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Game Info
Year
1989
Players
2-5
Age
14+
Collection
Mechanic profile
Percentile rank vs. all games
Vibe profile
How this game feels to play
Description
HeroQuest is Milton Bradley's approach to a Dungeons & Dragons-style adventure game. One player acts as game master, revealing the maze-like dungeon piecemeal as the players wander. Up to four other players take on a character (wizard, elf, dwarf, or barbarian) and venture forth into dungeons on fantasy quests. This game was made in cooperation with Games Workshop Ltd. who designed the miniatures and helped in many of the production details including background world and art in the rule book and scenario book. The HeroQuest series consists of the main game and a number of expansions.
The game is played on a grid representing the interior of a dungeon or castle, with walls segmenting the grid into rooms and corridors. One player assumes the role of the evil wizard character (Zargon/Morcar), and uses a map taken from the game's quest book to determine how the quest is to be played. The map details the placement of monsters, artifacts, and doors, as well as the overall quest the other players are embarking upon. During a Hero's turn, the player can move before or after performing one of the following actions: attack, cast a spell, search for traps and secret doors, search for treasure.
The game ends when every player has either returned to the spiral staircase, exited by a door, or been killed by the evil wizard. If the objective of the quest has not been accomplished then the evil wizard character wins. Items collected during the quest may be kept for future quests. The quests usually form part of a longer story, especially the quests which are part of the expansion packs.
Additional material, which is generally missed since it is not technically an expansion, was published in the HeroQuest: Adventure Design Kit which did feature one more Heroquest adventure: A Plague of Zombies.
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 22
This page: 22
Sentiment:
pos 13 ·
mix 4 ·
neu 2 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–22 of 22
Video j4EXjDSJqRo
Analysis at 5:49 sentiment: positive
video_pk 67337 · mention_pk 163380
Click to watch at 5:49 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Should be on the list.
Cons
- Not on the Hall of Fame list.
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Descent: Journeys in the Dark
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- put if you're going to put terraforming Mars, why don't you put Everddale, okay?
- Or Wingspan, okay? Uh why not Wingspan? Why not Wingspan more than terraforming Mars?
- for sale. I mean, really.
- Acquire makes sense.
- you know I'll even you know Magic makes sense.
- if if you're talking about Grail Games, you have to talk all Arkham Horror.
- the third edition really wasn't, you know, I mean, maybe that hurts.
- all these other games that were spawned out of this universe was was was because of Arkham Horror and the popularity of it.
- I hate taking it out of the box because I think it's such a classic.
- Maybe, you know, it just it bewilders me.
- This is just my opinion. and I would love to hear your opinion as well.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video hzU3D47cAVM
Playthrough at 0:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 66966 · mention_pk 162841
Click to watch at 0:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Easy to run
- Nostalgic
- Lighter game complexity
- Fun to play with a customizable board
- App integration makes managing enemies and quests easier
- Potential for challenging gameplay with adjustable app settings
Cons
- Can be easy to miss updating the app with actions
- Dice rolls for defense can be unpredictable
Thematic elements
- Heroes battling malevolent powers and a witch queen.
- Northern dread waste
- App-driven narrative with spoken text.
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- app integration — An app is used to manage quests, enemy activations, narrative, and track game state.
- Character Stats — Heroes and enemies have stats like health, attack dice, defense dice, and mind points which influence their capabilities.
- Combat — Players and enemies attack using dice, with defense rolls to block incoming damage. The number of dice and hits/blocks determine the outcome.
- Movement — Players roll dice to determine movement allowance, with restrictions on moving through walls or diagonally. Movement can be split before and after an action.
- Searching — Players can search rooms or corridors for treasure, secret doors, or traps.
- Spellcasting — Heroes can cast spells which have various effects, such as damage, buffs, or utility, often with one-time use or per quest limitations.
- traps — Various traps can be triggered, inflicting damage or hindering player movement.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Heroquest. Look at this board. This board is from Etsy. I bought it on there. I'll put a link in the description below. Doesn't it look fantastic?
- This game is quite light.
- I do find this game is super easy to run, which is wonderful.
