by Malacandra
No one replied to the facts I presented. Therefore, because this is the internet, I must repeat them until all are bent to my view.Recent plays by both four experienced players and three experienced players (a game I played) clocked in at 1:40. That's not really that long.
I have no idea how much time was spent between turns but who knows?
I just repeat this fact because while there is an initially longer play time, experience reduces it significantly, and primarily because you know the cards. For example, I look for the houses to come out because I know those drop the big money chits. I also look for yellow and red dots on the contracts because that's going to alter someone's wealth and prestige. Plus, if you're paying attention to what people are actually doing on their turn, you'll have a good idea which cards are likely to make it to your turn.
Some people like the game even with longer initial times. Those are the people who will likely continue to play it, get more experienced and drop their playing times down. Others won't give it that chance because they just don't like it.
My only critique of the review is that you don't seem to have played enough to make any claim other than it's a very long game with too much downtime when, in fact, it doesn't have to be.