Spice Trading in the Space Mediterranean - Dune Imperium Review

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Dune Imperium completes the current trifecta of worker placement deck building games that I've been playing. And wow all of these are fun and in very different and very rewarding ways. If you've enjoyed the general idea of these games but wanted more interaction in those games....Dune Imperium will add the combat you've been looking for.
TimeStamps:
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:00:40 - Gameplay Overview
0:06:41 - What I Liked
0:11:35 - What I Didn't Like
0:14:07 - What I Can See Others Not Liking
0:15:57 - Final Thoughts
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[@dragonzord6615]

The best part I found about this game is that there is 8 houses to choose from. But on the back of the house cards, is a player aid... with 4 players max, you'll always have enough player aids for every single player. A small bit of awesome design, but so often overlooked.

[@LordoftheBoard]

Just waiting on the upgrade pack now! ❤️ great video.

[@BoardGameCo]

Thanks! It's such a good game, loving all 3 of these.

[@LordoftheBoard]

@@simonb4689 Hey! I need my enjoyment toooooo! (Releasing this Monday btw) hehe thanks for watching!

[@daveyoungdahl8349]

Thanks for the review. Really like the looks of the mechanics and definitely a fan of the player interaction as well (worker placement and the combat).

[@BoardGameCo]

Yep :) Solid game :)

[@TheHexyBeast]

another interesting worker placement deck building ish game is Viscounts of the west kingdom mine showed up today looking forward to cracking open the solo on that. Great Review! Stay Hexy!

[@BoardGameCo]

I need to play Viscounts! One of the few I haven't gotten too from that series.

[@Carsten_de_1981]

You only have one worker and can't be blocked. It's a rondel game for me. Great game though!

[@TheHexyBeast]

@@Carsten_de_1981 yup that was implied by the "ish" lol i really love the way it cascades if u place 2 workers in each section then pop it off its crazy lol

[@olivierbourbonnais328]

I just got that game on black friday and can't stop thinking about it. You're right on every point.

[@BoardGameCo]

I'm glad you're enjoying!

[@Misiodziej]

I want the comparison vid like yesterday! Subbed

[@BoardGameCo]

Coming this week :)

[@corsa180]

Looking forward to the 3-way comparison video. I backed Endless Winter, and am very interested in the the other two.

[@cmchristensen]

I also backed Endless Winter, and I'm sorely tempted by Dune Imperium. Lost Ruins doesn't appeal to me because of theme and so I'm staying away for financial reasons XD

[@BoardGameCo]

All 3 are excellent....

[@corsa180]

@@BoardGameCo Yep, that's the problem. :)

[@fan-i-am]

I really like Dune Imperium. My only problem with the game is with the Market, Turn order, and the Intrigue deck as a whole: randomness that negates all ur hard choices for combat, influence track or endgame just because someone plays a card. Every advantage should be earned as proven by ur foresight/choices not because of luck! Which is why I propose 3 changes: 1) Have the Market be 8 cards instead of 5 OR flip/refresh all unpurchased cards at the end of the round OR both! 2) Fix the Intrigue deck somehow, like drafting display 3 to choose from, so others know what u got, (if they remember), but don't know WHEN you'll play it! OR take out the Endgame VP cards & Plot pay for VP cards (there's only 4) 3) Have a mechanic that allows players to affect turn order! Such as: Have the CHOAM Secure Contract space also have a 1st Player icon meaning u get to give the 1st player coin to ANY player and they immediately become 1st player OR will be 1st player next round. OR each round Player lowest on the VP track goes first then 2nd lowest goes 2nd etc. ties broken per normal endgame rules

[@Carsten_de_1981]

There will be a couple of expansions coming. Looking forward to it. I already pre-ordered this one and I backed another one. The current retail did not convince me yet.

[@BoardGameCo]

Oh I'm hoping :) I really enjoyed this one.

[@Calistake047]

Comparison video, yessss please! Can't wait!

[@josephpilkus1127]

Thank you very much for creating this great game!

[@BoardGameCo]

I just played it :)

[@josephpilkus1127]

@@BoardGameCo Haha!! Sorry, I meant the video

[@ThePaulkab]

Which game would you suggest works best at 2 player endless winter, Dune or Arnak ?

