Kemet: Blood and Sand Review - with Tom Vasel

Tom Vasel takes a look at the new edition of Kemet!
Intro 0:00
Overview 1:10
Final Thoughts 10:55
Support The Dice Tower at www.dicetowerkickstarter.com
Support the channel by becoming a member!
/ @thedicetower
Subscribe to our newsletter, "The Dice Tower Digest": dicetowerdigest.com
Check out the friendliest conventions on Earth!
Dice Tower Cruise - www.dicetowercruise.com (Q1 2022)
Dice Tower West - www.dicetowerwest.com (Q1 2022)
Dice Tower East - www.dicetowereast.com (Summer 2022)
Dice Tower Retreat - www.dicetowerretreat.com (September 8-12, 2021)
Buy great games at www.GameNerdz.com
Find more reviews and videos at www.dicetower.com
Get a great game table here! www.rathskellers.com/
BGG Link: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2...

[@gabtrat9091]

One of the few Kickstarters I not only got but went all-in on. Love seeing Tom's enthusiasm for it!

[@danielpettipas2714]

The subtitles read “there are a lot of reasons I love Kevin”. Who’s Kevin!

[@kevinshoemaker2393]

Me! Maybe.

[@MrPorko2c]

@@kevinshoemaker2393 No, it’s me. I’ll fight you!

[@timymax]

A better question is why you have subtitles on

[@MattCrawley_Music]

@@timymax maybe he’s hard at hearing, or he’s in a noisy place?

[@TheKevlol]

Could be me aswell

[@Grimscribe732]

I can't believe I did not know this existed until now. I freaking love the original Kemet, easily one of my all-time top five. I know what I'm going to buy today.

[@miguelpaoloantonio5806]

Love this game, and loved the enthusiasm from Tom!

[@ShadowedSaintTV]

I have played the first printing for this game once. I do not really remember it, but Tom's enthusiasm makes me want to try this updated edition. You did a great job expressing how much you like this game!

[@Clappincardboard]

I’ve had this one for a while and it’s def up there with my fav dudes on a map games. Looking forward to seeing the comparison video and the green expansion one as well.

[@PatrickBrophy]

My all-time favorite game. I just got my KS copy in earlier this week. Those trays are so nice. They definitely obsoleted the coin collecting plastic sleeves. Can’t wait to play this new version and see the improvements.

[@grog3514]

Since its your favorite, can you expain to me how its not broken? I played it for the first time tonight. I chose to start with 2 black pyramid and one white to get the prayer discount. But I played first so I picked a starting tile last. The two prayer discount tiles got taken first so then I had little to choose from. I wanted to keep building up the temples I chose, but because I didn't get the discount, I lost out on the dedicated building discount and then I was way behind so i went to black and I couldn't build up enough to get the beasts before other people grabbed them. I felt like I didn't get to do anything I wanted the entire game. I think I actually hate the game now. It was awful just watching people do things they wanted while I would just build up and being left to grab my 2nd or 3rd choice EVERY time. It was super frustrating.

[@Spandau-Filet]

You are bang on about the board Tom. I got the max level pledge with the neoprene mat and it still looks like a photo copy

[@conanross]

My tastes are very inline with Tom’s. Sometimes, I hate going in on Kickstarter’s not knowing how Tom will like it. I step out on a limb when I do. But when I find out that an unplayed Kickstarter sitting on my shelf is something he LOOOOOOOVES!, I sigh a sigh of relief knowing full well I’ll like it too!

[@tonybowers9490]

I backed the KS and mine just shipped. Excited!

[@Andy-td4sj]

Just one error: when you recall units after a battle, you get back X-1 prayer points for X units

[@stevenjudd2383]

I loved the original and backed this edition. I think I preferred the D4 pyramids in the first one, though.

[@JZiLLADragon]

Tom, how do you feel about the technology trees in Kemet? 16:23

[@JasonSmithPsychedelicTherapist]

Lately every game, and I mean EVERY game Tom recommends that I try, I love. It's weird. Apparently we have have very similar tastes. This of course, means I'll have to get Kemet some day... ug.... Another game to get! But if it's as good as he says, and I just haven't seen him be wrong in regards to my own personal tastes, I must get this!

[@mckeoncrawford9262]

So how was it?

