Small World of Warcraft Review with The Dice Tower

Tom, Zee, Roy, & Mike Take a look at Small World with the World of Warcraft theme!
Intro 0:00
Overview 2:42
Final Thoughts 11:56
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BGG Link: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3...

[@voidmoji]

Taking two things and putting them together makes total sense for a game about taking two things and putting them together!

[@christophervaladares8044]

I really like this review format! I know it cant be done for every review, but hearing 4 different opinions and a bit of back and forth discussion was great.

[@brianthomson3095]

100% agree. Four different perspectives. Four different backgrounds. Well balanced.

[@PinothyJ]

The cut from Zee throwing the trash in his hand into the component drop. Accidental editing gold.

[@jeremyfrost3127]

Extra point for faction attack is incredibly important - as Small World is extremely well-balanced and a game between skilled players will always come down to a single point or two.

[@Tarryk]

This review format worked perfectly for this particular review. I like Smallworld, and my whole family loves World of Warcraft. Extremely insightful thoughts from all four panelists here. I still don't know for sure if I would like it, but I feel like I know everything I need to without having played it for myself. I guess I need to. :)

[@noeldillabough]

Really liked the four reviews in one format; great to hear all the different points of view.

[@joelgarciamorera2225]

Excellent review. It’s 4 reviews into one video actually. Keeps in mind diversity and respect for diferent opinions. Enjoyable and thoughtfull.

[@nothing3376]

I will forever love this crew. I miss Sam dearly but the 4 very different personalities adds so much to the channel. :)

[@Dy1pickel]

Tom Vassel and his huge Project Elite stash in the back ground is fantastic haha : D

[@kuremalone78]

Absolutely love this format of video review

[@TheShapingSickness]

I'm definitely getting this one. Everyone enjoys it in my groups (except one guy) and the theme is awesome.

[@Shot007]

you are going to need a playlist for the 4 person review team. Soon these will be hard to search for.

[@julierinaldi9574]

We play WOW as a family, and recently we have started board gaming. I can’t wait to add this to our burgeoning board game collection. Plus this will make my little one happy that he can get in on playing WOW.

[@kenrickcarlsonkeh191]

Welcome to the hobby. Once you are read for big games, I suggest trying Heroes of Land, Air, and Sea.

[@andyscout]

Zee making me reconsider. My girlfriend also loves WoW and when I saw this I thought maybe it'd be a good pickup to play with her. We'd probably be playing 2 player for now (thanks Covid), but maybe I should try to get her to play the digital version of base Smallworld that I own before I jump in to this version...

[@markoreilly4433]

I used to simply love small world, all expansions and underground. Over the years my tastes have changed to more heavier games .......but I still LOVE small world. Definitely picking this up, those power combos are the bomb

[@marks6928]

I think Tom, Zee, Roy and Mike are the perfect team. This is my favourite period of The Dice Tower

[@toyjesus]

I have this preordered. I hope they continue to support it with expansions after release.

[@danielengel4593]

Finally the review I was waiting for.

[@andrewbeutel8044]

Although I’m sure not possible with every review, this 4 person perspective of a game is great! I totally am in agreement with Mike on small world (finally someone calls it out), but having the new player perspective of Roy in combination with the others really helps get a better idea of the overall game play.

[@jatedin1077]

A slight rule adjustment to improve the horde vs. alliance combat is to have a bonus point every time one faction kills one of the others' pieces. Not just once per turn but once per unit killed(not removed from the board, actually discarded). Doesn't add a ton more but really improves the red vs. blue fighting theme.

[@txsportsfreak02]

I think the one thing we all learned from this video is zee has a girlfriend! Congrats!

[@codydavis3100]

I wanted to come here and comment "We get it Zee you have a girlfriend!"

[@dominikstrehl4917]

Especially to his girlfriend. ;)

[@RulebooksForYou]

Congrats Zee!

[@tenacioustadpole]

Lol exactly what I was thinking. So happy for you zee!

[@Steve-L]

Zee has stated in years past he had a significant other. While he never, that I know got into it, he mentioned it at least twice that I know of.

[@MattJarz]

Great game explanation, will definitely help us get started

[@keel1701]

I think an important thing to realize about Mike's take is that they've had years to expand and develop more interesting race and ability powers, so this game out of the box has a better chance of having those more interesting and interactive abilities. I'd imagine the original game with expansions would be similar for him (but ultimately still not be a game he enjoys).

[@dandurkin9735]

Perfect prelude to the next Top 10 video: Top 10 Games Mike is Wrong About! ; )

[@dannyteoharov8298]

From one Dan to another - kudos, man!

[@willyum3108]

I think Mike got it right. I played WOW for years, and this version of Smallworld is only slightly more interesting than the base game. Smallworld isn't a very good game if you don't like the decline, which doesn't make much sense thematically. Do any of the races die off in WOW?

