ISS Vanguard - first look │unboxing

[@rcantero1]

can we just take a moment to appreciate jonna's unwavering capacity for telling eager developers (to their face no less) what she immediately dislikes about their latest project? much respect to you!!! ✊🏼

[@HamoodyDarbaDoody]

Absolutely, even something as minor as like the glaring white of the card container on the table not being very pretty. Its something minor, and even understanding budget is a thing, mentioning that it stands out against the rest of the pretty colors and components is important

[@Venturello]

This looks INCREDIBLE!! Awaken Realms you show so much dedication and passion and commitment to making your games be amazing, incredible how you went beyond the campaign!! The art looks gorgeous. Really looking forward seeing how the gameplay feels to me. Loved how you tried something different. Excellent you had Paul helping with rulebook. Overall looks like another masterpiece. Congratulations!

[@druzzt9872]

Great work! Everything really looks amazing, well done in this game! Can't wait for 2024 when I get the LANG edition first wave!

[@antoniofernandezmateos836]

2024? Only one year after the ww3? Sorry but no, we must wait 2 more years after the war for those bright dice. Looks amazing!

[@cetx]

I'm kicking myself for missing this kickstarter. This looks so amazing!

[@Razziel1977]

Late pledge has been reopened. So now, it is your opportunity.

[@cetx]

@@Razziel1977 Thank you!

[@athanasiospetsas9367]

OMG the group members' art is awesome! I mean everything is great, no doubt about that! Can't wait to get it! :)

[@zero66616]

I love space, and I love board games. I had considered backing this. Now I wish I had

[@richardjimenez511]

Glad I went all in. Can't wait to get my hands on those minis

[@michellewilcox4724]

Wow. It looks amazing 👏 I love those sun drop miniatures and I'm loving how many cards there are! And sooo exited for that personal files expansion! I just love a complex, story driven, sand box-type campaign board game. Bravo, AH!! Bravo!! 👏👏👏

[@Nature-Nugget.]

Yeah! Stoked Thanks for the ride. First time Awaken Realms backer.

[@eastargamemanufacturing6914]

Thanks for the presentation, almost all components are covered and very clear. 🥰

[@arcubal]

Marcin and AR team, congrats on a job well done. It's been a long road to travel down, like you said, amidst a global pandemic and shipping crisis etc. All that effort and creativity is really appreciated. As well as to On Table for showcasing the components beautifully - as we are now used to. Simply stunning. I would be amiss if I didn't balance out the pros & cons in a 'the good, the bad & the ugly' kind of a way, but let's do it thematically as a 'Stellar!' and a 'Black Hole...' fashion: *Stellar!* + The Theme. I know Marcin had been wanting to do a Lost in Space/Star Trek game for a long time and now it's here in all of its glory. I may be more of a fantasy fan but even I can appreciate the beauty of a sci-fi game done well. Tainted Grail and Etherfields have a definite equal in ISS Vanguard. + Visuals/Art. Along with the theme comes the story that is told through the art. Simply majestic, so it's appropriate to have posters showcase these gorgeous illustrations. ISSV has come a long way since Nemesis (which in itself was evocative albeit dark) + Cards. I agree, Awaken Realms IS more of a 'card company' than a 'minis' one ;-) Looking at my collection of AR games, I can't help but feel the weight of all those narrative-rich decks. Marcin, your team does story extremely well, whether it's in books or cards but the cards definitely maximize the elasticity of gameplay around the story elements. And the stock? Awesome. (hon. mentions) The Card trays are well done! Removable and strong with tabs to go along with them. Also the mats look sharp and bright, exactly what you want from a 'first mission' sci-fi setting. Excellent UX product design, my friend. Keep the innovation going! *Black Hole...* - Accountant gameplay. I can't escape the feeling that ISS Vanguard feels like a lot of bookkeeping. As if you're keeping track of all the inventory, effects and rules more so than having an adventure. The binder, although innovative, still screams 'work' especially with an additional 48 page rulebook, more tab pages and booklets...it looks unnecessarily verbose and not in a positive story/narrative kind of way. At its worse, it looks...not fun. - Rainbow Sundrop. This is more personal but I don't particularly think the new Sundrop colours look good. The metallic/pastel combos look... off somehow. Normally I'm quite impressed with ARs Sundrop but now, I'm rather happy I'm only getting the Core box minis and unpainted to boot. - Dice. Sigh. They are still very disappointing. I think next time, it would be much better PR/Marketing-wise to NOT show 'over the top' materials in your prototype. ISSV never recovered from the (understandably) drop in material appearance due to material concerns. To charge people extra for upgrading the dice is already disappointing but not even the deluxified dice look great imo. (dishon. mention) The minis look a little less sharp than previous games. The transparent plastics look muted/dull and the ships a bit uninspired. They also stand out (in a bad way) when compared to the 'tightness' of the boards, cards, binder and even the mats. More and more, I believe acrylic standees would've been a much better option in this case, both to showcase the art as well as the tactile feel and visual presence of clear, shiny plastic on the table. Conclusions (for now) Gameplay aside (as we still have to try it of course), I feel the visual presentation is a mixed bag. Awaken Realms is doing innovative stuff but there are also some pitfalls to be aware off in terms of material/product design. This affects the UX and thematic immersion of the game. Nemesis, Tainted Grail and Etherfields all benefitted from the 'raw' visual style and component material and colouring choices, but ISS Vanguard could have been more 'neat'. The Sundrop and dice are the strongest detractors here, with the sheer amount of 'paperwork' being a close second. Still, the art is on point and strong, as are the cards and packaging (the tabs and rebox instructions being nifty improvements). I see great things in the future and can't wait to see what comes next with Awaken Realms. Thanks to On Table as well!

