Should You Play Lost Ruins of Arnak? - Board Game Review

HELLO AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
First things, I know I got the focus a bit wrong here, the viewfinder I kid you not, looked better so I think I need to assume viewfinder is "optimistic". I now use AutoFocus and all is well but please accept the the focus in this video is............well...........rubbish! :P Apologies!!!
We kick off 2021 with a review of a game that so many of us are talking about - Lost Ruins of Arnak! Spoiler alert - it hit my Top 10 of 2020, but why did it and will it be the game for you?
I'm experimenting with new format changes for 2021 and it's a Work In Progress - I need your help to let me know constructively what works and what doesn't. Thank you in advance.
But what I do like is the use of more extensive B-Roll footage including videos. It takes a while to edit and produce though so I'll keep doing it only if it's a solid upgrade.
Also I took your comments to heart and have removed the stupidly long intro (hook + intro is now less than 15 seconds total) and there is no longer the 30 second "hello + ZATU" promo. The ZATU deal is now mentioned by lower thirds and at the end of the video.
I'm also trying to keep the length of the video down and not ramble on and I'm pleased that I got a mid-weight Euro down to 15 minutes which I'd like to be the max in the future. Of course, Top 10's will likely take the usual 25-35 minutes. How did I do that? I used a summarised script of points and video clip cues............yeah I feel dirty, but as much as it was extra time to produce, it did I think make this review stay on point much better.
00:00 - Introduction & Overview
03:01 - Duration
03:55 - Ease of Play
05:08 - Tactics & Strategy
08:29 - Aesthetics
09:20 - Immersion
10:23 - Longevity
12:01 - Summary & Final Verdict
14:15 - Request for Feedback & Sean Connery Send-off
Get an exclusive 5% discount from watching my channel at ZATU Games using the code:
"TBMZYT5"
www.board-game.co.uk/
#lostruinsofarnak #czechgamesedition #brokenmeeple
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[@aronalber9107]

This is your best format yet! It was focused and well-paced without being forced. I like that you’re trying to integrate B-roll. Great job!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thanks a lot! All I got do is change the location due to wonky table and learn to do a "test" of bokeh to begin with and should be good.

[@kobusbrits3523]

I like the clips you and humor you use. Makes it so much easier to watch. Overall great game! Me and my wife play this in about 60 minutes and it plays great at 2.

[@Original_Maverick]

This was spot on, Luke. Great job! It looks like you really enjoyed doing this review too, couldn't ask for more. Thank you. I hope you had a great holiday break!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@monicawichmann5285]

Such a great review,thank you! My copy is on its way as we speak!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Fantastic!

[@MrJoelXIII]

Really liked the flow of this one Luke, nice transitions and straight information, good job! Keep up the good work!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Next couple won't have focus issues!

[@kristofdebruyne6624]

Another great review, thx for your great work. I wish you all the best and great new year and I hope I will be able to enjoy your great content

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thanks, you too!

[@francisconicolet8381]

I love the new format!! Thanks for the review :)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad you like it!

[@charlesreed8244]

Your videos are getting better and better. I LOVE the short intro and getting right into the review. I also LOVE LOVE showing more game images while talking instead of just showing you talking...this is something many other reviewers should learn. Most viewers are not here to see the reviewers face but instead the game should be the center of attention. Great job doing this. Video a bit out of focus but I am sure you will continue to improve. Showing EVERY piece as you talk about it is just perfect. Honestly your videos are getting better then Dice Tower (at time theirs is too fast) and even ManVsMeeple... In addition, having some humor in your videos does a great job in breaking up the review...this reminds me of Shut Up and Sit Down videos (another site I enjoy for their humor and opinions). LOVE the short movie clips. OVERALL great job Luke.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thank you! Really glad to see that the new format is being welcomed especially as it does require a much longer editing timeframe (so don't expect hundreds of games like this, it just means some will get the focus over others). The focus was a cock up for this one video, basically the viewfinder lies to me. With advice from technical guru's I've now resorted to simply using auto focus on the camera. I thought the motor noise would be picked up by the shotgun mic but apparently you can't hear it over (a) my voice and (b) the backing music and even then, it's only a factor if I move to the lens. It just ensures that when I record, I'm in focus! :P People moaned a lot about too long an intro and all the promos etc, so I cut it right down. 5 second hook, 5-7 second intro and then get going. I admit, it's better than the 60 seconds from before doing intro, hook, subscribe and ZATU before i even start. I try to utilise the humour when I can without making it feel forced. Very rarely is a gag scripted, most of the time I come up with it in the edit including what clip to use if necessary. I don't want to end up too much like SUSD's style, but I won't knock the comparison! :D Check out the Under Falling Skies review which sorts out the focus issue, see if that fares better! ;-)

