THE QUEST FOR EL DORADO | Review and comparison

[@timstimbre9762]

Owned the old edition and still a big fan of that edition. I liked the art on the older cards as well but because they were so small they did not do the artist justice. Cards were quite flimsy on the old edition as well. I was against getting this edition, but seeing it up close it is an improvement in (almost) every department, and enhances the theme more than the old version. Only thing I don´t like as much is the fact that the board readability is a bit less due to the fact that they decided to drop the uniform hexed white borders around the jungle tiles and the colors are a bit too bright. It does look prettier though and a bit more like terrain than a grid and does not affect readability during play too much I find. I like it a lot. Will continue using this one.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

I really like the new veraion more. Ao much so that I just ordered two expansions with new art and all that :)

[@n3burgener]

I definitely prefer the artwork and iconography on the original Ravensburger edition. Important mechanical information is presented in a much more clear and distinct manner in the original version, whereas the key information sort of blends into the surrounding artwork on the new version. Take the cards, for example: the most important information is the type of movement and how many spaces it grants, and how much the card costs to buy. The artwork (while nice) is purely aesthetic and ultimately superfluous to actual gameplay. The original version puts the key information in a more prominent position on the card (top center, versus split to the sides) with a bigger paddle/machete/coin icon, and puts a more distinct color-coded border around it to visually separate mechanical information from cosmetic artwork while also secondarily denoting the type of card it is. The cost-to-buy icon is likewise physically separated from the art by virtue of the graphic borders so it stands out more clearly, versus just sort of "floating" inside the artwork. For a card like "Jack of All Trades" which has multiple types of movement, the split distinctions are VERY CLEAR in the original version with equal attention given to each type of movement. In the new version, the icons all sort of blur together with the surrounding artwork, with the green background of the machete icon almost looking like it's just part of the trees, and the blue background of the paddle icon almost looking like a patchy hole in the trees showing the sky behind it. The actual machete/paddle symbols, meanwhile, are smaller and harder to notice on the actual card. The artwork itself also has a predominantly green hue to it when it should be equal parts green, blue, and yellow to match the mechanical iconography. It's just harder to tell what's what at a passing glance, and I'd imagine it could be a slight struggle for anyone with any sort of visual impairment. As for the board spaces, I also prefer that the machetes, paddles, and coins are color-coded to match the terrain type so that there's direct synergy between the mechanical iconography and the cosmetic artwork. It's perfectly logical to associate a machete with a jungle space or a paddle with a water space, but it makes more "game sense" to also think that "blue goes with blue" and "green goes with green." Plus, that helps to make them feel more integrated with the terrain type while still being visually distinct (thanks to the white outlines) as opposed to the newer version where the more realistic-looking machetes and paddles stick out from the terrain more awkwardly. The new artwork is certainly more vibrant and has a more striking color-contrast/saturation to it, but this preference ultimately comes down to personal opinion -- I'm not sure it's really fair to say one is necessarily "better" than the other. Personally, I like the more realistic look of the original artwork and am not as fond of the more cartoony style of the new artwork. So as far as I'm concerned, the changes in art style are mostly negligible, while the changes to iconography and card layouts are a huge down-grade.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Thank you for this awesome comment. I have read through it and I can see what you are saying. But I still like new version more. If for nothing else but for bigger cards. I am very subjectiv in my reviews. I don't hide that at all. I give my honest unrefined opinion in my videos. But I am in minority I think, regarding my opinion of the new art. I see a lot of comments of people saying they, like you, favor the older version.

[@stefangustavsson9]

Thank you so much for this comparison video. I wanted to find out whitch of these are new/old editions, and now I know! Subscribing now.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Thank you for the sub. Happy to know my video was of use to you. :)

[@eggius]

I have all the retail stuff for the first edition and even though the cards are small I prefer it because of table space. Can't imagine if I had all the cards in the larger size, how I would fit that all on the table.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Life finds a way. :) I get you. Luckily, I have enough table space for new version.

