I have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to my board game collection. Now that they are all unpacked, I can't decide which one to review! So, instead of a review this month, I'm asking you, the reader, to help me pick the one to review for July!
Krosmaster Arena /// Once A Month Gamer
Amazing art, funny characters and a battle to death are the hallmarks of this battle game. Do you have what it takes to survive Krosmaster Arena? (affiliate link)
THEME: Dungeon, Fantasy, Magic
PUBLISHER: Kickstarter!
DESIGNER(S): Murat Célébi, Nicolas Degouy
COST: $80
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: Krosmaster: Arena
our goal, in this game, is spend each turn using actions, abilities and/or spells in an attempt to take your opponent’s Gallons of Glory (GG). The first player to lose all his/her team or GG loses. May the best master win.
rulebook, box with everything in it, and the board.
The first time you set-up Krosmaster Arena, (affiliate link) there is a bit of assembly required. The trees, bushes and crates need to be built (and save yourself some frustration down the road by glueing the crates together). After you put these together, the setup is quicker for later play throughs. Also, there are two sides to the board that offer a bit of variety to your environment.
the characters you get to choose from are super detailed and fun. each one has different strengths, weaknesses and abilities.
You assemble your team of Krosmasters by whatever means you choose: one at a time, randomly or by draft. You set them up on your side of the board in order of highest initiative score to lowest (it’s the number in the top left of the card on a lightening bolt). This will establish your “Timeline” for your turn.
queen of the tofus and king of the gobballs are only available in the arena box,.
Each turn consists of three phases: Tension rises; Character turn; End phase. Before you start your turn, you’ll role the dice to see if Demons of Hours and Minutes is going to penalize you and your Krosmasters. If your roll produces two of the same symbols, then each player loses a GG. However, if you roll two different symbols you are rewarded with “Inspiration” for your characters. Each symbol means something different (i.e. the Shield gives you Armor Power).
In phase two the action picks up. You can move, take actions, cast spells and try to beat the pulp (or GG) out of your opponent’s team. What you can do depends on the character in play’s card, which dictates its action points, movement points and special abilities. You do this with each member of the team you’ve assembled, one at a time, in order of their Timeline.
You can also buy upgrades with little gold Kama coins (which I totally forgot to take a picture of!).
all the bits and pieces of the game (except the kama coins, which i forgot to include)
The last phase is really just passing the turn to the next player and bracing yourself for their attack against you.
One thing about this game that really stands out is the quality of it. The figures, their cards, the board and it’s 3D elements and all the little bits and pieces – all of it is just beautiful. This is one good looking game.
I also love the rulebook. That sounds weird, right? It’s a 32 page book, but really on 5 pages are the rules. Inside the book is a series of tutorials, with mini boards set up for you and an opponent to play on while you each learn the game, step by step. It was super helpful and I wish more games did this approach. The only thing we still have trouble with is figuring out the line of sight.
training tutorials are a huge help in learning all the rules and moves in this game.
I love this game and would highly recommend it to anyone. You can only play it with two or four players, which doesn’t make it the most playable game, but it’s worth the investment. Also, you can buy more characters in little packs!
Have a suggestion for a board game you’d like to see as a Once A Month Gamer post? Have any questions about this month’s game? Leave a comment down below.
OAMG: Tsuro
I first saw this game on Geek & Sundry’s Tabletop YouTube series. They played it with some other quick games, and Mr. LL and I felt like we really wanted to play this one. I’ve been looking for it ever since (and that episode came out 2 years ago). Finally, when Mr. LL took me tabletop shopping for my birthday, we found it.
THEME: Asian
PUBLISHER: Calliope Games
DESIGNER(S): Tom McMurchie
COST: $29.99
“Create your own journey with Tsuro…the Game of the Path.” You and the other players are dragons, flying the skies. Each turn you will lay a tile that will lengthen your path, but be careful! If you fly off the board or into another player, you are out of the game.
This game is very easy to learn and to play, and the only trouble we ever had was remembering to draw tiles at the end of our turns. I have played this game with just 2 players (Mr. LL and I) as well as with a group of 7 and a group of 5. It works any way you play it. If you are looking for a good two player game, however, I will say that it can take a long time. Mr. LL and I ended up playing two dragons each, just to keep it interesting.
I love this game. It is quick, easy to layout and pick up, and really fun. It has great replay value, because the paths will always be somewhat random as the depend on the tiles you draw and what your opponent(s) lay down. The art is beautiful and the components of this game are well designed. I only wish the “stone” pieces that represent you/your dragon were heavier or felt more like stone as opposed to plastic. But that is very minor.
I highly recommend this game to all level of tabletop players!
I’m so excited to have Once A Month Gamer on Lazy Lady! I have big plans for this monthly series, so be sure to come back in April to check out a new game!
Have a suggestion for a board game you’d like to see on this Once A Month Gamer post? Have any questions about this month’s game? Leave a comment down below.