- You just don't know what you're going to get for defense.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video N_Zoh-ojIC0
Top List at 2:51 sentiment: positive
video_pk 65777 · mention_pk 159553
Click to watch at 2:51 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Defined the dungeon crawler genre
- Brought fantasy gaming to mainstream toy stores and TV
- Gateway game for a generation of board gamers
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Fantasy
Comparison games
- Salt and Gloomhaven
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dungeon Crawler — Defined the dungeon crawler genre.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this list is about the games I played that fundamentally shifted the way I think about gaming and what board games can be about
- The concept of having a simple core game that was modified by variable powers was pretty revolutionary at the time
- nothing in gaming was quite like the MB game master series when it came out
- Arkham Horror along with pandemic pushed cooperative board games to the forefront of the Hobby and there are a massive john rule than the hobby today
- no game has done more to improve the idea of figure painting as an art form than Warhammer 40,000
- it also got fantasy gaming at the toy stores and on mainstream TV
- you cannot understate the influence of Magic the Gathering has had on board game paying costs to play cards tapping them keywords interactions and the countless other card mechanics
- it was the first euro game I played and while it really didn't do it for me it introduced me to a world of games
- very few things have shaken up the board game hobby like Kickstarter
- XCOM was the first app driven game I played where I thought there was no possible way to replicate the experience of that game without the app
- what makes board gaming unique is that the experiences reshaped every time it is played
- it seemed like a watershed moment of me that we can have games that are not only fun and engaging but also thought-provoking
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CLUG3bFzku0
watch it played Discussion at 2:35
video_pk 65425 · mention_pk 159094
Click to watch at 2:35 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- my friend went to dip his bread in some olive oil and I had that moment of oh no if he moves that across the board that's it oil stain forever
- using my game board as your personal tablecloth as you drank your dripping food across it that would feel just almost a little too intentional uh and just thoughtless
- I bought this game I enjoyed it for the past 50 times we played it but I also want to enjoy it for the next 200 times we play it and I won't be able to do that if my game components are damaged
- our games are our playground and we jump in like a gang of fifth graders being released for recess on the jungle gym
- the move I can't stand is when someone is placing a card on the table and they have their thumb in the middle of the card and lift the top of it at the same time
- this is something someone's going to be doing over and over and over again and it's so subtle they can probably get away with it except of course you hear that smacking sound each time it it hits the table
- one time while playing a game of settlers of Katon at our friend's house one of my friends spilled Coke on some of the cards because they were getting over excited
- I have painted my card tokens with several layers of hard varnish to stop them from scuffing
- I see myself as not only a gamer but also a game collector the game stop being just a game and become a precious piece of my collection
- games can be replaced but friends cannot if everyone is having fun and getting into the game then don't worry about the components memories will last much longer than the game
- I like things put back in a very specific way so I tell everyone that I'll just do it myself and please don't help me but someone always insists on helping me by tossing things in the box and it makes me crazy
- when I got Mansions of Madness it came with a few ered cards I didn't need the extra printed cards so I took perverse Delight in tearing them to shreds
- a well-read book is a weathered book when a game shows its crows feet you can tell it has entertained many people countless times
- being a college student every game that I purchase I consider a major investment because odds are I will not be able to buy another one for a good while
- many gamers like to trade games I like to keep my games in decent condition if I decide to trade it
- I hate it when people mistreat your property if you're invited to someone's house you don't go and eat their plant do you you don't go and smash their glasses so they got nothing to drink from
- some games don't have that some games Come Out 3 years later you can't find them for dust I'm angry and our games are not cheap
- PS you can man can handle my dice I don't mind that dice oh they're replaceable anything else
- I just like to take care of my stuff so I don't think there's anything wrong with that I don't think any other Gamers out there that do the same thing have anything to be ashamed of with it
- it's like anything when people give you crap about it like you get into somebody's car and some people's hobbies are their cars and I wouldn't leave trash in your car you know don't smear up my cards or like bend my cards you know I'm not going to just respect the hobby
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _VnnXqo3E-Q
Let's Table It Review at 0:00 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 61863 · mention_pk 154502
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- New dragon miniature in the First Light edition
- Double-sided board with new quests
- Updated dice and miniatures
- Improved rulebook organization with color-coded sections
- Dragon as a new monster adds variety
