Free Radicals Review - with Tom Vasel

[@ericbess5917]

I think I have to agree with Tom on this...when you try to pack 10 games into a box, you can only really do that if each game is not fully fleshed out completely. I've watched Merchant's Cove and I think it suffers from a similar thing. The "mini games" that each player is actually playing are so simplified that how enjoyable can they really be. I agree that for some people, mini-games are very interesting and here you are effectively buying 10 of them...but I personally like a bit more meat on my games. I have played a game like Root, which I think is perhaps the inspiration for this sort of game...basically, everyone is playing their own thing, but with some common factors. Root has so much interaction that even though each player's method of playing is perhaps a simplified version of what the game might look like if everyone played the same way, I think Root manages to pull it off because the actions themselves are what makes the game work and the variety of the factions is just in how those actions are taken. So yeah, interesting concept here and it looks like they manage to pull off a bit of what root does, but when the "main game" you are playing is the mini-game and not the "big picture", I think it misses the mark a bit for me.

[@monkey2.092]

When the 'mini solitaire' part of the game is meh, there really needs to be A LOT of interaction on the main board. I would rather have one good game than 10 mediocre so-so games.

[@johna6108]

I am always reminded that ganes like Scythe makes factions very asymmetrical without being a mediocre mini game. These games need a strong central part to keep them together (ie root area control).

[@LizGamerGirl]

Still very excited for this one, got it pre-ordered! Having the variety of experiences in one box does seem cool and I like the idea of helping others, but not too much! That seems to be a really interesting part of the game.

[@soogymoogi]

I enjoyed Merchant's Cove so i think I might actually like this. For me the novelty and replayability of these sorts of games appeals to me even if the central game isn't super enticing.

[@Crs9072]

Interesting critique on the multiplayer solitaire aspect of the game, when Toms number 1 game of all time is Ark Nova which is really long multiplayer solitaire, where everyone just does their own stuff on their board. To the point where I don't want to play Ark Nova with more than two players because only thing more players bring to the table is downtime...

[@felixfryxell7529]

Sounds like a good example of "interesting and fun are different", just like 504.

[@fearanarchy]

Saved me a bunch of money. Thanks once again Tom, I would have hated this.

[@natew.7951]

Thanks for the review Tom!

[@lorelielomaloma6569]

Rahdo seems to love this game.

[@TerrierHalo]

I would mind trying this game, and I do like the art. Maybe at some con some day.

[@pikkdogs]

Seems like a nightmare to me. I would have to teach a new game to everyone at the same time. The teach is the worst part of a game, and if I have to teach everyone a different game, it would suck.

[@tomasxfranco]

I think it can only work well in groups where everyone is okay reading rulebooks for themselves in advance.

[@BuzzKirill3D]

Yep. Reason I didn't end up buying Root!

[@theweebchannel4850]

Hmm I guess it depends... I really like teaching new games. Tho, I have to agree with Tom Franco, this is better if people are okay with reading their own rules in advance.

[@johnmiller2689]

I've played the game many times. The faction rules are each on a single sheet of paper that takes about 3 minutes to read.

[@jeffnorman4518]

It would be fun to walk through each mechanic and name the movie it was a trailer for

[@robertwright5353]

I was wondering if there was a full game based on the underground.. this one excites me the most but was wondering if there was another game that uses its mechanic???

[@hudeduge9240]

Great acerbic review. I thought you made a neat point about pretending that the whole game was just one faction, and how that may feel for you. If the whole game was just the paladin worker placement game, it would barely get published, nevermind any sort of hype.

[@finnkrogstad2541]

Can you finish your crossword puzzle before I finish my Sudoku before she finishes her jigsaw or he finds where Waldo is? What a game!

[@aonline_abridged]

Yes, I agree, the main game in Merchants Cove was very meh, and the mini games were OK but boring on repeat. Free radical's main game looks to repeat the same issue although the different factions look better to me. but only slightly.

[@tacotruck4176]

I was sold until he said there was no player interaction. Damn. Any recommendations for games like this with more interaction?

[@flawed1]

It looks like a birthday cake threw up on that main board 🤣

[@xshadowscreamx]

‘Hey my casual dad, so you like Tetris games right? Well I got a new game to play…’

[@johnnovotny5074]

This sounds like a better solo game. Maybe a review from Mike or Zee would be good.

[@johna6108]

From what I understand if they felt like they strongly liked it if they played it they would have reviewed it.

[@JohnClem56]

The let's all play different mini-games concept used in Free Radicals and Merchant's Cove just doesn't excite me at all. It seems that when you're done you don't really have any feeling of having a shared game experience... Easy pass on these type of games.

[@Indubitably14]

This criticism of player interaction is exactly how I feel playing Awkward Guests and Canvas. Both are clever designs but the minimal (and forced player interaction) in games where you're starring down the entire team don't appeal to me at all.

[@TheQueketh]

Man the mic issues are really bad on this one, too bad, otherwise great work.

[@rb4551]

Are we watching the same video? What mic issues?

[@rb4551]

Oh I rewatched and i think I see what you mean. I assume its Toms' placement of the mic on his tie that create movement and mic tapping on his clothes.

[@TheQueketh]

@@rb4551 That, and you could often hear him breath into the mic, like blowing on it or something, Hope they get a better mic system one day :P

[@dddmmm21]

I am pretty tired of these super solitaire games in which not only u have zero reason to care what others do but also you could not follow it even if you want it

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

Pass

[@tomsule]

Im probably buzz kill, but I dont see the game in this mess.

[@Polovene]

Interesting that he cares much about the interaction... yet his new #1 of all time is ark nova. A Terraforming mars stripped of most of its interaction

[@codydavis3100]

Well I think the difference is that the game he is playing is an ok game and one that isn't engaging compared to a very meaty game. Not all criticisms are equal and don't carry over to every game.