The Vale of Eternity

Great with 3 players

Tighter-than-usual card drafting game with some interesting restrictions on how you can build out your tableau, as you do the same thing in every other game of this genre and try to find synergies in those cards to get your engine whirring faster.

I like this game enough that I probably won't ever turn down a game of it, although if there's ever a second version, I'd love for them to do something about the readability of the cards since it's almost impossible to parse them when they're facing upside down from across the table.

This is a combo/engine building game. Players play 10 rounds to try to get the most points that they can from the 10 cards that they can play out in front of them.

The mana system and the limit of cards in play based on the round is interesting and provides a nice tight game.

Easy to learn game. Probably best to play with 2 or 3 players if you're allergic to downtime, but I've played it on a 4 players configuration, and besides the first game that was a bit long, the next one was quick (and tense !). A masterpiece.

Tried on BGA, then had a second play a while later in real life (had almost completely forgotten the first play). Game felt too long at 4p and really slows down at the beginning of each round as each player looks at all the cards available. Winner likely decided by randomness.

First play impressions: very good! It's a cracking game - with very simple rules, simple cards, loads of combos (clearly) and some satisfying zip to card runs. I like it and want to play more.

Fast, easy to learn, satisfyingly tight engine builder. I like the constraints on gems and played cards. Some cards or combos might be OP. Excellent production value combined with appropriately sized box make for a great game.

Small Box