Thank you so much for playing our game! We're really proud of it, and appreciate the time you've given it. If you finish the game you'll have to nudge us, as we'd be so excited to hear your thoughts on the finale!
Just finished the campaign, and hoping there will be expansion or more Kinfire games as this was so fun and unique. We really loved how each mission had a cool twist to the basic card flipping action, and the fights kept you on your toes as to ever changing conditions.
There is a sheet online that does let you reset everything. Our family loved it so much at 3 players, I did actually take the time to reset everything so we can play through it again with the other three characters in a year or so... once we forget things a little bit.
I’d love Dice Tower to do one or two different Top Ten lists on narrative adventure or story driven dungeon crawler/ boss battler games. Maybe all in one list, maybe two separate for narrative vs dungeon/boss games. Why? Well they are generally pretty expensive! I’d love to hear how games like the following all shake out on a list by folks who have actually played a lot of them: -Sleeping Gods -Destinies -Lands of Galzyr -Gloomhaven/Frosthaven -Freelancers -ISS Vanguard -Stuffed Fables/Mice & Mystics -Tainted Grail -Vagrantsong Etcetera- I’m sure you know if more. This list would be GOLD! Particularly with a diverse panel each contributing a list and discussing their reasons why each made the top ten and what they appreciate about each game.
For the games I have played from your list, I would rank them: 1: tie between sleeping gods and Kinfire chronicles 2: Gloomhaven JOTL 3: Destinies 4: Frosthaven If we’re going pretty broad, and mostly looking at narrative games, I would also rank “Near and Far” and “Now or Never” above “Gloomhaven JotL”
It's such a charming game, on nearly all fronts. Easy to get onto the table. Interesting characters and world building. Great story that's weaving you into and out of boss fights. The combat system is fantastic, and makes deck building a joy to do. And then there's the city exploration which is some of the best campaign game fun I've ever had. There's so much here, as you're constantly introduced to new twists on each of those phases of play to keep things feeling different, and it's all mixed together and paced incredibly.
Played it at 2 (solo) and 4 (mid-way through the campaign), one problem is that when there is 4 players, you only have 3 chits in the bag, so during the battle there is more downtime. Think it would be better at 2 or 3. But yes, I agree with the ratings totally! Absolutely enjoying it!
At first glance this game looked generic as heck. But finally hearing how streamlined the mechanics and campaign progression is (and brief) I'm seeing this as a breath of fresh air. Easy to setup. Easy to table. Easy to store. Easy to finish. We don't need a 40lb core box with 120 hours.
I tried to play this last year at gencon and when I showed up to play with my ticket they basically said sorry. I guess they over booked it or something? Was really wanting to try it and now it sounds great. Hopefully, I can try it at some point
You aren’t storing your character’s stuff in your character folio? Haha, yes, you should do that. This game gets better and better, and the final quests are just… absolutely fantastic. I vastly prefer this to gloomhaven/frosthaven, more interesting story and character development, and streamlined gameplay.
I found the setup and teardown to be really quick. You should absolutely stick your equipment in your folio. I'm not sure where else you're putting it 😂. If you do that all your stuff's together and neatly organized. You just dump it out and go. Also I really liked the story card scenarios. Especially if you use forteller. (You mentioned you wish there was an app, well thats it).
I definitely see the Decent second edition vibes but not sure I see any Gloomhaven in there. Not sure why they were comparing them. Looks like a cool game regardless.
I like the art on the box cover, but in the overview there were almost no art anywhere, just plain text. Spires End did that better, eventhough it seems that art presentation is the only thing Spires End did better.
The game looks much better in-person. I was worried about that as well, as I had kickstarted it and overall thought it looked too beige when watching videos of it. It didn’t look or feel beige while playing it. I have no idea why that would be… but that was my experience. The maps and player boards are gorgeous for this game.
This game is $180 CAD in my area and while I'm sure the game is lovely, I can get about 3-6 other amazing games for this price and don't think I could possible justify this.
