Captain Sonar - Shut Up & Sit Down Review

[@VorpalSlade]

Looks bloody brilliant, but as always I am very put off by "You need not only seven mates but seven mates who are ALL into board games". Impossible haha.

[@RealZelyet]

This is very true. I used to have the mindset that I'd only play a boardgame with the amount of players that makes the game be played in the best way, but that usually meant I had to play with the full amount of players, which was and still is impossible for me to find for Captain sonar, and I still haven't played it. I got a realization quite recently that I call myself a boardgamer, yet I rarely play. Part of the reason is because I don't own many games and have a hard time creating events, but part of why that was difficult is because I was so adamant about finding the right amount of players that were all as invested as me, which is impossible where I live. With this said, I'm finally taking my first step into Captain sonar with hopefully 4 or even 2 players.

[@JonatasAdoM]

@@RealZelyet Captain Sonar with a skeleton crew near midnight. Can't roleplay more than that.

[@ClarkPotter]

Just surprise your former mates.

[@tohtoriTurvotus]

I would recommend searching Discord or some other source for a boardgame club! Idk if I was lucky but I found one a year ago in my home city which you can attend for free every week :) It's established by a local university and all kinds of people are welcome to play there, they don't need to be students even though it's being run by the student council... It's also a good attraction for exchange students, so I've played boardgames there with people from all over the world :D

[@Stormbrise]

No it is more like when you can get your dozen board gaming friends to agree to a date, a time, that they can all show up and play said board game.

[@CarlosCastillo-kh1wk]

Our regular gaming group is just 4 of us, but today we went on a trip to a store and the owners and 2 of their friends suddenly asked us to play this game. After an hour and a half of play we won when our first mate said “torpedoes ready captain!”, the engineer shouted “weapons cleared” II asked to our radio operator “do we have them?” And he just just replied “Captain they are on I5”. That incredible sensation of camaraderie and accomplishment is priceless I have been looking to play this game for at least a year, and after finally playing it I can sincerely say that it is the best game I’ve ever played, I wouldn’t mind playing this every game session for the rest of my life and That’s considering we have a 50+ games collection including, scythe, Great Weastern Trail and brass Birmingham amongst others...so from a hardcore game colector I can say, if you can afore the 6 to 8 players, it is totally worth it, you’re must play it!!!

[@BacchusGames]

My favorite story about this game was our third time playing. I had placed a mine 3 moves in, fought him on the other side of the map, and had him trapped about 6 spaces below my mine. I heard him go "north north north" and went OH GOD STOP and nailed him. Best feeling I have ever had.

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

As an owner and player of this game, you can definitely play with 6 people easily with the captain playing the first mate as well. If you can walk and chew gum at the same time you can probably handle it.

[@noxacanthus2990]

I am a real life submariner. Haven't played it yet, but it looks like it's all the neuroticism of submarines packaged into a party game. The review made me want to play, laugh, and is giving me stressful flashbacks. Everything is broken just like in real life!

[@Sigmar_Heldenhammer]

Well, it can always be worse I guess.

[@LordHengun]

@@craigbryant3191 "It's a ***remarkable*** game" Sneaky pun

[@fasfan]

@@craigbryant3191 As a former submariner myself I disagree (sort of). I have never played this game, but thinking back to when we played real war games I can see some similarities. While, no, it isn't a simulator, it does have similarities. You don't know where the other player is, you're constantly working with other aspects of your own team to share enough information to find out where they are, and then shoot them. It does look like a good time. It also removes the not so enjoyable aspects of being a real life submariner. Things like piloting parties, field day, stores loads, endless drills, putting up with shipmates that don't shower, maneuvering watch, duty days, and field day. (I hated field day). All in all this game looks like a lot of fun. If only I had 7 friends to play it with.

[@stumbling]

It's made even more realistic by being cramped into a small, artificially lit room with no natural light or air circulation. Or is that just my games club?

