Tiny Epic Mechs Review - with Tom Vasel

[@eddyquik]

Here's a fun house rule to add d6 to combat: 1. The VP of the weapon is the # of dice you roll. 2. Attacker picks their attacking weapon. 3. Defender picks their defending weapon (optional). 4. If the Attacker has the weapon bonus (melee vs. area, area vs targeted, targeted vs. melee), they add +1 die to their pool. 5. The defender can choose NOT to defend with a weapon (and hence save it for a counter attack). 6. Attacker rolls dice. Attacker get a success on 5, 6 in Pilot mode, 4, 5 or 6 in Mech mode, and 3, 4, 5, 6 in Mega Mech mode. 7. Defender rolls dice. They get a success on a 5, 6 in Pilot mode, 4, 5 or 6 in Mech mode, and 3, 4, 5, 6 in Mega Mech mode. 8. Compare successes. If the attacker wins, deliver damage and special effects as usual. 9. If the defender wins, no damage occurs. 10. Tap the attacker weapon. 11. Tap the defender weapon (if used). 12. Repeat for the defender counter attack until retreat or KO is completed. Let me know if that makes sense. It promotes bigger guns, getting your mech, and the Mega Mech becomes super dangerous, which makes players want to rush the mech.

[@MeepleMentor]

I've been impressed with the creativity of the "Tiny Epic" developer team. They pack a lot of gameplay into a tiny footprint, which has got to be difficult. My favorite one is still Tiny Epic Galaxies.

[@pokefrosch617]

Glad you guys are not pumping out seals of excelence or even recomendations. A lot of reviewers these days just seem to love virtually everything.

[@sacob08]

Could you tell me which reviewers are you talking about? I'm just curious :)

[@mbrochh82]

sacob08 Rahdo comes to mind.

[@pokefrosch617]

I love marnaudo, but his reviews are a relatively weak indicator of weather I will like a game, since he doesnt point out weaknesses in designs enough. Rahdo is perfectly fine with dry euro squarepushers that he can enjoy alot. I dont. And even Susd. I love these guys. Very entertaining. Very personal reviews. Very emotional. So they really trippin on the hype train hard at times while dismissing excellent designs, that they didn't had a perfect experience with. Dont get me wrong. I LOVE all the above for their content. And I find ALL of them more often then not more entertaining then the Dice Tower crew. But with the Dice Tower you just feel the amount of experience they have, the metric tons of games they have played. And the clear focus on who might and who might not enjoy the game. Take for example their review of Wingspan: They jumped of the hype train, but also said, that during all their playthroughs with different gamers they just received mildly positive comments at worst and alot of love for the game. Or the new edition of Wolfgang Kraemers bidding/racing game (name escaped me): Miami Dice clearly articulated that they really liked it but mentioned how it may be more suited towards casual or family gamers while replayability for heavy gamers might me limited. Their opinions usually are just so tempered and well balanced.

[@Sam-vk8xd]

Well, but if they love the game shouldn’t they say they love the game?

[@pokefrosch617]

@@Sam-vk8xd of course they should. But careful analysis while keeping possible audiences in mind can and should go along with it.

[@cdouglas6]

Played it for the first time tonight. Me and my kids enjoyed it. Boys 10 and 12 really liked the mechs and battles. And recognized the multiple ways to win. Combat did seem predetermined. Still fun though.

[@D_SKO]

Love this game, super fun!

[@IronSalamander8]

I love galaxies and I haven't played some of the others, but many of these tiny epic games feel rather lackluster. I didn't back this one, though I thought the mechs and meeples looked cool but glad I didn't now.

[@Fuzzyfoot88]

Give Quest a go. I can't decide if it's better than Galaxies or not, but both of them are up there...

[@VanJeans]

I wish I had seen this review before I backed the game :(

[@LEGnewTube]

Keep coming back to wondering if I want this game and every time I walk away going “meh.” Sounds super cool, don’t really like the board piece design, and it’s sad to hear the fighting is boring.

