G.I. JOE Deck Building Game Review - with Tom Vasel

[@krahnjp]

You would think they would make sure the rulebook was clear, because obviously knowing (the rules) is half the battle.

[@ECluet]

I do not comment very often, even if I watch almost all dice tower’s videos. I just wanted to say that I do really like that your reviews are not all about mechanics and quality of the games but also about nostalgia, feeling and very subjective points of views. While being precise you take into account the people’s personalities and let your own shine through also. I suppose that’s one of the reasons your channel is the one about board games I enjoy the most. Thanks for that. (Oh and by the way: congratulations for your grand child. I hope the mother is well and that everyone is very happy !). Greetings from Paris.

[@Bebopvicious00]

Omg you made my day with the "Knowing is half the battle." Tribute. I still have all 60 of my Gi Joes from when i was a kid. Those rubber bands do not last forever. :)

[@sanderschippers2708]

You can buy new rubbers.

[@Bebopvicious00]

Yep, we have. My kids will play with them in the coming years as they grow.

[@ScytheNoire]

Wish this was a competitive Joe vs Cobra game in the lines of Star Wars Rebellion. I loved GI Joe as a kid, had lots of the toys, watched all the toons. Still have nostalgia for it.

[@sethgivens]

Yes! This would be awesome.

[@booze-a-palooza218]

In response to the rule book issue, I would recommend the Board Game Coffee how to play video.

[@sethgivens]

Agreed, that was a helpful how to play.

[@caryhomer5527]

After getting through the bad rulebook and correcting all the errors and questions, I really, relly enjoy this game. I keep coming back to it. The second mission has been very difficult and I love the ways you can up the difficulty. Great game IMO

[@gotfoo666]

Do you have any tips/advice for getting started? Are there any videos that you recommend watching?

[@sceif]

Both a Joe and deck building fan so thought I was going to be disappointed when I got this, I was not. The rulebook definitely needs work but once you get it down after a play through or two it's not that difficult. Ive played a game solo, with 2 and with 4 so far and while I won each time it has been on what was likely going to be the final turn every time as well so the game is nicely balanced from what I've seen. Roll manipulation is very key in the game without a doubt, I would have liked the dice to be 2 misses, 3 singles and 1 double and just up the needed successes here and there but overall a fun game and my group really enjoyed it.

[@mvenini]

Great review Tom loved it and I loved your Enthusiasm for GI Joe. The only question I have is why is luck such a negative in so many peoples games? I noticed a lot of reviewers but also commenters just don’t really like luck in games. I don’t really understand because sometimes things just don’t work your way and you have to figure how to pivot into a different strategy. It’s kind of how life works too. Sure you can try to mitigate the luck but sometimes it just comes down to the dice doesn’t roll your way and that makes which in turn makes it very thematic in games. But that’s just my opinion and I’m curious of what you and other people think about luck in games.

[@JumpmanJRH]

I agree 100%. I like some luck in games. That is why I normally lean more towards games with dice or some randomizer involved, it is a great leveler, so that everyone has a chance, and sometimes forces everyone to adapt. I have always said that I appreciate luck in games because it reflects the imperfect world around us more closely. You just cannot account for every variable no matter how hard you try, and it brings excitement and surprise that leads to amazing stories and memories.

[@manuelkooijman5757]

Wow, did not expect that. I have seen other reviews and was convinced that you would only find it OK, so seeing it getting a Seal of Approval was a surprise. As an 80s kid myself I did play with the GI Joe figurines so I think I will enjoy it. Time to hunt it down.

[@oneanotherstudios]

I agree with your assessment. I really like game, mostly because I really like G.I. Joe. I nearly gave up on it too quick, though, because as you say the rulebook is atrocious for what should be a rather easy set of instructions.

[@peteshirey9816]

I am hoping the new expansion coming out this summer adds some more mitigation of the dice. I enjoyed this also and looking forward to more! Rulebook is a tough read, hopefully they redo it in one of the future expansions!!!!

[@PatrickBrophy]

I was hoping Tom would say the thing and he didn’t disappoint.

[@victorhohnberger151]

I do like the cards you buy go on top of your deck! And able to use them for your next hand. Yes, a G. I. Joe gran too!

[@vonwoolf9963]

Is it relevant to make a comparision with the game Venom assault? Both deckbuilding game and dice.

[@donaldhouf8377]

My big issue with the game (which I really really enjoy) was that there did not seem to be a lot of ways to cull cards in your deck. I’m really hoping that the expansions help with this.

[@JhoffDJ.]

I think this game is unique in that instead of culling you should be very careful what you buy to not bloat your deck. And don’t forget - retiring those starter joes is a great way to cull.

[@TheRealEagleMan]

You can get rid of your starting GI cards really easily. Just trash them after a successful mission (but you don’t get their buying power for that phase).

[@Nerdahedron]

Totally agree about the rulebook. Everyone says. Not sure why Renegade hasn't issued a corrected version on PDF yet. I must have played Solo 20 times incorrectly. I think I get it now, and it's easier than when I was goofing it up. Once you know how to play it feels pretty good.

[@jacobhawk9311]

Tom: "And knowing is half the battle" I lost it

[@BLDTHEGAMER]

I love this game Tom. Please try venom assault when you get a chance. Maybe even do a comparison type video. I think you'll like it.

[@dannynova3412]

The artwork looks pretty great

[@matthewnew13]

All rulebooks should have a QR code that goes to a how to play video.

[@CharlesHepburn2]

Knowing is half the battle... the other half is violence. I had a tshirt with that slogan on it way back in the day.

