Thanks for bringing this back to my attention. I keep seeing this pop up on the geek, and for some reason I’d written it off as another minis game. In my old age, I like freeform (tape measures) minis games less and less, and hex-board games more and more. I like the subject matter well enough, but so seeing that this fits my style more means I might actually give it a fair shake now.
Is it about airships? If so, why does the terrain matter?
Updrafts? Crash landing effects? It just looks nice?
I have no idea to be honest.
— Alan
It looks like there are 2 different terrain boards in the review (one coast, one land), so presumably there’s some impact. It seems like this game begs for land units for a combined land-air war. There’s even an altitude mechanic with different height posts that could make for some interesting choices with land based AA, etc.
Fantasy Flight finally announced Relic, a 40K themed Talisman variant. Fuck yes.
I say finally, because I playtested it several months ago (and enjoyed the shit out of it) but couldn’t say anything until they let on that it even existed.
Is it just a reskin of Talisman, or are the gameplay changes significant? I ask because while I like talisman in theory, I find it a little too random/pre-1980s boardgame…
They are significant, yes. Off the top of my head, and considering that any of this may have changed during development since I played:
-
While Talismans in Talisman were a pointless item that took up inventory space strictly to get you into the inner region, Relics in Relic are actually very powerful items in their own right.
-
Everyone has mission cards to attempt - completing them gets you specified rewards and builds towards receiving a Relic.
-
Three core stats instead of two, and three encounter decks color coded to those stats instead of one.
-
Instead of turning in Strength enemies 7 pts at a time to receive a strength increase (with no easy way to raise Craft, at least in older editions), characters have a levelup track that gives specified stat boosts and/or special benefits.
-There was a risk/reward Corruption mechanic that as of my play badly needed tweaking and probably doesn’t survive in the same form.
-Miscellaneous other tweaks I can’t currently remember.
Like I say, it was months ago and they’ve probably changed things, but it’s definitely not just Talisman 40k. What I played was much better. (And I played Talisman enough that I’m listed in all the FFG Talisman rulebooks as a playtester even though I didn’t actually get to playtest them.)
Finally got to play Mage knight the board game and I’m enjoying it. Played first recon solo, then turned around and taught it to a friend. Can’t wait to play more, and make use of even more cards!
Not a recommendation per se, but: this weekend I played U-Build Monopoly with some friends. It isn’t awesome, but the level of suck is much, much less than that of standard Monopoly.
What if pygmies shot at the airships with giant blowguns?
They’d find themselves wishing they had greater lung capacity.
Pod
5353
If they haven’t changed the fundamental aspect of Talisman, which is that you roll, land on a square and simply do what it says with very little input to the overall game, then it’s going to suck IMO.
I imagine it’ll sell well, though.
I guess I don’t know what you want from a fantasy (well, “sci fi”, in this case, even though it’s really still fantasy just with starships and power armor) adventure game, then. That’s pretty much how most of these games go. What made Talisman problematic to me is that you spent most of the time meandering around aimlessly just hoping to get lucky with the right draws. Relic gives you goals and guaranteed advancement mechanisms.
Anyone have an opinion on Fortune and Glory? It looks similar to Jason lutes thrilling tales of adventure… http://www.flyingfrog.net/fortuneandglory/. I’m trying to be sure I’m not seeing double.
z22
5356
Today’s gaming adventures:
7 Wonders
Played it for the first time. I like this but not sure how it’ll hold up to 10+ plays.
Merchants & Marauders
Took a good amount of time to learn the game but once it started it was pretty fun. Some player turns can take a few minutes (port actions) but some turns can be over in 3 seconds. Nice pirate theme and felt authentic.
Super Dungeon Explore
I hate this. Goofy, i hate anime characters and all the art and mini use it, and it just felt lame, even for a mock of a video game. I’ll never play this again.
We have been enjoying Merchants and Marauders a lot as well. Really a great little game that place fast but is still packed with a lot of options. My only complaint is that the event deck can be pretty hit or miss. Sometimes it is interesting and other times it’s just an endless stream of different captains for the NPC ships.
Yeah, I was pretty demoralized when Flying Frog announced F&G, seeing as how I’d put in about 5 years of work on Thrilling Tales of Adventure at that point. Some people accused them of “stealing” my idea, since I’d been posting about my prototype on BGG for years before the announcement, but Jason Hill took the trouble to write me a nice email explaining the history of the game’s development. It’s a case of each of us independently wanting a fun pulp adventure boardgame, and developing our ideas concurrently.
I enjoy playing F&G with the right group. If you like the theme, plus roll-and-move and push-your-luck mechanics, you’ll probably have a good time. F&G’s emphasis is on Indiana Jones style adventure, whereas I’m attempting to capture a somewhat broader spectrum of pulp. Thrilling Tales is definitely the heavier of the two games, with an “unfolding story” mechanic that I think sets it apart from any other game out there.
I am especially envious of F&G’s board, which is evocative and beautiful.
My group and I just love the new Talisman, since FFG took it over. I have almost all the expansions, and it’s one of our favorite games, just simply because it’s basically a roguelike in board game form, and the PVP aspect is always entertaining. We’ve put dozens and dozens of hours into it and still love it.
Though we will probably take a break from it next time we all get together, as I see my copy of Descent 2nd Edition shipped from Amazon late last week. Nice!
Double question
For Jason
How’s TTOA coming?
For Everyone
The year’s already halfway over, what new game are your best of the year?
They don’t have to have come out this year, but should be new to you.
So far
Manhattan
Eclipse
Runewars
ora and labora
have made my list, but I still need to play
Greed
Fortune and Glory
Luna
TI Rex
Vivajava
Risk Legacy
Game of Thrones 2nd Ed
Tammany Hall
