Foundations Of Rome Review - Yes, Miniatures Do Make A GOOD Game BETTER

[@kumanight]

I want to play this but I could never justify owning it. Between the ludicrous price and the amount of shelf space it takes... There's too many other great games out there.

[@RickKoeppen]

The funny thing about the price is that everyone who has played my copy remarks at how they can't believe how LOW the price was. $150 for the base game feels like an absolute steal for all those detailed miniatures. I didn't back the Kickstarter, but luckily a local game Cafe did and I was able to snag a copy there.

[@PestiferousJoe]

@@RickKoeppen $150 for one game isn't cheap lol

[@ZPr13st]

@@PestiferousJoe depends. When you are used to paying 400+ for all ins, 150 is low.

[@PestiferousJoe]

@@ZPr13st 😲

[@TheAmazingYeti]

@@ZPr13st Rather you are used to it or not.. That is an absurd price for pretty much anyone to pay for a single game. You're clearly in a fortunate situation where that kind of money must be easier to come by.

[@bgm-1961]

You speak of the added flexibility added by the modules. That's a plus for those who don't mind paying for that flexibility. But as I understand the current (reprint) KS, those who are wanting only the base game are forced to also add the modules, or they get nothing. While such a tactic may make sense from a business POV, it still doesn't sit well.

[@danielgeorges3048]

I have an old MB copy of Cathedral with detailed plastic buildings. Such a fun little game. I’m on the fence about this one. It’s a big price tag on secondary market and that’s BEFORE shipping this beast!

[@oliverlam5208]

Super excited for this. I personally prefer a lean but decked out collection of games. The deluxification provides better immersion for me and also helps bring new players into the hobby!

[@oliverlam5208]

The quick set up also saves so much valuable game time. I get organizers for all my big games.

[@dustinfreund5196]

Played this at Geekway last weekend and absolutely loved it. I was shocked how simple it was, but it was very strategic too. You're right though, I do worry it might get a little old after several plays.

[@bonehead797]

You are right, the novelty of it will wear off fairly quickly, but it's a hell of a game to bring out every few months to empress friends or family, it sure has table presence, just not enough crunchiness to be a regular, especially at that price. The game is already going for $400 on the secondary market here in Canada. Way to rich for my blood.

[@Crow_T_Robot]

This game looks amazing! ...It also looks like a really, really expensive version of New York 1901.

[@BoardGameCo]

Much better than it :)

[@grassnibbler2026]

I think one of the absolute best things about it is the trays that have the scoring for each piece that you've placed printed on the tray itself. So rather than having to look at the pieces on the board and work it out, you can just look at the tray and see instantly what your totals are for income, scoring, whatever. It's so elegant!

[@ZPr13st]

Fantastic game. Was blown away when my late pledge sundrop arrived. Feels like an heirloom.

[@bryanwinston8820]

I'm taking a swing at this, but my first thought in looking at it I didn't think there was a lot of game there. However I'm willing to take a run at it based on your review. Hopefully my milage does not vary.

[@BoardGameCo]

Good luck!

[@ThomasHelms]

Looks like a game that I would like to play, but definitely not one that I would add to the collection, for the points of cost and difficulty to table. I'm normally against miniatures, but I really appreciate these and I would pay for a license to download the STLs and print them out, just to have them as décor.

[@artiphats]

Great review. So glad I pledged for this one. Played it with my 13 year old and we loved it, will be playing again today or tomorrow with one more person to try out a 3 player game. This one will see a lot of play in my house, and I’m confident a few other gamers I know will also enjoy it when we get together.

[@BbBb-zx6sx]

Pre-ordered from Game Steward. $240 shipped. Less than ebay. I was hoping it was already released so I could have it for this weekend.

[@BoardGameCo]

Enjoy it!

[@LegoAssassin098]

Still waiting on my copy -super excited!

[@TheFamousECCLES65]

Can't wait for the time when you buy games like this and they send you the board, cards and rules and the STL files. I cannot justify the price, and then add the shipping.

[@MrMoreMoe]

I picked this turn the pledge manager. I really need to pick up the fifth player and monuments expansions.

[@Wealtharch]

I’ve had 2 plays so far. It feels like a combination of Bunny Kingdom and Suburbia. I’m pretty confused if I prefer Bunny Kingdom or Foundations of Rome. For right now, I like Bunny Kingdom more. How about you?