[@taylorlovell3072]

It looks great! I'm so excited.

[@mpaice]

Well done AR!

[@GClubChannel]

I'm so excited for this!!!

[@atillakarman9298]

I can't wait to have it and start painting and star playing!

[@edwindrood2816]

Can't wait! So glad I backed it.

[@chinauzer41]

Looks fantastic

[@sebastiang.5032]

This looks amazing! ISS Vanguard is the next game I'm looking forward to once Oathsworn arrives. Can't wait to play! Will the 'unorthodox box' fit into a Kallax shelf?

[@Archaoen]

My favorite dungeon crawl game is Descent 1st edition.

[@pietjehans206]

Damn she's fast changing nail polish!

[@Berndr]

it looks stunning I hope the gameplay is not disappointing...

[@leito29995]

Quality unboxing

[@CzarKasm1969]

Wow, that is a TON of cards! Are they all going to fit back into the insert once sleeved?

[@patrykkuczynski9805]

I don't think so

[@CzarKasm1969]

@@patrykkuczynski9805 That would be disappointing. All that effort for something that doesn't work for a good portion of backers.

[@patrykkuczynski9805]

@@CzarKasm1969 maybe 50 microns sleeves or thiner will fit it. But honestly I'm a fan of 90 microns sleeves, so I'm sure for 99%, that there won't be enough space for all cards with that type of sleeves

[@CzarKasm1969]

@@patrykkuczynski9805 I'm currently into using regular SleeveKings, which are 60 microns. I guess I'll find out when I get it.

[@boardgamedungeon432]

If you backed the sleeves bundles then you usually get a separate box which contains the sleeves which you can used for the sleeves cards instead

[@danlukes4171]

"Budget, high quality, budget, very high quality, budget ..." I really enjoy how Janna doesn't pretend to be exited fo this boring maintanace exercise.

[@oliverlam5208]

I need this! When do we get another chance to back this?

[@thewarpandrealms9889]

Thanks for the fab vid!

[@revol40]

Looking forward to get this game. When is the new gameplay? Really curious how things are now.

[@trepanator6]

Impressive.

[@athanasiospetsas9367]

The prototype had a really cool white die! Is this removed??

[@michellewilcox4724]

Is there anymore Iss Vanguard content in the works? 🙃🙏🤞

[@schoolboyN]

where i put my sleeved cards?

[@vmlevchuk]

Nice. Greeting from Ukraine. Game looks very nice, but i think its too big... i think take too much time for start as well, too many feedling and downtime e.t.c. But looks great i agree

[@usaghy1O]

any chance tat this games came in buy in game shops?

[@BreezingThrou]

Much like Nemesis this will likely have retail version (core box) around Sept Oct. May want to see about pre ordering if you want more, or LFGS will be ordering

[@diamondmeeple]

You got a single sister? 🙂

[@ontableboardgames1087]

No, I don't have :) but I would like to have :)

[@lastresort554]

Breedable thank you.