Cons
- Box is smaller and shallower; storage can be fiddly
- Additional cost if you already own older editions
- Not every owner will find the upgrade essential
Thematic elements
- team-based adventuring against monsters with treasure, traps, and magic
- Fantasy dungeon crawl in a medieval fantasy world, with a dungeon quest flow and arena-style battles
- episodic quest-based narrative with modular scenarios and the possibility of arena encounters
Comparison games
- Hero Quest
- Hero Quest First Light Edition
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Combat: Dice — Combat resolved using dice, with outcomes influenced by equipment and spells
- Cooperative Game — Players work together to complete quests and defeat monsters under dungeon-crawl rules
- cooperative play — Players work together to complete quests and defeat monsters under dungeon-crawl rules
- Deck-based treasure and item system — Treasure, artifact and spell cards circulate with varying effects on heroes and monsters
- Dice-based combat — Combat resolved using dice, with outcomes influenced by equipment and spells
- Modular board — Two-sided boards with foldable sections and a large arena area, allowing varied quest layouts
- Modular board / branching quests — Two-sided boards with foldable sections and a large arena area, allowing varied quest layouts
- Monster and hero reference cards — Rule and stat references provided on hand or sheet cards to streamline play
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the rules are the same so no big surprises in this copy compared to the others
- for some of you you might say yes and for some of you you might say no
- the new dragon miniature that's included in this version of First Light
- this is what I got and this is what I got to compare with for you to know if maybe this version is for you or not
- I actually kind of like this box art here
- the box is smaller than this other box here and also it's not as deep as
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video PtL2ZgPSF5o
The Dungeon Dive Review at 0:15
video_pk 61254 · mention_pk 153944
Click to watch at 0:15 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Array
- Array
- martial arts-inspired dungeon exploration with elemental monk styles and a tournament-themed quest narrative
- Array
- Dungeon-crawl fantasy world of HeroQuest; discusses both base game and the Path of the Wandering Monk expansion
- Array
- Array
- Array
- positive
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the toy factor is kind of off the charts
- I was very pleasantly surprised when this showed up
- this whole packaging is off the charts
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ofwkfFci1iI
The Dungeon Dive Discussion at 0:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61245 · mention_pk 153933
Click to watch at 0:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Iconic, recognizable dungeon board with clear configuration options
- Board folds for easy storage and fits on a wide range of table sizes
- Versatile board usable with other dungeon-crawl games
Cons
- Requires space to lay out the dungeon, which can be challenging on very small tables
- On limited table space, players may need to move or remove pieces during setup
Thematic elements
- Exploration, cooperative dungeon delving, hero party vs. dungeon environment
- Fantasy dungeon crawl in a medieval-fantasy world, played on a configurable dungeon board.
- Story-driven, episodic dungeon crawl with modular scenarios
Comparison games
- Against Darkness
- Caves and Catacombs
- Advanced HeroQuest
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative Game — A group of players works together to navigate the dungeon and overcome monsters and traps.
- cooperative play — A group of players works together to navigate the dungeon and overcome monsters and traps.
- Modular board — Board is built from tiles and walls; players configure the layout with doors and blockers.
- Modular dungeon board — Board is built from tiles and walls; players configure the layout with doors and blockers.
- Preset board with configurable layout — A ready-made board that can be further customized to create varied labyrinths.
- Tile-based dungeon exploration — Gameplay unfolds on a grid of rooms and corridors, enabling spatial strategy.
- Variable Set-up: Board — A ready-made board that can be further customized to create varied labyrinths.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I love the size, I love the color, I love how useful it is; I love that it folds up and it's easy to store.
- I know exactly what I'm getting when I set up the game and I don't have to worry about moving things around on my table.
- This board is useful outside of the rules of HeroQuest; you can use it for Against Darkness or Caves and Catacombs.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video qd6gmV0qrrk
The Dungeon Dive Discussion at 9:49 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 61267 · mention_pk 153954
Click to watch at 9:49 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Toy factor and production quality of components
- Rule simplicity as foundation for fan-made house rules
- Modular play and expansion possibilities via accessories
Cons
- Monsters largely lack variety and special abilities in base game
- Loot is not exciting; Wizard purchases are limited
- Out-of-the-box play can be underwhelming for solo or 1v1 style
Thematic elements
- Heroic fantasy dungeon crawl with a villain Zargon
- Underground dungeon exploration in a fantasy world
- Story-driven quests with modular adventures
Comparison games
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Talisman
- Space Hulk
- Space Crusade
- Warhammer Quest
- Dungeon Saga
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- boss battler — The villain controls monsters and sets traps to oppose heroes.
