Aquatica Review - with Tom Vasel

[@JasonSmithPsychedelicTherapist]

Played our first have tonight, November 11th. 2021. Really enjoyed first play. How to play some more soon.

[@davidw3281]

Well the fact that the cards JUST fit in those slots to slide up in means no sleeving.

[@macegamma431]

my thoughts exactly x)

[@PriNcEoFSpAcE009]

anyone know how well the sliding mechanism works with sleeved cards, is there enough room? seems like the cards could easily get worn if you don't sleeve them.

[@waferjuice]

if u sleeve them, they wont even fit into the slots

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Everyone joked to me when I was playing it that it was the Concordia mechanic knowing I detest that game with a passion. But I didn't feel bored or frustrated or sleepy playing this game unlike that one. This was a solid hit - annoyingly it sold out at Essen and the publisher hasn't responded to review copy emails, but I really enjoyed my game of it (just don't get the slow AP player it will hurt it bad) and look forward to getting a copy of it eventually.

[@Acenchious]

Do you mean the mechanism with the hand of cards?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

@@Acenchious Yeah

[@heijewubs988]

Really like it. Light, fast paced and an engine builder. Perfect game to end a game night with. I am not impressed by the quality of the components though.

[@tonybowers9490]

I know. You'd think a card game would have nice cards.

[@jamessherman7797]

This game does look similar to Abyss, which I’ve only played on Board Game Arena and enjoyed it. Of the two, which is better to get?

[@MarioPBCSa]

I played this the other day. It was fun but the end game triggers when someone fulfils the 4 objectives. As you get more points if you fulfil each one before the other players the game became a race to the objectives and finished very very quickly. Half of the game I didn’t buy new characters or locations because I had enough to finish it.

[@OSB911]

I really appreciate the close ups of the components. Our family steers clear of games with certain themes and characters, and it is very frustrating to buy a game only to discover it contains something that completely turns us off. Being able to see the components first is such a help!

[@shdow7580]

Aquatica or Abyss - What is better?

[@Calistake047]

The reason why I personally prefer Abyss is I really enjoy the player interaction in that one. This one looks kinda solitaire-y, so I'll pass.

[@mabos555]

@@Calistake047 I don't own either, but Aquatica looks better, don't want my games to be dependent on other people

[@apradofsc]

Up to know all of Tom's recommendations have been on point to my interests. Hope this one doesn't disappoint 😅

[@friede8116]

Played it once. Solid game for me. No more no less.

[@isaiahcramer5120]

Release date?!?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Prob not till 2020. They sold out at Essen and told me I couldn't get a review copy until the next reprint before spring.

[@-Tristan-]

i have oceans, should i buy this game also?

[@jamesmccarthy962]

I have oceans and abyss so I was debating this game but after seeing more of it realised it was not covered by either of those niches. The game is entirely different to both with the location raising mechanic being really unique

[@philipthonemann2524]

A great informative review - I’m very tempted! Thanks!

[@ryusorata]

The game is fine but the solo mode is broken. And first printing have some issues, it will take months for a second print

[@chrismusix5669]

How is the single player mode broken? I was curious about the game because of the SP, but not if it's broken (though, i've 'fixed' games myself before).

[@ryusorata]

@@chrismusix5669 you can softlock and the rulebook says 40 points is awesome scoring... and you can easily score 100 points... and the rulebook is missing some rules that the designer adressed om bgg. Solo mode is really lacking here

[@mindymcclaskey6259]

This is a favorite for my husband and I. It’s really gotten us into table top gaming together. He generally prefers war games and deck builders. I like co-ops and conquering games. Somehow this game scratches the itches for us both. Recommendations for anything similar?

[@kevindelord]

Maybe Concordia and Century Spice Road (golem edition)

[@mullaert]

How does the game scale with different numbers of players?

[@TheAvisian]

Good , as it is an euro-style game.

[@jasonbrown1169]

This game looks great, too bad we won’t be able to get it in the states for several months.

[@justcrazysportsandboardgam5614]

Reminds me Concordia, but with a simpler mechanic.

[@Tr1pleOseveN]

When will this game hit retail?

[@mfowl777]

Okay, story time about Aquatica... I got it from my local game shop. Open it, and saw water damage on the center of the board. Mind you, BRAND NEW out of the shrink wrap. Exchanged it for another copy, same damage in the same spot. Went back and the store owner opened a copy brand new, same damage in the same spot. I know the game plays well, but that experience alone with Aquatica has made me hate that game with a burning passion. Bought several games, never had an issue with damaged components until now. Maybe it's a printing issue, but holy cow they have some quality control issues.

[@d.l.6186]

Well judging by the review it looks good, especially the art, it brings you underwater.

[@MeepleMentor]

I'd love to try this game!

[@JovinGhoul23]

Ngl, the green triangle icon looks a lot like the triforce...🤷‍♂️

[@xXN0cturnXx]

the triforces though :O

[@laughingbandit33]

How did we not admit this is just Underwater century spice road with a fun sliding gimmick? Still beautiful looking!

[@nicklong7442]

Only caveat… is there any decent player interaction…?

[@kavityphiller4891]

re mantas: "I don't really know a way to fix that"- Fine tip sharpie?

[@Bgarz06]

Pre order and pick Up at Essen. Very Happy !!! A Great Game ^^

[@Syncopator]

Not sure why I haven't seen this before, but this definitely looks like it's in my wheelhouse...

