Under Falling Skies Review - with Zee Garcia

[@fearanarchy]

From PNP Winner to an expanded retail release, I am happy filler-length solo games are adding another great recommendation

[@oneanotherstudios]

When I saw the game title and theme I immediately thought of the old TV series "Falling Skies".

[@ThunderCanyon]

Same. I thought it was an adaptation of that show.

[@crimson90]

To me, solo games aren't about win or lose; they're about the journey. The ending may come down to a single die roll, but did the game leading up to that ending feel like it had meaningful decisions and strategy, or did it just feel like tedious busy work that seems to have little to no effect on the outcome? It's an art to accomplish the former and not just in solo games, but for solo games especially where you aren't competing directly against other players, and it's just you versus the game, that's where the magic is.

[@EriolNarquelion]

I'm going to disagree with you on this one, but hear me out. The "journey" approach has its place (IMO, especially in multiplayer games: learn to lose, behave like a decent human being, etc), but on the other hand, it doesn't feel good to know that you've done everything right up to the end, when a random element just ended the game for you. All the right decisions you've made, ultimately add up to nothing in the end. Is this some form of allegory of the futility of one's life...? Solitaire board games tend to go the way of perceived difficulty, that in reality is just an RNG-fueled ride. That is something I simply do not understand in solo board games vs. solo video games debate. Why can't the solo board games take more from the deterministic nature of single player video games? Is it too difficult to simply create mechanically satisfying loop in a board game, and then add variance on top of it? Rant over. Under the Falling Skies might be random, but its design looks fun. Might check it out to support solo board game design in the scene.

[@Oneiroclast]

@@EriolNarquelion A game hinging on a final die roll usually doesn't mean you did everything right up until the end, it means you played sort of OK, making a bunch of minor mistakes that added up to you being right on the brink of losing but nothing major enough to make you lose outright.

[@jeremiahhammer2282]

Love this, and very much agree.

[@Darddo0702]

@@EriolNarquelion I enjoined reading what you said. Solo video games is less deterministic than you think because the random numbers happened behind the curtain while in board game is very obvious. But true, less random feels better because my decision are taking account. Nevertheless, randomness give board games more replay ability. So we need a diverse playroom to a better enjoy 😊

[@play-it-or-not]

@@Oneiroclast I totally agree with you, if you depend on one die roll to lose or win the journey has not been successful.

[@traceyshenanigans]

I liked this from when you played it at the summer spectacular. Really neat solo game.

[@82ndmi]

Love this version of the game it’s really clever and the big box adds a lot of variability over the pnp. The best version is the digital they developed to demo during con season though, hope they release that later.

[@AthexTube]

Nice that theres a digital version coming, I like these solo games for airplane rides when we can get back to that...

[@ntmetroid]

Just started playing the campaign. The additional variety introduced in there is awesome. All of the scenarios, people, and cities add so much variety. I see myself playing this one for awhile

[@asiansolution1208]

9:40 the sound effect is hilarious! :)

[@jeffzlatkin469]

"One click away from..." SURE it comes down to a die roll at THAT TIME! BUT don't forget the other rolls and rerolls that lead to that.

[@Wh0isTh3D0ct0r]

I heard about this during Gen Con Online 2020, and it quickly became my most anticipated game of 2020 (only if you don't count _Twilight Imperium: Prophecy of Kings_ because that's an expansion).

[@Hieronymus-Pseudonymous]

Note: Each city has a different base arrangement - it's not simply swapping abilities. (Also, ships doing damage when they hit the city should've been mentioned before 19:31.)

[@tomasxfranco]

I was expecting a seal of excellence since every point was a positive.

[@Hieronymus-Pseudonymous]

What's the icon missing from the rules?

[@josstam]

Best & swift explanation I've seen so far

[@spaztekwarrior]

I played and enjoyed the PNP of this. I’ll get this one I think :)

[@stormy7722]

Space Invaders the board game?