- Cooperative Game — Heroes work together to defeat monsters and complete quests against a host (Zargon).
- cooperative_play — Heroes work together to defeat monsters and complete quests against a host (Zargon).
- enemy_control_by_zargon — The villain controls monsters and sets traps to oppose heroes.
- inventory_loot_management — Loot cards and treasure deck determine equipment between quests, with limited excitement.
- quest_book / modular_quests — 14 original quests; ability to create fan-made quests.
- roll-and-move — Players roll dice to move their heroes around a grid-based dungeon.
- Roll/Spin to Move — Players roll dice to move their heroes around a grid-based dungeon.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the best thing about hero Quest is all of the house rules and fan made supplements
- the toy factor is off the charts
- the production quality of this new Hasbro/Avalon Hill edition is fantastic
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Ulotto-Re6w
The Dungeon Dive Top List at 13:18 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61252 · mention_pk 153943
Click to watch at 13:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Iconic dungeon crawl with enduring community support
- Extensive homebrew and expansions available
Cons
- Rules as written can feel dated; modern games may offer more depth
Thematic elements
- Imagination-driven adventure with a legacy community and expansive fan content.
- Classic dungeon crawl fantasy world with dungeon exploration and monsters.
- Array
Comparison games
- Runebound Second Edition
- Talisman Second Edition
- Shadows of Brimstone
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- expansions and quest cards — New quests, monsters, and rules via official and fan-made expansions.
- Modular board — Tiles and miniatures define dungeon layout and encounters.
- modular dungeon boards — Tiles and miniatures define dungeon layout and encounters.
- monster/hero combat framework — Simplified combat system suited to a broad audience.
- solo rules and fan expansions — Dedicated solo play options and a large body of fan-made content.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "I am a huge proponent of house ruling"
- "if there's a game you somewhat like and there's just one little thing that you could change to make it better"
- "HeroQuest is my number one game to play with house rules"
- "these decks of cards make the sandbox style gameplay more varied and more exciting"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CnVsFlfAwWk
Shelfside Discussion at 1:57 sentiment: positive
video_pk 60782 · mention_pk 153230
Click to watch at 1:57 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Array
- Fantasy
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- board games are a hobby very dedicated people to it and my god it is wondrous
- it's a hobby
- I could do this myself and I realized that there's a lot of other games besides just this
- we're really glad we gone to YouTube as soon as we could
- there's a bigger audience so there's more to watch
- there's so many of them
- it's a start of something crazy there's more to come for board games
- I would not have gotten into board games if it wasn't for YouTube
- the board games space because now board games are newer the more aesthetically pleasing they're more balanced
- I remember that there were three different clubs at UC San Diego consistently playing board games
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _SVRY5cmCco
Shelfside Review at 0:00 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 60658 · mention_pk 153060
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Miniatures are absolutely amazing; detailed and sturdy.
- High-quality components and updated minis with good molds.
- Map templates and modular layout enable infinite dungeon setups.
- Zargon screen is practical and intimidating; clean base rules.
- Extremely easy to start and learn; quickly approachable.
- Beautiful visuals and nostalgic charm; quick setup.
Cons
- Randomness of 2d6 movement can lead to unbalanced turns and lack of agency in combat.
- Combat is slow and grindy with limited rerolls and action economy.
- Wandering monsters can disrupt pacing during treasure hunts.
- Rulebook and balance feel clunky; expansions complicate rules; combining base and expansions is messy.
- App version has numerous UX flaws: no undo, no log history, no restart, limited solo/play; requires screen use while playing.
- No scenario restart in-app; misplays require starting new quest; no easy reset.
- Potions/items space constraints and deck management is janky.
- Lack of strong narrative hooks; limited storytelling; scenario flavor is minimal.
- Over-reliance on nostalgia; the game feels outdated in rules as written; balance questionable when DM modifies layouts.
