Gloomhaven is a game of Euro-inspired tactical combat in a persistent world of shifting motives. Players will take on the role of a wandering adventurer with their own special set of skills and their own reasons for traveling to this dark corner of the world. Players must work together out of necessity to clear out menacing dungeons and forgotten ruins. In the process, they will enhance their abilities with experience and loot, discover new locations to explore and plunder, and expand an ever-branching story fueled by the decisions they make.
This is a game with a persistent and changing world that is ideally played over many game sessions. After a scenario, players will make decisions on what to do, which will determine how the story continues, kind of like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book. Playing through a scenario is a cooperative affair where players will fight against automated monsters using an innovative card system to determine the order of play and what a player does on their turn.
Each turn, a player chooses two cards to play out of their hand. The number on the top card determines their initiative for the round. Each card also has a top and bottom power, and when it is a player’s turn in the initiative order, they determine whether to use the top power of one card and the bottom power of the other, or vice-versa. Players must be careful, though, because over time they will permanently lose cards from their hands. If they take too long to clear a dungeon, they may end up exhausted and be forced to retreat.
Justin reviews ThinkFun’s first two games in their new “Cold Case” series, A Story to Die For and A Pinch of Murder!
A massive game needs a massive review. Read our Gloomhaven review to see if this heavyweight cooperative dungeon-crawler is right for you.
Dungeon crawler games are immensely popular. Pulling from both wargames and roleplaying games, dungeon crawlers tend to emphasize exploration, combat, and...
Who doesn't love dragons, especially in a board game??
Join Justin as he braves Gen Con 2021, the largest board game convention in North America, during COVID, and comes out unscathed and happy.
Gloomhaven challenges even the most veteran gamers. Read Meeple Mountain's top ten strategies to help you win more in Gloomhaven.
Ten years is a long time in board gaming! Join us as we look back on the smart, influential, weird and crazy things that emerged from the last decade of games.
Are you a Sagittarius? Do you wonder what your astrological sign says about you as a board gamer? Read our Board Game Horoscope: Sagittarius feature to find...
What’s your sign? And what does your horoscope say about you as a board gamer? Read our Board Game Astrology feature to find out!
What would you do if you were forced to reduce your entire board game collection down to just 10 games? What games would you pick, and why?
The Meeple Mountain 2019 Gift Guide is the perfect way to find something special for that for that someone special in your life. Let us guide you to the best...
Have you ever had to try to describe a game in a single phrase? Here’s a satirical look at some honest game descriptions of our favorite (or least favorite)...
We all love board gaming with our friends and family, but sometimes you just want to curl up with a good book. Here are some great recommendations inspired by...
Join Meeple Mountain as we welcome John Coveyour, founder of Genius Games, and designer of Cytosis, Ion, Covalence, and Peptide, to the interview table!
Here at Meeple Mountain we know that gaming tastes are decidedly subjective. Let's combine that with just about the only thing that is more subjective--music...
The Meeple Mountain 2017 Holiday Gift Guide is the perfect way to find a great gift for that special gamer in your life. Let us lead you to the best gaming...
The Meeple Mountain team was hard at work during Gen Con 2017, getting the scoop on the latest board game news, upcoming titles, and current smash hits. Did we...
Join Meeple Mountain as we welcome Keith Matejka, the owner and founder of Thunderworks Games, to the interview table!
