Luthier Review - Help Make The World Sing

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Channels I Recommend (Not a comprehensive list by any means)
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Luthier transports players to the height of classical music in Western Europe, when the art of the instrument was upheld equally by skilled craftspeople, noble patrons, virtuoso performers, and famous composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven.

Using a new, unique combination of hidden bidding and worker placement, players manage resources to craft various musical instruments in their workshop, while also courting actual historic patrons through an ever-changing personal tableau of actions and bonuses. Each player chooses how to balance improving skills across multiple tracks, unlocking specialized worker abilities and other bonuses. The choice to concentrate on varying gameplay strategies and goals, such as musical performances, instrument building and repairs, apprentice training and workshop expansion, and overall reputation as an instrument maker, provide multiple paths to victory.

Luthier finds true harmony through an authentic and original marriage of theme and mechanisms, resulting in a rich gameplay experience that equally speaks to both the strategic gamer and the classical music lover.

TimeStamps:
0:00:00 - Overview
0:17:30 - Ease of Play
0:18:20 - What I Like
0:22:45 - What I Don't Like
0:27:35 - What I Can See Others Not Liking
0:29:35 - Final Thoughts
0:31:30 - Recommendations

5.0 - My absolutely favorite games. You can pry them out of my cold dead hands.
4.5 - Love this game! At the same time missing something that would make it a 5. Could be hard to table, lacking variability, a little light, etc.
4.0 - Really great game, almost always keeping, although has meaningful complaints as to what takes away from the experience.
3.5 - Really enjoyed, don't love it, may lose out to better games but the idea of never playing again is a bit sad.
3.0 - A good game, would play and suggest with the right people, if I never played it again wouldn't lose any sleep.
2.5 - A game I'd play again , but will never suggest it myself
2.0 - A game I don't want to play again
1.5 - A game I can't find any reason to recommend
1.0 - A game that is just bad.

My Game Table (Non Referral)

Upgrade Your Game At Top Shelf Gamer (Referral Link)

[laurenaversa]

Thank you for the review, Alex! My grandfather was a violinist so the theme caught my eye. I saw a lot of channels doing previews and play throughs today and am very glad to also find a review available. While I understand the need for all three, and certainly understand the need for sponsored content, I just wanted to drop a note to express how much I truly value your honest and objective feedback. Your transparency makes your content my hands-down favorite.

[terryH]

It’s encouraging to see unique themes 😊 Paverson is building a quality brand

[crastorhale]

Holy Lute that is a big box. Thanks for the review Alex, appreciate the content.

[EfrainRiveraJunior]

I was going to dive head in and blindfolded. Until I saw the price. 😮😮😮

[Janos]

24:00 An easy fix would be placing the name of the instrument on the bottom or on the side of the spot instead of on top, so they are not obscured too much, but then again the instrument tokens are tall when placed like they are now.
This is an instance where a 3D concert hall would be nice, like the Everdell cardboard tree, but actually useful.
Alternatively, a separate inclined concert hall board with grooves in it to keep the tokens in place could be nice, so everyone at the table could clearly see every part of it regardless of their sitting.

[Spyryt]

I’ve been looking forward to this game. Love Distlled. I even managed to snag one of the 15 demo copies of this game, so I should have it next month. I can’t wait!

[morgaknightgames]

I'm very much looking forward to trying this out on TTS!

[bryanwinston]

Appreciate the peak inside, still on the fence on this one. Actually not on the fence, where is the all in button....

[JJ_TheGreat]

23:15 Pew….
That sounds like a you thing, Alex - your disdain for solo automas… There are plenty of people who feel it is a good mechanism - and mimics a multi-player game, in which other players are taking those spots/actions - and it helps tighten the board. Otherwise, with only 2-players playing, there could be a valid complaint (by many before), that the board is too open.

[jasonpreder]

I was severely worried about downtime, especially with 4.

[JJ_TheGreat]

Although I ❤ the theme of this game, it just seems a bit too heavy for me - with too much going on to keep track of.
At least there is Philharmonix!

[Luke_L]

Appreciate the coverage! I prefer my med/heavy euros to be more multiplayer solitaire. I can skip this one :)

[poloboy]

How would you say this compares to Galactic Cruise? That seems in a similar realm but different worker placement mechanisms.

[StevenWard]

Has a strong Encyclopedia vibe for me. I know you're a massive fan of Encyclopedia like me Alex - just of our interest is there any connection in terms of the folk behind it ?