Tuesday
Dec282010
Tom Vasel Video Review of Yomi
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 2:11AM Tom Vasel did a video review of Yomi. As I said before, he's one of the most respected board game reviewers out there, so it's a real honor to see his glowing review.
Reader Comments (32)
I don't find it that mystifying that you manage to beat MtG on the value-for-money front, since all you need for that is to not be a complete and total ripoff. Regardless, it's commendable that you're not going the CCG route, even if that still doesn't help a lot as far as I'm concerned.
My problem with the 2-packs is that six characters is cutting it a bit close in terms of variety - and if you're going to get any more than that, might as well just buy the full package.
Anyway, speaking of the alternatives: what are the plans for the online version in the future? Will it remain a free promotional tool, or will it get a price tag once it's finished? In case of a relatively obscure game like this, one could argue for either option, so I was wondering which you had in mind.
Also, any chance of adding an alternate set of images to the print-and-play version, where the cards don't have the help text? I really like this option in the online version, and it would be nice to have the same choice in the physical one, if I'm the one who's going to print it all out anyway.
I had two points about being cheaper than MTG. You hit upon one of them, the avoiding random packs of rares. But if you just look at their precons as standalone products where you know exactly what you're going to get, even *those* are $10+. So I'm saying it's incredible I can even get close to that.
The online version needs more polish and features, but eventually it will probably offer both free and paid ways to play.
Print-and-play with no help text is possible, but I just don't have time right now. I'll think about that for the future though.
It's really cool that a guy that doesn't seem to know much about fighting games and hasn't really been following the development of Yomi has seen how awesome Yomi is, especially since he has such an apparent influence in the "physical" gaming community. Congratulations on the positive review.
Yean, no kidding BlueLambency. When I sent it to him, I was even like "I don't know if this is your thing, but here you go..." because I wasn't sure how he'd see a really competitive, fighting-game themed card game. But apparently he "love, love, love, love, loves it." Yay.
Tom's review exposed me to your games and after trying it online and playing a couple PnP decks with a friend at work I have ordered it. Personally, I think this game could do very well on the iPad (and possibly the iPhone with the right UI). Is that option under consideration down the road? I personally love the physical cards but I know I would get to play it more digitally.
I do find it a bit expensive, mainly because I'm coming from a different frame of reference. For me this is a single self contained game more akin to Dominion than MtG. Dominion costs $28 for a 500 cards basic set online or for a 300 card expansion. $100 for a complete set puts it indefinitely in the really want to have but will buy another game on my list first category. Considering that my games need to be shipped internationally, this will probably but the price even closer to $150 after shipping and VAT. A single set or PnP doesn't appeal to me as much.
Don't get me wrong, I think what you are doing is great, it's just that there is a huge market of games vying for our attention and the price is a barrier.
Thierry: I could always release something with rares and random packs, next time. It would only be like $5 for a pack! (Well, $300 for one deck that way, but you won't notice.)
Seriously though, $10 per deck is a very good value. Check that compared to MTG pre-cons, Summoner Wars, Blue Moon, etc. Counting number of cards in Dominion is a silly comparison, in my opinion.
Why is a comparison to Dominion (or Thunderstone, Ascension, etc.) silly. Dominion could've gone the CCG route as well with random sets of ten cards. I do not play CCGs because I think they are a rip-off. Being happy that the prices are lower than Magic is similar to a jeans manufacturer being happy they could beat Versace on price. You are buying a brand/system/competition environment when buying Magic. You can play MtG very cheaply if you don't care of having competition level decks.
I was going to say that Summoner Wars are cheaper as well, but I see that Yomi retails online at CoolStuffInc for only $17, similar to SW. I'll add a couple of sets to my next order.
Theirry: Summoner Wars is soooo not cheaper. MSPR is the same for 2-decks of that or Yomi, except that Yomi has higher quality cards, and Summoner Wars only has like 35 cards per deck. Counting cards per deck is a dumb way of figuring out cost, but hey, just saying that Summoner Wars is significantly more expensive on that, and even MORE if you try to buy the whole thing. $10 per deck is a steal for Yomi.
I'd urge no one to buy from CoolStuff. They're violating my policies now, and they will be cut off in time. Sirlingames.com is the only authorized online seller. If you're looking to spend less than $100, I urge you to buy a 2-pack for $25, the print-and-play for $15, or play for free online, rather than support a violator. But it's up to you!
Maybe the reason people view Summoner Wars as better value for money even at the same price is because it's perceived to offer more gameplay variety per faction? After all, you get an army with a bunch of different dudes, as opposed to just a single character. Same deal as with something like Starcraft and Street Fighter: 3 sides to pick is perfectly fine in the former, but would be considered quite low in the latter.
Note, this isn't saying anything about the actual gameplay depth of Yomi or Summoner Wars, I'm only talking about apparent depth, which may well be deceptive, one way or the other.
In episode 195 of his podcast, Tom Vasel even chose Yomi as his #1 GAME of 2010. Congrats!
great review! been into fighting games for years and just got into tabletop card games, totally sold me on it, much appreciated! looking forward to playing with my slow reflexed friends that were too scared to play fighting games.