SMGSLT Solo Playthrough - In Too Deep [Dronejack/Disruptor/Sprinter/Fixer]

[@helainacappel8907]

This was so awesome! Thank you for sharing your solo play Joachim. We very much enjoyed watching it.

[@somanygamessolittletimesmg7725]

My pleasure! I really enjoyed playing it 😁!

[@scottrenfer2735]

Great video! I've been watching during my own first solo playthrough. Quick question: When the other player hooks into one of my criminals, does my grip go down? It kind of seems like it should, but I don't see it mentioned in the rules. It would be easier if it didn't, but thematically it makes more sense that it would, in my opinion. Thank you so much! Very appreciated!

[@somanygamessolittletimesmg7725]

Your grip doesn’t go down no but if I remember correctly, in a multiplayer game, they need to pay you for taking your guy. The AI doesn’t though as far as I remember. I just look at it as those criminals owing you more and more favours and once you cross the second threshold and you can use them as extra actions it’s like cashing in on the favours 😅.

[@scottrenfer2735]

Also, when you someone unhooks, their grip goes back to zero, correct? Thanks again!

[@scottrenfer2735]

Jeez, I have too many questions... After chapter 1, does evidence stay in your memory for chapter 2? Thank you!

[@somanygamessolittletimesmg7725]

No, their grip stays the same but you need to go through the hassle of hooking them again later on.

[@scottrenfer2735]

@@somanygamessolittletimesmg7725 Thank you so much for your help! This is how I thought it was, but couldn't find it in the directions. Thank you!!!

[@avardamir]

What does the grip disc (yellow) on blockade use for?

[@somanygamessolittletimesmg7725]

It’s for the AI, when it has to move a blockade it moves the one with the yellow marker.

[@stevenvanheuverzwijn596]

shouldn't Echo start with 3 intel and 1 evidence also?

[@somanygamessolittletimesmg7725]

I think you're right! Good catch, I'll remember that for next time 👍🏻

[@avardamir]

You do know that the plastic base has a slot to store item right?

[@somanygamessolittletimesmg7725]

Yeah, it took a while before I realised it 🤣

[@tengeritehen]

Opinions about solo? Worth it? Thanks

[@somanygamessolittletimesmg7725]

100% worth it. I’ve played it solo, 2 players and 4 players and I think I prefer it solo or 2 players. Mostly because the AP monster rears its ugly head as more people join. Solo presents a great puzzle each turn and ‘Echo’ does a great job of messing with your plans 😁. For solo play this is definitely a solid buy 👌🏻 👌🏻.

[@scottrenfer2735]

This game is so close to being a great game, but there are one or two things that hold it back in my opinion: 1. The biggest issue I have is how arbitrary the evidence seems. It has almost no connection to the crimes themselves, which completely goes against the entire idea of "evidence." If there were more crime story cards so one could build sets easier, and the crime story cards had evidence "suits," I think this issue could be remedied pretty easily. Then each player would be compiling evidence through a strategic "investigation," and the different crimes being committed would have more tangible purpose and become less arbitrary themselves. 2. Also, the crimes themselves seem random and disjointed, with the crime story decks being shuffled. Sure, it's good for replayability, but it completely erodes any narrative thread that a progression of crimes building in intensity and evidence gathering in relation to them could have. That's why I think a bunch more story crime cards with letter "F, G, H, I, etc." would be good. Then at the end of your turn you could build up your hand, saving crime cards to play in order, as opposed to a shared story board with each player holding a fragment of that larger story. Just some thoughts. I like this game, I just think that it could've been a lot better with just a tiny bit more fine tuning. Not to say I think my ideas would make it better necessarily, just that it is ALMOST so good! The things I like: The mechanism of shared character control and the grip- super cool idea! I could see a Ghost in the Shell game like this for sure!. Also the board with the city zones each with different powers, and the heat being the authorities getting wise to the crime hacking. All very thematic and well done. Also the components for the kickstarter version are nice too. Overall, I really like this game. However, the complexity (learning curve) vs. pay-off ratio (enjoyment & intrigue), in regards to my aforementioned issues, make me give this one a 7. Could've been a 7.5 or even an 8 if those issues were addressed.

[@somanygamessolittletimesmg7725]

Yeah I agree, this game is more like a puzzle than it is thematic. It's too difficult to match quests so the narrative gets lost and there ends up not really being a theme. Also. like you said the random missions can sometimes feel disjointed. I had one turn where I planted an item on a criminal for a side mission and then immediately stole it back for a second side mission which is like eeeerhhhh.... :D