Ezra & Nehemiah: Game of the Year?

What is brown and tan and puzzly all over? A Euro!... what more could Toph like? Well, he didn't play it and, well, I passed on the Kickstarter... not my jam (or so I thought)!
Ezra and Nehemiah is the 2024 game by S J Macdonald and Shem Phillips, and published by Garphill Games/Renegade Games Studio. We played it this week in our gaming group, and I've got some thoughts about it. Let's take a deep look at what this game has to offer.
Could it be game of the year?
What are your thoughts? We'd love to know!
00:00 - Start
00:16 - Why Watch?
00:59 - Theme
01:08 - Mechanics
01:31 - Player Count / Time to Play
02:39 - Game Rounds
03:17 - Didn't feel like a long game
03:29 - Turn Overview
05:03 - Trading Action
05:49 - Boost Action
10:56 - Summarize Turn
11:24 - Pros Lots!
11:58 - Pro 2
13:15 - Pro 3
13:58 - Pro 4
14:49 - Pro 5
15:25 - Multiple Ways to win
16:15 - Cons
16:55 - Con #2
18:25 - Con #3
18:47 - Con #4
19:46 - Game Weight
20:46 - Marker 23
21:35 - BGG Rating
22:04 - Marker 25
23:35 - Who is this for?
24:55 - Things to Watch out for
25:36 - What do you think?
25:55 - Game of the Year?

[@sammacdonald337]

Thanks so much for the great review!

[@BadatBoardgames]

You are very welcome! Thank You for taking the time to comment and watch!

[@smashbroz4580]

So excited, just got this two weeks ago from KS, haven’t got it to the table yet. I appreciate your honesty. I’m a devout Christian and I was drawn to this just as some were put off by it. When the KS was announced i think it was Shem that put out a statement kind of acknowledging the fact that there will be push back because of the theme, even though it is more historical accounts. It seems silly that some won’t give it a chance, Cthulhu DMD is my fav game and I love dungeon crawlers and fighting monsters, I don’t shy away from a game just because it’s theme doesn’t align with my religious beliefs(or lack of there of). That’s why we need more channels like you that reach across and put out some honest thoughts and questions. Thanks again, can’t wait to actually play it, and I have a son named Ezra! How cool is that!

[@BadatBoardgames]

That is very cool that your son has the same name! Thank You for the kind words much appreciated! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do😃

[@jayray1714]

Great vid

[@BadatBoardgames]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it 😃

[@frankndice]

I really enjoyed this one. It’s so crunchy and the replayability is great. Gave it an 8.5. I think I might like it more than scholars

[@BadatBoardgames]

Ya I am really impressed

[@frankndice]

@@BadatBoardgames Garphill never has disappointed me with anything.

[@brianl6151]

Brad, so close to 10 :)

[@shaunlevy2965]

I am really looking forward to this one! But I really don’t understand going on about the “religious” themed. I think it’s about city and culture building isn’t it? About as religious as Orleans, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Troyes are any other Euro that mentions a church, monk or cathedral, lol.

[@BadatBoardgames]

Teaching the tora, sabbath , eternal flame etc not the same. My opinion and others when reading the rules.

[@kukamonda]

Probably because this story is in the bible… apart from that, this is indeed more history based than religious

[@shaunlevy2965]

@@kukamondaagreed

[@elqord.1118]

I did not particularly enjoy previous Shem Philipps games that much. Paladins fell flat for me and felt very limiting. Hadrian's Wall felt like busy work and the complete lack of interaction put me off as well. It's clear that Garphill know what they are doing but it just isn't for me I guess.

[@BadatBoardgames]

I do love Hadrians wall so if that did not do it for you this probably won’t. Luckily a lot of games out there lol to many in fact!

[@sammacdonald337]

This one has a lot more interaction than both Paladins and Hadrian's Wall

[@ylein6508]

Hadrian wall isn't designed by Shem Philips. I did not love paladins but love the others after that

[@elqord.1118]

@@ylein6508 You are right. Apologies.

[@gs24-xor]

whoooa a 9 Brad?! Ohh man, I really should stop watching your videos 🤣, just joking, I'll keep watching them and also I hear you when you say that one game is bad. And I also don't like TM. Everything good on your side? You seem tired

[@BadatBoardgames]

Very busy lately and step son graduation so family at The house it’s a lot lol

[@gs24-xor]

@@BadatBoardgames But it's family at the end of the day so you might be busy but also having fun :)