Warhammer Quest: Lost Relics | Battle Retort - Narrative Let's Play

[@mattl_]

This is very very good. This is how battle report videos should be.

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you Matt, really appreciate you saying this!

[@p4n95]

This was fun, thoughtful placement and brevity on the out of story parts, and well written story beats, I’m keen for another!

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks for this feedback! I’m really glad it worked well and the pace/structure came together!

[@Aphex26]

And i was looking forward for WHQ95 Battle Retorts :( Great format, really interesting to me.

[@jordansorcery]

Very much hoping to tackle WHQ95 with something like this format at some point!

[@Filippo5]

I really enjoyed this battle retort! Can't wait for the next one

[@jordansorcery]

Fantastic, glad you enjoyed it!

[@marcelschadt9773]

Loved it. I liked the storytelling, it hooked me. I also liked the HeroQuest chest, nice substitute. I'm more used to a game review, what the mechanics are, and the reviewers opinion. But I have to say, I enjoyed this format. I could listen to a longer version, or I would be interested in watching a campaign unfold over a series of videos. Nice work

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you for this, really appreciate the feedback. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Hey_McG]

Loved the little bits of animation for skeletons being defeated. Plus you're setting a precedent now of every video starting with a tongue twister of alliteration 😄

[@jordansorcery]

I had fun thinking of those, I’m glad you liked them! And I am henceforth definitely down to deliver dangerously demanding dialogue!

[@ThomasSmithTechArtist]

LETS GO! I've been looking forward to the battle retort since you mentioned it in the last video

[@jordansorcery]

Hope it lived up to the anticipation!

[@sepegrubert]

Great stuff! This "Battle Retort" is a brilliant idea and I'd love to see more of these!

[@jordansorcery]

I'm glad, definitely something I want to make more of!

[@glenndavis1245]

Love the battle retort! Really want to see you do this with Warhammer Quest 1995! I think it's perfect for this kind of thing. Thanks

[@jordansorcery]

I’m glad, thank you! I’m keen to tackle WHQ95 in this way at some point - I think there could be some really fun stories from it!

[@craigbrown04]

This pls

[@BecauseOfDragons]

Very cool idea - love the narrative vibe. Looking forward to more!

[@jordansorcery]

I'm happy you liked it! Hoping to make more of these for sure!

[@paulr-1172]

This definitely reminded me of old white dwarf battle reports. Massive props for making a game that is so simple, so engaging to watch. Looking forward to the next one :)

[@jordansorcery]

Oh thank you, I’m glad it brought back the classic WD vibe!

[@JanHell666]

Yes this was a successful video/format! Bring em on!

[@jordansorcery]

Great stuff, thank you!

[@lordtriky15]

Really fun format. Keep it coming.

[@jordansorcery]

Good stuff, thanks!

[@aquilaprimedesign]

Been waiting a while for this type of batrep. Meshes well with this game. I love the 'puzzle' aspect of this game that is not apparent until you dig into it a little. It's a neat little aspect that sets it apart form other 'modern' WHQ games and gives it a solo mode of sorts.

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you! I agree, I think they did a good job with the rules and scenario design, it’s a good intro to Quest with enough interest to make it worth a play despite the simplicity. I do think they cheaped out on the art and graphic design in places though, sadly

[@aquilaprimedesign]

@@jordansorcery I did appreciate your 'in universe' description of why the dungeon elements seemed 'lifted' from other games. :)

[@jordansorcery]

It had to be done!

[@Rob-nq6br]

Really enjoyed that and would enjoy seeing another quest! Would be good to see the actual combat mechanics in a bit more depth on the next one. It did remind me just how much I love the weird fantasy AoS offers in its setting.

[@jordansorcery]

Glad you enjoyed it! That’s a good shout regarding the combat mechanics, I was probably a bit too light on explanation for those!

