Archive for the board game Category

HeroQuest is Back! (well, soon…)

Posted in board game with tags , , , on September 20, 2021 by boccobsblog
HeroQuest Reprint Expected Release Date November 2021

HeroQuest Reprint

HeroQuest was designed for Milton Bradley, in conjunction with Games Workshop, by Steven Baker. Baker also created Hero Scape (2004), Battle Masters (1992), and Axis and Allies: Pacific (2001), among many others. HeroQuest was released in 1989 and remained in production until 1997. HQ is now under the control of Avalon Hill, a division of Hasbro, who crowfunded a HeroQuest reprint in September of 2020. The campaign raised $3,722,649 of its $1,000,000 goal.

Furniture

The furniture has been upgraded. The doors, chests, tables, etc., are now plastic instead of cardboard.

Recycling or Laziness?

The main quest book and the two expansions are word for word recreations of the originals

New Heroes

4 New Heroes Added to the HeroQuest Reprint

The four base characters (barbarian, elf, dwarf, wizard) are the same as the original, with the addition of four female models. Backers who opted for the upgraded, mythic tier, will get three new characters: the warlock (designed by Shauna Nakasone), druid (Nikki Dawes), and a bard (no designer noted).

Monsters

Most of the HeroQuest monsters will remain the same. The Chaos Warrior and Chaos Sorcerer have been renamed Dread Warrior and Sorcerer respectively. The most significant change is that the Firmir, a weird cycloptic creature with a mace-like tail, has been replaced by an anthropomorphic fish called an abomination.

New Hero Quest FAQ

The following was taken from the HeroQuest reprint crowdfunding project on HasLab in September 2020:

What’s in the box?

You can expect updated versions of Miniatures, Tiles/Markers, Character Cards, Combat Dice, Movement Dice, Gameboard, Character Sheets, Quest Books, Rules of Play, Sorcerer Screen, Turn Cards, and Game Cards.

What version of the rules are you using?

We have an updated (U.S. version) rule book. You can expect that there will be only minor changes to this resource. New rules will be added to the heroes in our Mythic Tier unlocks.

Are the quest books the same?

We have updated (U.S. version) quest books. You can expect that there will be only minor changes to this resource. New quest books could be added to our Mythic Tier unlocks if we meet those funding goals.

What is the estimated ship date?

If the campaign is successfully backed, we currently estimate shipments of HeroQuest to begin in Fall 2021.

What size are the figures/game pieces included?

Mini figures are planned to be 28mm scale but their actual height will vary by character size.

Will all the models be grey?

Based on community feedback, we have decided to differentiate model colors.

The Hero Quest reboot is scheduled to ship to backers “this fall”. No word when HQ will hit the stores. As of 9/10/21 there is no Amazon listing. Once my mythic tier set arrives, I’ll post a review!

Leave a comment »

2021 Limitless Convention Schedule

Posted in board game, Conventions, Dungeons and Dragons with tags , , , on September 10, 2021 by boccobsblog
I hope to see you this fall!

Leave a comment »

D&D Adventure Begins

Posted in board game, Dungeons and Dragons with tags , , on October 1, 2020 by boccobsblog

Looking for a gateway game to get the next generation hooked on Dungeons and Dragons? WotC has a new D&D themed board game for children ages ten and up. According to their website:

Your Fast, Fun Entry into the World of D&D

Step into the exciting world of D&D with the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Begins board game! Choose your character and work together along the journey through the lands of Neverwinter, facing fantastic obstacles, battling monsters, and defeating the boss monster terrorizing the realm. The role of Dungeon Master passes from player to player with each turn, so everyone gets to be part of the storytelling.

Features

QUICK ENTRY TO DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Step into the exciting world of D&D with the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Begins board game. Designed for 2-4 players, ages 10 and up.
COOPERATIVE FANTASY GAME: This fantasy board game is a portal to the monsters, magic, and heroes of Dungeons & Dragons. Players work together as they journey through the lands of Neverwinter.

QUICK GAMEPLAY: Players can choose and customize their heroes, battle iconic D&D monsters, and experience a new adventure every time. So, step forward, brave heroes; adventure awaits!

