My Lil’ Everdell Review: Everdell Express?

Tom, Chris, & Milla take a look at My Lil’ Everdell!
Intro 0:00
Overview 1:12
Review 4:46
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[@ImaginEric]

I’m waiting for “This Lil’ War of Mine”

[@otubrabnad]

I'm gonna let it shine!

[@marcelbirkenkamp1386]

you mean "Hey, that's my fish"

[@BobbyJuno]

LoL

[@JoeBrowes]

Tom’s extremely sceptical face in this video is one of my favourite things in a long time.

[@RynoKenny]

Zee reviewed EVERY Everdell product on this channel, why wasn’t he part of this four square review??

[@juliebggeek6545]

Does Zee have kids? I don’t think he does. They probably wanted to ensure they play this with kids to have a fair review.

[@michaelkussy9153]

We love Everdell. I got this for the younger boys. I played this with them, giving my 7 year old the starting boosts and he straight up won. Even thought there are words on some cards, once played a couple of times the iconography takes over. Also keep in mind at this age, kid strategy is going to be minimal with any game played. It just gives them a good feeling of being their own player and makes them want to pull it out and play without adults needed.

[@buddywahlquist2467]

Yes, played with my twin 5yos and one of them won. All the cards are open information, so you might have to read a little for them, but iconography definitely takes over. If it's your kid's first game, this might not be right for them, but if you play games with them regularly, this is perfectly fine for those younger kids

[@RedMountain111]

Just want to say this review was hilarious, and it was great. Thanks!

[@kevindelord]

It was hilarious with Chris owning a kid that has a pay level and Tom obviously being super frustrated and annoyed by the two 8/10 hahaha

[@teejleague3838]

I like the game name "Everdell Express" so so so so so so so much better than "My Lil Everdell".

[@RickKoeppen]

My Lil Campaign for North Africa

[@joeweber4563]

We were one of those couples playing this at PAX. My wife and I like Everdell. But sometimes that game gets a little long and triggers a bit of analysis paralysis when trying to plan many steps in advance. This is a nice little filler game to give you an Everdell-like experience in a much shorter time. We enjoyed this game for what it is … Everdell lite.

[@lilformersmatt]

My daughter is 8, and she thinks the game is great. She does have good reading skills, and has played many kid friendly board games (Kingdomino, Azul, Santorini)

[@Listan1]

There are kids games that are great for a 6 year to play with their friends with no adults around (Creatures and Cupcakes, Rat a Tat Cat, Ghost Blitz, Ice Cool). And there are family games that are great to play by the whole family because adults may need to do set up or help run or guide the game. This seems to fall into the latter category but both are valuable. I’ve heard lots of people saying their kids have been playing and enjoying this just fine, so I was surprised to see this take in the review. If it’s better to be played 8+, that’s fine. Creature Comforts is awesome and that’s probably 10+ despite the box saying 8+. My Lil Everdell definitely seems less complex than Creature Comforts, but I’ll test it with my 5 and 7 year olds.

[@jacobjslee]

Everdell original was also a 7 for me. And then I tried a variant I heard about that divides the main deck into four mini-decks of: unique/common critters & unique/common constructions. Then it became one of my favourite games ever. That one variant is all it took to change my mind and I sing its praises to everyone who is lukewarm on Everdell.

[@daniellehunter5057]

I'd love to hear more about this variant :)

[@jacobjslee]

@@daniellehunter5057 What I wrote is pretty much it. The meadow is made up of 8 cards. Each pair of cards comes from one of the four mini-decks ( unique/common critters & unique/common constructions). This is literally all there is to it. I can answer questions if you have any, but the main deck being "too large to find what you need" is not as big a problem. You can now search through the mini-deck of the type of card you're looking for.

[@revimfadli4666]

@@daniellehunter5057 Rest and Reason made a detailed video on it, along with another variant where events are claimed instantly without needing workers

[@esayzgy]

Ah, yes, the Arkwright of kids' games.

[@HEMAYATC]

My kid is not even born yet and he/she loves this game 😂

[@cailin5301]

I do like this for kids ages 8-12 as well as for people who don't game much. The art and cuteness factor increases everyone's enjoyment (including my own). I feel like the strategy is pretty light, but there's enough there to keep me engaged for the 20-30 minutes I'm playing it, and I'd rather play this with them than many other games. My kids ages 6-9 enjoyed it quite a lot (but I had to help the 6 year old, she doesn't really know how to play). My older kids got the hang of it pretty quickly, even the different color cards, but it's definitely not a game for 6 year olds. I do agree that the cute wooden baskets are AWFUL and I'm also very annoyed at the mix of nice components and cardboard tokens because there weren't enough of the nice components. And I hate the word "Lil". But those are nitpicks.