[@sakka13]

i love the new version. artwork is better,bigger cards also the expansions are dope!

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Agreed. But look through comments and you'll be surprised how many people like older version. :)

[@salmanqaisar7377]

Nice video, thanks! New one looks lovely... but the table space will be much more! Any rules changes?

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

It is not actually that bigger. About changes, I haven't noticed any. To be fair I played first version only 2-3 times. But I believe they only changed artwork and size of cards.

[@boardthenplay8878]

Thanks for showcasing the new version. Can you pls tell me the size of the new cards? Or what card sleeves fit these? Tried to look at card sleeves website but they only have the original version listed.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Thank you for watching. Actually, in the upcoming weeks I'll be reviewing expansions too. So sty tuned for those. :) Also, not sure if you are aware of this topic on BGG but it is a holy grail of sleeves for games boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/164572/card-sleeve-sizes-games?itemid=6349161#6349161 Check it out there is complete list of cards and everything for this and for older versions.

[@BlueSteelCat]

I must get this version for the Hugh Jackman card!!! Hahaha! That’s going to forever stay with me! 😆I love this comparison review! Thank you!

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Agreed. HJ is the man. :) Thank you, for watching.

[@cgrice1971]

This new edition looks way better than the original. Thanks for the video!

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Thank you, for watching. Yeah, I really like it too. :)

[@danijelposta1748]

I have the new Dutrait version, I love it. Just got the expansion a few days ago too. :)

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

I wanted to order it but kinda forgot about it and spent money on Ultimate Railroads :D

[@3antfer]

Little cards are much better for me, because of table space. So I hope that the little format will be kept in future releases of expansions Danger & Musica and Dragons, Treasures & Mysteries. I prefer old version and art not so much better in the new version according to me.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

I have Danger & Musica and it is only this new version. I don't see on BGG that there will be Ravensburger version of it. And new one definitely is not compatible with the older one. And other one you mention I never heard of. Where did you read about it? I understand that smaller cards fit better but I don't have trouble with table being too small so I'm camp 'Bigger Cards'. :)

[@frottlbottl200]

Thank you for the good comparison. You are right, the new cards look better, butstill I am going to keep my old version.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

But, are you also getting a new version? It has some expansions that do not exist for older version...and more is on the way... ;)

[@frottlbottl200]

@@LifeofaBoardGamer I like Quest for El Dorado, but I have so many games, that I won't have the same game twice ;-)

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

@@frottlbottl200 absolutely. I don't own both also, just the new version. :)

[@diamondmeeple]

You still lack the sub-machine gun (loaded) on the wall ;-) Well, the first edition match with my two expansions... so I will keep the first edition.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

hahaha...yeah...it's still 'no' on that part :D If you have first edition they do not match, yeah. But they already got one of the expansions out. I presume second is on the way too.

[@jettryker]

I thought the same thing about the Hugh Jackman card. Haha

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

It's him, right? Nobody said anything so I thought it was only me. Glad to know I'm not alone :D

[@Gai-jin1]

My first thought was - Richard hammond :D

[@Nerzhul80]

I can't find this new version... =(

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Depends. Where are you from? You'll probably have to go to the publisher site to get it.

[@TotallyBoard]

Do you know what size cards are in the new version?

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

I usually use this very handy BGG thread when I need to know what types of sleeves I need for my game. boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/164572/card-sleeve-sizes-games?itemid=6349161#6349161 If I'm reading correctly they are 57x87mm size cards. And you need 86 of them for the base game.

[@maksymilianpanicz9651]

Cool video! Would you do a review of Dangers & Muisca? So far there is no english review of that on yt

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Definitely. And it might arrive sometime in January. ;) Heroes & Hexes also.