[@Rkm0504]

I haven't played endless winter, but between dune and arnak, I think arnak is the better 2p. Dune is fine at 2, but is definitely better at 3 and 4. Arnak doesn't change much at 2 other than a few spots being blocked off.

[@jerryboy0422]

@@Rkm0504 have you tried the ai for dune? Curious what the experience is like

[@Rkm0504]

@@jerryboy0422 I have not tried it, no. I don't actually own dune. I've just played my friend's copy a few times. The AI sounds intriguing though!

[@Arkhonai]

I am happy I passed on Arnak and went with Dune, not only because I love the Dune universum, but also because of player interaction within this one. Tension and constant awareness about the game state and other players intentions makes it feel really "duney". Oh and art on cards is really good, helps. Also cards are very thematically correct.

[@philipstephens9205]

I will have to pick this up. That is pretty much a necessity when an IP you enjoy is in a game with good gameplay.

[@BoardGameCo]

It's soo good!

[@ADungeonDelve]

I preordered that a while back with the minis. It has a great solo mode as well.

[@BoardGameCo]

I don't have the mini version :(

[@ADungeonDelve]

@@BoardGameCo You can still order the upgrade by itself: shop.direwolfdigital.com

[@sakabra6352]

Looking forward to this one

[@BoardGameCo]

It's solid :)

[@fredouellet3160]

I'm glad you did the play this not that video. For some reason this video didn't show in my notifications even though I clicked to get all notifications from your channel?! I managed to find it on your channel page after viewing the mentioned video

[@ukdirector85]

great review

[@BoardGameCo]

Thanks 😊

[@RulebooksForYou]

Comparing the 3 is such a great idea!

[@BoardGameCo]

Coming soon :)

[@yuarthur455]

seconded

[@lvl50bandit]

I dunno if Viscounts of the West Kingdom can be added into this deck-building/worker placement games comparison but I've found it reminds me these games for me.

[@BoardGameCo]

Does it have both mechanics?

[@lvl50bandit]

@@BoardGameCo Well not quite worker placement. But it has Deck Building with a Rondel movement activation around a modular board with variable player powers and set collection. The power variability comes from the different townsfolk cards you hire into your deck as well as the buildings you put out. To do one of the main 4 actions you count up the number of symbols you have for that action which can be boosted with a corresponding resource type, sound familiar?

[@svendhondt5352]

It's on my Christmas list, hope Santa comes through...definitely getting the miniatures upgrade pack next year. I ordered one of the other not mentioned games for a friend's Birthday.

[@BoardGameCo]

I need to look into the minis....not sure the game needs them.

[@svendhondt5352]

@@BoardGameCo Every game needs nice mini's.😃 It will help with the dull look of the board.

[@nathansutterfield]

I saw the movie last night, I am curious if you have watched the movie, has it made this an even better play? Thanks for all of your hard work.

[@BoardGameCo]

Not yet :) Sometime soon.

[@JasonSetley]

Sholom happy Hanukkah This is on my wish list it looks so much better than I had expected after watching your video take care of seasons greetings happy new year

[@BoardGameCo]

It is, it's a really solid game, I can't wait to play again.

[@thomasromanelli2561]

I pre-ordered this title once I watched Rodney Smith's tutorial. Totally agree with your broad assessment- this game has some aesthetic faults but retains a lot of thematic and strategic substance.

[@BoardGameCo]

Yes! I have a full comparison coming soon.

[@JohnnyMcNabb63]

Would love to know your feelings on 2 player or solo with the added NPC opponent.

[@BoardGameCo]

Haven't yet tried either and less likely too given the nature of the game.

[@mrbastos]

Looking forward to all 3. I have Arnak , pre-ordered Dune, and backed Endless Winter. Now I just need social distancing restrictions to loosen a little so I can play them all.

[@Comatoseful]

Im having a birthday gift problem. If you could give me your thoughts. Im torn between this Dune imperium and Underwater cities. I love and own TFM and Arnak, and mostly play solo or with two players. Does either of these bring anything new to the table? Which do you think plays better with 1-2players?

