Sabika - Straight Up Solo with John LaRuffa

[@Dalkiri]

this game completely flew under my radar until I saw it on yout channel. just decided to bite the bullet and ordered it. hopefully it'll be a nice addition to my collection.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I think you will really like it! It is a great game!!!

[@shinjial]

This is a nice solo mode. I really like solo modes for medium to heavy euros that have a card system that's super fast to execute and doesn't take too much to manage.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I totally agree with you there!

[@boriskirov3953]

already landed in my country, just waiting for this one to be delivered! Your review made me even more excited!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Glad to hear it! It is a gem!

[@joellen5984]

I have this arriving in a few days - and am really looking forward to it. I like the theme and the art on this one. It looks really good - I enjoy a puzzler quite a lot. Thank you for showing us and sharing!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

You got it!

[@3838jeroen]

this is such a good game

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Totally agree!

[@gatosguerreros_]

Sabika or Scholars of the south tigris, which would you get if you can only buy one?? Congrats!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Depends on the mechanics that you like the most. I would certainly find a way to get both of them. However, I have played Scholars more so that gets the nod.

[@browe]

Glad I've found your content! After viewing some of your solo reviews (and subscribing), I had a question: since you recently reviewed both Sabika and Wayfarers of the South Tigris, I'd love to know what you prefer--solo or two player. I'm interested in both, have never tried a Garphill title, and I'm interested in your take. To level set, my wife and I love Dune: Imperium + expansions, and I really dig it solo, too. We're big fans of Praga Caput Regni, which you also seemed to enjoy. Ditto Tapestry. I've been deep into Skies Above Britain (saw Thunderbolt Apache Leader on your shelf) lately, and I've recently been doing solo plays of Chip Theory's Hoplomachus: Remastered. Similarly, I've had a blast with Glen More II: Highland Games--the automa is just as you described her: easy to run, but challenging and tricky with how she unseats your plans at just the opportune moment. Cheers!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Sounds to me like you have some great taste in games! I am glad you like my content as well. So, this is a tough toss up, but I think Sabika would just barely nudge out Wayfarers because it is a more novel design and more satisfying to play but just a bit. They are both fantastic games solo (never played them with others). I would say that Sabika probably has more legs as there are a LOT more ways to victory than there are in Wayfarers. To me, I think a solo collection could easily own both of them and I would say that Wayfarers is probably my favorite Graphill title that I have played. However, there is something about the tightness of Sabika, the huge amount of ways to approach the strategy and the very satisfying solo mode that makes it special. Hope this helps! Take care and thanks for the comment.

[@browe]

@@JohnLaRuffa Totally helps! Thanks for taking the extra time to share your perspective.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@@browe no problem!

[@browe]

@@JohnLaRuffa Found a beautiful, lovingly cared for used copy of Sabika at my neighborhood FLGS. No brainer to pick it up! 😄

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@@browe what a find!!! Great work!

[@lawofgravity1979]

I agree! I don’t usually like tight games but this one gave me just enough to make it engaging. I love the angst that the Rest mechanic adds because it gives you a bit of money when it’s already hard enough to come by…but then you’re essentially giving up an action on the board. Which is also tight. So do you give it up for money and a PP loss? Ugh…such a tough choice. Again, while tightness like that usually makes me anxious in euro games, this one did it for me. And the solo is super simple to run! My last score we were back and forth, neck and neck but I lost by just 5 points. But it was engaging all the way through. Great game!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

This is probably going to be in my top 5 for my newer games. I need to play it regularly this year for sure.

[@bankingonmoney8224]

Thanks for the sample play as when seeing this game I thought this was a point Salida as well and was going to pass. I do like strategic, resource management and building style game with an easy automa. Question, How many levels of difficulty are provided? Think this one will be a good fit for my library. Thanks.