[@Waz-85]

Please do a shut up play!!! Please. This would be as enjoyable if not more than space cadets. Please

[@metallsnubben]

yesssssssss

[@smilesblue2670]

+

[@madifinley7018]

Yes!

[@dkyzar]

YES YES and YES.

[@Phelixc]

Oh God, yes!

[@perfectloser]

God I need more friends.

[@RoosterLewis]

Games for friends or friends for games. Slowly going towards latter myself...

[@aliendude1]

Same

[@ildiran]

As a real Royal Navy submariner I have got way more excited about a game about my job than I should be.

[@lefteyeblue1500]

You should check out a game called U-Boat

[@Radien]

Did it do well at representing the job? :) Similarly, I have a cousin who is a firefighter and I've often wondered what he'd think of Flash Point Fire Rescue.

[@Hudston]

I would play the hell out of this, but it looks like it's most fun with a full group and I genuinely don't know 7 other people who all like boardgames, all live locally and all have compatible free time. Such is life. D:

[@Zhalfrin]

Plays just as well with 6 imo. The only thing you're missing out on with only 6 is the potential for a more 'hectic' atmosphere and the heightened emphasis on communication. You still have these at 6, just there is more of it at 8.

[@Gyrogyro]

How do you double up the stations when playing with 6?

[@Zhalfrin]

Captain does first mate job as well.

[@mikeschmidt9298]

My son and I play this as a 2 player game. We play it turn by turn and this is an excellent alternative to battleship. Love it! I did play the 8 player version once and it was stressful! Fun, but high anxiety the whole time.

[@r.l.jeffries1091]

Check out the 4 player version, called "Sonar".

[@madifinley7018]

I have seen several great reviews for this game but this one takes the cake. I love the comedy format of your board game reviews. I don't know seven other people who game so after this review I have decided that I am going to form my own press gang of sailors! Time to start Shanghaiing!

[@Destroyaj]

"I've never seen that, but then again I'm incompetent XD"

[@EricEsenwine]

Why is lizards listed under wedding costs on the white board????

[@SmoggySandwich]

I can't tell if Quinns likes this game or not.

[@ryancasey4038]

My grandpa served in the US Navy as an engineering officer onboard a nuclear submarine during the cold war (even during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the guy picked one hell of a time to join the Navy.) He's extremely smart, and a pretty good tactician, and I very much want to play this game with him.

[@JordanBlakeGoddard]

So glad you made this video! I didn't get the chance to demo it at GenCon as there was always a line, and we had to work our booth... Thanks for sharing!

[@Phreekful]

I know this is old, but I just wanted to say: thanks sincerely, for great reviews and all of the work you put into all of your content. There are many great game critics, but SU&SD is my favorite by far.

[@davekoehnlein4575]

I could see this game becoming an Olympic sport

[@comp.lex4]

I really love the dramaticism of the ending, especially the way that every member of the crew has to confirm their piece of the puzzle. It really makes me believe that this is a game where, of the 8 players, everyone feels involved and even game critical, which a lot of games struggle with even at 4 players

[@BobRosset]

Hey mate, I know this has been uploaded a while ago, but, great video. Me and my pals are about to play this Tonight. Great review. I'm bloody excited!

[@trojan403]

How did it go?

[@milokiss8276]

This seems like a competitive sort of version of the stress of keep talking and nobody explodes. God, This just seems beautiful.

[@robdood2]

Only recently migrated over to SU&SD from Cool Ghosts, catching up on old stuff... QUINNS, NEVER LOSE THAT ENTHUSIASM, MAN!

[@totallynotabot151]

Make sure to buy "Captain" Sonar and not just the regular Sonar. While the latter is a lot more laid back it also has a tendency to end in stalemates, kind of like an elaborate Tic-Tac-Toe.

