Taluva | BoardGameGeek

Reply: Taluva:: Rules:: Re: Taluva FAQ

mazarane — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:24:39 +0000

Thanks very much for this - that's two rules I had interpreted wrong!:modest: - though I did at leastmake the right call on one other questionable point.

It didn't seem to do much harm but it's nice to know.

New Image for Taluva

spearjr — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:59:30 +0000

by spearjr

Yellow got 2 towers, while red made a mega-cty, but brown won in the ...

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New Image for Taluva

spearjr — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:30:40 +0000

by spearjr

Yellow got 2 towers, while red made a mega-cty, but brown won in the e...

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Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

GameRulesforOne — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:30:08 +0000

by GameRulesforOne

Joe_Salamone wrote:
Actually, I think I like the Solo Play version better than the regular game. The Solo Play rules force you to think a lot harder about tile and structure placement in order to optimize your score. My brain was fried after my first attempt.

I agree completely.

This is the reason I bought it. The only game in my collection bought almost exclusively for solo play.

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

joe_salamone — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:28:53 +0000

by joe_salamone

Actually, I think I like the Solo Play version better than the regular game. The Solo Play rules force you to think a lot harder about tile and structure placement in order to optimize your score. My brain was fried after my first attempt.

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

GameRulesforOne — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:52:55 +0000

by GameRulesforOne

Joe_Salamone wrote:
I played my first official Solo game yesterday. Score: 43 (okay, I guess).

I played one tile that I don't think is covered in the rules. I believe it was 1 type that touched on 3 sides (sand, if I remember correctly). To be conservative, I played it as the worst possible placement type and removed a building from the game. Is this correct?

Answer You are correct with the removal. If you do not match 2 types on your placing tile, to at least 3 sides, you will remove a hut.

43 for a 1st time is excellent. My 1st play was dismal somewhere around 20 I think.

This is one of the reasons I need to play test these to the nth degree because there are many gamers on the Geek who will figure out how to play the solo games much quicker than I. I don't want boredom to set in too quickly, if at all, with my designs. Gotta have a challenge.

Thanks for your questions and comments.

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

joe_salamone — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:52:58 +0000

by joe_salamone

I played my first official Solo game yesterday. Score: 43 (okay, I guess).

I played one tile that I don't think is covered in the rules. I believe it was 1 type that touched on 3 sides (sand, if I remember correctly). To be conservative, I played it as the worst possible placement type and removed a building from the game. Is this correct?

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

joe_salamone — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:19:57 +0000

by joe_salamone

Thanks . . . now I understand it clearly and am ready to play!

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

GameRulesforOne — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:56:27 +0000

by GameRulesforOne

joe salamone wrote:
Playing to the 2nd level.

AnswerAny tile placed on top of another must qualify as an eruption. So a volcano must cover a volcano in a different flow direction. However, if you have 2 volcanos next to each other on the island you can place your tile over 1 volcano and use the other as a wild to allow the placement of your tile. The "wild" tile is the one already on the island and not the one in hand. Note that the use of the wild placement does not entitle the player to another draw. You must make an exact overplacement with different lava flow to get the 3rd tile.
Let me know if you need a more detailed explanation.

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

GameRulesforOne — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:54:39 +0000

by GameRulesforOne

[Q="joe salamone]Playing to the 2nd level.
[B]AnswerAny tile placed on top of another must qualify as an eruption. So a volcano must cover a volcano in a different flow direction. However, if you have 2 volcanos next to each other on the island you can place your tile over 1 volcano and use the other as a wild to allow the placement of your tile. The "wild" tile is the one already on the island and not the one in hand. Note that the use of the wild placement does not entitle the player to another draw. You must make an exact overplacement with different lava flow to get the 3rd tile.
Let me know if you need a more detailed explanation.

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

joe_salamone — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:52:06 +0000

by joe_salamone

Sorry - - another question!

I just finished my first game (well, not much of a game, more like a very mechanical practice session to learn the rules). I want to make sure I understand the "wild" use of the volcano when playing a bonus tile. Does this mean if I have a match (such as a lake on level 1 and a lake on my bonus tile) I can place lake on my bonus tile on top of the lake on level 1, and arrange the tile so the volcano on my bonus tile is on top of ANY terrain type below it, thus using it as a "wild card"? If this is the case, what do you mean by the "lava flow" comment in the instructions? (If the volcano on my bonus tile is not placed on top of another volcano, how do I know that the lava is flowing in a different direction?)

Thanks again.