CHOOSE A JOURNEY FOR YOUR PARTY: Choose a journey and which Boss your party of heroes will fight in the end. Choose from Felbris (Beholder), Orn (Fire Giant), Deathsleep (Green Dragon), and the Kraken.

D&D MINIATURE FIGURES: The game includes 4 plastic mini figures that correspond with the heroes featured in gameplay.

This isn’t the first D&D themed board game for kids, Dungeon has been around nearly as long as D&D itself. But Adventure Begins does look pretty awesome!

 

1 Comment »

Ruins of the Lorn Keep

Posted in board game, Cheatin' Fair Games, Crowdfunding, Kickstarter with tags , , on January 7, 2020 by boccobsblog

card back left right(1)

Ruins of the Lorn Keep

Ruins of the Lorn Keep is the first project from Cheatin’ Fair Games. CFG is the brainchild Andrew Hand, co-founder of Limitless Adventures. Ruins of the Lorn Keep, Andrew’s first non-roleplaying game, is one-part memory game, one-part dungeon delve. Players choose from three character classes: the thief, the warrior, or the wizard. Each class excels at one of the three types of challenges: strength, skill, and magic. Players continue to explore the dungeon battling monsters, disarming traps, and collecting treasures until one player earn victory points.

Ruins of the Lorn Keep is currently on Kickstarter until January 24th and has already reached its funding goal. Shipping is available worldwide, and manufacturing will be handled by The Game Crafter.  This affordable, portable, and easy-to-learn game will appeal to fans of Dungeons and Dragons, Hero Quest, and Descent.

Details:

Designer: Andrew Hand
Artist: Rizky Nugraha
Time Required: 30 minutes
Players: 2-3
Age: 10+
Contents: 1 hook box w/ rules, 18 cards
Price: $10

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Leave a comment »

Roll Player Game Review

Posted in board game, Product Review with tags , , on January 9, 2019 by boccobsblog

At GameHoleCon in November we had the the pleasure of trying Roll Player, by Thunderworks Games.

According to their website:

Mighty heroes don’t just appear out of thin air — you must create them! Race, class, alignment, skills, traits, and equipment are all elements of the perfect hero, who is ready to take on all opposition in the quest for glory and riches.

In Roll Player, you will compete to create the greatest fantasy adventurer who has ever lived, preparing your character to embark on an epic quest. Roll and draft dice to build up your character’s attributes. Purchase weapons and armor to outfit your hero. Train to gain skills and discover your hero’s traits to prepare them for their journey. Earn Reputation Stars by constructing the perfect character.

The player with the greatest Reputation wins the game and will surely triumph over whatever nefarious plot lies ahead!

Roll Player
Players: 1-4
Time: 60-90 minutes
Ages: 10+
Rules: PDF

What’s included:
• 1 Rulebook
• 6 Character Sheets
• 73 Dice
10 Green
10 Blue
10 Red
10 Purple
10 Black
10 White
13 Gold
• 1 Dice Bag
• 101 Cards
4 Player Aid / Reputation Track Cards
6 Class Cards
16 Backstory Cards
17 Alignment Cards
53 Market Cards
5 Initiative Cards
• 55 Gold Tokens
• 12 Tracking Tokens (2 in each Class Color)
• 6 Charisma Tokens

What I enjoyed:

  • There are several win conditions
  • The game allows multiple play styles (cooperative or cooperative)
  • Well thought out alignment system that rewards and punishes your choices
  • Roll Player has some great art
  • There are several character classes and races to choose from

All in all, Roll Player is a fun game and I recommend it. The rules are well thought out, and there was a lot time put into the game’s creation. I enjoyed bringing my sociopath frogkin ranger to life. Learn more about Thunderworks games at their website.


Buy me an 1/18 of a cup of coffee
D&D 5E Core Rulebook Gift Set
Dungeon Mayhem – D&D Card Game
Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

1 Comment »

Danger the Game

Posted in board game, Interview with tags , , , on November 7, 2018 by boccobsblog

Danger2

Danger the Game

I had the pleasure of running into some of the game from Origami Whale Games at FlatCon this year and we had a chance to discuss their latest project, Danger the Game. Here is an interview with OW’s Daniel Kim.

What can you tell us about Danger the Game?

