Townsfolk Tussle - with Tom Vasel

[@danharshman]

About a week ago I emailed the company to see of they were gonna have any extra copies to sell and they instructed me that they are going to launch another Kickstarter with expansions during the summer.

[@S.G.W.C.]

hopefully true

[@Resoxin]

I would be interested in backing. I saw people selling them like $300 for the base set..

[@dolphinlettuce4376]

On Kickstarter right now, March 14th is when it opens for fundraising

[@nighthunterz00z45]

0:20 second mark I could have Sworn a Parrot 🦜 stuck it’s head out from behind your hat. I was laughing out loud in surprise!

[@MrGuurn]

It's filling a nice niche for me. It's a really fun little solo game when I'm not feeling like Mage Knight or other complicated games. The bonus is I'll probably get some good family mileage out of it as well.

[@jcapo5]

Would you recommend this for solo use. I tend to play most of my games solo. Sometimes I get others to join.

[@MrGuurn]

@@jcapo5 I like it solo but it isn't as fair even as something like xenoshyft. Mostly I'd say as a nice diversion on those occasionally quiet nights or as a funny good time game. It's going to need a solid expansion to make it slightly less luck based and more of a consistently fair challenge for anything else.

[@thedrunkenpawn172]

I absolutely love the artwork on this one. Looks fun too!

[@RodneyWickham]

I backed this on kickstarter and have played it a few times now. Overall I enjoy the game quite a bit and is definitively on the better side if the spectrum for kickstarter games that I have backed (around 20 or so), but it is not the "best game I have ever played" like some people try to claim it to be. In my opinion it takes the best part of the dark souls board game (the boss fights and ai deck) and makes a game focused and streamlined around that and wraps a great art style around it. Overall 8/10

[@icalculi]

just curious, are the boss fights in bloodborne bg better than KDM?

[@RodneyWickham]

@@icalculi I have not play KDM as I missed out on that one when it was released. But from what I heard is the fighting in KDM is a similar but more complex version

[@moneybee517]

Curious to know what is your favourite Kickstarter that you have backed. Thanks!

[@binhnguyenthanh5284]

@@icalculi way way worse Fact, fighting normal monster far more fun than bosses itself, bleh

[@Bannita]

Really nice review ! Can't wait for my copy to arrive.

[@ClaeFace]

I wish more games would take this rubber hose animation aesthetic for their art direction

[@Patronux]

This confirms my fears when I was evaluating backing the game. Looks really fun, the theme is fantastic, gameplay is simplistic and very lucky. I don't think I would enjoy it as much as Tom, so I'm glad I passed.

[@jartree]

Same. Played it several times on TTS during the campaign, and decided not to back. Terrain hardly mattered, unbalanced weapons, too swingy, no strategic depth. Sad, but not surprising, to see that all of that is true of the final product as well.

[@82ndmi]

Pretty big fan of the genre, and it's the simplest of them and has most of the difficulty coming from a light competition to be the sheriff that might cause infighting. If light backstabbing isn't for you its the big box store version of kdm.

[@lystic9392]

I always enjoy your reviews Tom. Not too lengthy and still giving a good impression of the game.

[@pacoestevez8780]

It has the KDM problem of "run up and chuck dice".

[@ALL41BJJ]

It's a fantastic game. I am looking forward to future expansions!

[@kumanight]

I'm super jealous American backers have this already. Can't wait to get this game!

[@Naruga]

Lets hope we don't have any broken or missing parts when they do arrive, have a feeling getting replacements will be lengthy

[@antoyal]

One of the things that I really like about those characters is that you can easily imagine what their "idle animation" loop would look like if they were in a real cartoon. I definitely see the inspiration from Kingdom Death: Monster, but this also kinda sorta reminds me of Assault on Doomrock, especially the terrain interactions, interlude-bossfight-interlude-bossfight structure, and the whimsical-but-bloody feeling to the presentation.

[@RhinoBarbarian]

10:47 - "Oh, come on! Bort?!"

[@vinnieyang5422]

With the way Tom was gushing about the game, you'd think this would be rated as excellent lol

[@nshaw1299]

gushing about theme, not gameplay

[@vinnieyang5422]

@@nshaw1299 I mean, he only really has two complaints: the insert and that it's possibly one fight too long but concedes that familiarity with the game would speed things up. The rest of the time he's saying how fun and entertaining the fights are.

