Info about Dice Tribes: Ambitions:

Official game description:
Dice Tribes: Ambition is a dice worker placement game.  
Starting with a small number of villagers, you will need to manage them and grow the tribes in order to complete one of the ambitions. Opportunities and Dangers lies ahead and you will need to dispatch your villagers to take care of them. Prepare your villagers as you attempt to complete one of the ambition to win the game.
Key Features
------------
*   Choose from one of many tribes, each with different available research and ambitions.  
*   Up to 20 different structures and construct them to aid in your ambition.  
*   Choose from one of many ambitions to complete, including hidden ones.  
*   Draft mode that forces you to adapt to different restrictions and challenges.

Release date: Jun 15, 2022

Categories: Worker Placement, Dice-based Gameplay, Turn-based Strategy, Resource Management, Roguelite, Scenario-based Gameplay, Deckbuilding


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $12.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly describe the game as reasonably priced without a discount and worth buying at full price, with one reviewer explicitly saying it is worth every penny. Although one quote notes some might call it overpriced, the overall sentiment supports a fair base-game price in the mid-range indie tier, roughly $12-$20 USD.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 13.0h
  - Story completion: 0.9h
  - Session length: 0.8h
  - Endgame: 100.0h
  - Reasoning: The 13-hour quote directly supports full game completion at about 13 hours. The 57-minute quote supports scenario/campaign completion at about 0.95 hours for all six scenarios. The 30-60 minute session-length quote, along with other reports of runs taking an hour or less, supports a representative session length of about 0.75 hours. The 30-hour review with another hundred or two hours available supports substantial endgame/replay time, conservatively set at 100 hours.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Reviews most directly describe the game as hooking players in the demo and being addictive, so enjoyment is best characterized as immediate. A minority report only mild interest after the tutorial or outright boredom.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Playing the demo
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Screenshots create uncertainty before trying; Tutorial can leave only mild interest; Challenges feel like extended tutorials and become too easy; Music is repetitive and dour; Balancing and content gaps; Premise may seem boring to some players
  - Unlock drivers: Trying the demo resolves screenshot uncertainty; Turning down the music lets players use their own music
  - Conditions: Liking board games, dice, and repetitive improvement; Enjoying puzzle-like preset scenario runs; Not expecting challenges beyond extended tutorials; Tolerating or muting repetitive music; Being willing to try the demo despite uncertain screenshots; Not finding the premise boring; Wanting multiplayer, which is only hoped for; Accepting balancing quirks and desire for more content
- Player Archetypes:
  - Solo Worker-Placement Board-Gamer (buy)
    - Motivation: A single-player worker-placement and dice-placement strategy fix with resource management.
    - Playstyle: Methodical solo runs focused on dice placement, resource conversion, and board-game-style planning.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Axes & Acres; Agricola; Civilization
  - Roguelike Replayability Grinder (buy)
    - Motivation: Long-term replayability through random runs and rare, grind-worthy challenges.
    - Playstyle: Repeated randomized runs, chasing rare events or unlocks and testing different development paths.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: roguelike lover
    - Reference games: Tharsis; One Deck Dungeon
  - Chill Low-Intensity Strategy Player (buy)
    - Motivation: Relaxed, low-intensity strategy sessions with good value.
    - Playstyle: Casual sessions with adjustable difficulty, favoring simple turn-based resource management.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Cultist Simulator-Style Management Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: Cultist Simulator-style interaction and resource-management systems.
    - Playstyle: Event and interaction-driven management-sim play with resource juggling.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Cultist Simulator


