Vasel Family Reviews: Super Fantasy Brawl

[@SeanUCF]

Sam and Zee are looking a lot different these days.

[@Bierzgal]

I recently played the game on TTS and really liked it. It plays fast and interesting. The characters are super unique. And the lack of dice was a big plus for me personally. If I want to throw some dice I take out Summoner Wars. And it's not that easy to find a brawler game that works well with more than 2 players. This does. I'll be backing the upcomming KS for sure.

[@KINGKILL10]

I bought this right from Mythic not realizing I was getting the all in kickstarted version. My fiancé and I love playing this because it's quick to set up and every game feels different. There truly is a strategy you develop after using different character combinations and we love how quick it plays. The box size is ridiculous but I have the space so no complaints. Looking forward to painting the miniatures eventually. For us, with sometimes a shortage of gaming time available with three little boys we love it.

[@adamholt5395]

I didn't realize that you sitting on your knees throughout the talk with your daughters. How does that not hurt your knees after awhile?

[@PhilGerb93]

... are you 60?

[@trojan403]

@@PhilGerb93 :D

[@animodeoh]

@@PhilGerb93its actually bad for you. I messed up my left knee cap for sitting on my knees and now I cant do much running or jumping cause it will cause pain and swelling. I was 23 when that happened.

[@judgedred261]

I’m glad I didn’t see this review before buying the game as you really are underselling it.The only two points I do agree with you is 1: there seems a lot of waisted space in the box and 2: the miniatures look amazing when they are painted which I’ve done.

[@darkluz]

What did you think of the game itself though

[@PadsandPawns]

I think some subtleties have been missed to be fair. Challenges can only be completed at the start of your turn so the first player advantage is not there. Also a lot of the abilities are too do with manipulating figures and moving them around. If the other player is set up for a challenge completion you have your whole turn to try and change that. I’ve never had a problem knocking out other champions either. In fact that can really turn the tide of a match. There are a lot of combinations possible. One time my opponent needed two levelled up champions and to be stood by the middle statue. After some thinking I was able to swoop in pick up one of their champions and drop them next to one of mine for the kill! So many moments like this. The gametrayz are too big but each space does actually fit multiple champions. The statues only came with the Kickstarter all in and are an optional buy at retail.

[@MrLinguist88]

14:35 - a hidden Frame from the Unlock Review! What does it mean?? I am sure it is a hidden message! :P ;)

[@sebastiantrost6409]

I'm surprised by the score. This is my game of 2020! Admittedly it saw the table much more often than the other new games, as my GF and me had few times playing with more than 2P. But we both like it a lot! You have to constantly manage aggression with objectives. It's good looking, fast and tactical (in my opinion obviously) and it's not very expensive (especially the KS was a steal compared to other games). I think the objectives are a strength of the game, as it created design space for the characters.

[@DwarfyDoodad]

The major negative is the waste of money on Game Trays, they are way too big for what they do. And It feels like the box is deliberately designed too big as well. Mythic Games knows how to make smaller trays, they have done it before.

[@evanmiller4646]

Tom, you seem to be misunderstanding the challenges. You mention a first player advantage saying if you’re the first player you could complete a new challenge before the second player has a chance. This is incorrect as checking for completed challenges happens in the scoreboard phase of your turn which is the very first thing. So you can’t just run up and complete a “stand by the yellow statue” challenge on your turn. You have to hold that until the start of your next turn’s scoreboard phase. I wonder if you went back and played it correctly if that might change your rating, even just a little bit.

[@thedicetower]

No, I played it correctly. But the challenge "stand on two trap spaces" can be done by one player, and the other player simply can't do it, even if both are on two trap spaces.

[@cfosburg]

@@thedicetower push em off or take em out! Better yet, prep for the next objective 😈

[@leonardocaceres1346]

This game is totally awesome. One of my favorites. It is tactical, brisk and the minis are excellent. You do not need the statues, which might get on the way.

[@cfosburg]

Hmm, it seems to me that you haven’t unlocked the potential of this game. You can set up some great combos, and I can do plenty of damage to you. You do have to choose the right characters in order to get the right effects. It is fairly easy to manipulate characters and get them to lose an objective. The last 4 games I’ve played have had a huge tug of war aspect to them. Although this may not be a deep tactical game (but there is a lot of room for planning a sweet combo) the one thing this game has going for it is fun, and it’s loaded with it! It is also very accessible and short which makes it very alluring to get to the table.

