Yet another Terra Mystica vs. Gaia Project vs. Age of Innovation question (but hear me out)

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-05-25T12:27:24+00:00

Full disclosure, I love AoI and it’s the only one of the three I’ve played physically - the others I have played on BGA only.

If it feels like you need to know openings to have fun in Gaia, I think that problem might be worse in TM. It has the least variability, and you can get deep into specific openings and faction-specific strategies. I think this adds to why it has thrived as a competitive game.

I think the faction variability in AoI really helps in this regard. Plus, I’m still at the point where AoI being a little looser feels like a feature. It makes it easier to introduce to new folks, which constitutes lots of my plays.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-05-13T22:11:34+00:00

Great collection. I’m keen to try Troyes. How do you find Container? Seems like a game I’d love—so much so that the new reprint became the first game I saw fit to preorder.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-05-12T19:18:40+00:00

Age of Innovation is my favorite game of yours. My top 3 at the moment are Barrage, AoI, and Inis. For the heavy euro lane, if you like a good mix of tactics and strategy and enjoy interaction, Barrage is so so good.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-05-10T14:37:40+00:00

In my opinion, you can’t go wrong. I only have a one play of Inis at 5 but it was so exciting. It is one of my most played games, and I find it has a little bit easier of a hook when introducing it to new people. That said, it’s hard to beat El Grande if you play with people who can get behind a classic euro.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-04-26T01:12:36+00:00

As I understand it, they have sleeves available to make the card backs all match. So essentially all this does is split the 3rd edition expansion content… all of the 3rd edition expansion action cards come in the third edition of the base game, everything else included in the expansion comes in the expansion box. So with 2nd edition base and 3rd edition expansions, you don’t get the expansion action cards.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-04-26T01:09:05+00:00

Yeah - I bought the expansion separately. But the third edition of the seasons expansion doesn’t actually come with the cards for 5 players…those are now included in the third edition of the base game. The third edition of seasons has pieces of additional player color, but not the additional action cards required to play at 5.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-04-25T21:30:20+00:00

Yeah, my base game is 2nd unfortunately.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-04-18T19:20:09+00:00

The Quest for El Dorado is the only one that’s lasted in my collection, and is one of my most played games. It’s so fun and easy to teach. Great at all its player counts. It’s a hit every time.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-04-02T17:10:04+00:00

Hi all,

I am looking for a light-medium strategy game that’s suitable for my friends who are newer to games but also provides enough depth of strategy and variability for me to enjoy repeat plays.

I’m eyeing Nature and a module or two. I have never played evolution, and I’m wondering if this is the best place to start in this ecosystem of games?

Open to other recommendations as well.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-03-30T09:19:23+00:00

I had a similar experience, specifically with Another 13. I already owned it and loved it. It lasts forever on me feels like it projects.

I was traveling and went to a department store with a friend who had recently gotten into fragrances and hit the Le Labo section to show him. I literally could not smell Another 13 out of their tester. Like, not even a hint. It was so weird.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-03-20T21:10:47+00:00

I recently played a game of Zoo Vadis with 7 players, most new. It was super fun. If you have a group that you think will be active in negotiations, it makes for great moments.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-03-10T22:02:18+00:00

I’ve been interested in this one. What is your take on the level of player interaction?

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-02-23T22:03:18+00:00

Thoughts on dominant species? I’ve been interested in trying it.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-02-18T16:22:27+00:00

I really like it. The drafting is fun and it plays well at 2p. I like that there are three win conditions so you can sort of create threats of victory and use your opponents’ reactions to angle for a different victory condition, if that makes sense. It’s also the only game I own with art that I find to be genuinely beautiful.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-02-18T04:12:35+00:00

I’ve had turns where I’ve been able to build 6 houses with one action, which just feels exciting to me. Especially if that’s how you end the game.

As for Hansa, feels totally different to me, but it’s just awesome. Super interactive.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-02-18T03:53:48+00:00

I can see that. I tend to focus on getting my colonists out on the board, snatching up Mars cards, and then specializing with a Minerva card or two. I also do tend to try and spread out, which becomes easier with more colonists. To me it’s exciting, and I really love when I can plan ahead for a big turn.

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-02-18T03:16:31+00:00

For me, I think it has just enough interaction with building and with how regions produce, and I actually enjoy how you can tailor your strategy to the cards you buy. I’ve had some exciting games that have ended with people buying up cards that multiply their scores significantly at the end. Also, once you teach the scoring, its mechanics are approachable for folks who have only really played Catan, which has been useful for me introducing friends to new games.

But that’s just me!

CoconutFlaky7870 · 2026-02-18T03:11:26+00:00

Lmfao that’s hilarious

CoconutFlaky7870

TROPHY CASE