Expansions are a big dilemma for me: as a newbye, I still need to understand if they are worth or not. I have bought several expansions since I have started the hobby two years ago and many are still unused. Sometimes they are quite complicated to be added to the main game, increasing time for the setup and then, I ask myself if it is worth to spend the time to learn them or actually focus on a new game.
One of the main drivers to buy expansions is FOMO, the idea that they could become very difficult to find or completely out of market like Troyes: The Ladies of Troyes (hopefully soon reprinted). So I try the game (or often without even trying as I save costs), I love the first play and want to be sure to get everything. The best example is Spirit Island: Finding the expansions Spirit Island: Branch & Claw and above all Spirit Island: Jagged Earth was quite difficult and thus, I jumped on them as soon I have seen them... but both of them are still unplayed and probably easily available in the market now...
To be honest, I like easy expansions that are focused to increase replyability and variety to the related game without changing any mechanics. Best example are Viticulture: Moor Visitors Expansion and Viticulture: Visit from the Rhine Valley that add additional cards (the first one) or change the feeling of the game (the latter) without adding any specific rules.
A big risk is that sometimes expansions ruin a game making it too complicated or changing somewhat the mechanics. In this case I look at 7 Wonders Duel, one of my favourite games. I love the plain vanilla game but 7 Wonders Duel: Agora makes it too complicated and the addition of conspiracy cards, increases the randomness.
Sometimes expansions are really big improvements of the original game and almost needed. In this case, I get a bit annoyed because I think they should have been part of the basic game. Not sure if it is a marketing strategy or simply the producer reacted to customer opinions. I look at PARKS: The basic game is ok although bonus cards are almost useless. The expansion PARKS: Nightfall fixes the issue and makes the game more enjoyable. The point is that the price of the game with the inclusion of the expansion gets quite high and a legitimate question is: Is it worth to buy both of them or should I look for something else?
For a price point of view, I like big boxes: Besides being well organized in a single box without taking too much space in the Kallax, they provide some expansions. Istanbul: Big Box is my best example. The box includes Istanbul: Mocha & Baksheesh, Istanbul: Letters & Seals and Istanbul: Caravan Leader Mini Expansion, great value for what you get.
In the end, I have changed my strategy now. Before buying, I try the game with some plays and only then, if I really like it, I move to the expansion. So I bought Dune: Imperium and although the great comments, I will only buy Dune: Imperium – Rise of Ix at a later stage if really in love with the game. If not in the market, I am sure I will find something else to move my attention on(this is getting my sentence against FOMO ;))
One of the main drivers to buy expansions is FOMO, the idea that they could become very difficult to find or completely out of market like Troyes: The Ladies of Troyes (hopefully soon reprinted). So I try the game (or often without even trying as I save costs), I love the first play and want to be sure to get everything. The best example is Spirit Island: Finding the expansions Spirit Island: Branch & Claw and above all Spirit Island: Jagged Earth was quite difficult and thus, I jumped on them as soon I have seen them... but both of them are still unplayed and probably easily available in the market now...
To be honest, I like easy expansions that are focused to increase replyability and variety to the related game without changing any mechanics. Best example are Viticulture: Moor Visitors Expansion and Viticulture: Visit from the Rhine Valley that add additional cards (the first one) or change the feeling of the game (the latter) without adding any specific rules.
A big risk is that sometimes expansions ruin a game making it too complicated or changing somewhat the mechanics. In this case I look at 7 Wonders Duel, one of my favourite games. I love the plain vanilla game but 7 Wonders Duel: Agora makes it too complicated and the addition of conspiracy cards, increases the randomness.
Sometimes expansions are really big improvements of the original game and almost needed. In this case, I get a bit annoyed because I think they should have been part of the basic game. Not sure if it is a marketing strategy or simply the producer reacted to customer opinions. I look at PARKS: The basic game is ok although bonus cards are almost useless. The expansion PARKS: Nightfall fixes the issue and makes the game more enjoyable. The point is that the price of the game with the inclusion of the expansion gets quite high and a legitimate question is: Is it worth to buy both of them or should I look for something else?
For a price point of view, I like big boxes: Besides being well organized in a single box without taking too much space in the Kallax, they provide some expansions. Istanbul: Big Box is my best example. The box includes Istanbul: Mocha & Baksheesh, Istanbul: Letters & Seals and Istanbul: Caravan Leader Mini Expansion, great value for what you get.
In the end, I have changed my strategy now. Before buying, I try the game with some plays and only then, if I really like it, I move to the expansion. So I bought Dune: Imperium and although the great comments, I will only buy Dune: Imperium – Rise of Ix at a later stage if really in love with the game. If not in the market, I am sure I will find something else to move my attention on(this is getting my sentence against FOMO ;))