Ethnos - Shut Up & Sit Down Review

[@Geler3]

'Imagine having 6 people in your house?' This question isn't a joke anymore.

[@CymrilTaran]

Can we all take a moment to appreciate the fact that Wizard Sugar is /caster/ sugar?

[@NinjaWatermelon42]

CymrilTaran +

[@chayashida]

OMG. Didn't cross my mind. lol

[@jonathanwalther]

I don't get it. Can someone explain please.

[@Joseph-499]

@@jonathanwalther I assume it's because wizards CAST spells!

[@BrianPletcher1]

@@jonathanwalther "Caster sugar" is a term used in the UK as well as the US, and in both cases, it refers to a sugar that is ground to a consistency between granulated and powdered sugar in coarseness.

[@D_veraz]

"The dragons are there so the game doesnt...drag... on..." LOL

[@NeufeldIan]

Someone needs to rein these Shut Up & Sit Down guys in. Their sugar doping is off the charts. I don't know how they expect the International Board Gaming Committee to sit back and let this rampant abuse of boardletics continue!

[@peterkepena6794]

It's Slovakia simulator. They literally copy pasted our map... and people.

[@truelazerlight]

And wildlife ...

[@DuGStp]

If their map looks like a boring and generic map, and they copy and pasted it from your map. Then, that means...your map is...

[@bobtodd1601]

Wait, that would mean that the Košice Region is the Land of Knockoff Condoms!

[@JudahMaccabee_]

Defekt I want to see elves and orcs.

[@Khalashnikovf]

They you mean those Slovaks? Orr..... what

[@jvomkrieg]

Looks like a game that could do with a reskin. "Small world - The card game" is the first thing that pops to mind.

[@NathienSK]

I did Witcher. It's nice. Lot of art from Gwent.

[@revimfadli4666]

A Root-style animalfolk warfare with cute artstyle could help sell it to its appropriate target audience, while still conveying a sense of brutal ethnic conflict

[@perspicacioussimpleton7288]

Who else is rewatching this since the Archeos Society announcement? Perhaps this game has a chance of becoming a classic once more!

[@aranc23]

I've seen various reviewers of board games, MTG, etc. express surprise that Wizard is thought of as a race. Wizards in Tolkien's work were not men they were Maiar. I'm not a Tolkien lore expert or anything but I think this explains various creators usage of Wizard as a species like Halfling or Orc.

[@tahunuva4254]

Wizards are basically demigods

[@Reikianolla]

@@tahunuva4254 And even in new mainstream fantasy like Harry Potter you must be born a wizard so it's kind of a separate thing.

[@DaveBrunoAnimation]

SIX!?

[@Gyrogyro]

SIX!!

[@andruchung3066]

SIX!! ... wait.

[@ScrapMek]

SIX!

[@chayashida]

With all that SIX, he'll need more Duris

[@christian_daigle]

What is this, an orgy?!

[@Reiku85]

"Drag... On...." I can feel your sense of proud joy through my screen there Quinns. It's making me uncomfortable.

[@tigereyez01]

I will admit it. I laughed really hard at that dragon joke. It was hilarious.

[@mattsmith6558]

"Children... they don't now what's in their drinks" "COME" ;)

[@desafreezeDTFE]

CUM!!!

[@themagictheatre2965]

In Tolkien's legendarium, the Wizards actually are an ethnic group. They aren't human, they're Maiar.

[@themagictheatre2965]

@Conor Koritor Yes but as Istari they can be said to have an ethnic group, I think. Maybe not other Maiar active in the world, though, but those five I think we can say have an ethnic group.

[@j-henry7391]

I know exactly what you're talking about but this post is like the most dorkusy thing ever 😂

[@Desintyx2]

@Conor Koritor I'd say angel. Almost explicitly.

[@jonasmiekkamies]

I absolutely love this comment, it's like nerdiest thing I have read.

[@sk84ever515]

I appreciate the waving away of the recommend logo at 2:55

[@204Emolover]

At the 40 second mark to 55 I like how the guy says. “Kids don’t know what’s in their drinks.” Only for his friend to shout “come”. Made me die laughing.

[@jeffcarrier9808]

I've never hit the subscribe button so fast... how have I never watched your videos before...

[@wanderingbandit8823]

I bet they name the expansion "Ethnos Cleansing"

[@ananousous]

Remember - No Hafling

[@PMMagro]

PURGE!

[@thomaspig7684]

“Everything’s going to crumble one day Matthew.” Wow I was not prepared for an existential crisis today.

[@adriannaoshea]

When my game group first played this game, it was very reluctantly. Nobody was excited by the box or the board or the name. We all absolutely loved it and we've played it a ton of times since then.

