The 4 Squares Review: Fossilis

[@verathomsen2124]

I kickstarted the game and played it with my 5 and 7 year old, we all really enjoyed it! They definitely were pulled in by the toy factor, but my 7 year old had no trouble understanding all the rules. The 5 year old needed a little bit of help... And what Mike said was definitely true for my kids, they were very focused on finishing a dinosaur before starting the next one...so we didn't go for maximizing the points but still had a lot of fun!

[@danielweil-brenner9261]

I own this game and have played it once so far and honestly I like it and give it an 8/10. Overall its fun and that's what counts. I do agree with Zee in that with some very simple rules tweaks the game could easily be pushed to an easy 9/10. For example: the game can feel a little short and a super easy fix to that is simply set up a 4th round/event card. Another is why not allow you to build multiple dinosaurs at once instead of just one at a time.. that way you can continue working on dinos to full completion if you want, while also not sacrificing the ability to score your point salad at the end of the game. Simple things like that would help alot I think and wouldn't change the core rules/mechanics of the game.

[@KickstarterRadio1024]

Best rule to add is, you can only pick 1 bone from a hole, until you pick a bone from another. Similar to the rule in Wasteland Express to stop peeps camping on the same spot. And if you want to add dexterity, you have to pick the bone out without dropping it, as you get much satisfaction from doing it. If you drop it, pay 2 plaster to fix it.

[@carlgionet5414]

I own the game from the kickstarter campaign and have played it this christmas with my father who has a learning disability (he can't read very well) so finding a game that doesn't recquire any reading can be hard but this game doesn't recquire any of it. My dad and I absolutely loved it and he was asking to play this game over and over again. I Like the section in the game rules that tells you what components you can leave out for the first few games to help younger kids grasping the game core mechanics. Like they said (great video btw) it's the kind of game that seems complicated at first but i found that after the first game it really isn't. The game is beautiful, fun and can be simple while still having a lot going on in it. Theirs really more to it for all ages than at first glance 8/10 (I also love dinosaurs).

[@nathansutterfield]

Disclosure- I am a happy Kickstarter backer of this game. Fair but a bit obsessive with some things on the review. I have played the game with nongamer kids (6&9) and adult gamers. The later found it a bit short and the kids understood and loved it. Though we played with the variant with any tile is only one energy for digging. However I didn't find the digging difficult at all without variant. The tiles slide great. The variants [more suggestions for tailoring to your younger players] were great so you could optimize the game as the kids grow older- an evergreen game. The looking over issue wasn't that bothersome because I would just ask what was in there- it is similar to most games, I don't need draw my own cards. Again I recognize my bias nonetheless I was a bit surprised on the tone of the review. Lastly they did play a rule wrong, at least on the live play-through and the rule explanation of this video, which probably change their experience. You can move up 2 tiles even diagonally for one energy. I Definitely recommend the game, wonderful plays with the games I have played thus far.

[@oonwc]

22:23 I see what you did there, Zee.

[@theearlyresetband]

This game- really surprised me- played with adult group- we all had a blast

[@ScruffyNerfhurder]

I backed this on Kickstarter and got it recently. Played it once at 3 players all of us in our mid 30's and we all enjoyed it. Looking forward to playing it at 4 think it will be a little more take that. You do have to stand up to see the bones but for us it seemed to make us more engaged in the game. The tweezers are kinda gimmicky but I didn't find it a detriment. There is a separate part of the rulebook with easier rules so you can play it with kids (was informed of that by David Diaz, the designer).

[@Aaackermann]

"Too many bones" seems like a legit name...

[@StevenStJohn-kj9eb]

Lol

[@thecaryou]

I really liked this game. The theme was amazing. I am the omi-gamer and I feel this is for casual gamers like if you get a group that have played some games but not into heavy long games I could get my family or co-workers to play this because the toy factor and look will bring them in. This is a great talk and play game could almost be an intro game the rules are not really that difficult and the coolest of the game will bring people in.

[@TheMattyb22]

Interesting thoughts from everyone, but especially Mike and Roy on young kids, my 5 year old loves this game and we have played it 5 times. My 3 year old loves to help us clean up at the end and use the tweezers to pick out the remaining bones. Agreed that the scoring could be better and it would be a 9/10 for sure. I think the tiles work thematically and am ok with the rules.

[@laurenherrmann_videos]

I'm a big fan of dinosaur games. One thing to note in relation to your discussion of the game is that in the rulebook is a list of rules/mechanisms you can take out of the game for younger players; One of which is the energy cost to slide different types of tiles.