[@xironbeastx8677]

this is a pub game, something you can throw in a backpack and play occasionally.

[@tsmcgu]

The part that really turned me off was all the "into suit, out of suit, into suit, out of suit" that I saw in previews. Moving your meeple in and out just looked tedious. Would have been better if the suit was something you were working towards longer, but when you got it, you kept it (because now you're a bad-ass)

[@deedd4401]

this should have been a card game for 15 ....

[@Subcomandante73]

So why does Scythe have mechs? That is another bait and switch, and yet to rave about it like its the best game ever?

[@marcoschaub8978]

Without mechs, there would be no combat in Scythe. With them, there's some. I can see the point though that when you see Scythe, you think it's a war game, which it's not. Here, it's another story though. TEM is a tactical combat game.

[@ZedLeppelin1989]

Because combat is not a defining part of the game, and was never implied it would be.

[@dennisantle1792]

When it’s all said and done TEM is not a combat game, it’s a highest score game ( exactly like scythe ). Which you can achieve faster by dropping turrets that get you double points on a high number tile. Meaning your opponent will want to come and destroy it , letting you know the direction they will be heading for so you can try to cut them off and defend making combat imo a lot more frequent that you might think. I also think Tom is not thinking through the 3 player balance too much either what will happen is one person will be getting double combat points compared to the other 2.

[@Sam-vk8xd]

Have you played Scythe?

[@dennisantle1792]

Me ? Yes I own it and almost every accessory. Played ( and won ) a game last night and it was a combat free game I’d say over 75% of our games are combat free. I won’t by expanding my territory , getting hexes I needed to score points and stars no combat needed.

[@warpaint9385]

Just because it's called Tiny Epic doesn't mean it's a good game. Seems to me people will buy anything with this name tacked on just like people will buy anything from FFG or CMON. Even if it's pretty mediocre they'll still buy it lol. I backed Galaxies and that was it. Most of them in my opinion are overrated.

[@buffalobear160]

Pandemic: Monopoly. Pandemic:Uno. Yea, other companies doing this garbage too. One company I love is matagot. I own three of their games and love them all.

[@RetroMaticGamer]

Actually a very fair review from a guy who doesn’t even like the game. As usual, I can actually see that my group and I would like this game despite Tom’s criticisms. That may be what I like best about good reviewers - they may not like something, but they can still help it find those who would.

[@buffalobear160]

@@clunette Who is a good reviewer? Efka and his lady? The commies over at SUandSD?

[@MrNoirocla]

@@buffalobear160 commies?

[@TheMADmk]

​@@buffalobear160 commies lol. So true I actually enjoyed watching some of there old videos, but like all uni students seem these days they went full red. sigh.

[@majkus]

Some people just don't like the flavor of techs-mechs.

[@mauriceoksman8594]

it took me a second to revel in your genius lol

[@keel1701]

I wish the combat was like Adrenaline. Just shoot on your turn, and the weapons have a cooldown.

[@jherrenor]

Tom sounded so disappointed, he didn't even destroy the components at the end.

[@dennisantle1792]

1 about combat being pre determined. You can change your weps at the start of each turn so if it looks like your gonna get pummelled before an atk then change before you preform your move & atk to just one type minimizing the effect of being countered. 2 the reason you would not drop your 4 mine on any random spot is mines do the mine value PLUS the zones value. So just dropping it on a 1 is minimal effect but if you drop it on a 3 you could potentially KO someone with 1 mine. 3 reg it being like drunk mechs stumbling aground. It sounds like your reviewing just based on the rules and components and not thinking through strategy. This game has a limited number of rounds. With a limited number of turns , if I have my 3 turret on a 3 tile when it scored for 6 points each then my opponents will by foolish to randomly walk about the map “ hoping “ to get into combat vs walking directly to my turrets to take them out and prevent me from scoring. I know you like scythe so I’ll compare it to that. That would be like just switching between trade and produce so you can enlist every second turn cause it gets you 3 coins. Sure you get 3 coins and 1 star but you sure has hell will not be winning the game unless you maximize you points and try to minimize your opponents.

