Inventions Evolution of Ideas Review: I'm Going Through Chainses

Chris and Wendy Yi take a look at Inventions: Evolution of Ideas by Vital Lacerda and Eagle Gryphon games, a game about human civilization's many important inventions. Notably missing are the shake-weight and the clapper.
Check out Great Tables, Games, & Bags at: www.allplay.com
Find Conventions, Merchandise, and Connect With Us: linktr.ee/dicetower
Dice Tower Amazon Storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/thedicetower
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
00:00 Intro
00:41 Overview Begins
01:22 Overview - Game Structure
02:22 Overview - Player Board
03:25 Overview - Map and Inventions
05:52 Overview - Action Spaces
08:08 Overview - End Game Scoring
08:50 Review
28:29 Final Thoughts
BGG Link: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3...
#dicetower #thedicetower

[@karloarciaga7084]

I am two plays into Inventions, and I think this game definitely hinges a bit more on an overarching, long term strategy. We see this a bit more with On Mars as well, but I think one of the hardest parts of this game is really tie your actions back to your strategy, which will likely be influenced on how to expand your personal player board.

[@modemacabre]

wow. I did not see that coming. When the KS launched I watched a couple of play throughs and thought this one just looked a step too far on *thinking around the corner* and didn't back. Plus, like you, I just did not see the theme coming through as strongly in Inventions as some other Lacerda games, in particular my favourite Lacerda game (foreshadowing). I would be happy to try this one, with the right people, because as you mentioned the opportunity for AP looks off the wall. My shock was in how much you liked this one after how much you did not care for ("DUH - duh - duhhhh," played ominously, cueing the major turn of the story) Weather Machine - a game that I adore. Currently it is my number four game of all time, maybe even three. Chris, we'll talk. Thanks guys for covering all these heavy games for the DT. I really appreciate the stuff you do, even when we must agree to disagree : )

[@bryanwinston8820]

I could see how you end up at 7, tho I like it quite a bit more than 7 myself (9). Seems fair. I could see it falling for me though because I feel there is a hitch in the giddy up here in that there is definitely a best path.

[@CareyMcDuff]

This is a really helpful review! To hear from two gamers who are familiar with LaCerda games is what we need to understand if this game works. It was amusing and engaging to hear your reactions to those little moments where the game tripped you up. We've all been there!

[@Noobwater]

Like Video Games having Ludonarrative, Board games have Mechanothematic

[@Maspital]

Sadly, the German localization is *atrocious*. I wanted to play it solo first before introducing it to friends, but the rulebook (especially the solo-rulebook) made the experience absolutely miserable. This wasn't an issue of complexity, this was an issue of a horrible rulebook - Voidfall, SI or Oathsworn are a breeze compared to this. I'll probably have to stay away from anything Skellig Games (the guys who messed this up) are involved in

[@stormburns]

The solo rulebook is actually not any worse than the English one to be honest. However the actual rulebook a whole different story. And if the base ruleset is ultra confusing then there is no chance that a haphazard solo rulebook will do anything but confuse even more

[@martinsonnleitner5516]

Skellig did great with a few games. Never had a problem with them..

[@ilqrd.6608]

Agreed!

[@DashyDino_is_back]

Great review. I personally would give it an 8 . Not up there with On Mars , Lisboa or Kanban EV but still a solid game. It was I’d say easier to understand than Weather machine which took me a few games to click. The teach as you said maybe harder than some of his other games. But overall it’s one that will stay in my collection.

[@halforange1]

I’d love to see a solo review of this. I’ve heard others think this is the best LaCerda game for solo.

[@thegillettefive]

Great review. I totally agree with your score.

[@markusbaumgartner9266]

This is the first solid 10 for me in a long time... the infinitely branching paths fascinate me a lot - I can see me playing this a 100 times. Just need to find a way to keep the interest at the game club up. :D

[@ferrum5]

I agree. It's a solid 10 for me

[@karloarciaga7084]

lacerda's recent releases (Inventions, Weather Machine) have been some of the least accessible lacerda games to jump into. However, you really see some clever twists here. I think Inventions is designed for Lacerdians. Kanban EV and The Gallerist still remain my two recommended intro games to Lacerda games.

[@uplift-yourdailypickup6424]

@chris and wendy - are there any Lacerda games you really like? I've only seen 6s and 7s for Lacerda games for you two.

[@thedicetower]

Just had several on our current Top 100 Games of All Time. Wendy's favorite is CO2 Second Chance, and mine are Escape Plan and On Mars. All of those are around a 9.

[@ziomalZparafii]

7/10 is way above middle score, so that sounds like a "good game".

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

6 is above average and 7 is good. What more you want?

[@Tenebyss]

Lacerda fanboys are the worst

[@RulebooksForYou]

@@TheBrokenMeeplemore more

[@bassmeo3937]

This game is over €150 if I'd buy it, which is honestly insane.

[@corrado8955]

This just the way of things for a subset of games these days. Thankfully there are still a ton of great games of all themes and weights available at lower price points. I can understand the frustration though if you really want to play a Lacerda. It’s not going to change anytime soon, so maybe just skip out on a few other games and get this if it is one that speaks to you.

[@bassmeo3937]

@@corrado8955 It's not a particular frustration, I'm just pointing out the price is ridiculous. Didn't knew this was the case for all Lacerda designed games.

[@corrado8955]

@@bassmeo3937 Gotcha. Yeah EGG goes for all the premium comonents and all that jazz. I think they’re were pretty good value overall when they were in the $100-$120 range but I am selective with the ones I have (Kanban, Escape Plan, On Mars). Haven’t purchased one in a good while but I still seem to find ways to spend that much or more on a bunch of KS or collectible games haha.

[@rachelandryan]

Weather Machine is my favourite Lacerda. I thought it had great thematic ties to the scientific process. This one doesn't interest me, looks, and themewise.

[@modemacabre]

Weather Machine is by far the most thematic game I have ever played about scientific research. remembering the rules is so much easier for me because of all the thematic tie-ins. Such an amazing game.

[@ilqrd.6608]

I think Weather Machine was the low point. I think this is much better but still nowhere close to his best games. At least we are on the way up again. At this rate his next game should be a solid 8/10 again!

[@klaus3856]

I’ll stick with Kanban EV, Lisboa, Vinhos & On Mars. All fantastic in their own ways.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Theres just not any theme to keep me engaged in this one (much like the previous Weather Machine which barely had a theme and even then not an interesting one) and the mechanics are nothing new or even that interesting (making patterns on your board for no reason except mechanics) . If you arent able to chain actions together you are playing significantly less game than others. I prefer his older stuff like Kanban, Vinhos, Lisboa and Gallerist, most of them had solid relatable themes,or settings. On Mars is also far heavier and more complicated.

[@JefferyHunt]

Weather Machine had great theme, it just wasn’t about the weather machine, but the theme was about academic publishing.

[@RulebooksForYou]

Yes, this game is "chaining the game".

[@jtt8886]

I agree the theme doesn't seem as approachable as The Gallerist or Kanban. An easy to digest theme is helpful in a game that is mechanically challenging. For instance, the map part just doesn't seem related to inventing.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

@@JefferyHunt But that was it, a small aspect of the whole package and even then, it's that really a theme that gets you engaged?

[@Kotro]

Yeah, original Vinhos is still my favourite Lacerda.