[@Soccer67]

I KS'd Fossilis. I did so in significant part because as a father of 9 and 12 y/o girls (they were 8 and 11 when I KS'd it), I was assuming that the theme and the supposed targeted age would be a great fit for my girls. Of course, you never can know how exactly a game will be received, but that was the hope. First things first, the component quality is awesome. Second, the theme comes through super strong IMO. From my standpoint (as an adult) I think this is a very good game. Not too deep, but it does have enough variety in path to victory, at least as of our first few plays, to add to the games appeal and longevity. That all being said, the 8+ age attached to this game is wishful thinking to an extreme IMO. My 12 y/o had no problem grasping the rules and the games strategic and tactical options, although it definitely took a first play to take all that in. There is always someone that will say their 8 y/o is a wiz at grasping the most complex games. I don't care. That is in NO way the norm. This game simply has too many moving parts and options game play-wise for an 8 y/o to even partially grasp enough to stay engaged and even reasonably understand all the options and strategy involved IMO. It doesn't mean they couldn't muddle their way through the game and really enjoy some aspects of the game play, specifically the tactile ones, but really understanding the tactical options and navigating the possible scoring options available to them would be a big stretch IMO. I do think this is a beautiful, fun, engaging game, but not for children of the age they advertise.

[@ddiaz28]

Thanks for the comment. Just wondering if you tried any of the suggested elements to remove to make the game a little simpler for your 8 year old? They are right at teh front of the rulebook. We included them so families could still enjoy the game with children of different ages.

[@thewynnersgameroom]

I backed this and played it with my 13 year old twice and we both understood the game pretty easily and it was gorgeous on the table buuuttt after a couple plays I was like “it just doesnt seem worth making full dinosaurs” and the next two plays I just built as many incomplete dinosaurs as humanly possible in the game and the first game tripled everyones score with the end game scoring and the second game after I doubled. I feel like this may be a bit of a flaw. I dont want to bully the game after only 4 plays and I will play it more but unfortunately feel like if everyone is not playing the spam dinos strategy they wont be able to compete. Time will tell.

[@forrestdunton2451]

Please don’t let all the negativity in the video put you off from this game. If you think you will enjoy this game, then you very likely will. It’s not that complicated or fiddly. One viewing of a KZbin run through and it’s easy to play. It’s not simple nor is it complex once you understand the gameplay. My family and I don’t play anything more than light middle weight games at most and this very much fell within that weight. It’s fun, it’s unique, it’s beautifully crafted and one of the best new games of the year even if it didn’t make their lists. If having to stand up and look into a excavation board is too much for you that says more about you than the game. Now to be fair, their negatives do exist but they just aren’t that much impact on the actual game. It’s perfect for families with tweens and up, and it’s easily playable with younger players with the included rules. Really the only negative that impacts playability is that the setup and take down is substantial. But really, the fun you’ll have in between is priceless. I kickstarted this and am ecstatic I did. Worth every penny. 8.5

[@ddiaz28]

Thanks Forrest! Did seem like the small negatives were discussed more than the positives since the end scores were overall good. :)

[@theearlyresetband]

I think I’m an 8/10 - it’s super fun

[@ryanbrown9102]

@@ddiaz28 Thank you for an original refreshing game! Do you have actual comments regarding the semi-negative(ish) things that have been said during the video..?

[@ACriticalThought]

Very fair review! Toy factor and theme are great in this one. Like most games, it may not be for every kid. My anecdotal evidence is that both of my boys (5 & 8 year olds) equally enjoyed it and were able to grok the rules.

[@Zorayas]

Who is this game for? My friends and me :D We love the toy factor.

[@ddiaz28]

Thanks! Glad you enjoy it!

[@BoardGameBill]

I haven't seen this game firsthand, but you all mentioned having to move the board around to see down into the wells with the bones. Would that be alleviated, at least partially, but the wells being shallower, or is there a reason for them to be as deep as they are? Maybe as a quick fix, something could be put into the wells to take up space in the bottom and raise the bones to a height where they are easier to see without having to look directly down into the well?

