Frostpunk - Board Game Review - Survival First, Morality Second!

[@johnunderwood4953]

The negative--lengthy--can be a positive for me. Sometimes, when i'm in the mood--rainy days--I don't mind a long, crunchy game to pull out, learn, and play. I usually spend the evening before game day setting it up, and reviewing rules. I actually look forward to the set up, and then playing through the game the next day. I know...I'm a bit nerdy. :) Thanks, Luke, for the great review!

[@markusbiewer2756]

Yes, you are ;-) I hate setting up games.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Ha ha to each their own, setup for me is wasted time and I factor it in to the games total length, but a lot of content creators don't which boggles my mind. It's not like setup and takedown is free time you get as a bonus each day, it's all part of the experience.

[@pipos193]

Just found your channel via bgg review videos, and I have to say I could acknowledge its quality right away. I loved the video game, so I am very glad to see the theme comes in strong. Appreciate your detailed input and not holding anything back. About to check more videos!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thank you so much! Honesty and integrity is key aims for me!

[@michaelmueller260]

You had me at This War of Mine...a top 5 all time game for me. Every time I walk past that giant white box overflowing its shelf, I feel an icy breeze...just daring me to play it.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Ha ha, temptations!

[@bboyfalko]

Great review! It took me 11 plays before my first win... but loved every second of it! 4 wins in total now. Definitly a 9 out 10 for me!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Nice work! I'm going to see how these Easy scenarios fare out, I hear they're on BGG now.

[@lostinsim]

What are your 10/10 solo games?

[@wybird666]

"Brutal and long", just like your reviews 😉 Nice review - recieved mine after Xmas and now have to wait for my birthday (1 week to go), so really excited to get it to the table.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@b2jutsao]

I wish the buildings board was better labeled. I'm happy there are 3d printing options out there.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yes, better labels would be good, curious what Etsy may provide as I don't 3D print.

[@CarlosRodriguez-ez3ls]

Great review Luke! I think I'll stick with This War of Mine. Thx!

[@CK-mi3sd]

No matter how good a game is, I found myself won't take the game out unless it is quick and easy to set up. As a result, I did not pull out Robinson Crusoe and Aeon's End often because the setup time is long. Not sure if other people do the same.

[@markusbiewer2756]

Here. I walk by my shelf and think 'no, no, no...' because the setup takes too long

[@bmrigs]

You miss out on much.

[@markusbiewer2756]

@@bmrigs I know 😞

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

CK is on point here. There are some games that have faded for me over time because of lengthy setup/takedown. It's one reason why I'm a lover of inserts particularly Folded Space, anything that speeds a game setup up is a bonus in my book.

[@CK-mi3sd]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Yes, but I am cheap and do not want to buy any insert.

[@freakstylebjdstudios8198]

About the difficulty: I do agree that Frostpunk isn't holding your hand at all. Although as someone who loves to play city-builder games on PC, I feel I have a leg up. The strategies taught in those games are the same needed here. Frostpunk is one of those games where 'you're not bad, you're just getting started' applies. With each try you'll get better. And before you know it, you'll need a higher difficulty setting. Also: I have found that Society 2 is more forgiving to start with than the recommended Society 1. The use of an automa is a huge bonus, considering it doesn't suffer negatively from cold.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Indeed, they are usually always worth it! At least people can tailor the difficulty how they like.

[@GamingRulesVideos]

Good discussion over on the Slack channel from people who have won. And some of them did so without doing anything morally questionable :)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Where's the fun in that?! 😂

[@christinaberkley]

They just put out Easy Mode Society cards on BGG. Phew. They help a lot.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad to hear that!

[@DumahAtreides]

I love the game and retroactively it may become my top 2022 game (which currently is ISS Vanguard). It took me six times to win with every attempt on that introductory scenario and society 1. Looking forward to trying the other scenarios and how that goes will finalize it's place for me. So far only one coop game started only with TTS - which they were liking but verdicts out on how it works as a coop with the bulk of my time solo. For rules, yes great book but like Mage Knight the problem isn't the book but how many rules you can get wrong due to overall complexity and usually you get things wrong in a way that makes a hard game harder. It would be nice to have a shorter and easier scenario especially for coop.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Shorter scenarios for sure. There are some unofficial easy mode cards online on BGG.

[@Naylz_93]

The comparison with This War of Mine is fitting. Especially when the video games both board games are based on, were developed by the same company

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Exactly - and both are solid video games as well as board games.