Thematic elements
- Heroic questing, teamwork, dungeon exploration.
- High fantasy dungeon crawl where adventurers explore a dungeon to defeat Zargon.
- Game-master driven with scenario book and Mentor narrator; Zargon as DM.
Comparison games
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Mansions of Madness
- Frosthaven
- Descent: Second Edition
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Adventure equipment and upgrades — Equipment deck (armory) and artifacts provide game-changing abilities (special weapons, armor, boots, etc.).
- App Assisted — There is a companion app for co-op play; but it has UX issues (no undo, no log history, finger-based input, restart limitations).
- App integration (digital app) — There is a companion app for co-op play; but it has UX issues (no undo, no log history, finger-based input, restart limitations).
- Asymmetrical play — Zargon acts as GM to shape dungeon layout and scenario outcomes; can alter layout or spawn more enemies; one-versus-all feel.
- card crafting — Equipment deck (armory) and artifacts provide game-changing abilities (special weapons, armor, boots, etc.).
- combat resolution — Skull results denote hits; defense depends on shields (white shield for heroes, black shield for Zargon minions); characters die if health reaches zero; allies can loot gear.
- Itemization and loot — Treasure deck with permanent upgrades and artifacts; potions and equipment affect the heroes; some treasures require deck management.
- Modular board — Base map is a template with rooms and doors; expansions add new rooms, furniture, and dungeon flavor; allows infinite replay.
- Modular dungeon generation — Base map is a template with rooms and doors; expansions add new rooms, furniture, and dungeon flavor; allows infinite replay.
- movement and actions — Each hero rolls 2d6 for movement and takes one action per turn (attack, search, cast spells, item use, etc.).
- Scenarios and quest books — Secret Quest book drives encounters; Zargon reads from it to spawn enemies or treasure.
- Spell system — Each Quest uses up to 12 spells; spells provide debuffs, buffs, or traversal tricks (e.g., sleep, walk through walls).
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Miniatures are absolutely amazing.
- Hero Quest is an extremely easy game to start and learn.
- The setup for everything is also extremely fast for high fantasy.
- this Hasbro Pulse Hero Quest right here is gonna get a 4 out of 10
- nostalgia is just preventing me from giving it a 4 out of 10
- the app is not going to let you play Hero Quest solo or even two players very well
- wandering monster is a big discouragement to not search for Treasure
- no undo button
- the best experience was still at the local park running my fellow middle school friends through the first scenario
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cXwiXhYEvFE
Shelfside Discussion at 2:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 60716 · mention_pk 153144
Click to watch at 2:11 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Classic accessible dungeon-crawl experience
- Iconic fantasy adventure tone
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Array
- Dungeon crawl fantasy adventure
- Dungeon-crawl with treasure hunting and a villain antagonist
Comparison games
- Dead of Winter
- Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition
- Star Wars Rebellion
- Eldritch Horror
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dungeon Crawl — Exploration of a dungeon to retrieve treasure while facing monsters and a nemesis
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- ameritrash games are just better than euro games they just are
- minis the minis
- this is ameritrash
- you might as well just all play your little crossword puzzle or just play actual solitaire
- dead of winter this is this frigid iceland there's so many things to fight other humans zombies mutated monsters
- twilight imperium the fourth edition
- i can control imperial star destroyers atats and there's even a death star
- you travel across the globe from london to rome to africa to solve these mysteries to defeat the legendary Shub
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video B79qa23f_D4
Shelfside Discussion at 3:26 sentiment: positive
video_pk 60730 · mention_pk 153167
Click to watch at 3:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Nostalgic classic dungeon crawl
- Strong social play among friends
Cons
- Older systems may feel dated compared to modern designs
Thematic elements
- Array
- fantasy dungeon exploration
- Cooperative dungeon crawl with modular missions
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative Game — Players work together to complete dungeon objectives.
