this post was submitted on 06 Apr 2025
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What do you think of the current trend towards prettier games? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 1 week ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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The last 5-10 years have seen an uptick in the trend of games having nicer and shinier bits and pieces. In my mind, the trend is best exemplified by Wingspan, which to me was a fairly average game wrapped in a beautiful package of glossy Cadbury eggs and pretty birds. I'm personally in favour of getting nicer bits and pieces for my games, but they are undeniably having an impact on prices (how much of an impact is something I'd find really interesting, let me know if any publisher has discussed the issue).

What do you think of this trend? Are you in favour of moving back to 100% cardboard chits, or do you like the newer, prettier boardgames?

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

I suppose it's similar to videogames and movie special effects, right? If it's just flashy with no thought beyond that then it's just going to wind up being expensive and soon outdated, whereas a strong and effective art style can do much more with less

I was somewhat drawn to Wingspan because of the aesthetics while I was lookong to buy a gift for a couple of friends recently, but the reviews of the mechanics put me off a bit. I have since acquired a copy for other reasons and while I have not yet played much, it does seem over complicated for what it's doing. I bought The Fox in the Forest for the couple instead and they seem to like that. It is very compact but everything has a lovely elegant style to it that was part of why I chose it