[@22gjreyes]

Bonus end credits scene. 😂

[@ArnieHorta]

I actually like the game enough. This is one of these arena games in the vein of Aristea. However, I do agree that the game is much smaller than the box suggests. This game does have lots of different characters which gives it some variety but it would be nicer if it wasn't so over the top. This game is one of those games where the Game Trayz actually detract. When Game Trayz are used for storage and to make setup and teardown easier (like Dwellings of Eldervale). they are golden. In this example, not so much.

[@DeltaDemon1]

What about kicking and biting...or is that in the expansion?

[@BoardGameCo]

Love the end credits :)

[@jpeters4575]

There is a ton of strategy in this game and very little luck. A lot of it is how well you play your characters and know what your opponents characters can do. If they wanted a dice chucker brawler game there are plenty of them out there. But this game is a lot more of a strategy game than what this review indicates. And it's fairly quick too. Which seems sort of funny that they are down on because a lot of other reviews they complain about games being too long.(Talking about Dice tower reviews in general not the Family Reviews)

[@SeanUCF]

I don't think Tom's criticism was about dice or luck. This game seems to be more about area control than skirmish fighting. I tend to share that interest with Tom in that I would prefer for the strategy to be more about killing my opponent than holding an area.

[@jpeters4575]

@@SeanUCF I'm not quite sure what they were doing in their game but you do kill your opponents figures quite often in the game. And based on the characters you play, you could have that as your main strategy.

[@lastburning]

Games with dice can still have a lot of skill and strategy. Randomness can force the players to improvise and adapt which is a test of skill. Unexpected situations are also exciting. Don't be an elitist about dice.

[@Hieronymus-Pseudonymous]

I'm not sure the push to value the DT seals more worked out.

[@Starshorts1234]

Unmatched or Super Fantasy Brawl?

[@matofilipovic7818]

Haven't played Fantasy Brawl, but I highly recommend Unmatched.

[@SarimuSan]

Hi a fan from France! It’s good to see a news video from you! Nice as always :)

[@CyberXShinobi]

Tom I always appreciate the family reviews. Keep them coming!

[@Hieronymus-Pseudonymous]

Don't suppress sneezes. It can damage things in your head. (Google it if you're not willing to take my word for it.)

[@kumanight]

This really sealed the deal for Bloodstone for me. Definitely backing that over SFB.

[@kumanight]

@@Unit17 Cost doesn't matter to me if the game is good. I don't agree with the game playing itself (that literally makes no sense but you do you). Dice Thrones doesn't look interesting at all and no minis is a big strike for me.

[@montyfarris]

Tom just cant win. He didnt like this one, but if he gave it a seal of Approval or Excellent people would wonder if its cause Sam works for Mythic now.

[@cfosburg]

😆😆

[@cfosburg]

Tom, I haven’t disagreed with you this much since you review of Rise of Tribes. I think you missed the mark on this one. Hope you get others to do a review on this game. I’m curious what Jason Peacock or Roy thinks of this. To me, it’s Mythic Battles lite.

[@thedicetower]

Roy had the same opinion as me.

[@cfosburg]

😮😲😱🤯🤯🤯

[@DuraheLL]

Tom you're a legend in the boardgaming industry. Grateful for all your years of insight and knowledge and tips for tons of good boardgame purchases in my past

[@guillermoz4914]

By the comments you can tell who backed Super Fantasy Brawl. Usually backers are so obsessed with reviewers giving a poor rating wondering how could they on games they obviously spent a lot of money on. Backers seem to want all reviewers to agree with their opinions to justify their purchase. Tom is use to this and when it’s the opposite, people don’t really care.

[@marks6928]

^^ this.

[@rb4551]

Im glad this came out now as the Super Fantasy Brawl 2 campaign is coming soon and I was debating what to do. I like the art and minis but it always felt like there is maybe not enough game there to justify the size and price. Basically seems like Funkoverse thats too complex for my kid but not complex enough for me. And yah, the whole capturing points thing is a big meh to me. So I that helped a lot. Thanks guys!