- cooperative play — Players work together to complete dungeon objectives.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- board games are cooler than you think
- BSG is the best game ever
- it's all part of the process
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video NXYxHmfxxJk
Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Discussion at 5:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11993 · mention_pk 35149
Click to watch at 5:36 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Nostalgic classic with strong thematic cues
Cons
- Old design may feel dated to some players
Thematic elements
- adventure/heroic fantasy
- Fantasy dungeon crawl
- storybook/adventure
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- adventure/dungeon crawl — Players explore a dungeon with modules and encounter cards
- Dungeon Crawl — Players explore a dungeon with modules and encounter cards
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the aesthetic appeal of a product plays a big part in its commercial success
- placeholder art is more than adequate to give publishers a feel for what the game could look like
- publishers are no longer afraid of looking childish
- as a game inventor the visuals are unlikely to be at the forefront of your mind when you're ideating prototyping and testing your game
- let me know in the comments which games have gone above and beyond with their aesthetics
- standout component is very desirable in a prototype
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video EdFi4jt7SHA
Tabletop Minions Discussion at 39:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10987 · mention_pk 32370
Click to watch at 39:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Nostalgic, engaging mechanics for casual groups
- Solid special‑edition collection for classic hobbyists
Cons
- Age of the product and availability may limit new players
Thematic elements
- heroic exploration against a necromancer and monsters
- Dungeon crawl fantasy adventure
- cooperative storytelling with modular scenarios
Comparison games
- Dungeons & Dragons board games
- Gloomhaven (modern equivalent in spirit)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative dungeon crawl — Players work together to clear rooms, fight monsters, and complete quests.
- Modular scenarios — Different dungeon layouts and goal conditions yield varied play.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Rank and flank if only good if the rules are streamlined like uh Kings of War
- the main book is 200 220 maybe 250 I forget the exact number
- One page rules for free otherwise if you want to get the less simple you know kind of document it costs five bucks or you can join their patreon for five bucks a month and then get access to all of them
- Goblin brain video made me think about my hobby spending towards Beyond games and models tools and paints are a big fomo trigger for me I watched the video and the proceed to buy the Space Marines Herobine blocks
- as soon as they made it so you didn't have to worry about the swag bag that's just what I purchased because back in the day people who were the first like thousand people got the swag bag and everybody else didn't
- looking forward to the tanks of the Apocalypse event at adepticon
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video goe3uWbfmNQ
3 Minute Board Games Discussion at 1:40 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 9885 · mention_pk 29081
Click to watch at 1:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
- nostalgia
- easy to approach for new players
Cons
- older design mechanics feel dated
Thematic elements
- classic dungeon adventure
- fantasy dungeon crawl
- cooperative dungeon exploration
Comparison games
- Descent: Journeys in the Dark
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative_play — Players work together against the game.
- modular_dungeon_tiles — Variable dungeon layouts.
- simplified_combat — Basic dice-based combat.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- three minute board games is committed to winning this race to the bottom
- i absolutely totally do not understand this game desperately needed testing and editing
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video miaTx2EupNw
Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Discussion at 5:56 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 6239 · mention_pk 18483
Click to watch at 5:56 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Cinematic dungeon crawl feel, approachable
Cons
- Early design examples can be gimmicky if misbalanced
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Combat: Dice — Combat resolves via dice, impacting story outcomes.
- Dice-based combat — Combat resolves via dice, impacting story outcomes.
- Dungeon Crawl — Cooperative exploration with combat and treasure collection.
- Dungeon crawl/adventure — Cooperative exploration with combat and treasure collection.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Dice are not the answer in a first-time design.
- They are toxic. They destroy your first designs.
- Meaningful interesting decisions… the decisions have to mean something.
- Even if you have all sorts of other unique stuff going on in your game that roll for combat just overwhelms it.
- Monopoly has a bit of both, chaotic, entertaining momentarily but ultimately frustrating.
