Status of the game, thoughts on balance, getting game out of beta
Posted: 27 August 2025, 17:47
I realize this forum does not get a lot of traffic. Most of the posting is done by me. This post is mainly intended for IvTuzovsky (the game designer) and MGoulet (The developer for this BGA implementation). Certainly, all input from anyone is very much welcome too 
This is one of my favorite games, and I am hoping this post leads to overall improvement in the game and getting it out of Beta.
I am wondering whether this game is still in active development. It has been in Beta for a long time now, with only a few remaining open bug reports. The last bug fix was more than 3 months ago.
There still exists the following issues:
1) Researcher not being resolved correctly
2) Turtle and Xander not being able to claim the 5 fully raised goal, despite an official ruling that such an action is valid
3) Theseus and Healer sometimes not being allowed to be played, even though a character should always be allowed to be played â and then perform as many of the required actions as possible (which might be no actions).
4) Adela effects possibly being resolved in the wrong sequence.
5) Mantaâs Leaderâs power is not consistent with the newest edition of the game, whereas all the other cards are. The newest edition gives Mantaâs Leader +1 power, not +2 power.
These are all described in the bug reports forum, except for Mantaâs leader, which I might create a new bug or suggestion report for.
Additionally, the instructions at the top of the screen might be confusing to some players:
â[Player_name] must play a character or complete a goalâ.
Actually, the options are âperform additional actions or play a characterâ. It is not necessary to say, âor complete a goalâ, especially since a goal cannot be completed on many of the turns. If a goal can be claimed, the goal circle lights up and flashes.
After resolving the effects of playing a character, the text changes to âYou may complete a goalâ.
Better would be âperform additional actions or end turnâ.
One final point â a suggestion that I believe would greatly improve the game:
Equalize the number of turns. (There is a rule in the Coral reefs expansion that suggests this for one of the ways to play.) Meaning, when someone triggers end-game, complete that round, then play one more round, with all players getting a turn in that final round, regardless of who triggered end-game.
I believe the base game needs this to have any balance. Using a 2-player game as an example: Player 1 has a huge advantage. There are numerous reasons, which I wonât go into here unless someone asks me to. I have studied this question extensively, based on my experience playing a large number of games, including many at a high level against strong opponents. Simply put: Allowing player 1 to trigger the end game and then gain an extra turn is an advantage worth 10-20 points. Drafting kings is nowhere near enough compensation to counter this imbalance.
I realize this would mean a major change, but it would be easy to implement here for the digital adaptation.
I can provide some very persuasive statistics and explanations if requested.
This is one of my favorite games, and I am hoping this post leads to overall improvement in the game and getting it out of Beta.
I am wondering whether this game is still in active development. It has been in Beta for a long time now, with only a few remaining open bug reports. The last bug fix was more than 3 months ago.
There still exists the following issues:
1) Researcher not being resolved correctly
2) Turtle and Xander not being able to claim the 5 fully raised goal, despite an official ruling that such an action is valid
3) Theseus and Healer sometimes not being allowed to be played, even though a character should always be allowed to be played â and then perform as many of the required actions as possible (which might be no actions).
4) Adela effects possibly being resolved in the wrong sequence.
5) Mantaâs Leaderâs power is not consistent with the newest edition of the game, whereas all the other cards are. The newest edition gives Mantaâs Leader +1 power, not +2 power.
These are all described in the bug reports forum, except for Mantaâs leader, which I might create a new bug or suggestion report for.
Additionally, the instructions at the top of the screen might be confusing to some players:
â[Player_name] must play a character or complete a goalâ.
Actually, the options are âperform additional actions or play a characterâ. It is not necessary to say, âor complete a goalâ, especially since a goal cannot be completed on many of the turns. If a goal can be claimed, the goal circle lights up and flashes.
After resolving the effects of playing a character, the text changes to âYou may complete a goalâ.
Better would be âperform additional actions or end turnâ.
One final point â a suggestion that I believe would greatly improve the game:
Equalize the number of turns. (There is a rule in the Coral reefs expansion that suggests this for one of the ways to play.) Meaning, when someone triggers end-game, complete that round, then play one more round, with all players getting a turn in that final round, regardless of who triggered end-game.
I believe the base game needs this to have any balance. Using a 2-player game as an example: Player 1 has a huge advantage. There are numerous reasons, which I wonât go into here unless someone asks me to. I have studied this question extensively, based on my experience playing a large number of games, including many at a high level against strong opponents. Simply put: Allowing player 1 to trigger the end game and then gain an extra turn is an advantage worth 10-20 points. Drafting kings is nowhere near enough compensation to counter this imbalance.
I realize this would mean a major change, but it would be easy to implement here for the digital adaptation.
I can provide some very persuasive statistics and explanations if requested.
