The Wonderful and Brutal World of 18xx Games

#boardgames #review
#18xx

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[AbeBSea]

Bessie timestamps:
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15:37 DADDY PAY ATTENTION TO ME!!!
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[boyceunplugged]

I can appreciate one little comment in this video “loads of experienced players fighting vehemently to keep aspects of the game that limit new players.” I am a relatively younger (40) hex and counter war gamer. I find this sentiment among most players of games first developed in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. It’s 2024, while these games are fantastic in their own right, there’s newer ways to arrange information in a way that will entice people to play. Many of these rulebooks, 18xx included, go off the basis that everyone learns information by having one linear kind of brain and not a spatial learner. And when you’re a spatial learner, long books of text are tough to get through.

[tckoppang]

Experienced player here, so take this for what's it's worth. I know an intro video isn't for me, even if I'm honestly happy to have watched it! So thanks! To the comment about games playing out in much the same way once you get over the initial flush of excitement — I do think there's some truth in that. I'd also say, however, that there tends to be a bit of a dip. It goes from (1) Crazy excitement! to (2) Oh, this feels a bit samey; I think I have it pretty much down, and then back up to (3) Oh, oh, I see — I didn't think you could do that! From there, the excitement comes from the multitude of variables interacting with each other. Even when you think you know what's coming, the details of _how_ it plays out are wild enough to be exciting — just in a different sort of way. I don't want to oversell this point, but for those interested enough to stick with a title past "the dip, " there are rewards!

[BCKBCK]

I've played 18xx over 150 times. This is a great summary. This is the mountain climbing of boardgaming. It makes no sense to spend your free time with something so taxing, but it's so exciting!

[ambierona]

Great video! It’s great seeing your opinions on all the different titles you tried, plus the rulebook discussion. I’m also happy that you two seem to have similar taste in 18xx games as me (I only played 1846 once and didn’t particularly enjoy it, although a lot of people still seem to love it).

[THESP-rzhg]

What a fascinating look at a group of games I will never play

[averybailey]

From an 18xx fanatic, I think this review was very fair and an accurate depiction of a lot of the amazing feelings you get when you first crack the door to 18xx.

It also helped remind me of where my head was at after my first couple plays and where my non-18xx friends are now.

Anyway, I'm definitely a fan of your vids. Thanks for the TIME you must have had to spend on this one. Getting a single 18xx game learned and played is a tremendous commitment. Also, thanks for a fun POV into 18xx that we 18xxers often forget as we tend to get engulfed in our own perspectives and jargon.

[guillaumetremblay]

I usually look at board game videos to select games to buy. I usually never look at the same video twice for obvious reasons. I am currently looking at this video for a third time and I really enjoy it. They really really make quality videos!

[teach]

I'm watching this while I'm on a train. I feel thematically relevant !

[billtodd]

I'm a newbie to 18xx, but I felt like the mention of 1846 did it a disservice. I originally thought the operational focus would be a downside, but it ended up being a better gateway game for my group of euro gamers. Everyone had the mindset of "I want to build great companies" and 1846 lets you do that in the 18xx style. It's also short by 18xx standards. A first 18xx experience with company dumps or train rush bankruptcy might have scared them off the whole system. I'm planning to show the group 18Ches and/or 1830 when we finally get out of covid enough to get a big group game night.

[pahaha]

This was wonderful! I'm an "experienced watcher" of 18xx games, because I haven't yet found group to play. Please know how much I love and value the quality of the work you are doing. I'm going to go put my NPI shirt on now :)

[farisbermamet]

Lol, 1817 just sitting quietly around in a beginner video. That is evil. 1862 and 1849 would have been nice guest villains as well. Fantastic review, thanks for doing this.

[kennh.]

The internet needed this video! I’ve been curious about 18XX for a long time and this was a great overview, thank you!

[rich_hickey]

We had a great time with 18Chesapeake as a first 18xx. It was easy to teach ourselves from the very clear, short rules (though graphics-light, as you said). Anyone who has learned a heavier euro could easily deal with this. Try it!

[davidm]

I just wanted to say that I bought 1830 and played with my girlfriend and a couple of friends. One of them loves boardgames, just like me, while both my girlfriend and his just kind of play for the social interaction. The four of us absolutely loved it and even the girls were excited to meet again next weekend to play and said this one was great. Thanks for the amazing video!

[dropkickpikachu]

This is it, this is the best board game review ever made. This is equal to, and perhaps surpasses, anything SU&SD have ever done, and I mean that as the highest praise for both NPI and SU&SD. Thank you so much for putting this together, Efka & Elaine & accomplices.

[starbournehero]

Good news about the new edition of Shikoku 1889, it has an AMAZING manual! So for anyone coming from the future of this video, it’s a good option!

[wilby]

Wow!!! That was absolutely incredible. It held my full attention from start to finish. Didn't miss an angle and wasn't afraid to tackle the challenging bits (and did so in an engaging and respectful way). Thank you so much for putting this together and sharing it with us!

[JoachimErdtman]

I've watched this several times, and it is just a fantastic board game video! One of the best. Kudos on the great work!

[GuerricSamplesGames]

Very fair and reasonable video. It's a shame you made no mention of 18xx.games, though. Particularly with the bit about TTS at the end there.