[@charlesreed8244]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Well whatever you are doing, keep it up. I have spent too much money watching your videos...Also you tend to have my game style choices.

[@CaptainGamer347]

A wonderful review, Luke, for a great game!!! Well done!!!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@VuNguyen-uc7xe]

Great review, great game! I am certainly enjoying my copy!

[@deanmuramoto4796]

I just got Lost Ruins of Arnak and played this game twice solo and love it. Your review is exactly what I have been telling people. Great merge of mechanics, rule book and iconography is awesome, Indiana Jones theme.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Welcome aboard!

[@Platonick66]

Luke this is a great video, I have been watching your reviews for a while and this is easily the best and shows how far you have come. For the game itself, it is excellent though not my favourite of 2021 but definitely top 5. My only concern, is something you didn’t raise but is fixed by using side B of the board. We reckon that the side A research track is just a little too good and often the one who hammers that wins, side B however seems like it makes it a much more even and therefore better game. But, you are right, or for the first play or two.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Have not yet had Research be the dominating strategy so far. And thanks a lot! 😁

[@Dansport005]

Really enjoyed this format Luke

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad to hear!

[@TheBigCrab89]

Luke - I've probably watched every video you have done in the last 18 months and I'm not gonna lie think this is your best video I've seen. It's got all the charm and humor of your regular videos but feel like the level of polish and pacing was really spot on. If this is a signs of things to come from the channel in 2021 I'm very excited :)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thank you so much!!! I'll correct the visual issue and maybe change the location back to the other room due to the wobbly table but I admit as hard it was to edit this and time consuming, it was the most fun. I think there's a happy middle ground to be had.

[@TheBigCrab89]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Yeah absoloutely! I would hate to see the schedule take a huge hit for some minor improvements to the styling but as I know you appreciate the honest feedback for me this was really a step up in terms of looking super professional and clean :) PS Hopefully obvious (as a long term watcher and patreon supporter xD) but that's not to say the any of your old content was bad or unprofessional but this is a really good step up. I think for me it was the pacing that was just really at the sweet spot... I can sometimes find the DETAIL format drags a bit but it worked brilliantly here. PPS Beard is looking great you should definitely keep it :D

[@ElQuemico]

This is a professional video.. Stick to this format . Good job

[@jdober77]

Oh, Luke, you did it again. Your review for this game sold me. This is exactly what I'm looking for in a game. I'm with you with the artwork, I could stare at it all day. As for your video production, I think you are doing great. The only thing I would say is to keep it fun and simple. And again really appreciate all the hard work you do. Thanks.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thanks a bunch! :-) I do need to simplify it a little bit but I guess this one just had so much material to use for clips that it would take longer.

[@mkietzmann]

Very slick. Great job. Keep it up!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thanks, will do!

[@nuuqbgg]

Good!!! I'm so happy that this game gets as big of a praise as concordia!!! Both are clear 10! :)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Lol, Arnak is the mirror of Concordia! :D

[@nuuqbgg]

@@TheBrokenMeeple oh yeah.

[@johnpanagos5835]

Great review for a great game.

[@GamingRulesVideos]

Great video. nice work.

