A Gest of Robin Hood - TCbH review: a COIN game for the rest of us?

00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Game overview
02:21 - Actions, cards, choices and consequences
05:06 - Ebb & flow of cash
06:28 - Pairing a system and setting
08:50 - Simpler, not simple
11:01 - Conclusion

Links:

[HomoLudens]

Thanks so much for reviewing the game!

[robertaustin]

This has been my game of the year so far for 2024. Love, love, love it!

[bearhustler]

I'm by no means good with rules (many euros defeat me) but after i got over my intimidation i didn't find COIN games that bad. It helps that their rules references are so well indexed that you can answer questions in half the time you often can wirh much simpler games. I think anyone who can manage Root can manage Cuba Libre. I think with COIN its not the playing thats tough its playing well. If you want a fantastic intro (and have the time) Rodney at Watch it Played has a big teach and a much quicker play through (with Monique and Naveen).

[richard-mtl]

I appreciate this review from a non-COINer. I have all the games and know them well, and was looking forward to this game so as to introduce me teen to the series (the others are either too complex, or too heavy thematically for him still). I was disappointed at a few of the misteps (the lack of a player aid with your opponent's plots & deeds as you mentioned, as well as the fact that they made the Sheriff's events dark green on the event cards, instead making those Robin's events). Still, it's a fun tight litt egame, even for old COINers like me. I think a lot of people re going to be introduced to the series through it.

[jeffkouba]

My roots in boardgaming is as a wargamer, going back a long ways. So, I've been playing GMT games since 1991 or so. I'm quite familiar with the COIN series, and I own 7 of the volumes in the series.

Perhaps ironically though, the COIN games, particularly starting with the first volume, Andean Abyss, really drove me into branching out into other types of games, for instance Euro games and other corners of the modern hobby.

What struck me early on about COIN games was how little dice were used, and I loved that. Blind dumb bad luck drives me up a wall in wargames, and here was a wonderful historical series where dice wasn't a factor! Sign me up! And so, even though by 2012 I was already playing games like Arkham Horror and Battlestar Galactica and others, Andean Abyss was the embarkation point where I really started to step outside the wargaming world, and I'm so glad I did.

[perplexingruins]

this game looks incredible! was really disappointed to see it didn't have any kind of solo system...will likely pick up anyway. thanks for covering

[mattkruse]

Ooh good call on the need for a player aid that also shows what opponents can do. I think I am gonna print a copy for my opponent the next time I play. I’ve pretty much memorized it all in learning the game, but yeah come to think of it my opponents have played out exactly as you did in your review asking what I am capable of etc… didn’t really think about it.

[josephpilkus]

Great review! I welcome you to a game over at BGA. I'm The Professor (knight astride a horse avatar) over there.

[Samhildenach]

Its bit difficult to buy here in Poland, but hopefully I'll get it by the end of the year. I wonder how will it play solo. Thanks for the review.

[CloudBuilderMetba]

I was really excited to get Robin Hood as a quick war game adjacent game. It really surprised me, and I’m a big fan of it. It seems well balanced, but I think the Sheriff side is harder to play/more punishing if you spend all your money, so that might address your concern of unequal player skills.

[crokinoledk]

Thank you for an upload.
The game is really good. Can easily attract interest of your seasoned wargaming friend or help you in tricking your wife into hobby.
Distilled down COIN principles contribute rather a great deal than gives a sense of castrated game.
One of the best game I have played since the beginning of the year 👍🏻.