Rococo Deluxe - Playthrough & Review

Subscribe for weekly videos!
Support us on Patreon! - / bypgames
This is "Rococo: Deluxe Edition," a board game designed by Matthias Cramer, Stefan Malz, and Louis Malz & published by Eagle-Gryphon Games Games in 2020. This video includes a rules overview.
JUMP:
00:00 - Teach
14:13 - Playthrough Start/Round 1
22:20 - Round 2
32:34 - Round 3
42:31 - Round 4
52:15 - Round 5
01:00:37 - Round 6
01:09:31 - Round 7
01:17:56 - End-game scoring
01:24:37 - Review
BGG Listing: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2...
This is not a sponsored video
BandPass Design Table Link - bandpassdesign.com
For more board game playthroughs and reviews, please subscribe!
For board gaming reviews, follow us on instagram - @beforeyouplay
Instagram: @beforeyouplay
Twitter: @beforeyouplay_
Facebook: beforeyouplay
Email: [e-mail]

[@laurenfarns]

Just wanted to share this with you guys. I have been dealing with some things lately and I truly don’t know why but watching these play throughs have been one of the only things that settle down the anxiety. I watch these at night to relax and even if I’m not paying attention it is so relaxing listening to you two play together. So just thought you’d appreciate knowing these videos are a lot more than just playing board games and teaching rules. Keep doing what you’re doing ❤️

[@musemettlegames]

I agree, they're such good sports with eachother, help eachother out when needed, and are just overall pleasant game players. It is just a nice experience watching them enjoying their playing together.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Aww that is so nice to hear!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Hope you start less anxious soon!

[@Crazee108]

I do the same! I was saying to my hsb I'm due to watch my daily fix of Monique and naveen and I listen to you guys while crocheting 🥰

[@danielastin9445]

Finally got this to the table after having it many years, cheers for the clear consise and entertaining video! Lost to my wife by 2 points and we both loved it 😊

[@MephistoJak]

This is my #1 favorite game. It's always awesome watching someone play this. Thank you!

[@jl1618_]

I love Rococo! My girlfriend and I bought it as a Christmas gift to ourselves in 2020 and it made the isolation of that holiday season more bearable. I wouldn't mind seeing a teach on getting it all back in the box! Love your videos, thank you!

[@erikao5416]

Well, you two have done it again…I have been interested in this game for ages. I actually had it in my hands two days ago and I thought…I wonder what Monique and Naveen think? I wish I could watch a play through. Voila! This video was released. I want to thank you. Your channel is simply amazing. I appreciate you. ❤️

[@steveg9939]

Great playthrough as always! This is a game that I truly appreciate and that big box is the same size as Lisboa and The Gallerist. Perfect!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thank you! Yup same size as those other Eagle Gryphon Games 📦!

[@khornschemeier]

Love your videos and so happy to see this one! Got this deluxe version for my wife for Christmas along with Patchwork. They are both great!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Both great choices! Hope she enjoys them too!

[@jedisparky]

Wow, thank you for doing this video. I've heard so much buzz about this game, but never really knew too much about it. It's a fantastic game and right up my alley seeing the game actually played. I'm am going to order this game now based on your playthrough. My absolute favorite boardgame channel. You two are awesome, thanks again.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hi Michael thank you so much for the kind words! We strongly recommend this one at 3 players. Just the right amount of competition without the game dragging. Hope you enjoy it too!!

[@marcosseven8872]

great video! I Just added this game to my wish list. I just got Lisboa, and the deluxe edition production is superb. so I checked which other games this company has and found Rococo. Can't wait to get it. Watching from Ireland! all the best!

[@michaelhogman9333]

Thanks so much, great play through! Never had a chance to play the original but really enjoying this deluxe version!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

You're welcome! Glad to hear it!

[@StudioVeronika]

LOVE the gameplay! Honestly at first, I find this game complicated but after watching your vid, I want to buy it already!!! :D

[@DawsonCowals]

My wife and I both love Rococo Deluxe! As always Ian O'Toole did an amazing job with the art and graphic design.

[@pauloyanez2640]

Love this game and your playthrough. Always at the edge of the seat!!😬

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks Paulo!!