[@Zephairein]

I feel if they would have added the actual Eastern Kingdoms / Kalimdor maps even if they didn't share the exact terrain of each corresponding zone having it would have helped tie the game to the whole WoW theme a bit more then they could have added a Northrend, Outlands, Pandaria expansions. For new maps and races

[@ClockworkWyrm]

100% agree! They literally changed the board into islands so it would have been PERFECT for them to be at least generally similar to Eastern Kingdom, Kalimdor, Northrend, etc. I would absolutely buy an Outland expansion for this version of Small World.

[@zaowhei]

question about the game. If I start off as Alliance, can i then pick a Horde combo for my 2nd race? Or do I have to stick to Alliance/Neutral. So basically, can I pick any race? Hope someone can help me with this!

[@JohnnyLeyenda]

As someone who tries to sleeve all his games and take maximum care of every piece, the component drops always give me a mini anxiety attack ahaha Keep up the great content guys!

[@williamgarcia-medina9989]

Tom Vasel got that giant Cthulhu in the background. I’m a wee jealous.

[@MeanNGreen17]

Especially since he didn’t pay for it.

[@williamgarcia-medina9989]

Jeff Connell lol

[@IronSalamander8]

I've never liked Small World with 2, heck, not a big fan of playing with less than 4, and love it with 5. I haven't played WoW in awhile for various reasons but the theme sounds like it works pretty well.

[@joshjenson8111]

Smallworld with 3 is the most strategic

[@Vicioussama]

Wish I could find Small World. I loved playing it when I did.

[@fathervader]

Wheel of Fortune -- Before and After. That's what you were trying to think of, Tom. :)

[@TheDarkever]

I just bought this today! It felt a good balance between the original Small World and Underworld. This version is colorful, slightly more complex than the original but easier than the expansion, and it will attract videogames fans (I never played WoW, but I liked Warcraft 3 back in the day). Also Amazon decided to randomly cut the price by 25%, can't say no to that ;P

[@hillmath9059]

20:42, for a funny pause of all their faces.

[@johanjakobsen7962]

Tom you are so right!

[@ganonthecanecorso]

At 5:30, you describe how to perform a Last Conquest. Your description is partially correct, but also partially incorrect. After rolling the reinforcement die, if the conquest was unsuccessful, you do not have to keep the tokens in your hand until next turn. You can redeploy them onto regions that your active race controls.

[@alexcannobbio710]

I already preordered and im sure i'll love it, just wanted to see Tom's opinion about this new version

[@matttondr9282]

Smallworld never interested me with its quirky artwork but this theme really makes it better.

[@wroot_lt]

I would be ok with islands if they interconnected creating a single land. But one of the appeals of original Small World for me was seeing how my empire expand. With islands this is lost a bit.

[@Superslemmet]

If it wasn't for the theme I would think SWU would be a better sell, since what SW really thrives on is expansions. With SWU you get still get the artifacts and such similar to SWoW. For example, Frostmourne is exactly the same item as The Sword of the Killer Rabbit from SWU, rule-wise down to the letter the same item. But with SWU you also have a ton of expansions to add new races and maps and so on. With SWoW, you would sort of ruin the main thing (theme) by adding expansion races from the previous versions. Though the island-idea instead of a fixed map is a great idea, sort of taking the best from the Realms expansion and fixing the worst of SWU (in that case the 3-player map isn't great). Still, the theme will definitely be a seller. So many really love the WoW-setting. :)

[@Wh0isTh3D0ct0r]

I agree 100% with Zee's point about Small World being 11 years old and Small World of Warcraft being late to the party. If this has been created closer to the original release of Small World, or if Small World had been out of print for a long time and was finally back in production, this might be more exciting. But as it is, Small World has such a high market saturation that Small World of Warcraft feels like Days of Wonder is cutting corners by re-theming an existing game instead of taking the time to develop a new game. That's Hasbro's MO.

[@KuantumSuicide]

I’ve never really cared about Small World and I’m not a huge fan of Warcraft, but those two together made me want to play the game!

[@garykellogg2758]

Zee cracks me up all the time

[@Sgrand80]

late to the party, but never played small world and immediately bought small WoW and very much enjoyed it!

[@VictorKolbe]

man, I love Zee so much

[@athanatos2278]

Since when did murlocs drop frostmourne?

[@richardsaunders9214]

I agreed with Mike the most.

[@CyberXShinobi]

With the game being such a lightweight area control, it seems like a perfect intro game for younger audiences. With that said I really wish the abilities were printed on the card board pieces for your race and power. Having a bunch of people keep looking at the rules book seems like it would slow down the game.

[@Wendy.Benedict]

there are large cards printed for each player to use while playing that describes all of that. you don't have to all reference the playbook.