[@sanderschippers2708]

As a G.I. Joe fan it is certainly one to keep.

[@classicalteacher]

Cartoons haven't held up? No way. The PSAs are even better. PORK CHOP SANDWICHES!

[@joshfrench5858]

I had never heard of pork chop sandwiches until my brother showed me while we were figuring out how to play.

[@Biodroid85]

Can you play with Cobra? Or is it only with Joe's?

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

And knowing is half the battle!

[@Keldroc]

"Hey it's what we got. Deckbuilding game." - Tom Vasel There's your box quote, Renegade

[@Houjixful]

let's be honest, they need to make a dbz deckbuilder where you find all 7 dragonballs in the different piles

[@supercommando440]

I’m still on the fence. I absolutely hate spending time on bgg trying to figure out how to play a game due to a poor rulebook. I heard Renegade was working on a fix but no news on that yet. Until they produce an upgraded rulebook that we can download, I’m not touching this one.

[@captaincanuck6738]

I miss this format of the dice tower

[@benleague3115]

The rule book for Transformers (same series) really was very difficult for us to understand.

[@JL-ku7wo]

But once you get through it, the game is awesome! Just have to watch some videos and read the rule clarification on bgg.

[@benleague3115]

@@JL-ku7wo I agree

[@TheRealEagleMan]

TF is a complex game and you definitely have to power through the whole rulebook BEFORE trying to play. I heard a lot of criticism of the rules from people trying to learn as they go, but it’s just not one of those kinds of games. It does have some organizational choices I don’t agree with, but everything is clearly written in there, unlike this one.

[@AdamWhitehead111]

Bah, I can't do a solo snakeyes deck? I'm out. Knowing may be half the battle, but the other half is extreme violence.

[@randomrickreviewsrrr4662]

I wanted to like this game. Played it with 2 players and it just wasn't much fun with dice, deck getting flooded where you barely see your JOE that you picked. A lot of extra moving parts for kind of no reason. Art looked cool but missed the FEEL of being a character from GI JOE. You should REALLY try before you buy this one glad I did so I saved some money.

[@PizzaShoes]

Y'all should do the transformers deck building game next there a expansion coming out soon

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

Go, Joe!

[@westcoastavengers1]

Matt Hydra did not make GI Joe Deck Building.

[@photogijoehero]

I think you caught my thoughts too! It was fun, but that stupid rulebook!

[@Minnesota_Central]

Just bought my copy yesterday I'm a huuuuuuge GIJOE fan and almost wet myself when I saw this in store. I loved the action figures as a kid. Buuuut the show has not aged well. And the live action movies were really bad. And even the video games have been huge misses. Sadly to say all this caused me to drift away from the franchise altogether.... So I really hope this card game can finally do something good for the franchise, and bring me back in.

[@ShaadowKnight]

Well done. Knowing is half the battle. Hahaha

[@wieslawgawron3838]

I'm not some G.i.Joe fan but this game is much more themed to me than similar Transformers Dbg

[@TheRealEagleMan]

I’m not sure what you mean by “similar.” The TF and Joe deck builders are totally different from each other. But I also think that they each represent their themes well. In TF, I drive around the field looking for Decepticons, and I battle them, transforming several times along the way. Super fun! And in Joe I want to rally the troops and go on mission with the cool vehicles, and I totally get that! Also super fun! The themes in both are excellent and convey the IP very well.

[@wieslawgawron3838]

@@TheRealEagleMan I mean "similar" like a similar game series. I play both games (i play Transformers dbg even more) and i like both too, but i feel much more theme in J.I.J

[@TerrierHalo]

I don’t remember the cartoon at all really but the comic have some issues still sticking out. I’m undecided because of the rule book though.

[@fearanarchy]

I have heard from others they still prefer Venom Assault over this for the GI Joe fix

[@MrB5fan]

Renegade did even worse with their rules for the Transformers DBG. I liked GI Joe far more though

[@limitbreak84]

Rulebook is awful. But I really like this game! Even if I keep losing. Lol

[@joshfrench5858]

Ok I thought it was just me and my brother that were having a hard time with rule book/play.

[@TheErnieforss]

Man i think this game one of best co-op games. Just because we all can be like lets all go on a group mission right now and everyone can contruibute.

[@pfcravt]

I have enjoyed Power Rangers and Transformers. Also, most properties arent about deck building. Dumb criticism, Tom. Lol

[@wrath231]

Tom is indeed a flawed human being. I still don't understand why he doesn't like HP Lovecraft or the Aliens franchise more.

[@PestiferousJoe]

Recommended for Solo...Tom your scaring us.

[@chrisc1625]

I love this game! Yes, the rulebook is terrible. Once you get past the rulebook though, the game is a gem.

[@kcsnipes]

this helped me not want to get this, as much as i loved gijoe this is too much for me to be bothered, appreciate the content

[@Draffut2003]

"I like it best solo" Imagine Tom saying that 8 years ago.

[@JusticeSeeker19]

The game is great! Hidden Gem - the RULEBOOK SUCKS!!!!! One of my favorite solo games.

[@Khanheir]

I couldn’t get through that rule book. Not only was is ambiguous, it is missing rules. So sad because I want to play.

[@westcoastavengers1]

I really like GI Joe Deck Building. I hate the rulebook. It's poorly written. Renegade needs external editors.

[@marcodavinci3150]

Wish the art from was the original cartoon and not the comic!

[@markwilliamson3043]

I'm from the Scotland and hate GI Joe. Was never interested in the cartoon, was more for the USA audience. However inwarched a few vids of this and bought it as I like the mechanics. Still hate the IP, but its a great deck builder