SU&SD REVIEW: SOIL (Earth Review)

[@richardliful]

I fully expected Matt to show up as a worm again in this soil video.

[@jonahfalcon1970]

We have Mattsign even God has never seen.

[@ramostott190]

Matt you've been into the soil again. You've got it all on your upper lip. I would have expected you to see that in the editing process, but I guess even the professionals miss things now and then.

[@jokerES2]

Mustache Matt is part of the Experimental SUSD. What a world.

[@styno9295]

What is dirt but accidental makeup?

[@UltimateChallengeKit]

He's celebrating Pizzamas.

[@nolanjc1]

The reason some plants sprout but don't grow is that sprout is specifically associated with prolific plants which do not actually get very tall. This is the reason why nearly all the mushrooms in the game have a high sprout value but very low growth potential and the f-ing redwood has low sprout value and incredibly high growth potential. Its immensely thematically appropriate in a game where you have a lot of bushes and mushrooms in play and then alternately you have traditional trees as well. You can try to grow a tall forest or you can attempt to make a robust mushroom colony or you can mix. There are many reasonable criticisms of Earth but its theming is not one of them.

[@hellabisys]

I really appreciate the restraint in reviewing a game about soil, that has a composting mechanic, and not bringing out Worm Matt even once

[@Ovetupp]

I, on the other hand, feel hurt and betrayed by the lack of Worm Matt

[@aztecjaguar6571]

Wot, no Worm Month? And no Worm Matt? No Worms at all?

[@theautisticguitarist7560]

Alternatively: Shai Hu-Leeds

[@welwitschia]

Earth is one of the best "good" games I've played. It doesn't do anything special, it is very lovely designed and looks very pretty, it's always a fun time but never particularly exciting or frustrating. Is just like a comforting bowl of warm soil on a Sunday afternoon.

[@miniclip13sa]

Written by a worm

[@ServantofGod88]

It's important to note that you never have to be maxed out on sprouts. You can always choose to convert 3 sprouts for 2 soil before the action of the receiving the sprouts would trigger.

[@PiquantPan]

games are great because this sentence could either be an entirely serious clarification about optimal play, or it could be a cheeky, sarcastic riff on crunchy eurogames.

[@grzegorzowczarek3016]

@@PiquantPan It's true rule, it's bad writing on their part.

[@mydemon]

​@@grzegorzowczarek3016its just humor bro

[@PiquantPan]

@@grzegorzowczarek3016 guys named "Grzegorz" not beating the "Polish have no sense of humor" allegations

[@grzegorzowczarek3016]

@@PiquantPan I just think that there is a real chance that he played the game incorrectly, that's all. It also can mislead others and lead them to make the same mistake. I did not say that joke was not funny.

[@maxtardif4959]

Thanks for taking to the to review Earth, that's well appreciated!

[@zacharylane6148]

Matt has very particular tastes. I feel that what resonates with him about a game is some quality found at a level beyond the world of mechanics and components, beyond experience of "fun", and into the transcendent realm of virtue and true nature. Some might call it vibes, but this is more.

[@AccountsOliant]

I love this game for what it is: it gives you the feeling of playing Terraforming Mars or Ark Nova, a tableau-building game with tons of cards, but in 50 minutes or less for 2 players with almost no downtime. Something the other games can't provide you when it comes to time. The game has no downtime, It feels like playing those video games where you constantly get coins and stars. It's a non-stop ride. The more I play it, the more i like it.

[@revimfadli4666]

Wish that's gonna be a trend that replaces the "overly long and complex 'heavy' midweight" trend soon

[@meeresluft]

thank you very very much! this is exactly what i was looking for and wasnt sure about whether this game would be it until i read your comment :)

[@kitsvn]

“I resisted at first, but now the rhythms of the forest flow through me, and they can flow through you too.” - Matt Parsley

[@R.A.Stewart]

I agree, my wife and I both felt board every play of this game. A lot is going on, lots of combos, lots of points, but none of it felt like it really mattered. I just don't want to play it when that time can be spent having more fun in other games.

