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this post was submitted on 05 Aug 2023
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Being a fan of engine/tableau builder, Wingspan really disappointed me. It's not a bad game. It a very nice game, but the flow is average, at most.
Depicts some interesting ideas that push me to buy it with it's first expansion (goal board, mix of engine and tableau building) it's hugely luck based and the fact this game is rated 8+ on BGG, that tends to rate games mostly on advanced mechanisms and long run, is still a mystery to me.
I give it 5 plays with different peoples. Yet, I had no fun at all (I mean, zero… Watching flies around was the funniest part of my last game, sadly)… Then I played 51st State, which is a very good (yet not awesome) engine builder and have instant fun from start to end. The feeling of controlling things.
There are some highly rated games on BGG, and while I like some better than others, the ratings never seems off to me. Like “mmh, OK, I see why peoples like it”. But this offset has never been so huge with Wingspan.
So yes, I have it on my shelf, I watch its wonderful box like a disturbing mirror of my gaming tastes, knowing it's praised by many, but I could almost try to find another table just when someone come up with the idea, while I usually really force myself to play games with different peoples because I know you will make peoples happy.
First time in my 20y of gaming, and it makes me feel so weird.
Thanks for reading me.
The only saving grace for Wingspan fore are the achievements in the digital version. I enjoyed having some bizarre setups needed to unlock the chievos and as a result I got better at the game I feel and was able to sort of get around the luck of the draw style.
What sent Wingspan into the stratosphere of popularity was more tapping into the non gamer middle age market with articles like the NYTimes.com at the time spreading the word.
Had it not pulled a Wii (a term I use when a company attracts a new demographic) I imagine Wingspan would have hovered around or above Viticulture popularity.
Reminds me Pokemon Stadium and Star Realms. The fast pace of digital versions improve your skills very quickly and gives new perspectives to the games. Maybe Wingspan is simply to slow paced for me.
One Deck Dungeon is another one where I had this experience. The ability to easily experiment with undo and retry has helped me get better at the game on the table too. And I am not sure that I'd have tried two-handed solo otherwise which is a fun way to play the game.
A good expression for the situation. Wingspan's success is definitly to a large part because of it's accessibility. Every problem you have (no cards, food, eggs) has an immediate, guaranteed and obvious solution. Everything you CAN do improves your position. And if you play on the blue side there is barely any direct competition in the game. There's no way to shoot yourself in the foot. There is no requirement to plan ahead.
But it does have some potential to plan ahead, optimize and compete for those who want to.
It also doesn't fall into any of the typical setting tropes like fantasy or sci-fi that might put some people off. It's production values are pretty enough to catch some eyes.
I wanted to like Wingspan but, like you say, it's maybe something with the flow that just turns me off. Same for Parks. Maybe I'll make do with just ogling the cards (because the art/graphics are gorgeous in both) vice playing with them haha
Getting into tableau/engine builders games. Any recommendations?
Wingspan is still worth checking out especially since it's so easy to try on BGA. There is a reason it's so popular, it works well for many people. Everdell is another very popular one with great production. Kinda falls into the same camp in that it often shows up on these "popular games that didn't work for me" lists but it's quite good for what it is.
On the smaller side Wild Space can be a good entry point. Small box, inexpensive, very easy to play, fun combos.
Or if you want to jump straight into the deep water and go for the best that's Lorenzo Il Magnifico for me. Deus is another one I like a lot but that has a map component too.