[@Jackalblade9]

I really, really enjoyed this! I love the mixture of storytelling and rules explanations, both well-paced and well-placed. I think you're capturing the idea of a demo game very well in this, with both plot and mechanics coming to light. I've always had trouble cementing game mechanics into my head from dry text, but once I'm able to apply them in gameplay they tend to stick, and this is about the next best thing. Looking forward to the next one, sir.

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks so much Jackal, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@lucasfriedman3418]

I know this hasn't been your most popular video, but this beautifully dramatic narrative play-by-play is really how I like to best experience games. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. 😊

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks! I had a lot of fun with this one, and my Patrons have actually voted for a similar approach to a classic Warhammer Quest adventure so there'll be more Battle Retort coming soon-ish!

[@rudyVike0]

Definitely a strong positive vibe with all the comments, well deserved! A few times seeing the dice rolls and when you actually hit on an action chain would be great but no need to show every single turn roll, love the emphasis on story 😊

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you Rudy! I think that’s a fair shout - on reflection maybe bringing some more of that dice rolling tension, even just here and there, could increase the drama and keep the game aspect more present too

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

This was very fun. I like the story you crafted as the game proceeded. Looking forward to more.

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you!

[@nicholas3478]

I’m invested in this bird-friend now and I enjoyed this format a lot. Nice work.

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks! I’m quite concerned about his fate now as well!

[@danm2966]

Well made, I enjoyed the narrative version with the sprinkling of rules

[@jordansorcery]

I’m glad! Thanks for watching

[@josephwiley5880]

Really enjoyed this! I think the only thing I'd recommend is more shots of the actual table, giving a players view of the table. The narrative and everything else is top notch

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you, appreciate the feedback! I think you’re right - I had taken some wider angle shots from above the table, but discovered too late that they were blurry. I think the absence of those kinds of establishing shots was felt so will definitely try to correct that in the future!

[@TheGamingLoft22]

A great format, and very well done. I like the narrative aspect and your particular style of narrative. For me, it highlights why solo gaming these types of games can often be more fun - it's not easy finding players who aren't just focused on dice-rolling, gameplay and winning. Without allowing immersion in the theme, these games are nothing. Happy gaming! Steve 🙂

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks so much, Steve! I’m glad the story landed, and I totally agree - it can be a lot of fun crafting that deeper story over just the dice or cards! (though I love a good bit of dice rolling at times too tbf!)

[@alynian5280]

This was really fun and very well done! More please.

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you, I’m pleased you enjoyed it!

[@alynian5280]

@@jordansorcery I have also enjoyed your history presentations. The Talisman one is what brought me to your channel. Very well done!! Keep up the amazing work.

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks so much, glad you've enjoyed a few of the videos! I had a lot of fun putting those Talisman ones together - some good stories in those!

[@zipcaprini9025]

That was super cool, Jordan! I think starting with a simple game was good, this way you can ramp it up. Hope there is more to come!

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks so much! I’m definitely working on more now that this one has proven it’s possible!

[@Mr_Waffle.]

That was so good, I could see every minute of it in my mind's eye. You must be the best DM ever! Now I wanna play this game!

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks so much! Sadly, I’m not sure I’m the best DM ever, but I certainly do enjoy it!

[@joshuawamback3574]

Another awesome video. I really like the narrative battle retort style. I think the way you briefly sprinkled in rules explanations was interesting. It allows the narrative to have a break, but allows the rules to be described without disrupting the flow. Showing the maps and imagery is nice too. I'm not sure that I have any changes to suggest. Please keep going on with these!

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks for this, I’m really glad you liked it!

[@DanDan-mk2ql]

This was great ! I did the same sort of thing with bloodbowl match reports in a newsletter - please continue this , most bay reps I just turn off too much dice and tape absolutely make it narrative , thank you

[@jordansorcery]

I can imagine that works really well for Blood Bowl! I’ll definitely be spending some time on more Battle Retorts!