[@TheErnieforss]

I think tom is just trolling us with that outfit. He looks like a character from the game. He just needs a cartoony axe.... or he can just use that over sized mallet at the end of video

[@Aethernyl]

I am so friggin excited for your KDM review. You may like the theme here better, but man oh man does Kingdom Death have better gameplay

[@JonTripp115]

I am more than okay with "Fleischer Studios Revival" being a dominant aesthetic in the 2020s.

[@bgoryan]

Got my copy just before Christmas. I’m having a blast with it. I did find one oopsie with it but otherwise I’m really glad I got it

[@cerealheroes]

It's worth mentioning that this was $85 on KS with $20 shipping to the US and showed up on eBay for around $400 shipped around Christmas and is around $250 shipped now. Why is that worth mentioning? Because Panic Roll is doing another campaign this year and even if they raise the price a bit I'm guessing it won't be 2.5-4 times higher than it sold for in the first campaign. I for one am saving my money and working through my pile of shame for the time being.

[@Danielsworlds]

The game is fun the most tedious thing is to set up and tear down process between phases

[@darling0223]

I can already see where the upcoming KDM review is going to be like lol

[@viktorkm]

@The Dice Tower I see you have Bear Raid on the display Tom!! Im super excited about that game! I guess a review is coming up? :)

[@rb4551]

Glad to see a more level-headed review of this finally. been seeing a lot of backers make it sound like this is basically the second coming of christ but it sounded very iffy based on the gameplay I had seen so far. I think this is the danger with expensive kickstarters....gotta wait till you hear more reviews before you jump in the hype and get a copy for $300 USD (the prices for this game on secondary market are currently insane). I love the art so sooo soooo much but the gameplay had just not drawn me in enough to justify it at the time. I am hoping to convince myself that was the right choice but man people are hyping this out like there is no tomorrow. Glad its good. Just also glad its not so good it will continue to sell for insane prices so that I can eventually try it lol.

[@BoardGameCo]

Yep, this review 1000% matches my experience. 10/10 on theme, 10/10 on experience with the right group, but pure gameplay alone, 7/10. Average once you factor it all in is a 4/5 for me

[@timwanger4491]

I even was one of the lucky few who got the $70 pledge. These prices are insane. I easily could make $230 on this (which I won't do)... This blows my mind.

[@rb4551]

@@BoardGameCo that seems quite reasonable. Mind you, id love to have been wrong and the gameplay being mind blowing and this end up being a 5/5 but I just couldnt see how.

[@rb4551]

@@timwanger4491 If I were you id totally resell it. Take advantage of market to fund your hobby. If you really wanna play it soon, then play it really soon and resell while its hot and then back again next KS (this year I believe). If you dont think you will play it soon, resell and rebuy during next KS. I never buy with intent to resell (not that I judge those who do), but If something is stupid pricey, i give it great consideration and weight how much "sacrifice" it will be if I sell and just wait to acquire later. I did this with Nemesis, one of my favorite game and hoping to finally get lockdown soon so I can play it again. basically I got lockdown for free in the process but have been waiting about a year. Seems worth it especially since I have so many unplayed games anyways.

[@inezkestens5561]

I would suggest waiting for the new KS and see if the expansion will add something for you. Otherwise the new KS should also have reprints of the base-game. No reason to but that kind of money down :p I had a low pledge for access to the pledge manager because I was really unsure about it, gameplaywise. In the end I caved and I'm perfectly fine having a little bit of fun with it. With a good group this is just lots of fun, I think.

[@Situaties]

Great audio

[@BailiwickVideos]

Can’t wait for the KDM review now! I think you’ll like it based on your liking of this.

[@DarkPaladin1130]

I don't think he will like it at all. It's a very heavy campaign game with very very adult themes. I'm almost afraid of the upcoming review LMAO

[@Crs9072]

@@DarkPaladin1130 This game is a total ripoff of a KDM. Somewhat simplified game play on all levels but pretty much the same thing. In KDM you get more involved itemization with the puzzle parts, the monster hit location deck, the settlement phase has more stuff, and all the disorders and fighting arts etc. This game feels like the designers took KDM, and then though what can we remove and add the also copied Cup head theme on it. If you like this game, then there should not be much reason (other than the theme maybe) to not like KDM more.