[@VoidVerification]

I am sharing the opinions in the review 100%. On the surface, I should've been enjoying the game: everything gives points, you got cute plants on cards, nice components. And yet: the whole time it felt oddly... empty to play this game. Everything gives points, so gaining points didn't feel like an achievement. And since I am constantly doing something during everybody's turn made it feel rushed the whole time.

[@Pernicous]

Yeah we had a similar experience when we played it. Also weirdly the theme got lost really fast for some reason, despite the building of trees and planting sprouts, maybe because of the speed it just devolved into the numbers.

[@kanedafx]

And yet, it's not point salad. Players will sometimes double the score of last place. Everything gives points, but not everything gives close to the same amount of points.

[@jorischkovich]

ah unhinged rambling with just a bit of information on the side. Just how i like it

[@SocksAndPuppets]

When I was a kid, my parents had all these little illustrated Reader's Digest books with images of plants and fish and trees and so on... as like tiny encyclopedias to help people identify different species. The art on these cards reminds me of those

[@MURD3R3D]

I'm very surprised that you didn't offer wingspan as an alternative review video. They use the exact same mechanic for engine building.

[@revimfadli4666]

Well given their less than stellar view on wingspan, that's hardly surprising

[@TheGilzam]

Weirdly very little positive things in this comment section. Well I love Earth. It is one of my partner's and my favorite game. Its does "keep you busy," but I'll take that over staring at people waiting for them to take their turn. This games comparable to Wingspan, but this gives you that drip of STUFF where as Wingspan is very tight and it can be difficult to get an engine going in that game. Earth can be played with 4 brand new people pretty smoothly. Screw doing that in Wingspan. Ive shown this to non gamers and gamers, and I had one friend who ordered Earth online before we packed up the game! I love this game. Theres so much to think about and you are kinda multi-tasking and keeping a lot of info in your head for how you want you island to look to score all the objectives. But its great.

[@melski9205]

Yeah love the simultaneous play, and the constant engines hum. Really enjoying it too.

[@TheGilzam]

@@melski9205 i think thats another part. Some "engine building" games is all building, no running. Or youre restricted so much that that getting 2 resources from 1 is an achievement. You can run your engine on your turn. Maybe you even get to when its not your turn. This game just flows and gives you stuff, then gives you more stuff. Its neat.

[@asuperfrog]

My kids would argue with the claim that children don't want to eat soil.

[@MrJcarrut]

Earth was a game I was happy to try, but not one I wanted to play more than once. Gorgeous though.

[@AinSoph]

If you don’t like mushrooms, I wouldn’t recommend any of the ten mushroom games that are coming out.

[@plutocracy8083]

There are many good games with card effects and synergies like Maracaibo, Terraforming Mars, Race for the Galaxy. I played Earth on BGA and it was ok.

[@TheGilzam]

If you did turn based, I really dont like it like that on BGA. Ill play Wingspan on BGA, but Earth in person

[@plutocracy8083]

@@TheGilzamAt least it does the accounting on BGA. There are too many effects going on.

[@benklocke9300]

Earth(or better named soil) has a huge problem with soil. Try this strategy next time: Take the setup giving you most soil. Use green actions as often as you can (at least 7/10 action) Plant a lot of low cost cards giving soil. Try to get (mostly) 8 cards of the right icons to finish the objectives. Try to end the game fast so noone else can finish objectives by completing 16 cards as fast as possible.

[@htspencer9084]

Ah, a fellow aggro player I see!

[@YrualXIX]

did this, won, no more friend...jk. But yeah this can work :))

[@sannisrahl7154]

@@htspencer9084 It's really the only strategy that works solo as well

[@Timmysteve]

This Max Sprouts character seems like a real mover and shaker

[@CarnageRedemption]

Don't let him fool you! When it gets a little hot and sweaty he turns to complete mush!