[@wolvz7081]

Been eagerly awaiting for this review. 👍

[@jonazo7188]

Tom's enthusiasm is so infectious.

[@tominatorxx]

Backed the Kickstarter and played my first game a couple weeks ago. I've already fallen in love with it. I do agree though that the first game feels quite overwhelming (especially since the rulebook isn't perfect imo which leads to some confusion), but man the tech tree, the excellent combat, interesting movement and the back and forth nature of players earning victory points is both tense and feels so satisfying for everyone involved. Our first (3 player) game took way longer than 90 minutes (mostly because I had to explain the rules, nobody was familiar with the tiles,...) but we had a lot of fun. Great game. That being said if you have the original, I think you can safely hold on to that. The advantages of this one are: - The 5 player aids (instead of 1 in the original). But that's easy to fix by copying the one booklet of the original. - Tile trays are really nice (there's even a 5th one in case you would buy the expansion later on) - This one has what many players seem to call the best parts of the first expansion (the black pyramids). - Improved component qualities (though the original seemed to have very solid components as well so...) - And maybe the art. I personally like the art of this one more, but at the same time there are people who prefer the original. So that's something you should decide yourself.

[@elementxc]

As a previous owner of the original and a current owner of the KS edition, I couldn't agree more. I'd like to add that the pyramids minis are better from a usability standpoint and provide a satisfying amount of tactility when you upgrade. - The rebalanced tiles are great too (I don't miss that fiddly red level 4 initiative tile). - I can take or leave the new map redesign. I like the new artwork (the obelisk minis are a nice touch), but I find that the storm tiles to block off districts to be a little goofy and low quality. I just wish that the rule book was better written with additional errata after all this time. I had to constantly lookup BGG for edge cases during my first play through. A solid 9/10 for me.

[@tominatorxx]

@@elementxc So we give it the same score atm :) You're right the tactility of the pyramids is great. I absolutely love them! And from what I've seen of the older version in review videos, one major advantage is the black pyramid. Those D4s looked really difficult to read in the original version. And I'm personally ok with the redesign of the map as well (in terms of looks), but yeah the sandstorm tiles are not that great looking imo. I feel like that could have been done better. And yeah the rulebook like I mentioned caused some confusion for us first time players. Stuff like the usage of the gold token on a tile for instance. It feels like the translation is a bit off and that's something that happens a few times in the rules. I have the game in English specifically because I wanted to prevent "unclear" rules which often is the case with Dutch (my native language) translations. But unfortunately the French to English translation isn't perfect either. Also something which I did found kind of baffling is that there's not an overview of the components (with visuals). That made the first time setup quite confusing and lenghty for us.

[@grantrichards971]

I can't find those card display trays anywhere. Help!

[@MichaelB-jw5po]

I actually prefer the huge d4's over these plastic pyramids. I like the art on the old board better too.

[@gottimighty]

Where can I find the power tile trays? I've seen multiple storage solutions but haven't found anyone selling this particular set of trays. Please help!!

[@nicholasszegedi7467]

Yeah, its one of our fav games to play too! About 3 or 4 years ago, my twin brother and I played with you at the Board gaming Convention here in Las Vegas (before Dice Tower west).. we had a blast! (You were such a good sport, even though I believe we ganged up on you a bit!)- yes, I raced to get the Giant scorpion too! 😆 Anyways... Fun, Fun game and this new version is a great addition to my collection even though I have the original as well! Tom, hope we will get a chance to play again in the near future at a Dice Tower West convention some day!!! ;-) ... and who knows maybe one Day we can play against Sam in Blood Rage again even though he smoked us!

[@AEGISDEFENSE]

Am I the only one that likes the cleaner look of this version? I like the pyramids too.

[@PatrickWDunne]

Where can I get those amazing trays?

[@craigrobinson7722]

REQUEST: Please do a 4 player play through that includes Book of the Dead!

[@justinm993]

Will this have a retail release?

[@shawncharney8096]

To clarify....Four of those awesome Tile trays ARE included in the Retail edition...the Kickstarter edition has a 5th tray to use with the Book of the Dead expansion.

[@t.b.1568]

Tom could you tell us what you would prefer for 2 players over Kemet?

[@DeadHyena]

They also added the veteran points system for the defenders and losers of battles.

