much more variety.

[@Cyanicide]

My favourite game ever. Also recommend Glorantha: The Gods War, currently on Kickstarter, from the same designer - it's like a longer Cthulhu Wars with a lot more in the way of negotiating and making alliances with other players.

[@allthegamesyoulikearebad8447]

I agree, Cthulhu Wars is great. I actually talk about Cthulhu Wars on my BGG blog, precisely because it opens up the tempo so much with respect to battle timing.

[@johndanielroos]

Do you have a URL to your blog or your BGG username? Can't find any such info on this KZbin channel. I really dig your review style in stark contrast to all the youtubers that focus 99% of their video on badly explaining the rules, just to finish with a random judgement without any real discussion or reference on why.

[@allthegamesyoulikearebad8447]

The link is under every review's description. I'll also add it to the channel, too, as that is something I obviously should have done a while ago.

[@StriderZessei]

Yeah, spending 300 bucks on a board game I MIGHT get to play two or three times a year sounds like a GREAT idea...

[@dannyboyyehaw2510]

I keep hoping for a Chaos in the Old World killer and I keep being disappointed.

[@gabrielthornmusic]

That's how I felt while playing the game the whole time. I can't do this and that now, just in the next rou ... wait, the game is over. I'm disappointed.

[@KristoVaher]

I'd spend hours rambling about overhyped cult of the new games with you. Another good video :)

[@augustinhamza303]

Oau! Very good work.

[@jaredw.7712]

I think this review missed the mark a bit, and was slightly misleading. His movement example showed machine cards. Machines move using building powers. Recruiting can be done outside of HQ. It was strange to me that he only briefly mentioned the asymmetry near the end of the video. Some of the problems and strategies he's mentioned only apply to one faction and not another. The special powers from the buildings make a big difference often times giving you a 2 for 1 action deal. I like that he recommends other games to look into, I wish more reviewers said, "this game is fine but if you're interested in this type of game, x does it better." As much as I like hearing critical reviews of games, I really wish the author would cut in footage showing components, example scenarios that illustrate his point using the game pieces, and just more of not seeing his face the whole time. But that's just my preference. I wonder what his thoughts are on Agricola. That game is just as tight but, in my opinion, one ups Cry Havoc because it starts the player in the red and they have to dig themselves out by being a generalist every time, no specializing there! I think that game could also be described as feeling "strangled", but that's part of the appeal. Ultimately, this review didn't feel fair, which is OK. Thanks for posting it and letting me comment.

[@Jy3pr6]

Hi Jared. I have a few questions. Have you played this game with the expansion? If so, would you say it alleviates the issues he mentions in the video? How would you say it has aged relative to your favorite area majority games?

[@jaredw.7712]

@@Jy3pr6 I havent' played the expansion. I think Cry Havoc is an incredibly fun game if you can get the people together to play it. It rewards repeated plays and some factions feel weaker than others until you get good with them. I prefer Kemet, but I'd say this takes second place to that one.

[@Jy3pr6]

@@jaredw.7712 Thanks for your response, Jared

[@balukawaiirenekton7537]

Not that I don't trust you but can you please link me where the designer admits that he has not played the final version ? That seems to be a big wtf to me.

[@allthegamesyoulikearebad8447]

The designer chimes in a couple of times in this thread: www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1619054/how-do-you-defeat-humans-3-player-game

[@GetUpOnItLikeThis]

All the Games You Like Are Bad

[@RuneGamborg]

Best. Boardgame. Reviewer. Ever!

[@lootingcrow153]

Good day! Good video and awesome channel. Just discovered it. Will binge watch your other stuff. Man, I hope you do one on Pandemic: Legacy and smother it with a pillow full of hate. Why? Cause I want to see a tsunami of tears from the fans as they come rushing over to defend their sacred relic of pompous game design. Oh, and do Blood Rage too while you're at it. Yeah it's as old as a rock by now. But, man, do I want to see over zealous, frothing-at-the-mouth cultists having a seizure cause someone dared to speak ill of their holy relic. Or do whatever you want. Cheers!

[@allthegamesyoulikearebad8447]

I assure you, I don't review things negatively just to bathe in bile. :) I really like Blood Rage, so no luck there, and I do talk a little about Pandemic Legacy in my SeaFall review. I don't think I could do a useful Pandemic Legacy review anyhow.

[@Dometooplz]

Do Inis next!

[@allthegamesyoulikearebad8447]

I'd love to, but didn't a chance to grab a copy at Gencon! I'm looking forward to trying it, though.

[@Dometooplz]

We gotta get you a review copy B)

[@allthegamesyoulikearebad8447]

I am waaaaaaay too small fry for such niceties. :)

[@dregarironfaith3603]

Waiting to hear a positive review on a game but maybe that's his schtick.

[@allthegamesyoulikearebad8447]

I've only done two overall negative reviews, actually. The rest of the games I really enjoy.

[@dregarironfaith3603]

+All the Games You Like Are Bad hmmm must have been my luck then. I have watched Seafall and cry havoc recently and they were both negative. It's fine to have a negative review. It's not a criticism just an observation.

[@allthegamesyoulikearebad8447]

Sure! I just wanted to let you know this isn't my habit. Thanks for the comments.

[@HazardGoat]

I'm not smart enough to play Tigris and Euphrates. Cry Havoc is more my speed.

[@ArnoVdVelde]

Man, can't say the cover art is awesome and be taken serious! I really dislike the production on this as a whole.

[@mattbarr222]

Yeah, it's one of the least appealing boxes I've ever seen. It looks like a terrible Xbox game. Even the new Robinson Crusoe cover art is better. Other that surprising opinion, another fantastic review

[@a-blivvy-yus]

I really want to like this review, because I can see the effort in so many parts of it to present an objective view on the game. There is a definite feeling that you WANT to give a balanced view on things in spite of your obviously strong negative opinion, but... it just doesn't quite work, imo. You push your personal dislikes a little too hard - even while trying to present positive aspects. That said, most of your negatives are really, REALLY easy to view as positive elements with the right perspective - so it's kind of disappointing that you missed the opportunity to explain how people would view those things in a different light.