[@juri006]

Super video. Odlican mi je ovaj koncept usporedbe 1st i 2nd edition verzija igara 👍 ne znam da li si vec radio, ali evo prijedlog za usporedbu Camel Up prvo vs drugo izdanje

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Da. Skužio sam da je ljudima interesantno pa sam pojačao malo taj segment. Eto baš prije 2 dana je izašla usporedba ekspanzije Heroes and Hexes. Iako nisam uspio nabaviti fizički verziju ali oke. :) Camel Up bi možda i snimio da mi to nije druga najgora igra svih vremena koju sam igrao. Tijesno iza Cosmic Encountera. A i mislim da nitko koga znam nema noviju verziju :)

[@xfoolsgoldx]

Not seeing this new version in the UK

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Apparently they are only allowed to sell it the nordic countries. Not sure about tha info but I got mine directly from publisher.

[@xfoolsgoldx]

@@LifeofaBoardGamer Shame because I would prefer the bigger cards👍

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

@@xfoolsgoldx I know. That is why I got this new version. Bigger cards was like 70% of the reason. :) I presume if you order from them you'll have to pay import fees...

[@LeviStum]

Great video! I live in the USA and I don't own either version. I'd like to buy the new "international" edition but it doesn't look like it's easily available anywhere in the US (due to licensing overlap or something) Do you think it's worth it to go through the effort to get this new edition especially since they're still printing new expansions for it, or (because it's difficult to get my hand on a copy) should I just get the old version since I can find it used fairly easily.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

I just got the two new expansions. Not even a week ago. I would always recommend the new fancy version. Bigger cards and prettier artwork really works for me although a lot of people say old version looks better. But there is no gameplay difference as far as I know. So if you really want to play the game, and it is a great game, any version would do.

[@LeviStum]

@@LifeofaBoardGamer do you live in the USA? If so, how did you order them?

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

@@LeviStum no. I'm in Croatia. Only way I can get them by ordering directly from the publisher 'Lautapelit.fi'. See if they would ship it to US and for what price.

[@lightwire123]

the only improvement imo is the card size change. the new art looks worse imo

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Card size was why I wanted this edition in first place. I guess I'm so used to new artwork that I actually prefer it. But I can see why people love older version over the new one.

[@wowlodarczyk]

Hi. I didn't even know that there is "old version" o ElDorado :) Sorry, I also like old one better - more toned, more "rough". But in general I prefer old things, I use old Nokia mobile :)

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

We are now mortal enemies and I don't care about your apologies. MWUAHAHA!!! Kidding aside, no need for apologies, we are all allowed to love what we like the best. It is OK to have different opinions. And to use Nokia in 2023. :)

[@evgenidimitrov7790]

My first thought was also Hugh Jackman!

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Wolverine 100%. Right? :D

[@stephenfarrell8587]

Thanks for this insight. Cheers and good gaming.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Thank you for watching. Glad I could provide some useful info ;)

[@Vetality99]

Thank you so much for your review! Awesome job!

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Thanks. Glad you liked it. :)

[@hel_gi.spielt]

Nice comparison! Thank you!!

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Thanks you fro watching. And I mean it. :)

[@TheSoccerboy247]

Has anyone dealt with the cards having a stack of blank cards and what to do with them?

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

It might be production error. Best thing to do is contact publisher with some pictures. I'm almost 100% sure they would send replacement cards to you.

[@quaoar2264]

Not a production error, just additional blank cards as mentioned in the rules. I have used them to recreate the familiars from the first expansion. Quite useful since Ravensburger does not release the expansions in the new Dutrait style and the Ravensburger cards are a slightly larger than the cards of the internationally released expansions.

[@longtimeninerfan1309]

I thought and did the same. As soon as I saw the new version, I purchased it.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Have you had old version previously?

[@longtimeninerfan1309]

@@LifeofaBoardGamer No, I had not. I admit the Dutrait artwork was a factor along with it being a highly rated Reiner Knizia game that is family friendly and easier to get to the table.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

@@longtimeninerfan1309 that was the reason I got it too. And it is a really great game. Even better with expansions.