[@JimmySquiky]

What about Bloodstone ? :)

[@rb4551]

@@JimmySquiky Its made by James Hudson. Hard pass.

[@JimmySquiky]

What's wrong with James Hudson ?

[@rb4551]

@@JimmySquiky If you are a fan and dont know you likely are not going to change your mind because of a guy on a youtube comment section so whats the point really? Im a eerily good judge of character and can spot "good" and "bad" people with very little interactions. Lets just say that I cant in good conscience support anything hes involved with.

[@rb4551]

@@Unit17 The price looked reasonable though. That was not really my concern but the actual gameplay might just not be my particular cup of tea. Its probably more of a me thing though. Like almost anything though, id still be willing to try it if someone has it around me and see if I change my mind.

[@Indra_P]

I already throw the insert long time ago

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

Move aside, Tom. These two will take your job soon.

[@johnpanagos5835]

Challeneges can only be completed at the start of your turn. How the first player has advantage with the challenges? The opponent has a turn to mess up their position and thei goal criteria. Seems another missplayed situation.

[@Sothgar]

Thanks for review Tom! I'm surprised that some peeps thinks it may be top 2020 game.. oh cmon, really guys? this? Its just a little 20 min skirmish game with way oversized miniatures, theres lots of better games in that genre. With more complex choices and tactic decisions.

[@bricelory9534]

That massive box for a skirmish game like this? No thanks. It looks like it takes up more room than all the Funkoverse that's been produced so far.

[@cfosburg]

Yeah but all of funkoverse would actually fit in the box 😆🤣

[@SuperboyReborn]

Flashback to the Kaosball review lol

[@Manny-M]

Didn't they absolutely love kaosball though?

[@SuperboyReborn]

@@Manny-M yeah, I’m more referencing the fact that Tom stuffed everything into the core box and Sam was mortified

[@foyoGames]

Attack of the little Melanys

[@jodiahquincy2693]

A 6 is a seal of approval???

[@Skarpo89]

Mmm, I think the 7 is the seal of approval. They award the seal for the highest score in their reviews.

[@Logaan777]

Why throw out the inserts for the minis? Can't you just cut/trim the bottom so it's not so tall?

[@thedicetower]

Wow, that would be SO much work. I just put them in bags and now the box has so much room!

[@BenBoersma]

Strongly disagree here. Super Fantasy Brawl was one of our biggest surprises of 2020. Lots of interesting character combinations and ways to approach your game. Looking forward to season 2 which will introduce even more characters to draft.

[@HellSpawnGR]

Super Fantasy Brawl or Aristeia! ?

[@fredl91]

Both :)

[@theenthusiast4218]

Super Fantasy Brawl or Starcardia Quest

[@tempestfury8324]

Starcadia Quest easily. More than that I'd go Super Dungeon Explore with slightly modified rules

[@guillermoz4914]

⭐️cadia Quest!

[@risendove]

Game looks overly, but well produced. Reviewers don't seem very entertained by it though, not relative to the production value of it.

[@darrenjones3632]

You've convinced me to cancel my ks pledge. Good job.

[@tempestfury8324]

This appears to have the same regurgitation of so many kickstarter board games...a lot of fluff and stuff without any real game content. This could easily be a print and play game. Sure the minis look great and nice artwork but where is the actual substance? Nope, I'll pass

[@DoppelgangerF02]

haha, awesome review!

[@notsaved]

sounds like Warhammer Underworlds for kids?

[@notsaved]

@@Unit17 ok... then sounds like Warhammer Underworlds for kickstarter bloat fans

[@notsaved]

@@Unit17 hex board... mini warbands... objectives... traps.... flipping cards when inspired... charging... ok there is no dice combat I'll concede that

[@notsaved]

@@Unit17 no thanks enjoy your bloat (at least it has no dice)

[@cfosburg]

Now I know you don’t have the right info fie this game. If this genre interests you, I highly suggest you check other Board game reviews. This is a very entertaining and fun game. Not full on tactical, but way more deep than Funkoverse. Much more along the lines of Unmatched, in that this deals with cards and no dice. I for one appreciate it’s not just about annihilation, it’s based off of winning variable objectives, which does happen to include knocking out on opponent, but there are better options.

