The Heavy Game Paradox: More Rules ≠ More Fun

@nofillerplease · 3w · 656 views

I've been playing heavier games for years and I've noticed something: the games I rate highest aren't the heaviest ones.

Brass: Birmingham (weight: 3.86) is my #1. Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition (weight: 4.35) is in my top 5. But Ark Nova (weight: 3.80) bores me because half the rules feel like overhead rather than meaningful decisions.

The best heavy games have high decision density — every rule serves the player experience. The worst ones are heavy because of bookkeeping. Does anyone else feel this way?

4 Replies

@heavyCardboard 3w

This is the \

@ResourceMgr 3w

I track \

@cube_pusher 3w

This is why Lacerda games are so divisive. Some people see elegant interlocking systems. Others see an accounting simulator with a board game wrapper.

@AnalysisParalysis 3w

You just described why I love Brass: Birmingham and hate Food Chain Magnate. Same weight range, completely different ratio of \