Good review! I really enjoy this game system, it's solid, easy, and entertaining. If you are looking for an immersive role playing experience, this ain't it. But if you want a fun, light, fantasy themed board game that you can play in an hour, this is a great start. Now in 2019, there are six games in the system, the latest being Dungeon of the Mad Mage. This has more of a campaign feel, allowing characters to level up to level five. It's a nice touch to mix and match different monsters, treasure, encounters, and characters of the games. This really gives players a wide amount of options and diversity. For example, you pick a fighter but can choose any fighter power cards (at-will, utility, daily) from any of the games. This really brings a lot of variety to the game and makes each character much more unique. A lot of extra fan-based scenarios and optional rules are available too on BGG. This is a clean, entry-level fantasy board game and really not much more. If you like the A.I. mechanics but want something a bit more complex try Sword and Sorcery by Ares games. Other mid-range games I enjoy are Descent and Super Dungeon Explore. Descent is a fantastic game, with or without the app, that really brings a variety of campaigns but is still pretty light on complexity. Super Dungeon Explore is extremely complex in the amount of actions, powers, and potions but the rules are far from clear which is why the game bombed. But with some tweaking and some common sense, SDE shouldn't be overlooked. Some enjoy Arcadia Quest but SDE is far more in depth and interesting. Think of Gauntlet mixed with Final Fantasy Tactics in a board game. At the top of the heap are games like Gloomhaven and Middara. These are much more campaign story-driven legacy games. If you're interested in a much larger and longer experience, these will do the trick. As with anything, it's all about preference. Try before you buy is always a good idea and the D&D adventure games are no exception. But honestly, it's rare to see any of the mentioned games being played. Everyone is playing Magic the Gathering like it's some kind of cult. But here's the good thing....whenever I bust out any of these games, MTG players are instantly fascinated and curious. Good to break free from the mold! At $45-60 (more for the painted versions), the D&D adventure games offer a good bang for the buck. And it's a really good starter for D&D in general, especially for kids. An eight year old can easily grasp the mechanics of the game and you might be surprised to find something else to pull them away from those dreaded video games.
Great review of this game! I've not heard of it until now, and I only found myself here when trying to understand what "AI" in a table top board game might look like. The way you described everything is very easily understood and helped to give me a fair impression of what to expect. And to look for potentially newer and better options. Thanks!
Nice review. I picked up all four last year for less than $40 ea two were MIB sealed but haven't had time to play them(!) I like the WotC D&D esthetics. also got two of the dungeon command games to use the minis. I want to combine all four one of these days. thats a lot of pieces to mix up and then have to 'un-mix' ; elemental evil has more of the campaign idea.
Good review! I haven't played any of these, but it seems like a good introduction to D&D for kids or those who are new to it. Also, it seems like you get quite a few nice-looking minis for the price, which you could presumably use for playing 'full-on' D&D later. One question I have: is it possible to play with a DM controlling the monsters, or is it not really deigned for that?
I played the game and like the review. The issue I felt is each time a tile is flipped the monster get's an attack. So explore, get attacked since you really can't brace for the incoming attack it leads to less than optimal strategy as a group. Basically I felt I was jumping from one fire/tile/monster to the next, until I found the objective tile. The hero bonus' with wizard and fighter never seemed in play as you must explore therefore usually not on the same tile each round and the wizard and fighter don't benefit from it. Most of the items are useless as they say instead of attacking use this. Usually there are just a weaker version of your basic attack. Since you draw a new monster almost every round you almost always want to be attacking. The items with passive bonus' were best such as +1 AC, +1 speed, +1 attack, etc. Perhaps I'm missing something on it but the team strategy and dynamic seemed a bit lost. A fun good game, but felt like it is missing team play refinement.
@@haydengibbons5000 no worries. I haven't really put in time in to house patch it. My friends moved on to the actual DnD 5e game. More prep for the DM but more fun.
Good review! I really enjoy this game system, it's solid, easy, and entertaining. If you are looking for an immersive role playing experience, this ain't it. But if you want a fun, light, fantasy themed board game that you can play in an hour, this is a great start.
Now in 2019, there are six games in the system, the latest being Dungeon of the Mad Mage. This has more of a campaign feel, allowing characters to level up to level five. It's a nice touch to mix and match different monsters, treasure, encounters, and characters of the games. This really gives players a wide amount of options and diversity. For example, you pick a fighter but can choose any fighter power cards (at-will, utility, daily) from any of the games. This really brings a lot of variety to the game and makes each character much more unique. A lot of extra fan-based scenarios and optional rules are available too on BGG.
