The 4 Squares Review - Radlands

[@cursivecurses]

Regarding Mike's comment about losing a powerful character right after playing it - we didn't realize until halfway through game one that we can play new characters BEHIND others so they don't die right away.

[@boxingthegame]

My toxic trait is wanting to say "duh" LOL

[@spons6843]

If you’re playing an expensive card into a field where it’s able to be destroyed by the board immediately, that’s just a strategic mistake. There are also some cards that make people enter “ready” to use their abilities immediately.

[@jartree]

Yup. Don't play that card unless you can protect it. Those same cards also often have a really good junk ability. Just use that instead.

[@utahman06]

Or, prepare for that. I’ve played some of those cards knowing I’d be forcing my opponent into a dilemma. They have to destroy/damage this card or a different, also very powerful card I’m trying to protect.

[@ESCTom]

yep this is exactly it, you need to prepare a shield for these high cost cards because they are very strong. This is to balance out how strong some of their abilities are. On the flipside, if all of them came in ready, they would be so OP.

[@iadiver]

There is always a risk to playing a 3-4 cost card. Like you said, you never play them when they can obviously be dmged/destroyed by the opponent. There are quite a few ways to nail them right away. But they are game changers if you can keep them around for a few turns.

[@simonadams]

in fairness to Mike, he did say this is what he felt after his first game.

[@codykunka5558]

The reason that powerful people don’t enter ready right away is the same reason that the most powerful events don’t go off immediately. That delay gives your opponent a chance to respond, so the luck of the draw is mitigated. Additionally, note that traits on characters are active immediately, and some characters do enter ready. So there is a mix of immediate and delayed effects to broaden the design space.

[@lastburning]

Yeah. It's good game design to give players an opportunity to react. That is why summoning sickness in MTG was such a good idea. In Radlands most events also have a summoning sickness meaning that they don't happen immediately. But having *some* immediate effects mixed in is also interesting.

[@HOSTILEWORKPLACE]

@@lastburning as a new player who is coming from mtg I noticed this immediately with restored cards that are restored but not ready. adding another chance for removal by an opponents next turn. Fantastic mechanics

[@juanpablogiraldo9835]

Fantastic game! 9.5 for me. Thanks to Zee for including it in his Top 10 Games he was looking forward to playing in 2021, when it was still in Kickstarter. I noticed it because of that and through 10 plays is WONDERFUL.

[@chopblocker89]

My wife and I love this game! It feels like a modern/revamped Pixel Tactics to us, another great game we enjoy. The streamline game play, fresh feel, and great art really drives this one home for us and can’t get enough!

[@ArnieHorta]

I think that Pixel Tactics has a bit more going on since most cards have 5 different uses. However I think this is cleaner and the art is wonderful….done by the same person that did the art for Dice Throne. Recommended.

[@oliverparker9940]

Great review guys, I totally agree with your point on it feeling "minimalistic." Another point, and praise I would highlight, is both players drawing cards from a shared player deck. You and your opponent learn the cards together, and once you both know which cards synergise and combo with other cards, you can get into a wonderful rhythm of back and forth. Like all great card games, you play your opponent, not the game.

[@bornofashes]

This playmat could go either way. I didn’t get them and I’m not having trouble aligning events with the base (3) and two person rows (2, 1). Lanes don’t really matter that much for this game so the biggest drawback is quadrupling the size of the box. I like Radlands bc it is almost pocket sized. Furnace is a nice fits-in-the-box playmat that doesn’t change the size of the box.

[@Garethadvertiser]

Fantastic, superbly produced game that's flown under a lot people's radars. Glad you all liked it

[@thegamethemovie9605]

THIS 4 is a 4-square team that I'll tune in for, start to finish!

[@christopherleffler4096]

Have had this a couple of months now, played it a fair amount with a few different people, and it's a seriously fun game. And I like that I can roll out the mats for a luxurious experience, it just stick the minibox in a backpack to play anywhere. Seriously recommend.

[@kam4bream]

The expensive cards are a major strategy point (said below). It’s like placing a king in check in chess, so powerful u feel u have to take action on it straight away. While your opponent is working on that u can accelerate a raid or something else that disrupts them.

