Top 5 Solo Game Disappointments in 2022 - Straight Up Solo with John LaRuffa

[@rolfvansoelen8916]

Wow, this is really very helpful.... To hear why a game has its disappointments tells me more about the 'underlying layer of frustration' than the usual praises a game gets. I mean, this is very helpful information, even if it is a very personal opinion. Thanks a lot for sharing !

[@JohnLaRuffa]

No problem at all. I am glad it was helpful. That is what my objective is with the whole channel.

[@josiahsterling7308]

As much as i understand trying to focus on positivity, i think that hearing the other side is good. Your criticisms are valid and thought out, you aren't just dunking on games.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thanks!

[@joellen5984]

I love your content. “That’s going to be never” - best line ever. I had some disappointments but your point about culling because it won’t get played is right on. That’s where I am. Thanks for the awesome content!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Indeed. If I know I won’t play it again, it’s got to go.

[@RedMountain111]

Appreciate your openness! Not every game can be a winner, and that's okay! There are plenty of games out there to enjoy.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Agreed!

[@keithnemes5466]

Feel the same way about Sleeping Gods. I went through once and knew I would never play it again. Need to sell

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Yes. I know there is a lot more content to explore, but I have exhausted my desire for the gameplay…

[@melwegman176]

I appreciate your honest negative opinions, as we gamers need creators that are not always loving and being excited about every game. I unsubscribed to channels that do nothing but gush over every game. It is a waste of time to watch channels that are never negative.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I agree with you since you are trying to make decisions based on their feedback on whether a game should be in your collection or not.

[@seekasma]

Keep up the great solo gaming content. I've been enjoying it

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Happy to oblige!

[@OlegKlishinArt]

I'm right with you about story-based games. They ought to have catchy gameplay too, not just story. Which is sadly not always the case.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I agree. It usually boils down to a bunch of tests which are OK if there are a whole lot of things you can do with your characters like in the Eldritch Horror style games, but not so much with others.

[@MichaliSarris]

One that does it really well is Oathsworn. Very entertaining story phase which isn't too punishing but still gives cool decisions. Then the encounter phase an epic battle with an amazing battle/fighting system.

[@dennpars]

Thanks for your insight, I may come to the same conclusion about narrative games when I get to play Sleeping Gods. I do love Arkham Horror and its mix of tactics, card play, upgrading and pure terror of reaching into the bag. My disappointments were Arkham Noir and Cascadia. The first I found too puzzle-like and random, while the second just felt a bit empty.

[@garylaframboise2721]

Hi John, another great list. Didn't take it as negative. Everyone has different tastes in games. I have played Resurgence four times solo, and I am having a hard time liking it. Keep up the great videos and take care.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I have not played Resurgence yet.

[@MichaliSarris]

I played it once solo and really enjoyed it. Hopefully it'll hold up after more plays.

[@alanswift6802]

Interesting to have this sort of list.I actually sold Arkwright the Card game a week after I received my Kickstarter deciding it was just dreadfully boring!!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

It was…

[@mjeff1414]

I bought and tried Ruins of Arnak wanting to like it. It fell flat for me. Ended up getting Underwater Cities which was a way better choice for solo play. Thanks for your honest thoughts!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I would certainly agree that Underwater Cities has more strength as a solo game. It’s a more complex design and thus more rewarding in my opinion.

[@dannyverbraeken3829]

Thanks for your honest opinion ! And above that, I do agree with your opinion 🙂Like your comment "It was more work than play"

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thank you. You know the types of games I am talking about in my comment.

[@mrsamtheman80]

Thanks for this list, really enjoyed hearing this perspective! With you completely on Sleeping Gods, that type of game is just not for me, nothing against that one in particular. I do disagree on Golem though. I find it a great Euro, can’t do everything you want and need to prioritize. The AI plays sort of like a human. I can see your point of it being more work, but to me it is worth it. Still, great to hear your perspective on that one as well! Thanks for this list, and keep making this type of content-the community needs it!

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thanks! Golem was a tough one for me but after 4 games, I just wasn’t having enough fun with it.

[@PacifierMusic]

“It’ll be never for me”. ROFL. I do love Now or Never though. To each their own. Where are you selling your games?

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I consign them at my FLGS for store credit.

[@Hedgehobbit]

My biggest disappointment for 2022 is that I only bought one game. It seems that game designers are putting component quality over actual gameplay with some game's components being less usable then simple counters (My Father's Work for instance). And Arkhan Horror LCG, which has long been a staple of mine, is focusing too much on mechanical complexity over creative stories.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Arkham Horror LCG really exhausted me with how complex each of the scenarios become. I still have a lot of that content to play but it could be years before I delve back in.

[@Theaquasnake]

I was curious. Have you tried out any of the Solo games from The Game Crafter? Like Iron Helm, Quest of the Lost Pixel, The Brambles, Raid Bosses, as some examples. :)

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I have not. I looked at Iron Helm for a while, but decided against.

[@IanJN]

Yeah, I didn't care for the Golem AI. Specifically, having to manage all its golem movements and upgrades, which have minimal bearing on interaction. Administration for the sake of simulation. I ended up using just the action deck and playing beat your own score.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I could see that being a good approach.

[@IskandarStrategist1689]

I think the board game longest solo play is john company 2 edition?.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Probably. I won’t even touch that one based on what I have seen and the lengthy and ambiguous rules. It’s too bad because it looks cool, but not that great solo.

[@hyvll]

Not a 2022 games, but Last Aurora has not hold up for me. The automa is swingny and "rushy", like Jean in maracaibo. The "2 ways to tally score depending on the board state by the end game" is too fiddly for such a simple game. In the end, each game became more and more of a grind. I'm pretty sure it is much more fun MP, but solo wise, it is bit for me.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Thanks for the tip!

[@PsiRedEye22]

I 100% believe you aren't normally negative on stereotypically bad games, First Martians is right next to you.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I am not. I do like First Martians for some reason and have had it for many years.

[@mabos555]

Well 99% of the games from 2022 were disappointing for me haha, just couldn't find something interesting to play 🤦 I'm more of a cards only solo gamer without vp at all thus 99% of the games don't fit my expectations at all

[@JohnLaRuffa]

You do enjoy a more narrow slice of the solo game pie.

[@mabos555]

@@JohnLaRuffa yeah I guess

[@JohnLaRuffa]

@@mabos555 nothing wrong with it. I just wish your your sake there were more options for your library.

[@mabos555]

@@JohnLaRuffa yeah I wish as well, we will see. Maybe just maybe the same old good games will be enough who knows haha I play less games in less times then you for sure 😢😢

[@Heisenbelle]

You play games with…other people???😮

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Very occasionally!

[@kosterix123]

Sell them before such a video goes live lol

[@JohnLaRuffa]

Lol. I did (except for The Spill).

[@diamondmeeple]

WHY PLAY SOLO GAMES. I DO NOT GET IT! You got BGA and yucata ++ for online play. WITH others.

[@JohnLaRuffa]

I’m glad you asked. Top 10 Reasons to Play Board Games Solo - Straight Up Solo with John LaRuffa kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZPYZ3eZfNeVgKs