SNEAK PEEK SUNDAY - Inner Compass - AEG - Preview #boardgames MeepleGamers

SNEAK PEEK SUNDAY – Inner Compass – AEG – Preview

January 12, 2020

When AEG explained this game to me, I was automatically drawn in by the theme and by the game style.

Josh Hale

MeepleGamers

 10/10

Publisher: AEG

Designer: Asger Harding Granerud

Designer: Daniel Skjold Pedersen

Artist: Stephanie Gustafsson

Artist: Jeremy Nguyen

Game Type: Abstract

Game Type: Set Collection

Initial Year of Release: 2020

Age Range: 14+

Expected Playtime: 45-60 Minutes

Number of Players: 2-4

Theme and What is it?

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 6.5/10

So here’s the thing… This game is about feelings and your inner moral compass, as the game name implies. You would think that would be a very cool theme, and generally you would be right.

Here for me it is super cool, but a bit superfluous. The game discusses the idea of it, but never truly makes much use of it except for the end game goals for EP, emotional points, and in the art.

With that being said, I really love the theming, just wish it went a bit deeper.

Gameplay Mechanics

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Move. Take card (s). Trade cards for the market value. Place one of your squares in the space. Pay attention to scoring mechanics. Get lots of EP. End Game.

This is obviously a super oversimplification. But, it could be taught in this way. The game is not hard to learn, or teach, as any GREAT abstract should be. The end game generally depends on the players you are playing with. It can be brutal if you have one player racing towards the end, and the others not doing so. The penalty for not choosing your scoring mechanics is harsh.

Initial Impressions

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 8.6/10

When AEG explained this game to me, I was automatically drawn in by the theme and by the game style. I VERY much like abstracts generally.

This was not to be an exception. The game just had some really cool ideas. I like the bonus cards for properly planning movement, or being more flexible in your game plan.

The colors and art, call to me as well.

Game Build Quality

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 8.9/10

Nice cardboard, nice wood, nice presentation. There are some nitpicky things. But all in all, this is a great build, in a nice package. It fits very nicely on any game shelf.

Artistic Direction

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 10/10

This is where this game for me, really shines. The game art truly focuses on the theme. It has lots of feels.

The drawing of grandpa and grandma dancing is especially dear to me. My grandpa and grandma mostly argued. To see them dance even once would have been something that put a huge smile on my face.

This game art, got me in the feels.

Fun Factor

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 10/10

I like a good abstract, so for me, this is right up my alley. I think anyone else who enjoys abstract play will also enjoy this.

The set collection for a nuclear market is interesting (you’ll know what I mean if you play the game). The choosing your scoring mechanic is fairly unique.

Though not choosing is VERY painful to end game points. Truly truly painful. I like that.

Age Range & Weight

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 10/10

14+. This game is set at 14+, and I would say that is a pretty good estimation of the game, due to the scoring mechanics at the end of the game, as it takes a lot of future planning.

Witha that being said, my daughter, now 8, understand the basic ideas of the game.

Conclusions

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 7.9/10

I love the abstract nature of the game. It is pretty, and a solid game.

I can’t help but feel the lack of theming throughout the gameplay is a misstep. This does not change the game to a lesser game, but rather I feel it could have been so much more.

This game scratches so many itches. I would have liked to see that deepened throughout the game.