[@LegoAssassin098]

I've never played kemet, but it looks fun!

[@PMMagro]

It is! I have teh first version and that is great fun. No 5 turns build up and 8 h sessions. It's a race from turn one.

[@erikgoddard4570]

Kemet is a good time! I agree with Tom, 5 players is too much! \

[@LedBallons86]

Tom, where did you get the tech tree trays, please?

[@yannisguerra]

They come with the game, a certain kickstarter level

[@Slyfox1775]

Wont come in retail

[@LedBallons86]

Oh well! I'll settle for coin sleeves!

[@namelessfire]

You know Tom loves it when he goes, "MmmmMmmMmMm"

[@aleksds4704]

Подписываюсь под каждым словом, это невероятная игра! Одна из моих любимых)

[@VorpalGreatSword]

Waiting on my veteran upgrade pack to come in! The new board looks almost like clip art, so I won't feel an Fomo with my old board.

[@BarryDoubletBoardGames]

And then there's the great official soundtrack/soundscape that is free to stream while you play (wink wink)

[@EzrealLux]

thanks!

[@RadishTheFool]

It's a super cool new edition, and I like that they added in one of the expansions. But I'm not tempted at all to upgrade from my first edition. That one still holds up so well.

[@MichaelB-jw5po]

I agree. This looks cool but I see no reason to upgrade when I already have the first edition with Ta-Seti.

[@ddolgov]

Doesn't the replayability suffer because the tech tiles are always the same (except with different player counts)?

[@andydominguez1687]

I don’t think so. Yes, they are the same, but there’s a lot of them and everyone has access to them. If you’re playing with the same group and you keep winning with the same strategy, it should be easy enough for the group to make sure that that doesn’t keep happening by strategically keeping those tiles away from you.

[@bardsamok9221]

Is there no way to use the cyclades creature crossover with the new game? Why is this, is it the size of the b&s creatures or something else?

[@goranmajnaric556]

You dont have to use covers on map for missing players. When you play 2 players just play whit half a board And in 4+ players whit whole board. It doesnt affect or change gameplay by any means. You can also choose in which district you wanna play it doesnt affect anything. All tile max distance is same which is 3 space at, and 4 space to other player base.

[@Punko1969]

Man, I heard about this when it was being funded and forgot all about it. I definitely would have backed it.

[@seansanders5959]

It seems like the tech colors parallel the mana colors in Magic the Gathering

[@tommyakesson8858]

I own the original. I kickstarted this version. No regrets. I was thinking about buying the expansions anyway.

[@amunt3r]

It's a pity most of the mid sized boards are bent slightly

[@andraslibal]

I am sold on it. Whoo hoo. Is there a 6th player expansion?

[@FernandoCanoG]

Mechanically I love Kemet, but with this new edition i think the artwork and map design and graphics leave a lot to be desired. I believe Matagot could've done a better job in that department. Good game tho....

[@joshrumble7467]

Every time Tom bumps the board and causes it to spin thanks to the warp...🙈

[@Marinealver]

I prefer the 4 sided Dice to pyramids.

[@AJ-nc4vr]

I pledged a quid, and never completed backerkit... sucks to be me :| Enjoy backers! Looks mint!

[@AltarenGalil]

same thing here, also did that with Nemesis (the second one whatever its called) and i wouldve increased to a full pledge but Atlantis Rising just launched or got announced and i decided to budget towards that. I still think that was a better choice but man does Kemet look good. Maybe i can find it at retail for not too much more.

[@stevepaltrineri7956]

That board is giving me vertigo :)

[@LeeroyPorkins]

Maybe they'll revise Cyclades

[@dnaseb9214]

I prefer the first edition I already have. To me this one feels like the components and art are not as great.

[@jenius00]

Haven't watched the comparison video yet. I've never played either. But I've seen reviews of both and so far I feel like maybe I should have picked up the original while it was still in print. On the other hand, it'd still be sitting in shrink wrap now so it really doesn't matter.

[@dnaseb9214]

@@jenius00 Buy this 1, it has the first expansion already in

[@tommyakesson8858]

Except for the lack of dual-sided map the compontents are better imho. Duallayer playerboards and nicere minies go a long way.