[@duncancole1742]

He'll like some stuff about it (monster AI, crafting, item grid etc) but the theme and the punishing nature of it (even if you win the encounter one or two charcaters are probably severely injured or dead) means it won't be him.

[@betterthanflapjacks]

@@Crs9072 It's called being too expensive and not having the time to play to justify the cost.

[@cinox4719]

cant wait to get it!

[@jasonnewell7036]

Bort Dovis is my favoirite as well.

[@wishmeheaven]

17:37 - What the name of the second game..?

[@thedicetower]

Vagrantsong

[@thegiuce]

Any comments on how it compares / contrasts to Vagrantsong?

[@thedicetower]

Yeah, they're nothing alike. They have a similar art style. And that's it.

[@pokego1907]

To resume: AMAZING art work, and... that's all.

[@jakeshepich3470]

Even if they do add a kickstarter this summer, that puts delivery well into 2023? I guess I don't understand the profit side of running a KS with limited stock? I mean, you sell 100 units, so you manufacture 100 units. Your unit cost is X and your sale price is Y so your profit margin is a fixed Y-X. Even if your game is going for 500.00 on ebay, as a company you simply made your expected Y-X from the initial order. Furthermore, if you have limited units, then you have a maximum profit--so no matter how good the game is, or how much buzz you create for the game, your profits are maxed out. There is something to be said about sitting on stock, warehousing charges, etc...but it seems they could have printed more in a first wave, or set up a mechanism to collect pre-order information for an immediate 2nd printing....which would still take 3-6 months to get here. lol. Planned scarcity really only hurts the manufacturer here by choking revenue and slowing the growth of the company.

[@j0hnyboi]

What other recent game with a similar theme is he referring to?

[@Leiderg]

Is this even available on retail? I can't find it on any store, if not why even bother with KS exclusives that no one can get? When there's so many games that go to retail that don't get reviews.

[@thewynnersgameroom]

The unfortunate part of this game is that it was exclusively sold on KS. I wanted to back it when it was up but didnt have the cash for it. I was excited to see people give this one positive reviews and popped onto ebay to see if I can snag a copy…theres a ton of copies but all of them are $250+…nope…if the company sold on their website (which as of this writing they dont) I wouldve grabbed one but no dice there. I hate FOMO marketed games. I will see if there have a second Kickstarter and hope the funds are there at that time, if not, I guess they miss out on my funds. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@PandaOfElastic]

That's typically how Kickstarter games work. The backers get the game before it goes to retail. Sometimes it goes to retail at the same time backers get theirs (usually only if the publisher is using Kickstarter as a pre-order system as opposed to actually funding the project). And very rarely, it goes to retail before backers get their copies (backers usually get very angry in this case).

[@thewynnersgameroom]

@@PandaOfElastic I understand ks waaaayyy more than I should lol but they were not planning retail in at all and they have said so from the beginning. My thoughts were that I would just snag a copy from their website if it seemed like something I would enjoy when the final product was out there. As far as I am aware that may not happen as well. Its all hinging on a second KS which Im not exactly of a fan of the way that marketing but thats on me. I just hate the feeling of “if I REALLY want this game I HAVE to back it RIGHT NOW or I just simply wont be able to grab it unless I want to pay 4-5x more later (which is insane for the depth of gameplay)” Games are a luxury item and no one ever HAS to buy anything and I have too many that are unplayed so I can pass if needbe but Id hate for a small publisher miss out on money due to “exclusivity” for a game thats seems pretty damn good and well reviewed.

[@PandaOfElastic]

@@thewynnersgameroom Sorry. My comment was for the OP and not you (I was typing my reply while you commented). I didn't realize the publisher said from the beginning that there would be no retail (wasn't following this Kickstarter specifically). That does seem odd to say that you have no plans for a retail release, but have Kickstarter-specific things (as opposed to the whole game being listed as a Kickstarter exclusive).

