Art Society Board Game Review - Biggest Surprise of 2023?

[@bonescollector5367]

Thank you for taking the time to review Art Society. This definitely piques our interest. We really enjoy light puzzly games , that play quickly. We kept Shake That City , because of the cardboard randomizer. How do you compare the two? Thanks again, Luke!❤😊

[@jamestomko5351]

Looks like a nice mashup of Modern Art, For Sale, Patchwork and of course High Society.

[@VoicelessScream]

I don't always agree with your dislikes (but do appreciate the reviews nonetheless!) but have a 100% hit rate with your likes so that's on my radar now and would have gone unnoticed otherwise, thanks!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thanks for that!

[@ralfn9629]

Well, that score - I also didn't expect this from you for this game. Lol

[@elainetyger]

Nice! I have some friends who would love this. I actually prefer less interaction, so I probably won't run out and buy this, but will be happy to play it and see if I change my mind.

[@WoshMKS]

This looks like an insta-buy for me. I love bidding and the rule with the effect of the leftover tile is such a great twist, making your decisions even harder. What about longevity and a variable setup, what are your thoughts on those aspects?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

There isn't much variety in setup and paths, but how each game progresses will be highly dependant on the group choices for paintings.

[@jaroslawchmiel7193]

​@@TheBrokenMeepleand also which colors are available. Don't you think that this is a bit random?

[@djoj20]

Not too much into bidding games but I may have to give this one a try

[@tiago_db_silva]

This was one of my Essen pickups, the very last one (was only there Friday), I was undecided because of space in my suitcase but I'm glad I took it, have played it twice with 4 and 2 and was very pleased with the game.

[@shatnershairpiece]

Our first game, my wife had two excess paintings for -4 and ended the game. Auction is not very tense in 2 player. I used bid cards in order of 1-7 for the first turns before I felt a need to bid higher.

[@nerdington934]

Awesome review!! Thanks Luke

[@bigbenfulham]

Great review - but it wasnt a hidden gem for all us, it was the first game I picked up at this years Essen (World Wonders would have been first, if I hadn't pre-ordered it). Oh and it was on my route to picking up Cascadia Landmarks - but still top 3!

[@maxkosek]

Wow, just wow 🤩 been watching your reviews for so long and always loved how honest you are with your opinions (“regardless of the consequences” 😉 right?) but you surprised me here so much I didn’t expect that high score from you! I’m personally super happy that you like it, and especially that the box cover design made that impression. Cheers

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thank you so much!!

[@alister3882]

That will be a nice video, that you rank your board games that had a 10.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Won't that just be my top ten of all time though?

[@alister3882]

@@TheBrokenMeeple I thought it more with all your rank 10 games from a year and so own, to put them a test to see how many are still a 10 out 10.

[@danijelposta1748]

Have you ever played Tsukiji? I finally got to play this one and I prefer Tsukiji in every aspect. They both have a similar "stock manipulation" end game scoring system but instead of tile laying Tsukiji has card set collection. Although the bidding / stock manipulation part is more random in Tsukiji I find it more elegantly designed and more interesting.

[@stacie_everdell]

Wow, that's quite a recommendation. I had planned to check this one out at PAX Unplugged in December, now I'm even more keen to. Thanks as always for your entertaining and very informal review!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

You're welcome as always ❤️

[@alister3882]

You liked a game at four players and not three? Thats new, now I do want that game for the family hhahaha.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah makes a change.

[@ajdarias]

Hello, don´t you think that there are too many bidding numbers, like 20 are they?, for the amount of turns in gameplay? In my only play we were saving the higher bidden numbers for the end but at the time the game ended we found lots of high bidding numbers left over. I thought we could use only the odds number for instance. Apart from that, the game was innovative and fun.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

It depends on if the paintings players pick are generally big or small. I've had everything from 9-15 rounds.

[@ajdarias]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Thank you for your impressions. I also liked another little game from Essen that is 5 Tower, as a party filler was simple and fun.

[@DannyvanHolten]

@@ajdarias I played 4 times now. 3 times ended in 19 turns. Smaller tiles seem to have more scoring potential. So filling up the board wasn't a priority in our games.

[@ajdarias]

@@DannyvanHolten thank you!

[@Listan1]

Great review (minus the jokey slavery reference eek). I preordered this one already and hoping my kids (ages almost-7 and almost-9) are able to play and enjoy it. We shall see. Thoughts on whether this can be a family game?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Oh easily, families will get this.

[@scullu]

Thanks for the review. I have Modern Art. How'd you compare this to that? I thought I do not need both but would like to hear what you think.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I don't think they are similar overall but I remember not liking modern art.

[@ajdarias]

I also think they are not similar and can stay in the same bidding collection. However, I find Modern Art too mathy and longer than this. Both games feel very different.

[@tiago_db_silva]

They are very different, only the theme is similar, but after that it doesn't really feel anything similar, I have both.

[@loksumko1090]

Does this game really scale well at 2 players? I am having trouble deciding to buy this game since I mostly play at 2.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I found it fine at two. Simultaneous actions and you only pick from 3 art pieces so if anything choice is more limited and thus more important.

[@mubeensaddique5270]

Does the score you gave for this mean that even at player scaling, it's the same score? Thought this was great at Essen, but alas couldn't get a copy to buy! Should be out at retail in the UK soon - plenty of other Essen games to play in the meantime!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Did you see the player scaling pop up right after my verdict was given? It's a little less at two player but not by much.

[@mubeensaddique5270]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Genuinely have no idea how I missed it pop up, I thought I was paying attention. Had better go get more caffeine in me

[@Flip5ide]

Will it be out in the UK for Christmas? Can i ask for it for Christmas is what im saying lol.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Ha ha, honestly I'm not sure, but fingers crossed.

[@Flip5ide]

@@TheBrokenMeeple thanks 😅

[@Cardbot_Xis]

Man I want it

[@Duxa_]

What you said about it does not seem to match the score you gave it. 🤔

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

On what planet? 😜

[@Duxa_]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Just seems like too many flaws for a 10. Perhaps a 9. But I dont see how Art Society holds a candle to something like Ark Nova or Spirit Island (other 10's)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

@@Duxa_ a game is not perfect when it gets a 10. All my favourite games have issues. And a games weight level has no bearing on a rating. This game I enjoy every play and yet its quick, simple, no downtime, good choices, quick setup etc. I love spirit island, it's thematic, varied and a great puzzle. I also hesitate to play it multiplayer and has some FAQ moments.

[@Duxa_]

@@TheBrokenMeeple fair enough

[@jsbach1750]

Sounds like a nice expanded riff on For Sale!

[@timknauer8906]

Wow what a nice surprise!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I know!!