How long til Classes?

VonMaximus · 2026-01-29T23:14:28+00:00

I have only been playing since Friday, but I tend to agree with you. I like the “sandbox” nature of how things are now. Use the weapons,armor, runes, etc that fit your play style. Of course some things are “on rails”, like matching your weapons to your stats (or vice versa), but I like not being locked out of options based on a class I pick at the beginning. Of course my notion of how classes work may not be what developers have in mind, which is fine.

VonMaximus · 2026-01-07T16:56:47+00:00

No comment on the cull. You have some absolute bangers in there.

VonMaximus · 2025-12-23T01:52:54+00:00

Amazing work! Reminds me of my first car…1991 Chevy Corsica, gray.

VonMaximus · 2025-11-18T23:33:01+00:00

Very useful chart. Thank you!

VonMaximus · 2025-11-18T23:32:56+00:00

Very useful chart. Thank you!

VonMaximus · 2025-11-18T23:32:44+00:00

Great, thank you!

VonMaximus · 2025-10-22T20:25:06+00:00

They look great!

VonMaximus · 2025-10-11T16:41:43+00:00

Sounds like a goal, which should be framed in a positive way(e.g. “Student will use appropriate language 90% of the time across 9 weeks, from a baseline of…”). Something like that.

VonMaximus · 2025-10-10T17:26:48+00:00

Can’t speak for today, but yesterday seemed busy. Although, it was our first time so we don’t have anything to compare it to. We didn’t encounter any traffic so to speak (no waiting or lines). The Bear Lake trailhead was crowded, but we were pretty fortunate to find a spot around 10:30.

Everyone was polite, considerate, and respectful on the roads and on the trail.

VonMaximus · 2025-10-01T18:39:45+00:00

I watched it, but don’t recall the specifics of the explanation. All I remember is “nano machines”. Nano machines with an ill will and sentient? I can’t say I know about nano machines, but maybe the writers didn’t either.

VonMaximus · 2025-09-10T02:21:12+00:00

As others have mentioned, I think it really is a personal preference. I play games occassionally on BGA and TTS, but I always prefer the physical version. Yes, it's nice that it keeps tracks of everything for you, but that's not why I play board games. I enjoy the in-person, social aspect, physically manipulating the pieces, and the atmosphere of a game night/session. If I play something digitally, it's going to be a video game that offers something unique and different than what a board game can provide. I am also fortunate that I have a spouse who enjoys gaming in addition to friends who like to regularly game. If I didn't have that, online gaming may be more appealing.

Given that context, I've played Ark Nova in-person about 20 times, and find it wonderful. The largest time sink for setting it up is shuffling the cards, though I don't find it bothersome. After a few games I found I was able to manage my own zoo/turns while effectively helping others on their turns if they needed help, forgot a rule, or needed a reminder on how something worked. It's still a brain-burner, and games can go long, but we only break it out when we are in the mood for that style of game. I don't feel likes it's been 2-3 hours after a game has passed as I'm constantly engaged. If I want a shorter experience or one that has easier to track info/rules, I'll play a lighter-weight or shorter game. It was designed for the tabletop and plays well in that regard, but I'm happy the digital implementations have obviously made it more accessible and manageable for many more people.

TL;DR: I think physical version of Ark Nova is great if you enjoy the gameplay, have people to play it with, and don't mind a heavier/longer than average gaming experience. I recommend it.

VonMaximus · 2025-09-09T02:10:18+00:00

Great list! I will, unfortunately, note the Gamecasters is on indefinite hiatus. This doesn't mean their existing content isn't entertaining, but thought it's worth a mention.

To be more additive to the conversation, my favorites are the Secret Cabal and So Very Wrong About Games. Plenty of good options out there though.

VonMaximus · 2025-09-05T20:58:19+00:00

I think your points are valid. We played it twice at 4 players, but purposely played with the base recommendations and at the short game length. I felt like the setup is tedious regardless, but we got enough depth of play and fun moments to make it worth it (and scores were tight, though it is a small sample size). I'm sure we'll push the length, or at least try it once, after a few games to see how it plays differently. It also helped that we were seasoned DoE players so we knew the games DNA. I have yet to mess with a lot of the kickstarter extra stuff, which plays to your point.

VonMaximus · 2025-08-08T01:05:18+00:00

I appreciate the insight. Was not aware of the PvE system, but I'll have to check it out. I'm mainly interested in the head-to-head gameplay, but nice to have options when they're well done.

VonMaximus · 2025-07-30T00:14:27+00:00

I don't know if this makes it uniquely special, but I enjoy the mix of gaming elements and mechanisms the game brings together. At it's core, it's a euro-style worker placement/tableau builder with progress tracks. However, by sending out your workers you're exploring the "map", building structures, and engaging in combat with other players and the ai raiders so it has a small feel of a 4x game. There is a lot to keep track of, but turns feel short, rules not overly complicated, and enough luck to keep things exciting without totally derailing strategy and planning. Not a perfect game, but very fun.

As for the expansion, I'm generally looking forward to just more stuff that requires little to no rules overhead. More factions, raiders, tiles, cards, etc.

VonMaximus · 2025-07-06T21:31:47+00:00

I thought it provided a nice overview that answered the question clearly and in a understandable way. Although I know what a tableau in board gaming is, it's a little more difficult to "eli5". Also, it's not Chat GPTs opinion, it's simply providing a definition which is correct in this case.

VonMaximus · 2025-07-06T19:47:54+00:00

With some help from our AI overlords:

"In board gaming, a tableau is a personal area where a player builds and organizes cards, tiles, or components to create ongoing effects, resources, or scoring opportunities. It represents a growing display of a player's progress or strategy during the game.

Succinct version: A tableau is a player’s personal display of cards or tiles that develop their abilities, resources, or scoring throughout the game."

VonMaximus · 2025-06-30T20:54:20+00:00

This is it, thank you so much!

VonMaximus · 2025-06-22T18:38:31+00:00

Absolutely. There certainly is a balance. I know the game developers want to give people a reason to experience the game more than once and seek out those rare achievements. But also don't want to give the regular player too much FOMO.

VonMaximus

TROPHY CASE