The 4 Squares Review - Dice Realms

The Dice tower takes a look at Dice Realms!

Intro 0:00
Overview 1:09
Final Thoughts 9:02
Scores 22:35

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[natson]

There's a recent designer diary up on BGG that goes into the background of the choices made, including the graphical look. It's a good read.

[Penceos]

Really enjoying this one - in contrast to some of the comments, I've seen a lot of variability not just from the set-ups, but from the initial fate die roll sending the game in different directions that you wouldn't necessarily see from the opening turns in a game of Dominion. We've sat down to play this four times, but every time we end up playing 3, 4, 5 games in a row.

[SILVERFX]

Sounds like this is a perfect choice for me. I really love the dice upgrading of Dice Forge and was looking for a game with that mechanic that had a little more to it (and that lasts a little longer)

[benseipert]

Having just played this a couple times yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised. There was fun decisions to be made and the game arc creates fantastic tension. And in regards to the cost, I find the content and variability comparable to dominion plus an expansion or two, which would be a similar price point (not to mention I don’t need to buy card sleeves for this)

[jimgrant]

It's great to hear the different opinions and perceptions! I'm very happy to see all these 4 Square reviews.

[gregbroxterman]

Another great vid that really emphasizes the strengths of the 4squares format.. i've been loving this game, and getting mixed reviews from people I've played with.. but pretty much all the strengths and weaknesses are well represented here! This game can end up being a hard hit or hard miss for many, but has the solid foundation that many will respect at least.. thus the higher minimum rating here. great stuff.

[grungekids]

DT -- you all rock! Dice Realms is a great game and I agree with nearly everything you said about the game. However, I think the game end trigger of the wheat is a brilliant design decision because it provides a second timer that pushes the game from behind. The points are something to chase, but the wheat dwindling acts as that 2nd timer that says to the players, "don't dawdle too long in scoring points because the game could end before you know it." Looking forward to the "trade" expansion whenever it comes out!

[mrbastos]

Looking forward to playing this one. Getting everything sorted and into trays is taking me a while.

[Muhd_Akmal]

great review guys!! so excited for more people to play this

[ericlosiewicz]

Would have liked to know more about how this compares to Dice Forge with the expansion, as well as games like Dice Throne and Space Base. I realize Dice Forge is the most directly comparable due to the customizeable dice, but would be interested how this stacks up against other dice based engine building games.

[diggidydiggidy]

Wendy, love your opinions in these reviews, especially as a counterpoint to the others. Keep up the excellent work.

[KMReviews]

I’d like to see this custom dice mechanic added to other games. A Cubitos style game where you can buy more dice or upgrade the dice. Or dice thrones where you could upgrade your dice to be better at attacking. Etc.

[jeremyfrost]

It’s a phenomenal game. The fact that the game can end three ways is brilliant precisely because players have agency over those things and it allows the game to shape radically different experiences for the players depending on what they choose to do strategically. This is not just a “dice game”. New players seem to universally undervalue the “set a die” token: It’s $4 and you can literally just force your combo to happen on the next turn. Like all of Tom Lehman’s games, the best strategy will win 99% of the time, despite the fact that it’s dice. The price is definitely high… but this is a game that can easily get played hundreds of times with so much variability so the price/play is actually very low.

[XShrike]

Did I miss where they explained why you keep track of your rerolls "per turn"? Are you only allowed to do 10 upgrades per turn? Is it just a tally to see how many the dice give you and then you spend them?

[Lordjunon]

What makes this different than dice forge outside having more than 2 dice?

[CritsHappen]

I guess everyone has forgotten Rattlebones, which used these dice originally, also from Rio...

[adamholt]

The price is the real deterrent for me for picking this one up. I like Dice Forge. I like the idea of swapping out faces on dice and upgrading them. However, $90 for a game that doesn't look that great isn't too appealing to me, atm.

[dragonlance]

What about durability of the dice faces?

[bubblepipemedia]

I know it’s often said that “in dominion I buy a card I know I can use it” but that’s not true. There’s a limit on the cards you can play, so it might be that you draw that card at the same time as another card you bought and.. can’t play it. There’s also plenty of attack cards that force you to discard a card from the top of your deck or worse, return it, etc. other deck builders yea, they might be a guarantee. But if you keep referencing Dominion while saying that I just don’t know how accurate I feel it is. But I agree that it more true than not true. You will absolutely usually get to get to that card. It’s true in this game as well, but not without spending a resource.

[paulnorthey]

9.5 for the lively discussion. Wendy and Chris combination fantastic balance to Tom and Roy. this is Dice Tower at its best, lively, engaged informative talking about a great designer with enthusiasm and intelligence. Again Nice balance of views.