Reddit reviews Stonemaier Games Viticulture Essential Edition Board Game

This is for Christmas and your son wants to be surprised... you gotta go for something big / rare / hard to find. My key for gift giving is to get them something they want, but wouldn't spend the money on themselves. So with that in mind, consider the following:

1. 7th Continent - Late Pledge This game just finished a hugely successful campaign on Kickstarter. You can late pledge for your son and he will get a copy of the game in 5-6 months and a massive expansion 6 months after that. It's the gift the keeps on giving! Rookie Pledge is $129 + Shipping (https://the7thcontinent.seriouspoulp.com/late_pledge/).
   
   Guessing a college kid on a budget won't have spent that kinda money, but it's the perfect game for college kids... the intro game takes about 15-25 hrs to complete... College kids don't sleep or do homework, so they've got nothing but time!
   
   
2. The Gallerist or Vinhos: Deluxe Edition (links below). These are both heavier and meatier games than most of what he's got, but with Agricola, he certainly is trending toward meatier fare. The production value on these 2 games is out of this world and the games are really excellent. Again, you're looking to wow your son as opposed to just getting a bunch of games he could pick up at Target or Barnes & Nobles for cheap.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-EAG01653-The-Gallerist/dp/B013EKAFG6
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Gryphon-Games-Vinhos-Deluxe/dp/B01M10GAMH/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1510110859&sr=1-1&keywords=vinhos+deluxe+edition
   
   
3. Mechs vs. Minions - This game was all the rage about 2 yrs ago and sold a limited print run like hotcakes. It has by FAR the best production value when compared to the cost of the game. At $75, it's clear the developers are taking a loss to produce it. The game is lots of fun and has a resetable campaign system for playing a series of games that impact one another. It's a fun co-op game that also has some loose ties to the League of Legends video game series... guessing your son either knows about the game himself or has friends who play. You can still buy it direct from Riot Games for $75 on their website (link below).
   
   https://na.merch.riotgames.com/en/other/board-games/mechs-vs-minions-wave-2.html
   
   OK, so maybe you don't agree with me and just want to get less "wow" games and opt for less expensive stuff. Here are some I'd recommend that fit in with what else he has and are really solid games:
   
   
4. Viticulture Essential Edition - https://www.amazon.com/Viticulture-Essential-Edition-Board-Game/dp/B018GRSLK4/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1510111425&sr=1-1&keywords=viticulture+essential+edition
   
   
5. Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 or Season 2 -
   https://www.amazon.com/Pandemic-Legacy-Board-Game-Red/dp/B00TQ0DXR2/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1510111465&sr=1-1&keywords=pandemic+legacy+season+1&dpID=61KfsUq70hL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
   
   https://www.coolstuffinc.com/p/246156?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o1&scid=scplpZMGZM7173&sc_intid=ZMGZM7173&gclid=CjwKCAiA0IXQBRA2EiwAMODil8oluqWEzLnRbAkvBGu482ZVZqRruEjXtyS1yuQmaSNFSAAjSt-kRRoCchQQAvD_BwE
   
   
6. Keyflower - https://www.amazon.com/R-D-Games-RDG00166-Keyflower/dp/B009AP8XS2
   
   
7. Scythe - https://www.amazon.com/Stonemaier-Games-STM600-Scythe-Board/dp/B01IPUGYK6/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_21_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XP1QCV9604G3XSVXRM9Z
   
   
8. Manhattan Project - https://www.amazon.com/The-Manhattan-Project-Board-Game/dp/B007GC2R6K/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1510111605&sr=1-2&keywords=manhattan+project
   
   
9. Secret Hitler - https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Hitler/dp/B01JKD4HYC/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1510111643&sr=1-1&keywords=secret+hitler
   
   
10. Archipelago - https://www.nobleknight.com/Product/2147481593?utm_source=boardgameprices.com&utm_medium=price-search&utm_term=archipelago
    
    This is a near mint condition version... game appears to be out of print, but it's a spectacular game!
    

7 Wonders · $30

Azul · $21

Crypt · $14

Great Western Trail · $55

Lords of Waterdeep · $30

Mysterium · $40

Photosynthesis · $35

Root · $50

Scythe · $40

Secret Hitler · $35

Terraforming Mars · $49

Viticulture Essential Edition · $46

Wingspan · $55

​

Total: $500

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Didn't really think this through lol, had to remove Skullport because I had gone over by $25. I obviously couldn't include some classics, but I tried to make it somewhat varied and accessible for everyone.

>I'm fairly new to the scene and I don't know themes very well, but I liked the aspect of Puerto Rico, Waterdeep, and Kingsburg where you choose roles and make strategic decisions rather than being too luck based.

It sounds like what you're looking for is an economic "worker placement" game. Agricola is considered one of the best worker placement games around. Plenty of strategy, while still being simple at its core.

Viticulture is also another great economic/farming game about wine-making. It was created by one of my favorite game designers, Jamey Stegmaier (of Scythe fame). Also a fairly simple, yet strategic game.

[Affiliate Link to support the sub](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018GRSLK4/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=boardgamede0d-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B018GRSLK4&linkId=16fa37d868ebdc0f82a907f57f613ccd
)

Viticulture (affiliate)

Viticulture (non-affiliate)

Viticulture: Essentials Edition is always super fun. It's a worker placement game where you draw vine cards, plant the cards, harvest the grapes, then turn the grapes into wine. One of my favorites. I've played it solo multiple times, and I still can't seem to beat it. Maybe I suck, but still. Tons of fun either solo or with friends.