- Event decks can be devastating to your design if they wipe out progress or resources.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Fflv2nCikrs
Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Analysis at 2:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4852 · mention_pk 14388
Click to watch at 2:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Elegant simplicity of mechanism
- Excitement of successful rolls outrunning enemies
- Increased player choice with partial movement option
- Shows strength of roll and move in dungeon crawling
Cons
- Can be frustrating to lose long game purely from bad dice rolls
- Heavy reliance on chance despite good mechanics
Thematic elements
- Adventure, monster hunting
- Fantasy dungeon
- D&D inspired
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Asymmetric gameplay — Heroes move via dice rolls, one player controls monsters with fixed movement allowances
- Partial Movement — Players can choose to move any number of spaces up to die result, not forced to move entire distance
- roll and move — Grid-based movement with hero players rolling dice to move
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Where once randomness ruled modern games prioritized player agency designers strived to incorporate meaningful decisions into their games and role and move became a dirty word among the modern tabletop community
- I myself put out a video called dicer not the answer back in 2017 one of my most watched lamenting role and move
- In 2022 i feel like maybe just maybe we've tipped too far in the other direction thrown the baby out with the bath water
- This video is a quest for redemption
- When done well roller move is one of the most intuitive exciting mechanisms out there
- In a pure roll and move game the player rolls a die or spins a spinner and moves their playing piece according to the result
- In talisman you roll the die and then you choose to move clockwise or anticlockwise around the board that one deviation from the purest role of move games the decision to go left or right immediately put talisman head and shoulders above most board games on the market at the time
- Hero quest showcases the strength of the roller move mechanism its elegant simplicity and the excitement of a successful role outrunning an ogre
- It can be really frustrating to lose a long game which you were totally invested in purely because you rolled badly
- Spooky stairs is a great example of a game where the roll and move mechanism itself isn't tampered with but the basic race mechanism is turned on its head by incorporating a chaotic memory mechanism
- This game beautifully highlights the intuitive nature of roll and move as a mechanism
- More than any other on this list this game demonstrates how such a simple mechanism can create agonizing decisions and a hugely interactive variable board game experience I can't recommend this one enough
- Roll and move games don't have to be devoid of meaningful choices
- Formula d has a great roll and move mechanism which i haven't seen replicated in any other game
- Push your luck and roll and move complement each other nicely
- Among hobby gamers roll a move is widely considered something of an untouchable mechanism in 2022 and that's a shame
- Roll and move isn't a cursed mechanism
- Like every mechanism roller move has strengths and weaknesses
- It can be used effectively to create an exciting intuitive system or it can be used ineffectively to create a wildly random experience which feels primitive and unfair
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video rOHUvC5SCmw
Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Discussion at 9:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3341 · mention_pk 9876
Click to watch at 9:43 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- nostalgia, simplicity, straightforward rules
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- tactical dungeon exploration
- 80s dungeon crawl
- classic retro
Comparison games
- Warhammer Quest
- Super Dungeon Explore
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- mission-based dungeon crawl — simple, nostalgic approach to dungeon exploration
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I love the thirsty meatballs gaming library is wonderful to be able to go there and play all sorts of different games
- UK Games Expo I always think about the newcomer to the hobby what are they going to find when they go there
- the Kickstarter's up there people are pledging and now he starts to test and starts to design that game
- Evolution has really become my favorite game at this point
- Roll for the Galaxy is a fantastic euro game
- it's a speed game if you think of Jungle Speed
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video WsOrpEJmi50
Good Time Society Playthrough at 0:08 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 1976 · mention_pk 5656
Click to watch at 0:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Adventure
- Fantasy dungeon
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a Hero Quest day
- let's roll the dice
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video fSK3h5rfpqk
Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Analysis
video_pk 1432 · mention_pk 4152
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Fantasy Adventure
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I was an expert at taking well-designed games and making them just a little bit worse but I didn't care I loved every minute of it
- Creating this little deck of 21 cards and this tiny sheet of 22 tokens has rejuvenated the game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ogvuYRTGRG0
The Cardboard Herald Interview at 47:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 485 · mention_pk 117320
Click to watch at 47:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Nostalgic classic
- Accessible to new players
Cons
- Outdated components and rules by modern standards
Thematic elements
- Cooperative dungeon exploration
- Dungeon-crawl fantasy
- Narrative-driven tabletop quest
Comparison games
- Dungeons & Dragons board games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative dungeon crawl — Players explore a dungeon and complete quests
- Dungeon Crawl — Players explore a dungeon and complete quests
- Hero progression — Characters gain abilities through quests
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- you are now the owner of Christmas mornings Christmas afternoons and birthday parties do you want to mess that up
- it's a constant balance of trying to find that workload
- there's a very limited window where publishers want to work with me before they move on to the next thing
- the legacy is partially legacy games and that kind of in a lot of ways change a little landscape of tabletop gaming
- we're aware of Hero Quest; we want to modernize it while keeping the feel
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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