[@lastburning]

Yeah. You're usually in a good position when you're forcing your opponent to react and thus dictating the pace of the match.

[@Bleuchz]

Excellent choice of tie for this one. I'm going back and forth on whether I buy the deluxe edition or not but this review certainly solidified I will be picking it up in some form!

[@gassie8952]

Playmats are really worth it, really helps people understand the game better

[@Bleuchz]

@@gassie8952 sold, make sure you get your commission check from roxley =)

[@mylor1066]

Great game. Love it. Can't imagine playing without the deluxe set.

[@defiantj975]

I absolutely love this game. It might be my favorite 2 player card game ever. I'll gladly play this over something like magic the gathering and I'm never not gonna turn someone down who offers to play it.

[@eastargamemanufacturing6914]

Very fun board game campaign. Thanks for the video! 😆

[@jaspersnippe4383]

Hi all, got this my self 😁 really like this game. Question, what is your thought on topdecking in a really tight game? A couple of times we came in a situation that there where only two camps left and no cards. So who ever topdeck the best wins..... Not sure if this Comes across often...

[@darth-ludic-rous]

Wondering if anyone who owns the playmat would say it's _not_ essential or anyone who doesn't own it would say it is. 🤔

[@iadiver]

Its not essential. I've played 15 games without one and have successfully deduced where each card goes every time. I must be some sort of genius! :)

[@ESCTom]

this game is GORGEOUS. I really recommend the deluxe version as the card quality is extremely deluxe and luxurious, and the playmats are really awesome. Its a fantastic 2 player game that plays really quick and im always so interested in the cool combos my opponent is doing

[@Dusty-Zafu]

Mike is such a contrarian

[@KristoVaher]

You NEED to be able to react to other players card plays. Having everything immediately trigger makes the game more chaotic and less strategic. I love this feature. And you CAN protect your cards, it's just not easy and can also be reacted to :)

[@andrewp3043]

I love the game, but I disagree that you NEED the play mat. If you can lay cards out in a 3x6 grid, you’re good to go. The mats are super nice (my friend has them), but don’t feel like you need to pay the extra $20 (or $40+ from the retail edition) and make room for a considerably bigger box if you’re in the fence.

[@darinherrick9224]

I’m waiting for a cheaper 3rd part mat.

[@defiantj975]

You don't need the playmats but I think this game is so good its absolutely worth paying the extra money for the playmats.

[@nshaw1299]

the 1-3 queue spots should've been a cardboard foldout for each player when there are no player mats. that's essential.

[@JustinNichols66]

Super Deluxe (with playmates) is $60 + shipping. Ordered mine about 10 days ago and arrived in a week. It's copy 11,479 out of 12,000, so they might be running low. I assume they will print more eventually. Deluxe is $40 + shipping (Roxley plans to have more stock in April) Retail is $25 + shipping (Many sites have it at a discount but it's a preorder) Really debated about getting the pricy super deluxe, but agree the playmats absolutely help with teaching players / getting it to the table. Great perspectives Dice Tower crew. Just taught my partner (no CCG/LCG experience), got my butt kicked in about 5 rounds. Both looking forward to playing more. I need revenge.

[@nimblegoat]

Yeah I did the same - deluxe had gone - but was great to get the KS price and shipping cost

[@duncancole1742]

$60 for a game and a couple of 'playmates'? What a deal! ;)

[@nimblegoat]

@@duncancole1742 Thanks I know - Looking forward to those playmates - seriously though - what's your point - you enjoy raining on people . You want to feel smug ? who want to try and control how people spend their money ? I don't care how people spend their money - if the product isn't evil , they can feed their family - and they don't whinge to me about it costing too much . - maybe it's a nice comment in your mind - I'd rather get it in retail and pick up a couple of boosters packs down the line for the same price . I'm incredibly fortunate - I can spend as I like - and have never suffered mental illness or depression - 30% of the population do - I am very mindful of that - and try not to kill peoples joy . I learned when I was about 11 years old when I used to wind kids up for fun - that words could hurt ( one tried to stab me with a compass , the other tried to hit me over the head with bat :) ) - and I changed - everyone can

[@duncancole1742]

@@nimblegoat Woah dude - read my reply again. I was just making a little gag about the misspelling of 'playmats' as 'playmates'. No idea what you're going on about.