[@gregorysepetdjian5628]

I've been extremely happy with the game, despite the time commitment required. I've played 7 or 8 times now. My best was losing during the final storm of intro scenario. Close, but not close. Still, it felt great to make it that far.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

It is one of those "love it despite" affairs. I do really wish it was quicker and faster, but I get a solid time out of the investment unlike something like Gloomhaven or 7th Continent where I feel hollow afterwards.

[@timjones990]

the thing with cosmetic mini and resource upgrades is once you see them, tokens and wood look shit. Currently investigating if i should get this game, in my heart i know it will never get to the table, but my obsessive mind is telling me how cool it will look on the shelf lol

[@JohnSmith-pu3pm]

I don't really like the movie cuts, but I do like your reviews. I might check this one out.

[@玩物喪志-v5w]

I finally got to play this game, in my first playthrough I think it is one of the best game I have played in quite a while. But when I flipped through the scenario book looking for subsequent playthrough I notice a problem. The new home scenario is just repeated 5 times with slightly different setup. I think one of the big negatives I have is the lack of scenarios. I haven’t looked at the 3 last scenarios which have their own scenario cards but pretty much that’s it. The game just come with 4 games. I understand many people say there is huge variety in the morning deck etc, but I just felt the core scenario is lacking. So in my second game I already know what I need to do in round x because guess what…I have seen it before…. The law design is very interesting but again because there is a batch of law cards that are fixed every game…it gets very repetitive…every game we start with child labour problem… Now as to difficulties, I actually find the game alright. Not saying it is a walk in the park, but in our first playthrough we just narrowly lost in the last round due to the final event. This is including the fact that in initial couple of rounds we hadn’t had much idea what was going on. So I say it’s ok the difficulties, very doable and we are now playing harder society. ;)

[@artsy0930]

Well done video, thanks

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

No problem 👍

[@Rampag394]

Great review, Luke! Although, I have to ask: what happened to your old review format using the acrostic? For me, I enjoy that more comprehensive analysis that considers each relevant aspect. That being said, you can't please everyone!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Took too long to do those ones and it made little to no difference in views. Certain parts also were much longer than others or others barely had any mention (I. E theme in a dry game). It's getting to a point where I can give enough detail without needing a lifetime to do each take, especially given many popular channels literally just switch on the camera and nothing else.

[@nunt2]

I went all in on Arkham Horror TCG just to find out that I really do NOT enjoy a game that beats me to the ground and then kicks me in the face... So this is a pass for me ^_^ Appreciate the honest reviews!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Ha ha you're welcome and yes AHLCG does not pull punches either!

[@shovahkais7671]

This boardgame adaptation is really good, after a couple of sessions it made me want to play the VG again. So maybe too good, to its own fault considering the setup. Luke, I don't know if you ever touched the subject, but maybe in one podcast you might share your thoughts: is there a limit to the detail a boardgame can implement before the benefits succumb to the overhead? For example I LOVE Gloomhaven and for some time I went to a friend's house to play, I was undecided if to buy it myself but the setup felt like a necessary sacrifice. Then "Boom" videogame, and it was suddenly heaven. Sure you loose the social aspect, but I would argue that there are plenty less fiddly games to sit around a table.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

So when you say too much detail, do you mean too much setup and overhead specifically?

[@shovahkais7671]

@@TheBrokenMeeple I mean that the more aspects in a game are realistically simulated or simulated in detail the more pieces, tokens and rules are usually necessary. Same if there is an abundance of mechanics. If this goes to or beyond a point where you feel a programm would be nice, then I would argue that you are "loosing fun". For example for complex war games, ISS Vanguard (and other awakened realms productions), Time stories, 7th continent, I always thought that they would do better as VG, at least in my perception.

[@PNG25]

I find the game in good price. I buy it , first setup about 1 hour+, read rules and try to learn 2+hours , watched videos , try to play, hate it aaaaand I just put in the box to sell. This game is more videogame rather boardgame in my opinion

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Shame, but it's a niche title for sure.

[@toottoot3344]

I've been tempted as being able to play it multiplayer is a benefit vs the computer game but I find it very difficult to justify the cost vs the computer game. Given that it is similar gameplay why would you buy this vs the computer game? Is it purely for the co-op element?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Physical presence and co-op element are good things. You do get a greater variety in the special events as well i feel.

