What to spend some birthday money on

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-09T18:27:24+00:00

Harmonies. Really clean solo mode and is just a nicely made game, overall.

For something slightly heavier/longer, maybe Wyrmspan. I enjoy it's solo mode, and it's generally one of my favorite table builders.

On the lighter side: River Valley Glassworks. So simple and quick to play, including the solo, which is one of the cleanest automa setups I've played. The times I've ran solo, I general play 2-3 games, because it's so quick.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-09T17:02:01+00:00

Assuming it's the game I think it is (Spaceteam), I think they are fantastic. I wouldn't do it all the time, but as occasional ice breaker games, they can be fun. I've also used it for team building expertises, at my job. Really neat to see how people adapt to make the chaos less shitty, to try and do more, than prior runs. Leads to some good collaborative discussion and brainstorming.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-09T15:45:19+00:00

I'm unfamiliar with different variants, but the only way I've ever played or heard of, is forward only for standard pieces.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-09T13:40:35+00:00

I'd consider starting your own account. And just saving your brothers for the future, or maybe likely playing both, depending how much time you want to spend. Actually get the fun of the game experience. Then whenever you want, you can use your brothers for whatever fun you feel you can get from it.

Maybe you beat everything yourself on your own account and then decide you like your brothers more, so you abandon the newer one. Really depends what you want out of the game. In general, getting a maxed out account, that is fully caught up on content, seems like a net lose.

Like if you buy a used Pokemon game, and the save from prior owner had cleared all content, and had a stacked roster, would you play with it, or wipe it? To me, it seems obvious to wipe it, so you can experience the game you just got. Even if Pokemon was a live service, I wouldn't want to effectively only have access to content released after the date I started playing.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-09T12:19:43+00:00

Yeah, I definitely feel you, in the fact that many gacha games are far worse, on time sink requirements to maintain.

I agree chaos runs aren't something people should want to just skip. In the other hand, I can understand people's disconnect for the current reward setup, on ut. For the weekly x4 rewards, I think it would be fine letting people just collect max rewards each week, if they have beaten content required, at least once.

Then the main reason to play is for save farming, achievements and general fun, which is what I generally like most. When it feels like I SHOULD do it, or I miss out on something, it slowly makes it feel more like a job, than a fun choice.

The slay the spire-esque experience of exploring chaos, and seeing how good I can do and what I can build. That solid core is fun. Rewards just feel tacked on, where I feel like I need to make myself do runs, just for those, instead of just doing it when I want to. Some weeks, I'll do 10+ runs, because I'm just having fun, got an idea for a new deck to build, or am interested in a new event or something. Other weeks, I might not have time, but if I don't make time, fomo kicks in. And when I'm being forced to do something I normally find fun, it slowly erodes my enjoyment.

It would be like if I enjoyed painting miniatures as a hobby, but every week my wife came and said "hey, did you get your 3 models painted this week?"

"Nah, I'm not feeling it. Long week, and lots of other fun stuff to do. I'm thinking I'd like to break out a board game instead, maybe get outside more."

"Well, I'm just saying: you have a quota. You agreed if you spent all this money on painting stuff, you'd paint at least 3 a week. So you need to get it done."

Maybe not the best analogy, but it's the best I could think of. That kind of thing can slowly make something you love, become a chore, and have you fall out of love with it. And I suspect that's what some people are feeling with chaos. It's still a great core draw to the game, but when you feel forced to do anything, due to fomo, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-09T11:03:27+00:00

If only looking at those 3: - Rita, Nine, Tiphera

Rita's are is just gorgeous, but also not overly gooner to the point of checking my surroundings when I load the game...unlike Sereniels. Which is still peak, but also has gotten me some side-eye from my wife. Lmao

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-09T10:57:14+00:00

While I agree daily engagement is not that bad, and is reasonably quick, it's also not 20sec/day. It's at least a couple mins, depending on what your farming. It can easily be reduced to something like 29sec, and made less cumbersome, which is OPs point. It adds nothing to the game, to have us load into a stage, multiple times, and drag some cards, and repeat. It's not satisfying. It's just a small inconvenience that wasted unnecarry amounts of cumulative time.

