Gloomhaven

Took 3 attempts to clear first dungeon. If single player, probably not as bad, but really difficult to precisely coordinate in multiplayer. The multiplayer feature is really seemless though, so would recommend on easy with multiplayer.

I find that I can only recommend this game as an introduction to and a tutorial to any of the Gloomhaven games. Everything that I learned in the game was completely transferable to the boardgame experience, and even helped on a few rules, strategies, and overall understanding of the boardgame. Also, because it is cheaper than the boardgame, it is a cheaper way to get familiar with everything before you commit to the game...and believe me, it is a commitment. As a game in and of itself, it is very faithful to the boardgame. In this case I do not see it as an advantage. It feels like an overly clunky computer game trying to emulate the boardgame experience, which it cannot. It is clunky, not because the devs did a bad job, but because they did a good job. Cards, movement, strategy, tactical combat length (easily at least a couple hours in length for one combat), the whole bit, all work, but only really well in its intended medium- a phyiscal board. Rather, I would prefer to see a gloomhaven/frosthaven, inspired RPG, perhaps in the same vein of Baldaurs gate, or some other isomentric tactical combat style rpg's. There is alot of material there that could be used for such thing.

The biggest gripe with the physical boardgame is the mammoth set up required and constant AI management. This takes all that away whilst remaining true to the game, plus the narrator is fantastic

It is a commendable attempt to create "board game experience" without the setup hassle. However: - It's a Unity-engine game (if you've tried one of "those", you know the feeling) - Network mode is galaxy (or steam)-client bound. [Im sure it's considered "DRM-free" in certain "legal context". Good for you!] - For a board game with a set of well defined rules occasional "soft-locks" are hardly justifiable - Somehow the turn-based gameplay feels sluggish and unresponsive, even in "fast mode" - Cannot confirm or disprove any claims about "unfair" RNG on certain roll, as it's not very clearly communicated in the game On a positive side: + Visuals: Animations, UI, narration, ingame-help are quite good + Gloomhaven franchise as a world/mechanics is pretty compelling (less x-com and more card puzzle/strategy) + Very large selection of missions & heroes/cards/combinations

Loving this. Was going to buy the physical copy. Not now :-)