[@mikethedigiartist]

Ditching search engine optimization for a gag in the title is *chefs kiss*. When it comes to funny, you guys take being goofy very seriously. 😂

[@matthewpohlmann6623]

This was an amazing video. Humour is excellent, on point. Editing is well executed, bravo

[@Ben_Mdws]

There might be a review in this video, but all I can do is stare at that facial hair choice.

[@Gnalistair]

Counterpoint - at some ages, children want to eat earth too much

[@paulsousa]

Max Sproutz is my favorite sprout killing machine salesman/sprout detective. Those two professions synergize nicely.

[@thigpen]

New definition for multiplayer? "Simultaneous Single PlayerS"

[@RedBairnMedia]

and everyone is the traitor!

[@SovaGospodarSnova]

I think that parallel play is exactly the term for it

[@k1anky]

Oh man, I’ve been to right where that picture on the cover of the box was taken in Iceland. Beautiful!

[@derekeyler2634]

Tossing the baby into the garden at the end gave me a solid laugh.

[@chillausmc]

2:20 had to rewind for the funniest thing I heard all year. Thankyou so much

[@joeljanzen8121]

Nicely done conveying the flow and cycle of this game. You rock Matt!

[@drmntpibb]

a game about plants, dirt, and mushrooms? 100% sold already.

[@drmntpibb]

update: watering things does not mean they will grow, and just because a plant sprouts doesn't mean that it will grow.

[@colingerber5319]

I for one welcome Matt's new sleazy used car salesman phase

[@shutupandsitdown]

Hell yeah gamer

[@manuelcamargorivera5980]

I think this is one of the best reviews I've seen from this channel. I laughed a lot. Thanks Matt.

[@octavus4858]

So much disagree. Arc nova plays forever for 4 players, it is boring to wait for your turn. Earth is so much more fun to play on higher player count- it is engaging, puzzly, fun

[@thedrotua]

I love this old school style review! Its just so great, thank you!

[@Koborover]

Give Matt some big 80s glasses and his transformation into Weird Al Yankovic will be complete.

[@0ValdeCalebros]

a planet-neutral term for 'earth' in this context is 'regolith'

[@David_S_TO]

And soil is where beans grow,. thus hinting at the dark undercurrents at SUSD HQ. Beans!

[@Ralai14]

Oh boy, public transport in Spain is ok unless you are in the Barcelona area. Then you are in for a surprise every day!

[@ezmoore27]

"There's not even any humans, the protagonists of the universe!"

[@danielkeeble753]

6:52 😂😂😂 "I dont like England" aaaaaah this got me 😂

[@KungLodbrok]

I suddenly remember Jeeves when Woster tried to grow a mustasch.

[@ramostott190]

People went nuts over Earth saying it was an Ark Nova killer and all that. It definitely doesn't scratch the same itch Ark Nova does for me. Closer to a less good Wingspan. And not one I need to play again.

[@arthursimsa9005]

Closer to Wingspan, for sure, but less good? What makes you think that?

[@Wylie288]

@@arthursimsa9005 I can teach people wingspan in one round. People still barely know how to play earth after 2 games.

[@ramostott190]

@@arthursimsa9005 For my tastes, Wingspan is more streamlined, easier to teach and learn, more visually appealing, much less of a table hog, and overall more satisfying at the end of the experience.

[@OICJC]

See, I'd say Ark Nova scratches the itch of wanting to play Earth but have it take three hours with tons of downtime.

[@arthursimsa9005]

@@OICJC you should play it with two players. And no, it’s not the same game feel at all.

[@bhappyordie]

Something about the look of this game is so off-putting to me. Says a lot about SUSD that I still love the video!

[@RyanEdwardsVA]

The more mileage you get out of that particular image of Tom the more I love it.

[@MiguelMagalhaesplusmeup]

Accurate review..I own it, played it twice - may well end up selling it. It's just a bit boring and doesn't come close to Ark Nova.

[@davetalbert8387]

"We need to invent a machine that kills sprouts for money, and we need to invent it RIGHT NOW." Not only did I laugh until I cried, I had the misfortune of being in the middle of eating a salad, and so, quite literally, some sprouts almost killed *me.* No word on who paid them to do so.