[@Sam-vk8xd]

Glad that at least you like it.

[@dennisantle1792]

Indeed . When it’s all said and done we all have our own taste and as long as you are enjoying what you play then all the power too ya. I personally avoid Munchkin like the plague but I know people who loooove it 🤷‍♂️.

[@Charlescy5]

Lol Tom seams more excited to play with the figures than the actual game

[@ArnieHorta]

The issue with the combat is that this is a Euro. It looks like Tom wanted it to be an AT mech game. There are plenty of those. I am normally an AT player but I am on with this game. I accept what it is. If you want a little more excitement in the combat I think that there is an easy fix. When the attacker attacks, he chooses one of his weapon cards secretly. The defender chooses one card to defend with. If his defensive card matches the opponents attack he does the additional effect. The attacker card is then exhausted and the roles switch. Not there is some guessing going on so it is a little more random.

[@dustinfreund5196]

Did Tom say the mechs drop turds? No wonder this game stinks.

[@Sam-vk8xd]

Tom’s word pronunciation at its best.

[@mikebollen9238]

Tiny Epic Meh

[@Ducky2317]

I backed it because I need a complete set of Tiny Epic games, whether I play them or not (but I do play them all at least once). Thanks for this video!

[@clarenceneal2622]

It looks like those weapons would be perfect for kit bashing in Gaslands.....

[@simonadams]

I backed this, but it will probably be the last Tiny Epic I back. For me it's all been a little downhill since Galaxies. I kinda wish they would put the time into making (and testing!!!) another great big box game like HOLSA instead of putting out another half-cocked 'that time of year again, hey chaps?' Tiny Epic product.

[@sartori69]

You really aren't missing anything with Tiny Epic Zombies, IMO. The weapons being held by needles is cute, but that's about it and the gameplay is extremely meh. I did back Tiny Epic Tactics, and now reconsidering it.

[@VaultBoy13]

I played Tiny Epic Tactics at a convention a few months ago. It's a decent game. It feels a bit like an Arcadia Quest-lite. My main issues with Tiny Epic Tactics is that the tininess was fiddly (like the health, ammo, and magic trackers) and the 3D board ends up blocking the view for some players. So, you literally can't see what's going on some of the time. I haven't played a Tiny Epic game that I'd purchase. But, Tactics is probably on par with Galaxies (although, they're entirely different games).

[@Sam-vk8xd]

With Tiny epic anything I’ve learned it’s best to wait til retail release when reviews come in. The series has too much hype now and it’s easy to get swept up by it.

[@mauriceoksman8594]

I actually like tiny epic zombies better than even quest. Usually I’m not crazy about variants, but TEZ feels like it’s at it’s best when it’s all vs 1 instead of COOP or solo, but I like to teach it in COOP mode 1st. Well, to each their own-as much as I respect the designer, ultimately nothing in the TINY EPIC series has been something for me to rave about, but there is something to be said about how much game there is in its small package and the whole line is a cool concept.

[@OlafVonBarto]

Poor Beverly. How dare you, Tom??!

[@flukieschimp14]

We loved this game! I almost always agree with TV, but he's dead wrong on this one. This is the best of the Tiny Epic games.

[@AlphaMike2k]

Tom is wrong on this one. This is a great game.

