Earth Abundance Review - Beyond the Base Game

Earth Abundance Review - Beyond the Base Game

Earth: Abundance is an expansion for Earth that allows you to enhance the rich gameplay of that award-winning board game with new player interactions and opportunities to curate your hand.

It's no secret I love Earth so naturally I'm excited for an expansion............but wait a minute........uh oh..........something needs to change between now and retail otherwise we may have issues...........

***************************************

KIENDA SPONSOR REFERRAL LINK

If you register an account on their website using my referral link and/or code you can get 5% discount on your first order over £60. And for every referral link used, the channel has greater access to further review copies for more content on the channel!

Referral Code:

02610323

MEEPLE COFFEE REFERRAL LINK - 5% off your order

SHIRTS AND MERCH STUDIO MERCHANDISE - T-Shirts galore!

RENT SHUFFLE AND ROLL REFERRAL LINK

Gain 50% off your first month renting board games at RENT, SHUFFLE & ROLL at:

Code: - BrokenMeeple50

***************************************
Related Content

***************************************
Who Am I?

One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.

The Broken Meeple is a variety channel that hosts all kinds of board game content from reviews to Top 10 lists to playthroughs to live stream collaborations with special guests (predominantly small channels who deserve more exposure).

I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!

***************************************
Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction
01:05 - What Do You Get
02:44 - Interactive Player Abilties (Needs A Re-Work)
07:10 - Germination Seeds (More Focus On These Please)
09:52 - Variety and Storage
11:43 - Why Do We Have A 6th Player Now?
12:53 - Summary and Verdict
16:05 - Please Share and Support The Show

#brokenmeeple #earth #abundance #kickstarter #boardgames #boardgame #lukehector #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames #bgg #boardgamer #boardgamereview

***************************************
Useful Links

Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.

[TheBrokenMeeple]

In case people haven't read the comments, I'll pin this one and also mention it in the next Sunday podcast as an editorial note.

Maxime and I have discussed the issues with the rulebook - in such a nice and civil manner if I may add, it's so nice when people can discuss games and opinions politely. 🙂

The way that sprout cube acquisition is handled from other player abilities is briefly mentioned, but not in the best section so that is something that will likely move before finalisation. In addition some of the abilities of said multiplayer cards were not in the book and again this will be sorted before finalisation. However certainly I did miss the brief mention in the later part of the rulebook about the Abundance board also including "other player abilities" which would have helped me twig at the time.

With those changes and clarifications in mind, I'm pretty sure the expansion at this moment in time would qualify for a Seal of Endorsement from me.

Always the risk when you look at a prototype, but hopefully everyone is fully aware that this is NOT the final release so these things happen!

[maxtardif]

Hi Luke, thanks for the review and playing the game! Regarding the timing of giving sprouts to other players, I don't know which version of the rule book you had. When this happens players must keep them in their reserve and can only place them on their Flora at the end of the turn so that there is no timing issues. Also, there are no cards that gives growth, the only resource that's given is sprout. Hope this answer this question you had about the rule :)

I just re read the first version of the rules and it's written in the paragraph right under the one where we describe the new icon effects and talk about the sprouts reserve. Thanks for talking about it, we'll try to make it clear so this won't happen because it was the first concern we wanted to avoid with that new sharing sprout rule!

[Straddllw]

Imo the timing should be your neighbours/other players get those extra goods/resources at the end of their turn.

[tuntemon]

I backed this on day one! For me, just having more cards would have been enough. I agree that there could have been more starter cards, and that those abilites really need a timing fix.
The seeds are a good addition just because so many times there is that one specific icon you're looking for. So being able to look for that will take out a lot of frustration.
I laughed out right when I saw that a 6th player was added. I generally playing this with two or three, max four. I still have flashbacks teaching this with five players and spoilers, it was not a good time. I guess two tables with three each could play simultaneously, there are definitely an Abundence of components for that. (sorry couldn't resist)

Also I got the same Folded Space insert and I'll have to admit. I have bought several ones for a bunch of my games. Since they're not that expensive, they have us people who sleeve cards in mind when designing them. Pretty easy to build, keeping all the components in place and making setting up/packing up a breeze.

