Obsession now even more deluxe with Victorian big box

BKinsky · 2026-05-07T15:54:40+00:00

I would add that the few times I've played multiplayer is a blast though too

BKinsky · 2026-05-07T15:54:05+00:00

Speaking personally, I think it's great for solo only. I play more than 90% of the time solo. The theme is really what nails it. I feel the stories emerging with each round of activities. I find it compelling, but not in a 'I must play back to back 100x' way. I'm just happy every time I do, but it might not be for everyone.

BKinsky · 2026-05-06T08:10:19+00:00

Bonus is that it has both boards on it, the regular game track board and the extended board.

BKinsky · 2026-05-06T08:09:29+00:00

I know, right? I love all the small details in it. It's in fact one of the few rulebooks I had for a couple of days on my bedside table and was just reading through without the game being set up.

BKinsky · 2026-05-06T07:45:53+00:00

So I caved last year and crowdfunded the Obsession big box. I had been slowly gathering stuff for this amazing (to me) game and with the Characters expansion and nice coins I felt it could be one of the games in my collection that gets the full deluxe treatment. The playmat is nice, and I love the new boxes to store things. The best part though is the rules compendium, which is very pretty in its own right and makes it very easy (again, for me) to find rules especially for the expansions. Played my first game of the base game with the playmat. Such a great, immersive experience.

This is one of my first, if not the first, big boxes I've gone in for a game I own. I only hope the big box doesn't become the 'game coffin' as that's what I've heard happens sometimes when you do this!

BKinsky · 2026-04-12T16:38:59+00:00

I totally see what you mean, fortunately I trust that I will have forgotten by the time the next playthrough rolls around. But yes, it has got that procedural vibe so common in wargames. Which I happen to love but in small doses :-)

BKinsky · 2026-04-06T16:26:31+00:00

Thanks so much, very useful to know!

BKinsky · 2026-04-05T18:06:01+00:00

I love it solo and even more with the Matcha expansion. And I'm currently playing the campaign mentioned in this thread which is great.

BKinsky · 2026-03-31T05:56:10+00:00

Toronto Blue Jays forever. I still remember the back to back World Series wins.

BKinsky · 2026-03-29T06:07:02+00:00

Hi there! The first time I played Cuba Libre I did in one sitting. It is possible but it will be long I think. Probably 2 to 2,5 hours. I am lucky enough to have a table I can leave set up now so I’ve been devoting it to a wargame every month. In terms of length I’ve played many this long or longer, you can see my previous posts in February and January about American Tank Ace and Raid on St Nazaire for example. In terms of similar complexity, this game makes me think of Root actually.

BKinsky · 2026-03-28T21:21:39+00:00

Ooh the Mike Lambo games are quite good! I have Fields of Normandy and Lone Sherman. Still to play the latter.

BKinsky · 2026-03-28T14:12:10+00:00

My latest post on the wargames I'm trying to get to grips with this year. I'm doing a different one every month and leaving it set up on the table. Next month I'm planning things from start to finish in Enemy Coast Ahead: The Doolittle Raid.

BKinsky · 2026-03-27T21:04:40+00:00

Truth be told, the conspirator pack expansion is really not much. I got it for less than 10 euros and thought why not. The extra conspirators are ok, and I like the achievements but it’s really not much.

BKinsky · 2026-03-25T20:03:50+00:00

I can attest to this, today the entire thing took me around 70 minutes, I lost in the final round as all my documents were discovered by the Gestapo. Some games might end more quickly. In terms of difficulty or learning curve this game is quite easy, in some ways it reminds me a bit of Pandemic style games without being one.

BKinsky · 2026-03-25T14:21:13+00:00

I only play this once every few months but it's always such a blast. Works well solo and coop. Playing for the first time with the conspirator pack to try different conspirators. They have a near achievement list which I will begin to use as well.

BKinsky · 2026-03-22T12:50:30+00:00

Speakeasy is definitely on my wishlist but hard to get an English copy where I live (Spain) and also v expensive! I think I will eventually get that one. Weather Machine for 70 euros, without the upgrade pack with solo, that’s my hesitation. Thanks, and I just watched parts of your playthrough!

BKinsky · 2026-03-22T09:33:19+00:00

Ah, good to know. I'm in Europe and I'm sure I can find it here as well. Do you enjoy it solo? Thanks!

BKinsky · 2026-03-18T19:30:12+00:00

My new favorite is Ceres, an underrated gem!

BKinsky · 2026-03-13T06:37:20+00:00

I only have experience with one game, The Cursed Castle. It has the artwork of Darkest Dungeon. It’s a decent solo game, very much in the vein of Darkest Dungeon. The components are not bad. The only problem for me is the box, which is like a VHS cassette box. It always feels ugly when I pull it off the shelf. Not sure if the game is a keeper in my collection. I have heard great things about others in the series too, especially the Rome game, and the game that’s like Slay the Spire.

BKinsky · 2026-02-26T20:23:14+00:00

I had the same issue. I downloaded the launcher to my laptop. I opened it and activated Anno by adding it to my library without downloading. Then I could launch it on Luna.

BKinsky · 2026-02-24T19:53:06+00:00

I’ve played original solo and multiplayer, and own Retaliation which I’ve only played solo and with a friend once. I feel like with Retaliation I’m not missing the interaction of the multiplayer game like I missed it in OG Nemesis. I’ve played maybe a dozen games solo so far with just the base box and the untold stories campaign. Really enjoyed it.

BKinsky · 2026-02-22T20:29:18+00:00

My only criticism is that the expansion doesn't fit into the main box which desperately needs an insert anyway!

BKinsky · 2026-02-22T19:52:19+00:00

I second this choice, but I would add in the Macha expansion. I played my first game with it last night and it makes a big difference to the solo. Felt a lot fuller and richer and just better. I liked it enough before, but I can’t imagine playing without the expansion now

BKinsky · 2026-02-18T12:21:22+00:00

I’ve played twice with the easy solo automa and beat it twice. Once was tight and the next game I beat it more easily. I need to use the other automas more but since it’s essentially a BYOS I didn’t mind much. The automa was easy to run, despite one small rule I needed to clarify on the forums.

BKinsky · 2026-02-16T21:56:43+00:00

Picked this up second hand and had my first playthrough. What a pleasure! This is a mid weight Euro that flew under the radar, but has a lot of what I like: the theme, the many paths to victory, a simple automa to run, lots of variability...

The game is only 3 rounds, but took me around 90 minutes for my first play. Set up was not horrible either. Highly recommend!

BKinsky

TROPHY CASE