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Description
Mechs vs. Minions is a cooperative tabletop campaign for 2-4 players. Set in the world of Runeterra, players take on the roles of four intrepid Yordles: Corki, Tristana, Heimerdinger, and Ziggs, who must join forces and pilot their newly-crafted mechs against an army of marauding minions. With modular boards, programmatic command lines, and a story-driven campaign, each mission will be unique, putting your teamwork, programming, and piloting skills to the test.
There are ten missions in total, and each individual mission will take about 60-90 minutes.
Year Published
2016
Featured Videos
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 9
This page: 9
Sentiment:
pos 7 ·
mix 2 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–9 of 9
Video fyKid_dkx1c
top_20_list at 34:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 41076 · mention_pk 148187
Click to watch at 34:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- accessible for a wide audience due to its cooperative nature
- enjoyable for both casual and heavier players with varied missions
Cons
- high production value can be an barrier to beginners
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Elder Chore
- Mansions of Madness
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative campaign — standalone missions with a shared mechs and objective flow.
- damage and malfunctions as gameplay twists — damage tokens can cause malfunctions that alter your card row.
- programming-row and stacking effects — order of actions influences outcomes with increasing power.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the central mechanic of pulling chips and push your luck is so much fun
- it's a brain burner because everything is connected
- the dice mechanism... it's tight and open information
- the narrative tension of Final Girl keeps delivering memorable moments
- the balance of speed versus efficiency in Great Western Trail is brilliant
- Race for the Galaxy remains a fantastic quick puzzle with a strong core system
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video pviLWYiGjco
Just the Rogue game_review at 0:16 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 29417 · mention_pk 151289
Click to watch at 0:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- High-quality components and storage boxes
- Pre-painted minis look nice and durable
- Large number of minions and modular missions
- Tangible box presence; good for display
- Progressive tutorial with mission-specific rules and envelopes
- Reasonable multi-player solo-play viability
Cons
- Setup and tray organization can be heavy and space-consuming
- Large table footprint; four mechs require substantial space
- Envelope rules can be memory-heavy; occasional confusion
- Some missions can feel lengthy (e.g., ~90 minutes) and slow the pace
- Limited lifespan due to components opening; currently out of print
- Tactically chaotic at times; precision missions can stall
Thematic elements
- Teamwork under pressure; programming-like command sequencing; tech-magic hybrid world
- Team-based mission battles set in the League of Legends universe with yordle pilots controlling powerful mechs against waves of minions.
- episodic campaign progressing through a long arc of missions
Comparison games
- RoboRally
- Robocrest Arena
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Players draft movement, turning, and attack cards and slot them into a shared mech's command line to form a sequence of actions.
- Card drafting / command line building — Players draft movement, turning, and attack cards and slot them into a shared mech's command line to form a sequence of actions.
- Cooperative Game — Four pilots control mechs collaboratively, requiring coordination to succeed.
- Cooperative multiplayer on a shared board — Four pilots control mechs collaboratively, requiring coordination to succeed.
- Damage-driven disruption — Damage cards scramble or alter the command line, creating unpredictable future turns.
- Envelope-based rule progression — Rules are introduced gradually via envelopes that contain mission-specific rules, reducing spoilers.
- Programmable actions and execution — Once programmed, all mechs execute their commands in order, with possible conflicts or chaos caused by later cards.
- Timed drafting phase (sand timer) — A 45-second sand timer limits drafting of cards each round, adding pressure.
- Tutorial — Rules are introduced gradually via envelopes that contain mission-specific rules, reducing spoilers.
- Wave-based minion combat — Minions spawn and advance across the board, testing the team's defense and mission objectives.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's chaotic. It's risky, but that's mech training for you.
- The evidence is on the table. I mean, this is a 10 out of 10, right?
- Time to tally up the glitches and the glory.
- The sand timer times out are about 45 seconds, which is good.
- My verdict is guilty. But the sentence is suspended until I can march through as much of the campaign as I dare to solo and see as much of the game as possible.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video hg5c9Oo9LjE
Rolls in the Family top_3_list at 31:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11444 · mention_pk 109302
Click to watch at 31:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
very positive
Pros
- Impressive production and engagement value
- Great social, party-like energy while remaining tactical
- Strong group alignment and excitement
Cons
- Can be heavy to set up for new groups
- Some players may prefer quicker, lighter experiences
Thematic elements
- Cooperative sci-fi battle with humorous, light-hearted vibe
- Team-based mech combat against minion waves
- Campaign-driven with escalating objectives
Comparison games
- Twilight Imperium
- Foundations of Rome
- Quacks of Quedlinburg
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative real-time-ish play with turn structure — Team coordinates to complete missions against waves
- high-production tactile components — Large physical minis, modular boards, and mission cards
- Scenario-based progression — Campaign missions with varying goals and bosses
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this die instead of the just a normal looking die you've got swords and arrows
- it's cooperative so you you can't talk
- the production is beautiful
- the tutorial mission walks you through learning the game
- it's a beast to learn
- gosh Mage Knight is just so dang fun when you finally click
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 1KoFar5WVnw
Latvian Board Gaming Channel top_10_list at 4:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11254 · mention_pk 129289
Click to watch at 4:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Really nice components
- Good package all around
- Really fun chaos
- Different scenarios
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Mechs battling minions
- League of Legends universe
- Chaotic programming
Comparison games
- League of Legends
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative — 1-4 player co-op with scenarios
- Cooperative Game — 1-4 player co-op with scenarios
- Dice rolling — Random events and dice create chaos
- programming — Put down cards in row, flip one by one to see what happens
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Does your wife ever tell you what to do all the time especially what board games to play
- My wife loves games where she beats your ass
- This was the game we took to the hospital when my son was born
- I'm afraid for the calendar its days are numbered
- What does a sprinter eat before a race? Nothing, they fast
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video DOco8HZocdo
Shelf Help general_discussion at 18:26 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 9650 · mention_pk 128031
Click to watch at 18:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Large scale, memorable moments
Cons
- Miracle scenarios are rare; setup/learning curve
Thematic elements
- Cooperative tactical combat with big moments
- Robot mechs vs hordes of minions
- Campaign/mission-driven narrative
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative campaign — Players complete missions with evolving rules.