[@Leiderg]

I also didn't know they actually said it's KS only but that just strengthens my point, why even bother doing reviews on games like this? It's like eating in front of the poor. When there's a lot of games that were available at Essen for example on hot lists, etc., that still don't have a review.

[@michaelmohring9284]

So much taken from KDM.

[@rodolfogalindo5474]

What is the other game that Tom mentions that is also themed in a 1930’s styled cartoon like cuphead?

[@PuertoGeekan]

Vagrantsong, which he reviewed a few weeks ago. Zee also did his own review.

[@ESCTom]

I regret not backing this 😭

[@TheGiraffehead]

To give an idea of what the game is like. I got hit hard by the bad luck stick and was so frustrated I started an angry email to Panic Roll. My wife talked me down and told me to wait. The next day I was asking everyone if they wanted to play again. The fun is so unique and a blast that I will take the lumps happily.

[@JoelMartinez-ko8vh]

There are 12 ruffians in the game.

[@JoostN86]

No hammer at the end??

[@MortlachNL]

Why would you design a game where the value you are using is covered by a disc? Unless the game states that you use the value just below the disc, that would make sense. But not "character A starts with -1 accuracy so cover the red -1 place with a disc and just remember you don't use the value you see but the value you don't.

[@TheGiraffehead]

This is an issue I have seen in several games. It is certainly an issue, but not one unique to this game. If you don't like the way it is utilized there is no issue with placing the disc above the number. And if by some miracle you reach the top, just take the token off.

[@MortlachNL]

@@TheGiraffehead That's a good workaround, but just the fact that the designer didn't think of this does not fill me with confidence.

[@Morcarag]

Yeah it was an issue I’d mentioned to them in the Kickstarter. It’s not game breaking but it is annoying and should have been better.

[@Syncopator]

Love this artwork, and the minis-- awesome!. But because it's based on Cuphead, which is all fighting boss monsters, makes it a dud for us-- boss monster games just don't appeal in my hood.

[@CreakyTableGames]

Yeah, Panic Roll! 😁

[@e1iteLime]

Im surprised Tom hasnt sat in on a KDM game at a con or even in his gaming group. I could understand maybe that the iconography is prob not for him and that is why is has avoided it.

[@matthewpeterson3926]

They are going to play it at the dice tower. Not sure they will do a review but they have committed to playing it

[@Slyfox1775]

Toms kingdom death

[@NotedEel]

I passed on this one because the box/insert wasn't sleeve friendly 😁. Hopefully this is rectified in their season 2.

[@Ruiao6]

Hey, do you know when s2 is supposed to release?

[@NotedEel]

@@Ruiao6 I've only heard it'll be coming sometime this year with multiple new expansions. I'm sure more info will come out on this sooner than later!

[@matthewraney6797]

The box insert is 100% sleeve friendly. What a dumb thing to pass on a game for.

[@NotedEel]

@@matthewraney6797 I like what I like bro. What's wrong with waiting for the inevitable season 2? Lol

[@Garethadvertiser]

Looks great but gameplay seems a bit flat. Definitely not worth what's being charged on the secondary market

[@TheSludgeMan]

I like the theme (although it leaves a bad taste in my mouth that they ripped off Cuphead so blatantly) but the gameplay looks distinctly average. This is a 6/10 that KS backers are willing to be an 8/10.

[@juanroaguilo]

Cuphead 😍

[@5ammy13]

The placement of your tie really bothers me ;-) JK 😛

[@porqpine53]

Note to game devs: if you want Tom to like your game make it Cuphead art style

[@TheErnieforss]

Cant wait till he bashes kingdom death for everything he loves about this game.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

The art was a turnoff, but now I think it reminds me of Betty Boop! So maayybbe

[@tempestfury8324]

This is a prime example of all flash without substance. Like many video games, cute art/graphics by itself doesn't make for a good game. This would be a better game as a one vs all. The game mechanic of the enemy/boss drawing a card is lazy, random, and horrible. I am so glad I didn't back this after playing it. It's way too long, too lucky, and ends up being a huge waste of time. Sure, I love the art but that does not make for a good game. There are sooo many tactical combat games that are far better.