[@Oaklestat]

Great video. I really want this game.

[@ZAMINA1985]

This is an excellent video and review. Please keep it up.

[@ZAMINA1985]

And I am Zatu now anyway....:)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Much appreciated!

[@fenrisianwolf9229]

Great game, good solo game too. Glad I got it for new year. :)

[@threhane3492]

I'd be interested to see your comparison between this game and Endless Winter. They both look great to me, but it seems like it may be redundant to have both in my collection. Great job covering this game!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

We shall see, I know little on Endless Winter, backed it on a gamble!

[@NinjaGeekGames]

Hey...just bought this after watching your review. Thanks!!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad I could help!

[@andrethannhauser6302]

Your great video made me change the status from "really want to have" to "MUUUST have" ;-) I'm searching for mid-heavy Eurogames that include a deckbuilding mechanism while still playing smooth and where the theme come through....same level as Viticulture or Lords of Waterdeep.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad I could help!

[@J-Wheeler-G]

We love this game, every decision you make feels like you are leaving something good behind in hopes to grab it later. It plays quick, probably less than an hour (2p) at this point. And the pace is perfect.

[@paulallison6418]

Great review Luke, I'm sure its a great game - even you like it! - but it might be a bit light for me?? I might pick it up at some point.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

You should! Too light? What are you normally playing then?

[@paulallison6418]

@@TheBrokenMeeple I am a chessplayer mainly, some of my favourite games are Eclipse, 1862, Through the ages, Powergrid, Great Western trail, Scythe, War of the Ring, etc. But I'm excited by games like Lisboa, Vinhos, On Mars, Antiquity, etc but I've yet to get them.

[@theearlyresetband]

I just upgraded the components (just coins and compasses) for this- because I really dig it A LOT. Yeah!!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

What did you upgrade with?

[@theearlyresetband]

@@TheBrokenMeeple found some coins on the broken token I really liked- and some Etsy ‘geo-cash’ glass compasses 😂 a tad overboard for sure

[@Ruloathesome]

Great job Luke

[@msdebruin.]

This video reminds me I like Arnak and definitely want to play it again soon. We taught Arnak to a few people, some non-gamers and one of them even won. And he was not cheating! It such an easy teach and it is so satisfying to teach and see someone really getting it and winning even though he is/was not an experienced board gamer. It looks overwhelming at first but the iconography is very clear. 'In your turn you can use lightning bolts if and when you want to, EVERYTHING THAT HAS NOT A LIGHTNINGBOLT IS AN ACTION, and you can only do ONE ACTION PER TURN.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Arnak surprises me with how intuitive a lot of it is. Even after a big hiatus, it's not difficult to come back to.

[@seanferguson6728]

Great video! I think the changes you've made are indeed improvements. The video moves along at a good clip without being rushed and your presentation seems to have even more energy. It allows us to focus more on the content of the video, and you to focus more on the game itself. Speaking of focus, the issue with the image is that you may have too narrow a depth of field. You can see this when you move a little bit forward (in focus) and then back (out of focus). You may be using too wide an aperture to get the nice bokeh on the boxes in the back.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Wish I knew exactly what does it. It's a Sigma lens, 1.6............i think aperture so it's a low one. Main issue is that I always gauge the distance between me, camera and background as the viewfinder isn't an accurate representation.

[@seanferguson6728]

​@@TheBrokenMeeple If the aperture were fixed then there'd be nothing you could do. But most lenses do allow you to change the aperture. The issue is also that you're using fixed focus. For pieces to camera you should be able to use auto focus on most cameras. Usually there's face tracking or eye tracking. I don't see a Sigma lens with 1.6 aperture, but they do have a 16mm with an aperture range of 1.4-16. If you're using it fully open at 1.4 you'll have a very narrow depth of field for sure. Is this it?: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1369132-REG/sigma_402965_16mm_f_1_4_dc_dn.html

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah I can change the aperture on this, just paranoid about it being too dark, I don't want the ISO above 400 and currently it's 160-200. Obviously being indoors I worry for light though I admit the Ring Light I use has been very good at providing that. The lens in more detail is a Sigma 18-35mm 1:1.8 aperture lens. It's on manual focus because I thought auto focus was too loud from what I heard with motors?

