Spirit Island - Gaming Rules! Review

Gaming Rules! is a channel providing you with How-to-Play videos, Reviews, Podcasts and other content.

In this video, I am reviewing Spirit Island from Fabled Nexus and Greater than Games

BGG entry:

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[MyklSkeleton]

This has quickly become one of our absolute favorite games! Highly recommended (as long as you don’t mind losing a lot in the beginning)!!

[simonanderson]

5:28 FYI the card text means push up to 3 pieces, which may be explorers and/or towns.

[wamspride]

This game is great.
Played it with 3 people talk about challenging we won on the last turn. It does take awhile to plan out each turn but good fun.

[OutOfCuriosity]

Very good and constructive review. I like the balance between critics and praise, not only in this video but in other reviews you did as well.

[xfoolsgoldx]

The channel looks way better since you have changed the set and lighting. Great work😎

[rmclean]

Great review, thank you! I completely agree with every point. Really appreciate the critical eye.

[michaelhill]

Thanks very much for this excellent review, I know what to expect now. :-)

[Gutock]

I totally agree that 2p is the best count, although 3p with people who know what they are doing is also enjoyable. I don't know that I'd ever want to do 4p regularly, maybe once, just to see, and even then just to see what it's like.

I didn't have as many issues with the rulebook, but great review, glad you finally got this to the table!

[chewiewins]

another great, concise review. Pity about poor rules book, need more folks like you sorting out the rulebooks

[metaphoricgribbon]

Glad you like it Paul. I agree with all you said - though I didn’t find the rulebook too bad :)

[adelegrace]

saw this on kick-starter once... finely gets to see review, thanks dor the truth :) i like when people give honest opinion with cons and all.

[thebrewgeek]

I’ve only played solo and I love it. Surprisingly, I had no problem with the rule book, although I usually do. For example, my mind was completely blown by the Pathfinder Rise of the Runelords rulebook. I couldn’t figure it out without watching a rules video. Go figure.

[KimDahl]

Great review, I ordered the game and expansion last week :)

[Moxnzl]

Hey mate, you mentioned some other coop games that you enjoy that do not feel "Luck Based". What are they ? Thanks! :)

[Kentchangar]

Great review! We had similar problems with our 3 player game and could see th 4 player one being near impossible to play unless each player has 10ish games under their belt, preferably with the same spirits.

Have you played the expansion? I watched a runthrough and the event cards seem to add too much luck to the game for my tastes...

[nathanielchambers]

I think the downtime stemmed from the fact that you were trying to play it like a more traditional coop. I feel like in this game, you almost have to just say "I'm doing this thing" and if someone tells you they need something else, consider it. If not, move on, do your own thing. In that way, it really is more like a euro, where you are cooperating. "I'm taking these guys out" *pause* okay cool, sticking with it.

I would love to know other games you feel that are as awesome as this. This is the first 'real' (normal?) coop that I've loved. I really dislike most of them because they are, as you mentioned, out of control. And wow, it's just really nice to finally be able to say, I really really like a coop. I haven't even tried any of the advanced modes yet! I can't wait to play more!

[patrickolmstead]

It’s a solid game. Paul does the game justice by pointing out that smaller player counts are better. I do think there has to be a point where a 4player game results in you taking care of “your’ board. Otherwise it becomes a 30 minute turn, trying to optimize. You are just playing a game. We played 4 players with experienced players and we stopped at 3 hours because we had at least 2 turns left. I’m glad to hear about the cards suggesting your minor and major powers. I did not remember that.

[NorthernerInSpace]

Great Review. I have been on the fence on this game for a while. I just leapt off this fence...

[mapleleaf]

i haven't play the game in multiplayer yet, but so far i played as solo control 2, 3 and even 4 spirits
if you are a hardcore gamer who able to process lots of information, this game is good for solo even though you controling 4 spirits, and i really enjoyed it, as i like to play games that gives me card combos (eg mage knight, dominion)
this game the spirits have their own advantage and disadvantage, which is why i quite highly recommend at least 3 or full spirit count (for solo play) when play this game, so that they can help each other, but the info you need to receive will be huge
as for rules, i dont know which edition i got, but the rules are fine and well written for me, only some minor rules need to look for clarification

[joelbergvonlinde]

Isn’t there a blurb in the beginning of the rule book, where it says that depending on your learning style, you can start from the middle of the rules? Will check when I get home later.
Great review!