[@sterlingnorthum3911]

This was brilliant. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I think all too often that people getting wrapped up in what my wargear does what I can put together that makes my attacks Unstoppable getting bogged down completely into the maths.. to me the whole purpose of playing a game a fantasy such as this is the story itself, an episodic Adventure. Of course there have to be gay mechanics to make such a thing happen but to me they should always be secondary to the store itself. And you capture this perfectly. Cheers

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@ChrisNihilus]

I personally prefer the format the "Always Board Never Boring" channel uses.

[@jordansorcery]

ABNB makes some great stuff, really like the methodical and clear play by play's on the channel

[@bigonminis]

Really clever and fun idea for a video series. Please keep them coming

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you! I’m working on it!

[@NisGaarde]

Excellent! And good job on the audio 👌

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you! Still need to refine my levels, I think, but it seems like we’re finally getting there with the audio!

[@NisGaarde]

@@jordansorcery Absolutely! Great improvement already :)

[@Jonas_Fox]

Each of our heroes received a great boon from Sigmar at the World-Wall during their reforging, just before being tasked to venture into Harrowdeep on a special mission. Luxa Stormrider was given the noble Aetherwing, Taros, as a familiar, Dhoraz, was given his polished Sigmarite hammer, and Xandire was given the Lantern Astrala. This is all from the Novel, Harrowdeep, which is a great little read, especially the part for Xandire's Truthseekers. I love these little Game's Workshop "gateway" games and collect them all! I bought Lost relics with the goal of collecting the correct miniatures for each token in the box. I have the Deathrattle Skeletons from Cursed City, and the Eyes of Nine, but unfortunately finding Zarbag's Gits, Spiteclaw's Swarm and the Ironskull's Boyz has been near impossible in the secondary market. I have collected all the models for all the models represented in both Fire Team and Bladeborn. I'll admit I check Barnes & Noble's website a few times a year just to see if any new games sneak onto the shelves! Doomsday, Crypt-Hunters, and Lost Relics get the most play time. Such great little products. As far as the format, it was great! I think it would be good to showcase the combo system because that's what makes the game fun and unique, you're always trying to chain your turns together and it's that teamwork that keeps every play fresh. I'd love to see just a traditional playthrough with the cam setup at 45 degrees and just see the thing thru! Love all the content regardless. Thanks for all you do. This video was a treat!

[@templarsking]

excellent, Jordan! looking fwd to more!

[@90percentgeek]

I enjoyed it! I like how you turned it into more of a narrative than a traditional " I picked up the dice and threw two sixes. Caldecott couldn't believe it. My go again; another two sixes!" Amusing you mentioned Ste, I used to work with him when we were staffers at the Manchester store and he did the voice of Scabbs in my Warhammer Monthly video!!

[@jordansorcery]

That's incredible, what a small world! We might have even spoken in real life, Ben, didn't realise you worked in the Manchester store!

[@90percentgeek]

@@jordansorcery yeah non-term time when I was back from uni so Summer 2001 through to 2004.

[@jordansorcery]

I’m legit shocked by the coincidence!

[@marthamartensen8047]

This is fun to watch and the narrative focus is a great idea. But it is still a game so I kinda miss the tension of rolling dice and surprise drawing a new treasure.

[@jordansorcery]

Makes sense, I wonder if there is more that I can do to bring that tension (and the roll/draw) into the narrative a little more in a future effort?

[@marthamartensen8047]

@@jordansorcery We don't want to watch the whole gameplay but knowing the current round and seeing the actual play that lead to the narrative event just a few times would help.

[@jordansorcery]

I've been reflecting on this and the best way to do it as I think you're right on the money - plenty of lessons learned for the next one!

[@stevekearns6173]

And Gratz on 10k woop!

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you!!

[@SootyWebster]

Great work.

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you!

[@daminguez]

Maybe the sound is too quiet for me, but the quality is very good. Oh and the video was very good. This is a good format! :)

[@jordansorcery]

Glad you enjoyed the format! I’m still working on getting the audio where it needs to be, I’ll try and dial up the dialogue in the next one. Thanks for the feedback!

