This is a fair comparison; I do not need to play the second edition again.

It was bad enough to get through the first time after playing the real one.

It's enough to just look at the two games side by side; Descent one

offers more options and is by far the better game. It's not even a contest.

I have listed everything in this comparison; it is perfectly obvious.

Well, if you think that you are the measure of perfection and that your limited comparison is objective, I don't think we can debate any further.

I don't believe in your being such a reference and I don't consider your comparison fair, as it is partial.

Of course, there is no problem that you prefer D1 over D2.

But that is not an objective fact - otherwise players who like both or who prefer D2 are just stupid (which I don't think is the case).

Stick to D1 and have fun: that is all the good I can wish for you.

As for me, I am sticking to D2 and having fun.

Have you even played Descent first edition?

nathrotep said:

It is another game.

No need for me to compare D1 and D2 nor to tell the world that one is better than the other.

As a reminder, this whole thread was started with your complaining about D2 as not giving you the fun you had with D1 and your wanting to change D2.

We all know that you prefer D1: all the better for you.

As for me, I enjoy D2 as it is. I don't need anybody to tell me that D1 is "better" : have fun on your side, and I have mine on my side.
But don't even pretend that your anecdotical analysis is a definitive one.
It happens that many D1 players like D2 too and even some switched from D1 to D2.
Many D1 players keep with the first edition.
Many D2 players like D2.
All tastes are in the nature.
No one is smarter or better than the others.
And D1 is not "better" than D2, nor D2 "better" than D1.
That type of "contest" belongs to kindergarten, IMO.

Then you don't even know that I'm right since you've never played it.

My response was answering several other replies I got. A lot of people said that

Descent 2 was the better game. Most of them have never played Descent first edition.

I thought maybe since I had only played it once, that they might have a point.

So I tried it again and made my comparison.

They were wrong. After playing the first edition, the second one is terrible.

Specifically, some of the things they said were;

Descent second edition is more tactical; it isn't.

Descent first edition is a 'broken' game; it isn't.

In descent first edition, it's just a matter of 'out-gearing' the OL; it isn't.

Descent second edition has better skills; it doesn't.

Descent second edition has more options in game play; it doesn't.

The Descent first edition rules were 'wonkey'; they're not.

These are some of the things that I have proven by playing both games

and writing my comparison. The first edition clearly blows away the second edition.

It's fine if you like the second edition; have fun with that.

But you cannot say that I am wrong since you have never played the first one.

The first edition is the better game on so many levels. The second edition is just a

dumbed down version of it.

But, as you say, it's totally fine that you have fun playing the second version.

I wrote my comparison to prove the points listed above, not to put you down.

I am not saying that you are wrong in your preference for D1.

I am saying, as many already said on this thread, that your opinion is not fact. It is subjective.

The anecdotical proof you submitted is far too limited and dependant on your negative bias vs. D2 to have any decisive value - not even speaking of an objective one.

Now, I think all that could have been said has been on this thread.

Have a nice day.

Now, one thing is sure.
You don't need to post more on this Descent second edition forum to say that it is BS.
Be sure that I won't myself go on D1 forums to say that the first edition is crappy.

nathrotep

Everyone is perfectly entitled to their own opinion… even if it is wrong.

D1 & D2 are quite different games, even if they do share the same core game mechanics.

D1 is more of a single session affair… you level up your character, find random items, aquire some random skills…. and have a blast in about 2 to 4 hours.

D1 is one of my favourite board games of all time.

D2 is a more of a multi-session affair.

The outcomes of each encounter combine to create a driven narrative thread that continues from game to game.

While Descent 1 was pretty much a simple Overlord vs Player mechanic… D2 is more Overlord vs Objective vs Player… with either the OL or the PCs scrambling madly around the map trying to either complete an objective or prevent the other side from completing theirs.

The skills and items aquired are slowly, slowly built up over multiple plays…. and I would say, it makes the later game much more rewarding than D1, where you basically start out from scratch each time. And there is variety even within a single skill deck.

D2 is one of my favourite board games of all time.

D1 and D2 are both different flavours of the same basic ingredient.

It's fine to pick a favourite - but you shouldn't berate people just because they have different tastes.

Macnme said:

Personally, I feel this is the crux of the matter, and why many have such strong feelings on this subject.  We were told we were getting a new edition of the game - so expected little more than some cleaner rules, but ultimately, the same game.

This is SO far from what was actually delivered (It's 4th Ed D&D to 3.5.  Or hell, 3rd Ed Warhammer to 2nd edition - and you don't have to look far to see the vitriol towards either of those).  Had they called Descent 2 a different name, there would be no problem, but personally, aside from the aesthetic, I really don't see the similarities between the two games.  This is the issue - peoples beloved game was ceased to be supported, and instead it was replaced with an entirely different game…  A big shame to nathrotep, and I know me and my game group largely feel the same too.

My biggest issue with D2 is the thing nathrotep has mentioned repeatedly - they have stripped away so much of the customisation that was there in first edition.  I really hope future expansions see much of this get re-introduced, but sadly I'm not convinced it will.

One thing I was thinking about when reading this thread - if I were to play 1st edition, what rules/mechanics from second edition would I utilise.  And if I was to play 2nd edition, what rules/mechanicas would I take from 1st….  The list for the latter is CONSIDERABLY longer….

Lastly, while I agree personal preference is entirely subjective, it's not always the case that an opinion is wrong.  It is cold hard fact that Settlers of Catan is a better game than 'Chutes and Ladders' (or Snakes and Ladders, depending on your territory).  Just thought I'd say  ;)

And it is sure that oranges are better than apples (or whas it the contrary)?

I don't have a problem with your preference in fruit. But the word

"preference" denotes that you have tried both varieties and are fully

prepared to make a choice based on the comparison.

You cannot simply say, "Say, there! I really like oranges! They are the best

fruit ever! And, although I have never tried, and will never, ever in a million years

try apples, I can tell you that, by far, oranges are the tastier of the two

delectables! In fact, I read somewhere that apples are horrible! Just the absolute worst! Since

I have clearly read this, that means it's a fact, and so I don't have to ever try apples to

see if it's true or not!"

Macnme, you have many great points, and as you can see, I'm not berating people for their

choice in games. I am berating people WHO HAVE NEVER EVEN PLAYED Descent first

edition, yet still claim it's the weaker title. At least you have played the game, and

admit that it is a good one. Most of these people on here have never even seen it. My gaming

group played Descent 2 when it was demo'd, and thought it was awful compared to the first

one. It was a real let down to us all. You obviously see something in it that we don't.

And that's entirely okay with me.

Sausagman; as always, you put things more eloquently than I do, and are entirely right.

I suppose that both games have merit, but as you have pointed out, this aint the Descent

we were hoping for. As I've said before, this was like playing Tic-Tac-Toe after playing Chess.

And that's just sad. We expected so much more.

It's a good thing I love many of Fantasy Flights other games. We sure won't ever be playing

Descent second edition, or collecting the expansions. We're really excited about the up and coming, 'Relic', though.

This title looks compelling; it'll be interesting to see the Warhammer stuff mixed

with Talisman game mechanics.

Robin,

I'm sorry that you where unable to understand the instructions enough to

play the game. That must be very limiting for you. It's a good thing that

they made a so much simpler game for you to enjoy. Might I also

suggest checkers as an alternative if you ever get bored of Descent 2?