Trajan - Review - slickerdrips

[@IainMabbott]

Great review Tom. Full of enthusiasm. You can really tell you love this game!

[@hermeschrisyt]

"There's something magical" :-) it's definitely a game that seems to polarize. I think a lot of people sense this magic and hold the game in high regards: I like it a lot as well ... what a difference to the susd review, though, where the mechanics was praised but the game was considered un-organic and definitely not magical.

[@slickerdrips]

I hadn't seen it before, but now I have I vehemently disagree with their criticisms :) it's as if they don't believe in magic!

[@petec3250]

@@slickerdrips I love the tension that comes from not being able to do all the things that you want to do, and struggling to set yourself up for an awesome move. I get lost in my personal puzzle, which is my mancala. then I look at the score and think OMG I am behind! or OMG they are catching up! or OMG, am I going to have enough turns to pull this off? Do I have what I need to satisfy the people's demands? Who is ahead in the Senate? I need to win the senate to get that yellow bonus tile! But how much do it need it? All of these things (and other things I did not mention), make this a thrilling game from start to finish. But.....It is definitely not for everyone. It disappoints me to read that people give it 1-star reviews on BGG because the game has no theme. OF COURSE it has no theme. Do you due diligence before buying it! And don't try to learn the game together at the table with your gaming group. that's a cardinal sin when introducing yourself and others to medium/heavy eurogames. :)

[@timstimbre9762]

I always dismissed Trajan, certainly as newer games with more novel themes and artwork came out. But it is Trajan´s clever programmable mancala system, accessibility, it´s tightness that makes it unique. It´s essentially a heavy euro but ANYONE can get into it. Takes only an hour with two, and not much more with more. Plays great at any player count. And although you cannot feel the theme strongly in this one, it does one thing beautifully related to it´s theming: The distribution of Power. When to do powerful moves, when to consolidate it, or hang back, when to distribute it, sacrifice it, time it perfectly for that one brilliant point grabbing move.... Beautiful game.

[@mdcs1992]

I only play games solo. I only played my first Euro ( Castles of Burgundy) 2 months ago, also solo. Loved it Came here from Shut Up and Sit Down's review. They gave it the big thumbs down. It's sitting in my Cart on Amazon. Can' t quite seem to hit that check out button though. Not sure the solo variants available are for me. Thanks for your review.

[@bookaddict777]

I really need to get this one played!!

[@slickerdrips]

You’re in for a treat!

[@serensoner3944]

Hey Tom, I've heard that it's not good for 2p. Did you and your gf play as 2?

[@slickerdrips]

We've almost always played it at 2 and it works brilliantly :)

[@serensoner3944]

@@slickerdrips brilliant! Thanks for the quick response

[@Shuttlefield]

@@slickerdrips that's good to hear - kind of sold me on this one having watched your play through and review - although I still hold it against you for not liking Merlin!!!!! this was excellent and a good forum for dismissing the nay-sayers too. great stuff