[@kenshokram]

Am I the only one finding this video, and maybe some others, to have a very low volume? I had to crank it up to watch this and then lower it back down when changing to something else. IS THE MOUSTACHE CAPTURING ALL THE SOUND? Loving the new videos btw!

[@RedBairnMedia]

All sorts of Autumn going on here. Incredibly crunchy game that I couldn't even entertain getting my head around. I think a pc based version would be enjoyable - much like Terraforming Mars and it being endlessly playable in the digital format. What's definitely enjoyable is Matt's glorious moustache.

[@TheGilzam]

SU&SD doesnt like Wingspan, Terraforming Mars, or Earth. Hmmmmmmm....so Race for the Galaxy is the only tableau builder they enjoy? The literal hardest one to teach? Wut

[@jr637-1]

Matt, the grellow word you are looking for is chartreuse.

[@sweetwizzle]

You could've gone with Bon Appearthit but instead you chose EARTHYTIT?

[@jonahfalcon1970]

So... it's Wingspan but with plants.

[@federik21]

and without downtime

[@bunchycarter8024]

Exactly how i describe it

[@terhuneb]

OMG, that 8:26 squirrel peek-a-boo had me rolling!

[@bheurk]

Great review! I also had mixed feelings about it, especially as I played it right after Ark Nova. I was kept busy, but I wasn't exactly feeling rewarded, for lack of clever planning and long preparation I had to put in to get something done that felt like much of an achievement. I mean, the same holds true in one way or another for other games like My Farm Shop or Cascadia, where opportunities just easily come by, but these games are simpler and don't give you a plethora of options. But it's the right game for those looking for a buffet of options with minute differences and a merry-go-round of conversions, kind of like a wealthy version of Furnace.

[@robertchmielecki2580]

I feel that just like me, SUSD are getting bored with samey games appearing one after the other, with cosmetic changes but exactly the same feel as the games we have been owning for years and don't have to learn the rules of to get a tight game played to the best of our abilities. I would love to see SUSD reviews to step out of this boring field of repetitive mainstream games which is their comfort zone and try something else. Maybe review a hex&counter solo wargame like something from DVG? Or a modern miniatures skirmish like Kill Team?

[@jeffgagnon1983]

For some, putting cubes and sprouts and soil on the board must feel very rewarding, but to me, I felt like an exhausting chore.

[@cachotognax3600]

0:10 "please enjoy the selection fo fizzy wines and sparkling biscuits kindly provided us by inside up games" Dang they not only gave you the game but refreshments too?

[@AinarMiyata]

Mistake spottet: Soil is one of the few things beside sugar that them kids will gladly eat. (Ask anyone who works in a kindergarten...)

[@Pokephantom]

SQUARE DOGS!? CUBITOS!?

[@arthursimsa9005]

The ressemblance with Ark Nova is pretty superficial (both have huge decks of unique cards à la Terraforming Mars). This plays more like (a better?) Wingspan. I’m not sure what to think of it quite yet.

[@Duxa_]

Suprised WIngspan wasnt recommended as an alternative, lots of overlap (sprouts = eggs) cards with actions/activation etc.

[@Wylie288]

The channel hates wingspan because they are not good enough to get more points than the minimum the game gives you.

[@walterhaider869]

What's with the adult film 'stache?

[@Thewhatnowhuh]

Thats alot of cards, theres no way someone can keep them all.

[@hedgehog3180]

I think my biology teacher would love this game, though I also find it interesting.

[@nazokashii]

Thank you for the review :D always a lot of fun, regardless of the game :)

[@tigriscallidus4477]

It has interactions in the action selection though. Choosing actions your opponents cant doo too much for example

[@philipthonemann2524]

Helpful stuff, and amusing - well done!

[@THESP-rz3hg]

I hate to not pick Matt, but as somebody who has a child who moved into his home recently- when they are young they love to eat dirt. Plants, totally correct on though.

[@kronosbot5]

Threw out the baby, kept the bath water. Great ending.