Also, also I really have to say that I very much appreciate that you will bring upp negatives and issues with the games you're talking about. Even if it's just a small nitpick in some cases or big such as the amout of players. Since that can ruin the gaming experience, especially for newer players. Hope the rest of your sunday is a great one!

[elainetyger]

I backed this and took note of the designer comments in the chat during Paul Grogan's playthrough. Everything will happen at the end of the turn, whether or not they bother to put it in the rulebook. I'm not looking to play with more than four people, but I'm very pleased to hear from you that the new color is pink.

[unlimitedrabbit]

Luke is my wallet's favorite board game reviewer. 🏦

[Fahdingding]

Earth is one of my "go-to" solo games. And as a multiplayer experience, I think it shines best as a two player game. Personally, I would love to behold what others are activating so I could strategize on my subsequent moves. Our pacing: I activate all my colors first (active player), you observe and behold my haul for this turn. Then you activate next, and I behold. With that, we can truly appreciate what our opponents are doing rather than focusing on our own stuff alone. I won't play it with 4 players, 3 players is max for me, but I love it solo or 1v1 experience.

[jimz]

So perhaps the reason other reviewers aren't bringing up the timing issue is because they read the rule you missed? Did you see the designer's comment about where it is in the rulebook? Also, sounds like your growth example wouldn't have been possible since only sprouts are given? So I take it that wasn't from a real game, just an example you gave off the top of your head? Reading the designer's comment it actually sounds like a pretty clever fix to your issue ... only give out sprouts so they go straight to your reserve and can't be spent yet. I'm glad to know they already have a workaround for it. But, if the rule isn't clear in the rulebook, it would certainly be nice if they made it more apparent. Do you know if your score would be any different with that knowledge about sprouts/timing? Just curious. Love your work and keep up the good work!

[wiblick]

I have backed it, but was really looking for more solo elements which aren't apparent, although they have made some tweaks based on feedback. Have the folded space insert, my only one, but highly recommend.

[Destroyerpl]

What about new actions for sprout cubes? I don't think you covered it and it's also mentioned on Kickstarter as main feature. Besides that, thank you for honest review as usual!

[Datasun]

Can't say I was crazy about Earth, but great review regardless Luke!

[wmarclocher]

1:13 Was my biggest concern, nice to know its not really as I don't care about the score pads.

[MJGOLDHEART]

Good to know they will fit in the Folded Space insert. Will you be getting the deluxe upgraded pieces?!

[CK-misd]

Luke, have you tried Reforest? Played like a portable, shorter version of Wingspan and Earth. Got Seal of Excellence on Dice Tower.

[Drumox]

I frequently end up with 6 players at my table, so just having the option to be able to play a game with 6 no matter how clunky is still worth it. It seems like a majority of 6 player games are social deduction or party style

[jamvng]

Thanks for the review. I’m one of those that prefers using money on new games vs expansions. Ark Nova Marine Worlds was one of the few I got because of how good it is and how much I play Ark Nova. I’ve also gotten Wingspan expansions.

This one for Earth doesn’t seem worth it. Still love the base game though!

[stevegeorge]

Most of those I know who have played the base feel it is too multiplayer solitaire. And if the interactive component, as suggested is clunky, it appears to me to have missed the play test smoothness test to want to get it. Maybe they change it in the KS: but I very very much doubt it. The 'seeds' seems like the new 'wave' icon for Arc Nova. So perhaps their emphasis is mis directed and should have focused on how the 'seed' mechanic could bring a whole lot more to the game. I think this KS is what is now available, but maybe they take up your suggestion of smaller pack purchases~a good idea, to incorporate more solid diversity in other areas of the game.

[Greggiexplore]

Abundance is $99 Aud (Kickstarter) Down Under .. so that's a very high asking price to begin with ..hmmm. SETI is $112 so big problem there ...

[manuelkooijman]

I stopped getting games in crowdfunding which get a retail release anyway. Most of the time the retail price is less than crowdfunding+shipping+import duties. And the exclusives are often not worth the extra you pay for it. So I will give this a miss and maybe there is retailer who makes a good combo deal with the base game because I don’t even have that.

[mfowl]

Introducing the newest expansion: Excessive-including....a 7th player board. 🤣