- Team coordination and bluff-free play — Transparent objectives drive planning.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Don't keep games around unnecessarily because soon 5 years turn to 10 years turns to 20 years.
- The space on the shelves has been replaced by something new and exciting.
- Think of all the hundreds you've saved in insulation.
- Just focus on 100, 200 that you think are amazing rather than like being overwhelmed with indecision.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 20dyaUEWPiA
top_3_list at 7:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8433 · mention_pk 106318
Click to watch at 7:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- high thematic production value
- fun moments and humor even when things go wrong
- scales well with 2–4 players and offers replay variety
Cons
- rules can be dense for new players
- setup/teardown time can be lengthy
Thematic elements
- team-based sci-fi industry against waves of minions
- cooperative table-top mission system featuring programmable actions
- campaign/missions with escalating challenges and dynamic scenarios
Comparison games
- Pandemic (cooperative template in spirit)
- Robotics-based puzzle games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative Game — players must coordinate to complete mission objectives
- cooperative puzzle solving — players must coordinate to complete mission objectives
- Modular board — missions alter board setup and win conditions
- modular board and scenario-based play — missions alter board setup and win conditions
- programmable actions — players select sequences of actions to resolve tasks during turns
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Second Edition is just a solid in that it takes everything
- it's a brain burner
- the floor for this game is just so high
- when the wife keeps begging to pull it out you just keep saying yes
- it's the one she's always asking to play
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Nmx2v6ufd9s
Rolls in the Family top_50_list at 57:32 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6558 · mention_pk 81006
Click to watch at 57:32 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- cooperative with lots of replayability
- fun mechs and boss-like challenges
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative Game — playthrough with varied goals per scenario
- Deck building — draft and upgrade actions for mechs to defeat minions
- deck-building / programming — draft and upgrade actions for mechs to defeat minions
- scenario-driven cooperative play — playthrough with varied goals per scenario
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Our goal is to bankrupt you.
- Swamp. Swamp. That's what it was.
- the cards are just beautiful with each individual bird
- pure fun and a unique vibe
- epic in scope
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _ECtXl9v2hw
Rolls in the Family top_20_list at 17:55 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2335 · mention_pk 101990
Click to watch at 17:55 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging cooperative play with strong table presence
- Accessible entry point for new players in a campaign setting
Cons
- Rules-heavy and can be lengthy
- May require a dedicated group for full experience
Thematic elements
- team coordination and tactical execution
- Futuristic mech battlegrounds with cooperative mission-based play
- campaign-style scenarios with evolving challenges
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative Game — Players select maneuvers, execute actions, and manage damage to complete missions.
- Cooperative scenario-based play — Players select maneuvers, execute actions, and manage damage to complete missions.
- Tactical planning with chaos — Unpredictable results from damage and event cards add chaos while players still coordinate.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- There are four of us. Uh this we were three for four. 75% pretty good.
- I like to be the ghost. I like True. I like to give the clue giving and figure out ways to uh help my fellow players guess their person, their place, and then their object.
- Push your luck and in this game you can do that.
- Eight out of 10 for Dune.
- This is Times Up title recall.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video bT35LJfUKlM
Brothers Murph top_10_list at 7:34 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2084 · mention_pk 6056
Click to watch at 7:34 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- enormous production and minis
- cooperative and captivating scenarios
- heightened sense of scale and spectacle
Cons
- very large and expensive
- long play sessions
Thematic elements
- cooperative programming with scenario-based missions
- superhero/robots in a tabletop scenario
- story-driven mission progression
Comparison games
- Clank
- War of the Ring
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative programming — players assemble programs to control bots and actions
- Push Your Luck — risk elements with minis and mission outcomes
- push your luck / risk management — risk elements with minis and mission outcomes
- scenario-based play — campaign-like missions with evolving challenges
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Flavor text is absolutely on point because these cards that you're collecting are just kind of colors.
- I melted my brain. It was just like way too heavy for me.
- Star Wars in a box. This is Star Wars in a box.
- I absolutely love the original Clank.
- This is a cooperative programming game where you need to do one of them… it’s so much fun.
- I love the networks.
- I really like tiling games in general. I like citybuilding games and Quadropolis adds that really extra interesting unique uh tile selection mechanism.
- Feast for Odin is a game where you are Norwegians. It is just so darn good.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–9 of 9