Nusfjord | Rahdo's Final Thoughts

A video outlining gameplay for the boardgame Nusfjord.

Part I: Gameplay Runthrough

Part II: Extended Gameplay

Part III: Final Thoughts

[timdedrick]

I like the C cards. They are often opportunities of equal value to what you've been aiming for so they bring doubt and uncertainty, tempting you to abandon your plans you've been striving so hard for. I wouldn't compare them to goals or objectives rather tempting opportunities that happen to show up at the last second. :)

[Staphaureus]

I don't think C cards should be overestimated in terms of "goals". For me this is not an issue to be annoyed of this way. Strategies elaborated prior to popping up C cards are quite more decisive ...and more fun :-)

[draheim]

Seems like the C card distribution could maybe be “fixed” by drafting them (in round 5) just as Agricola cards are at the beginning? Gives you more agency but without the potential to overwhelm you at the beginning.

[alexanderkhorunzhiy]

A new "Agricola" which plays a half of the time of the original Agricola. I will buy it! Thanks for the tips Richard 😉 and I will house rule it with getting C cards from the beginning of the game (just like in Agricola). Don't think it could ruin the balance since it it would be just an input to your game strategy.

[thewanderer]

I know you're probably already busy playing other new games, but I would try to give the C cards at the beginning. I really doubt it would upset any balance beyond what the randomness of the C card draw already does.

[windyhillbomber]

Isn’t it fair to say that in life and business, random events can throw our best laid plans. Perhaps the C cards are just that. Maybe after a few plays you will adopt contingencies that will give a greater chance of exploiting the new, albeit late opportunities these cards present. But as you said, a clever variant should solve any issues without affecting game balance.

[smoothcriminal]

Hmmmm cool to see this is s more focused design that his more recent sandbox giants.

[BorgTube]

This one is really on my radar recently. I think your concern with the C-buildings can be easily house-ruled. Either showing them all that the start, or flipping one over at the end of each round, with a gradual reveal.

[jerryf]

Paul Grogan actually changes a house rule to reveal the C cards from the start of the game BUT you can't purchase them until round 4 and round 6 for the second set of C cards. I actually tried this and works great.

Also I find even if you don't do this house rule the game is easy to accumulate resources by the time these cards are revealed most of the time you are able to accomplish 1 or 2 of them by the end of the game.

[frabac]

Thanks for the review. Should we then, as a house rule, get those cards at the start, so that we know what to build towards?

[laurierbrisson]

In Canada this game is called Newfies.

[gee]

Thanks Richard - really enjoyable run through!

[boardgametrucker]

Another review from you right that shows why your top of the Heap

[wishmeheaven]

Thank you for this one :) - Honest reviews are always appreciated!

[berenicebenayoun]

Yay!!! Happy to support your work, I always enjoy watching your videos :)

[BrunoVanVaerenbergh]

you could do a draft with the C cards.

[delorean-]

It is definitely a keeper for me. I am in the camp which likes that exact zest of randomness in this game. I suspect the "zest" might be the real reason why Uwe designed it like this. After all, alternatively having 2 extra cards in hand at the start of the game is unlikely to overcomplicate things when you start with 15 random buildings + 6 elders anyway.

You spend first rounds building an economic engine, and you probably have a couple of elders/buildings/ships by the time you see your first C cards anyway, so you are likely well positioned for at least a couple of things which might come up. (You'd have even more options with higher player counts). And, there is still over half of the game left "to steer you ship" accordingly. Maybe you were just really unlucky in your playthrough.

[Disclaimer: I've only watched the Final Thoughts, but I've already played the game 3 times with different player counts.]

[ShelleyDanielle]

So will this be added to the collection with a variant/house rule for C buildings or traded away in favour of just playing Agricola?

[davidharding]

Great analysis thank you. Loved the run thru but this made me pause... and I love that about your videos :)

[SherryBlackford]

Thanks very much Richard. The problem you highlighted is my #1 most hated game mechanic, so I greatly appreciate that you pointed it out. Have a wonderful holiday!