Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game
Quickly scanning at my current list of games that we own, I do think that one of the two in our library that fits this topic is Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game by Steamforged Games. Within the past few weeks we finally opened the box and decided to give it a go. We did have our friend with us, who usually is our 3rd for our “after dinner” gaming sessions, for our first attempt to understanding the game. After watching some videos to help us understand the gameplay a bit more and playing just one part of the game we have not come to a full conclusion as to whether we like it or not. So far it seems like parts are okay in the board game but because the three of us play the video game we are going into it with a bit of a bias. Plus the reviews I have read about it have been leaning mostly to negative side so that has affected our views going into or gameplay.
Sid Meier’s Civilization: The Board Game
The other game in my collection (which I haven’t played in a long time) is Sid Meier’s Civilization: The Board Game by Fantasy Flight Games. I watched a few videos to help refresh my mind about the game which makes me want to dig it out and play it again soon. The game play is much like the video game and does allow you to strategize how you want to achieve your victory along different paths. The game does take a few hours to play, but so does the videogame, and does a really nice job with recreating it into a physical game.
Here is a part what Boardgame Geek has listed under the description:
“Players are tasked with guiding an entire civilization throughout the ages, taking ownership of your people’s technology, economy, culture, and military, as well as all the choices that go along with them. There are four different paths to victory, and each is riddled with opposition.
In Civilization: The Board Game, 2-4 players take on the roles of famous leaders in charge of historical civilizations, each with their own abilities. Players will be able to explore a module game board, build cities and buildings, fight battles, research powerful technology, and attract great people by advancing their culture. No matter what your play style is, there is a civilization for you!”
Other Games
Now I want to highlight a few that I have seen on the shelves at stores but have not played myself. For each of these I have watched at least on review video and based on those I have formed my own opinions. Let first look at a newer version of a classic arcade game turned board game, Pac-Man: The Board Game.
Pac-Man
The new version of this game from 2019 from Buffalo Games seems okay at best to me. From the reviews I have watched one person is the yellow pellet eating Pac-Man while the others players control the ghosts Blinky, Pinky, Inky & Clyde. Yes, the game board does mimic the video game and the players playing the ghosts are after Pac-Man with a vengeance. This game would be a good way for younger people to be introduced to this famous ghost eater.
For me, what I don’t like is a rather small issue, I do not like that it is turned based swapping from Pac-Man to the ghosts and vice versa. Part of the excitement of the video game was the constant movement of all the characters in the game at once. This way you had to make quick decisions about where you are going to avoid the ghosts and in the board game the action is much slower. But hey, other Generation Xers who grew up with the original video games seems to enjoy it. To each their own.
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
Once again Steamforged Games acquired the rights to create another video-turned-boardgame game. They have also done the boardgame versions of Dark Souls, Monster Hunter, Ni No Kuni II (which we might get this one), and Devil May Cry. With Resident Evil 2, it is played as a dungeon crawler with scenarios that allow you to progress and upgrade your character as you go. It can be played solo or with others cooperatively. One of the review videos I watched stated this:
“This is a game that you will never ever feel safe.”
It was also stated that those who love the video games of this franchise but are not board gamers would find this to be an excellent gateway game. Most of the ratings and reviews of this game have been pretty high and favorable. Even though I was not really a fan of the video games (I would play them if someone else wanted to play), I would consider trying this game out before purchasing. If you have the right circle of friends to play this with who like this genre of games, I am sure it would be a hit for your group.
“Look, You Have Two Choices Here: Kill Or Be Killed. Your Call!” (Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles)
New Excitement….
Now to get to my newest board game excitement and the reason why this blog entry is all about videogames turned board games… The Witcher: Old World by Go on Board Games. This game just completed the fundraising period on Kickstarter and raised over $8.25 million USD. It also unlocked a lot of stretch goals and a handful of additional add-ons.
In case you are wondering about the game, here is the full description listed on the games Boardgame Geek page:
“In The Witcher: Old World, you become a witcher — a professional monster slayer — and immerse yourself in the legendary universe of The Witcher franchise.
Set years before the saga of Geralt of Rivia, The Witcher: Old World explores a time when monsters roamed the Continent in greater numbers, creating a constant peril that required the attention of expertly trained monster slayers, known as witchers. Five competing schools trained their adepts through brutal regimes, and once fully prepared, these now-recognized witchers set off to explore the land, seeking trouble and adventures and helping others for coin.
In this competitive adventure board game, 2-5 players travel across a vast map, embarking on masterfully penned quests, encountering and making ambiguous moral choices, fighting monsters — and sometimes brawling with other witchers to defend their school's honor!
The game lets players construct their own unique decks of cards by choosing from a wide range of abilities: attacks, dodges, and witcher combat magic — known as "signs". Through card synergy, players aim to achieve powerful combos as they utilize their witcher school's hallmark abilities to their full potential. Quests, battles, and even dice poker allow each player to earn money, obtain new items, and train their skills.
The first player to acquire 4-6 trophies, with the number being set at the start of play, wins the game instantly. You can obtain trophies by killing monsters, instigating and winning chaotic tavern brawls against another witcher, training attributes to their highest level, and resolving certain quests throughout their adventure.
The game will include a Solo Mode that will allow for a solitaire adventure on the Continent.”
Initially I was not going to back this game thinking that it may turn out to be like Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game but as the initial preview videos and early review articles came in, I became hooked. I am just grateful that I have a loving wife who allows me to feed my love of boardgames. I think this will cover a year’s worth of gifts.
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