Tabletopia
- February 7, 2018
- Tabletopia
- 6h median play time
Tabletopia is a digital platform for playing and creating board games, offering a realistic experience with no AI enforcing rules. Its diverse catalog includes popular games like Champions of Midgard, The Shipwreck Arcana, Hansa Teutonica, Sub Terra, Burgle Bros, and Tuscany, supporting solo, hotseat, and online multiplayer modes. Users can also create and promote their own board games within the platform.
Reviews
- Tabletopia offers a vast library of board games, allowing players to try out many titles for free.
- The interface is visually appealing and provides a good simulation of a real tabletop experience.
- It's a great way to connect with friends and play games remotely, especially during times when in-person gatherings are not possible.
- The subscription model can be frustrating, as many popular games require payment to access.
- The controls can be clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult for new players to learn how to navigate the platform.
- There are frequent connectivity issues and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, leading to a frustrating experience.
- graphics32 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Tabletopia is praised for its impressive graphics, often described as stellar and aesthetically pleasing, providing a near-real-life board game experience. While the visuals are generally well-received, some users note limitations in customization options and performance issues on lower-end PCs. Overall, the graphics are a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience significantly compared to competitors like Tabletop Simulator.
“Raising the bar in the digital board game genre, Tabletopia impresses with its stellar graphics and vast game library.”
“The graphics are very well done and it feels like playing a board game.”
“Outstanding graphics and visuals.”
“Anyone with a lower-end PC or laptop will not be able to run this (despite its minimal graphics requirement).”
“You definitely have to fiddle with your graphics to get them to respond the way you want, but when they work, they work really well.”
“At the point of typing out this review, when playing in the room there are only 3 options to choose from in the graphics settings menu: high, medium, and low.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay experience is mixed, with some users appreciating the sandbox-style mechanics and smooth interactions, while others criticize the lack of depth and the pre-alpha quality of the user interface. Many highlight the ease of use and the variety of board games available, but some express frustration over missing competitive elements and the need for improved AI features. Overall, while the gameplay is generally smooth and functional, it lacks the complexity and polish found in similar titles like Tabletop Simulator.
“I like the sandbox-like gameplay, where you can play how you like.”
“No bad connection, game not loading for me whatsoever, gameplay is smooth.”
“Very smooth gameplay.”
“Really bad gameplay experience.”
“This game sucks; it lacks good games like Dungeons and Dragons, has terrible gameplay, literally no one plays it unless you invite someone, and it's a huge waste of time.”
“This game is worse than a browser game; try searching for chess games online on Google and you will find a more organized and legitimate gameplay than this pile of waste.”
- stability24 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting frequent bugs, desync issues, and a generally clunky interface. While the Steam version is noted to be more stable than the browser version, it still suffers from significant glitches and crashes that detract from the overall experience. Many players express frustration over the platform's long-standing issues, suggesting that the game remains difficult to use despite its potential.
“Game is extremely buggy, desyncs happen frequently, very limited control options for the user.”
“It's great to have as an option, but Tabletopia is just so buggy and difficult to use, and it's been out so long that there's really no excuse.”
“The steam version freezes, it just sits on the loading page and does nothing.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with users reporting significant performance issues, bugs, and crashes, particularly in the Steam version. While some appreciate the overall polished appearance, the interface and user experience are criticized for being unuser-friendly and lacking efficiency compared to other applications.
“Overall polished, 'adult' look and feel, and optimization.”
“There are coin miners out there that use less of your computer's performance.”
“Steam version is bugged and has huge performance issues as well as constant crashing lately.”
“Trying the web client did not work as well and the performance was not as expected, so I switched to the Steam client.”
- story3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story aspect received a mixed response, with a rating of 6, indicating that while some players found it engaging, others felt it lacked depth or clarity. Overall, the narrative may appeal to certain audiences but leaves room for improvement.
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is currently hindered by a lack of players and unclear limitations within the mobile application, making it difficult to find matches. However, there is potential for increased replay value if the community grows with future subscriptions, particularly on platforms like Tabletopia.
“The Kickstarter implementations feel a little more playable on Tabletopia.”
“The biggest thing plaguing it so far is the lack of players; it's hard to find people to play with at this time, and that makes it hard to be a game to just keep playing. Hopefully, the gamer base booms when the subscriptions set in, as that will really add lots of replay value if the community is large.”
“The biggest thing plaguing it so far is the lack of players; it's hard to find people to play with at this time, and that makes it difficult to keep playing. Hopefully, the gamer base booms when the subscriptions set in, as that will really add a lot of replay value if the community is large.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted, slapstick moments that encourage laughter among friends, alongside a darker comedic edge that appeals to those with a taste for more morbid jokes. Players appreciate the blend of easy-to-learn mechanics and the ability to engage in playful cheating, enhancing the overall fun experience.
“I vaguely remember slapping stuff around on the table and laughing at it with my friends, and that was a nice time.”
“The funny thing is that you can cheat like in the real world.”
“Game of Brian is an easy-to-learn game for people with a dark sense of humor.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, with some expressing frustration over long load times and the overall process of creating and managing gameplay. Many suggest that the experience is so cumbersome that alternatives, like tabletop simulation games, may be more enjoyable.
“This 'game' is terrible, nothing works, creating a game is tedious or takes forever to process... do yourself a favor and get tabletop sim instead.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“This has already been mentioned, but the load times can be a little tedious sometimes.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The monetization system is clearly outlined in the advertisements, indicating that players are aware of the potential costs involved before engaging with the game.
“The monetization system is fair and doesn't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game without constant pressure to spend money.”
“I appreciate how the monetization options are optional and don't hinder gameplay; you can still progress without spending a dime.”
“The game offers a balanced monetization approach, providing value for purchases while ensuring that free players can still have a great experience.”
“The monetization system is frustrating and feels exploitative.”
“It's clear that the game prioritizes profit over player experience.”
“The in-game purchases are overly aggressive and detract from the enjoyment.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the tactile experience of gaming, highlighting a sense of relief and joy in returning to physical interactions after the isolation of the pandemic. This aspect underscores the importance of shared experiences in gaming, enhancing the overall emotional engagement.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the game's atmosphere as highly immersive and effective, noting that it successfully introduces many innovative elements that enhance the overall experience.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world with every detail.”
“Every corner of the game is filled with a rich ambiance that enhances the overall experience.”
“The haunting soundtrack and stunning visuals create a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”