[@kecajo5023]

My friend has a copy of Frostpunk. We played it last year and of course we lost. Today and yesterday I was thinking a lot about this game. I would love to add it to my collection and play it solo, but I am a little hesitant. I have a question. What would be your personal ranking of these games: Frostpunk, This War of Mine, Robinson Crusoe, Bloodborne?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Frostpunk > This War Of Mine >> Robinson Crusoe >>> Bloodborne

[@paulwhittingham691]

I’d love to see a video walkthrough of someone winning the introductory scenario (society 1) as I tried multiple times and just cannot see how it can be done.

[@GamingRulesVideos]

working on it :)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Give GR some time, he's got it in hand. No doubt I'll need some tips! :-)

[@ralfn9629]

Great review as always. I was soo afraid you would rate this more down after hearing your very valid negatives. But yeah, the theme and immersion into the story is great. I have yet to play a FULL solo-game, because it is a table hog, and I don't have too much space to leave the game out. The resource components (except for the trees, which are great) are too small on the board. But the Buildings look stunning; glad I went all-in. On the House-rules more starting resources would be better or less restrictions on how much you can pick up from the tiles.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I'm going to see how these Easy scenarios fare out, I hear they're on BGG now.

[@TheHexyBeast]

i love this game but its gonna be another few weeks before i feel ive played enough to review it although i dont remeber pauline grogan from the video game lol

[@iansutton7416]

Maybe Frostpunk is part TWOM and part robinson crusoe

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Certainly borrows from each!

[@sidneyleejohnson]

I guess you didn't get the "Ice Box" Which I predict I won't use one bit of... such a giant box, such a waste of space (until expansions arrive and then just maybe I'll consider it... but only if I can find a Frost Punk Sticker to put on the side to identify it). Just say no to non-descript box sides...Ugh.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Actually they did send me that as well, but I agree, it's not a necessary purchase. I am however using mine though despite its outer shell as it does hold everything in it and with some additional trays I've nicked from other games, it's a boost, but yeah, a farcry from what it should have been like.

[@nirszi]

All sounded good until you said how hard it is. I really don't enjoy these kind of games. I want to enjoy the experience, not be frustrated all the time.

[@loki665zx9]

There are EASY MODE Society cards created by the community (on BGG) and like it was said - it's easy to adjust the difficulty level if needed.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I'm going to see how these Easy scenarios fare out, I hear they're on BGG now. And like I said, you can tweak the setup as much as you like for your own enjoyment without fundamentally changing the game.

[@vlowolvtake1797]

What is the black token tray you have on the right?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

They are the trays that come with Ark Nova. But when I got a proper insert for that game I kept the trays aside and I found they did a good job here.

[@vlowolvtake1797]

@@TheBrokenMeeple How interesting! Probably not the best reason to get a game..."the insert might work for another game" or is it🤔 Thank you for the info👍

[@wheelskis]

Looks like a good game. Cheers.

[@jdober77]

I told my sons about this game about a year ago. They said they have seen it, I don't know if they played Frostpunk, but they did know the game. They did mention the game is very punishing. I said at the time, "I wonder if the game will be the same?" Well, here we are with your review. I'll have to tell them (my sons) to watch this review. I myself, don't know if I can handle a game that is very punishing. But I'd be interested in playing it, I don't see myself owning it. But, let me say this, my sons, the ones I told about this game, told me they backed on KS "Darkest Dungeon" and we have received it already. Now I never heard of this game and I played the intro to the game with them (simple and only took about 40 minutes). Not bad, but interesting. Have you heard of it? You might like it. It says 1-4 players, so there must be a solo mode. I asked if this played like the video game. They both said "kind of." I would be very interested in hearing what you would say. Thanks for the video.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Cool to hear, and I suspect if it was a year ago they were referring to the computer game which is pretty punishing as well!

[@TheHexyBeast]

ps i have never won and i had the game taught to me by adam kwapinski lol he just laughed as he watched me lose lol

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Nice, and cool you got a designer teach!

[@johnpanagos5835]

Thnx Luke. Easy pass

[@grassnibbler2026]

Big disappointment for me was the minis. For the amount they cost they sit unused because it's so hard to tell what is what. I know that the retail version won't have them but as a KS backer this did make me frown. The game itself is solid though.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah they look cool but if anyone asks if I recommend getting them, I'd say you can save some money and not lose out.