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What do you think of the current trend towards prettier games? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 6 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

15 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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] 15 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (3 children)

Generally good, but it seems like a lot of publishers mistake “nicer” for “bigger components and more plastic bits”

For example the super-deluxe Kingdom Builder is horrible to play because they greatly increased the board size and player area (crazy table hog), the cards are annoying to deal with because they’re huge, it’s really expensive, and now a fun 30 minute game is a 2 hour slog.

It has better table presence but … they kinda ruined it.

On the other hand a lot of games really needed just a bit more polish on the artwork (I’m looking at you, Glory to Rome, Brass, Global Mogul, and unfortunately many Mac Gerdts games.)

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

Have you seen the Glory To Rome Black Box edition? I think it had a limited run, but the design and artwork are absolutely beautiful! It’s such a contrast to the main version’s artwork!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

I want this version bad.

I've only played once with the cartoony version art.

While it was fun, the theming is important, and this minimalist art would change the mood entirely.

Similarly, I love the Innovation 3rd ed. artwork and would not consider playing another edition.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 days ago

I have a copy. It is some of my favorite game artworks in contrast to the original.

Very polarizing though. A lot of people hate it.