Burgle Bros.

[IMG]https://cf.geekdo-static.com/mbs/mb_17587_1.png[/IMG]

I've played this enough to know that it's a great co-op game. There hasn't been a time when playing this game that we all weren't scheming and involved. Most Co-Ops have a lot of downtime, and while there may be table talk, other players actions may not necessarily be too important. This game has all players involved. It's as tense as Pandemic, with a heist theme that makes it highly approachable.

Snazzy coop, and an excellent usage of artwork to enhance the feel of the game. This feels less mathematical than Pandemic et al in that the rooms (at least in the full 3 floor game) are less logical in it's procedural involvement and more adventure for the first half of the game (while exploring rooms). In that regard, it is sort of an adventure; sometimes you play and the room locations work out great, and other times you're on the first floor and run into 3 consecutive deadbolts and never escape the guard. To say that it's not logical though is a fallacy; there is usually an optimum move and with a lopsided group, the QB problem still exists (compared to say, Eldritch Horror where it's reduced further IMHO).

The end game I think is where it becomes a normal coop that folks are accustomed to; the rooms are revealed, you're just trying to get onto the roof. There is something that is both satisfying and grating about having the game be rooms which are revealed and the guard's movement be somewhat known. I don't have any idea how to improve it in terms of late game.

At taking close to 2 hours to play a full game (and win), it sort of overstays it's welcome. To that end, it's a game that I find I enjoy playing, but unlike Eldritch Horror where I get excited to play it once in a while, this I could play more often, but I'm not particularly passionate about it. It's neat, cute, and enjoyable (all generally helpful characteristics in games), but it's sort of drab or lackluster in it's awesomeness. Very much worth trying, and Fowers should be proud of it.

A lot of fun, very engaging, fantastic artwork and a captivating theme, the tension is palpable as the situation escalates. The first cooperative game in my collection, and I don't feel a need to rush out and buy another coop game any time soon. I'd consider giving this a 9 (my initial score: 8.5) but I'll wait and see how I feel after a few more solo and group plays. The packaging is also worth mentioning, very compact and stylish.

2017-04-07: Having played this 12 times in the last 3 months (with 2 players and 4 players) we've had a blast every time. After the first few plays, we realised we'd misinterpreted one or two rules and had made it easier to win. Subsequent plays have been more challenging, particularly with 4 players, which only sharpens our enthusiasm.

This is an absolute blast to play. It can be very challenging, especially with 4 people. It took us a couple of games to really get a feel for it. Every game is different and after about 7 games still feel like we are learning new strategies.