Familiar Tales Review - with Tom Vasel

[@olivigarden]

Yikes! Looks like one of the minis breaks at 11:02! 😱

[@dustinfreund5196]

Yes! Been excited to hear more about Familiar Tales. Jerry always puts so much care into his characters and the worlds he creates. Can't wait to play this one!

[@patrickherlihy2140]

Makes sense that you do as well 😁

[@dustinfreund5196]

@@patrickherlihy2140 thanks sir :)

[@zer0zer082]

Just pre-ordered this. Wasn't even on my radar but I loved stuffed fables. And despite the (seemingly) growing disdain for app driven games I can't get enough. Can't wait :)

[@JasonSmithPsychedelicTherapist]

I love well crafted app driven games as well.

[@CrnchyToast]

I do love when a game experience can be enhanced by optional technology, such as a tutorial app, or optional voice acting and music. having an optional digital rulebook is also great. But when an app or website is REQUIRED to play the game? that's a quick pass for me. The best part about board games is that you have a complete experience in the box, and I generally play board games to get away from screens for a while. When technology moves on, or when the publisher decides it's no longer profitable to keep the site updated, you are left with an unplayable box of plastic and cardboard.

[@warpo007]

totally understand and appreciate that people want to use/have apps. I'm fine with that. There are many of us though, that play board games to get away from screens. Really would like to see game designers / publishers make it very clear on the box that the game(s) are augmented with apps.

[@chuckm1961]

I play board games to get away from screens, and don't mind in the slightest when a board game uses a screen as an element of play.

[@luisfranciscomontero1544]

I wish destinies (from Lucky Duck) had voice acting. Props that this game has it!

[@CharlesCom-bd2qb]

Any body tried this and VagrantSong and would like to explain why someone would take one instead of the other ?

[@IODISH12]

My daughters loved Mice and Mystics and Stuffed Fables so this was an instant preorder.

[@nutswanger6655]

I am looking at all three of these games to introduce to my daughters to play with me. Which one would you recommend first?

[@grog3514]

OMG I had the same question. Mice and mystics seems like the best place to start but it also sounds pretty dark.

[@kumanight]

I expected this one would get a Vassal Family Review as it's very targeted for family & kids

[@gradinjunn9484]

I went in to try and find the reboot of Hero Quest and ended up walking out with this game. Havents started playing yet but have enjoyed setting up and painting

[@dereksimmons5877]

I appreciate these videos way more after watching a week in the life of.

[@JJ_TMWP]

Would this be good for adults?

[@matthewsimpson9124]

Sounds like Tom has a cold. Bless his heart. Game looks wonderful!! Thanks for showing it to us!!

[@dangfxn771]

What are some similarities and differences between forgotton waters and familiar tales? Heavier or lighter?

[@joseg.6187]

Tom, how did the girls like this one compared to Roll Player Adventures or Adventure Tactics?

[@hoangminhtran1100]

They're completely different thing

[@BigTun4]

Thanks for the review! Also, anybody else notice Tom flashing his tattoo with his cuff unbuttoned? Haha

[@eVanDiesel]

Good spot!

[@butterflydance21]

It’s also probably necessary. New tattoos are uncomfortable while they heal and frequent moisturizer is needed to avoid damage from peeling scabbing etc. That being said it’s also because Tom is cool. Obviously.

[@dnaseb9214]

When I go to a board game review, and I hear the word "voice acting". It scares me. Ya voice acting is incredible. Looks great for my kids.

[@LeeKenshin7]

Might have to get this after completing Stuffed Fables with my two girls.

[@grog3514]

How old were your girls when you taught it to them? My youngest is 4. Do you think he can still play it?

[@LeeKenshin7]

@@grog3514 My oldest started at 4.5. We only played a few scenarios. We resumed when my second was 7. So it would depend on your child. I would expect some, if not much, handholding at his age.

[@speedandstyletony]

I don't care for games that require an app but this one looks good enough to try. I lead a game night for kids and this would be a great game for that.

[@atrope]

Thanks Tom

[@Maliheim]

Is there a book that comes with the game so you can read the story aspects without having to use a electronic device? I really hate the idea of games that cannot be played if you don't have access to the internet or electricity. It's a good additional feature, but it should be completely playable with everything in the box.