[@seanferguson6728]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Nice lens! According to a review, "the lens uses an ultrasonic autofocus motor for fast, silent focusing." And if you're using an external microphone to record (i.e. not just recording audio into the camera's built-in mic) I would be really surprised if you could hear anything when the lens focuses. I guess a little test would answer that for you. Looking forward to your upcoming videos! Here's a link to that review: www.dpreview.com/reviews/sigma-18-35-1-8

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah I record into an external shotgun mic on top of the camera - the background music helps to disguise any outside noise that might occur while keeping my voice loud. Interesting about the silent auto focus feature - I think I'll switch to AF and see what happens on top of the aperture / ISO changes.

[@OurFamilyPlaysGames]

Cool video! Very fun! :)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thanks for the visit! :-)

[@conmacaodha5019]

Love the game.Only playing it solo at the moment till game group gets back together.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad it's working for you solo also.

[@stevenamamoto1358]

Loving the solo play as well. Really looking forward to playing with 4 players so more sites are explored.

[@NikoTeaJay]

I happened to discuss this game with someone today (uncanny algorithm as ever). It's such a buyable game. CGE makes beautiful games with quality components and smart mechanisms. And Arnak can be bought from a supermarket where I live. And yet. I'm not a huge worker placement fan. I've got a few and that's honestly enough for my rotation. Dungeon Petz and Alchemists happen to be the games in question, so it's not like I wouldn't know even without playing what joys CGE can conjure up with their games. From what I can tell, they're a bit heavier than Arnak, if only a little bit, so if I ever feel the need for a gateway worker placement title, I guess Arnak is the thing to get. And it certainly looks interesting as is. But yeah, some limits need to be adhered to, and I guess for me that's two worker placement games.

[@SamuraiFantana]

We played this last night for the first time . . . and we're going again tonight. Amazing game.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Agreed!

[@royverkuijlen]

Got it and played it once with a friend. Thoughts so far: 1. It's quick, maybe too quick? 2. Plays smooth as butter 3. Interesting strategies to pursue. Do you go for research, monsters, cards? 4. In our game there was some serious shortage for spearheads with blocking as a result 5. Lots of combos can be made and you're really trying to stretch your turn by acquiring resources left and right. Very much reminded me of Everdell in that sense Overall I like the game but I feel that it's missing depth or maybe better said length. It would have been interesting to have 2nd tier guardians for the locations further out or maybe just better rewards instead of e.g. a travel icon after beating one. I wonder how this game plays with either a 3rd worker or a 6th turn. Probably a 3rd worker is the way to go and hopefully they'll add this in the expansion. Will play a few more times to see if my view point changes :)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I wouldn't want the game to go much longer by adding in extra workers or a 6th round personally. I like the constraint that it forces you to think medium term rather than long term. Or grab opportunities as they arise.

[@wizardofoz6811]

Love the video and the game.

[@steveleamont]

I hope I should play it... I just got it in the mail today!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Unpack it and get it out!

Nice video. Should I like it, giving that I like Root, Junta, Cyclades and I dislike GreatWesternTrail, TerraformingMars, Scythe ?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I wouldn't compare this to any of those to be honest. It blends familiar mechanics, but it's hard to think of a similar feeling game. Perhaps if you like any of the Garphill series of games which are generally mid-weight, but smooth and offer multiple paths? But even that's a stretch.

[@KabukiKid]

I have been so wanting to play this and Dune: Imperium. Looks fantastic!