[@Syncopator]

I was initially thinking of Missile Command, but you're right, looks more like Space Invaders.

[@MouseKing4752]

Thanks zee for your review. It looks like one to buy.

[@minvictor]

PLEASE, whats the name of the tune closing thís episode? Can't find it anywhere...😢

[@sashavukovic2586]

the way he says 'LASTLY' at 18:53 Kills me -ahahahahaha.

[@rogerst-arneault3522]

Thanks for saving Montreal!

[@louism2970]

Zee, how does this compareto Aerion? Which do you prefer?

[@xshadowscreamx]

Flipships but with no flipping.

[@zippystar]

Thank you for the review Zee. I am a little frustrated how you give + and yet explain how the game doesn't deserve a plus in some categories.

[@PassionsGeek]

Thanks for that great video!

[@vonwoolf9963]

Shouldn't the last section, Tactics luck etc, a neutral or a negative, considering what Zee had to say about the luck involved in king making dice throws?

[@I-M-Pulsive]

Everything a +, plus it's not an excellent? How does this happen?

[@Aaackermann]

And to quote him:"Best solo game ever..." Still no seal of excellence. wtf

[@I-M-Pulsive]

@@Aaackermann You heard that wrong. Zee said, and I quote: "I don't think it's the best solitaire game I've ever played."

[@Aaackermann]

@@I-M-Pulsive Oh! Facepalm! How embarrasing! You are right!

[@BenCurran_17]

He explains the issues he has with the game in each of the categories, they just weren't quite enough for him to knock any of them down

[@pesmerga275]

Right, it's happened several times before, and some seal of excellence games have neutral/negative points. A game being all around well made doesn't mean it's perfect or a blast to play, and some incredible games may still have issues. However much he had fun/enjoyed the game is the final score modifier.. I like the system myself.

[@aorakis5795]

i'm most of the time with you, but, here, there's a lot of + where in fact, while listening, they should be more likely "Neutral" :D Still, i'm very interrested by this little game. Even if, i already got a solo space little game i like a lot called "Warp's Edge" wich got a really nice replay value out of the box and a funny bag building mechanic A friend of mine prefered UFS so might try this one and see wich one i like the most, but i think i'm not gonna get rid of such a funny solo game as "Warp's Edge" anytime soon Really like those little reviews and the final thoughts points per points ! It's always enjoyable to watch ! Cheers From belgium

[@roger9685]

I've been thinking about getting this game for single player or warps edge, so did you try it? How do they compare?

[@Snippersly]

Its flip ships with no dexterity and complicated rules... more like a Space Invaders meets Independence Day

[@RetroShock19]

Its not complicated, but a little complex on choices, not the same :)

[@MichaelM-ev9ek]

Wait, if this isn't the best solitaire game you've played, which one is it?

[@Syncopator]

Onirim. He's put that at the top of several of his favorite lists-- unless he's got a new one, but I suspect that's still probably high on his list.

[@markhaberfield7034]

Great game. I’ll stick with my PNP 👍🏻

[@JonReid01]

Nice review, Zee. I remember this from a live playthrough during the summer spectacular. Here's a link for those interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXnRmI2Ei7WmrZo Perhaps paste a link or mention of you've done live plays of games you review to get more views!

[@martinlarouche4418]

What his target system does not have is a tilt for what i would call the "fun factor". You can get perfect scores in theme, tactics, component quality, etc. But ultimately have a game that just feels "meh". On the opposite side, you can have a real crappy looking game, with a barely-there theme, that ends up being a great game. It's the reason his final scores does not necessarily match the + and - of each categories. Here we have a perfect game in each categories, but no seal of excellence. Other games have had seals of excellences, but no + in all categories. For example, tons of people are absolutely enamoured with Azul and love it a lot... yet i don't think anyone would give it a plus on thematic ties.

[@RetroShock19]

Under Falling Skies is an absolutely fun game, it become my favourite solo game actually. "meh" is not a word, i would use on this masterpiece.