Reply: Taluva:: Reviews:: Re: its a good thing its pretty

otakugirly — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:22:18 +0000

by otakugirly

Thanks for the review.

I'll definitely agree it's a great looking game, but it's definitely not shallow in my opinion. The reason why me and my husband only play the occasional game is for the opposite reason to yours. Instead of the game being too simple or tedious we find it a very strategic and involving game, so much so that it ends up being like chess, all thought and no talk, and we prefer more social games where we don't have to think too hard. :laugh:

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

GameRulesforOne — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:32:10 +0000

by GameRulesforOne

Answers to Joe Salamone questions:
1. It is 4 points. I apologize for the wording. This bonus was inserted to limit the luck of the draw of the facedown tiles and to give the player another way to play the game.
2. In setup you create a stack of " faceup" tiles but to your point only 1 is faceup. The bonus applies to the tiles remaining in the "faceup" stack which includes the faceup tile and all tiles below it. The reason all of the tiles are not faceup is to prevent a look ahead situation.

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

joe_salamone — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:51:46 +0000

by joe_salamone

I just finished reading the rules, but I haven't played yet. I have a couple of questions:

1) Page 4 mentions bonus scoring as follows: "Subtract the number of unplayed faceup tiles from the remaining facedown." However, the example is just the opposite: 6 faceup - 2 facedown = 4. In this example, you are subtracting the facedown tiles from the faceup tiles, rather than the other way around. Which calculation is correct? 6 - 2 = 4 or 2 - 6 = -4 (which would be zero points)?

2) Maybe this will become apparent when I actually play, but when would you ever have more than one faceup tile? The rules seem to indicate that there is a faceup tile on one drawstack and you only turn another faceup when the current faceup tile gets used. Am I misreading this?

Thanks for posting all these SoloPlay rules . . . I have most of these games and I think these rules add a lot of value!

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

GameRulesforOne — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:47:37 +0000

by GameRulesforOne

Ambrose wrote:
I am interested in the Princes of Florence solo.

I was talking with a friend about the development of Princes into a solo variant and the ideas that I had. He expressed much skepticism about it. This one is definitely a challenge to develop and if the key mechanic provides the "variety" that I am looking for then it should work. Playing a quickie run through of the concept provided quite the challenge.

Not sure of the date of release on it but I will let you know when it hits the geek. I hate that Princes is getting neglected right now.

Thanks for your interest.

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

GameRulesforOne — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:42:33 +0000

by GameRulesforOne

34 is an excellent score if that was your 1st time playing.

This solo version is probably the "Wallace" of my solo variants.

I scored miserably the 1st dozen or so times I played but once you recognize the tile patterns and know the distribution the game changes into something else.

Getting all of the island tiles down coupled with some of the key point earners provides an enormous sense of satisfaction that I want to just sit and stare at the island for awhile to admire the accomplishment. More so then any other of the solo variants, IMO.

I would be misleading the solo player to say that it is easy to play but with a little patience it should come together for you.

To get a better feel for the island placement which is key to understand just play 20 rounds only placing tiles. This is almost a game unto itself. The addition of the "Taluva" structure placement coupled with the creation of the island is what complicates the matter.

I have received similar comments with my TtR solo games. I have turned a simple rummy game into a complicated "brain burner".

I like a challenge and I like variety. The SoloPlay version of Taluva gives those trying it a little insight into the challenge I enjoy in a solo environment. Perhaps a bit of an indulgence.

Thanks for your comment.

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

Ambrose — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:44:31 +0000

by Ambrose

I am interested in the Princes of Florence solo.

Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

s031720 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:22:27 +0000

by s031720

A bit of a brainburner.

34 points. Not sure how I feel about this soloversion, but I will probably try it again.

Reply: Taluva:: Strategy:: Re: Is the game broken? A 2P challenge to the masters of Taluva.

s031720 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:43:07 +0000

by s031720

Edited for clarity:

Alice will place tiles to make holes, and placing volcanos in a way so that BOB cant build a second lvl.
Bob in turn will place tiles to ensure that he can place 2nd lvl tiles in order to harass Alice. If not, Alice will get her settlement.
As soon as Bob makes a 2nd lvl tile possible, Alice will build it instead, this will ensure that BOB will have to spend more tiles to be able to attack Alices settlements with a 2nd lvl tile, all the while Alice completes her first temple.