[@basildza]

"Can you imagine having 6 people in your house" -> Not without breaking the law anymore

[@ticotube2501]

Laws are like playing Fluxx lately.

[@Ec7soccer]

I quite like it when game mechanics help not only yourself but the other people on the board. I have not played this game, but I can just imagine a player feeling both satisfied from their turn action and disappointed that they have now helped out another player. .... whoooooooooo dragons

[@revimfadli4666]

It could be a slight improvement if instead of drawing one card from deck, you sift/scry through the top 3, pick one and discard the rest to the market row. A little bit more strategy & control, while adding to that "your actions help other players" factor

[@samwisden]

I want to like it enough to buy it, I really do. So many positive reviews about the game play. BUT, the graphic design and theme are just awful. I feel if I pulled this out to show new potential gamers they would think it's so bland and nerdy and their board game stereotype will be confirmed. I truly hope there is a reprint/re-theme.

[@madifinley7018]

I thought the same thing and then I played it. We played it six times straight. The art and the theme disappear while you play it. It's that good and it's getting all those great reviews for a very good reason. It's amazingly fun. Don't miss a great thing based on it's looks.

[@populartechnology]

I agree and there is no excuse anymore with today's games. I simply will not buy a game that looks this bad.

[@samwisden]

especially when they just take the map of Slovakia and use that instead of creating something new.

[@AhJong0]

Awww that felt like cold hard good oldie SU&SD reviewage. I'm amazed that this theme was chosen - begs for a board game makeover. Dragon pun - makes me happy.

[@alanwinchester744]

The funniest intro to a board game video I've ever seen!!! Epic!!!

[@marzzbar]

Second edition should be coming out any day now!

[@ke1den]

Finally!! SUSD is back! This periods of silence is too LONG (see what I did there)!! Another great review!

[@woehrle17]

I'm really glad you guys covered this. It's been near the top of my wishlist for a while.

[@chillausmc]

Thank god you got the "Drag-on" bit out of the way early or else, yo, thats all i was waiting for..

[@j-henry7391]

This is literally the second video that I've seen in a row where Matt talks about cheap condoms

[@beardyrecordbox4069]

5:39 "I've Tr*lled the sh*t out of you d******d" made me laugh like a drain. I genuinely rewound the video after watching so I could hear it again.

[@Crud143]

Huh, I'm kind of amazed so many people don't like how the game looks. I really like the visuals on this one. The patterns on the coloured borders on the cards look kinda bad, but besides that, I really like it. But if others don't like the way it looks, then they should feel free not to buy it. There are so many board games to choose from, you should make sure the ones you buy tick all the boxes for you. Nothing shallow about that.

[@RickKoeppen]

Agreed. I love the color and look of the plastic tokens and the fantasy art. Even the board looks good. And the people asking for a re-theme?! To each their own, but I wouldn't have added this one to my collection if it was anything other than fantasy.

[@casepac7]

The one issue we have with the game is actually the number of tokens. As you spread around the board, plus merfolk, plus score keeping means each token becomes more valauble and every game we've played leaves 1 or 2 players running out.

[@FrancoDuerme]

"Why are there condoms" "there are men after me"....... I like where this is going.

[@Jack-izzy]

-Children dont know whats in their drink -Come! hmmmm.......

[@WhiteOnmyoji]

Best line: Tolkienesque Welfare Cue. I can't stop laughing!

[@dilarus8231]

'Please subscribe because they took all of my wizard sugar and replaced it with condoms' ... okay sure *subscribes*

[@2532robh1]

Ethnos is a fun game and easy to learn. I love your videos and your intellect. Sometimes you take the shtick a little far over the line, but it is your channel. Keep them coming.

[@mella4376]

That transition at 3:20 though... precious

[@AdamCarlson808]

Great review. As always, you guys are hilarious and bring the fun into board gaming. But there isn't actually Orc bingo. It's only when you play a band of Orc's yourself that you you, and only you, get to add to your Orc board. Although, now, I am considering trying out this variant you've come up with!

[@veggieh8r]

People, this game is great for real. My group loved this game so much we played it four times in a row and it was fun every time. It really was "for everyone". The different combinations of races change the strategy every game. If you're really bent on the art and theme you'll miss out.

[@vuuvovuuv]

i've watch this video a thousand times especially because of the SIX! scene at 7:05

[@saravanandilip7907]

I bought the box, but left it uncared for it's boring board and pieces. But then, out of curiosity, took it out and played. It was awesome. The game plays out great and we had a lot of fun. Definitely recommend this simple, yet strategic game. This game deserves more love.

[@Fanaro]

I like this design though... Except for the hideous colors of the pieces. What's up with pink in a war game with a fantasy theme?