[@JustinNichols66]

@@duncancole1742 Ha! I want to edit my post, but I'll leave it. :D

[@manonfire4jc]

One of my most played games. After over 60 plays its still super fun and feels different every game. For me, the deluxe version is totally worth it. Cheers 🍻

[@cmoe25027]

This is a 9 for us as well. Confused about the Seal of Excellence though, for Four Squares reviews is it an average of the Four, or is the rating calculated some other way? An average of the Four would have it at 8 which is a Seal of Approval. Zee's score alone or an average of Tom and Zee would be enough for excellence but would exclude Camilla and Mike. Not a big issue but I am kind of curious how it is calculated. I am glad it got a Seal of Excellence, such a fun game!

[@DTChrisYi]

The seal is awarded on the highest score. If Zee had reviewedthis on his own, it would have gotten a seal of excellence, so that's what we go off of here as well. You just get the extra perspective ofthe other reviewers as well, and it's fun to have the round-table discussion.

[@cmoe25027]

@@DTChrisYi Perfect, thanks Chris!

[@jubiler4068]

Pure 8.5 from me! There was no hesitation to back this game when I saw it :)

[@onimartinez8646]

I'm not against the deluxe and playmat, but it's not like "YOU REALLY NEED ONE OR YOU'LL NEVER PLAY IT", just like other TCG with columns/rows/zones, you can still play it even without the actual look of the field. I think it's a bad marketing, if you say it like it's so essential that you would rather not get the game if you can only afford the the retail version. Anyway, kudos to the review. LOVE IT!

[@craigswanson2750]

So it is Legends of The Five Rings apocalypse.

[@Dalmatinac3]

Played without play mats and we had no issues. Didn't feel like we needed any play mats.

[@iadiver]

In no way is a playmat essential for this game. Going by that standard, I feel like if you reviewed solitaire you'd exclaim that a playmat was essential for that too. If you're capable of making a 3x4 grid with playing cards, and are able to play cards in this imagined grid successfully, you can play this game just fine without a playmat. The game is packaged for portability, and the playmats are the antithesis of that.

[@rosalind1635]

Really good point!

[@grahamthiel7321]

Really loving these reviews. Really making me want to buy more games

[@TheBoardMeeting]

I highly suggest the playmats. They are amazing looking and very functional. This was my number one game of last year.

[@elqord.1118]

Lots of variability yes but does the feel samey after a while?

[@ArnieHorta]

You will see all the cards in the deck after two plays. However the different bases add lots of replayability. There are over 30 bases and you each get three….

[@arnold2011]

Jumped this one on Kickstarter. Sounds to be a mistake. Where to get the deluxe version?

[@nimblegoat]

Direct from their website - though may of sold out - I got mine over a week ago

[@DMBuc2k1]

Sleeper hit for me. Deluxe and playmats are essential to me.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

I want to try this game.

[@francisrichard7784]

You could always put your expensive card behing a person that is already in play, adding a layer or protection in front. At least it won't be unprotected as soon as you play it.

[@Indubitably14]

Got this game a month ago but haven't played it yet. Dying to get a chance.

[@dccnightowl]

Well don't die before you get to play it!

[@lexodius]

Zeevil at it again right from the start

[@mydemon]

Top 10 post apocalyptic games would be nice

[@lunabear99]

Can the Dice Tower folks explain what they mean by "collectible card game feel"? I don't quite understand what they mean by that.

[@zakk3910]

Card battling like Magic the Gathering. Playing cards from your hand onto the field, exhausting them to use their ability, and then readying them at the beginning of your turn. The fantasy flight LCGs and Keyforge are examples too. It's a very distinct type of card game that you have to play one of those games to really understand the feeling.

