I wanna applaud two excellent reviews of Root that came out this week. When everyone at @LederGames was developing the game, the reviewers at @ShutUpShow were constant reference points. (thread, I guess)
We didn't know if their audience would like the game, but @d20plusmodifier and I adore the way Quinns and Matt and Paul think about games. Their review is completely fair. Root is as an ecosystem. The game demands a lot and can be, by turns, both compelling and exhausting.
The other review that I thought really got the game right was @factorygames's effusive review for There Will be Games. I've followed Barnes writing since I first started thinking seriously about games and design. Getting a positive notice from him was overwhelming.
The thing about both of these reviews that I admire so much, is that these critics take their responsibility to their audience really seriously and it shows. Root's overwhelming positive reception has always stuck me as odd. I knew the game would find admirers,
but the game remains a divisive and strange game. I am as gratified by reports of happy players as the many threads about player interaction (ahh kingmaking!) and, of course, really thoughtful reviews. If I'm being honest, those are some of my favorite things about this hobby.
All of this is to say, again, kudos to @ShutUpShow and @factorygames for producing two really provocative reviews about something that I know everyone at the @LederGames really cares about. Y'all are treasures.