[@Puzzu]

Thanks for the review Tom! Glad I didn’t back this, I backed Tiny Epic Zombies and regretted it so it’s been better for me to wait when more reviews like yours are out to get a better idea of how the final game plays. Guess I’ll be sticking with Starship Samurai for cool mechs :)

[@ClockworkWyrm]

I'm right there with you Tom. This game looks so good, like all the itemeeples equipping items is great and the additional loading into mechs is wonderful. But it's such a bummer to boil down combat to rock/paper/scissors. Maybe if they added a dice roll variable that effected the combat in some way (you each tap your weapons then roll a modifier dice, etc.), or possibly allowing you to spend energy to supercharge weapons temporarily (then you would never know when/if your opponent was going to power up) it could add some more excitement to the interaction. I do like that players aren't "out" once they get blown up, that was a big concern for me when I first saw the style of game. It just doesn't fly with my gaming group to have some of us sitting out.

[@AlliroG98]

Some weapons can be charged up tho

[@CarterSharpe]

I wish boardgame "mech" aesthetics didn't still lean so heavily on the utilitarian Battletech look. Starship Samurai being a notable exception.

[@juliesquirrel5269]

Well shoot, I backed it. Might be time to give Tiny Epic a rest...

[@Mayura031]

@@protiertabletop9788 they are coming out with tiny epic tactics right?

[@AlexNguyen]

Played with low expectations and it was really fun! Combat is about the prep work leading up. Art and toy factor through the roof.

[@Swayzee68]

Okay. Guess I'm passing on this one. "Boring" 😆 But if I ever find it for cheap, I have to buy it just for the meeple armor. it sounds like it is all gimmick and not enough substance. My favorite tiny epic game is still Galaxies. It is simple and elegant and more of a classic Euro board games in a tiny style. As soon as they got back into battling meeples, it just loses a little something for me and becomes too ... Silly?

[@GeneralKetchup57]

Ouch!!! Love the honesty, but sad that my yet received KS game is going to suck ...lol.

[@xaius4348]

Would playing cards simultaneously in combat work? Seems like that'd make it more exciting (could take all of yours and place one upside down, one at a time in rounds)

[@TableTopTransformer]

What makes the combat boring?

[@edwardbrost331]

Time to house rule this game. Hopefully it's doable.

[@buffalobear160]

New house rule: you mention tiny epic mechs, you're outta the group. Your wife can stay, though.

[@aaronstark5060]

I'm OK with combat being deterministic, but he's right in that there needs to be some tension involved. This is usually achieved in the form of hidden information. But I have to agree that if you can figure out the entire battle before it even begins, that's a problem.

[@sufu5a]

Tom, I'm working on a game with Mechs that is about tactics and blowing stuff up. Once I'll eventually finish it I will send a copy over (Just for your enjoyment/displeasure) :D

[@doggosplosion]

One could say it was "Tiny Epic Meh". Hopefully Gamelyn pulls like Oh My Goods did and can make a 2nd edition rule set to make combat fun. I still backed it, perhaps I can figure out something for combat. Or have it when in combat, you can "ban" one weapon per combat that cannot counter and only use the base damage.

[@Ecolion]

Does it give anyone else anxiety watching dice tower reviews; everyone they drop all the components on the table? I'm like stuff could get lost, stuff could get broken, who had to clean and organize that game after? 😰

[@mardel5466]

Man up please

[@johna6108]

No. They are games. And their games at that.

[@Sam-vk8xd]

Sounds like you have issues. Seek help.

[@Ecolion]

It's not actually a stresser more of a joke. Sheesh streight to the attacks.

[@buffalobear160]

@@Ecolion A lot of folks with autism are drawn to this hobby. Autists will take everything you say literally, and respond appropriately. Don't worry about these guys, they have autism.

[@marcosfernandesdesousajuni9576]

i backed this T_T

[@Sam-vk8xd]

Sorry.

[@kennymfg]

Reminds me a bit of RoboRally, which I've played a ton of but have so many complaints about. Thanks for the review!

[@scurry2175]

Was considering this game, yet it looks like it's not gonna pay off. Quest is already a fail for me, so this one won't even.