Looks like a wonderful game! Turned these dudes into gitty, happy and fresh reviewers! It was like this was Tom's 5th review ever, not 500th 😅 Where is the $59 version sold?
Did you only play this at 2 player? Maybe this should have been mentioned in the review, Because we found that at 4 player the random chips for taking turns meant some people barely got to act in fights, or there was really long downtime between 1 players turns compared to another’s. Also, Gloomhaven is bloated, complex and a heavy weight puzzle. If this is streamlined and simple, and a light weight puzzle, I don’t think this is an apples to apples comparison. They are both dungeon crawlers, but that sounds like where the similarities stop. Isn’t it just low hanging fruit to compare everything to gloomhaven? Why not chronicles of drunagor, or sword and sorcery or the 10s of other dungeon crawls, some of which are probably a more like for like comparison?
i wanted to like this game but tinyyyy maps, 1 enemy at a time and no dice rolling killed it. Grabbing pucks out of a bag constantly is boring and tedious
This game is generic fantasy as much as any other. Nowadays, even if they try to create a different fantasy world, it end up being generic because at this point almost everything has been explored already and there are limited amount of pointy eared creatures that can be created. In this game you will have your typical orc, dwarf and elf. Very generic.
![[Gegagedigedagedago] NEW Help Gegagedigedagedago Nugget escape from Nikocado Avocado Challenge](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hJWnwRC2Fz8/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you so much for playing our game! We're really proud of it, and appreciate the time you've given it. If you finish the game you'll have to nudge us, as we'd be so excited to hear your thoughts on the finale!
Just finished the campaign, and hoping there will be expansion or more Kinfire games as this was so fun and unique. We really loved how each mission had a cool twist to the basic card flipping action, and the fights kept you on your toes as to ever changing conditions.
Really loved the finale. Just a fantastic finish to the whole story arc.
The ending is so fun! @@juddjensen7578
To the designer ,” this game is so fun, me and my buddy basically bust open the game and played 4 scenarios straight !!!!”
My game group has been playing through this, and we've really been enjoying it. Congrats on making a great game!
There is a sheet online that does let you reset everything. Our family loved it so much at 3 players, I did actually take the time to reset everything so we can play through it again with the other three characters in a year or so... once we forget things a little bit.
Ooho, that's amazing. Can you please share the link for this?
I’d love Dice Tower to do one or two different Top Ten lists on narrative adventure or story driven dungeon crawler/ boss battler games. Maybe all in one list, maybe two separate for narrative vs dungeon/boss games.
Why? Well they are generally pretty expensive! I’d love to hear how games like the following all shake out on a list by folks who have actually played a lot of them:
-Sleeping Gods
-Destinies
-Lands of Galzyr
-Gloomhaven/Frosthaven
-Freelancers
-ISS Vanguard
-Stuffed Fables/Mice & Mystics
-Tainted Grail
-Vagrantsong
Etcetera- I’m sure you know if more. This list would be GOLD! Particularly with a diverse panel each contributing a list and discussing their reasons why each made the top ten and what they appreciate about each game.
That would be a super interesting top 10!
For the games I have played from your list, I would rank them:
1: tie between sleeping gods and Kinfire chronicles
2: Gloomhaven JOTL
3: Destinies
4: Frosthaven
If we’re going pretty broad, and mostly looking at narrative games, I would also rank “Near and Far” and “Now or Never” above “Gloomhaven JotL”
You've got your wish, folks.
It's such a charming game, on nearly all fronts. Easy to get onto the table. Interesting characters and world building. Great story that's weaving you into and out of boss fights. The combat system is fantastic, and makes deck building a joy to do. And then there's the city exploration which is some of the best campaign game fun I've ever had. There's so much here, as you're constantly introduced to new twists on each of those phases of play to keep things feeling different, and it's all mixed together and paced incredibly.