[@IODISH12]

My 7yo really enjoys this game. My 4yo plays and just hunts royalty...because princesses. There is no strategy involved but she has fun.

[@jasonlight1316]

My daughter is nearly 5 and we have been playing games for a while now. She loves Quacks and Co. and its played quite a bit. I do control the chips and she does not really understand the combo potential of which chips to buy. I have also gotten this one, I like it more than she does but we have split winning. I explain every card and she has won the game as she was able to generate an engine with some prompting.

[@adamwhite4858]

I think the big thing with kids games that have text, is that you have to be patient enough to just read the cards for them and explain their options, if they need it. You can play an awful lot of games with your kids if you’re willing to walk them through the experience. Maybe this isn’t a game you could just hand to a group of 6 year olds to go play, but I could see how it has something to offer for even the younger ones.

[@bestatstartrek2179]

Hey kids got you this new board game. Kids. Meh I’m good. Adults. Ok no problem. Really bought it for me 😂

[@njatgu]

Thank you for the review. I looked at a lot of other how to play videos and it seemed a bit much for my son so I'm glad to see you confirm that. It'll probably end up at my house at some point but I'll wait until it's appropriate

[@quavuva]

This works with my 8 yo who isn't that in to games, he enjoys it and has asked to play it. A win in my book.

[@lionheartxiv]

This is an 8+ game for sure. My boys are 7, but have a lot of experience with My little scythe, Kingdomino, and Onitama. They did well, but I did have to go out of my way to remind them to think about the parades multiple times in the game, and there were occasions where they just needed one resource and tried to go to the baskets instead of the dice to get their "one" resource. I look at it as a good learning experience. Definitely a stepping stone game, and definitely not 6+.

[@kibs_6816]

The criticism that Everdells deck is too big in point of view mainly depends on the number of players! If you play with two its true - you will most likely not end up with a point record. When you play with four you will most likely go through the whole deck over the game. Furthermore, exactly the big deck makes it interesting for me as your city is completely different each match...

[@geoffreys78]

Are the 8 Everdell cards in every standard package of My lil Everdell? It seems like that would be mentioned on the Starling Games website for the game - but it is not so it is throwing me off.

[@ianoble]

So many parents with humble brags in these comments. LOL

[@mikehuff2693]

I've played the Everdell app and thought it was overly complex. I think I'd enjoy this one and be able to play it with my wife, she likes Stone age.

[@TabletopToolbox]

06:21 - nice sting, 'Milla.... ;)

[@mikehulsebus]

I have the kids version of Ticket to Ride and Bohnanza and I think, generally speaking, sometimes the real solution is to just wait until your kid can play the real thing. There are lots of other games out there while you wait.

[@TheAmazingYeti]

I personally agree that this is for 8+. However, my 7-year-old can play this more or less fine, the biggest hinderance is the governance cards. There is no way that a 6-year-old could figure this out without a lot of help. My kid does have quite a bit of fun playing it, granted she has Mom and Dad in her corner and the quick start setup. I think the dice rolling spots are really cool and there are certainly extra spots that you seem to be forgetting... you buy them from the meadow (red cards). I 100% agree this is Everdell Express, completely scratches the Everdell itch in a 20min timeframe. I think 4P does actually drag on a touch... As there is nothing to care about at all while others take their turn. Overall, I think this is an easy recommendation for 8+ assuming that the whole family is playing to help give guidance.

[@mowoki]

I play this with my 6yo without any starter cards. (He plays normal Everdell and other 10+ games with me already.) And our scores have been within 4 points. Streamlined, quick, and tight. And wrapped in the Everdell world, we're very happy with it.

[@Cassy-ep1xx]

Now I just really want a streamlined everdell game marketed towards adults about getting an inn ready for vacation season lol

[@family_meeple]

My 7 year old daughter loved our play of My Lil Everdell. She is a very early reader but since there is no hidden information that didn't matter. I started her with both bonus cards and she did great with choices. I highly recommend this one for families but agree that 6 is likely a bit too young for most kids. I would say 7-9+.

[@cailin5301]

My 6½ year old would not be able to play by herself (but with my help, she loves it). I think I would suggest it for ages 8+ based on my family, but everyone's kids are different so YMMV.

[@family_meeple]

@@cailin5301 agreed that my 7 year old could not play alone. I am however curious if my 9 year old could play alone and if she would enjoy the solo mode. I want to see if she's interested in trying it out. Every so often she'll ask for a solo game.

[@Coralou]

@@family_meeple both of the solo modes are easy to manage, definitely recommend it!

