Tamashii Chronicle of Ascend Solo REVIEW - A Sleeper Hit With A Great Solo Mode! - SBGK

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

I hope you enjoy my review of Tamashii: Chronicle of Ascend! Timestamps below: 0:00 Intro 0:39 Special Thanks 1:34 How Much Table Space? 2:07 Box and Contents JUST THE BASICS 3:48 Planning Phase 5:13 Action Phase 6:13 Combat Phase 7:14 Quest Phase ON TO THE REVIEW 8:16 PRO 9:25 PRO 11:00 CON 12:52 PRO 14:06 PRO CLOSING THOUGHTS 15:14 My Thoughts 16:52 A Huge Thanks! This was a HUGE milestone for the channel! Not only did over 5,000 Solo Knights join The Knights of the Round Board Gaming Table but I received my first review copy! Awaken Realms Lite allowed me to give my own honest opinions and I did purchase the expansions myself. This keeps me fair and honest and I hope you enjoyed the video. Thank you all for being supportive and helping this channel become what it is today. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to hang out with me, Solo Knights! See you soon! Sincerely, Solo Board Gaming Knight

[@Biodelic]

Shouldn't you be chopping off limbs in Darkwood?

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

@@Biodelic You got that right! I should be and I can’t wait to jump in! I have one more review to take care of before I jump in and finally play Oathsworn. Thankfully it’s a smaller game and I don’t think the review should take me too much longer to complete (although it’s about 2 weeks away) but once I’m done with that, Oathsworn will consume my time. I’m not sure if I’m going to do a review for it because I want to savor every single moment and with my schedule, it’s going to take me a long time to finish. However, if you notice I don’t post much after my next review, you’ll know why. Most likely, I want to give progress updates every now and then because I am extremely curious to know if Oathsworn is really as good as people say it is. This will probably be the first game I cover that will have spoilers. I’m sure others want to know what the game is like beyond the Brood (rat) encounter.

[@Biodelic]

@@SoloBoardGamingKnight Hell, I would Iike to know how the upgraded version plays. I couldn't get an upgrade pack, as they were massively limited. I recommend to take your time with Oathsworn.

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

@@Biodelic I got the miniatures and the terrain but I didn’t get the Armory. I felt that I wouldn’t want to bother changing weapons on the minis. Minis are enjoyable for me but that is a little too much and more than I’d like to deal with. The minis seem to really help with positioning in this game but I have to play it for myself to see if I’m right about that.

[@Biodelic]

@SoloBoardGamingKnight Oh, no, I meant upgrade from v1 to v2. They revamped several systems. In regard to the armory pack, you don't miss anything by foregoing it. Pro tip for Oathsworn with the minis, don't play it with long lose sleeves.

[@mushroom585]

I had this one on my radar. Then I lost my job. Fingers crossed it will still be available if I ever get back on my feet again.

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

That’s rough! A lot of us have been in your shoes at one point or another in our lives and it’s a very stressful and scary situation to be in. I really wish you the best and I hope that you soon find something even better than you had before. Sometimes a bad thing is a blessing in disguise and maybe the next job you find will offer you better benefits. Wishing you luck, my friend!

[@paulnishikawa]

Chances are good since Awakened Realms has Asmodee as a distributor.

[@soloflo]

Look into print and play games in the meantime. Some are super good. Heck this reminds me I need to actually make that video to show peeps how I do it. 😅

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

@@soloflo I’m still waiting for your first video SoloFlo!!

[@nathanielrodriguez3224]

Hey Thank YOU for your content! You’re one of my favorite board game youtubers. Always love your enthusiasm for the hobby. Keep doing you!

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

@@nathanielrodriguez3224 Thank you! I appreciate your comment! Life has been busy lately but I will get back to uploading reviews soon. See you then!

[@cristaline7488]

Omg can’t wait to see what you do next 🤗excellent video!

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

Thank you so much! I’ll see you soon!

[@Paper_Smith]

Omg I was just looking into this game! My boyfriend loves sci-fi, so I’ve been trying to find more co-op games for us to try in that genre! 💕 I’m gonna take this as a sign to get it haha!

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

Then I think you’ll both love this game! I knew I was going to like it (that’s why I requested it) but I didn’t think I was going to like it this much. It caught me off guard. The hacking mechanics alone makes it worth it and there’s much more to like than just that! I think you and your boyfriend will enjoy it a lot!

[@Biodelic]

If sci-fi is what he loves and it should be co-op but also support solo and competitive at the same level of quality and fun, then you should have a look at Voidfall. P.S. Bring a large table.

[@adriang6259]

I only just saw this on the shelf yesterday. It’s already a must have. Especially with the help of this review.

