There is very little interaction for sure, really none beyond maybe making sure somebody doesn't get the piece they really need. It is a great game, though, in my opinion.
Neoprene mats of game boards are almost never worth it to me unless they can fit in the box. 12 is a lot of thickness, I’d rather just have the thin boards.
If you have all of those other tile laying games I don’t think you’re really missing out. Planet Unknown got some good traction mainly because of the simultaneous play with the lazy susan. I’m still happy to own it because I host 6 people often.
I think that’s the forte of PU. You want a game that’s super easy to explain, satisfying to play, plays the same speed-ish and time no matter the playercount and able to host up to 6 players?
PU is absolutely for you. Especially if your group doesn’t like player interaction.
I personally wouldn’t like lid lift to account for neoprene mats. I’ve never had any “bumping” or wear issues with the thin boards.
But I also only use neoprene mats for the occasional card game. I find it to mostly be an unnecessary luxury.
IMO, neoprene mats can be great for card games, but I don't see the value at all for a tile-laying games. Tiles are already easy enough to pick up and maneuver.
Also, Planet Unknown is probably a teeny bit simpler than Isle of Cats. The drafting, the card costs (fish), and the basket and speed mechanisms all add additional little considerations that aren't in Planet Unknown. It's a bit less tight since the entire decision space is which tile do you want, and where do you put it? The "how" isn't as important in PU as in IoC.
I tried PU a few times on BGA near the start of this current campaign because I almost got sucked up in the hype of all the different boards, a box that fully fits the lazy Susan, etc. I'm glad I did because it doesn't have the staying power for me that Isle of Cats does. It's a fine game, but meh.
Just my two cents.
Player Interaction and polyominoes are rarely part of the same game. Patchwork is probably the most interactive, which you own. A Feast for Odin has blocking (worker placement), but that is a meaty one. Foundations of Rome is certainly more interactive, although it takes up a dent in your wallet and a wing of your home.
Hard to say if Planet Unknown is worth owning for you. Do you need another polyomino game, or would you rather put the money toward a different type of game?
I was interested, tried it on BGA and wasnt convinced. Sticking to Arnak as midweight game for now. Biggest upside of Planet Unknown is that you can play it with 5-6 players without too much downtime which is rare for midweight games (7 Wonders is the only other game that comes to mind). For 2-3 players, there are better games imho.
Very solitary. That’s why I took it off my wishlist. I have a backlog of video games if I want to play alone. I do love the puzzle though. If interaction wasn’t a big deal for me I’d definitely grab this game for the theme, tile laying, and tracks.
I didn't have a good time with it at all. Very mtiplayer solitaire, which I don't enjoy - I want to play *against* people, not alongside them in silence. But also somehow everyone else was getting awesome fun combos and I was struggling to do anything. At the end I had half the score of third place.
You'd have a struggle to convince me to play it again, never mind buy it
Based on your post probably not.
I got it recently and like it but not blown away. Had mixed reactions from my game group.
It’s like a flip n write game where everyone gets unique options. It reminds me a bit of My City which I loved.
At this weight I think Barenpark is a better game. You are building your own park but there is more competition built into that game.
There is very little interaction for sure, really none beyond maybe making sure somebody doesn't get the piece they really need. It is a great game, though, in my opinion.
Neoprene mats of game boards are almost never worth it to me unless they can fit in the box. 12 is a lot of thickness, I’d rather just have the thin boards. If you have all of those other tile laying games I don’t think you’re really missing out. Planet Unknown got some good traction mainly because of the simultaneous play with the lazy susan. I’m still happy to own it because I host 6 people often.
I think that’s the forte of PU. You want a game that’s super easy to explain, satisfying to play, plays the same speed-ish and time no matter the playercount and able to host up to 6 players? PU is absolutely for you. Especially if your group doesn’t like player interaction.
thanks for the input! From what i understand the mats will still fit in the game box, but there will be lid lift.
I personally wouldn’t like lid lift to account for neoprene mats. I’ve never had any “bumping” or wear issues with the thin boards. But I also only use neoprene mats for the occasional card game. I find it to mostly be an unnecessary luxury.
IMO, neoprene mats can be great for card games, but I don't see the value at all for a tile-laying games. Tiles are already easy enough to pick up and maneuver. Also, Planet Unknown is probably a teeny bit simpler than Isle of Cats. The drafting, the card costs (fish), and the basket and speed mechanisms all add additional little considerations that aren't in Planet Unknown. It's a bit less tight since the entire decision space is which tile do you want, and where do you put it? The "how" isn't as important in PU as in IoC. I tried PU a few times on BGA near the start of this current campaign because I almost got sucked up in the hype of all the different boards, a box that fully fits the lazy Susan, etc. I'm glad I did because it doesn't have the staying power for me that Isle of Cats does. It's a fine game, but meh. Just my two cents.
Player Interaction and polyominoes are rarely part of the same game. Patchwork is probably the most interactive, which you own. A Feast for Odin has blocking (worker placement), but that is a meaty one. Foundations of Rome is certainly more interactive, although it takes up a dent in your wallet and a wing of your home. Hard to say if Planet Unknown is worth owning for you. Do you need another polyomino game, or would you rather put the money toward a different type of game?
Is anything really worth owning? Isn’t it about the friends we make along the way … and letting them spend the money?
I was interested, tried it on BGA and wasnt convinced. Sticking to Arnak as midweight game for now. Biggest upside of Planet Unknown is that you can play it with 5-6 players without too much downtime which is rare for midweight games (7 Wonders is the only other game that comes to mind). For 2-3 players, there are better games imho.
eh. it's on BGA
what IS really worth owning
Very solitary. That’s why I took it off my wishlist. I have a backlog of video games if I want to play alone. I do love the puzzle though. If interaction wasn’t a big deal for me I’d definitely grab this game for the theme, tile laying, and tracks.
I didn't have a good time with it at all. Very mtiplayer solitaire, which I don't enjoy - I want to play *against* people, not alongside them in silence. But also somehow everyone else was getting awesome fun combos and I was struggling to do anything. At the end I had half the score of third place. You'd have a struggle to convince me to play it again, never mind buy it
Based on your post probably not. I got it recently and like it but not blown away. Had mixed reactions from my game group. It’s like a flip n write game where everyone gets unique options. It reminds me a bit of My City which I loved. At this weight I think Barenpark is a better game. You are building your own park but there is more competition built into that game.