[@Mchen246]

I prefer the smaller cards in the old version. Easier to fit on the table.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

That I'll give you, older version takes less space for sure. :)

[@boardcaden]

New version is way, way better! Worth selling the old version and upgrading in my opinion. Have they done all the expansions in Dutrait art style with larger cards?

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Shhhh...don't say it that publicly. We are in minority here. You want to get us hurt? :) Kidding aside I thought majority liked the new version better but I guess we are very few. To answer your question...Heroes and hexes got a reprint and last thing they released is the new expansion called Dangers and Muisca (reviews for both coming soon). They also just announced a new expansion for the game coming this year called Dragons, Treasures and Mysteries.

[@Saturn2888]

What about the expansions? Their art won't match anymore right?

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Definitely not. There are expansions with new art. They are not compatible.

[@Saturn2888]

@@LifeofaBoardGamer so if I buy the second edition, I need to make sure to get the new expansions too right?

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

@@Saturn2888 exactly that.

[@nightwishpower]

I like the bigger cards too

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

Right? But judgeing by the comments from others we are minority. :)

[@radioactiveali4619]

Really don’t like the new art design. The info doesn’t pop off the cards and board like the Ravensburg version.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

I think you are definitely in minority. But I respect that. Information might not pop-up as in the first version, that is true, but I really think the new version is prettier. And bigger cards. It has bigger cards so I'm willing to sacrifice some of the pop for bigger cards. :)

[@radioactiveali4619]

@@LifeofaBoardGamer Citation please

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

@@radioactiveali4619 citation on what? That you are minority who is thinking the old version is better? It's just my perception. People are mostly reacting positively about new art and bigger cards when I bring it to a club.

[@demetriopersefon1397]

@@LifeofaBoardGamer minority?really?to much people prefer the first one

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

@@demetriopersefon1397 and yet when I talk to people who saw both versions they say new one looks better and they love bigger cards. Guess I'm surrounded by people who think like I do so by default I think everyone like it.

[@pilotvc]

The new cards have so much white on the borders

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

I have no issues with that. You don't like it?

[@FernandoCanoG]

I personally like the first version WAY BETTER!

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

So, you say you want to fight me, basically?? Fine...let's dance..

[@radioactiveali4619]

Agreed.

[@ameraceffj]

the old artwork on the cards is much better, plus the symbols on everything is easy to see. the symbols on the new version blends in too much.

[@FernandoCanoG]

@@LifeofaBoardGamer😂 ❤

[@bone6232]

I prefer the old version, thanks for the video

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

More and more people comment they like the old version more. I'm still in the "new game is better" camp but I'm starting to wonder if we are minority? I was 100% sure we are in majority since everyone I played with liked the new version better. Oh, and thank you for watching. :)

[@demetriopersefon1397]

To much clear and direct the first version. Not necessary this one

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

I had a chance to play the old version again, after playing the new one...and I definitely like the new version more. Artwork looks better to me and bigger cards are definitely more enjoyable to play with.

[@relayer98]

old looks better

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

No. :D

[@Aaackermann]

I think this is a unnecessary and quite frankly kind of insulting change. What was wrong with the old artwork? Just because "Dutrait" is more famous? It is not like the art changed mindblowingly.

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

To me, it most definitely looks better than the previous version. But my main reason for liking it more, besides the new art, is that cards are a bit bigger. I really disliked those small format cards.

[@CresentSoul]

Insulting? They just have a different person doing art. Get over yourself. It’s just a product sold at a shop. So over the top

[@Aaackermann]

@@CresentSoul You sure are ok as well?

[@robertaustin6302]

Sorry pal but that’s a pretty whack take. The card art alone is a massive upgrade. Not sure how you find that insulting but like, whatever man.

[@killyourtvnotme]

Very useful thanks I love the second edition. May have to rebuy 🙄

[@LifeofaBoardGamer]

I'm glad it helped you out. :) To me, definitely worth the re-buy.