Merchants of the Dark Road - What's So Different About This One?

[@peterjs007]

I backed this on kickstarter as the art and theme and mechanics appealed to me. I quite like the game, it's got a satisfying puzzle to it to try and maximise your scoring based on the rotating market and available heroes and commissions. It's relatively easy to learn as well.

[@MeepleUniversity]

Hi Pete, yes indeed a satisfying puzzle! Thank you for dropping by :) you probably have the deluxe edition too!

[@theoofiesgaming8175]

You took a few minutes only to make the game make sense, Tarrant you're truly a gifted teacher, thank you. Planning to play this soon!

[@MeepleUniversity]

Thank you for the kind words Kairoo, glad we helped :)

[@wsiegel9539]

I have played this a few times with a group of 3 players and found Tarrant correct that towards the end of the game the interaction really goes away. Getting what you need to piggy back someone is a great way to save your turns and do more. But you have to watch the other players closely. Even if you don't have any deliveries you can still piggy back to get the dark road ( event ) reward as essentially a free action. With a solid base game I think an expansion could make this a great game. Change up a few things.

[@MeepleUniversity]

Hi wsiegel, thank you for sharing that. Interesting thoughts. Yes piggy back is great with watching other players. That could be an idea for the end of game interaction. Cheers! Stella.

[@kairachann3482]

Great artwork, been a fan of Andrew Bosley. Thank you for the clear overview and review, would be keen to try it, I like rondel type of games.

[@MeepleUniversity]

Thank you for visiting us😁🙏. Yeah AB arts always awesome, rondel also!

[@slimk3836]

Definitely has wonderful artwork and theme - the scoring is definitely interesting, I'll have to experience it before deciding whether it's my cup of tea I feel but it's always good to see designers trying new things

[@MeepleUniversity]

Yes, always amaze me the creative minds of the designers! Hope you get to try it, definitely a unique one. Thanks for dropping by!

[@jackburtonstwin]

An excellent and balanced review. Thank you. I have the KS version on pre-order from a FLG here in the UK. I hope to enjoy this game and I feel it will probably have quite broad appeal to both committed and casual gamers which makes it an solid choice for myself.

[@MeepleUniversity]

Hello Jack, thank you for dropping by :). Yay, hope you enjoy it too! I think you'll find something different in this game :)

[@Snortlepig]

I really like the game and the rest of my group did too. I struggled with the board in the first few games though. The lines between the road and the action spaces were just too subtle for me. The theme also didn't come through nearly as much as I expected it to.

[@MeepleUniversity]

Hi James! Yes, I guess when we didnt know what's going on yet, the road is a little tough to see. I guess more Euro game, we didn't really talk about the theme too hehe. Thank you for dropping by!

[@tobyr21]

Thanks for a thoughtful review and overview. -Toby

[@MeepleUniversity]

Thank you so much Toby :), glad it's been helpful to you

[@tyn1536]

Hopefully I am getting this for my birthday

[@MeepleUniversity]

What that's cool, when's your birthday?

[@jasonpreder5173]

Beautiful game, but I have to echo Tarrant here. The scoring creates a non interactive sub game. He is correct in that it always seems players can do what they want, so. It might as well be a solo game until final score review. Not a bad game by any means, just a very large disappointment. Our game also overstayed its welcome on length. Curious if you guys have looked i to the recently released Legacies. Another beautiful game, that can run very long, but In my plays, the length wasn’t felt because of the interaction. Thanks for all your insights and efforts into these reviews. Cheers!

[@MeepleUniversity]

That's fair, thank you for sharing your thoughts! No, we haven't look at Legacies, we know of it, thank you for the reminder, sounds like it's a nice interactive game. Have a great day Jason!

[@joseg.6187]

Thanks!

[@MeepleUniversity]

Our pleasure!

[@BoardGamePix]

Looks fantastic!

[@MeepleUniversity]

Thank you Board Game Pix!

[@BoardGamePix]

@@MeepleUniversity you must have an amazing collection of games!

[@MeepleUniversity]

@@BoardGamePix So do you :)

[@Carsten_de_1981]

I was sucked in by the optics and material. I ended up not backing though. Gameplay was just not my cup of tea.

[@MeepleUniversity]

Hi Carsten, that's ok, it's kinda the trademark of Elf Creek Games with the look. Thanks for sharing