Thanks for the review and explanation. I've really enjoyed the games of Metropolys I've played so far. It also looks like a game that I can introduce to non-gamers without much trouble. Even the cover-art seems aimed at drawing non-gamers in.
I disagree with your opinion of Caylus (yes, I know it's tongue in cheek). I've never seen a game last past 2 hours and it contains a timing mechanism with the Bailiff and Provost that moves it along quickly. It probably partly depends on the group though. Caylus isn't a game I break out till someone is comfortable with Settlers, Puerto Rico and other less complicated games.
Oh, I've always figured the title fit into the pattern because it's CaYluS.
I haven't seen the Metropolys board in person, but it seems to me the subdued colors might help the board be less garish and might help the buildings stand out. I also wouldn't be surprised if they were characteristic of art nouveau, but I'm not enough of an art historian to say.
I disagree with your opinion of Caylus (yes, I know it's tongue in cheek). I've never seen a game last past 2 hours and it contains a timing mechanism with the Bailiff and Provost that moves it along quickly.
When I played Caylus with a pusher I didn't have the problem with the length of game either. But then again he didn't like for us to talk about anything so it made what could have been an interesting social game a total bore to play. So I think if you have the right group Caylus can be a fund game, but that group is narrower than with many other games.
Thanks for the video review of Metropolys. Definitely piqued my interest in the game. After being disappointed with the last couple Ystari games, this new one definitely intrigues me.
I think all their original games fit into the pattern (i.e., not their reprints of games like Princes of Florence and Taj Mahal):
Ys Caylus Mykerinos Yspahan Amyitis Metropolys
They don't all have a Y immediately followed by an S, but they all have a Y and an S in the title.
It looks like their seventh (not counting Caylus Magna Carta) game, named Sylla (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/35761), will follow the trend, although be the first one to have the S come before the Y.
Last edited on 2008-06-16 23:01:36 CST (Total Number of Edits: 1)
Forgot to mention, I loved the faux Caylus review, but I do think you're playing Caylus with wayyyyy too many people if your games are taking more than 2 hours. I think 2 players is best, and 3 players is tolerable, and 4 or 5 players is crazy. As a 2-player game between players who've played at least once before, it should definitely be under 90 minutes, closer to 60 minutes for people who make gut decisions rather than optimizing.
Last edited on 2008-06-16 23:00:52 CST (Total Number of Edits: 1)
Forgot to mention, I loved the faux Caylus review, but I do think you're playing Caylus with wayyyyy too many people if your games are taking more than 2 hours. I think 2 players is best, and 3 players is tolerable, and 4 or 5 players is crazy. As a 2-player game between players who've played at least once before, it should definitely be under 90 minutes, closer to 60 minutes for people who make gut decisions rather than optimizing.
While the number of people certainly has an impact on the game length it also has a dramatic impact on the way most games, including Caylus, plays. That being said I'd like to try a few games of 2 player Caylus and see how it plays.
Forgot to mention, I loved the faux Caylus review, but I do think you're playing Caylus with wayyyyy too many people if your games are taking more than 2 hours. I think 2 players is best, and 3 players is tolerable, and 4 or 5 players is crazy. As a 2-player game between players who've played at least once before, it should definitely be under 90 minutes, closer to 60 minutes for people who make gut decisions rather than optimizing.
While the number of people certainly has an impact on the game length it also has a dramatic impact on the way most games, including Caylus, plays. That being said I'd like to try a few games of 2 player Caylus and see how it plays.
Yes, I completely agree. Not only is Caylus too long with 4 or 5 players, but it also too chaotic. You lose the ability to plan and have far less control. Just like with Through the Desert, Samurai, Hansa, Hey That's My Fish, Carcassonne, Louis XIV, or Torres. I prefer all of 'em with 2 players, for the added control and reduced between turn chaos.
Another fine review! I don't own any games with bidding mechanics, but this one has me interested. Now I just have to hope Rio Grande gets production going soon. I'm still waiting for my reprint of Galaxy Trucker!
Another great one from Scott (and I forgot to post a comment yesterday). It feels like ages since my see-all-the-episodes-I-skipped-the-last-time marathon. I'm looking forward to #50 and hopefully Agricola
Now I know why you don't like Caylus. I have yet to try it out myself, I've not even read the rules. But when I do, we will all be beginners and while I do learn fast I usually don't play too seriously; I don't get upset when people make bad moves in Puerto Rico. As others have mentioned I believe the fun of the game depends on who you play it with.
As for Metropolys I totally agree on the board, while we shouldn't be distracted by the city features inside th
Posted Mon Jun 16,2008 10:44 pm
So I think if you have the right group Caylus can be a fund game, but that group is narrower than with many other games.
Thanks.