[@toastykabuto6720]

So basically dnd but cuphead style

[@DerRentner818]

easy pass

[@MetalK1LLs]

Not familiar with Kingdom Death Monster? This game looks like a unique take on a campaign style boss battle game without the fluff or complexity. However anyone who is familiar with KDM will no doubt be screaming at this video, (like I was) shocked by the blatant stealing of essentially core framework of what KDM is as a board game. To say that this game is inspired by KDM is a laughable understatement. As the video played my mouth dropped wider and wider as yet another gameplay element for this game was shown in the review. The complexity is dumbed down, the adult theme is gone, and the expensive components are cheapened. I own KDM (although I don't really enjoy the game.) This critique is in no way related to whether I would enjoy this game or not. If this game fills that void in your gaming life and you absolutely love it, I am happy you are enjoying it. However, if you are, like me, a person who values others unique contributions to society and want to see that persons time and effort be rewarded, you CANNOT supported this game on an ethical level. This is outright stealing. As another user commented, they blatantly ripped off the art style as well. This is so bold that I wouldn't be entirely surprised if the maker of townsfolk tussle was in some way connected to Adam Poots of KDM. (This would at least partially explain the George RR Martin-esque delay of the Gamblers Chest). At least that would make sense for him to make money off players turned off by the adult themes and high barrier to entry ($). Any Intellectual Property Lawyers out there? If Taylor Swift can be sued by a band for the use of a single phrase in the song I think you may have a solid case with this one.

[@thedicetower]

I won't delete this comment, but there is a lot of wrong here. Mechanisms can't be lifted from other games. Several games have a deck of cards that determine how the boss character will move.

[@mdemy8]

Exactly Tom....this person said the art direction was a complete rip off from another IP which I'm assuming he means Cuphead. The art style from Cuphead is a nod to 30's and 40's animation. The creators of Townfolk Tussle tell people Cuphead and those early cartoons were inspiration. There is not a book, movie, videogame, or boardgame created that doesn't borrow from earlier works in that genre. Tom probably should delete your comment cause someone somewhere has already said that same thing.

[@aimajica]

@@thedicetower Thank you, sir, for not deleting a comment that expresses a different opinion. Thanks a lot. (-_-')

[@aimajica]

Every game builds on something, even the most innovative one. That is obvious. But when too many mechanisms are lifted from the same game in a very similar fashion, this is when it becomes iffy (to say the least). I agree with you: there should be an ethical line that designers would not want to cross. The most blatant and disturbing case for me recently was "Unforgiven". I've seen rethemed versions of older games that were more different to the original than this one is with 7 Wonders Duel. I wonder how many hours, days, months... Bauza & Cathala spent thinking about their game, trying to find interesting and innovative concepts that work well together... Just to find, some years later, the reimplementation of their game on KS with some small modifications and a new skin made for an american audience. When you think about it, it's possible that the "crossing of this line" is specific to KS, because - we've heard the stories - when you go to an established company with a game that looks too much like another game (it may be a pure coincidence), they will normally refuse it or make you rework your design. "Unforgiven" is in Tom's top 10 of the year with a tremendously good rating. That is when I understood he doesn't care about plagiarism as much as I do (it's possibly a cultural issue: where do we set the "line"?), he cares if the game is good or not. I can respect that, but I disagree: even if the game is great, I personnally would drastically downgrade my rating if it's too much of a copy of another one.

[@MetalK1LLs]

@@thedicetower I appreciate and respect your decision to let my comment stand. I agree, many games borrow or elaborate on gameplay elements from previous releases. I do believe there is a point where things move beyond borrowing or inspiration. For me, Townsfolk Tussle breaches this point. There are too many gameplay elements lifted directly from KDM in Townsfolk Tussle for me to ignore. For those who have played KDM, the similarities are undeniable. At the end of the day will the existence of Townsfolk Tussle hurt the maker of KDM? I think that's unlikely. But I'm not sure I like the idea of a world where gaming companies can mimic the majority of anothers work and sell it as their own.

[@sammason9154]

No info or even a mention about the upcoming reprint and expansions?? Bit of a let down to be honest Tom.

[@JanFrensin]

So i guess where you live there is no Ask Google option available jet? Sometimes in a next few months the publisher will lunch 2nd Kickstarter campaign for expansion and reprint