[@georgepap8512]

I think they mean that in order to play a really powerful card you really need to sacrifice a lot of points or mana or cards etc and then that card might be destroyed on the next turn. That's something that you in all the older collectable card games (CCGs) like Magic the Gathering or Pokémon or Yu-Gi-Oh.

[@andreahlgren7060]

Nice, I have been pondering about this game, it's very pretty

[@rb4551]

I enjoy this one a lot.

[@TheOriginalSqueezel]

Its still moving up for me. The first plays a was a little disappointed, cause I had high expectations (dont know why exactly, I was just pumped about the hole concept). But since then all this little design-decisions hook me more and let me find new twists in the game. Currently at an 8 for me.

[@bwah9481]

Yep, Radlands is a winner. No doubt.

[@JordanLofgren434]

Fantastic game! 10 for me.

[@victorgonzalez2927]

Redlands feels similar, albeit more complex version, to Thunder & Lighting.

[@Legitster]

I need to play it some more, but in each of the games I played the person who drew more cards won. I also got the deluxe edition without the playmats and this is the first time I've regretted the decision.

[@iadiver]

You have to be careful about junking cards. Overall, that effect isn't as valuable as playing the card for its water cost most of the time. You have to be very judicious with your junking.

[@amchasteenable]

It reminded me of the LCG Android Netrunner, except symmetrical gameplay and more accessible rules. Would you say this is better?

[@AdamJorgensen]

Better than one of the best card games ever made? Not sure it's that good...

[@kevinm2832]

God no. Netrunner is god tier.

[@ilqrd.6608]

never

[@darinherrick9224]

That’s a joke right? Netrunner is the greatest game ever made.

[@ilqrd.6608]

@@darinherrick9224 I couldn’t agree more. And the good thing is…it’s not dead. I just ordered a all new cards from NISEI and it’s a mind blowing experience

[@darinherrick9224]

I feel like this game deserves a better review than this. It doesn’t really explain what sets this game apart from LCG/CCG type games. This is a VERY good game.

[@aldaron1021]

this is one of the most confusing explanation ever made on the dice tower, in the end you just vaguely know how the game works because the explanation was not structured and pretty chaotic

[@massive323]

Really great game, one of the few kickstarters that i'll keep for a long time - I really feel the deluxe version, with its plays-mats is essential though.

[@michaelmueller260]

I'm in the Mike camp on this one, mostly because I actively dislike CCG's and those types of games. It does have a cool look to it, and I love the theme...but this style of game is just unpleasant for me. Best of luck for a strong finish to your KS campaign!!

[@pipstevenson5146]

campaign finished ages ago and Roxley have fulfilled the KS already.

[@rembrandtbrown6450]

If you're used to TCG's without playmats the playmats are completely unnecessary.

[@lincolnhoppe]

I love this game. Also agree with loving the playmate.

[@flintsteel]

Nice review as I have the KS of this. And a big thumbs up for Camilla 👍

[@nielsjensen6897]

So what we really wanted to know was does Zee like this better than 51st State Complete Master Set? It sounds like a post apocalyptic card game for people who haven’t tried 51st State.

[@aaronclark7687]

Seeing that 51st State was his #1 game of all time last year and he rated this a 9 I doubt that. To be fair though they are very different games they share a similar theme.

[@StoneTempleGlyph]

Mechanism/mechanistic

[@Johnsemgawl]

Really glad I got the playmat, awesome game!

[@F4R207]

KS sitting on my self waiting to get on the table, sounds like I made a good choice to acquire it.

[@spons6843]

By far a favourite 2p in my collection

[@caseydraven]

Everyone rated it pretty high, but this is a 10 all day! Lol oh well. Well done Zee 😊 👍

[@Alluvian567]

Audio moved around left/right during the explanation. was very annoying to listen to.

[@JoseGuerrero-yy4wl]

Publishers: You want a GUARANTEED good review on the DT? Make sure its a post apocalyptic flicking game in space with a solo mode.