[@caseypeterson5827]

Pre-ordered

[@BoardGameCo]

Good choice :)

[@wsiegel9539]

All "3 for 3 for me" looks like great games to add to a collection. the difference may really come down to the theme and the action selection mechanic. I love multi use cards that force you to decide how you want to use them this round.

[@BoardGameCo]

Yes! I think all 3 will be around for years in my collection.

[@johnscott3233]

Hi Alex - you mentioned the dull art. Do you think the minis will help with the immersion? Do you plan to buy the minis for the game? In sum, what do you think about buying the minis :)

[@jannefidde]

Hey Alex, Which one of the trifecta do you prefer with two players ?

[@BoardGameCo]

Arnak is my guess. Haven't played Dune at 2 yet.

[@brdanner]

BGG describes it as having a solo mode. Did you try that, and if not, does it look promising?

[@BoardGameCo]

Not yet, I've heard mixed things on the solo mode.

[@joeri-ithaigamliel6109]

Hi Alex, Witch did you like better? Dune or Vindication??

[@BoardGameCo]

Vindication :)

[@AlekseiPerepelitsa]

this may be tied for my favorite board game atm along with spirit island. Any games similar in gameplay to dune you would recommend? (not lord of waterdeep)

[@BoardGameCo]

It's good :) I prefer SI though. As far as similar games, Lost Ruins of Arnak and then Endless Winter when it comes out :)

[@HansJoachimMaier]

Your „complaint“ about the art is rather funny, because when I saw the board, I thought „wow! Amazing art“. Tastes are different :)

[@jonathanleach383]

lol how? its literally the worst board of all time

[@robinett74]

This game will get expansions, no question about it. I wonder if they will ”just” add cards/leaders, or do you think it’s possible that we will get new places (like tiles to place on the current spots) or extensions (like in waterdeep) to put our workers on? Or even a new board (like they did plenty of for Clank!)?

[@BoardGameCo]

I want new places and maybe even a new board.

[@johnpanagos5835]

Ok I wanted this game. Now I will go allin with deluxe upgrade pack.

[@BoardGameCo]

It's so solid :)

[@atillakonuk1646]

U like deck building, worker placement? Try Northgard (when it comes out, currently in KS)

[@BoardGameCo]

I already played the prototype and thought it was good but not great, but I'm intrigued by the final version.

[@stevekingswell9143]

How does the end of round combat compare to the way it works in Arctic Scavenger?

[@BoardGameCo]

I haven't played arctic sadly.

[@teachercarter]

I just watched your video about games that you’re getting rid of in April? Do you sell those or donate them? Reason I ask is because I run a board game club at the high school I teach at and are always looking for games to add to our library and collection for students to play! Is that something you’d be interested in?

[@richardscales9560]

Cosmetic appearance is very subjective. This looks fine to me. I like the graphic design approach that enables everything to be extremely clear. There has been a huge tendency of late to over do board and card design, which for me , just make it hard to see what's going on. I don t even object to the movie artwork link in.

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

As for the art, this is a licensed game for the upcoming Dune movies. Also, desert planet means not that many color palettes - I mean, did people complain that Tattooine in Star Wars should have had some jungles?

[@user-tx3jh5ii6f]

Very curious how you compare dune(2019) vs dune imp.

[@Sihnunkainen]

Really going to get this game. Nice review except of that you somehow sound like you were in a rush or something.. Slow down and relax a little bit. Otherwise, good job!

[@BoardGameCo]

I always sound like I'm in a rush :-)

[@mylor1066]

Deffo a tee shirt meme. Three-For-Three-For-Me I've ordered Dune, love the original and now excited to see something different with theme and done well.

[@mylor1066]

Also for tee shirt... "have a good one" :)

[@Sebastian-rt9qf]

Nothing to add. Solid game solid review... "3for3forme"

[@BoardGameCo]

#3for3forme

[@Duxa_]

underestimated the power of tie for 3rd place in combat. yes you didnt get first place, but you denied 2nd place for the other guy. This is a strategic move. The guy that barely pulled off 1st place, well all those troops are gone. So hopefully that reward was worth it.

[@rawkyle9385]

How do all of these play at 2-player count?