[@MoonManPictures]

Agreed, don't get the harshness on the design, apart from the map maybe

[@dhyogomendes6326]

CMON standards. They use that pink in everything

[@_WhiteMage]

"This game is cheap." >currently $70 Can you put out a review saying it's bad now so the price will go back down?

[@anthonypearson2509]

haven't fully scrolled through the comments to see if there are similiar thoughts, but I've described it as Lost Cities + Small World + Ticket to Ride :)

[@lordkalric3662]

I thought for a second that Quinns was going to go full wizard (circa Mageknight, Wiz-War.)

[@Kraigon42]

As someone who only recently saw that review, I was thinking the exact same thing. WIZRD!

[@TylerDeLisle]

Didn't mention that Dogs of War is actually the same designer as Ethnos, the man knows how to make fun and compelling games that are easy to pickup. It's a shame that Ethnos wasn't also developed by CMoN because Dogs of War is an opulent beauty.

[@davedogge2280]

I was chewing my Mentos whilst playing Ethnos and I thought .. nah.

[@SGFlicksify]

One of my favourite SUSD clips. Watched it every now & then over last couple of years - still find it amusing. Wizard watch!

[@Accatitippi]

I played it a couple of times, but it really did nothing for us. The discard "market" was usually unattractive so it came down to luck of the draw and luck of having the player before you discard stuff you needed. The forced discard worked awfully when combined with random draws and set collection. There might be some groupthink here, but my experience resonated a lot with this review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYKWaIerd6d8icU

[@makeyourowncomedy2181]

Ethnos literally means Nation in greek:) Pelagon is ocean, Althea comes from Alithia which is truth,Straton literally means Military ....i could go on:)Also greetings from Greece

[@Roxfox]

My gosh what a dull looking product. Who designed that board? Grey squares!? For real!? Does sound like fun, though, so that's kind of a shame somehow. A delightful review, also. I feel like there hasn't anything quite so playful in a while and I think I was starting to miss it. Could there perhaps even be the return of tiny, pitch-shifted airhorn in the future!?

[@itboznkgvjugjtfg]

My girlfriend and I bought this game and played it maybe a hundred times, excellent game. But it is the most fun when played with five or SIX people.

[@thecrazything95]

SIX?!

[@KabukiKid]

John Howe did the card art... how can you dislike the card art? O_o

[@voltcorp]

I think it's more of an art DIRECTION problem, not so much execution.

[@refreshdaemon]

I think I'll wait until this game gets reskinned into something that looks more interesting.

[@conlinbryant5037]

Sweden 2020?

[@beargrylls235]

Matt should be rewarded! His acting easily outshines some academy profiteures

[@Hanc_vrbata]

That intro is so great :D

[@ScovaNotia]

I absolutely enjoy the humour and opinions expressed. Please keep up the great work!

[@basedbartholomew3968]

To me the theme looks more appetising than most board games, but that’s just my opinion.

[@BGBarbarian]

This game badly needs to be deluxified with a better map and components.

[@IvanGrimm1]

I've had my eye on this since April but now since you guys did a review I had to buy it before everyone else buys up all the available copies.

[@savethefunk]

Matt makes the best Wizards. So Good. Much Wizardry.

[@hedgehog3180]

Pretty sure that “Wizard sugar” is a euphemism for cocaine and one of the funnier ones.

[@dyslxeic]

So it would be a great step up from ticket to ride?

[@WoodlandDrake]

"Strip" Ethnos brought me here, and I can see Quinns thinking it up at 11:05

[@KeldNeedsCoffee]

There is no tea is Ethnos!

[@komakaze1]

Is Ethnos better than Carcassonne?

[@superomelet2897]

I just picked this up today and I *mostly* agree with this review. My family's first play through was quick, fun, and tense. We can't wait to play again with a different mix of tribes. And I... kind of like the way it looks? Sometimes low-key is cool. I'd liken it to backgammon, cribbage, or chess. The relatively non-flashy looks of those games (as compared to the brightest and most vibrant new games) would never stop me from playing them. The card artwork here is pretty sweet, as is the box art. The board is, yes, smallish and unremarkable. But it reminds me of Condottiere, one of my all-time favorites.

[@Cosmitzian]

Accidentally coming here thinking it's a new video, seeing Matt and Quinns doing a review together too close for 2020 and i look at the date on the video and yep, pre-pandemic. We've changed y'all.

[@TigerVent]

It's TICKET TO RIDE done right!!

[@TheGrooves]

Ticket to Ride mixed with SmallWorld

[@leshrac369]

I was actually thinking more like Guild Hall but with a board.

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

Ticket to Ride done right is On the Underground. But this sounds like a good game, too.

[@JohnQSpartan]

... with a sprinkle of Royals.

[@JohnQSpartan]

Just get the UK/Pennsylvania edition, and you're good ...