[@dysonraf]

My first thoughts when I watched this was how it reminded me of battle reports from white dwarf when I was a kid reading stuff like Space Marine Epic and Warhammer. I loved those as it told a story without getting into the complexities of the rules. If I remember rightly I think at the end they used to have a section where the players would comment about certain aspects from a rules point of view such as "I can't believe I rolled a 1 when a 2 or better would have destroyed the titan and changed the battle". WD may still be like this but haven't read in over 20 years! So I loved your concept. I'm a lover of battle reports but often find as battles go on I lose interest due to the amount of dice rolling and if I don't know the system well or even at all I quickly lose track of what's happening. So this story telling really works for me. Personally I'm not bothered about seeing rolls and rules sporadically. I'd rather see it at the end like my recollection of the old WD battle reports where some key moments are summarised with rules but that may not work in reality just an idea. The scenario was a little simple for me I'd love to see a larger game like heroquest, space crusade, a skirmish table top game etc but I guess you're showing proof of concept first which definitely works! Please keep doing these I can imagine likes of Blood bowl, HQ, Space Crusade, Necromunda etc being amazing in this format as they all have colourful backstorys and settings

[@jordansorcery]

That’s exact the feel I wanted to evoke, so I’m glad it worked! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it. I totally agree on the scenario/nature of Lost Relics - it’s probably too simple to support much more storytelling, but as you say for getting that proof of concept it felt like a good fit. I’ll definitely be looking to use a similar approach for some of those classic games at some point!

[@stevenkennedy4130]

Another good one! Thanks for the share!!

[@jordansorcery]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Michael.Virtus]

8:56 - I love how nicely you dress in lore one of the critiques against the game - the nonsensical layout design. Great video. Fun and inspiring. Can't wait for the next episodes. I have 3 playthroughs of the whole campaign so far (and the only review on the BGG forums as of yet is mine), but this video excited me to start yet another campaign. And I had other plans - a Decapitation Journey in the Cursed City - oh well, Ulfenkarn must wait now. P.S. 10:49 - Deathrattle gonna rattle. 😆

[@jordansorcery]

I’m glad someone caught that! It’s my biggest gripe with an otherwise fun game - some of it just ‘doesn’t look right’ to me! Glad you enjoyed it too!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

Your intro in regards to your GW store, the old GW store in Preston in the early 90s did the same (creating new narrative campaigns for new players and old to all get involved and experience how different armies worked and played with a running story). - funny that Manager was called Steve as well 🤣. I'm the same I love a good narrative and story that sucks you in into the world. Those skull wound chits look very similar to Advanced Heroquest ones lol. I enjoyed the story and want to know what happens next 👍

[@jordansorcery]

The way they used to run the into games was so good back in the day (admittedly it’s been a long time since I’ve had one!) I loved the story telling so much, it really made me want to get into the world! Maybe there was a Ste specific GW training programme!

[@Mark-nh2hs]

@@jordansorcery 🤣 love it. They role out a Steve when opening a new store and then recall them when the store is established. Hahaha

[@eldritchmorgasm4018]

Nice, maybe you should do this cinematic-like playstyle with other games. Like "Claustrophobia"", or, even better, the original "Hero Quest / Master Edition", which has a, let's call it unique, open-world kinda dungeon-system wher you can (and have to) traverse between different dungeon-maps, always resetting the playfield, respawning enemies. It's what could be called more rogue-lite-ish, I guess. I have it, but I couldn't play it before, which is a shame (it was fucking expensive to get the old stuff)...

[@jordansorcery]

I like this idea, definitely want to look at some other games that I could tackle with this approach!

[@MrLinindoll]

Loved it. This turned out better than I even anticipated. I hope you’ll do another Adventure! Even though I’ve already played the game myself, I want to find out what happens to your Adventurers next! I’m amazed at the images you found as well. Did the images come from Underworlds cards and documentation as well? I do think a sprinkling of some dice rolls in there may also add a bit more variety into the video… maybe not with this game as the “action dice” aren’t as exciting as “combat dice”, but definitely if you do a different game, a few shots of the dice roll might not subtract from what you’re aiming for here while still adding some variety to the video. Overall, loved it and hope you’ll continue the format with this game and others.