[@rb4551]

Never played this one but one thing I always wonder with battle systems like that that are more or less rock paper scissors is that it becomes a luck fest which we try to see as "mindgames" but really, you pick something and you hope it was the counter to what the opponent picked. Not much different than heads or tail. So for those that played, do you find that part offputting?

[@adamkenney6932]

I've not played the game, but I assume it's only a luck fest if all else is equal. My guess is that depending on what your goal is with a battle, how many units you have, what makes sense in conjunction with your abilities, and other variable factors, you'll choose cards based on what makes the most sense, especially when considering your opponent's relevant factors. I think that a player could still be playing a bit of a guessing game, but there's a lot more strategic foundation that goes into that decision. It's kind of a tension that gets created by the combination of predicting card play and playing towards your goals, which I think makes for an interesting system.

[@PatrickBrophy]

The battle system is far more than just the cards you play during a skirmish. Your upgrade cards and overall strategy will play a big role in how you set up for offense or defense. But also where your are fighting and if your goal is to really try and keep the area long or short term.

[@MichaelM-ev9ek]

The boards look a bit warped and uneven, which is weird, considering the game is brand new.

[@OrdemDoGraveto]

I always play it with exactly 5 players, and i think thats the optimal player number.

[@vikingcathq]

14:00

[@ScytheNoire]

The production quality seems a bit lacking, which is a shame for such a highly rated game.

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

I actually disagree...I don’t think on video does it justice. A lot of it is quite nice from a production standpoint and I actually really like the board. I just wish it was modular for when you play with lesser player counts. Would have been nice to be able to remove half the board when playing 3 players and definitely would have helped with table space.

[@zippystar]

I love Kemet, one of my favourite game... hate the game board, new balancing changes are quite good. biggest issue with the game... (involuntary) kingmaking... the person in 2nd place almost always wins...

[@twdpepper6012]

What a Shame about that board. Could have been a top tier production. What are everyone's thoughts on Kemet for two players? I almost only play 2p, and am very interested in the game.

[@jamesmccarthy962]

Played it 2 player twice it Is very good, hyper focused but not constantly intense there is just the right amount of divide between cold War time building up your forces and preparing/waiting for the attack and then the big assault moments which are impactful but short and you can recover from them. One battle never wins the war which is great :)

[@twdpepper6012]

@@jamesmccarthy962 Ooh, That sounds good! Thank you! Or maybe I shouldn't be thanking you, I am now one step closer to buying yet another big expensive game. Eh, what's one more? :D

[@jamesmccarthy962]

Fair It is expensive though the pieces are high quality. I have the older version though not this new resin, I think the old one looks better so look into the art style before buying

[@twdpepper6012]

@@jamesmccarthy962 Will do. I do prefer the original board. Everything else seems pretty even, though. Will have to look around and compare prices. Thank you for your input!

[@bricelory9534]

In all honesty, I wasn't the most keen on Kemet after my first play. The card-based combat wasn't the most compelling, and I am not really sure why the tech is so exciting here when many games have mechanics for assymetry and upgrading your forces. It wasn't bad by any means - decently enjoyable - it just didn't stand out to me from other games.

[@cartergreen2309]

Same. I sold my copy ages ago

[@aeidein]

Wonder what other games you like that have better room for asymmetry, upgrading, tech trees, etc?

[@bricelory9534]

@@aeidein for dudes on a map, I find Cry Havoc (no tech trees/upgrades specifically) and Blood Rage more engaging, I am excited for Ankh but haven't had a chance to try it, so it could flop for me as well. I also preferred Small World for it's simplicity. Rising Sun is one of my favorites - it's very different, for sure, but I love how it all fits together. Same with Scythe, which barely is comparable but has some elements similar. That being said, I'm open to trying it again, I just have a harder time seeing what it is that makes this one so special. It may be that I just didn't like its pacing as much, or I didn't find its combat that inspiring, I am not sure. I know I'm personally not as interested in its points system for whatever reason - I really don't have a clear reason why, I just didn't really like it as much, personally. To be clear, I don't really see anything explicitly bad or wrong about Kemet that would make me question why anyone likes it, it's just that my experience with it wasn't as an entrhalling game for me as Tom finds it. Looking at most my other games I mentioned, it may be because it felt like it was solely about the fights (from what I remember), and I seem to prefer to also have other things you can try to focus on: buildings, alternative victory paths (if you consider Loki strat alternative), secondary area control in Rising Sun's Shinto, etc. Each game here does handle assymetry in different ways but all, outside Small World, do have a similar feel of upgrading your forces in distinct and sometimes game-shattering ways. Also, I forgot I love Root though I don't get it to the table much, and I am very excited to try Oath, which is a much different game but conceptually has a similar genre. For that one especially I am excited to see how its cards lead to wildly different factions and powers. I think that was some of it for Kemet, it's techs weren't hugely interesting to me, as many (if I recall) were +1 on one of the combat stats, or like Tom mentioned just a point, which is clearly good in the context of the game, but to me it didn't really affect gameplay that much outside accelerating its end. Again, no shade to those who love Kemet...just wasn't as much my thing as I had thought it would be.