[@SamClemensRIGL]

What sort of recipe would Matt pair with this board game review if he were still doing drink and/or food recipe endcaps?

[@rakino4418]

Ohhh I miss those. Something earthy. Mushroom soup?

[@SamClemensRIGL]

Katamari soup, so the entire EARTH! But yes, mostly mushrooms.@@rakino4418

[@cptclimps]

I laughed out loud multiple times. Excellent video.

[@faucetrememberly2399]

matt i love your shirt so much. it reminds me of my favourite magic the gathering card art ever, "Word of Command"

[@spol]

Aw yes grello. One of the most loathed colors of all time.

[@elqord.1118]

I agree wholeheartedly. It’s a perfecting game but lacks that special something.

[@DanteKami1]

Looking like Captain Darling from Black Adder 4! Love the facial hair!❤

[@ConradCowlrick]

As always, plenty of happy laughs and good feelings about games

[@StockySnail]

A couple of my friends complain about having to wait too long between turns. This definitely doesn't have that, but I still find them complaining even though they are only waiting 60 seconds for the last person to finish what everyone is doing so the next choice can be made. I think this just translates into them thinking the game is good but not something they want to play all the time like Terraforming Mars.

[@funkula1702]

Yeah, I think this game is only ok. Honestly after the handful of games I've played, it just feels like Busy Work the board game.

[@noeljonsson3578]

12:59 that would be quite a different movie…

[@dylankistler731]

This is very much not a game made for SUSD’s sensibilities - it is catering to the crowd who loved terraforming mars and Ark nova, both of which SUSD did not. I didn’t expect to see any love dispensed for the 6th step in this iteration on a tradition Tom hasn’t enjoyed since it’s first waddle (RFTGalaxy), but of course how could I resist having him tell me so eloquently!

[@alexanderpircan6799]

PLEASE REVIEW "FIT TO PRINT" ! (sometimes in the future, maybe...?)

[@MegaSNES64]

We really enjoyed this game, but have only played it at 2 players.

[@houghy6]

"I dont like england." dead

[@gravitas802]

The completely unexpected whine of "I don't like England," almost made me choke.

[@xCriticalStrikex]

There was a lot of hype around this game, and I missed the kickstarter. I reached out to the company to late pledge but alas they offered me no option to. Now Perhaps I realise that this game isn't as amazing as everyone made it out to be, and frankly race for the galaxy is one of my absolute favorite games and there is no way I would replace it with this. I'd be interested to know what the other lads thought though too, were these feelings unanimous?

[@dkinrys]

They discussed it in a podcast episode. If I recall, the consensus was that yes, they had a good time with it, partly because you're always doing stuff and getting stuff which you can then use to get more valuable stuff. They were unsure, however, if they would continue to enjoy it, or if the novelty of getting stuff would wear off.

[@whittaker007]

It's been a big hit in our household.

[@dereksimmons5877]

Comedy was peak on this

[@vonwoolf9963]

It's weird that you didn't talk about the animal objective cards, because they are really thematic.

[@leesweeney8879]

Doing a 70's home made picture show soon Matt?

[@dago6410]

Wdym children dont want to eat soil. Have you ever seen children. I havent but ive heard they will eat anything if it is unedible.

[@Professor_sckinnctn]

Was that a Hegel reference? Via Gregory Sadler?

[@bosinnpashalka]

Я вполне ожидал, что Мэтт снова появится в виде червяка в этом почвенном видео.

[@bellmakersalp4576]

Yeah I enjoyed my plays of it and would have no problems playing it more but it did not spark joy. Kinda like Terraforming Mars but cozier

[@meathir4921]

The spreadsheets have gotten to Matt again… and this time, they’re green!

[@massimocole9689]

Matt has gotten into the pizzamas spirt with that stash.

[@kyledewaal3426]

Lol

[@scrattue]

A MATT REVIEW yaaas

[@nickrondinelli1402]

Sounds like wingspan but with shared turns

[@styfen]

I LIKE DIRT!