[@icemanvids9447]

Great review. You mentioned it has been awhile since a game succeeded on every level like this. What are some of those other games that fired on all cylinders?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

One recently has done exactly that but no spoilers! :P In previous games, I'm thinking some of my 10/10 games high in my Top 100 where there are very few flaws at all - so something like 7 Wonders Duel, Abyss, Viticulture, Empires of the Void II, Fields of Arle - essentially by firing on all cylinders, it's giving me what I want in all categories inclusive of theme which is rare in many Euro's.

[@MS-pw8yu]

Great vid. Are your card sleeves matte, and what brand?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Sleeve Kings, don't know if they are matte or not.

[@fmoros]

I looks supernice. I like games with theme. In terms of feel, what other game would u say it is similar to? does it feel like Newton?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

No, Newton is a different feel altogether. Most Euro's struggle to keep the theme strong while being so smooth. Not sure what I'd compare this specific one too.

[@kobusbrits3523]

I would say it feels similar to Everdell. If you enjoy the one, you will most likely enjoy the other (we enjoy both).

[@jamesdavid7782]

At the end did you say "check it out" or "Czech it out?" It's hard to tell... :)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Knowing my lack of coherent speech it could be either! 😅

[@makaveli8233]

Luke, great review! I’m really keen to get my hands on this one but it’s currently out of stock everywhere in the UK. Any idea when it will be available again?

[@makaveli8233]

Actually just received the below response from CGE and wanted to post it here for anyone else with the same query... Thank you for your message and your interest in Lost Ruins of Arnak. All copies of the game have been sold to distributors and retailers now and we are currently printing more. We anticipate it will be available in retail again at the end of February / beginning of March.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

It will come back in, did you get it yet?

[@makaveli8233]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Yep, picked it up and love it 👍🏻

[@wsiegel9539]

I agree and love this game. It has a good solo mode too. I just wonder if @BoardGamingRamblings will like it after their Viscount review? 🤣

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

They do like the game, just not as much as I do! But I was gutted when I saw the verdict on Viscounts! :'(

[@patcon314]

The artifact on the left should move next to the moonstaff when resetting for the next round, that way it can cycle out of play if nobody buys it.

[@citruesilver]

great video as always. You are very focused figuratively but out of focus literally in the latter part of the video ;-)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Ha ha yeah I know I've had some advice on camera settings and apertures etc, so I'm going to diligently sort it out for next time.

[@nickc259]

Little tip for the future, when setting up the camera, make sure you go for a smaller aperture settings, that way, more of the shot will be in focus. I know most people want the background to be out of focus, but when you use a large aperture like you are using, the depth of field you have is so small that only about 1 maybe 2 inches of the shot are actually in focus. It's good for an interview where the subject wont move or something, but always give yourself more room in the aperture so that way if you move or what not you will still be in focus. Note that zooming in alter the aperture as well. It looks like you have plenty of light so you should be able to go to a f/16 or so with no issues, depending on the camera. These are things I just noticed in some of your videos, I'm in video production! Love the content tho, keep up the great work!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Worth a try, appreciate the advice from someone who gets it! The lens is a decent Sigma lens 1.6 aperture I think. Light usually ends up being a problem for me sometimes and LUT's tend to boost it in post, but you could be right, maybe I could stand to lower the aperture a bit. What's f/16 equivalent to?

[@nickc259]

@@TheBrokenMeeple the sigma 16mm lens? If so, if you check the little window on the lens it should have the numbers and what not for the aperture. If the lense doesn't have a little window then the camera itself has the settings. Ideally for what you tend to shoot I'd never go below f/5ish or so. Below that the depth of field is extremely small. If it's really dark when above f/5 then you up the ISO, but not too much (depending on the camera). If it's still too dark then you may need additional light, but you should have room to play around with it.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Sigma 18-35mm 1:1.8

[@nickc259]

@@TheBrokenMeeple For that lens you'd need to just change the f stop in the camera itself. Just make sure the f stop is above 5. I wouldn't chance it with going any lower, especially since you film yourself, so you'd never really know if it was even in focus! Best to be safe. You can make it work by increasing the ISO or adding more light. If you tell me the camera I can look into it further, but if you do some tests with messing with the f stop, you should be able to see a clear difference.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

@@nickc259 f5 I got other lens that are forced to be that high and its like a black out. I wouldn't want to push the iso above 400 max to avoid noisy visuals. The camera is Canon 80D.