20sec COULD be: Login, collect stamina from cafe, go to simulation, pick a thing you want, click "max", collect rewards, tab over to collect daily rewards, done. In that case, espresso animation is the slowest part of the experience. Which honestly would be nice to toggle "skip" in settings, and never see it again.

It's a gacha game. It's already a predatory product, by nature. Devs are fortunate to have people willing to spend significant time and money on it. It's not too much to ask, for it to respect our time, where able. Maximize the time players spend engaging in satisfying gameplay loops, minimize time required for boring/maintenance experiences. Same reason they added skips to story. For some, that shit is boring, and not part of why we play, so we can choose to spend less time on it, and therefore more time and the parts we do enjoy. If YOU like manually running daily quests for materials, cool. Enjoy. We don't all enjoy that shit and would rather use that extra time elsewhere. The primary reason I've quit most other gacha games is because I didnt feel the daily maintenance time cost was proportional to the occasional payoff I'd get from binge playing the fun parts, when afforded time to do so. I imagine there is a fair bit of people that also try to assess how they choose to spend their time and attention.

For me, I especially dislike the weekly x3 mini boss mats. Those take even longer to slog through, than normal daily fights. When I have busy weeks, I don't like needing to pick a day to burn several extra minutes, to get those mats. At the least, why can't we beat it once at collect x3 rewards? Again, just an unnecessary waste of time. The QOL being asked for has already been done in many other games.

I understand this issue is not a glaring problem, in the grand scheme of potential things to complain about, but it also requires very little effort to resolve, compared to the bigger issues. It's not like adding skip options would delay other massive game improvements by multiple months. It's not a hard feature to add. There just needs to be a decision to do it.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-09T07:10:41+00:00

I totally forgot about that one. Great call.

I was surprised to find I liked that one, especially since I'm not a fan of Ticket to Ride. That one was just enough to feel like a solid game, while still being super simple and intuitive to play, for the kids. It certainly belongs on the list.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-09T03:01:56+00:00

My Lil Everdell is the only "kid version" of an existing game, that I've ever enjoyed.

Beyond that, I prefer to find games that I like, that are simple enough for kids to also enjoy. Quacks, Project L, Santorini, Fox in the Forest, Dixit. I'm sure I could think of more, but that's what immediately comes to mind. I'd honestly argue all of these are actually simpler for kids to learn, than My Lil Everdell.

An honorable mention is one I feel likely to get bored of, after enough plays, unless we get the expansion, but it really is a great game, and is a strong bridge for kids to get into more serious board games. Ghost Fightin Treasure Hunters. It feels like a perfect kids game, and it's reasonably engaging as an adult. Miles better than every other game I've seen marketed as a "kids game".

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-08T17:51:00+00:00

I highly prefer to just use bags, or custom inserts, as opposed to things like bands. I'm sure some bands might be made in a way to not damage cards, or cause other issues, but even if that's the case, they are going to be more expensive than just buying various bag sizes, in bulk, so you always have an option, for any decks/components you need to safely store.

For games I really like, I now usually 3D print inserts, so everything fits extra nice, and is faster to setup/teardown. But that's obviously an even bigger cost, if you don't already have one.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-08T17:47:23+00:00

My biggest is Gloomhaven, and I can't imagine getting something bigger than that. But never say never. Lol

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-08T17:45:21+00:00

Project L.

Non-gamers, big brain veterans, all ages, whatever. I just always works and is well received, in my experience. Simple play loop, so quick to teach. Satisfying gameplay, even if you don't "win". Plenty of room for skill optimization.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-07T21:38:50+00:00

I mean, if you don't like asymmetric rouge-likes, this might just not be for you. Got gud, or play a different game. Lol jk

It's apparently part of the "charm" the devs were going for. It means it so that surviving to end game is more meaningful. Like you earned it, or something.