[@BoardGameCo]

Arnak and Endless are great, Dune I haven't tried at 2 yet.

[@johnpanagos5835]

Alex says: "It's 3434 me". I say: "4 me 2 Alex".

[@BoardGameCo]

lol

[@melmarrison8769]

@@BoardGameCo Reminds me of an old limerick 1 1 was a race horse 2 2 was 1 2 1 1 1 1 race 2 2 1 1 2

[@olegyd]

They use art from a new movie.. I dont like this art much too.. To flat for great science fiction novel but it is what it is! Game is, great and with deluxe miniatures edition is even better! +new expansions will be awesome

[@BoardGameCo]

I totally hear that, I liked it but I can see it not working for others.

[@sairam71]

are you saying highly recommend or hardly recommend :) usually hardly recommend is used for a negative connotation of not wanting to recommend. I noticed this in a couple other videos. anyawy great review!

[@BoardGameCo]

I don't ever say hardly recommend...so must be highly :)

[@JohnClem56]

Didn't go back to listen again but I suspect it could be "heartily" recommend.

[@mennovanberkel8071]

Awesome video! What do you think about the theme though? The previous Dune game did an amazing job at making you feel like you were wrestling for control of the planet. It delivered the "he who controls the spice, controls the universe" motto in board game form. Do you get similar vibes here? I see a lot of cool mechanisms but it seems like all the currency and houses and points in the game could easily be swapped out with something else, making the theme kind of "stick on". Thoughts?

[@BoardGameCo]

I'm sure there are those who will love the theme...for me I never got into the Dune world....so while ok, didn't do much for me.

[@mennovanberkel8071]

@@simonb4689 will do thanks :)

[@misomiso8228]

0:50 I don't understand who are the 'other two'? I love the chanel but it's very annoying when youtubers seem to have these in jokes. Are they expansions for the game?

[@BoardGameCo]

Endless winter and lost ruins of Arnak. Three games that were announced around the same time that share similarities.

[@misomiso8228]

@@BoardGameCo I still find it very confusing what these games are - are the mainly 'Deck builders' like Dominion? Are they like Lords of waterdeep? Apologies but the gameplay is very confusing to understand. ty for replying though much appreciated hello from the UK.

[@Choose2Connect]

Loved your positives in this review. However, other than the ascetic opinions, I feel like your negatives for this game was "sometimes the combat didn't go my way" or "sometimes I didn't win".... those are not negatives. Those are just a part of a very competitive game.

[@yogibbear]

I think we need a reaction channel that tries to work out what order you filmed these in XD

[@cmchristensen]

BoardGameCo has a section in Quackalope's discord - we can deliberate there if you want!

[@BoardGameCo]

Oh wow, that sounds like an excellent game :)

[@rawkyle9385]

well i went ahead and bought the game after watching the video, thanks alex! 😂

[@frankle9617]

im going for Endless Winter :P

[@jackrutter9797]

Wow... had to stop the video, I was bombarded by too many adds... Great work though Alex

[@javier019]

Thank you for the review! I love Dune and Ive been looking for my first deck building game, Ive just played some this type of game from my friends' collection. The game looks neat. I can see your comments on the art of the board and the components, but what about the cards? Are they worthy of representing the Dune universe?

[@vincentw6051]

Hey I like you reviews, but please do us a favor of including the player counts you played and what works best for the game. I picked this game up to find out later 2 player requires a dummy player. Lame!!!

[@BoardGameCo]

I generally do when a game isn't good with other player counts...I'm disappointed that I didn't here :(

[@vincentw6051]

I want to add that I played the 2 player game twice and the dummy player can be easy to run using a free app. You don't have to use the app but it is smooth and easy playing. If you don't use the app you are just shuffling and flipping cards from a dummy player deck. The two player game is good and the dummy player has a simplified turn but is quick and disruptive enough to make you have to change plans, either because the spot you wanted to go is taken or because their combat strength will cause you angst. So my verdict is this game handles a dummy player well and the 2 player game is better with the dummy player as there would not be enough tension without it.

[@AppHero123]

This or Clank in Space?

[@BoardGameCo]

This for me.

