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Joseph Gesumaria
United States
New Jersey
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Here we go, my second review. Once again this is much less a review as it's a view of the game from the POV of our casual gaming group. For those who didn't read my 7 Wonders review I play my games at our FLGS every friday. The event is about 4 ours long and varies from 5 to 28 people all comming and going. The atmosphere is very casual and so it makes certain game hard to play.
This review aims to review the positive aspects of the game that our group has found.I'm hoping that others with similar groups or interest in the game can see what we think of this wonderful little product and see if it's right for them.
 Seating: Seats 2-5. Some games this is a problem because although it says 2-5 it really means 4-5. With 'Through the desert' this is not the case. We felt it scales really well with the different number of players and was fun all the same. The board has a "scaling" mechanic and "shrinks" and certain amounts of pieces are removed or added as well.
Length: The game lasts about 45 min but we found that depending on number of players and familiarity with the game this can be shorter. Some players meet a sort of "analysis paralysis" due to all the colors and "options" but after the first game most people speed up considerably. The length of this coupled with the above seating number makes it a great beginning of the night game. While everyones cycling in it can be easy to finish up quick and resplit for other games or even just stop after the first round or 2 to add more players. A good early night game or coupled with another quick game can make a nice duo.
 Ease of explination: This one is good and 'Eh' depending on the people you're explaining it to. I've explained this game to about 15 people now and some people (no matter what backround or experience in gaming) get confused over 2 things. The first is closing off sections. After the first game this clears up IMMEDIATELY but that first game some people get upset because they didn't get it so they miss out on some points. The second hang up is usually that they can't place their yellow camel next to a yellow camel of an opponent. For some reason even though it's obvious after the first 10 minutes playing "Why", most people can't understand or at least forget this rule untill they try to do it 5 times haha.
Once again, these are minor things and cleared up QUICKLY but due to our gaming group being the way it is we usually only play a game once or twice and then it disapears for a while since theres alot of people and other games to be played. This makes getting it "Right the first time" failry important. Still trying to find that golden way to explain to make sure everyones got it "Down" the first time. Last time I set up "examples" around the board and it worked really well but added about 5 min to the playtime.
Components: This is probably peoples favourite part. The little camels are not only really cool but cute, functional and fun to look at with the little riders on them. So far the 10+ games I've played have all began with "These look like candy, can I eat them?". This also makes the game decent for our group because it strikes people. When they're walking in or getting a snack or something most people who haven't seen it stop, look, and then want to play when we're done. It's nice to not have to "sell" a game to people to get it to the table. Some games while VERY fun are kinda not pleasing to look at or exciting to see and want to sit down to play.
Mastermind or Rollplayer?: How random is this game? How easy is it for a vet to Blow out someone who just learned it? So far it is a little strategy heavy as someone who's played 10 times will likely have a slight edge over the first timer. The colors are a little much for some newer players to focus on all at once, and starting placement also is a little daunting if you haven't quite grasped the game yet. This still stays away from a sad face and stays neutral because coupled with the ease of explination after the first game almost everyones on the same playing field. There isn't much SUPER META game that's here to allow one player to trounce the others. Once everyones grasped the mechanics and scoring most people are right there competing easily with anyone. It stays away from a happy face as well just because with our group Most games are 1-2 plays for most of our people before they wanna try something else even if they like it. Just the nature of a public casual atmosphere.
One more thing on the strategy. Coupled with time it's not a big deal. the game isn't long like a "Risk" or something where if you're getting beaten it feels like it takes for ever. Most times the "winner" isn't really too obvious and it keeps everyone guessing and trying and no one gets "Frustrated" which is very important.
Over all, our group loves this little game. They love the camels they love the idea and strategy of it. Everyone enjoys the play whether they win or lose. This may be the length or the theme or the mechanics but it just works. People like to play it and so far it's a gem that gets requested for me to bring back.
I hope you liked this little write up and that it helps you decide whether "Through the Desert" is right for you and your group. Ours loves it and I have a feeling it will be making apearances for years to come.
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Andy Andersen
United States
Newark
Delaware
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Thanks for a solid review. My wife and I played it today and she declared me the winner as she had not closed a section. She didn't want to score it but I insisted because with the number of sections I had closed I was finally going to beat her. So we scored it - with all of the points she got for longest trains and oasis points, she beat me 70-68. She laughed so hard she started tearing up.
Moral of the story - When your wife declares you the winner, accept it immediately and move on quickly
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Posted Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:27 pm