This is a clean, entry-level fantasy board game and really not much more. If you like the A.I. mechanics but want something a bit more complex try Sword and Sorcery by Ares games. Other mid-range games I enjoy are Descent and Super Dungeon Explore. Descent is a fantastic game, with or without the app, that really brings a variety of campaigns but is still pretty light on complexity. Super Dungeon Explore is extremely complex in the amount of actions, powers, and potions but the rules are far from clear which is why the game bombed. But with some tweaking and some common sense, SDE shouldn't be overlooked. Some enjoy Arcadia Quest but SDE is far more in depth and interesting. Think of Gauntlet mixed with Final Fantasy Tactics in a board game.
At the top of the heap are games like Gloomhaven and Middara. These are much more campaign story-driven legacy games. If you're interested in a much larger and longer experience, these will do the trick.
As with anything, it's all about preference. Try before you buy is always a good idea and the D&D adventure games are no exception. But honestly, it's rare to see any of the mentioned games being played. Everyone is playing Magic the Gathering like it's some kind of cult. But here's the good thing....whenever I bust out any of these games, MTG players are instantly fascinated and curious. Good to break free from the mold!
At $45-60 (more for the painted versions), the D&D adventure games offer a good bang for the buck. And it's a really good starter for D&D in general, especially for kids. An eight year old can easily grasp the mechanics of the game and you might be surprised to find something else to pull them away from those dreaded video games.
I just ordered Castle Ravenloft from Amazon, really looking forward to playing it with the family. Going to mix in my other miniatures.
Just got all three of them and man it’s so much fun. This is a gamble and it’s more fun than monopoly. This game is hard though
Yes, Ive played most of the scenarios… the game is very difficult and it shows no mercy sometimes with the cards you draw
Also i cant imagine a family enjoying this game to be honest. Kids and others not used to games like this will lose interest in about 2 turns lol
Great review of this game! I've not heard of it until now, and I only found myself here when trying to understand what "AI" in a table top board game might look like. The way you described everything is very easily understood and helped to give me a fair impression of what to expect. And to look for potentially newer and better options. Thanks!
At the end when you started laughing a little bit... Be that guy more...I like that guy
*Spelling
Nice review. I picked up all four last year for less than $40 ea two were MIB sealed but haven't had time to play them(!) I like the WotC D&D esthetics. also got two of the dungeon command games to use the minis. I want to combine all four one of these days. thats a lot of pieces to mix up and then have to 'un-mix' ; elemental evil has more of the campaign idea.
Good review! I haven't played any of these, but it seems like a good introduction to D&D for kids or those who are new to it. Also, it seems like you get quite a few nice-looking minis for the price, which you could presumably use for playing 'full-on' D&D later. One question I have: is it possible to play with a DM controlling the monsters, or is it not really deigned for that?
It's good for veterans too when you just wanna get your quick fix of D&D
I played the game and like the review. The issue I felt is each time a tile is flipped the monster get's an attack. So explore, get attacked since you really can't brace for the incoming attack it leads to less than optimal strategy as a group. Basically I felt I was jumping from one fire/tile/monster to the next, until I found the objective tile. The hero bonus' with wizard and fighter never seemed in play as you must explore therefore usually not on the same tile each round and the wizard and fighter don't benefit from it. Most of the items are useless as they say instead of attacking use this. Usually there are just a weaker version of your basic attack. Since you draw a new monster almost every round you almost always want to be attacking. The items with passive bonus' were best such as +1 AC, +1 speed, +1 attack, etc. Perhaps I'm missing something on it but the team strategy and dynamic seemed a bit lost. A fun good game, but felt like it is missing team play refinement.
Well said. I think I agree with you on these points.
sorry for the lateness, but do you have any houserules to counter out those negatives you mentioned? Thanks
@@haydengibbons5000 no worries. I haven't really put in time in to house patch it. My friends moved on to the actual DnD 5e game. More prep for the DM but more fun.
Can I use the heros in Ravenloft and play them in like Temple Of Elemental Evil?
Yes
@@geraldgrant1234 ty
Good video all d&d to me is the same thanks i will buy it
Good insights, thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
Dark Souls was a disappointment.
What’s your view on it now? You said your expecting it to be phenomenal.
I was just going to say that! Dark Souls absolutely bombed, and any DnD board game is far better than that disaster.
@@realdealastrology9 Has it? Frankly it's way out of my price range but I see they keep pumping out expansions so i thought it was doing good.
It's a dark souls IP. You can't contain everything in just 1 core box@@retardedfishfrogs1
wish i had this game now
What other board games do this theme better? You talk about it but give no examples.
Needs more gameplay and shots of the game or pieces, and less of your face so close up.
Review of the boardgame not your complexion.
You're welcome to make a review of your own. ;-)
Oof
More explaining less complaining. I just wanted to know how to play.
then you might want something without the word "review" in the title
Right??
@@Luchiop reviews aren't that same thing as complaints, numbnuts