Hair Brained Games Review Charioteer (GMT Games)

We take a look at this chariot racing game for 2 to 6 players.
NOTE: You only inflict damage if you use 3 CARDS not 3 symbols. If you use 4 cards (because you used the Fan Card, too) then that is considered Major damage. Thanks to Todd for pointing that out.
** NOTE: On the first turn only, passing rival chariots cost no movement points. That's why the pink horse didn't need to spend an extra movement to pass blue on turn one. Any other turn, it would have.
*** NOTE: Todd also wrote a much better explanation of chariot passing than I explained in my video: "anytime you want to pass another chariot you need to spend movement points to get to the "inside" of that chariot before moving on. If, for example, you were pla game with lots of chariots and 3 of them were ahead of your chariot and those 3 were also 8 in the same space, then you would need to spend one move to move into that space then spend 3 more getting to the "inside" of that space before being able to move forward to the next forward space."

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

12/12/2022 - For those who mentioned a higher price point being prohibitive, there's a sale of the game today at Miniature Market. $50. www.miniaturemarket.com/gmt2202.html

[@NoEnemiesHere]

Timy, that was great! I needed this as I am going to be interviewing Matt Calkins very soon. Cheers

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Awesome! I can't wait to watch your interview with him!

[@LordBollocks]

Great stuff, thank you. Sekigahara is the other game the designer Matt Calkins is known for, which is also amazing.

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Thanks for the reply! Now that I've played this, it's reignited my interest in finding Sekigahara.

[@markpatoka]

Great review. I just rec'd my copy and we're hoping to play it with casual gamers over Thanksgiving. Also glad to hear you liked it with 2 players.

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Thanks! I'd love to hear how it went over Thanksgiving (and how you like it two players). I was reflecting on why I liked it two players versus other racing games. I think the one thing I dinged it for (the fact that damage was this murky global thing) actually helps two players because rather than have to be in proximity of chariots to do damage (which is pretty hard in a two player game if there's any appreciable distance), you can just build up your attack rating and try to slow down your opponent even if they're a ways ahead. Anyway, thanks for your comment!

[@keithshapley2298]

Excellent explanation of the game. Looking forward to get my UK delivery in Jan.

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Thanks! I think I've got it to the table at least 10 times since the review. It's just great for a casual crowd. Games are pretty tight and no one feels out of it. Let me know what you think come January! :)

[@borigodofo]

Thanks for the review and honest insights.

[@bgm-1961]

Given how 'Heat: Pedal to the Metal" also uses cards and hand management as the basis for its strategy, I wonder how the two games compare?

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Funny you should mention that, i have a review for Heat in the hopper. They have some similarity, but are also pretty different in *how* the hand management and card play operate...

[@bgm-1961]

@@hairbrainedgames3127 Awesome! I look forward to watching that review. I was wondering because if one enjoys racing games, but is also budgeting both their shelf space and wallet, and already own 'Heat', then are the two games different enough to justify owning both? Or are they similar enough in the experience they offer, that both vie for the same slot on the shelf? And of course, having a particular interest in each's subject matter is also a subjective factor which must be considered as well.

[@harryhill589]

@@hairbrainedgames3127 Nice review. One idea for a video would be to compare and contrast Heat to charioteer as I can't find any comment online (e.g. bgg) yet from someone who's done this even though both are new with relatively simple rules and are card based racing games. I'd find the comparison very useful because I can only afford to get one. Can I ask, which game do you think has more of a role in luck in determining the winner outcome, and of course, which one do you enjoy the most? Looking forward to your heat review 🙂

[@Eurodance_Groove]

I didn't understand the way colours and numbers or icons add up to form the number of spaces you will move the very turn you are playing ... May you explain me better that point?

[@jwspiker]

added to my wishlist

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Awesome!

[@rockhopper01]

I didn’t P500 this. However, your point about viability at 2 players might just hook me. The racing games we have (Thunder Alley, Grand Prix, Apocalypse Road, Flamme Rouge) are fun with enough people, but not for just 2 of us.

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Heya! Yeah, I would still love it at higher counts, but the way you pick how your move action goes, and the way you can pretty much try to stay in the fray at all player counts including two, really sets this apart. I was frankly quite surprised how much fun it is even at casual levels.

[@DoppelgangerF02]

greeaaat video! ty!

[@rbaynosa]

have you played heat? do you prefer this or heat?

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Heya, I did a video comparing the two somewhere on the channel, but the short answer is: Heat I give a slight edge two, but am glad to own both.

[@Tombonzo]

Thanks Tim! Ok, we’ll now I know how this compares to Chariots of Rome by VPG. Harder to come by it is, but it’s a hoot. Have you played it?