[@shapeoffour2319]

Hey Tom Vasel it's everybody

[@AshardonxMetin2]

How about replayable?

[@nt4games]

I love these app-driven experiences, but I'm sick of doing so on my phone. Any recommendations for what kind of affordable tablet to get for games like this and, say, Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth?

[@9291slet]

I think the samsung galaxy range has some good tablets. I own a samsung galaxy tab a7 its not an high end tablet but for playing board games it works perfectly fine. You could also do youre own research there is a lot of information online ;).

[@misterlad]

You might look into the Fire Tablet range. They can be found for good discounts from time to time. Just checked, and the Fire HD 8 is on sale for $45 right now!

[@jartree]

I use a chromebook with a touchscreen.

[@csalaja]

Do you have to use the app during combat? I like the idea of using app for telling the story but registering each and every step into the app would ruin the game for me.

[@meeple]

no, you play your cards and use a modifier. IF you roll a danger, you add it to the danger count in the app.

[@danbattisti5135]

Tom, I am having difficulty coming to terms with the whole board game AND electronic app synthesis. Sort of defeats the purpose of unplugging and playing a board game. No? That being said, this looks like it could be a fun hour or so with the family. Thanks for all you do for the board game community.

[@ramonosuke]

I’m the same mindset. Even though I enjoyed my play of Chronicles of Crime(app heavy game) the app was the main focus and the board and cards were secondary. Mansions 2nd does a slightly better job with this, but without the games are pretty much useless.

[@sirjameztown1525]

If you don't enjoy the combination of the two then i would be cautious getting the game. Just remember, playing a board game doesn't mean some of us are trying to unplug. Younger generations grew up with technology built into what seems like everything. For some of us it really enhances the experience and even makes it easier to get onto the table. Sounds like some of you like certain things on an app, which to me just makes another case for not every game is for everyone.

[@hoangminhtran1100]

I think that creators don't intentionally add an app to their game but their game has component that cannot be conveyed to physical form. Also, an app can open up new design space

[@cthulwho8197]

But "unplugging and playing a board game" isn't the sole purpose of playing a board game. I mean board games existed before electronics so it cant be their sole purpose. It can be your purpose sure, and that means this isn't the game for you. Some play boardgames to have fun with the family, some play boardgames to socialise with friends, some play board games to relax and so on. Being plugged or unplugged therefore has no impact on these goals at all. Playing a board game and using technology is not inherantly mutually exclusive.

[@roseability86]

@@cthulwho8197 I was going to reply with exactly this. It seems some people think their opinion on something is a fact everyone should live by. I play board games for enjoyment and there are no other caveats.

[@Dusty-Zafu]

I'm always wary of these games that are totally dependent on a website or app. I guess it's just assumed that it won't be supported forever? Kind of contributes to the "one and done" consumerist mentality of board gaming which we get sucked into

[@waterinmyotter6245]

Same. If a game uses a website or app I immediately dismiss it. I don’t want to fall in love with a game only to suddenly not be able to play it some day.

[@younoobplays1575]

You realise that it's a website not an app? Which means the tech is streaming audio and text. The day we no longer use audio or text we all here currently will be dead lol

[@chuckm1961]

We are all such fools. Except for you.

[@searose6192]

@@younoobplays1575Websites certainly go down and/or fail to be updated and won’t load properly. I am not much of a techy person, but for those of us who were old enough to be on this tech ride for a few decades now, if there is one thing you can count on, it’s planned obsolescence.

[@dav1dgear]

How is this compared to aftermath Tom?

[@tas1624]

Sounds like an upgraded version of Aftermath.

[@paulwastney5134]

Is it for kids?

[@richardblkmann3298]

It's disappointing that more and more games are going the spiral notebook route. I'd rather have to buy expansions for more maps than use book pages. Hopefully this trend dies quickly.

[@CormanoWild]

No way, it's a clever and effective trend

[@chuckm1961]

You are the first person I have ever heard say anything negative about it.

[@DuGStp]

I despise story in board games.

[@12345678abracadabra]

That's why we have euros lol