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Fun and clever (weight 0.81): Reviewers consistently call the game fun, clever, and interesting, with unique and engaging gameplay in its own strange way.
- Varied win conditions (weight 0.59): Win conditions are all totally different and dramatically change how you play, with each victory condition feeling unique and offering different strategic paths.
- Dice manipulation puzzle (weight 0.49): Players enjoy manipulating dice to reach goals, with the concept of dice fitting and value management stretched as far as possible in this well-made puzzler.
- Highly replayable (weight 0.39): Many reviewers note the game offers surprisingly high replay value and lots of replayability, keeping players coming back.
- Great solo experience (weight 0.36): The game is praised as an exemplary single-player dice worker placement game and a lovely little solitaire experience.
- Cute dice game (weight 0.28): Reviewers describe it as a cute dice rolling game, a good little dice game, and a nice solo dice game.
- Excellent strategic depth (weight 0.22): Strategic depth is excellent and the game has enough strategic depth to satisfy players seeking planning and decision-making.
- Neat surprises and twists (weight 0.21): The game is full of neat little surprises and fun twists that keep players engaged.
- Various scenarios (weight 0.21): Many different scenarios with different challenges add variety and replayability to the game.
- Appealing worker placement (weight 0.21): The worker placement mechanics are appealing, making it a good worker placement game.
- Interesting idea realized nicely (weight 0.2): The main idea is really nice and interesting, and it is realized nicely in the game.
- Very addictive (weight 0.2): The game is very, very addictive and delightfully addictive, keeping players hooked.
- Draft mode available (weight 0.2): Draft mode is available and is a blast with many options, adding an extra layer of fun.
- Great balance of RNG and strategy (weight 0.2): The game offers a great balance between decision making and RNG, appealing to players who enjoy strategic randomness.
- Awesome developer (weight 0.18): The developer is awesome, according to reviewers, adding to the positive experience.

Common complaints:
- Low difficulty lacks challenge (weight 0.72): Multiple reviewers find the default and normal difficulties too easy, with little risk of failure. This reduces tension and may bore experienced players.
- Limited content and replayability (weight 0.51): Reviewers note a lack of content, strategies, and replayability. Missions become repetitive after a few plays, and all tribes share the same research and building pool, making runs feel similar.
- Poor visuals and presentation (weight 0.43): Graphics are criticized as worse than similar games, with mostly brown visuals and little movement. The interface is not flashy and can be confusing initially.
- High difficulty luck-dependent (weight 0.38): At higher difficulties, success hinges on random card drafts and event order, making runs feel frustrating rather than strategically challenging. Players can be forced to restart early if luck is poor.
- Repetitive and limited music (weight 0.29): The game has only one background music track, which is described as repetitive and dour. This contributes to a bare-bones presentation.
- Dice mechanics become tedious (weight 0.28): Rolling many dice feels workmanlike, and the employment system locks dice into specific roles. Specializing workers can cause coverage issues, such as farmers unable to roll a 5 during illness.
- Dry and unengaging experience (weight 0.25): The game is described as pretty dry and not as much fun as expected due to lack of things to do. Some almost bounced off during the first game.
- Random mode causes incompatibility (weight 0.2): Random mode often selects incompatible options, leading to frustration. Some randomness feels off, like a 40% chance almost never succeeding.
- Needs balancing and more content (weight 0.2): Reviewers suggest the game could use balancing and more content. Only a few food buildings are viable as first buildings at high levels.
- Time-consuming silly elements (weight 0.18): Silly elements are very time consuming, and the game forces fast play which some dislike. This affects pacing.
- Draft mode too easy (weight 0.11): Draft mode makes the game too easy according to one reviewer. This contrasts with high difficulty luck dependence.
- Challenges are extended tutorials (weight 0.11): Challenges are described as not real challenges but extended tutorials that are too easy. This adds to the perception of low difficulty.
- Missing Chinese localization (weight 0.1): One reviewer notes the absence of Chinese localization, limiting accessibility for Chinese-speaking players.
- End game easier than mid game (weight 0.1): The end game becomes easier than the mid game, which may reduce satisfaction. This ties into difficulty balance issues.
- Lacks lore compared to Cultist Simulator (weight 0.1): The game lacks lore compared to Cultist Simulator, and has worse graphics. This may disappoint fans of that game.
- Highest difficulty is challenging (weight 0.1): One reviewer notes the highest difficulty is still very challenging. This contrasts with complaints about low difficulty.