Played it at 2 (solo) and 4 (mid-way through the campaign), one problem is that when there is 4 players, you only have 3 chits in the bag, so during the battle there is more downtime. Think it would be better at 2 or 3. But yes, I agree with the ratings totally! Absolutely enjoying it!
I don't normally play campaign games, but I've seen this on the shelf at my FLGS and might up up giving it a try
I played through the whole thing with my husband and we both loved it. It’s one of my favorite games I have EVER played.
Wonderful game! Good to see it’s finally getting the credit it deserves. One of my faves.
Wow this already shipped. Crazy
I love Dice Tower!
Good review, as always!
At first glance this game looked generic as heck. But finally hearing how streamlined the mechanics and campaign progression is (and brief) I'm seeing this as a breath of fresh air.
Easy to setup. Easy to table. Easy to store. Easy to finish. We don't need a 40lb core box with 120 hours.
I tried to play this last year at gencon and when I showed up to play with my ticket they basically said sorry. I guess they over booked it or something? Was really wanting to try it and now it sounds great. Hopefully, I can try it at some point
You aren’t storing your character’s stuff in your character folio? Haha, yes, you should do that. This game gets better and better, and the final quests are just… absolutely fantastic. I vastly prefer this to gloomhaven/frosthaven, more interesting story and character development, and streamlined gameplay.
I found the setup and teardown to be really quick. You should absolutely stick your equipment in your folio. I'm not sure where else you're putting it 😂. If you do that all your stuff's together and neatly organized. You just dump it out and go. Also I really liked the story card scenarios. Especially if you use forteller. (You mentioned you wish there was an app, well thats it).
Is side of the box hour sort of like 5 minutes left in the basketball game 5 minutes?
Yes, hahah
Did you finish?
I definitely see the Decent second edition vibes but not sure I see any Gloomhaven in there. Not sure why they were comparing them. Looks like a cool game regardless.
I like the art on the box cover, but in the overview there were almost no art anywhere, just plain text. Spires End did that better, eventhough it seems that art presentation is the only thing Spires End did better.
The game looks much better in-person. I was worried about that as well, as I had kickstarted it and overall thought it looked too beige when watching videos of it. It didn’t look or feel beige while playing it. I have no idea why that would be… but that was my experience. The maps and player boards are gorgeous for this game.
Damn, sad I missed this one on Kickstarter. Will have to keep an eye out for a copy that won't rip my wallet in half
This game is $180 CAD in my area and while I'm sure the game is lovely, I can get about 3-6 other amazing games for this price and don't think I could possible justify this.
You could get a better job to have more money to buy it. Thanks for commenting.
Looks like a wonderful game! Turned these dudes into gitty, happy and fresh reviewers! It was like this was Tom's 5th review ever, not 500th 😅 Where is the $59 version sold?
Don't think that exists base game is 120 plus from what I've seen
So guys, did you finish it!? Thoughts?
What was happening to you, Joey the Dark Knight?
Stupid dice tower making me spend money.😢
Did you only play this at 2 player? Maybe this should have been mentioned in the review, Because we found that at 4 player the random chips for taking turns meant some people barely got to act in fights, or there was really long downtime between 1 players turns compared to another’s.
Also, Gloomhaven is bloated, complex and a heavy weight puzzle. If this is streamlined and simple, and a light weight puzzle, I don’t think this is an apples to apples comparison. They are both dungeon crawlers, but that sounds like where the similarities stop. Isn’t it just low hanging fruit to compare everything to gloomhaven? Why not chronicles of drunagor, or sword and sorcery or the 10s of other dungeon crawls, some of which are probably a more like for like comparison?
i wanted to like this game but tinyyyy maps, 1 enemy at a time and no dice rolling killed it. Grabbing pucks out of a bag constantly is boring and tedious
Nice system... too bad it is a campaign...
This game is generic fantasy as much as any other. Nowadays, even if they try to create a different fantasy world, it end up being generic because at this point almost everything has been explored already and there are limited amount of pointy eared creatures that can be created.
In this game you will have your typical orc, dwarf and elf. Very generic.