[@fmoros]

The cards (both artifacts and items) are supernice... however, it seems that with only 5 rounds you can only use them a couple of times after acquire them. I have only played twice online.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

True, but then it's only 5 rounds, and if you get card drawing abilities, you can grab multiple purchases out.

[@TheHexyBeast]

i totally agree with you about the rulebook read it once and left it open on the reference page and i was off

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Now you just need experience!, 😁

[@TheHexyBeast]

@@TheBrokenMeeple only 30 points worth lol

[@ShelfClutter]

Awesome review. The pace was nice with lots of info and kept me listening without ever having a need to skip forward. My only criticism is that I found the little movie clips a little too frequent. It would be nice if some were just visual so you could continue to talk over them.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thanks for the tips! This probably had more clips than any other review would because of the Indiana Jones link, but they do take some research and editing and so will likely get toned down a bit in favour of more BRoll footage - i like the idea of some visual only clips, that could be something to consider.

[@evannadeau3938]

I was going to say that there is a camel but I'm remembering wrong. It's a Pack Donkey haha. So happy I got this for Xmas. It's soooo great solo. Can't wait for my gf to jump in a game!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Ha ha you had me for a second! :P

[@christopherhealey8807]

great video great game

[@grog3514]

How well does it play at 3 and 4 players?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Perfectly fine that's how I roll usually.

[@stevenamamoto1358]

For solo players CGE has a print-and-play mini expansion on their website.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

11:05 ;-)

[@TimYoung1984]

I have found that the AI always reaches the end of the exploration track on the right side of the board, gaining 23 pts and then usually an addition 6 point token. Does this happen to you when you play solo, too? I can’t tell if I am doing something incorrectly.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Typically yes, I guess they have to get their points from somewhere. But if you want to get the bonuses first you have to go faster than it.

[@TimYoung1984]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Seems really difficult to do cuz the blue arrowheads and tablets are so hard to come by.

[@babakvahidnia206]

Waiting for my copy . Just a few more days . Just a few more days .. Aaaaaaaaaa 😫😫😫😫😫

[@FalkFlak]

It might be a very good euro game but I really can't see the theme coming through despite it's gorgeous artwork. I heard the same about El Dorado and that is just a racing game.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Oh yeah Dorado doesn't represent it well. But here you've got the explore part of discovering new action spaces, the research where you first find out about it then record it, the cards themselves make sense for the setting its in. And yes the artwork/production certainly helps. You don't forget you're playing a Euro, but imagine if Feld tried to do this game and how lifeless it would be in terms of immersion?

[@FalkFlak]

I think you presented your arguments very well in the review. It's probably just bias by myself. I'm so used to see euros as economic / trading games (that's the theme I always see at first and where they excel). Just like in Elder Sign (from which I get similiar vibes to Arnak) I can just see collecting symbols to pay off card costs instead of closing demon portals where in Arkham Horror I can see the demons flooding the city. Maybe its just nuances and I can't see what it is. I guess I need that quantum of Ameritrash :D

[@mbrochh82]

now the question is: Do I need this when I already have Dune? 🥺

[@ilirtanku9722]

You need both.dune is different from this

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah they keep getting compared for the wrong reasons.

[@wicked8576]

why aren't you in focus, when the camera is on you? this game is definitely on my wishlist already.. ^^

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Because the bokeh settings were all messed up as in the description. The viewfinder lies to me. I got some advice on how to resolve it next time.