[@SomeOtherPooma]

The game has won a place in the arena? Something else must be removed from the shelves? I'm going to be desperately scanning the next few videos for Lords of Vegas now aren't I. Because it is my favourite and I wuuuv playing it.

[@benlauson555]

"geography themed novelty sweet shop." That is hilarious!

[@pranefuji]

I would say it's one of those games like Castles of Burgundy, where it might not be the most visually edgey graphic design, but the game is good.

[@donz6211]

"Oooohh grandma!!!" Lol

[@RiddleFlowOn]

Libertalia, Dogs of War, and Ethnos. Paolo Mori is designing true classics. Currently, (ever since Dogs of War), my #1 favorite designer. I should write him a fan letter... or at least send him some "wizard sugar".

[@rivers0078]

Gus, could you review some beans on toast for the lads

[@invinciblegames2777]

Why, and I mean why, is there not some sort of Band Aid album planned or concert to raise money for this noble cause. We need to be talking about Matt's Wizard Sugar all over the world, spreading our support and making things better.... In other news, thanks for the review - I enjoyed it

[@christopherchild4022]

I want to know if they still love this game a few years on...

[@BrentWalker999]

I do... For what it is worth

[@Ergarion]

Is it just me, or the map really looks like map of Slovakia?

[@alejandrorivas4585]

It is slovakia

[@SapphireCrook]

Probably one of the first reviews where the art design was bad enough to make me wince and wonder what the heck made it interesting enough to bring in the SUSD line up. Wowie.

[@scottcameron174]

"oh grandma" and "what is this an orgy" killed me.

[@InVinceIble009]

Thank you guys for this video! As soon as I finished your video, I knew this was an instant buy. Reviews were positive from different KZbinrs, but I know that a game is good when you guys say so. Love the game! Thanks!

[@ryanbuell4692]

Orcs are for Dorks...what are you implying gents?

[@Gyrogyro]

First eggs are for twerps, and now this!

[@rellacthespacenerd]

Pandemic something the family can enjoy... untill you are living through it

[@SmashingPlastic]

Owned and unplayed! I just gotta get this to the table

[@davidsimpson9071]

Reminds me ever so slightly of Small World. Another for everyone game.

[@MrDJBento]

You have to wonder how the board even got through quality control...It looks like middle earth designed on microsoft paint with the contrast wacked up.

[@28green]

No surprise on all the LOTR references. John Howe, the illustrator for this game, is best known for his work on the Tolkien books and films

[@theprocastinators9518]

Oddly (in)appropriate that Ethnos is full of tokens.

[@larsgeerts6243]

"Imagine having 6 people in your house!" Yeah... Imagine...

[@thechevyferrari9559]

It took me forever to finally watch this review cause the name seemed dull, and I love that that’s the first joke in the video.

[@JPNox]

I don't get what's so wrong about the theme

[@powernade]

The only thing I don't like about the look of this game is the absolutely horrid pastel tokens. But the rest of it looks amazing to me. Maybe I'm a boring person.

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

The reference to Cosmic Encounter in the beginning - this could probably be rethemed into a space area control game, and then you could use the pieces from a CE set as tokens, since they stack.

[@KabukiKid]

They complained about the card art... I thought the card are was great! The tokens are my biggest complaint too. Not sure why the game gets crapped on so hard for its looks... I have seen MUCH worse from quite popular games, in fact.

[@TheBuefurd]

"A theme that everyone can enjoy-like Pandemic ..." *shed's tear*

[@andy4an]

i can play an ugly game, but I don't want to play a game where the colors are relevant, but the color choices make it hard to play. (for instance, the 1995 version of Medici, and to a much lesser extent, the 2016 version of Medici) is it just ugly, or do they also make it hard to play?

[@TimothyPetersphoto]

weesh ful it's not pretty, but easy to play. Easy doesn't make it simple though if you know what I mean.

[@andy4an]

cool, thanks! that's exactly what i was looking for.

[@TimothyPetersphoto]

Each turn you can pick up a card or you either play all one color or all one type (race). You are not bound to continue to play the same color or race throughout the game. So , your decisions change while you play and it is happening pretty fast. That's it. Couldn't be simpler.

[@Zakalwe-01]

Oh that was amusing, especially the sugar/Duris ending 🙂

[@Lunsku]

Somehow reminds me a lot of Michael Schacht's Kardinal und König / Web of Power / China. Which is not a bad thing really.

[@benjaminteixeira4709]

Gotta love the empire total war music

[@ChrisVelazquez]

1:00 It's STRATON not STATON! We have no trees in Staton! Trees are forbidden! -Staton Spam and Food Spreads Council

[@danielnagy1030]

Isnt it the Slovakia map? Even with the six regions

[@Platonick66]

I actually laughed out loud at this, great review