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

Enjoy it! It’s really a great game!

[@Dragoncry8]

Oh I saw this one a few days ago but wasn't sure if I like it but now after your review it seems to be a really good game I definitely comes on my list ^^ And a special thank you for making these reviews for us it makes so much fun listen to your outstanding voice and your passion for solo boardgames Thank you so much❤

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

Thank you so much for your awesome comment! It really means a lot to me and I appreciate that you enjoy my reviews. Wishing you a great 2024 and I’ll see you soon!

[@FranzAudio]

Great video, I like how you explain things. Subscribed.

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

Thank you! Welcome aboard and enjoy the channel!

[@soloflo]

Been busy since the new year and finally have the chance to watch your awesome video!!!!!!!❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️👾👾👾

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

I feel you! I’ve been trying to find the time to play Oathsworn and it still hasn’t happened but it’s going down TODAY!!!

[@JasonSetley]

I need this game

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

It’s a surprise hit for me. I was expecting to like it but I didn’t think I was going to end up liking it this much!

[@soloflo]

@@SoloBoardGamingKnightLOL I think I heard you say that before 😂

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

@@soloflo Yeah, fortunately or unfortunately (for my wallet), it happens every now and then. 😂

[@kosterix123]

you know, you are the only influencer who actually explains tamashii.

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

@@kosterix123 Thanks! I tried my best so I’m glad I was able to explain it well. It’s a really great game that just gives you a good feeling while playing, if that makes sense.

[@wishmeheaven]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. Do the miniatures came separated, in the Edgerunners box?

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

@@wishmeheaven Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! There are two versions, the Kickstarter version and the retail version. The retail version does not include the miniatures. Although I received the Kickstarter version, I purchased all of the expansions myself because I enjoyed the game. I did, however, buy the Edge Runners miniatures because I wanted to paint them but I was afraid of ruining the miniatures. That’s why I have an extra. I’m still learning to paint and these miniatures are too beautiful to ruin.

[@wishmeheaven]

@@SoloBoardGamingKnight Thank you for the detailed response. I appreciate. Looking forward to upcoming videos :)

[@Benny626SGV]

Do you think it is worth getting the stretch goals box for this game? I just got into painting minis, so I'll probably get the miniatures expansion, but I don't know if I should get the stretch goals.

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

The box I received included the stretch goals. I think I found the stretch goals selling for $20 online and it’s absolutely worth it. The scenarios that came with it are worth the price, in my opinion. The only thing is that the stretch goals seem to have been sold out in a lot of places.

[@Filip_eF]

Is core box + stretch goals are enough are You would recommend lost pages/forbidden chapter/caties diary??

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

If you end up enjoying the game then I think all of the expansions are worth it. They all add more scenarios and unlocks to the game. Just so you know, the stretch goals include The Lost Pages.

[@bman-jy3gh]

oh man i need this also

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

It’s really a great game! I was expecting to like it but I didn’t think it was going to be this good! It surpassed and exceeded expectations.

[@gameoverandy3175]

Hey great review, not a lot of videos out there for this game so cheers. Just curious how you feeling about the game a few months out from the review? have you played the expansions?

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

I have. The expansions do add a fair bit of difficulty to the game but it also includes unique mechanics as well as scenarios (with several objectives and paths to take). Tamashii will end up being talked about again in an upcoming video. Overall, I’m very happy with Tamashii. Recently, I have been playing a lot of Oathsworn which is another amazing board game. However, I really like being able to choose any scenario with ease like I can with Tamashii without the need to change character equipment/abilities. In my opinion, Tamashii is a much easier game to bring to the table, in that regard, while remaining very entertaining. The gameplay-loop is really fun in Tamashii.

[@gameoverandy3175]

@@SoloBoardGamingKnight Thanks for the reply and insight. The game looks gorgeous, and you've sold me on a copy honestly. Very much looking forward to it, cheers again and happy gaming 😀

[@callmeserpent]

Where can i get this bg

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

I searched Boardlandia and found it here boardlandia.com/products/tamashii-chronicle-of-ascend?variant=40893240213583 Hope this helps!

[@Filip_eF]

So Can You adjust difficulty and make it harder?

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

Each scenario shows you a length and difficulty. There are also multiple paths through scenarios which lead to completely unique missions depending on the outcome or the choices you make. There is no way to adjust the difficulty other than choosing a more difficult scenario. Personally, I found plenty of challenge in the game. I had read that some people found it too easy but that wasn’t my experience at all. Maybe some rules were missed? Either way, I found it satisfying. Hope this helps!

[@Filip_eF]

@@SoloBoardGamingKnight but can You add harder enemies? Decrease time limit to complete mission? Etc. Sometimes games allow You to add/decrease certain numbers to core mechanic of a game. Does it make sense???