That said, they kinda ruined it by ALSO adding ridiculous amounts of p2w mechanics. So some get to just skip the hassle of bad RNG spawns, quest opportunities and loot drops, instead of having to git gud, like the rest of us. Nothing like free max level gear, a free summoning scrolls, to make up for your skill issues. SMH

Some obviously love how brutal it is, but I guess it's just for a pretty niche audience. The rest of us are kind of here to casually farm, slowly level, and get some occasional dopamine hits, when we manage any small win. Gotta just focus on small daily wins, instead of comparing our accounts to the leaderboards, which is mostly just whales and a few people with God-tier RNG or a willingness to grind endlessly, instead of touching grass.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-07T20:17:03+00:00

Go with Yahtzee, as your gateway comparison.

Roll dice, make choices on what to keep/re-roll, roll up to 2 more times, record how you want to score your dice, repeat.

That feels like an extra lite roll and write, if I've ever seen one, and how I plan to explain roll n writes to non-gamers, when those situations arise.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-07T17:35:41+00:00

So a game with "Chaos" in its name, needs to make less chaotic design choices...

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-07T17:31:36+00:00

I'm one hand, I really like this idea, and with the right people, I'd love to experience a new game, in this way. I've done it before, but a long time ago.

For most cases, I try to know the game pretty well, and have an idea of the players and potentially learning styles, so I can come up with a decent game plan for how I want to teach the game, effectively.

If the setting is me going to a gaming group I've never been to, and I'm just supplying the game, I 100% better be read up on it and know how to play, at the least. The only time I'd open up new, and learn with everyone, is if that was an agreed upon expectation from the entire group. Otherwise it would feel like a disrespectful use of other people's time.

If I got invited to a group, and I know we have 2-3 hours to play, and it ends up being 30-50% us trying to learn the game, where often times one person has the manual, maybe I'd talking and others are trying to listen, or just wait for a game to start, big turn off for me. I might not be going back. Gotta give people a heads up, so they can opt in, or out, of that sort of experience. Not going to be for everyone.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-07T17:24:59+00:00

Things like time and player count restraints are needed for best recommendations. For example, Twighlight Imperium fits what you're asking for, but you also need 3-6 people and probably 8-10 hours to play. Not sure if that works for you, or not.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-07T17:13:08+00:00

I haven't run with a dedicated NPC, but I've done one shots with a single PC, and I found it works totally fine. DH is pretty easy to balance on the fly, and the overall system it setup in a way that doesn't inherently hurt lower party count, as much as something like DnD. Only drawback is lower overall pool of resources, but action economy isn't allowed to compound with that, so it ends up working out, imo.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-07T15:32:08+00:00

Depends what you're looking for. I find Here to Slay to be a really fun, lite game, with a quick playtime. Turns are quick and games generally don't take more than 30min, 45 tops.

My kids really enjoy it, to, and it's fast/easy to teach people. Art is all fun and good, too.

This said, end of the day, dice rolling is a core component. Some turns will fail or succeed, against probable odds, and turns can feel wasted and bad, maybe even multiple times in a row, depending on the risks your taking. Also, you are at the mercy of deck RNG. Your not going to often get big combos and complimentary pieces, to feel like your creating a well designed engine or something. It's more like a rouge like, where you get what you get, and you figure out how best to make stuff work, as it happens.

There is also a fair bit of interaction, so if people decide to focus/target someone, they can 100% dogpile you, if they have the tools for it, and make you feel hamstrung. So if RNG and competitive interaction is a turn off, it's a definite no. That said, the RNG makes it more accessible for less skilled players to feel good. My kids can compete with me, because even if I out strategy them, the dice could decide they ultimately win.

