Obsession - Board Game Review - Oh Mr Fairchild, You're Spoiling Us!

[@MrJonnyalpha]

Apparently this game came about because the designer wanted a game that his wife would play and Downton Abbey was her favourite show. He looked for a game with the right theme and didn't think any of them fitted the bill. He then set out to make a game he would want to play while having the theme his wife would love.I think that's why you can see the theme oozing out of every piece.

[@Buako111]

Omg and here was I buying Azul and Splendor for mine wife 😂 I should have bought Istanbul since she adores Turkish soap operas

[@pooby887]

Makes sense. I would make a boardgame about rock climbing so my gf would play with me.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

@@pooby887 there is a rock climbing game that came out recently!

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

That’s kind of the reason for Matt Leacock and Pandemic I think - his wife wanted to play co-op games but there weren’t many. At least that’s what I remember but I could be crazy.

[@pooby887]

@@Poiuytrew.Q no way! What’s it called?

[@lazulin]

Thank you for reviewing this - as a card-holding member of the legion of the Obsessed. :) I think even a lot of us original fans are stunned by how popular Obsession has gotten, because I think we (like the designer) saw it as a niche game in a category that doesn't get a whole lot of titles. You were 100% on the money with your comparisons to Legacy: The Testament of Duke de Crecy and Last Will - games dripping with this theme, humorous, and standing out because it's just such a special experience. The one note I'd have is that the Upstairs, Downstairs expansion is really designed for the many heavier gamers who started playing Obsession and wanted less luck. That expansion gives you a ton more control in a bunch of luck elements of Obsession. The original design was really meant to have swings of Victorian fate so you don't crush your family members, but I think the expansion does a really good job of reducing those luck elements down for people who are playing with heavier gaming groups. I do think unexperienced players will often underestimate the value of the Head Housemaid, who lets you screen guests... but her real power isn't even avoiding negative casual guests; it's helping you luck into the prestige guests you want... whether you're looking for a low-rep one to get your engine off the ground or a high-rep one that will give you VP cards and more prestige guests.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

The housemaid is good but again it's that issue of "i'm going out of my way to mitigate" but someone else might not have to do so.

[@monomundo]

Obsession went in and out of my wishlist before I took the final step while scanning the top 200 games on BGG and watching a passionate video of Stephanie from "3 Minute Boardgames". As you, I was not keen on the theme at all. I got it to a two player table last week and was utterly impressed. The roleplaying and stories the game created stayed with us for days. We will play it again today with the addition of a Lady. As you have stated, it is a passion project and it is a much proper way to use crowdfounding in my opinion. Anyhow, I am happy to see that you are as passionate as me on this one. Have a nice weekend.

[@aonline_abridged]

AND the designer is very involved and open with the community, he is a champion for the long term permanence and reach of Obsession and I am very excited for what he publishes next. In terms of the luck factor (which you reminded me of because I no longer remember paying vanilla base game), he has offered official variants (printed in the rulebooks and expansions) to adjust the luck factor and it is worth to note that although a focus of the game, winning the Fairchild courtship is not a deciding factor. This is even more prominent as you add expansions and variants, you can totally win without going for the marriage match, the trick is to decide early on how much you wan to invest in chasing that tail ;p

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

8 pts is a decent amount though for getting Fairchild in the last bit.

[@th1ngo]

As a backer of the original release of "Obsession", it was telling watching Dan Hallagan on his video as he checked the components sent by the printer for approval. A real labour of love, prompted to include his wife's interests. I guess you too, have picked up on this. Thanks for another beaut review.

[@FireFr0ggy]

Erm. I just really need to point this out, Pride and Prejudice is set in Georgian-Regency Era. Downtown Abbey is Edwardian. In a roundabout way, you don't hate this theme. 😁🥳

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Ha ha they both feel the same though. Posh people obsessed with weddings and dancing. 🤣

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

Wow. I don’t even know those were things but good to know for future wikipedia-ing.

