Dwellings of Eldervale Solo Mode Review - with Mike DiLisio

[@crossrhodes14]

Played solo variant today. Very rarely do the PvP games have a solo mode which feels 100% the same as PvP mode. As you said Mr DiLisio, all the parts are there and they work the same way. This is probably the only game I would ever recommend if you want to play something solo only. Absolutely incredible.

[@mikevanderveen4092]

Thanks for this solo review, Mike! That Top 10 of 2020 live stream video last week was a blast as well. Keep having fun. :)

[@michaeldilisio557]

Thanks!

[@GameVinereviews]

Mike you are awesome and help me with my solo playing experience so much!

[@michaeldilisio557]

Thanks!

[@GameVinereviews]

@@michaeldilisio557 😶 You are welcome!

[@BoardGameTime40]

Can’t wait to pick this one up retail!! Looks insanely gorgeous and fun.

[@JonTalbain777]

Thanks, Mike; always enjoy your viewpoint! I plan to get your other big solo recommendation, Raiders OTNS, for my next game purchase, but as a solo first/multi second player this is another one I think I'm going to need. The game trays really look like a revolutionary game component. The only drawback I'm seeing is the fantasy theme, which looks a tad generic to me despite great art and components. Maybe that's just me. I missed the KS though so wonder if I should wait to see if an expansion will give me another chance at the Legendary edition I inevitably will want. Anyhow thanks again, can't wait to see where this lands on your all-time!

[@blind_surgeon]

Just a heads up Mike, at 1:02 you said you'd post a link to the main tutorial in the description but it isn't there.

[@thedicetower]

Thanks for the catch! It's in the description now.

[@joshmuench4856]

Great overview! Got my first solo play in and had a blast!...even though I got absolutely destroyed! The ghosts started on the green track and then proceeded to roll green 7 out of 8 adventure card rolls! Needless to say they ended up at the top of the green track and scored 35pts off green adventure cards alone!

[@juancuadrado4470]

great video!, a question, when the ghosts have to add a new realm , where do they place the tile?, thanks!

[@rb4551]

Nice :) So happy to hear about this one getting more and more good reviews. It so deserves it.

[@wiktormonfilsgustafsson56]

Ooohhh, now this is no. 1 on my to get list! Stay safe!

[@1n1ee]

Hi Mike! Are you excited for Andromeda's Edge solo mode??

[@scoop0122]

Brilliant review as ever. Many thanks.

[@thediceodyssey4690]

We loved this game over here....I just haven't had a chance to play solo. This sounds great! The sound bases keep roaring for me to come back to this daily.

[@Lordborg909]

So Mike whats your thoughts now, a year on? Has this one cooled for you at all? I am so keen to try this!

[@BodgeAttack]

It is still his number 1 game of all time.

[@Bosko2k]

i get it, it plays smoothly etc. etc.... BUT what is the unique selling point that deserves a rating of 10!?

[@petergross7235]

Hey Mike, I know your a big scythe fan. Does Dwellings match the quality of game experience that you get in scythe solo?

[@arawak73]

My favorite game has been Blood Rage for many years. This game has the potential for challenging Blood Rage for its number one spot in my book

[@JoeyjojoShabadoo7]

When will this game be available?! Only one person on BGG has this for trade, and they didn’t respond ☹️

[@Manny-M]

Eclipse 2nd Edition does the same with respect to functionality and simplicity in setup despite its size... but it's another Game Trayz production, so no surprise there

[@WereNotWizards]

Mike is my spirit animal. If my spirit animal was trapped in a room playing board games.

[@HatterM111]

good choice 🙂👌

[@kghhgkgk6322]

Now if only the game was actually purchasable...

[@JoeyjojoShabadoo7]

🥺😩😭

[@michaeldilisio557]

It should be available soon. From what I understand, they are waiting until all of the Kickstarter fulfillment has completed before it goes to retail.

[@kghhgkgk6322]

@@michaeldilisio557 kickstarter is such a bummer for people new to the hobby. Missed out on so much cool stuff in the past year or so.

[@JambalayaPlaysGames]

next month I believe

[@michaelmueller260]

I can only speak from seeing a handful of solo playthroughs, but from what I saw, the AI seemed to make far too many dumb decisions (walking into obviously losing battles, using cards that would build dwellings when they had no way to build one, etc) based on a random die roll. I understand that there are far too many variables in play to make a truly smart AI for the Ghost, but it sure seems like more could have been done to have it take advantage of obvious "good" choices, and not make soooo many bad choices where they basically just throw their turn away, or even worse, make choices that will clearly hurt more than help. I think the multiplayer game looks fantastic, but the solo mode for this one looks pretty weak to me. Just my opinion though...

[@michaeldilisio557]

Just a couple of points in response: The way that battle is resolved in this game is such that there truly are no obviously losing battles. You can have battles where the odds are against you, but even losing battles can lead to positive things in the future. I have not seen many instances at all where the AI takes actions that are directly negative for them. They may not always be the “ideal” choice, but they generally do things that work to their benefit. Overall, I agree that there could have been a system where the AI actions were more scripted and less random. The trade off for that would be a system that takes a lot more administration and effort on behalf of the player. Sometimes that’s a trade off I’m willing to make. In this case, I’m very happy with the ratio of AI overhead to game experience. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelmueller260]

Fair points for sure. Thanks Mike, I always appreciate your opinions and perspective!

[@ChrisCypher]

@@michaeldilisio557 I agree. I think it's a good balance and felt it was generally working in its best interest. The only potential flaw I see with the AI is that I think it seems to strongly encourages a few strategies to beat it well that I'm not sure would always be the case in multiplayer games...which makes me feel I have to play against its particular style instead of focusing on maximizing my nation. But A) I haven't played enough games to verify that suspicion yet and B) I still appreciate having an opponent I'm "playing against" rather than the standard "subtle interrupter" AI that often appears in less player interactive games. I could see maybe creating new AI decks too (if one were motivated enough) to go against AI's with different priorities than the included one. But the foundation is good.

[@kevinbhieey9188]

"... you can take a look at our "Four Corners" review..." Is Tom okay with you changing the name of the shows on his channel? Man, the power you have accumulated in your short time at the Tower!

[@thedicetower]

I wish I could attribute it to being power hungry rather than just messing up!

[@AlastaireRymer]

Credibility - can Ghosts represent a 3rd player, obvious question - unanswered!

[@dylanjacobchin4237]

I cant believe Tom hates this game so much

[@mlleloo7225]

😂🤣