[@ryancasey4038]

Regular Sonar is better for learning the game, and it's a lot more relaxed. It also only needs 2 players (4 at most), so it's a lot easier to muster the people needed to play. However regular Sonar is missing the Engineering role, and I think that's why it takes so long. My theory is that because the engineer can only keep the ship underwater for so long, the most common reason for surfacing is to fix all the broken systems. But because there's no systems to break, the only reason you would surface is because you've trapped yourself in a corner with your past movements (which, needless to say, takes a VERY long time.)

[@ModularLanding]

Played for the first time last night and it was great fun. We had 9 players, some new to board games, so I acted as ref and rules reference. Even not playing, it was so much fun to watch my friends having a great time! We also put on the Das Boot soundtrack real loud.

[@Darthbs101]

Just picked up on this channel this week and didn't realise what I was missing. The videos and reviews are great and I've even picked up the podcast. They sell the games so well I'd love to see a lets play. But as many have said I need more friends especially for games like this and resistance. Keep up the great work.

[@bencecserkuti7110]

Hah! So good to see this. Captain Sonar was the game that brought me to the hobby. All the memories came up. I will have to dig up my copy. And then Dune (the reinterpretation of the old one) was the one that brought me to the channel. I'm spending way more time on the videos than I should. :)

[@ElmoEskimo]

I bought this. Played with eight drunk guys at the cottage. We all yelled REENGAGE when the game restarted after a pause. Was some of the most fun I've had with a game, and I bought it based on this youtube video. The rules are horribly laid out, but once you wrap your head around them its plenty of fun.

[@FortWhenTeaThyme]

Looks cool but damn, I can practically count on my hands the number of times I've had 7 other people willing to play a complicated boardgame, and also had access to by BG collection.

[@Monarchyman1]

Sounds a bit like the Board Game equivalent to Artemis Starship Simulator.

[@RexTenomous]

I actually did manage to play this a few years ago; it was so stressful! Lots of fun though. Reminded me of an older computer game called Artemis where you each took the station on a Star Trek Enterprise knockoff.

[@virtualexamman6251]

Thanks so much for this, and so many other, awesome review(s). As others have said, they’re made with such passion and are brilliant to watch. Captain sonar is on my to-buy list, as we need one more to take our group of 5 to a six. Cannot wait to play it one day!

[@davidk6269]

4:39 "Hammer time!!! Can't touch this!!!" Harem pants sold separately.

[@pyricmacguffin]

Rewatching this in 2023, that bit at the end with the supercomputer? Feels like it accurately predicted how using ChatGPT would go, right down to the obvious errors and the trying to search on bing lmao

[@oswaldcobblebot]

"...don't, don't listen to the sound of the approaching torpedoes. It's probably just a nice... dolphin, coming towards us to give us a kiss."

[@thenerdsquad379]

I do not know if you know, there is a simplified version of Captain Sonar just called Sonar. It only has Captain and Radio Operator, but Captain also does First Mate’s job. It is 2 to 4 players and it is actually pretty great. I think it might be worth while to actually review that just to address the fact that it exists.

[@dcrbdh]

I got caught up reading things on your wall and was like "why is that there?!"

[@florbengorben7651]

Oh Lord I need to play the engineer. That looks so nerve wracking and fun

[@Gnarrkhaz]

It's 2017, and there's still no Let's Play of this game from Shut Up And Sit Down. What the hell is wrong with you people?

[@nibiyabi]

Because even they can't find enough friends.

[@callum7081]

This guy is great, kept me entertained throughout the whole video :) You're my go to channel now.

[@alexbiersner3350]

This game sounds like a blast to play...but sadly I don't have that many friends to gather and play with. And when we do get together, it's usually just Jack Party Box >.

[@spncrbchmp88]

This games is amazing. I make a point of getting together at least once a year to play. It's always the best board game experience ever. Drunk, new to board games. Doesn't matter. So much fun

[@DanWinn]

Great review. Made me want to play the game. Thank you!

[@Kelfuma]

I played my first game of this about a month ago. I was the captain and my team won! Captain Sonar is the best team game I've yet to play.

[@golvic1436]

... *Runs over to amazon to order this game*

[@Whamola]

After 7 years I think we need an update covering scenarios and turn based games.