[@shinyhappymeeple]

I was ready to unsubscribe but I'll let you off 😂 It's a fair review 👍 I bloody love this game and as you say, it's made by someone who obviously really cares and it shows. That alone deserves praise

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Ha ha you were so afraid for nothing 😜

[@pintarfacil8064]

Never ever been so scared about a review as for this one (well maybe for Ark Nova). So glad you enjoyed it and recognised all the passion Dan Hallagan has put into this little piece of art. Cheers from Portugal

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Cheers! Oh you had nothing to fear with Ark Nova! :D

[@Vadimaster]

I consider myself one of the avid fans of this game and I too wanted to see your thoughts on it. Actually, I expected you to score it lower, but I wouldn’t have burned you down even if you didn’t like it. This game is for everyone (is any game?), as you need to accept the luck factor and if you don’t like the theme, it’s already an uphill battle for Obsession to conquer your heart. Yet, if you get the theme, of find a way to work around it (as you did), it has a lot to offer. I will say, I will play this at 3 or 4, but only if the other players are deep into the theme. At that point it becomes a social experience, rather than just a game night, which makes the 3 hours fly by like nothing. This game was indeed a labor of love and it shows. This game stands out from the crowd, whether you like it or not.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

You sure you wouldn't have burned me? :P

[@laciemckindle2684]

Hahaha hahaha! 😆 This is my game group's favorite game! We've played a lot at a 5 player count. You can dismiss guests you don't want to keep because of their negative VP using the matriarch card. Meaning you can keep those negative VP cards to closer til the end. It's VERY strategic. I've never lost playing this in my game group and I've had absolute crap cards many times. Is it a guarantee you will win, no. If you can't figure how to play against the luck factor, you may want to play it more. There is a rhythm to it. Glad you reviewed!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

You can play against it, that's not the issue. The issue is that if I have to go out of my way to deal with it and another player doesn't, then that other player has the natural advantage.

[@hairygnome1787]

So many people reluctantly putting away their pitchforks until the next time. Great video, I agree with just about all you said. It is an impressive game overall, which I think benefits hugely simply from not being yet another game based on the same old genres.

[@srpad]

For such a theme forward game I was surprised how fast the theme disappeared for me while we were playing. Very quickly I was just looking at the numbers and abilities on the cards and tiles and only looking at names when I needed to collect specific tiles.

[@Katoh64]

It's a shame most reviwers don't see this. Same thing for Wingspan, Ark Nova and the rest of the big euro hitters. Just matching simbols and doing math.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

Awww man. I was about ready to add this to my wishlist.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

@@Katoh64 I see the numbers and the abilities, but for me the theme is still present enough in Wingspan more so than Ark Nova.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Most Euro's can pan out to card names and math, but then what Euro's are you going to call thematic in that respect. The abilities and such have to still make sense to the theme, like how releasing animals into the wild works in Ark Nova as you mentioned it. Now some big euro hitters are certainly not very thematic (Great Western Trail, Concordia, Brass etc) but if a setting is at least interesting it does help to bring it out, even if it needs a helping hand from players.

[@nirszi]

Pitchforks down. I think it's a fair and very well made review. And not only because I'm part of the cult. Definitely the most thematic Euro I ever played.

[@jamescartwright1150]

Quick! Light the torches and get the Pitchforks! 😉 .....Very good review of a game my family really enjoys. I don't find the luck that bad in this game as there are ways of mitigating it. If you have a minus VP character you often get a big reward from it and yes you have to spend a turn removing it from your deck but you've had the benefit from it which others have not. We always play with closed courtship as it makes the game more interesting. It takes us around one and a half to two hours for a 3 player game.

[@cwb95k]

It never occurred to me how an Englishman might view the Victorian setting. Intriguing. 90 minutes is definitely too low. I rarely play standard mode and most 4-5 player games have taken 3.5 - 5 hours. Still, I have so much fun I still love it! We've used the screening head housemaid quite a bit! Doesn't require an extra or wasted action. I believe the coming expansion addresses some of the luck factors as well. Good review, I'm setting my pitchfork down....for now.