[@petergross7235]

I already see a expansion needed for this to clean up the nitpicks you mentioned. The reputation system could be more meaningful with rep based cards. Intrigue cards that require negotiations between players would be awesome. Also...how do you minimize the sand worm and sand storms in this game? They need to make those impactful aspects to really be a Dune game. I also think combat should have cards you could buy that allow you to save troops. The all or nothing aspect does lead to lackluster combats.

[@SeniorAdrian]

Presentation lacks so much, Icons feel like windows explorer. There is no trading between players. No co-op.

[@BoardGameCo]

It's incredibly popular :)

[@SeniorAdrian]

@@BoardGameCo yeah, i know, i tried the steam version. It's good, but gets boring. Maybe some homebrew rules like trading cities, cards, resources, would add so much. Also some co-op plotting against other players.

[@marcoherreras6536]

The art looks REALLY unappealing and dull... what a wasted opportunity. In an ideal world this game would have been made by Awaken Realms or Cole Wehrle. I hope it really is an excellent game, but it definitely does not look like a game designed and published in 2020, but rather way before, like Lords of Waterdeep, with duller art, albeit clearer (some visually-impaired friends can not play LoW because its black and dark purple symbols)... As much as I love the original books, I think I'll wait for this one, I bet it has a heavy discount within 2 years. LoW or upcoming Great Wall did not need any marketing for me; this one, well...

[@BoardGameCo]

For what it's worth...it is an excellent game :)

[@shafeenmahmud8850]

Good review, but.....why are you screaming, I can hear you just fine without the panicked cadence.

[@BoardGameCo]

IM WORRIED THAT UNLESS I SCREAM NO ONE WILL LIKE ME. oops, that darn caps lock button stuck again

[@shafeenmahmud8850]

@@BoardGameCo haha okay, I'll give you a pass then. No need to scream 😩

[@Max-pj9km]

@@BoardGameCo good answer!

[@BbBb-zx6sx]

1st. Qvack. Not a game for me.

[@BoardGameCo]

Money saved for the win :)

[@TheYgeth]

Game could be good. I even was interested until I saw this as a whole. It looks like prototype. Shame ☹️

[@Carsten_de_1981]

Why is that? The cards look really nice. The planet itself... is Dune. So it's ok for me it's kinda boring. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Carsten_de_1981]

@@simonb4689 Du you mean the Deluxe Upgrade pack?

[@TheShapingSickness]

@@simonb4689 it seems to be just a bunch of minis. Nothing that would actually enhance the theme.

[@BoardGameCo]

Ya, it's the worst visually....but the game itself is great. Gameplay over everything.

[@MaVarcon]

The gameplay looks great, but damn, that artwork is atrocious, it looks like placeholder-art to me. Obviously that's very subjective, but major turn-off for me, don't like the colours, don't like the cheap 3-d-pictures. Bleh.

[@BoardGameCo]

Yup :(

[@shanerion]

3434Me

[@BoardGameCo]

:)

[@TheShapingSickness]

This game looks so disappointing to me. Let me explain why. The name is just slapped on the box to get more people to buy it while doing absolutely nothing to be thematic. Sure it has Solaris, spyce and water and some desert, but honestly that just feels like Century, resource colors to get other resource colors. It's not thematic in the least. The board is dull and boring, the troops are just cubes, everything is so abstract. The cards in your deck have some art that makes no sense thematically. By now you should be aware that I'm a sucker for theme, and this game lacks it profoundly, and I just can't support this game for using the Dune IP just to sell units. And it's a shame because the gameplay sounds phenomenal.

[@BoardGameCo]

The gameplay is great....I don't really care for the theme :)

[@TheShapingSickness]

@@simonb4689 I've watched several videos. None of them explain the theme then if there's any. Check the original dune board game on SUSD, if you've read the books you'll see how it oozes theme.

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

@@TheShapingSickness Yes, it oozes so much theme that it was easily rethemed into Rex for the Twilight Imperium setting. Also, as others have pointed out, that game requires far more players to be fun.

[@TheShapingSickness]

@@TorIverWilhelmsen I'm not saying this game isn't fun. Read my original comment. Also because something can be rethemed doesn't mean it doesn't have theme, in fact it reinforces the idea that it was thematic in the first place lol.