[@BoardGameCo]

Bunny Kingdom...but that's one of my favorite games :)

[@Wealtharch]

@@BoardGameCo I had a feeling you were going to say that ;)

[@arturistellare]

Where do you get the alternative coins we see on your table? Thx Your videos are very good !

[@MerrillWhiteKalEl]

Love this game, so glad I got it.

[@BoardGameCo]

Yes!

[@williamblack6912]

I would love a version of this game but with the theme of Hadrian's wall

[@Zilong09]

Would you recommend the Core box or the Deluxe in this case?

[@stephenwyda2568]

Getting ready to play this tonight with 5 players and monuments expansion. Would you suggest playing with the trading and/or stealing module with 5 players?

[@Caiddenn]

Yes. Using Trading at least for that many players.

[@panik28]

I know I limit myself from playing many good games but to me minis are a huge important part of me enjoying a game. I'm not one to use my imagination that much, so using meeple or tokens to represent buildings or people takes away from the enjoyment of the game.

[@coogbear]

Have you thought about using the objectives, but with the effect that if you cannot get it, it goes to another player that has succeeded in doing it. Just a thought. I do own and love the game btw. love the vid's as well

[@coogbear]

oops i meant as secret objectives

[@MrKazyFreak]

Id love to find stl files of those sculpts.

[@grog3514]

The gameplay looks similar to Lords of Vegas without the cut throat nature of taking over other peoples casinos. or chinatown if it had an auction instead of negotiation. Have you played either of the other 2 games and how would you say they compare to FoR?

[@ilqrd.6608]

Not sure how having 3D buildings adds something when the game is basically an abstract game. I played it once and it was a very dry experience, certainly not thematic despite the buildings. Do you also think Chess is better with minis? :D

[@BoardGameCo]

Well yes, some solid chess sets out there.

[@mrthommo6551]

Not sure if Chess is the best example 🤔 the minis in chess seem quintessential to the game. Chess using printed bits of cardboard seems truly awful while still fundamentally the same game.

[@JesseDeShazo]

I’m really excited about this game, but it seems sold out or now almost $400.

[@BoardGameCo]

I've heard rumours they are coming back to KS but until that's official it's just rumours.

[@RiHa_Games]

Smell enhances taste.... Oh Alex🤦 Smell is taste ;) taste biologically speaking enhances smell (which we convert to taste). But that's just my pet peeve 😂

[@Luke_L]

I’d be happy to give this game a try, but the kickstarter was a hard pass for me. My shelves are full, so when I decide to get a new game, I’m also deciding what I’m culling. I’d have to cull 4 other games to make room for this relatively light-weight euro. Gloomhaven and the Trove Chest are justifiable to me. This game is not. Arcane Wonder seemed quite adamant about not making a retail version which is just too bad as I’ve enjoyed other games by Emerson Matsuuchi. Ah well. I’ll have to live with mild disappointment based on your review :)

[@LeeKenshin7]

How much was the Emperor pledge ink-washed edition after shipping? I can get a copy with or without the wash from my FLGS. This is a game I would love to try but sadly none of my friends have a copy so the resale value would be important. I do have a one game in, one game out policy so I might have to replace cockroach poker for this one 😁

[@xshadowscreamx]

$50 American or $82 Australian. Late comment but it is tempting me now.

[@brentboyer79]

I WANT THIS GAME!!!

[@BoardGameCo]

It's delightful

[@NickBeenackers]

can I ask where you got that shirt? I would like to gift one to a friend

[@BoardGameCo]

TeeTurtle :)

[@dreamofempire2114]

I do wonder if the game would be as popular as it undoubtedly is if it had cardboard tiles instead of those plethora of miniatures. Too expensive for me unfortunately, when there are so many other great games out there.

[@BoardGameCo]

I still think it's great either way, but no question the minis are adding to the experience

[@AnkitGarg]

Thanks for so much coverage of this game. I love its looks and probably will be good for playing with my wife. But the price is really high, in India it is available for $200+. Also what's the game to your right below Ankh (the flying castles thing)?