Reply: Taluva:: Reviews:: Re: its a good thing its pretty

Midaga — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:47:58 +0000

by Midaga

As I mentioned earlier, I want to love Taluva, so I've tried it with different opponents since, but no luck so far. Somehow they fail to grasp the fact that this isn't a race-game, where you have to be the first who puts down the necessary pieces first, but a game where you have to screw up your opponent's plans. When I point it out for them, they seem hesitant because it's so pretty, they don't want to destroy the huts, or do any harm to this little paradise. Then the boredom kills everyone's brains. Then I want to destroy something beautiful. I feel like putting a bullet between the eyes of every panda that wouldn't screw to save its species. I want to open the dump valves on oil tankers and smother all those French beaches I'd never see. I want to breathe smoke.... oh, erm, mkay, sorry. But at least I have an idea where to look for opponents...

Reply: Taluva:: Reviews:: Re: its a good thing its pretty

mihair — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:09:28 +0000

by mihair

Thanks for the review.

I think Taluva is an okay game, and nothing more. It is not shallow, and it is quite replayable. Just not very engaging. I find that Attika is ten times more clever and more captivating.

Reply: Taluva:: Strategy:: Re: Is the game broken? A 2P challenge to the masters of Taluva.

westbrookgamer — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:55:28 +0000

by westbrookgamer

V, thank-you for your submission, though I am not sure it answers my challenge. However, I am not a great player of Taluva.

vappel wrote:
On turns 1 & 2 alice plays 2 huts with one space between them. These individual settlements are off limits to Bob.

Yes, but the space between them is not off-limits to Bob. Moreover, Bob has two turns against this, the first of which will most likely be adjacent to Alice (recall that my proposed strategy for Bob is just to drain Alice of pieces forcing her to lose by default). I may be missing something here - the remainder of your opening sounds quite convincing.

For those of you who think that this thread was posted as a criticism of the game, bear in mind how interested I am about it. Even if it is broken (and I am not convinced either way) it's certainly not trivial. Just because Checkers was solved doesn't stop it from being fun to play.

Reply: Taluva:: Strategy:: Re: Is the game broken? A 2P challenge to the masters of Taluva.

Barticus88 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:02:58 +0000

by Barticus88

RDHan wrote:
It does seem the one who wins is the one to get rid of temples first and then huts. It seems to be simply a race based on luck and who goes first.

There's very little luck in Taluva. The winner is almost always the first player to place all his Temples or Towers. The skill is in building the island such that you get to build your Temples or Towers before your opponent.

Reply: Taluva:: Reviews:: Re: its a good thing its pretty

Noofy — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:09:08 +0000

by Noofy

Hey Mike, play what ever makes you happy! You gave Taluva a go, you and your partner found it not to be what you expected, but you got it on the table and have obviously played enough games to work out where it 'fits' in your gaming library.
All kudos to you mate, for a forthright and short review. I'm sure there are many gamers who have bought this game for the 'pretty' aspect and never even played it!
I for one, really enjoy (especially two player) this tactical, deceptively deep and remarkably beautiful game.:)

Reply: Taluva:: Strategy:: Re: Is the game broken? A 2P challenge to the masters of Taluva.

RDHan — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 03:48:56 +0000

by RDHan

I just played my first game of Taluva - two player. I had heard much good about the game. But after my first play I sat back and thought about the same thoughts as westbrookgamer (not nearly so thought out and complex). It does seem the one who wins is the one to get rid of temples first and then huts. It seems to be simply a race based on luck and who goes first. I came on to the geek to see if I was missing something and found this forum. Perhaps a better game with more players, but I was dissappointed in my first play. Actually, better said, the first play was fun, but I am not sure how much replayability it will have.

New Image for Taluva

helioa — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:23:58 +0000

by helioa

RiaCon 2009

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Reply: Taluva:: Reviews:: Re: its a good thing its pretty

lemec78 — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:28:55 +0000

by lemec78

I never said my strategy was perfect, I said: "I found that one strategy worked well, and I never deviated from it." I never said I "solved" the game. I just meant that my strategy worked well. well enough that I always just did it without thinking about it. Heck I only won about 65%.

Reply: Taluva:: Reviews:: Re: its a good thing its pretty

jar_on — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:55:59 +0000

by jar_on

I suspect that I've played more than 100 games of Taluva with various people (a great thing to play while on a coffee break)... and I still have to see a strategy that works every time and needs little changes :D

What it is?

Reply: Taluva:: Reviews:: Re: its a good thing its pretty

Midaga — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:54:54 +0000

by Midaga

lengthtoavoid wrote:
You are not the first naysayer I have encountered but I am always curious what people miss about Taluva that makes them have such disdain for it.

