Dropped $60 on a board game expansion and only played it once

I love cozy game nights with friends, so last month I bought the 'Rise of the Phoenix' expansion for a fantasy game I already own. Cost me $60 and I was so excited to add new mechanics and characters. But when we tried it out, the rules were way too complicated and it took three hours just to set up. Nobody wanted to play it again after that mess, so now it sits on my shelf collecting dust. Has anyone else bought an expansion or DLC that totally flopped for your group?

2 comments

2 Comments

hugo_nelson3d ago

Kinda feels like companies just got addicted to dumping rules on people instead of making stuff that actually flows. Same thing happens with a lot of hobby stuff these days, everyone thinks more rules = more fun but really it just kills the vibe.

emery_taylor3d ago

Ugh RIGHT? Hugo you NAILED it. Companies just keep piling on rules like it's some kind of badge of honor. I swear half these expansions feel like they were playtested by people who already know the base game inside and out and forgot what it's like to teach new stuff to a group. More complexity doesn't make a game better, it just makes it a chore. That whole "this adds so much depth" marketing line just means "good luck explaining this to your friends without a flowchart." I wish they'd focus on expansions that actually STREAMLINE things or add fun little twists instead of turning a 45 minute game into a 3 hour homework session.