[@KyveliGR]

Great video!!! Thank you guys!! Love your walkthrough! 🎉

[@TheTrout9000]

I love coming home to a new before you play

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks Ben, that is very nice of you to say!

[@whatsabandicoot]

While Rococo didn't really wow me (though I wish it did - what a production and refreshing theme!), I really enjoyed this playthrough. Always a pleasure to watch your playthroughs; it seems like you both have a genuinely great time playing, no matter the game or competitiveness ☺️

[@terrytoriq]

Lovely video guys. I've added this to my On Mars pledge. Can't wait for that box to arrive. :)

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Sweet!! Highly recommend playing at 3+ for the best experience 😊

[@cocohoneytahiti]

This is in my top 3. I love this game so much. The theme, the components, the gameplay. So so so good!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

It’s superb! Such a unique theme lol.

[@sidneyleejohnson]

@@BeforeYouPlay 0

[@theotakotour]

This video convinced me to get the game. Thanks!

[@morgaknightgames]

Yay! I love this game. I've only been able to play solo so far, which I very much enjoy. Looking forward to playing with friends... Soon... 🙃

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hope you enjoy it, highly recommend playing at 3-4 players!

[@scottdavis2213]

Hey guys! First off, I wanted to say I love your content, especially your Playthroughs. Somehow you find a way to explain the game and go through a full Playthrough in such a short amount of time. That said, my wife and I are looking to get another medium heavy euro game and are torn between rococo, and Mombasa. I know you guys have done Playthroughs for both of these so I figured I would ask your take. They both involve somewhat strategic card play and elements of area control but both go about it in different ways. Obviously Mombasa is out of print and I would likely get the older version of rococo, both of which would need to be bought secondhand at a decently high price so your opinion on which offers more thinky, depth and fun would be greatly appreciated!

[@TheEricBooth]

Love love love this version and game. Played both versions and love them both but did sell original.

[@bradleyhayward7122]

Possibly my favourite game of all time and this deluxe edition is worth every single penny!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

It ranks really high for Naveen (somewhere in his Top 50). Absolutely superb at 3+ players!

[@henribcosta]

Monique: if no one purchase the decoration we would tie, so we could be friendly here... Monique in the very next turn: I'm buying that decoration! Evil master plan :P

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Lol she plays to win!

[@radip]

what a devious lass :)

[@ChewieHuey]

Nice! One more for me to take off my Shelf of Opportunity!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Go for it!

[@lisamarin8836]

Rococo Deluxe is a lovely production, and I really like the way the game is balanced so that you pay more for the privilege of having more options and the thought that goes into which employees you want to use this turn vs hold back, depending on what's available and what you need to prioritise. I do think that it works better with 3+ than with two players, though, as most area control games seem to do.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Love that part of the game too, there’s a little bit of a dance with trying to get the timing right for the best price. 3 players makes the game much more fun for us as well!

[@chillnvilln82]

Ive played this game solo a few times. Pretty fun and easy to learn.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Glad the solo mode works well!

[@thomaswilson7718]

Thanks for another great video. Good Game! Maybe it is the year Naveen? :) Good luck in the next one Monique

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Haha thanks! Monique does not need luck on her side lol.

[@abigaelcamillebondoc767]

OMG!!!!! Rococo! This game is on my wishlist!! I love it!!!! 😍🤩☝️🤩

[@BeforeYouPlay]

It's so fun! Especially love it at 3 players!

[@chefrude]

Its my opinion that most players do not take decorations very seriously. (which I believe to be a mistake). It is the most powerful action an apprentice (bronze) character can do, since they cannot take the queens favor, and they cannot make garments. I try to get the Kitchen Garment Income enhancer as soon as possible, usually in the first round and as early as the second or third action, because that garners additional money on every subsequent round, and that can lead to a very healthy decoration buying engine as the game progresses. And then shortly thereafter, the decoration income enhancer. This is useful if no one else takes advantage of the kitchen income benefits first or goes for decorations until late game (which seems to be common) because: a) your money surplus makes hiring automatically easy if you're not counting your pennies (I almost never depute) b) it makes the most expensive fireworks and decorations (the statues that give you points per full color outfit sets) easier to get, and those give you a good 8 points PLUS the statue VP points. c) they can easily compete with hall area control majority points, and the musicians make the "majority" contest also easier. d) you can easily get multiple sets of 10 coins for additional points at end game, if you cant squeeze that into other things like fireworks on the last round. I recommend paying more attention to decorations, if you find that you feel money is tight, or if you feel you aren't making too many points. Particularly if everyone else is ignoring them.