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

Always appreciate hearing your reviews, Luke, and had looked forward to this one. You did your usual yeoman's work, and I think for the purpose I have in mind (playing it with my wife, who loves a Victorian theme & setting) Obsession will be a great acquisition. I thought maybe you would touch a little more specifically on the expansions and what they enhance, but perhaps that wasn't necessary. Again, thank you for giving this game your time and expert attention.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

They are relatively small additions but if you enjoy the game you will like the expansions. One is just another player board anyway.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

Fascinating to hear about your school reading. Pride and Prejudice was not part of my curriculum. A Tale of Two Cities was though. For me, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck or Beloved by Toni Morrison were the classics from school.

[@lesleyclixby7420]

Pride and prejudice is my all time favourite movie , and apart from that this game is amazing , production is fantastic, the flavour text on the cards , I could go on . I absolutely love this game and Dan Hallagagan is a lovely man who’s so passionate about his game . I’m really pleased you’ve given this game a good review.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I can enjoy this game, I just can't enjoy that movie 😂

[@lesleyclixby8620]

As long as you love the game I’m happy 😊 . That was a great review, not because of the score, it was very well done 👍

[@clvrswine]

Pride and Prejudice has more than one film / adaptation.

[@lesleyclixby8620]

@@clvrswine it does and I’ve watched them all 😊

[@boardsontables8924]

Haha loved this video. I'm the same I Ham it up in this game parody style. I'm American and I laughed out loud when I got my first American gentry card that gave me a boat load of money but ruined My reputation. We make little stories about how our events play out and it's just a ton of fun.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Best way to go about it and how I can actually get into this theme!

[@jtt8886]

Most games have some luck. I think you can see it in this. But really, Everdell and Terraforming Mars and Arkham Horror: LCG and many others have a luck of the draw or roll element. Part of the game is your ability to make tactical decisions dealing with the random factors. A lot of people that play games like that element, because really that sort of serendipity is part of normal life we deal with every day. Not every game can be Gaia Project and as much as I like that, I wouldn't want that stoic, never random, approach in most games.

[@KarimTheilgaard]

Top 5 game for me and definitely top solo game! I love it!

[@vincentvanbeelen837]

I concur with everything you've said. (putting away my pitchfork). I've even got another small negative; runaway leaders are no fun in a 3-hour game. Still, I enjoy it very much, 9/10 is the same score that I gave it.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

True yeah, though I can't exactly gauge how far the leader is ahead easily.

[@paulsensei2188]

"A passion project done right." That sums it up pretty well and was one of the reasons I bought this game including expansions and stuff. I wanted to support it.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Pretty much!

[@shanefrancis34]

🤯 Oh my god, when Luke rates a game this high then it’s worth a look!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Indeed, I don't hold back! ;-)

[@DumahAtreides]

I love Obsession and it is in my top 10 for euros. I've only every played it two players with my wife. At this point, I always include Upstairs Downstairs and funny enough I went with the screening meeple last game and I thought it was really good but we had also played the long game so I feel the utility of it was likely higher. I like the additional options brought in with those additional meeples - like having the Useful man to let you get that one tile needed to complete an objective. We always play with the variant that has all the tiles cycle out after a courtship. In a two player game, this feels necessary to me. I agree with open courtship after trying the varieties. We do a starter guest draft and market for the level 1 guests (something like 5 cards to get, that don't replenish). I've not done anything with the promo cards nor tried the tamer point version.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Oh there's a variant for cycling?! I'll have to check that out!

[@Ruloathesome]

Glad you like it Luke I agree about player count.

[@jdober77]

Awesome review. I absolutely love tthe intro. I've never seen that show, but it must be funny.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Red dwarf, oh it's a classic!!

[@MerrillWhiteKalEl]

Super glad I picked up this game. My family has loved it.

[@ten_oclock_scholar4690]

I'd love to try this game, but it's hard to justify the high price tag when you factor in shipping. Might have to give this a try on BGA first.

[@npckse8508]

Definitely one that benefitted from getting it a few years ago as costs have gone up. Probably more expensive overseas as well.