Gameplay feedback:
- Worker placement core mechanic (weight 0.97): Players consistently highlight worker placement as the central gameplay mechanic, often using dice as workers. This is the most frequently mentioned feature, defining the game's strategic framework.
- Multiple game modes (weight 0.89): The game offers various modes, including campaign, scenarios, free-play, and draft modes, each with different challenges and victory conditions. This variety adds replayability.
- Dice placement strategy (weight 0.66): Dice are not only rolled but also placed strategically, combining randomness with planning. This mechanic is frequently cited as a key element of the game's depth.
- Multiple victory conditions (weight 0.64): Games can be won by fulfilling different ambitions or conditions, adding strategic diversity. Players can choose their win condition from options like ambitions.
- Difficulty and ascension levels (weight 0.53): Players appreciate the adjustable difficulty levels and ascension progression, which provide scalable challenges for different skill levels.
- Scenario-based challenges (weight 0.49): Scenarios offer varied challenges with adjustable difficulty, enhancing replayability. Each scenario may have unique objectives and constraints.
- RNG with strategic mitigation (weight 0.45): Randomness from dice rolls is balanced by strategic options to mitigate bad luck, creating a mix of chance and planning that players find engaging.
- Villager dice mechanics (weight 0.45): Villagers are represented by dice that are rolled each turn, with different face distributions affecting resource management. This unique twist on worker placement is often mentioned.
- Roguelite and deck-building elements (weight 0.36): The game incorporates roguelite progression and deck-building through card drafting, adding layers of strategy and replayability.
- Tribes alter playstyle (weight 0.21): Different tribes provide distinct playstyles, encouraging players to adapt their strategies. This variability is a noted feature.
- Turn-based resource management (weight 0.21): The game involves turn-based resource management, where players allocate dice and manage resources to achieve goals.
- Secrets and unlockables (weight 0.2): Secrets and unlockable ambitions add hidden depth and goals for players to discover, contributing to long-term engagement.

Performance notes:
No performancepoints

Recommendations:
- Worth buying at full price (weight 0.61): Multiple reviewers state the game is worth buying even at full price. They consider it a definite purchase and absolutely worth the full cost.
- Great for worker placement fans (weight 0.48): Many reviewers recommend the game specifically for fans of worker placement mechanics. They say if you enjoy worker placement games, you will enjoy this one.
- Ideal for dice game enthusiasts (weight 0.48): Reviewers recommend it to anyone who likes dice games and unorthodox strategy games. It is especially praised for fans of titles like Tharsis or One Deck Dungeon.
- Try the free demo first (weight 0.45): Several reviewers suggest trying the demo to get a taste of the game. They say the demo gives a solid idea of whether the game is for you.
- Strongly recommended overall (weight 0.45): Many reviewers give a strong recommendation without specific caveats. They simply say it is strongly recommended or highly recommended to anyone.
- Appeals to resource management fans (weight 0.43): Reviewers recommend it for fans of small turn-based resource management and optimization games. It is also suggested for those who enjoy Cultist Simulator.
- Great value for low price (weight 0.29): Multiple reviewers highlight the bargain price and say it is a definite buy for turn-based roguelite fans. It is also considered a must-have for fans of board games and dice.
- Know if it's for you (weight 0.28): Reviewers advise that if you think the game looks appealing, you should play it. Conversely, if you think it would be boring, it is not for you.
- Good for relaxed solo play (weight 0.26): Some reviewers find it suitable for a relaxed solo game or a chill experience. However, one notes it falls short for that purpose.
- Fans of similar board games (weight 0.22): Reviewers recommend it to those who enjoyed Axes & Acres, Agricola, or Civilization-style games. It is also a good choice for single-player worker-placement fans.
- Hidden gem worth trying (weight 0.21): Some reviewers call it a hidden gem that is worth taking a chance on. However, they note it is not for everyone.
- Strategic but not intense (weight 0.2): Reviewers note it is perfect when you want strategy without something intense or complicated. It also serves as a palate refresher.
- Not worth the frustration (weight 0.11): One reviewer states it is not worth spending money on due to frustration. This negative point contrasts with the positive recommendations.
- Don't dismiss too quickly (weight 0.11): A reviewer advises not to dismiss the game quickly, implying it may grow on you. This is a single but cautionary note.
- Support small developers (weight 0.1): One reviewer recommends supporting small developers by purchasing the game. This is a niche but notable point.
- Prepare enough Doctors (weight 0.1): One reviewer gives a specific tip to prepare enough Doctors. This suggests a gameplay strategy or requirement.
- Join the Discord community (weight 0.1): A reviewer recommends grabbing the game, playing it, and joining the Discord server. This highlights community engagement.
- Place and choose dice wisely (weight 0.1): One reviewer emphasizes strategic dice placement and selection. This is a core mechanic tip.