[@Knight3rrant]

Lol.. omg. My friend, I would so become one of your regular board game mates if the universe had dropped us near one another. Great review and you had me busting up laughing. Best wishes!

[@youatemycheeto]

Good luck with the wedding planning, Quinns!

[@slaxative]

I wish you well wrangling rental lizards.

[@mrtscience1]

I just came on to comment the same thing!

[@piethegoon5189]

I can the first mate yelling “STOP”, then the captain saying “Hammer time! FUCK!!”

[@JLE8811]

I have wanted this for years. This sells it for me.

[@jparrett]

I thought you had to announce the direction for Silence, just not the number of spaces (up to 4)

[@metallsnubben]

Intriguing! It feels like both versions would get similar effects, as well

[@popgas3821]

I love this review and I'm cemented to buy this except it's still freakinf hard to find! Ever since ProZD recommended this I knew it'll be a fun partial coop game. I don't care if it sounds like all players needs to be board gamers, if everyone is open to trying something new, which I believe how this game introduced itself in the past, then this is worth keeping. Thanks Sir!

[@Aliessil]

this needs a Lets Play!!

[@Mark-OutWest]

You got me hooked this game looks awesome. Great review. You really explained everything well. As a former Navy guy who spent a couple weeks on some submarines here and there this looks like way more fun the real thing. I don't have to put on a uniform and I'll have a better bed to sleep in at the end of the day. Oh I forgot to mention I'm so glad it has obsessive 2 player mode with different system panels.

[@CharlieCleveland]

Thank you for the red light bulb joke, too! That was cute.

[@artstsym]

How to mine: drop mine, then immediately write it on your paper and show it to the radio operator to have them write it down, with the instruction to tell you to stop when he thinks they're in range. Two hits in one game with this.

[@proberofprobes]

It sounds like a function the first mate should do ... letting the radio operator know where the captain dropped the mine. First mate needs more to do besides using Sonar and Drones and activating systems. However, good idea to emphasize cooperative communication.

[@artstsym]

I actually like that the first mate has less to do, I'm usually playing with one or more people who don't enjoy making hard choices against the clock, and it's the best position that allows them to feel helpful without stressing. That said I agree, competent first mates should focus on building communications.

[@jason-sp8nb]

Does the game come with that rubber and pen then

[@xForceCh0keYou]

very glad you guys are posting more to KZbin!

[@grumpyzhukov2635]

I would LOVE to sea a lets play of this with a nice dash of Hunt for Red October aesthetics!

[@fireant202]

I have Space Cadets Dice Duel already but I want this still. GAH!!!

[@Nonkosherian]

+

[@GrandElemental]

I have no desire to either of the Space Cadets games now when I have this and Space Alert.

[@eliocurybenazzi6438]

God dammit! I don't know why i keep doing this to myself... I keep following the channel, reading your reviews and falling in love for all the games... just to realize that no one ships them to Brazil. Please have mercy, I can't take it anymore!

[@Sigmar_Heldenhammer]

And, I’m gonna get this to play it with my friends.

[@sarahmtrager]

Quinns getting into bed is my spirit animal.

[@daithiocoinnigh]

I played once in a 6 person real time game, was great, I got the game, but can't find enough people to play with....

[@dustonfilm]

i just have to say i really love your reviews. so much so that you make every damn game one that i want to buy - (and that's not good for the wallet). cheers to being so witty and entertaining, enthusiastic, informative, passionate, and offering some of the best reviews + how to's and what nots of board gaming!

[@ananousous]

I'd like to play Cpt. Sonar, but I'd need to Cpt. Sonar to find new friends 😥

[@mchamberlain7408]

Bought this 4 years ago....never played it as I don't have enough board game playing friends. Damn this show.

[@mchamberlain7408]

Still haven't played it

[@Daggerleep]

This was the first video of yours that i've watched and I loved it. Keep it up. Im not going to binge watch your channel.