[@MattHew-ic4zq]

This game reminded me of Gorinto, which is a super awesome engine building abstract strategy game from kickstarter! It has a great single player mode, tons of replayability and its easy to learn but hard to get good at. I thought I'd mention it here in case anyone was interested (:

[@RadishTheFool]

I think this game sounds like a blast to play with kids. A way cooler and more interesting alternative to Operation. And one that us parents would enjoy as well. I feel like Tom gets that this is primarily a family game, and appreciates how the game can be fun for adults as well. The other three seemed overly critical about some elements - and kept harping on them for way too long. This is a family game. The name of the publisher makes this clear. So the intended audience is not in question. Tom had positive experiences with his kids, so had many of the commenters. I feel that was somehow almost purposefully overlooked by some of the others because they felt it could have been a great game for them but merely provided a solid okay experience. In contrast, commenters gave much for constructive feedback. I've read some strong ideas for house rules, which would help scale the complexity up or down as required. I really hope the publisher takes these ideas on board for inclusion in the rule book. Not all parents can scale a game to fit the current skills of their kids. Not even gamer parents. I for one am really excited for this game, and sincerely hope it will end up in stores. And if the publisher adds more tips on how to scale complexity (maybe even offer the streamlined version as standard, and the added complexity rules as variants), I think this could become quite a mainstream succes.

[@ddiaz28]

Thanks for the comments! The first page of the rule book does have a list of rules that can be removed to make it easier for even younger kids.

[@RadishTheFool]

@@ddiaz28 You're welcome! And I understand the rulebook already provides ideas on how to make the game easier. It sounds like you people really thought everything out quite well. My idea was that your game might sell better on the mass market if you present it with the simpler rules and provide the more difficult rules as optional. The gamers will discover your game anyway, and this way the general audience might be more likely to pick the game up and actually get it played.

[@kristin4463]

I'm surprised the fathers in this episode are so heavily underestimating children's ability to understand, play, and enjoy games such as this. Children are information sponges , and so long as they are actually interested and want to play the game, they are far better at learning and retaining game information than the average, non gaming adult.

[@ddiaz28]

Thanks for the review! Glad you all enjoyed the experience overall and want to play again.

[@nathansutterfield]

Thanks for making this great game. My family loves it. And super glad I can continue to promote the fun experience this game provides. Take care

[@ddiaz28]

@@nathansutterfield So happy to hear that! Thank you!

[@ryanbrown9102]

Hey David, Thank you for that lovely game! May you kindly share if there will be an expansion or another crowd-funding, or "that about it" for this game..? Thank you

[@ddiaz28]

@@ryanbrown9102 Thank you. I may have something brewing. But ultimately it's up to my publisher if we make any more in this line.

[@ryanbrown9102]

@@ddiaz28 Cool.. Well, talented as you are, even if you will eventually decide to work on another creation, we are already following with curiosity. Anyway, do what ever excited you.. Don't feel obligated to walk in a particular path that maybe some people (even fans) expect you to go in.. I'm not sure how was it for you until now, but.. as I see it - The world will ignore you no more :) Stay humble.. Best of luck!

[@Stankiem83]

backed it, read rules and immediately sold it when I noticed how many rules there were and how not appropriate it would be for my 7 and 9 year olds. Love these 4 way reviews though!

[@ddiaz28]

Sorry to hear that. Did you see the section in the rulebook on removing some of the game mechanisms if you found it to be too much for your kids?

[@gingerscholar152]

Question then, do you guys feel like this is the type of game that could do with a second edition?

[@azizmandar]

Played with a 10 year old and she enjoyed it. I think an 8 year old who plays board games will be fine. An 8 year old who has only played mass market games would have a harder time if you don't use the rules simplifications suggested in the rules. Also everyone I played with liked knocking people off and blocking opponents which is satisfying but not overly punitive.

[@labyfan1313]

I'm really interested in this game. I love the theme since I wanted to be a paleontologist when I was younger. I loved learning about different dinosaurs and had all those mini excavation kits.

[@mydemon]

Someone said "7.5, I could see myself play this game again" Maybe its only me, but a 7.5 should denote a game that we're more excited to play again than that.

[@玩物喪志-v5w]

Looks very cool interesting game - and I think kids would love it. But somehow I feel I am not fully attached to this...the components make it felt a bit messy...when children playing it likely will make a mess and they likely will mess up the rules.

[@mrdrock]

I feel like you need the tweezers to reach into the holes. Fingers too big for that.

[@dylanjacobchin4237]

They raged on this game for 15 minutes and then gave it good reviews !!1!!!!!! 1!!!! how can this beeee?!?!?!1

[@moewolf5195]

How can this bee? I don't know zee..

[@TylerAndToast]

Great review. I happen to think the game looks kinda ugly and finicky. Gameplay a bit convoluted for what it is