Games are getting bigger and more lavish, especially in the age of crowdfunding, but how far is too far? How many luxury bits, giant boxes of minis, and silk-screened wooden meeples until it’s all gone a bit far? Before we dress for excess, we talk about Habitats, Blood on the Clocktower, Twilight Inscription, and It’s a Wonderful Kingdom.
Gimmicks are elements of a game that are the fundamental selling point, the core attention grabbing mechanic or experience that the game is built around. This episode, we’re breaking down gimmicks in board games, figuring out if they’re good or bad for the hobby, and talking about some of the most notable. Before we cave to flashy marketing, we also talk about Are You A Robot?, Jaws, and FUSE.
Some board games, like Azul, look good enough to eat. But you shouldn’t do this. You should not put board game pieces in your mouth. Don’t ask me why I know that. What would a board game be without components? Just rules and a box, I guess. Think about it. No wait, I guess...