[@snowchamp]

well played Naveen. I'm surprised you didn't run into money problems considering you never sold a dress. that in itself was a winning factor!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thank you! Yeah I was able to keep my head above water throughout the play!

[@hawkbass3456]

YEAR OF NAVEEN LET'S GO!!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Haha, got to keep it going now!

[@LibrarianChef]

Great video. I can be added to the list of people that prefer the design of the original version of Rococo. The scaling changes for 2 player sound interesting; I have found that the original version of the game is much better at 3+.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Totally agree that 3+ is my favorite. Area control and competition for cards make the game more interesting at higher player counts.

[@chefrude]

@@BeforeYouPlay 2 player is definitely more relaxing as far as area control, 3 player is probably my favorite player count. Ive only ever played the deluxe version, and I love the design and aesthetics a great deal.

[@TiagoRamosVideos]

Thanks 👌

[@boardgame7pupu]

how do you store the extra festival dress in the box?

[@toe.knee.sobaskie1678]

I am looking at buying Rococo or one of the Lacerda games. Where do you think you would put this compared to your list of Lacerda games? Top 3, Middle 3 or Bottom 3? We have Gallerist and KB EV. Thank you for your input.

[@MP-wp8cu]

Have you or anyone ever played 2 player with the solo bot Madame Du Barry as a simulated 3rd person? You’ve almost sold me on this game but I’d really only be playing 2 player and wondering how to make that a more tense experience? Also thanks again for a great video!

[@HoldentheHuman]

When are we getting some skin care routine videos? Their skin looks so moist and healthy.

[@wsiegel9539]

Just played a 5 player game this weekend... wow was it a tight game. Fun, but very cut throat, first player was very important.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Never tried it at 5, I bet it's super tense!

[@dkoudrin]

Lol, I always try to get both kitchen staff decorations in the first two rounds, get that income as early as possible so they end up paying for themselves plus getting you points. Was surprised neither of you guys went that way.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Sometimes we will go for them in higher player counts. This time around we were able to get money from bonuses in some of the halls and taking 1st player.

[@davidvelazquez677]

This was great! Any plans on reviewing the expansion?

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks David, as of now we don't, just so many games we have to get to since we were out of town for 2 weeks.

[@Skycroft1000]

I like a lot of this game (the cards, the timing aspect, the theme) but I am really not a fan of area control so that unfortunately brings down the game for me. Thanks for the video, great playthrough!

[@HITFORDCYCLE1]

Area control is a small part of it in my opinion.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

That’s totally fair, thanks for checking it out!

[@michaeljoyce7548]

Depute - verb (used with object), de·put·ed, de·put·ing. 1) to appoint as one's substitute, representative, or agent. 2) to assign (authority, a function, etc.) to a deputy. So you don't "Fire" employees, you "Depute" them into the King's service!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Ahh gotcha!

[@HITFORDCYCLE1]

This is one of my favorite games but I wish they had kept the original artwork.

[@J-Wheeler-G]

I have the original game. Never getting rid of it.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

I definitely wish we had the original box, although this one is nice the gigantic size is a pain for the shelf.

[@AttilaUdvari]

45:35 Why didn't Naveen pay for the resource here? Thx :)

[@BeforeYouPlay]

I think it was just a mistake. 🤔

[@AttilaUdvari]

@@BeforeYouPlay Ohh, I see. Thank you. :)

[@marianrys316]

Instead of "Deluxe", it should be named "Gucci edition". This game is so colorful and fancy :)

[@johns6177]

Sort of off topic, are you two planning on going to PAX east?

[@BeforeYouPlay]

No unfortunately not :-(

[@KevinHoekman]

The year of Naveen! The master dressmaker.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

HAHAHA!!