[@TheFilipFonky]

The photorealistic details of the cities clash REALLY hard with the cartoony colored shapes. Terrible art direction with the map

[@bardsamok9221]

True

[@xabulense]

I really don't like the new graphic assets. Neither the art style nor the graphic design. And at least at the camera the plastic pieces look cheap. But, the game is super awesome!!!! Will keep my original box.

[@bose5160]

The entire game is so lavish and then that score tracker....I know it's functional, but my God...

[@MrTanukiD]

For a Kickstarter reprint the graphical updates and components both look disappointingly shonky. Those minis look like they came from a ten year old Wizkids game.

[@SirBlackjack010]

The minis are amazing when you have them in hand. The battle elephant is especially nice, a huge upgrade to the original.

[@MrTanukiD]

@@Ironhawx Given the combined cost of those two products that is indeed a crazy thought. Go one better and buy a stack of GW Tomb Kings ;)

[@bardsamok9221]

​@@SirBlackjack010Yeah the minis are good, that guy's a bit weird!

[@nathannemeth4094]

Original Kemet definitely looks better. Yes, the artwork here looks better for the technologies, but everything else seems way too messy and congested. Just look at those icons and the map. Also, the minis are WAY WAY BETTER in the original. I also don't like the pyramids at all! I honestly don't know why they even made a second version. The original was great and nobody was asking for this new one. So why make a new version? Especially one that is clearly not as good. The only plus I could see in this game is the artwork on the technologies and the black technologies. But if I liked the game enough, I'm going to buy the expansion with the black technologies anyway.

[@bardsamok9221]

What's wrong with the new minis?

[@READYdot]

Haven’t played it yet! BUT the insert is really bad and there’s no place for the expansions. For a game like this I would have loved having a better planned insert, especially with the level of backing this got on KS!

[@SirBlackjack010]

I had space for everything in my box, it took a little management and the insert could have been a little more spacious, but the stuff fits.

[@thecuriousboardgamer]

I fit everything in the insert wonderfully.

[@turtle4lyfe91]

I got everything stored in the core box. It's almost like... They took that into consideration... Weird.

[@bardsamok9221]

Maybe just bad at packing boxes

[@Kentchangar]

Again, not enough real negatives. Sheeesh.

[@wasterick]

I think the new board is so much better than the old, ugly one. I think the board was my least favorite thing about OG Kemet

[@dddmmm21]

But god, they simply cant make a good rules book!!!

[@somerandomperson8282]

Inis was a very good rule book! :D

[@RazzleDazzle23]

To be honest, this is probably the ugliest game board i have ever seen. I can't even describe what i'm lookin at.

[@jenius00]

Maybe if we're lucky someone will offer up custom neoprene mats on Etsy or something.

[@BrandonGraham]

@@Ironhawx In my experience, that's about par for the course regarding playmats. The playmat for Dwellings of Eldervale on the other hand is $80. -_-

[@Andy-td4sj]

Not the ugliest. But yeah not as good as the original

[@somerandomperson8282]

@@Ironhawx it should probably make you think more than anyone else. :D

[@absolutecardboard1703]

This looks like a bootleg of a good game.

[@roofustheman]

Lol. I couldn’t really put my finger on what vibe I was getting from this game, but you nailed it

[@CharlesCom-bd2qb]

PAPYRUS ! Omg this scoring board is ugly

[@pontusvongeijer1240]

Does the game have slavery? I like games with slaves in them. :)