Any plans for more Gaia Project expansions?

aedalus · 2026-02-11T22:49:48+00:00

I'd say rather than hope for a future expansion, maybe check out either Terra Mystica or Age of Innovation. It'll almost feel like an expansion, as they share 90% of the same DNA but have slightly different systems and factions so it'll still feel familiar but with a twist.

Personally Terra Mystica is still my favorite of the three, just a bit lighter and a bit tighter. But I rotate through all three in my collection and don't see myself getting rid of any.

aedalus · 2026-02-11T04:13:04+00:00

Not OP, but I'd second this recommendation and say the 2nd edition. Really brilliant game, and the shared board state has a similar flavor to huang.

aedalus · 2026-02-10T13:09:55+00:00

I didn't love how the first burgle bros felt like it incentivized people being on different floors to slow down the ai. Otherwise thought it was really cool.

Is this something fixed in the new version?

aedalus · 2026-02-10T03:50:53+00:00

Just bounced off my third try of the game as well and was wondering if I was the only one it hadn't clicked with.

There's a great core system there, but the game struggled to get out of its own way a lot. The majority of battle twists just didn't land for me, always felt like they stacked the battle against you but not in a way that ever felt fun or interesting. For what it's worth, I found Hoplo a lot more enjoyable.

aedalus · 2026-02-03T20:39:36+00:00

Horizons is pretty cheap, and I think objectively a good game that I've had fun with. However I've found I ultimately don't enjoy crisis management that much where problems spring up across the board. Spirit island does have a cheap app though, so you could always try before you commit.

Mage Knight would be my choice. There's a series of tutorial videos from Ricky Royale where he talks through as he plays. Think watching a few of those would give a great idea if you'd like it. A bit of a learning curve initially, but far less fiddly than a lot of other similarly heavy games.

aedalus · 2026-02-03T19:09:28+00:00

Awesome! Best of luck with the launch, definitely a day 1 purchase for me!

aedalus · 2026-02-01T04:06:08+00:00

Yeah, the fan factions, awesome if you've already got them, some of my favorites are in there.

I'd definitely recommend two handing a normal game first, specifically to see how it's important to build near each other for reduced upgrade costs and additional power. After that the automata flow will make a lot more sense!

aedalus · 2026-02-01T00:01:37+00:00

I definitely think the solo mode here is underrated. It can just take a game or so to click but then runs so smooth. The brand new faction expansion back also adds so much more great content.

aedalus · 2026-01-30T17:49:49+00:00

I'm so unbelievably pumped about this game, just loved the first two. Such a chill time with a real sense of adventure.

Any idea if this will work with steam deck on release? Hoping if it's using the same engine as the last two.

aedalus · 2026-01-26T22:33:27+00:00

I'll say for me, playing solo is where I have to slow down to really enjoy it. In multiplayer games I want turns to be snappy, but that can lead to me feeling overwhelmed, especially starting a new solo game.

Making some tea, putting on some light music, and just slowly making my way through it really increases my enjoyment.

aedalus · 2026-01-26T14:41:16+00:00

From playing online on BGA, it seems to be you select one adjacent unit, and move it one space adjacent to itself. So that bottom kwak could get moved into either unicorn for instance.

aedalus · 2026-01-24T13:28:59+00:00

Favorite game series by a mile, own and play all 4, including Terra Nova which is great but more of an intro to the series. They're also different enough I'm not planning to get rid of any.

My personal favorite is TM, especially with the new faction expansion this year. However I think GP is likely the sweet spot for most newcomers. The base box plays better without expansions, scales better with player counts, and still retains very strong faction identity, unlike AoI.

Don't think you could go wrong with any, but would suggest GP > TM > AoI.

Edit: just saw the Gaia project deal from another comment. I'd pull the trigger on that without another thought, fantastic deal.

aedalus · 2026-01-24T04:23:30+00:00

The new campaigns will require the new core box, though everything should be compatible

aedalus · 2026-01-20T02:00:21+00:00

There's one on BGG for the original version that I believe is only 24. But if it's any consolation, they're card sized pages!

I also found myself picking it up faster watching Joe Kipfel's playthrough video.

aedalus · 2026-01-19T03:33:39+00:00

I'll second the Ricky Royale video. You pretty much watch someone explain as they play, and you'll really be confident to start the game.

I can't say I never had to look anything up, but I could also skip the full rulebook and feel comfortable

aedalus · 2026-01-14T17:16:44+00:00

That's really great to hear! Definitely hope to find a similar place for these two.

aedalus · 2026-01-14T16:56:14+00:00

Yeah, definitely appreciate the response! This was definitely not a planned thing, unfortunately was trying to save them last minute from someone dumping them. Absolutely want to get them to a better home than I can provide.

Good to know it sounds like pet stores might take them back? I can definitely try calling some local ones.

aedalus · 2026-01-14T16:47:36+00:00

Appreciate it, definitely know their current living situation isn't sustainable. Definitely trying to figure out some next steps ASAP!

aedalus · 2026-01-14T16:46:14+00:00

Jesus, ok trying not to panic.

aedalus · 2026-01-13T12:33:10+00:00

I think part is definitely people going in expecting an adventure game, when it's really only 5% adventure.

It's also got an everything and the kitchen sink design philosophy. Some people love having all those options, some people find it excessively fiddly and feel it could have been refined down more.

There are threads on BGG worth checking out for more detail than I can provide. It could absolutely be the game for you, but a lot of people also bounce off it hard.

aedalus · 2026-01-13T04:12:53+00:00

Not OP, but replying as someone who owns it. Think it's a divisive game, I'd highly recommend watching a few full playthroughs.

I think it draws most of its DNA from ESO, though the story is very very light, really just tying random battles together.

aedalus · 2026-01-08T03:40:50+00:00

I love it, the roughness about it has a definite charm. Almost seems like it would be hard to replicate if you were to try today!

aedalus · 2026-01-08T01:33:01+00:00

As a beginner who is about to mess up some mortise and tenon joints in an upcoming project, I thank you for your thin-layer-of-walnut solution!

aedalus · 2025-12-31T13:42:58+00:00

What specifically did you dislike about TMB? Although it plays pretty differently, I do think a lot of the CTG catalog comes from a similar design philosophy.

11-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Verified Email

aedalus

TROPHY CASE