Tash-Kalar | Rahdo's Final Thoughts

Part I: Gameplay Runthrough

Part II: Extended Gameplay

Part III: Final Thoughts

[TyphoidBryan]

Richard, your view on the game is a good definition for those who want to understand the differences between strategy and tactics. I have had trouble with that in the past and this particular game illustrates where the line is drawn between the two. ..and you did a great job shining a light on that! (I don't have abstract fans in the family, so I will unlikely get to try this one out, but man, it looks good.)

[marioabadfernandezdelacigo]

I love your contagious enthusiasm! And how quickly you speak English!! I wish I could, LOL. Excellent review!! They prevent me from working, but, what the heck!

[aarondovauo]

Coming from a strong RPG background, visualizing the arena combat is pretty easy for me and my wife. Interestingly, when I taught this to my father he felt it was way too abstract...but he was the first person to teach me games and it was chess! lol Vlada continues to amaze me with the variety and depth of his games, and your final thoughts capture my love of this game perfectly. Well done!

[markoreilly]

Best final thoughts I have seen to date-period.
Amazing stuff Richard.
We have this game on the shelf, you now upped the anti to get this to the table.
Incredibly good review.

[luisuribe]

Hey Rahdo! I bought this game on your recommendation. I'm a huge abstract game guy (Chess, Go, GIPF, Xiangqi, Mahjong, Amazons, LoA, Hive, Hex, etc ) but I also like some theme. Awesome game man, I wouldn't have played or purchased if you weren't so passionate about it. Thanks, my wife loves it as well so it's a winner all around.

[brianluckus]

Excellent video (again), thanks.  I think the people complain about theme in a game don't use imagination as much as those who don't complain (as much).  Creating magical patterns with minor creatures to summon in a big one who brings a big hit with him.  I am dying to play this one.  Keep making great videos and I'll keep glues to my tablet.

[clockwerk]

Fantastic thoughts and a great review overall. This has just bounded up my want list to the number 1 position. I love the analogy of constellations. Sure it's not a thematic game, but damn, people need to get some imagination. Looking at it as creating magic symbols or constellations to call forth a special one time power made it all make sense. Keep up the great work. 

[justandyisok]

All the reasons you state you love Tash-Kalar.... you all would absolutely love Mage Wars. Amazing video, again!

[Effervex]

I'd love to see/make a video-game implementation with stone figures coming to life and smashing other figures. I can see in my mind's eye what you're describing and it'd look SO COOL.

[kriba]

An "attack" game that fit both to you .. speaks for the game itself and its mechanics. It's a great game

[DocMaieuti]

I like it too, how about some sort of cardboard punch out to lay over the squares to check the monster layouts...that part seemed somewhat difficult to me..

[FMD-FullMetalDragon]

Talking about how this reminds you of the Star Wars holographic game on the Falcon helped me with seeing the visualness of this game. :)

[OnnoS]

Damn you Rahdo, I can't stop watching these! :(
I've already put Escape, Amerigo, Last Will, and now Tash-Kalar on my wish-list due to your amazing videos!

Have you ever played Confusion: Espionage and Deception in the Cold War?
It's a two-player game that I'm really thinking about getting, it seems like it would be really interesting.

[thedeparted_one]

Very elegant review! Thank you so much for igniting our imaginations! your perspective on this game is awesome. I should stop using exclamations marks!! :D

[monikaz.]

That's how I perceive this game at the moment, too and that's how I tried to present it to the Polish players in my first pre-review text on GamesFanatic.pl. After I've played a lot more games, I'll write a full review and hope to be still as enthusiastic as Rahdo :) For now, I'm in love with this...

[JM-dbez]

Another fantastic review--thanks Rahdo!

[ionutsandu]

Hi Richard, what do you currently rate this game?

[Grimstringer]

tactical is short term, strategy is long term, really this game is 100% to my likings, woo

[TyphoidBryan]

I don't think you need to justify the game's worth based upon theme. It is a straight-up abstract done in a clever way. If people don't like that, well, they can go throw a couple hundred bucks into Krosmaster and convince themselves they bought a game and not a bunch of toys. Theme schmeme. Give me a soulless Euro or an interesting abstract any day.

[RafNen]

This or Theseus: Dark Orbit for a fun action-packed tactical experience for a couple? :]