Deep Blue Review - with Tom Vasel

Tom Vasel takes a look at a diving game from Days of Wonder!

00:00 - Introduction
01:14 - Game overview
08:19 - Final thoughts

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[jayd]

Seems like it could be really fun if it was rewritten or house ruled to make each dive an incan-gold style push-your-luck. Each player decides after each gem pulled from the bag if they'll keep diving or keep what they've got and surface. The ability to plan and mitigate monsters/oxygen gives it a touch more... depth.

I'll probably pick it up with this in mind since incan gold is my niece's favorite game.

[simland]

I know the rules over view isn't comprehensive, but the ability to split movement between boats is critical and you can't rush into a bonus spot. I can certainly understand the feeling of half a game. I really enjoyed it, but wanted Deep Blue to be deeper (hur hur) and about 1 hour longer. Just love the theme so much. In my 2 plays, I was dive leader only once each game. In the first game, I picked black-black (with the double pull card) failed dive. In the second game, I pulled blue-blue, failed dive. I ended up winning the second game with a score of 93, 5 players and second place was 81. What I learned is that you either (80/20) buy cards or lead dives. Optimizing movement and timing with other players action choices was the key to victory. It ended up being more tactical and cut throat than I expected. I couldn't relax and enjoy the theme as much as I wanted to, but it was still a really solid 1 hour game. The cards that change the rules game to game REALLY change the game. To that point, we said we would never play the one that involved pulling 2 cubes at a time again. It made people too risk adverse.

[KeefKexx]

Other people pressing my luck is an engaging and fun part of this game in my opinion.

[Randallsilver]

I'm relieved that Tom is more honest in his reviews, as opposed to only a couple of years ago, when he didn't want to say anything bad for fear of losing a single viewer. Glad for the honest review, not getting this game now. Was on the fence anyways.

[refreshdaemon]

I think I might prefer Celestia's simplicity when it comes to this kind of group push-your-luck, but I still want to try this one myself.

[angelafortunato]

I really respect Tom's opinion, but for me personally I really enjoy this game with my family :D

[renatapereirabarbosa]

Great review as always Tom!! I was excited to play Deep Blue but now, well, I'm going to play it (if I have the chance to) but with low expectations.

[Charris]

Hi. If the diver make the dive bring 2 purple 🟣 gems out of bag and as player with ship in the tile of dive I play 2 sailors cards of purple 🟣 gems and the dive leader will take a 3rd purple gem out of bag, then at the end of dive how much VP points I gain with 2 cards i played for the dive...?!

[seansteel]

Hmm, every other reviewer really likes it, I think it looks awesome, so I'm not worried about having pre-ordered it. Probably the best use of Push-Your-Luck I've seen. But then, I guess I haven't played it yet, I'll see when I get it

[Charris]

If we do "Rest" action when we have at least 1 card in our hand, we shuffle the cards and get 3 cards in our hand. The rest of the cards stay in Discard Pile or create Deck Pile ...?!

[JimmySquiky]

I think I'll get it on sale because I'm curious about it and it's pretty.

[iNathanLite]

Dammit, why couldn't Zee review this one.

[johnyuffels]

or more thematic use a float card(you always have) and cost 5 points everytime you use it that puts all the coins earned in a floater and send it to youre shipp

[ViRrOorR]

what if all players take secret vote on wether to dive or not.. would that make the game better ?

[HALOX]

The River was also disappointing. Is Days of Wonder losing its magic touch?

[professorkraft]

This review brought to you by Cool stuff inc, and uniball.

[ryusorata]

Tom, what was the last game days of wonder made that you really enjoyed?
They used to put out awesome stuff... in recent years not so much

[xshadowscreamx]

All it had to be was Incan gold but deep sea diving.

Atleast you could use those chests as a component upgrade for Incan gold.

[Dobie]

Any recommendations for single player board games?

[johnyuffels]

put in a rule that you can quit the dive and get halve of the points on the dive card