[@bane9179]

While my wife does mindfulness i watch your videos the outcome Of those 2 activities is the same

[@craigliken5983]

Enjoyed the playthrough - you two do a very good job. I really like this game, but the deluxe version just seems too expensive to justify it. I really just wished someone had reprinted the original at a more reasonable cost. Maybe I can try and pick up a 2nd hand copy of the original version if I get lucky.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks so much! Yeah, the deluxe version is quite pricey. A lot of people actually quite prefer the original, we just don't have much experience with it. Hope you find it 2nd hand!

[@craigliken5983]

@@BeforeYouPlay Yes - I think it puts the game beyond the average family gamer. My family would totally play this, and I'm sure my wife would love the game but this is well over NZ$200 here (and seems to be out of stock anyway) and we just couldn't justify it. Bit of a shame really as I loved the original version when I played it at a friends place a year or so ago. Might have to borrow their copy!

[@metalbraine]

I always wanted to try this game. Since I almost always play 2player games, it stopped me from getting this one. I feel like area control usually doesnt work well in 2 player games.

[@J-Wheeler-G]

It is better with more players, it is still very good at 2 thought.

[@spacemonkeyentertainment6413]

If it is for 2p only, imo it is a pass, certainly not its sweet spot. So it's a hard sell, especially a premium edition at this price point.

[@J-Wheeler-G]

@@spacemonkeyentertainment6413 I have the original one, and I would agree about the price point of the new one. I actually don't believe any game is worth that much.

[@spacemonkeyentertainment6413]

@@J-Wheeler-G Well, i think i could justify it at that price, considering that the old version is hard to get and if you also want the expansion then you already get close enough in terms of price that it would be worth the consideration imo, depending on which version you like better. Personally, i like the the new Deluxe version better, because it feels weirdly thematic in its decadence, but maybe that is my brain trying to come up with a reason to justify the expenditure, haha. Is getting THIS game the economically sensible decision ? Absolutely not !? But if that is THE game for you, who am i to tell you otherwise, right ? I'd assume that anyone willing to pay that much money for a game has thought long and hard about it or just is not concerned with the price point all that much. So at that point, the only question that remains is, is this game worth getting in the first place. And yeah, it's a fine game imo, i'd happily play it, but i could say the same about a lot of other games at a third of the price point tops.

[@J-Wheeler-G]

@@spacemonkeyentertainment6413 Yes I'm sure It will be justifiable for a lot of people. I meant to say for my self no game is. I also don't do expansions, so I know I'm very different in how I value games than most people.

[@uz16]

I already knew who was going to win based on who owned the firework strategy which so far has been the predominant strategy in the few games I played. You can find different ways to get there e.g. smaller deck, bigger deck, but trying to dominant the area control doesn't give enough payout and going decoration strategy heavy also doesn't work point wise. That's my only con of this game

[@morecoffee998]

If you get the 3:1 money to points card + a good money engine, that can also be super competitive. Of course you need a few dresses on the board, but going fireworks is not strictly necessary

[@uz16]

@@morecoffee998 I guess the issue with the goal cards is they come at the end and requite 1st place to secure what you need. You basically need to secure the first order token on the last two rounds so you don't get completely screwed over.

[@morecoffee998]

@@uz16 don't knock it till you try it. My point is; it's simply incorrect that you need fireworks.

[@Skorrigan]

I liked the old artwork more...

[@shawns3911]

I don’t think Monique should have deputed a card from her deck…it has to be the card you just played, no??

[@paulhamrick3943]

Thank God Naveen won, sick of Monique winning….

[@TheLuminousCleric]

I am probably in the minority here, but I really don't like the art in this one. It looks terrible compared to Menzel's masterpiece. As for the wokeness of it... whatever. It's too expensive as well. The only good thing going for it is that it has the expansion, but that's it. Terrible value. This game is not worth this much money.

[@spacemonkeyentertainment6413]

I don't dislike it, but i certainly see that it is flashy and decadent. In a weird way imo it is quite thematic that way. I agree about the "overproducedness" of it. I guess splurging on it is weirdly thematic as well, lol. I did consider it, but just can't justify it at that price point and that is coming from somebody who has anniversary editions and upgraded components for various games lying around. It's a good game, but it's not THAT good.

[@Rik77]

It does look better in the flesh than on screen, and the art in this one is much closer to actual mid 18th century colouring and style but with a modern water colour look. The problem for me is that the board is too big. The original manages to get a lot more information into a smaller space without it looking busy.