Hello,
I already did a quick review of the game. My point was more to create a trend were everyone could post their suggestions to “make the game even better”.
I have now finished the main adventure + the 2-adventure pack extensions and am ready to give a deeper feedback of my experience. I have only tried 3 heroes and 3 roles though (Lorelei – mage - support / Maya – Ranger – Leader / Vorn – Warrior – Defender) and I haven’t tried the PvP.
So you know, I am an experienced player who owns, and have completed, lots of Dungeon Crawler like games (Gloomhaven and co, Kingdom Death Monsters, Sword and Sorcery, Middara, Mage Knight). I will refer to those at some points during my review, because for some of us it might be easier to compare than to try to project themselves in a new game, but I won’t focus too much on it and you won’t miss much by skipping these parts.
Finally I would like to say my purpose is to give a clear view of what you can expect from the game, but I also will try to give suggestions to CGS as they are about to launch a crowdfunding for the Big extension : Apocalypse.
And if you didn’t already notice, English is not my native language so I hope it still will be fluid enough for everyone !
1/Big picture
You are Heroes of the land of Daren. A Dark power is waking up, and you will travel through the continent trying to stop it.
Nothing really new here, but I tend to really like these kinds of background. For a dungeon crawler anyway, this is what you want!
Your heroes will meet lots of characters, they will level up, and find cool loots in their journey.
2/Components
Here CGS was quite innovative.
First, they managed to offer 3D terrains in their box. This is already incredible enough to salute. But it’s not just about having a cool nice-looking board. It offers tactical potential that gives a fresh feeling of game play.
On these 3D components you add your tiles, and here again CGS nailed it. These tiles all have specific artworks that resonate with the story you are in.
The story leads you into a study full of parchments? You can see those on the tiles. For those like me who played Gloomhaven front and back with really poorly designed tiles, it is so cool to linger in these rooms.
But CGS did innovate also in another area: the Doors ! Wait what? How could doors be innovative? Well, CGS created folded doors that can be added on the 3D terrains. And when you want to open it, you unfold these doors and discover some contextual wordings AND the new tiles (and, without too many spoilers, monsters) you can set for the next room.
It’s such a cool idea to keep your focus in the dungeon. Of course, it doesn’t fix the issue of having to set new things during your game. 386
But this is a cost I am willing to pay to get the excitement of discovery, and I feel it’s so important in a storytelling point of view. But don’t be afraid, this part is actually quite easy and quick.
Even better, CGS added QR codes on their Doors. If you use those you will be provided with choices: a random setting (for those who fear about replayability), a harder setting (because we are not all equal on our dungeon crawler skills) or even a harder random setting.
A Feature that even will allow CGS to enrich the experience or fix some bugs in the future. Well done guys, this is genius.
Talking about component, CGS also provided an insert produced by Game Trayz. I tend to like Game Trayz work, but to be honest for this game it’s a bit too much. Because of all the plastic the game box is huge! and I really don’t think it was necessary. But it’s a subjective point of view. I have to admit it’s kind of cool not have to think of an insert to be able to play your game (<PERSON>, <PERSON> I am looking at you guys… ).
The game also comes with tones of tokens. Having finished the main adventure, I just realized I only used 1/5 of it.
+ they are stocked on a Game Trayz that is not at all easy to use. To be exhaustive I also must say those tokens are not good quality. But as I just said they are not that important .. or only few of them.
And as this component part is a really strong asset of Chronicles of Drunagor I wanted to end it on another positive note: the miniatures. I am not a mini guy. 304