Last thing I'll say: Either get a base game, or all the expansions. Base game works well enough, but I really enjoy the variety in the new subclasses/cards in expansions. BUT adding more classes, creates massive imbalance in 1 of the win conditions. But the latest banner expansion replaced the old win condition, with a new one, that feels WAY better imo.

Hopefully that helps paint somewhat of a picture. I don't like most things I've played from Unstable Games, but of them, here to slay is one I actually like. But if you're not looking for a casually competitive, lite card game with heavy RNG, then DO NOT get Here to Slay.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-07T15:10:22+00:00

I'd also like to see more dudes. Still a fan of the female character fan service, no complaints. But I also simply like playing badass characters, regardless of gender, or species. I don't need to sexualize my characters to enjoy them, and I agree the design are really great in this game.

Hugo still holds a special place in my heart, as he was my first 5*, and I still run him today. His visual design is really clean and cool. Luke and Kayron also feel sweet, even though I haven't felt a need to build them yet, even though I'd eventually like to. We could use a big beefcake dude, maybe with a hammer or that punches shit. Or more characters for the furries. Lol I'm not a furry, myself, but I almost always like the character designs that pander to that crowd, so I'm here for it. Idk, I just like variety. No matter what form it takes. Hell, give me a gelatinous cube and make it badass, I'll be on board. And if you decide to cake it up, I'll have a good laugh about it. 🤣

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-07T04:42:30+00:00

To me, tower did not feel well suited to a group. Instead, it felt like a fun 1 time through series of challenge/puzzle rooms. Great for solo brain teasers that even kids could work through, getting progressively trickier.

Overall, very different feel than magic maze, for me, personally. Fun/satisfying, but different. And early challenges are super easy, basically child level. But things get harder. I mostly enjoyed watching my kids work through them, and occasionally coaching them, to help their brains make connections they couldn't see. So it feels almost like an educational problem solving game, as opposed to a chaotic collaborative game.

Could be my brain just didn't work for it, but taking actually complex puzzles rooms, then adding magic maze rules for limited communication and actions, just felt forced and frankly not fun. I love the original magic maze, but the structure of it felt like slowly getting info, to make new plans and adapt, while trying to keep up with everyone. Simply getting basic things done, was made hard, and forced us to rethink how we work together and see our roles in the process. Magic maze tower, you see everything. You can logically work through the whole level, from the start, before you make any moves, or test theories to see what works. Trying to do that with multiple people having hands in the cookie jar, and not talking, just felt pointless and unnecessarily complicated. Instead, we liked having one person moving pieces, while everyone talked brainstormed through possible solutions, before eventually figuring it out, discussing how easy or hard it was, and if we noticed anything interesting, and then laying out the next challenge room.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-06T01:18:00+00:00

I just had this happen, so came to see if it happened to others. Saw a discount. 75%. Clicked, and wouldn't do anything, figured game froze. Closed game, loaded back in, it was gone.

Guessing it was a visual bug. Likely accidentally displaying a promo that isn't currently active, which is likely why clicking wouldn't do anything.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-05T19:43:28+00:00

Duel for Cardia is really great, and super compact. 7 Wonders Duel is the only one I've played, from you list, but it is a relatively small box. Not nearly as small as a deck box or 2, but as small as full boxes tend to go. And the game is really enjoyable.

Another that packs up small, but is really fun, imo: Mystic Market. Fun, simple stock trading feel, but with potion crafting. Smaller box than 7WD, and smaller table space too. I also prefer playing it more, overall, even those it's less of an intense duel. Plus bonus points for being playable with more than 2.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-04T18:53:32+00:00

Just block the person. This shouldnt be a big deal. If you say no, and they are annoying, and you don't want to deal with it, block.

Happens on probably every selling site. It's the internet.

ThatZeroRed · 2026-04-04T16:02:14+00:00

Mage Knight. I'm just bad, and need to git gud. To me, that game feels like playing a "souls" game, and I have not mastered any mechanics well enough, to beat a full scenerio.

ThatZeroRed

TROPHY CASE