Other player notes:
- Developer support and updates (weight 0.61): The developer is awesome, constantly works on improvements and new features, and deserves support. They are aware of graphical and sound shortcomings and plan to work on them.
- Free demo available (weight 0.43): A demo is available, and it is considered a significant free-to-play version. The demo's playtime does not count toward Steam's displayed playtime.
- Comparison to Crop Rotation (weight 0.41): Players frequently compare this game to the same developer's Crop Rotation. Opinions are mixed: some rate it on par or slightly above, while others find it less polished and less favorable.
- Solo developer's first game (weight 0.33): It is the developer's first game, and they are a solo indie dev active on Discord. The lower budget resulted in less content and publicity than it deserved.
- High replayability and content (weight 0.23): The game offers a surprisingly large amount of content and replay value for its scope. This is a standout positive point for many players.
- Low price, short length (weight 0.22): The game is sold at a low price point, but some note it is short and simple in proportion to its cost. Overall it is considered good value.
- Distinct win conditions (weight 0.21): Win conditions include training soldiers to win battles and building a ship stocked with resources for a voyage. Different win conditions dramatically change how the game plays.
- Dice worker placement twists (weight 0.2): The dice worker placement mechanic is not new, but this implementation adds twists. It is compared to dice games like Tharsis and One Deck Dungeon.
- Campaign unlocks multiple modes (weight 0.2): The base game starts with a campaign mode and later unlocks free-play, random, and draft village modes. Six scenarios exist in total.
- Ascension mode extends play (weight 0.18): An Ascension-style game mode supports longer play sessions. This mode was added after launch along with other content.
- Ambitions add goals (weight 0.18): Ambitions include sustaining a Golden Age by collecting food and hunting the Grim Reaper. These were added in later patches.
- Compared to Axes & Acres (weight 0.18): Players compare it to Axes & Acres, both inspired by the worker-placement board game Agricola. Dice Tribes has more influence from Civilization-style games.
- Concise text, easy translation (weight 0.18): Game text is not available in Japanese but is concise and easy to read with translation. English requirement is low, high school level is sufficient.
- Dice comparisons to other games (weight 0.18): It is compared to Dicey Dungeons and Citizen Sleeper for their interesting use of dice. However, this is a resource management game unlike Dicey Dungeons.
- Better than Stacklands (weight 0.18): Compared to Stacklands, this game's design concept is several steps higher, and it is a favorite rest game.
- Extensive in-game help (weight 0.12): In-game explanations via hover tooltips and the Compendium are extensive, aiding new players.
- Difficulty levels up to 15 (weight 0.11): The game offers difficulty levels up to 15, providing a challenge for players seeking it.
- Native Linux support (weight 0.1): The game runs natively on Linux without issues. This is a positive technical point for Linux users.
- Two secret endings (weight 0.1): The game includes two secret endings, adding to its replay value and discovery.

