Inventions Evolution of Ideas Review: I'm Going Through Chainses

Chris and Wendy Yi take a look at Inventions: Evolution of Ideas by Vital Lacerda and Eagle Gryphon games, a game about human civilization's many important inventions. Notably missing are the shake-weight and the clapper.

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00:00 Intro
00:41 Overview Begins
01:22 Overview - Game Structure
02:22 Overview - Player Board
03:25 Overview - Map and Inventions
05:52 Overview - Action Spaces
08:08 Overview - End Game Scoring
08:50 Review
28:29 Final Thoughts

#dicetower #thedicetower

[karloarciaga]

I am two plays into Inventions, and I think this game definitely hinges a bit more on an overarching, long term strategy. We see this a bit more with On Mars as well, but I think one of the hardest parts of this game is really tie your actions back to your strategy, which will likely be influenced on how to expand your personal player board.

[Valcurdra]

Good review, a couple of things.

We had some mild AP probe players and it was not a big issue for us in this game.

I agree, there is 0 theme here, which is strange for Lacerta. However mechanically it might be my favourite.

Personally I felt like this was an extremely high player interaction game which was a huge plus. The only issue being I need more plays to properly unlock this feature.

[modemacabre]

wow.

I did not see that coming. When the KS launched I watched a couple of play throughs and thought this one just looked a step too far on *thinking around the corner* and didn't back. Plus, like you, I just did not see the theme coming through as strongly in Inventions as some other Lacerda games, in particular my favourite Lacerda game (foreshadowing). I would be happy to try this one, with the right people, because as you mentioned the opportunity for AP looks off the wall. My shock was in how much you liked this one after how much you did not care for ("DUH - duh - duhhhh, " played ominously, cueing the major turn of the story) Weather Machine - a game that I adore. Currently it is my number four game of all time, maybe even three. Chris, we'll talk. Thanks guys for covering all these heavy games for the DT. I really appreciate the stuff you do, even when we must agree to disagree : )

[bryanwinston]

I could see how you end up at 7, tho I like it quite a bit more than 7 myself (9). Seems fair. I could see it falling for me though because I feel there is a hitch in the giddy up here in that there is definitely a best path.

[markusbaumgartner]

This is the first solid 10 for me in a long time... the infinitely branching paths fascinate me a lot - I can see me playing this a 100 times. Just need to find a way to keep the interest at the game club up. :D

[halforange]

I’d love to see a solo review of this. I’ve heard others think this is the best LaCerda game for solo.

[DashyDino_is_back]

Great review. I personally would give it an 8 . Not up there with On Mars, Lisboa or Kanban EV but still a solid game. It was I’d say easier to understand than Weather machine which took me a few games to click. The teach as you said maybe harder than some of his other games. But overall it’s one that will stay in my collection.

[CareyMcDuff]

This is a really helpful review! To hear from two gamers who are familiar with LaCerda games is what we need to understand if this game works. It was amusing and engaging to hear your reactions to those little moments where the game tripped you up. We've all been there!

[Noobwater]

Like Video Games having Ludonarrative, Board games have Mechanothematic

[karloarciaga]

lacerda's recent releases (Inventions, Weather Machine) have been some of the least accessible lacerda games to jump into. However, you really see some clever twists here. I think Inventions is designed for Lacerdians. Kanban EV and The Gallerist still remain my two recommended intro games to Lacerda games.

[Maspital]

Sadly, the German localization is *atrocious*. I wanted to play it solo first before introducing it to friends, but the rulebook (especially the solo-rulebook) made the experience absolutely miserable.
This wasn't an issue of complexity, this was an issue of a horrible rulebook - Voidfall, SI or Oathsworn are a breeze compared to this. I'll probably have to stay away from anything Skellig Games (the guys who messed this up) are involved in

[bassmeo]

This game is over €150 if I'd buy it, which is honestly insane.

[thegillettefive]

Great review. I totally agree with your score.

[uplift-yourdailypickup]

@chris and wendy - are there any Lacerda games you really like? I've only seen 6s and 7s for Lacerda games for you two.

[ilqrd.]

I think Weather Machine was the low point. I think this is much better but still nowhere close to his best games. At least we are on the way up again. At this rate his next game should be a solid 8/10 again!

[klaus]

I’ll stick with Kanban EV, Lisboa, Vinhos & On Mars. All fantastic in their own ways.

[rachelandryan]

Weather Machine is my favourite Lacerda. I thought it had great thematic ties to the scientific process. This one doesn't interest me, looks, and themewise.

[TheBrokenMeeple]

Theres just not any theme to keep me engaged in this one (much like the previous Weather Machine which barely had a theme and even then not an interesting one) and the mechanics are nothing new or even that interesting (making patterns on your board for no reason except mechanics) . If you arent able to chain actions together you are playing significantly less game than others. I prefer his older stuff like Kanban, Vinhos, Lisboa and Gallerist, most of them had solid relatable themes, or settings. On Mars is also far heavier and more complicated.