[@ilqrd.6608]

I think this game is good but lacks the highs I want from my games. Nothing wrong with it but I think it just fails to create excitement to go again. Very unemotional, uninspiring and overall low on the interactivity side. Not sure why it is getting so mich buzz. It looks nice and doesn’t make any major mistakes but I don’t think it deserves the praise and firmly believe no one will be even thinking about it much by end of the year after 2-5 plays

[@TheLuminousCleric]

Bwahahahha. It's 42nd on BGG now and there is an expansion coming.

[@greginfla7211]

Wow surprised here, maybe I need to watch more of your video, but I have the impression you speak more critical of games than other “every game is wonderful” content creators. I have been on the fence for this game because there’s really nothing innovative about the game… and I have so many games. Sounds like I need to get over that thought.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I'm definitely a lot more critical of games than most others.

[@stefansibbes2440]

May definately buy this one...because I found it to be a horrible experience on BGA

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Really? The interface works well on BGA for the most part

[@gelui13]

I totally disagree :/ it’s quite beautiful I’ll give you that. Production is quite perfect, but that only rises the price for a pretty simple game. Kill monsters then expend those resources into the investigation track. It’s not quite balanced in my opinion

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Or pump up your deck of cool stuff. Or grab a bunch of relics discovering sites, or just enough research for assistants. There is more scope than you think.

[@patcon314]

"Indiana Jones without Nazis" is a perfect description of the feel of this game.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Agreed!

[@kosterix123]

too expensive to consider. Solo is awesome I heard though.

[@NowayintheBackrooms]

I would have bought this if it wasn’t it of stock pretty much everywhere 😭😭😭

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Oh it will be back!

[@iggyflop3777]

How many games "lost ruins of arnak" have you play ?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

By now, probably at least 10 including solo mode. Only got the game mid December.

[@TheErnieforss]

0:22 I thought it got a lot of buzz from the youtube gamers because they all got free copies of the game .. or was paid to do their reviews

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Gamers genuinely liked it though, although I agree, take it with a grain of salt if someone gets paid to talk about it. Thankfully I don't! :P

[@gabrielthornmusic]

Super annoying you can't find any of these new CGE games at retail in Europe.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Tell me about it, we didn't get this in UK till mid Dec.

[@chriswinston1223]

Good but flawed game. It definitely DOES NOT have varied paths to victory. It's all about racing up the research track while doing what you can do accomplish a few other goals along the way, mostly to assist you in racing up the research track. I've never seen anyone win the game who wasn't in first place or keeping up with other players on the research track. So it does begin to feel rather samey from game to game. Maybe the expansion helps. If you're unlucky you might find yourself behind on the research track and that's that: you lose.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I'm sorry but incorrect. I've won plenty of games focusing on other aspects besides the research track. I might grab an assistant or two but otherwise I can focus on exploration, monster slaying or cards.

[@jamielehn6926]

I don’t always agree with you mate (for example…GWT….!!) but I think I agree with you on this one. It’s an elegant game, mechanisms work together really nicely and some minor tweaks to old favourites (interesting take on deck building) not too complex but not too light, nice theme and fun! ♟🤓

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Such a good game and an expansion is on the way this year!

[@stevensum2011]

Go and play Dune imperium! It similar and maybe better!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I have the game to try solo! 😁

[@miguelbeeckman788]

I am still on the fence to buy the one or the other. How do they compare?

[@stevensum2011]

@@miguelbeeckman788 dune has dull graphics design but has extra mechanics of area control conflict ( added bit more spice), while arnak is more Care Bear friendly gameplay but has one of the best artwork this year.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Certainly it's not a looker so it's going to have to wow me elsewhere.

[@miguelbeeckman788]

I have the same feeling. The theme and artwork of 'lost ruins of arnak' are more my kind of game. But if the gameplay of dune is better... I don't know. That's why I'm looking for some advice 😋

[@evgenidimitrov7790]

Why are people praising CGE and other publishers? The Designers are the real heroes, they MAKE the game. CGE at their best ... what would be the problem if it was Days of Wonder?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

There is truth to that, although in this case the two designers are actually employees of Czech Games Edition.