Hopefully quite a bit! Danger the Game is the storytelling party game of bizarre dangers and rescues. I, personally, like to think of it as a preparation kit for the unknown. One doesn’t EXPECT to get hugged by a depressed giant squid but it certainly doesn’t hurt to be ready just in case!

Danger

How do you play?
Ah, yes, the rescues. So one of the players, the victim, finds themselves being hugged by a depressed giant squid. The others would use one of the three skills and three tools from their hand to try and come up with a rescue plan. For example, someone could be a professional balloon sculpture artist with a pet rock that knows every trick. Well, being a professional balloon sculpture artist, it’s a simple task to make a giant squid balloon piloted by a versatile pet rock- skilled even in the ways of comfort. OBJECTION! The other rescuers might poke holes in a story or play plot twist cards to mess up the Danger, the Skill or the Tool. The story changes drastically if that Pet Rock suddenly has too many self destruct buttons!
Once each of the rescuers has told their rescue plan the victim chooses a victor for the round by awarding them the Danger card ensuring that we will never forget their heroic exploits.
How many frenemies do you need to play?
You need at least two frenemies unless you also count yourself as a frenemy! Then three, you need three people total to play the game.
How long does a standard game take?
I would say on average 30 min. to 1 hr. Some people are great at quick, daring, expediently told rescues, others can be more long-winded. In consequence, I’ve played some remarkably short games well under the 30 minutes listed on the box but time will really fly sometimes! My recommendation is that if you’re playing with 6 or more people, swap out the victory requirement to only two Dangers instead of the usual three.
How likely am I to get stabbed during a game?
Geez! I didn’t think I would ever need to make this disclaimer but DON’T PLAY WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE LIKELY TO STAB YOU!
Where can we get a copy of Danger the Game?
Right now the best place to find us is smile.amazon.com so that 0.5% of the purchase goes to a charity of your choice (I support “The Jack Vasel Memorial Fund” myself)
Is there anything you’d like to add?
Yeah, there’s a lot I didn’t expect going into this project. I’ve played… a lot of Danger, hundreds of games of Danger and the funny thing is… I still haven’t grown tired of it. I mean, I know I kind of have to say that since I helped make it and all but it’s been an incredible experience sitting down with strangers from all over and hearing new stories every time. I’ve been told that Danger is a great way to get people into role playing and I suppose that a role playing game is what it is. All I can say is that I’ve benefited from the ways people look at these cards and I definitely look at my d20 encounters differently than I used to.
Who would win in a knife fight, Danger the Game or Settlers of Catan?
thumbnail

…it was close.

Learn more at origamiwhalegames.com and pick up a copy today!

Leave a comment »

Letters from Whitechapel

Posted in board game, Product Review with tags , , , , , , , on August 13, 2010 by boccobsblog

At Gen Con, we got a chance to demo several new and exciting games. One of them was a thrilling detective game, Letters from Whitechapel. The game is set in London in 1888 during the killing spree of Jack the Ripper. One character controls Jack while the others play constables trying to arrest him.

How does it work? The game board (a period map of Whitechapel) is covered in more than one hundred numbered circles, and each of these circles is a possible hiding place for Jack. The players go in turn moving about the board investigating the numbered scenes, while Jack moves about the board unseen (the players have visible game pieces, but Jack denotes his movements on a notepad and has no game piece).  The detectives must use strategy and a fair bit of luck as they work together to catch Jack before the fifteenth night, after which he escapes and wins the game.

What I really liked about the game is the amount of detail the designer put into it. The game board looks like an actual period map, and the five murders happen at the historically accurate place on the map. Each of the detective cards (used to determine who leads the investigation each turn) denotes an actual picture of a Scotland Yard detective that worked the case.

The detail that truly impressed me was that on the third “night” of the game, Jack kills two of his five victims. This detail closely follows the actual events of September 30, 1888, when The Ripper killed Liz Stride (but was interrupted), and then killed Catherine Eddowes in the same night. When I saw that detail, it was clear to me that the designers had done their homework on the Ripper murders.

My only complaint, and it is a small one, was that the game pieces that represent the detectives were a bit lame. I would give the game a four out of five.

The game requires 2-6 players, and takes about 90 minutes to complete. It is available from the Nexus Games website.

-Andy

1 Comment »