[@williamhazzard5908]

Your kids look so board 😂

[@sankyships952]

Like cardBOARD or do you mean bored

[@williamhazzard5908]

Hee hee I used board in the spirit of gaming (bored) is the correct spelling!

[@caroleparis1661]

Seal of approval, ok. But 6/10? Seriously?! On a game like Super Fantasy Brawl that everybody likes? Honestly guys, we all come to wonder if Sam's departure to Mythic Games doesn't push you to be more than critical of them, either because you can’t stand it or to make sure you don't get taxed with favouritism. It's really starting to show. You're losing credibility. This is the second Mythic game that gets bad reviews from you that I find totally inappropriate.

[@thedicetower]

Well, first of all, Sam working there has NOTHING to do with our reviews. We like/dislike games based on what they are, and to say otherwise is to accuse us of lying. If anything, that would make us LIKE the games more, right? We are still friends with Sam and wish him and Mythic well! Secondly, obviously not "everyone" likes the game. If you go to www.boardgamegeek.com you'll see that there are others who are also not huge fans. Yes, it's a minority, but to the point - who cares? I could dislike the # 1 game of all time if I want to. I don't mind if someone else hates my favorite game, so what does it matter? And finally, this isn't a BAD review. A "6" is an "okay" review. To insist that we MUST like something because you do doesn't make any sense.

[@DonnydeOlim]

@@thedicetower standing ovation for this reply, Tom! Hats off!

[@caroleparis1661]

@@PhilGerb93 It’s not a lot of money, it’s a very affordable game. It’s not a shitty game, it’s an awesome game. When I think of shitty, it’s the sort of comments that you just made that comes to my mind.

[@Manny-M]

Tom just can't win in this scenario. He gives it praise and others will claim it's coloured by his relationship with Sam. He criticises it and people like you claim he's being overly harsh because of that very relationship. Why is it so difficult for people to understand or come to terms with the fact that just because you like something, doesn't mean someone else should. And even with that comment, he didn't dislike it. He has some valid criticisms but said it was an OK game and would play it if someone suggested it.

[@DonnydeOlim]

@@Manny-M What I really loved from Tom's reply is the line that says that he (as anyone else) have the right to like (or dislike) any game, even if it is the top 5 list of BEST OF THE BEST board games in the world. For me, is "OK" too! Not bad... not great neither, but a good point on it is that it is "cheap" and fast to play, so it could work with kids or people loving simple rules.

[@XploreAlex]

A clear exemple of everything wrong aboutthe kickstarter trend

[@joelbergvonlinde1389]

Fewer minies and faster, solid gameplay? I actually like that trend.

[@FATHERGITA]

Tom vassel has lost his way

[@82ndmi]

I really dislike SFB, when you get into the bigger sets and expansions it feels like some characters are hard counters to others. easily the worst brawler from a pick up and play perspective, closer to a light retail tournament game that want's you to keep buying the power creep each month.

[@82ndmi]

@@Unit17 the core game has 6 heroes, Id agree they are pretty generic but balanced. the other 6 which are releasing in single purchase packs are not balanced in any way from experience. They can lead to hard counters. there is also another set releasing soon via kickstarter that is already near ready to hit retail after.

[@82ndmi]

@@Unit17 I can give you the easiest example, there's a hero whose entire bag is to push after hit. that's what he's good at. There's also a hero that stops the enemy from moving you. The hero that stops the enemy from moving you is obviously going to be wasted unless he's brought as a hard counter to the pushing hero, many enemies do no do any pushing or enemy movement for him to negate. It gets way worse then that, to the point you can hard lock down a new player if you keep buying more characters. That essentially summarizes this games design ethos.

[@82ndmi]

@@Unit17 generally "everyone disagrees with you" is a tactic used by narcissists to belittle people they don't agree with and inflate their ego. I layed out mechanically the broader themes and design ethos, the game is rather bad mechanically from a critical view from me because of the way the CEO of mythic has explicitly said they want to go to market with it. You are free to disagree.

[@richardshah]

its meh lol 4 rate

[@Tgaxgriffen]

First

[@thegamesninja3119]

In the upcoming Dice Tower expansion for the game, bonus VPs will be awarded for beating up Tom. 🥷