[@SilmarPlaysBGs]

I'm just glad my local board game cafe has a copy of it so I have an excuse not to buy it. Because we've been trying different module and ways of playing and it's been great every single time and I would HAVE to have it if I didn't have that copy easily available

[@herr_der_spiele]

Love the game here, as well🙂

[@BoardGameCo]

Nice 🙂

[@siriactuallysara]

Off topic. I wanted to thank you so much for talking me into buying bardsung with you should you back it. I ended up getting 2 pledges. I really love this game so much and I’m glad I didn’t miss out and from selling my extra pledge I got the game for free. Thank you again. I will be a patron forever.

[@sieq82]

Looks very cool but that price… it looks like way more expensive version of New York 1901. So that’s an alternative

[@oobydoob7352]

This game is amazing.

[@bonehead797]

They do have a cardboard version, it's called New York 1901.

[@BoardGameCo]

Lol, not entirely the same game :)

[@bonehead797]

@@BoardGameCo I know, I said that tongue in cheek, though they are similar with getting lots to later build on them and choosing strategic placements to maximize points. It's still a good, way cheaper alternative for this kind of gameplay. Keep up the good work.

[@joeferreti9442]

Sometimes miniatures make a game inaccessible. And that's the case with "Foundations of Rome". And I'm not even sure if the game is any good ... I didn't really like what I have seen in your playthrough.

[@BoardGameCo]

I respect that while also feeling like the game really is strongly accessible almost because of it, not aside from it.

[@paulb2474]

So.... foundations of Rome, isle of cats or my city?

[@BoardGameCo]

My city for price, Foundations otherwise.

[@paulb2474]

@@BoardGameCo yes I enjoyed my city but after we finished campaign just don't seem to dive back into it anymore

[@Maefyre]

@@paulb2474 There's a roll and write sequel to My City coming out. Could be just the ticket!

[@paulb2474]

@@Maefyre cool something to look forward to

[@yuan561]

it's fun but definitely not been tested enough

[@BoardGameCo]

In what sense?

[@yuan561]

@@BoardGameCo Basic rule problem, similar to how in Splendor there is no limit to the number of chips a player can hold. And almost each of the three expansions is not well balanced, some characters are clearly better than others, some quests are obviously easier to complete, some invocation cards (or most of them) are worse than the deed cards, so no one wants to buy them. , and then there is no limit on how much coins a player can hold...so you can guess what happens. The integration of Ai with the monument expansion is not well considered in the Solo rules. This game definitely needs a FAQ and rule revision. But overall it's still pretty fun. Of course, it's also not that perfect in quality, its Sundrop is a bit "dirty" in my view, not as effective as Nemesis (if I choose again, I may not buy the SD version); and due to its player trays are stacked in boxes, so I'm not sure if it's because the shipping or my few games, but the plastic cover on each player tray has obvious scratches (of course, that's a bit of a nitpick).

[@TheAmazingYeti]

$270?! Damn.. apparently I need to start reviewing board games for living so I can justify things like this. Does look cool.. but no way it'll ever be on my shelf sadly.

[@warpo007]

ADD TO CART...

[@BoardGameCo]

Lol sorry

[@ylein6508]

I would consider this game if they have a 2 player version as this 5 player version takes up too much space and cost too much. I only play 2 players and I think due to the pandemic, there are quite a lot who end up playing with fewer players so perhaps the publisher can consider a 2 to 3 player version to reduce costs and attract more backers

[@jamesdavid7782]

"Over-produced" is the most nonsensical criticism of art, which board games at their core are.

[@BoardGameCo]

Totally fair.

[@tombiby5892]

There should be a board game called “Wrapping the Reichstag” where you are sent 4 acres of parachute fabric and you have to cover your city’s capitol building for points. I’d like to see the pinheads just TRY to criticize that as over produced.

[@louiesamuel9189]

Thanks for showing this when it’s not available.🤦‍♂️

[@BoardGameCo]

www.arcanewonders.com/product/foundations-of-rome/ Anytime :) Happy to help ;) Also despite the fact that this game is available, yes, I will still review things that aren't. Games are on the second hand market all the time, games come back to kickstarter or retail. A review is still relevant, and if it isn't relevant to you....feel free not to watch it.

[@louiesamuel9189]

@@BoardGameCo Be a mench. I was teasing a fellow member of the tribe.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

I skipped this Kickstarter. It was too expensive, and it does not call to me.

[@maxf.7262]

🐐🥁👍

[@ShogiDojoLyon]

😃