[@darrylpardon8013]

The BGA version is a great way to try this one out and the player counts have been growing steadily since launch.

[@chrismurphy9932]

My biggest problem with the game was the rulebook, the game is simpler than the rulebook makes it out to be. Otherwise I really enjoy it.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

Ohh mann! That’s a good point to bring up. Rulebooks can make or break a game.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

The rulebook is fine but yes a bit long winded.

[@Tabletop_AshleyRose]

Nice review, thanks Luke! I agree with the rulebook being mediocre and the open rather than closed objectives for the Fairchilds. Solid game, really enjoyed all my plays. Definitely max 3 players for me. I played four players and it took us over 3 hours to play. TOO LONG

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah 4 players is literally only with veteran players otherwise no.

[@DeepFriedDave]

I hate zero player interaction board games. Whats the point? Its just solitaire with another person in the room who is also playing solitaire. Isn't the whole point of board games to interact and share an experience together?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Indeed, and thankfully the solo mode here can be enjoyed nicely. Two player still works great though

[@lastburning]

I couldn't agree with you more. Player interaction is my number *ONE* concern when it comes to board games. Nothing else matters if there's no player interaction.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

@@lastburning that cuts out a lot of euro games then..... But also scaringly throws back in a lot of...... Less desirable euros. 🤔

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

@@TheBrokenMeeple like what?

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

I agree about social interaction. I hate it when we play and it’s just quiet. According to PubMeeple by top games are mostly party games.

[@Pryde551]

Nice review! Is that Hegemony I spy in the background? I am excited for that one to arrive.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yes it is! Review this week!

[@lenakimarctaedius3056]

I like this game and agree that the luck factor can be too high. But it is so goodlooking and immersive

[@toomanybarts]

Always like you’re reviews as you tell it like it is. Ps it’s pronounced “jentry”

[@jessicaside]

Thanks for doing this one. I would love to buy this one.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Any time!

[@CarlosRodriguez-ez3ls]

Great review Luke! The Big Box (if one ever materializes) might be a must buy for me. Thx! BTW, this game is pretty much unavailable among U.S. retailers.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Is it? I think the publisher is US based though so hopefully not for too long?

[@CarlosRodriguez-ez3ls]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Board Game Atlas and Board Game Oracle indicate it has never been available at retail. Seems to be Kickstarter only here in the U.S. 🤷🤷‍♂🤷🤷‍♂

[@sadekhanna]

Obsession is my favourite solo game so I hoped you wouldn't bash it since we very much disagree on Concordia 😀 I like that the solo mode has closed courtship, but yes, multiplayer open courtship is the way to go and I also always include the Queen Victoria variant. There is quite a lot of take that with the rumour mill and the stealing of staff (which is really thematic) but we play without them. I like both the standard and extended play, but wouldn't play this at more than 3 players. We use the head housemaid often for screening and my partner even uses her for prestige guests to get the best of the 2 good choices.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I forget, how does the Queen Vic variant work?

[@sadekhanna]

@@TheBrokenMeeple you get rid of the cheapest tile at the end of the round. It helps cycling through the tiles.

[@twinkle04evr]

I agree with you, too much luck on the building cards (Tiles looks nice) and take a long time to play, it's a very thematic game. More like gamers' game than family game.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

A great solo game or 2-3 players IF everyone is an expert.

[@npckse8508]

You need to have this review on a Time's Square billboard for all the folks who came at you for not liking your take on Distilled. Here you have a game hyped to the heavens, with a bar so high it was bound to disappoint and yet you liked the game. I doubt any of the Facebook detractors will give you credit. It worked at 3 players, but I have yet to try it at 4.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

None of the people who are out to undermine anything I say will give me credit, consumers or creators alike.

[@slenkhar]

Agreed on the luck factor, I do find that for the length of the game, the rng is too high. If the game was like 90mins absolutely maximum, fine, but clocking 2 or 3 hours+ on such rng is not as enticing. Literally got shafted by drawing negative guests 3 times in a row towards an end of game. It didn't feel right after spending 3 hours playing.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Indeed and I agree hence I'm definitely stipulating it's for lower player counts or solo.