[@robertflinch2447]

I dont think the playmats are THAT important. They're nice, but it brings this simple card games price up to 50 dollars, on par with many board games. I dont think they're worth it. Laying out cards isnt that hard

[@chrisclark784]

In Magic The Gathering the card locations are more erratic and nobody uses a mat. So I don't see how people are saying they're essential for this. This is straight forward.

[@nathannemeth4094]

I was captivated by the artwork and components. But as soon as I heard about the gameplay... I just not interested at all.

[@MattD007]

I really miss Miami Dice. I don't know if it's the games they're picking or the panel, but these 4 Square reviews are really neutered. Sam, Zee and Tom seemed to have the ability to be negative of a particular game, this panel doesn't seem to have that ability. Just seems like they go out of their way to praise the game even if it seems like it wasn't their cup of tea. If I wanted faint praise and an unclear viewpoint I'd watch Rahdo more often. Not to say Rahdo doesn't have his good points, he's just way too nice and you can't tell if he actually liked a game or was being nice in bashing it.

[@koalabrownie]

Well I think Tom deliberately picks bigger games for these reviews so, they may be less likely to fail. Merchants Cove is the last one I remember where most of the cast disliked it and that was way back in May of last year already

[@MattD007]

@@koalabrownie yet this was a two player small card game. Mike clearly didn't care for this, yet gave a score factoring in something other than HIS score. He'll never play this, that's not a 7. The thing with Miami Vice was you knew where all three stood with their tastes and they scored to those tastes. This new panel, except for Tom, score on what they seem will make others happy. You almost need to read between the lines now, which is what you need to do with reviewers like Rahdo. What's unique or useful about that? These come off like paid previews now.

[@koalabrownie]

@@MattD007 Yeah- MD also had a different scoring system, the thumbs up/down. Could be that say for this game, Mike would give it one thumb up, and Zee would give it two thumbs way up, and it would seem like a bigger difference than what it is here which is only 2 points on a 10 point scale. Also the reviews in general are probably more diplomatic these days, and less sensational. They try to articulate what they don't like rather than, boiling it down to "this game is garbage". It could also be that with more staff, the reviewers for these videos are more likely to like the game because the people who won't like it are already not in the video. But you're right in that it might be better to have some more polarized viewpoints more frequently.

[@MattD007]

@@koalabrownie have you looked at Tom's solo reviews. He still doesn't hold back on a bad game lol. I don't mind caveats like , "I'm scoring it low, but that's just my tastes, I can see others liking this." But to say you don't enjoy collectible card games, say that's how this felt and describe issues you had with it, then give it a 7? Diplomatic is right, that completely and accurately describes these 4 Square reviews. I just give them two terrible reviewer thumbs down. Sad too, because they all seem like nice people and I think Mike was a great addition. I do ultimately think less is more and Dice Tower is suffering from watering down what made people watch and enjoy their reviews. I miss Sam.

[@koalabrownie]

@@MattD007 Yeah the difference of opinion is great, but I do also appreciate the differing view points. I was watching some older Top 10 videos and its rough to keep hearing Bang the Dice Game, or Pandemic, or Ticket to Ride, or whatever- you'd hear the same games all the time. Whereas with new staff, or guest appearances, you get more viewpoints and totally different games to hear about. The nature of reviews may change as well. Sam and Tom were both very comfortable in their jobs and their friendship, so could be more honest. But maybe newer staff don't feel as comfortable really laying into a game. But as they're at the DT longer, that might change. Or- if fans keep giving them good feedback.

[@MatheusVenti]

Why those old games are in the shelf? lol

Why not judge a game considering its category ? I hate hearing: "I don''t like this 2 player only game since I don't like any of them.", "I don;t like this roadster car since I only like when the drivetrain is in the front".

[@GGdeTOURS37]

WOW am I the only one to dislike this game?

[@LizGamerGirl]

I love the artwork for Radlands but the game just was meh. 6/10, there's no real catch for me and it just felt boring.

[@mjjjuly]

I quickly lost interest after hearing it's 2 players only. Not for me then.

[@mgk2020]

Thanks.

[@sab6261]

Gambit/gamut. Whatever.

[@Thisslapsmydude]

This game rocks man. I love it