[@pierrewhite2062]

Seems right up my alley

[@wishmeheaven]

You never mentioned that this game has a serious lack in replayability and that is quite disappointing... (Yes, the expantion might fix this problem. yet, you haven't said a single word about it..)

[@Антон-к8л1б]

Otlichno, zachvatim americu igramy, Ivan

[@siderealex]

ok.... sure

[@69robtaylor]

I also had trouble seeing the icons on the manta rays. I really rate this game.

[@goldengaruda8935]

Glad you rate it

[@shio926]

I'm a videomaker from china and i like watch ur video very much I want to translate them into Chinese for easy viewing Video will not be used for profit We won't collect money Can you give us permission?

[@dangerousbeans2907]

The insert it terrible. Obviously Tome didn’t put the game away himself. Neat game though

[@David42424242]

I really don’t understand the hype about this game. My friends played it once and they were pretty bored.

[@Vadimaster]

Dávid Jablonovský, I agree. Played it 3 times and it couldn’t convince me. It’s not all that deep and I have plenty of other games that are more engaging in terms of engine building, card combo’s or hand management. Fun for once, but forgettable for me. Already sold my copy I picked up at Essen.

[@martinemaes1118]

Don't agree on this one with you Tom. I bought it at Essen. The royals' powers are from very weak to very strong and there's a fair amount of luck involved what locations come out. I find the dark blue symbols on the extra mantas very unclear to read. The solo mode is completely ridiculous. If you know what you're doing, you can pretty much play the entire location deck before game end triggers. I love mission red planet, but hate concordia.

[@rebeccawhite6922]

Why do you not like concordia? I have never played and why trying to buy a copy to see why people are crazy about it.

[@martinemaes1118]

Rebecca White I tried it a couple of times and didn't feel I had much control over it. Cards can be bought from a public market and I always see the good ones go before my turn. It's also important where you start on the map, that also gives you a huge advantage. Aquatica has that same feel to it. It's boring and you have no control over it. If one player has a good combination, that player wins and there isn't enough interaction to stop them. I played Mission Red Planet maybe about 50 times, and everytime it's a fun race with a close finish with the right amount of player interaction. Maybe it's my playstyle, I'm from Europe, but my favorite games are Ameritrash like Bloodrage, Scythe and Lords of Hellas.

[@PandaOfElastic]

@@martinemaes1118 What do you mean by "where you start on the map"? All players start on the same spot (unless you're playing a map with special rules that I haven't played). And just as a counter point on the whole "good cards being taken before my turn", that's less of an issue in Concordia than with most games that have a card market since all players start the game with a card that copies previously played cards. So even if someone takes the card you want, you can still use it, you just don't exactly get to decide when, which is better than not at all.

[@rebeccawhite6922]

@@martinemaes1118 interesting, thanks for the reply.

[@melvinj.124]

Wow I was extremely disappointed with how unbalanced and random the game felt.

[@rb4551]

@@diamondmeeple because you dont like these in a game or because most people who use these 2 words just show they dont understand how to play the game 99% of the time?

[@devilp84]

Personally I don't see anything innovative. While watching this video I had this impression like deja vu, haven't I already played it? Probably won't buy this one, yet another engine builder, just with different artwork, of course with some twists but who cares, you still just build an engine, like in many other games. I would probably like it but I also like other games, for me it does not stand out. That's how it looks to me. Came here to check if I should preorder it but now I know I don't have to, nothing spectacular, even the theme seems to fade away after setup. Maybe in future I will change my mind 😀

[@lokihve6591]

2 problems with this game 1) Problem you cant sleeve the cards, or they wont fit when playing the game - since the card will see a lot of wear and tear kind of problematic 2) If people are really good at combos a player can end this game really fast at around 5-6 round-sih which is kind of too soon. Simple beautiful board game but I dont think it deserves a seal of excelence because of the above two things. Seal of Approval imo

[@TheAvisian]

1 - It is a prerelease copy and I think insert will be more sleeve-friendly in the final version. But also I think this is not a criterion for the goodness of the game itself. 2 - I think it is fine for game with such length. But it is a matter of taste.

[@lokihve6591]

@@TheAvisian Its not the insert, it's the game board, where you are tucking the cards into...

[@ryusorata]

Tom dont play the game that many times to see all the flaws. The game is pretty fast and it is a positive for him

[@rebeccawhite6922]

The cards are not hidden info, so it does not really matter if the cards have wear after 20 plays. isnt the game being marketed as a fast game you can just reset and replay?

[@alecgalbraith5604]

Why would you need to sleeve this game anyway?

[@nezukoshop]

What was the theme of the game again??? Building underwater kingdom? Sea park? Looks like it's themeless engine building cardgame with overall dark artwork, even the manta is grey and the symbols on it are hard to read. Not my taste.

[@CascadeHush]

I've never seen Tom be so wrong. This game is a complete nothing-burger. There is no engine building, at most you may get to play those cards once or twice and whatever combo you thought you'd pull off will probably never happen. The game is over before it really starts, and not in a good 'I wish I had one more turn way' but in a bad 'oh, that's it, that can't be right, check the rules to make sure we got it right' (the rule book is really bad too, and it was 2nd edition we played). It's lot of complicated moving pieces for what is essentially a filler game. Either play Century Spice Road if you want a light/filler or Concordia if you want a proper mid weight euro. This sits at a weird place in the middle that did not need to be filled.

[@dottstranamente]

i don'y like it :-(

[@jhowd78]

I don't want to be BUT I BE....first

[@nothing3376]

Why would you comment that? You’re disgusting. If I ever saw you in real life I would CALL YOU A DUMB