[@fredoblong]

Well he did stick to his word that he wasnt going bemoan it for being small but did he just transfer his inherit bias elsewhere? Just the same I may sell my KS copy when it arrives unless I see a good counter opinion.

[@jimsmith7445]

Tom: Great shirt and tie combination! I love the unpatterned colored shirts with the ties... black on black, etc. You have great style with the Fedora's... the game... "Tiny Epic Galaxies" is one of my fabulous favorites... I KS'ed this game.

[@wicaksonoadi1035]

My favorite is Tiny Epic Quest! I'm really glad you enjoyed that one too, Tom. But why you never review it on this channel?

[@andrewrogers6744]

I'm right with you Tom, I wanted to love this game so much.

[@Phelixc]

Oooff... Just missed out on the kickstarter for this one, but I guess I should be thankful now...

[@Phelixc]

@@protiertabletop9788 Yeah, I enjoy quite a few of the tiny epic games. Galaxies, Western, Quest and Zombies are good games for some quick fun. Not to fond of Defenders or Kingdom though, a bit to generic for my taste...

[@Carighan]

It's Tiny Epic, isn't "don't back" the default for them? *Nevermind* how you should always skip the KS because all you get is a promise that it'll be a decent game. Outside of reprints you don't know anything about the game.

[@Phelixc]

@@Carighan I'm fine with gambling on games, some are duds, some are classics. Just don't spend more than you can afford to lose and it shouldn't be a problem. I've enjoyed every game I backed on kickstarter so far, some more than others ofc, but I'm sure my luck will eventually run out and I will get a bad experience. I do suspect one game I'm waiting for (and is now 1+ years delayed) will not live up to my expectation (Galaxy of Trian). A review is also not guaranteed to match your own taste, so you could end up with a bad game from that as well. I've heard rave reviews for Le Havre for instance, but it wasn't to my liking when I finally gave in and bought it. In my country we don't have the luxury of trying a game before you buy it, it just doesn't happen unless you're lucky enough to know someone who owns the game. So why not gamble on projects that catch your fancy? Also, it is usually a lot cheaper than buying the game in a store in my country... I paid less than half of what Gloomhaven costs in store on kickstarter, I'd say that is a pretty good deal...

[@klinktastic]

just got mine in the mail yesterday

[@Medsas]

Anachrony has mechs and it's not about combat... and Tom like that game

[@cloud3x3]

Anachrony isn't a mech game, it's a game that has mechs.

[@BassForever]

Sounds like this game desperately needs an expansion that fixes the combat

[@Crs9072]

Or you know, they could have made the combat good from the beginning? It's really bad when the best part of the game is putting on a plastic weapon on a meeple.

[@Carighan]

No it desperately needs to be re-done. This doesn't seem like something you want to fix with an expansion.

[@wolflarson71]

The Tiny Epic series is wearing thin when it comes to actual gameplay. Even Tiny Epic Galaxies, considered one of the best in the series, is mediocre when it comes to mechanisms. Maybe it's time to let someone else design one of these while Scott does what he does best, production and marketing.

[@gamera2351]

Are the meeples plastic? If a meeple isn't made of wood, is it really a meeple?

[@supercommando440]

THE most rambly review Toms ever done (or the most rambly I’ve seen him do). But I get it… when I really want to like a game and it disappoints, I tend to ramble on and on about it, because I want to like it. But is this really THAT bad? Can the combat be house-ruled with dice or some way to make it more exciting or strategic?

[@GusG_]

Where's the cash grab gun??

[@BrianLiming]

Tom, the format of your reviews are great. Your enthusiasm is great. Please talk slower.

[@Falkdr]

Tiny Epic Kingdoms is still the best. What a promising publisher gamelyn once was.

[@justinfarkas]

Should of had dice. And I hate program movement. Not for me

[@Judge021979]

Another rubbish Tiny Epic game... same as it ever was

[@MikeDV34]

This is a silly statement.

[@Judge021979]

Silly how? I dislike all of this series.