[@meravl7615]

Everdell: Critters Welcome?

[@matofilipovic7818]

As someone who didn't like the original, this feels like my cup of tea.

[@1991Rufio]

my kids are 3 and 1 and they love this game.

[@MrDaveydtd]

Well Tom you were right. This comment section is filled with "my kids can play this game" comments.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

I went all-in with the KS. And it's on my self of shame.

[@mikehulsebus]

To me, an important thing that makes Everdell different form other games is getting things for free. It's fun to have a palace or castle and then get a queen or king for free. I'm surprised they didn't bring that "putting animals in their respective homes/businesses" element in some part of the game

[@kjamma4]

I'm still waiting for My Lil' Campaign for North Africa

[@evgenidimitrov7790]

In Ark Nova a lot of times you need EXACTLY one specific end game scoring card! And still Tom rates Ark Nova as his N1 game of all time!!!

[@MD-et8kz]

Buying this for the extra resources

[@BlimpMcGee]

Gonna wait for Ma Lil' Twilight Imperium

[@MussoGames]

1:12 “lul evahdehl” 😂😂😂 sounds like tom is from New Orleans

[@eliumeldritch]

Got this for my kids for Christmas, they love it! Its quite a bit more streamlined but still feels like everdell. And the cute factor is par for the course.

[@otubrabnad]

I don't know, Tom, you wouldn't play My Lil' Kingdom Death Monster?

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

I like how they released this game after the Complete Everdell Kickstarter, but made no mention of it during. Like how Terraforming Mars Ares Expedition was announced and released after Terraforming Mars Big Box kickstarter. I’m going to wait for My Lil’ Frosthaven.

[@revimfadli4666]

My Lil Descent My Lil Western Trail My Lil Imperium

[@stingray1666]

Don’t forget my lil TI4!

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

@@stingray1666 i was going to say that… but I thought they had some already.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

@@revimfadli4666only if they chibi the cowboys and their stubble.

[@tuganerd3656]

My Daughter is 7 and loves this game, she wins quite often without any help 🤷🏻‍♂️ wouldn‘t say this is a Kids Game but a light Family Game like Creature Conforts,Quacks of Quedlinburg,etc

[@DashOr]

In germany Pegasus is marketing My lil´ Everdell for 8+ . I Thought i might play this with my daughter soon but 6+ really doesnt fit

[@Hedgehogking5]

This is why reviews are so important. Thanks guys, I won't try to force this on my kids. but I do need those cute butterfly meeples :)

[@SirHoopie03]

Those meeples come in one of the newer expansions for everdell. My daughter loves them. 😊

[@adamholt5395]

FYI, the butterfly meeples are also in the Everdell: Mistwood expansion.

[@nshaw1299]

You're talking about 'kids games' like they're only 6 and below. But the 8-12 age range is also a range where it's ok to give them a game 'only for them' and teach them mechanics in a fun and possibly interesting (for them). This may not be 'My little Scythe' in these terms... But I find it an interesting game for those ages. And it's a 'kid game' if the definition is 'a game that an adult wouldn't want to play on his own'.

[@aaronmoore54]

The reason they keep talking about 6 year olds is because that is the age on the box (6+). It’s being marketed toward a lower age, but most kids that young probably aren’t the right age for this.

[@nshaw1299]

@@aaronmoore54 you didn't understand me. I wasn't talking about that part. I was talking about the fact that when the definition of 'kids game' was inferred, it was as if the ages of 8-12 'aren't in the ball game of the 'kids games definition'' There can and should be games for 8-12 or 10-12 that are kids games. Meaning, an adult wouldn't have fun with them but for that age group, it's great. For example 'Outnumbered' ir almost any 'kids game with texts'.

[@cailin5301]

@@nshaw1299 that's all true, but to be fair, most games with "My Little" in the name are usually made for more the 3-7 range. It's a little misleading and I do hate the name of the game. It should have been Everdell Express, or Welcome to Everdell or something else like that.

[@nshaw1299]

@@cailin5301 again, the fact the game is marketed to the wrong age group is an important statement and a good criticism. My observation is that there seemed to be a definition of 'kids games' implied in the video. And it seemed to exclude 'kids games for 8-12'. Especially if we define 'family games' as games that would fit both the kids and the adults. There are games that should be targeting a specific age group. not including adults. Yet, aren't for ages 6 and under.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

I’m extremely confused. Maybe you’re making definitive assumptions based on just the words used in this review. I’ve watched tons of Dice Tower reviews and I would not assume they limit kids games to 6 and below. 8-12 is included. The problem is there are naturally and biologically big differences between ages. Some games are great for 3-4 year olds but not for 5-8 year olds and vice versa, but they’re all kid’s games. You might be right about a kids game is usually one an adult would not enjoy on their own, but that isn’t always true. Some adults say “It’s a kid’s game but I enjoy playing” or something like that. This game was rated by Tom as a 5, but he said his son had fun. So maybe it’s Kid Approved.