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Heya! I have not played Chariots of Rome, no. I looked it up and watched some reviews. Looks fun, it does something Charioteer doesn't which is to get deeper into the ways to attack and mess with people (something Charioteer tends to abstract more). Will definitely pick up a copy if I ever find it. Thanks as always!

[@cjanquart]

@@hairbrainedgames3127 It plays quickly, races aren't blow outs like in Circus Maximus and I helped Sean playtest it (The Cruel Lash was my contribution!)

[@xWilcoXx]

I found this game to be too random with quirky rules that don't thematically make sense to me. People were often not taking their turns correctly often missing bonus moves or penalties. There is better in the genre. Take it or leave it for me. I certainly wouldn't pay asking price for this one.

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Fair enough. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@martinhoffmann9269]

Liked your how-to-play demonstration, but the camera movement made me want to toss my cookies. I felt like I was playing a first-person shooter, and first-person shooters make me nauseous.

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Ouch, that's not good. I can try and experiment with stabilization, though it's probably a technique thing. I experimented awhile back with setting up a static cam (got a flexible camera holder for my phone I could attach to a shelf and hang over the table, but it didn't go over well because it was too hard to see the details on the table. I'm definitely no video expert. Sorry the swaying made you nauseous (I generally do okay with FPS's, except if the game has a lot of repeated textures, then for some reason it sets me off and I get sick. Like Wolfenstein 3D? Hurled like crazy. Doom? Fine. Star Wars Dark Forces? Hurled like crazy. Unreal Tournament? No problem. It was really weird.)

[@martinhoffmann9269]

@@hairbrainedgames3127 Well, I managed to make it to the end of the video, and it was a good overview of the game. I didn't actually toss my cookies, so all's well that ends well.

[@shatnershairpiece]

This game costs $80? That is absolute gouging for what you’re getting. This is ridiculously simple. They could have at least put some effort into the art design. What’s with that board? You can get a game like long shot for a third of the price, and have a better time with better artwork. I don’t understand GMT sometimes. On one hand they make these over complex games that no normal person can play or wants to play, and then they put out something overly simple like this which is the polar opposite. The price doesn’t change. You seem to like this game but based on what I saw here it looks incredibly boring, gameplay and artwork, as well as way overpriced. Sorry, dude, if your goal is to sell this game, you need to put some work into your presentation. You are not doing GMT any favours. I was on the fence until I saw this video and now I definitely won’t buy it.

[@darrenmcfadden1102]

Pffft. Anyone who's watched this guy knows he doesn't "sell" anything, doesn't care one whit about whether people like the presentation. He's been legit for years, that's what makes him different than the other *actual* shills out there. I'll take a real person like this guy over a laughable loser strumming his gee taaar on the streets and pretending to be all edgy any day of the week. (also, I'm buying it based on this review, so don't flatter yourself into thinking you matter to GMT or anybody else. The old "I'm not buying it, look at me, ma! I'm significant! Hey! I'm significant!" is such an old trope.)

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Hello. I would absolutely agree that are plenty of places to go for better presentations; this channel exists as a hobby and collaboration with a small and wonderful group of viewers. Not interested in subscriber counts or numbers (and I don't 'sell' people on games. Ever.) If I were, then yes, presentation improvements would most definitely need to be made. As for whether I do any game company favors or not, generally that's irrelevant. This is for my fun and amazing subscribers who (like me) buy all their games and want to exchange thoughts on what they play. I welcome their feedback and opinions, similar or contrary, when provided with the same civility and respectfulness I afford. Take care.

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

@darrenmcfadden1102 I appreciate the support as far as how I set up the channel and the vibe I'm aiming for, but please keep it civil, my friend.

[@jonathanauffarth5646]

I actually like the graphic design of this game. And I think this guy's presentation does a good job of giving us a look at the game. No frills and no thrills but serviceable.

[@hairbrainedgames3127]

Hey there! Thanks for your thoughts! Like you, I honestly like the graphic design, I know it's subdued and not exciting (especially seeing the vibrant maps from the other racing game that's come out recently (Heat). I like that this gives off the Ben Hur kind of feel in its art. As for presentation, thanks for understanding :). I think your term 'serviceable' is actually pretty apt description. Funny story, last year I offered my kids money to use their video editing skills from the high school class to beef my videos up. None of them are board gamers, though (which is fine), so it just didn't draw them in. I did switch to some new video editing software and have a guide book for it on my Christmas list. I still don't think I'll ever be all that great, though, my focus is just chatting about games and feedback from subscribers. The game's the thing. Anyway, thank you! Happy Holidays!