While I full-heartedly agree with the review, I don't have any disdain for the game. On the contrary, I want to love it. I consider Taluva as a good game, pretty in the looks and pretty in the rules. It's just I don't really want to play it, neither anybody near me, and that can be the main reason for the lack of interest with those naysayers. While for some degree it's certainly true for any game, it appears that Taluva heavily depends on the opponents mindset, and if there isn't a close match, it doesn't work. Absolutely not like sex, as in it's good even if it's bad, without the passion Taluva seems to fail. OK, somewhere halfway I lost in the metaphor, but I hope it makes some sense for you.

Reply: Taluva:: Reviews:: Re: its a good thing its pretty

DarrellKH — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:38:09 +0000

by DarrellKH

I have to agree with the sentiment that Taluva is deeper than you give it credit for being.

Experience with the game among attentive players will demonstrate that each move has long-term implications. Two-player games of it can be very chess-like. The key to strategy in either case is determining as early as possible which combination of two building types it will take to win, or possibly how to exhaust your opponents of their villages (unlikely in competent play).

Reply: Taluva:: Reviews:: Re: its a good thing its pretty

sodaklady — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:07:54 +0000

by sodaklady

I can see where this would not be everyone's cup of tea but I can't see "simple" and "tedious" as the reason. The different qualifications to play each building, the ability to slow down another player by smashing his huts, the choice to build up or build out, and sometimes even leveling a portion of your own village as a tactic all keep this game from being the same every time I play.

I'd like to hear your strategy that works every time. I hadn't heard that Taluva had been solved.

Reply: Taluva:: Reviews:: Re: its a good thing its pretty

Man or Astroman — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:00:23 +0000

by Man or Astroman

I second Tom. Shallow? You must be missing something. Subtle, yes. Shallow, nope. And very pretty. I like this game quite a bit and for $30, what a bargain!

Reply: Taluva:: Reviews:: Re: its a good thing its pretty

lengthtoavoid — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:51:15 +0000

by lengthtoavoid

"shallow game play and lack of re playability" are never things I associate with Taluva.

I would be curious to see what strategy you came up with that works with EVERY game you play of Taluva because I find each game to be entirely different, based on who you are playing and how smart their actions are.

If you have only played this game a few times or with the same person many times, I could see you not seeing the non-subtle and subtle screwage that occurs in this title.

This is a mainstay on my table despite my growing number of titles. You are not the first naysayer I have encountered but I am always curious what people miss about Taluva that makes them have such disdain for it.

Honest review, in an case. : D

Review: Taluva:: its a good thing its pretty

lemec78 — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:06:37 +0000

by lemec78

Subject: it's a good thing its pretty
Taluva is an abstract tile laying game, where players represent gods that are trying to build up an island, and protect his people. Taluva plays 2-4 and takes 20-40 minutes depending on the level of experience.

A buddy bought and recommended this game, it looked pretty, the components were well made and quite nice to look at, and half way through the game it starts to look really cool like you are really building an island.

The game components are very attractive. The tiles are thick and colorful. The player pieces are well made. When the game gets going, and there are tiles built up to form the volcanic island, Taluva really shines.

The game play is simple. A player plays a tile, and places a either a village, temple or tower. The first person to use all of two types of building wins, play continues for 2nd and 3rd place. I enjoy abstract games, and this one seemed to fill a niche in my collection, sadly it was not to be.

When I bought it I had hoped it would be a staple for my wife and I. unfortunately the play gets a little tedious after awhile. I say this because it seems that I do the same thing every game, I found that one strategy worked well, and I never deviated from it. Another problem is that choices are limited; where to put the tile, and what building do I place, that is pretty much it.

Taluva is hard to table when there are other much better games to choose from. In fact the only reason it ever gets tabled nowadays is because it looks so nice, and we (my wife and I) want to show our non gamer friends a really pretty looking game that is easy to teach. This works well because these non gamer friends don't know any better games, and it gets them ready to play better games.

In conclusion; Though this game is very pretty it does not make up for its shallow game play, and its lack of re-playability.

New Image for Taluva

Brisse — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:49:03 +0000

by Brisse

Trying the game at Spiel -06

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Reply: Taluva:: Variants:: Re: SoloPlay Variant for Taluva is now available

elfrododumbo — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:17:45 +0000

by elfrododumbo

:) Absoltely fantastic !
I play a lot of games and some that I would love to play solo....you have made one other human being very happy.

Thanks.