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From Your Spectrum #13
TAKES TWO TO TALISMAN
Claiming that it had 'the first ever interactive multi-player arcade adventure', Games Workshop launched the Spectrum version of its fantasy game, Talisman.
The program, which can involve up to four players in any one game, is said to be the true successor to Valhalla. Talisman is a race to reach the 'Crown of Command' and control the destiny of the world - of course! A horrific array of deadly creatures are out to stop you in your task, including those that are controlled by the computer and the other players.
As, at the time of writing, we at YS haven't actually seen the game, we can only ask you to believe what Games Workshop are letting on.
Try looking out for Talisman in the usual outlets at £7.95 - but if you have any problems, give Games Workshop a bell on nn-nnn nnnn.
The blurb from the back of the box:
Talisman is the first ever interactive multiplayer arcade adventure. For one to four players, Talisman is a race to reach the Crown of Command - of course, a horrific array of deadly creatures are out to stop you (not to mention the other characters, bother real and computer controlled!) The tasks and foes become more difficult as you go further into the quest, and cannot be overcome without the aid of various magical objects - and the chances are high that you will have to kill another player to get the one you need! There are also mystical followers, who will increase your powers if you win their allegiance, and orcs, wizards, trolls, elves, sentinels, landlords... with over 50 beautiful graphic locations, Talisman is the true successor to Valhalla - only it is one players or multiplayer, and it's packed with action!
Talisman is written by SLUG, the authors of Apocalypse, Rebelstar Raiders and Battlecars, and is based on Games Workshop's bestselling fantasy boardgame.
- Changes in fifth edition speed up the game.
- Improved character death mechanic means you don't lose everything.
- Stitched rulebook feels high quality.
- Board art is detailed and looks great.
- Fifth edition board folds small and is easy to store.
- Minis are well-made and sturdy.
- Introduction of fate tokens helps mitigate luck.
- New Caverns space adds interesting movement options.
- Ability to pay for ferryman speeds up access to the middle region.
- Co-op and solo expansion is exciting for the future.
- Base game won't change the mind of those who dislike Talisman.
- The spell deck feels slimmer compared to second edition.
- Full-size cards might increase production costs and don't fit spaces well.
- Board perspective can be weird depending on seating.
- Third edition's removal of iconic inner board spaces was a mistake.
- Race to the Crown of Command to rule the world
- magical land
- Warhammer Quest
- Advanced HeroQuest
- Space Hulk
- Arkham Horror
- Runebound
- Elder Sign
- HeroQuest
- Prophecy
- Dungeon Quest
- Warlock of Firetop Mountain
- Cones of Dunshire
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Character progression — Players level up their characters by accumulating trophies or experience points.
- Deck Building — Players draw from adventure cards that present encounters, monsters, NPCs, and events.
- Dice Rolling — Dice are used for various actions, including combat and movement.
- Legacy (Light) — The upcoming expansion 'Talisman Alliance' introduces a resettable legacy mode for co-op and solo play.
- Player Elimination — In earlier editions, players could be eliminated by other players, leading to long games. Fifth edition changes this.
- roll and move — The game uses dice rolls for movement around the board.
- Set Collection — Players can collect talismans, which are key to winning the game.
- Variable player powers — Each character has unique abilities and stats that influence gameplay.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Avalon Hill, I think lately has been killing it on their production quality.
- Personally, I think that is a fantastic change because if you lost towards the end game of Talisman, there was really no point in uh creating a new character.
- I know there were some accusations that it was AI art, and Avalon Hill came out and said, "Nope, here's the person who did it. Here's the company who did it. It is human-made art, and I think it looks great.
- I am very very excited to see where the future of Talisman fifth edition leads. I'm hoping that they take it into some bold new places.