[@Wendy.Benedict]

it's the "5 summary sheets" you see in the contents listed on the box

[@MuttleyGames]

I think the game being more simple helps this variant. Many WoW players who may not be board game players would give it a shot. I haven't played much board games but think it's interesting.

[@Steve-L]

When I came into the hobby, in 2013, I bought a handful of games based on Dice Tower hype, and Small World was one of them. I thought it okay. At the time I was a huge fan of strong fantasy, and the fantasy part just didn't real me in. Eventually I bought and played the computer version and liked it more, but even still I don't play that any more either, so I did sell my Small World pretty quickly. Like Tom, I played Warcraft 1, 2, & 3, and was a big fan of 2 for a long time, but never played WoW, I did watch the film and quite enjoyed it though. Saying all this, I would play SWoW, but am not gonna buy it, or rush to play it.

[@bricelory9534]

Does the game actually remove the re-deployment/reinforcement phase at the end of turns, or did Tom just not explain it? A small thing overall.

[@alexcannobbio710]

I believe it still is in the game if i remember meeple's playthrough. The rulebook is available online if you want to be sure

[@tommylangrgen1724]

Brice Lory I was actually just wondering about the same thing....

[@OrdemDoGraveto]

I never cared much about Smallworld. I thought it was a mediocre game. But I'm HUGE fan of WoW, and I quite enjoyed this version! But we play with a house rule: We play 2 hordes X 2 alliances x 2 neutrals. We let the neutro choose his race at will without paying anything, and then choosing ANY of the powers. Then, we flip coin to see wich team starts picking between horde or allience. The team that starts can choose 1 race at will and any power at will for that race. Then the team that goes second chooses 2 races and 2 powers, then first team chooses it's second race and power. We enjoy the game MUCH more being able to choose things we want to try out and play with hehe

[@Coniff]

To zee's comment: I'm not a current WoW player, and I've only played Small World twice. But I really enjoy the game and it's a game my wife would enjoy. The WoW theme is icing on the cake because I'm familiar enough with the IP to enjoy the tie-in and I like the island concept a bit better than the traditional Small World board. As I've never owned the original Small World this is a buy for me.

[@Teremei]

I've never played small world but now I want to. As a Wow vet, World of Warcraft just really works with this.

[@luisfranciscomontero1544]

Mike spot on

[@xCriticalStrikex]

Played small world ages ago and remembering it being fine... big wow fan though so preordered this. It looks cool :)

[@mrdreadful5567]

"I have the FINEST wares in the land"

[@elainelydon2952]

I was a huge WOW fan, but stopped playing it 7+ years ago. I’m new to board gaming and never played Small World before. I have this on order and am super excited about it. I think there might be lots of people in my position, so Zee’s comment that if you liked WoW you probably already bought SW only applies to those who have also been board gaming for a number of years, not all the lockdown newbies like me. 😬

[@zintosion]

I love smallworld!....also I spend like I dunno tens of thousands of hours on world of warcraft, played warcraft 1 2 3 the rts religiously, owned and read every single books and comics on warcraft, so eh I guess I got some passing interest on it.

[@scienceacademynotcangivena8736]

small dice warcriminalcraft racist game is lie propaganda to force players to kill nations. What is nation? Humans born without nationality, born without fascism, nationalization in childhood make them. False value, false enemy, false nation definition make false enemy, destroy value of life. Nationalist kleptocracy created fa, refuse value of life and human rights. Reward for worsening is kleptocracy support, steal reward system. Support nationalist kleptocracy, participate in war crime. Wikipedia false nation definition changed always. They kill for nations, they not know what nation is. Not can distinguish between race and nation. Many program errors. Golden toilet marauder hilterugend science academy economy, kill and loot. Big cost in money and time. Booze narcologist barmen alcohol chemical addiction for children. Killing for religion of peace, priest ten commandments. Sacred satan religion war godless church. False race definition, false nation definition, make players to kill nations, made fa. Overpopulation family values.

[@condensedmilk]

Can you shuffle other SM expantions with this one?

[@mienzillaz]

Mike: it's a good marriage Zee: i agree, and they did something else, with horde and alliance .. Tom: it's bad idea adding extra point for fighting other faction.. Zee: i agree.. WTF Zee..?

[@MrCrixmadine2]

This had to be one of the last component drops

[@lystic9392]

A Worgen with a tail?

[@jasonzwink]

What's in Zee's Hobby Lobby case?

[@seniledad6489]

My guess is Arkham Horror LCG cards that aren't in the "Return to" boxes.

[@fryrish7749]

Hmm, seems like you'd want someone who's more of a WoW fan for a balancing opinion. I've been a big WoW fan since 2006 and Small World I own but don't get many chances to play. I'm actually pretty excited about this one.

[@sivain5846]

So this is small world wow style.. got it

[@LookWhosBlogging]

Is Z’s girlfriend Pandemic?

