Congrats
Small note, there is an (optional) change of rules in 2 player games, which was default enabled, as was the case on your game table #278867038
Normally being in Tokyo rewards you Victory Points, but in the change of rules, you get Energy instead.
As you didn't really know how the game works, you probably didn't know how Tokyo functions.
I suggest a 4 player game is better to get to know how it works. Mind you, play first without any expansions as otherwise you'll be overwhelmed by the amount of information.
It's kinda like Yathzee, roll 3 times, set dice aside.
1,2 and 3 will gain you Victory Points if you roll at least 3 of the same faces.
[1] [1] [1] will give you 1 VP, every extra [1] you roll will give you 1 extra VP
[2] [2] [2] will give you 2 VP, every extra [2] you roll will give you 1 extra VP
[3] [3] [3] will give you 3 VP, every extra [3] you roll will give you 1 extra VP
Hearts make you heal up, but they do not fuction while you are IN Tokyo.
The claws make you attack the players who are not in your "zone". You are either IN Tokyo, or OUT of Tokyo. Those IN attack the OUT, those OUT attack the IN. Attacked players may optionally leave Tokyo(so they can heal), and the Monster who was OUT goes IN.
SquashEngineer wrote: ↑29 June 2022, 21:48
Getting cards (not sure how or when to use them.
Rolling Energy bolts will give you Energy, which is an ingame currency to puchase Power Cards, which give you additional powers.
KEEP cards stay with you and continue working, DISCARD cards are 1 time use only and activate immediately.
SquashEngineer wrote: ↑29 June 2022, 21:48
I didn't understand what the value of being in Tokyo, or leaving Tokyo is? When should I go in, When should I leave?
It depends, being in Tokyo is rewarding, but you have to take into account it makes you vulnerable to atatck of other players. But you can also spread your attack around(1 claw hits all players)
SquashEngineer wrote: ↑29 June 2022, 21:48
I had 7 hearts - my opponent had 9 hearts. All of a sudden the game is over - I'm down to zero hearts and he's still at 9. Can you sweep a guy in one turn all the way from 7 hearts? What happened? Did he get a massive number of claws in one turn (how possible?) BGA replay was awful.
You were at 4 Hearts, not 7 Hearts. Your opponent rolled 3 claws and added another extra claw with his Power Card, Spiked Tail.
Try again with 4 players, stay a bit on the background at first, watch what strategies the other follow, are they attacking a lot, or saving up Victory Points(stars)? Pay attention to those who hoard Energy, they can change the gameplay in an instant.
(edited some typoes)