Osrpey Games Odin'S Ravens: A Mythical Race Game For 2 Players (Osprey Games), Multi

A very addicting quick game !!!

This is a very well balanced game. After 8 matches, I scored 4 victories, my partner 3 and we have 1 draw.All the victories were really tied, having won only thanks to the number of cards difference rule.Although it's a card game, thus intrinsically based at least in part on luck, the game mechanic brilliantly levels the odds.The Loki cards make the difference between winning and losing: been able to use them wisely will give you the most concrete chance to win.The rules are simple but effective, allowing for a good level of strategy.Plus it won't take long to start playing once you'll get the game, which I do really appreciate. (some games takes ages to learn about the rules..and then you have to explain them every time to new gamers)It's a quick game, that usually doesn't last more than 20-30 minutes.The level of replayability is good: thanks to the random generation of the playing field, you won't have two matches that are the same.That said, this is a perfect filler game when you want to take a rest from something more demanding,or you want to start the game night with something not too hard or bitter, but it's not suited for being the "main course" of your night, risking to become a bit boring after a few matches in a row.The artwork is very well made and in line with the spirit of the game and its background.Worth mentioning that two lands (the fjord and the mountain peak) appear a bit too similar: I'd change the image of one of the two for the next edition, making it more easily recognizable.Both me and my partner have more than once had issues recognizing which was which.All in all we are happy with our purchase and we'd buy it again.Number of Players: 2Play time: 20-30 minutes, very quick paced.Age: it says 8+ but a younger offspring could do (they're so smart nowadays).Attention: the 2 playing pieces are small so not suitable for small children.Box: the clamshell box is 22cmx16cmx3.5cm. Very compact and sturdy.Cards are each 10cmx5cm. You can take them our of the box and go on holiday with the game cause they won't take much space (see the pictures)

Bought this to take on holiday with my husband to Cornwall. He is hugely interested in Norse mythology. We had lots of fun playing this while drinking beer by the sea (when it wasn’t too windy). The cards are beautiful and the game has enough variables to keep things interesting without becoming too complicated. If anything, each round is over a bit too quickly, so best to break for more beer as you go along.

I really like this game though I seem to lose everytime. We tend to play it in the evening when the light is fading and I have heard complaints linked to the 'sameness' of 2 different cards' colour, namely the valley cards and the high desolate mountain cards. I was told it was sometimes difficult to tell apart. I must say a mountain card with more vibrant reds would make me happier. The cards are quite narrow and beautiful and it has happened that a card got stuck behind another one and discovered a bit too late in the game. Whether it is due to the narrowness of the cards or tiredness, I don't know. The raven tokens are a bit unstable but easily grabbed whether they are laying down or upright. I am not always sure which way they face either and it can be a problem when the ravens start coming back to finish circling the world. Aesthetically, it is a very beautiful game and I am in two mind regarding customising the ravens. I would recommend this game over 'Deep Sea Adventure' which I win easily but always leaves me with a feeling of dissatisfaction.

This game is good fun for a tired evening or for when a light duel is in order.Rules are very simple, yet the game feels fun and provides enough opportunities for decision making to be engaging. (not for a master strategist though)The artwork is beautiful and the materials feel good.The only thing I can really complain about is something that really is a more generic problem with board games. Please stop selling us half empty boxes, I love board games, but my storage at home is limited...

Good points: Very pretty artwork, simple yet challenging game and a brilliant theme. Only downpoints are: one of the rules (where if you don't have the correct card you can just sacrifice any 2 cards) seems a bit of a "we've hit a wall.... Ah well, make it up" feel to it, and I had to watch a YouTube video of it being played to really make sense of it all.My partner however couldn't get in to it at all and as such throw the cards down 5 minutes into the first match so now I've just got a pretty box filled with things that won't get used.But that's her fault, not the fault of the game!Future release ideas -- I'd LOVE there to be an actual fold away playing board, with scalloped "places" to hold the cards in line and pockets to put your piles, your disgards and the addition leftovers to stop them slipping or being knocked out of the way by bored cats (legit problem in this house) we don't own a table so had to play it on the floor as laying all the cards out in a line takes up room.And a simple "coin" to determine who gets to go first would be a nice addition (I made one using a piece of spruce tree cut off, a Woodburning pen and pencils - see 2nd and 3rd photos)4 out of 5Skål