[@amandadavis3800]

I don't think I am, no. ;)

[@vonwoolf9963]

Finally !

[@MrPsramos]

Wishing for ios version

[@boardgameknight2791]

Is it just me or are there more ads popping up in DT videos these days? I'm sorta dumb to the workings of youtube, so I'm not sure if it's because of something DT is doing or youtube is doing, but it kinda sucks.... :( Great review, btw. Thanks, guys! :) If it is DT, and you guys are looking for more revenue sources, I for one, would be much happier donating directly to DT than watching ads during your videos. Normally, I just donate to your kickstarters, which are very well run. What are the chances we'll see a stretch goal of "no ads" to future videos?

[@14stockfan]

I think it might be a KZbin thing. They recently made a change to automatically put a mid-roll ad on videos over a certain length. Whoever is making the videos is probably just forgetting to uncheck the box to remove it.

[@nothing3376]

Does Tom stand this whole video? HHa

[@leadbones]

Four of 'em and not a single WoW player? Huh.

[@Vascariz]

Disappointing to hear that the 2 player is weak :(

[@GaNSiNaTeR]

Pretty sure he just meant to new variant was weak at 2 player.

[@Skarpo89]

Yes I understood it the same as Steven, I really liked the original 2p I don't think this one will be that different

[@Vascariz]

So in normal 2 player Small WoW, you don't remove neutrals, you don't go A v H?

[@malcolmdouglasmichaluk8263]

Most of the fun in these strategy games is multiplayer It usually keeps people from dominating too much.

[@Phelixc]

That's just a variant, you could still play with all races and powers like in a normal small world game. The variant didn't work well with two players, but I suspect the normal version will be just as good as small world with two players...

[@TheLimestoneCowboy]

I’m just happy to hear Zee got a girlfriend!!!! Good on ya mate!

[@Steve-L]

Zee has stated in years past he had a significant other. While he never, that I know got into it, he mentioned it at least twice that I know of.

[@MarioPBCSa]

Great review guys but it does have a fundamental problem: none of you played/enjoyed WoW. This means that your review is, let’s say, incomplete as the game’s aim is to take us back to that universe that so many of us love.

[@Phelixc]

But it also has to be a good game regardless of the theme. So I think you can take the scores and add a bit to it if you're a fan of wow. The theme didn't seem that important, it is small world with new powers/races and a few new things (like the artifacts and the islands). It's like an expansion to small world really, but with a theme that will resonate well with fans of the series. I'm a huge fan of warcraft and hearthstone, but never got into wow because I don't have the patience to play an mmo. I still love the them though ;)

[@Steve-L]

Whoops! Go back to the 2 minute mark and hear Zee played it. While Tom has not played WoW, he did play Warcraft 1, 2 & 3, and thus knows the theme, and that is where I stand, I loved #2 for quite some time.

[@julierinaldi9574]

They should have made the islands look more like Azeroth

[@ArnieHorta]

Yep...Mike is wrong.

[@devilp84]

Counting points in this game is a nightmare...focusing on the map to properly count, whose territory is which with all the active and declined races (that have very similar look, especially declined side), plus additional tokens on the map. This game is one big mess. The only one in my collection that I don't have any will to play and will sell it.

[@darkwingeduriel]

If you want a good experience buy small world underground instead.

[@flameski_]

I'm not getting this, despite being a huge Small World and Warcraft fan. Blizzard has done some really questionable things recently, for example releasing a borderline broken game with Warcraft 3 Reforged. They do not deserve my money.

[@TrevorJust]

Mid video ads

[@RottenJeeves]

first. :)

[@94fcr]

Mike is such a strange and pedantic guy. He only likes his weird games

[@nothing3376]

Okay last comment, I’m not super interested in this game to be honest... Small Worlds generic light heart fantasy theme was already almost the same theme...

[@erikabreu5309]

I have to say it’s hard to take a serious an opinion from someone using a fedora, I am sorry about that comment…

[@tomkot]

So this game essentially has nothing to do with World of Warcraft but just uses names from that game as a PR to make WoW fans buy the SmallWorld game. Just be honest about this instead of giving the impression it has something to do with WoW.

[@christaggart5687]

Just give me the review. The 20 minute group talk takes too long

[@Stankiem83]

Skip to the very end then, plus you get 4 fairly quick opinions instead of one. I definitely prefer this style for games I'm on the fence about buying at least.

[@Vascariz]

Don't see the time stamp? Geez...

[@Skarpo89]

I really enjoy the group talk, that's one of the things I enjoy from DT : )

[@christaggart5687]

Vascariz yeah... it says 11:56. Thats 15 minutes of final thoughts. You just proved my point. If they had a final 2 minute recap, that would be swell

[@Stankiem83]

@@christaggart5687 Sure I suppose a timestamp at that location where they start giving their actual final thoughts could be helpful for some for this style of review.