[@clvrswine]

Downton Abbey takes place between 1912 and 1926. Queen Victoria died in 1901. So, Downton Abbey is not even close to the Victorian Era.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Close enough, frankly they all look the same.

[@ctvisions]

Tried this game on bga seeing if it would live up to hype. I’ll admit it’s a very solid design but nothing impressed me about it. Definitely has that bad luck bing too strong of a factor. And none of the mechanisms are innovative. Still a solid game just wasn’t as good as everyone seems to make it out to be.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

It's overhyped like most games, but it's a solid one for the genre.

[@davidioanhedges]

Red dwarf reference appreciated

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I've been wanting to use that sequence for so long 😅

[@Punkve1987]

Great game! One of my go to solo titles, but I still don't think it lives up to the hype. Luck of the draw (both regarding tiles, guests and objectives) can be a bit too much and the total absense of interaction makes the multiplayer uninteresting. Apart from that, I really like it!

[@bendutoit5371]

great review, great game

[@desertwind666]

What was the bgg rating issue referred to in this video?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Bgg ranking system is broken in general, so easily abused.

[@ilqrd.6608]

I don’t think I ever hated a rulebook more than this one. I love that this is a passion project but my man get some help…the game itself is good. I’d give it a solid 7/10 but only with the expansion

[@matts3155]

First or second edition? I believe it was improved

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I have 2nd edition and the rulebook is a bit long winded but still decent enough.

[@wiriyarewatbowornwong2550]

Do Expansion must have? or I should try just core box?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Core box is fine for start but consider the Upstairs one once familiar.

[@mrbovinejoni569]

good and fair review. i agree there is luck in the draw of cards and objectives. however, you really should use the head housekeeper (light pink meeple) to screen your guests and you can use the useful man to find a particular tile you need to complete an objective. i can get this done in an hour at 2P but even i can get AP from the options. i can see how teaching this to three new players would be a disaster

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

But aren't those in the expansion, I can't recall? But also again if I'm using resources to make up for poor luck when someone else isn't but draws lucky then they are better off.

[@clvrswine]

Jesus, your grammar / punctuation. Please adhere to some standard!

[@mrbovinejoni569]

@@clvrswine don't tell me what to do

[@mrbovinejoni569]

@@TheBrokenMeeple true, and yes they are part of the expansion. they were implemented to attempt to mitigate the luck issues. it's not perfect but no game is. anyway, i love the game but i agree with your critiques

[@henryjoconnell]

What's the average game length for just 2 players on the standard 16 rounds?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Probably 90 minutes if both familiar with game

[@henryjoconnell]

@@TheBrokenMeeple thanks so much for the reply!

[@mikolajwitkowski8093]

Is gentry really pronunced with a g like in get and not like in gentle?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I believe like "get" yes.

[@mikolajwitkowski8093]

@@TheBrokenMeeple That's interesting, you're the native speaker here, but all the dictionaries list the g as in "gentle" :)

[@dancondonjones]

It’s a soft G like in Gentle.

[@cwaddle]

I knew that the rating would be high. There is nothing in this games that would deduct marks in my view

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

High random element, extreme length and downtime with more players, there's mark deductible stuff there.

[@ajdarias]

Hello, how long does it takes the Game at two players?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Should be about 90 min if both players are familiar.

[@ajdarias]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Thank you! 90 min is a fair time!

[@cometier]

I’m not really into lore, so the actual gameplay must be impeccable. Sadly Obsession game play is very boring, it feels like it’s on rails. I’ve been playing on BGA it’s not great, verging on bad for the actual game play. It’s incredibly repetitive, not enough good choices for the player. This game is nothing without the theme and players who are able to use their imaginations.

[@sallymitcham8860]

But...but...but... Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey aren't Victorian!

[@JhoffDJ.]

One of the most overrated games I have ever played. Way too much luck and without the unique theme no one would be playing this.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Unique themes are hard to find these days though. I can totally see why many wouldn't enjoy it and the luck will always be a flaw of the game.