Emotions:
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.09): The reviewer is enthusiastic about the excellent single-player dice worker placement design, fun and deep gameplay with dice manipulation, and the game's replayability and challenge. Scenarios become better as difficulty increases, and the game stands out as a benchmark for indie games with full-marks gameplay.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): The reviewer finds the game satisfying due to its strategic solo dice placement and resource management, simple but satisfying gameplay, and good value. They enjoy beating pre-written scenarios, exploring mechanics, and the fun snowballing gameplay with a minimalistic style.
- Appreciation (weight 0.08): The reviewer appreciates the excellent strategic depth, faction-based combinations, and well-designed systems with balanced choices. They also value the developer's constant improvements and new features, and consider the game a hidden gem with unique mechanics and replayability.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): The reviewer is disappointed because the game was too easy and lacked expected replayability and strategy, with the first scenarios offering no challenge. Repetition after a few missions and the game not being longer or bigger also contributed to the disappointment.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): The reviewer is excited about the demo hooking them, the richness of content with 8 different tribes and multiple victory types, and looking forward to new content. They also enjoy trying out custom mode and wanting to play more after hours of play.
- Engagement (weight 0.05): The reviewer is engaged by the unique and engaging gameplay, clever strategy, and worker placement mechanics. They played from 4pm to after midnight with only short breaks, and hours of trial, error, and planning from various scenarios keep them engaged.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): The reviewer enjoys the RNG manipulation mechanic, preparing the ship and going on a voyage, and transforming the game board halfway through a quest. The fun and interesting solo dice rolling worker placement gameplay and exploring and replaying scenarios also contribute to their enjoyment.
- Frustration (weight 0.04): The reviewer is frustrated by time-consuming silly things that require figuring out, and higher difficulties depending on lucky card drafts and science project order. Random mode generating incompatible options also adds to the frustration.
- Admiration (weight 0.04): The reviewer admires the developer for nailing solitaire dice worker placement and calls them a genius. They also admire the well-designed combination of RNG and strategy, significant variety, and high strategic depth.
- Addiction (weight 0.04): The reviewer finds the game addictive due to its preset puzzle-like scenarios, addictive roguelite gameplay loop with dice specialization, and draft mode. They compare it to being addictive like a slot machine.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): The reviewer finds the game pretty dry, with gameplay turning into workmanlike dice matching rather than real decision-making, leading to boredom.
- Amusement (weight 0.03): The reviewer is amused by the cute game with fun secrets to unlock, the narrative of the crew starving except the captain who fell overboard, and the reliance on wooden tools' point adjustment to handle disaster events.
- Hope (weight 0.03): The reviewer hopes for the game to be updated with new ambitions, future multiplayer, and unique rare challenge items to grind for.
- Interest (weight 0.03): The reviewer finds the game very interesting with strong strategic depth, simple and interesting mechanics, and it became very interesting after a second chance.
- Love (weight 0.03): The reviewer loves the game, finding it delightfully addictive with a simple concept and RPG-type depth, making it one of their favorites.
- Relaxation (weight 0.02): The reviewer finds the game relaxing due to starting with very relaxing scenarios and a relaxing style of play.
- Mild disappointment (weight 0.02): The reviewer is mildly disappointed because low difficulty can become redundant and the visuals are plain, and the game only has a single background music track.
- Fun (weight 0.02): The reviewer has fun exploring and using found resources and villager rolls to further goals, and appreciates the well thought-out mechanics and fluid gameplay.
- Pleasant surprise (weight 0.01): The reviewer is pleasantly surprised by the small game with surprising depth and neat little surprises.
- Amazement (weight 0.01): The reviewer is amazed by the amazing game with simplistic yet deep gameplay.}