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

@@Filip_eF Yes, it makes sense. There is nothing that I read in the rulebook that allows for any changes like that.

[@Grebeny]

The game is extremely hard or super easy on a quite random scale :D But core box, nothing added to it is pretty hard most of the times and it is pretty unlikely to finish quests with "best outcome" on the first try. However, a lot of players don't understand properly how exactly some mechanics work and the game seems easy to them (it is because of the bad wording of few rules, there is rule clarification file on the oficial site of the game). If game for some crazy reason still looks easy, the dev team gave those ideas to make it harder: • The Upgrade costs 3 EXP instead of 2. • During Setup, replace all Enemies LVL 1 with Enemies of LVL 2. • During reset, do not roll the Enemy Symbol die. You always lose your Advanced Body. However, while playing the game you unlock new bodies, augments (if you have the expansions companions, new data chips and new entire mechanics) that can all make it a bit easier. Most of those are optional, for example you can choose to start a mission with companion or without, new data tokens may not be added to the game if that is your choice, same goes and for some of the other mechanics. Overall the game have a lot of options to manage difficulty in both directions.

[@crow3274]

I remeber when you only had 500 subscribers! Congrats on adding an extra zero to that 👍

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

I know! It’s definitely been a fun ride. Thanks for being here since the beginning!

[@Biodelic]

I think this is the first time I have an entirely opposite take than you. This game is a soulless, mind numbing, fun deprived and lackluster work of mediocrity. The mechanics, while initially fun, quickly turn into stale and bland repetitiveness. Then it becomes mind numbing. The one-off nature, without any carryover elements, not only eliminated my desire to wade through that barebone mechanical loop again, it also kind of contradicts with the water-soup thin narrative. This is the usual AR miniature set with a lazy game slapped on top. What sets it apart this time, maybe more than ever before, is the waisted potential here. It's borderline criminal. Since you mentioned Bullet, Bullet called and complained being mentioned in the same sentence as Tamashii. 😏 The most amazing thing about this game was the price it fetched when I put it up for auction. Oh, btw, happy new year. I wish you solid health, tons of success and happiness for 2024. Also, congrats on the channel growth!

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

You and I definitely had a different experience/take on this! From the branching paths with missions that actually deviate in such a way that the objectives become drastically different (and inventive) to the hacking/programming to the true solo mode that didn’t feel tacked-on, Tamashii pretty much nailed the things I look for in a board game. It never felt boring or dull to me at all and I played it a whole bunch. Sometimes you and I fully agree and sometimes we fully disagree 😂 but if we all thought the same, life would be REALLY boring. You’re the reason Voidfall is on my radar and why I purchased the last Kinfire Chronicles bundle I found online! Although Kinfire Chronicles has been around for a while, it was through you that it was brought to my attention. Overall, although we don’t agree on everything, I still trust your opinions enough to actually seek your recommendations (Kinfire was NOT cheap). That’s why I enjoy our conversations.

[@Biodelic]

@@SoloBoardGamingKnightOh man, now feel like the Coinburglar, the older brother of the Hamburglar. But I must say, I enjoyed raiding your purse. 🤗🤣 All the games I acquired, based on your reviews / commentary, I managed to find rather deeply discounted. So you better come up with an awesome game that wrecks my wallet. You know, to keep thing ballance. I am super happy you managed to get Kinfire Chronicles. It's the kind of game you can easily sell off on the secondary market, but I highly doubt you will do so for a long time. And yes, I agree, the solo mechanics, like all other mechanics in Tamashii are extremely well crafted. I just miss "the glue".

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

@@Biodelic The Coinburglar and Hamburglar are a blast from the past! I’d be lying if I didn’t say that you did make my wallet take a hit (this past month, especially)! I have a feeling that Kinfire Chronicles is my kind of game and will be in my collection indefinitely. Even Roll Player Adventures is going to be replayed in a few years once I’ve forgotten some story beats (although the new expansion will get played soon). I do have a question I’ve been wanting to ask you about Voidfall. Is it true that setup is over an hour? I’ve watched a few videos and a forum that mentioned this. That can’t be right and must be an exaggeration.

[@demo4444]

@@SoloBoardGamingKnightyep, playing Voidfall now and just set up. Takes 45 mins to an hour to setup. The game is really good however, but it is a table hog and a beast to set up

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

@@demo4444 Wow! That’s something. Setup time never really bothered me much but I’ve never played a game with such a huge setup time. Like you mentioned, it seems that the payoff is huge and worth the time it takes to set the game up but I must say that setup time is unprecedented. Thanks for letting me know!