[@tophatlord2729]

i was looking at another tap when he started do the chair scoot. i didnt know what i was listening too

[@fengusburnt]

We’ve played maybe six times now, but my group is too intimidated to play real time. Can one team really race ahead of the other as they please?

[@Nurgleprobe]

I was already excited about this. But I did not know about the extra maps. So... now I'm even more excited and sad that I don't already have it. :(

[@General_153]

you make me want to play every one of the games you recommend!! 😁😆Thank you!!

[@sockmonkey1994]

There should be a league of this game, it would be intense

[@Gnarrkhaz]

Ah, Captain Sonar. The best game i will never have the chance to play again with those required player numbers.

[@IndustryLeech]

...iceholes.... I'm a 12-year old when we get right down to it.

[@scottyboy515]

I would just settle for having 7 other people in my house at the moment, nevermind the boardgame XD

[@chriserony]

I didn't have fun with this one. We weren't sure what to say out loud, and the other team talked too quietly when announcing their positions. Felt frustrating and not fun to me.

[@graphicgamer1013]

What if you played a game where the two teams are in different rooms and each captain has a walkie talkie with the other teams person who keeps track of their movements

[@quangn.7301]

The captains need to communicate for the active systems (sonar, drone, torpedo, and mine). The engineers reveal their work after a surface. Plus it's just fun to hear frustration on the other side of the wall.

[@OnTheBranchGaming]

Is the first expansion going to open the game up to fleets? Please?

[@railbaron1]

Crazy Idea, using code phrases to communicate between stations. Think about it, that would be an additional layer because then the crew if the opposing boat what have to kind of decode what you're saying. Hell use actual submarine terminology while your at it.

[@lasko24]

That would work if playing with the same people and have the same people on your team all the time but if teams are always switching eventually everyone will know the codes.So you would need to come up with new codes before every game and give each team mate a copy of the codes and meanings since remembering each game will be a pain.

[@SilvaSight]

Can I ask what the only printed text is in this game? (Like what do you actually have to read to play?) The only one I can buy nearby is supposedly not an English edition, so I want to know if the language is a big deal or not.

[@meathir4921]

Possibly the coordinates on the maps? Also the additional mechanics on the extra maps?

[@mafiacat88]

I REALLY want to play this but there is no way in hell I would be able to get 7 people who all like board games together.

[@rowdy35967]

Hey! I have those same plates!

[@davedogge2280]

I should point out that this is multi language .. I picked up the version in Spain and it was in English !! yay !

[@AthexTube]

Time for a playthrough of this game already!

[@tajmahanz]

Nice sanborns plate, Quinns!

[@tinvahtaric8680]

U got me so hyped for this game Gonna get it first chance m8

[@tourguidechuck]

I own it...but how do you teach it???

[@kristaspallone8210]

where did you get that table because I want one

[@NoBSGuide]

Had to get this one, it's amazing!

[@lockirocu]

How did I miss this one.

[@alexandrebelinge8996]

Awesome review I want to try this so bad !!!

[@beststonerr]

I'd love to see ya'll play this.

[@smarty5352]

Soooooo why do you ever want to move?

[@SeanTrundle]

sMarty I haven't played the game, but from the explanation it sounds like moving is necessary to charge your various systems. There may be some tactical advantage to delaying your moves and listening to the opponent for a while, but if you never move at all they will eventually deduce your location and you'll have no torpedoes ready to defend yourself.

[@janerikfries]

@15:15 I came through my pants. BRILLIANT!

[@aftiley]

this looks amazing!

[@jupitermorningstar5234]

I'm excited!!!! I wont to play it!!!

[@TheQuyman]

ITS NOT EVEN NIGHT

[@13shivan]

15:50 - 15:58 me in a a nutshell -__-

[@lanpak1126]

I will give realtime a shot now!

[@karaloca]

Give me a ping Vasily, one ping only please.

[@cellardoor7500]

Wow what a great review!!! You rock.