[@jordansorcery]

I'm really glad, thanks Nick! I think that's a really good suggestion around the dice, and someone else mentioned the card draws for treasure too - I'm going to give some thought to whether I can incorporate those random elements a little more clearly (and tensely) into the narrative in some way for any future Battle Retort videos

[@matthewjarvis3103]

Excellent, works for me. DM Gashbad does something similar by keeping a narrative in his WQ95 games which gives his characters some life and depth. I prefer these, bring on Quest 2

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you, I’m glad! I’m not familiar with DM Gashbad, will definitely take a look!

[@stevekearns6173]

Great stuff sir!

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you!

[@badlydrawnhobbyist]

Great video. If I was to give any constructive critism it would be that the actual gameplay didn't get underway until almost half way through the video. I think get to the gameplay sooner and maybe weave the background in as you go or cut it back a bit

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you! Appreciate this feedback. I think you’re right, it was something I was conscious about late in editing, but didn’t have time to rethink. Story structure and getting in to the game earlier are definitely lessons learned from this one!

[@jonathan2950]

I really like the format of this Battle Retort, good work! I’m not into this game though. I’m lost when it comes to Age of Sigmar, I’ve no idea who these Storm Eternals are meant to be. And I really don’t like the boards on this game. It looks like the rooms haven’t been punched out of their punch sheet 🤣 Give me Old World randomly generated dungeon rooms and corridors any day of the week. I hope you bring this format to some of the older games, I’d love to watch a battle retort of WHQ 95, AdvHQ or something like Space Hulk.

[@jordansorcery]

I’m glad you like the format! I’m not as big a fan of AoS as I am of Warhammer by any stretch, still miss the old world a lot! I started with Lost Relics as the rules felt simple enough to really concentrate on everything else, so I’ll definitely be looking to tackle more complex and interesting games in time. Can’t think of a better candidate than WHQ95!

[@Jez-Hunt]

That was great!

[@jordansorcery]

Cheers Jez!

[@matttemple7023]

Loved it 👍 usually paint while watching ur vids …. this was too distracting/fun and I ended up stopping 😂 good stuff 👌

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you! I’m really pleased it grabbed you, sorry it interrupted your painting though!

[@daminguez]

Not released in the UK???? A GW game? wow

[@jordansorcery]

Hard to believe I know! It’s an odd choice, I still don’t know why they did it!

[@MrLinindoll]

@@jordansorcery cuz Barnes and Noble offered the money, honey!

[@jordansorcery]

Ain't that the truth!

[@shvagyerpl]

It worked 100%.

[@jordansorcery]

Fantastic!

[@davepowers6314]

a good fist go and im sure there will be more But next time paint the stuff if possible as it just look better but love it so far keep up the good work as loved what videos i have seen as well

[@danbrown2473]

Episode idea! People dislike certain rules or whichever game. Get a bunch together to discuss why they don't like certain editions o rules.

[@jordansorcery]

Sounds like an interesting idea, maybe one day!

[@lilv3966]

More of these please

[@jordansorcery]

My latest Patreon vote is about to close and it looks like more Battle Retorts may take the win, so there's a good chance I'll be working on more soon!

[@goodjessehobbies]

Very cool!

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks!

[@daminguez]

Can you made a Gloomhaven video? :D

[@jordansorcery]

That's a good shout! I haven't spent too much time with Gloomhaven, but I'd certainly consider it!

[@bramackermans9153]

As always👌

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks!

[@ja37d-34]

Well done. :) The story is always the most interesting.. Making it together.. I recently introduced some 40k dudes from my home town to Mordheim.. Hoping to get a new group going, getting some fun stories going.. Sadly, all that happened was that they googled the most cheesy shit and cared zero for the fluff.. Some people should just.. Play other games.