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Catacombs and Castles is a standalone game featuring a "Catacomb" team of heroes vs a "Castle" team of heroes. The game serves as an introduction to the Catacombs world and dexterity game system, so it features simplified, fast game play with some new mechanisms.
As in Catacombs, players flick pieces around a board to simulate combat, with cards and special powers dictating how you can move and attack.
Catacombs and Castles supports up to eight players competitively (in "Team Mode") and up to four co-operatively (players teamed against an 'Overseer' player called "Boss Mode"). The game is compatible with the third edition of Catacombs, serving as an expansion for that title with a new board, and will be compatible with the Catacombs: Wyverns of Wylemuir expansion.
Part of the Catacombs family — see Catacombs for the combined view.
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- strong reimagining of a classic
- tight include for modern players
- not a huge departure for fans of the original
- rules may be dense for new players
- team-based stealth and exploration
- A reimagining of dungeon-crawling with castle elements
- cooperative with competitive elements
- Catacombs
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Engine Building — New mechanics over a classic framework to freshen play
- reimagined engine — New mechanics over a classic framework to freshen play
- team-based strategy — Teams coordinate to navigate catacombs during play
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I was blown away by this game when I played this game, it's incredible.
- this is the most stunning board game I've ever seen.
- nonsense the whole thing but what a great sort of experiment in a randomizer.
References (from this video)
- high-energy, adrenaline-fueled atmosphere
- team-based play with scalable player counts
- immersion enhanced by an energetic soundtrack
- requires space and setup for optimal dexterity play
- soundtrack appeal may be subjective and not for every table
- team-based arena sport with a high-energy, dexterity-driven clash
- Arena-style dexterity combat in a world inspired by Catacombs and Castles
- hype-filled, sport-like commentary around an arena battle
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dexterity-based combat — Players engage in fast-paced, physically oriented interaction to influence combat outcomes in a team-based arena setting.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- catacombs and castles the amazing dexterity deathmatch
- this freaking Coliseum it feels like a sport taking place in the world of catacombs and castles
- an incredible dexterity game
- CD Z's back in black
- the ultimate rockers of all time