[@bones983]

I got this for our 6-year-old for Christmas. Her level of games is along the lines of Similo, Dragomino, Quacks of Quedlinburg, Azul. She can play this just fine, with some reminders about the parades and things, but doesn’t really score anywhere close to our 8-year-old, who plays games like Wingspan and Ark Nova. My main gripe is less with the types of cards and more with the complicated end game scoring. Where is a score sheet? But still, it’s an adorable family/kids game and the actual in-game decisions are easy enough. I’d only ever play this with the kids, probably, in that my wife and I would play Meadow or something instead.

[@TheAndoExperience]

Funny that just like its parent, My Lil Everdell misleads people by being heavier than expected. 6+ is nuts.

[@Gtomer]

I always find it discouraging when people think so little of the abilities of kids. This game is pretty much straight forward which I think kids can understand it and play it.

[@tigriscallidus4477]

The biggest problem is 6+ is a problem on a game where you need to read. (Cards with text). I would guess for a lot of 8+ year olds this should be fine

[@thedicetower]

Kids are smart, and kids should be pushed to do well. But kids are kids. We should be doing things with them that are age-appropriate.

[@buddywahlquist2467]

@@tigriscallidus4477 that is probably the number one reason that there is no hand of cards here. All the cards are on the table. If you can read, your kids can play with you.

[@xshadowscreamx]

I know some adults that don’t like reading text cards. They might say something like ‘I don’t want to read, I just want to play’.

[@sarumon17]

When I saw previews for this game, I had the same thoughts. It looks like it’s basically as complicated as everdell. I think if you are looking for a family version of everdell, maybe play . . . Everdell.

[@lolaldanee2743]

I have to disagree with Tom on this one. As a gamer who has played hundreds of complex strategy games, this kind of game is more and more becoming the kind I find myself liking the most. It gives me everything a more complex Worker Placement or Enginge Building game gives me, but in 1/10 of the time. And on top of that, I can play this game with almost everybody except grumpy hardcore gamers who think it's below them. I'm almost 40, and when they print My lil on that box, it's me they are talking about :D

[@Straddllw]

I don't know about 6 year olds, but a friend of mine's 8 year old plays the full version of Everdell, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Architects of the West Kingdom, Ginkgopolis and a whole bunch of these mid heavy games that requires reading and maths skills.

[@Yooric90]

You don't need to mention the people saying their 2 year old can play this, just ignore them.... Getting real repetetive. It is good that people mention in the comments what their kids are so people who are wondering can see the different age ranges that their kid plays this game in.

[@TheErnieforss]

I love how tom loaths this game. He doesnt even want to talk about it.

[@LeeKenshin7]

If it's marketed at 6+ then my 6 y.o. should be able to sit down, after rules explanation, with her peers and play the game. Comment section full of parents saying their young kids can play this game strategically but yet they are being coached. More in line with being a family game than a "little" game. Anyhow, got plenty of other suitable games to usher my 6 and 8 into the world of Everdell eventually. Thanks for the review DT crew.

[@jpotter2086]

The game isn't for kids, it's for fleecing parents!

[@SeerMagicX]

Tom scored this higher than I scored regular Everdell.

[@jasonpadgett1333]

I have to disagree with you all on the age. We played with my nearly 5 year old and she had a blast placing her friends, claiming resources and buying cards from the market. Since all the information in the game is public, I could help her understand what symbols she needed to buy to get parade cards and what the effect of cards were, but the decisions of what to get were up to her. And because scoring is so tight in the game, she actually ended up winning with the “little kid” advantages. I think it’s a great intro to worker placement games for younger kids.

[@martingardnerii]

this feels like an alternative implementation they had during the original creation of everdell, and now that they've run the gambit on the main game realized this implementation works as well, let's see if we can squeeze some more blood from a stone.

[@tammyschilling5362]

Sounds like instead of a new game, they just needed to publish some alternative rules.

[@__McFly__]

I would say its more of a "starting at 8 years old" type of game... but yes... its seems to be a little boring to me too

[@ryuhassan6910]

I still don't understand any of the rules. Not simple to understand.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpqsg36JmsSLhck There’s a video on the BoardGameGeek channel that is more in depth for how the game works.

[@ryuhassan6910]

@@Poiuytrew.Q yep watched video still doesn't help too much going on.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

@@ryuhassan6910 Playthrough video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/amrKpHqeipt0hbc