Play Unplugged

S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y, Night!
Ok, so it's not exactly "night" yet... unless you're East of here. So those of you in Europe might consider it night.

I'm getting off track. Anyway, it's Saturday and hopefully you're getting your gaming groove on.

We've got a collection of the review articles we found during the week and present them to you now.

In this edition, we have reviews/previews of: Doomtown: Reloaded, Mysterium, Between Two Cities, Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition Dungeon Master’s Guide, Sanssouci, Mythtopia, The Tyrant and Dreadnought Army Cases from Tabletop Tyrant, Oh My Gods!, Iron Kingdoms: Unleashed Adventure Kit, and Specter Ops.



Shut Up & Sit Down:

Doomtown: Reloaded Review

Following on from XCOM, it's time for our second big review of the year. Doomtown: Reloaded is a portable game with some big ideas. It's a generous box with a golden future. It is, in fact, the first real competitor to the awesome Android: Netrunner.

Is this town big enough for the both of 'em?

Board Game Quest:

Mysterium Review

There has been a murder! Many years ago, an ancient mansion was the site of a horrible crime. A crime in which the owner of the house was falsely convicted and sent to prison (I swear I’m not doing a review of the A-Team here, stay with me). That poor man died in prison and has since returned to the walls of his old home as a ghost to pester the current inhabitants. They now need you, an intrepid group of paranormal experts, to put his soul to rest.

That’s the great theme of today’s review of Mysterium (currently for sale in Europe as Tajemnicze Domostwo), a cooperative deduction game that will have you racing the clock to solve the mystery. Can you help put the spirit to rest?

Mysterium is a cooperative deduction game for 2-7 players that takes about 45 minutes to play. Mysterium plays best for 4-5 players.

Between Two Cities Preview

Stonemaier Games has built itself a pretty solid reputation. Their small company has released two medium-weight games (and an expansion), all of which could be considered a resounding success. I’ve played Viticulture and Euphoria more times than I can count, so I’m always interested when I hear they have a new game coming out.

And new game they do as Stonemaier is back on Kickstarter with their latest campaign, Between Two Cities. This is the first title to be published by Stonemaier that wasn’t developed in house by designer Jamey Stegmaier. Instead, they turn to veteran game designers Matthew O’Malley (Diner) and Ben Rosset (Brewcrafters, Mars Needs Mechanics) for the creation of Between Two Cities. Can Stonemaier keep their streak of great games alive on the back of a different designer? Let’s find out!

Between Two Cities is a tile drafting, set collection and city building game for 2-7 players that takes about 25 minutes to play.

Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition Dungeon Master’s Guide Review

We are finally here, the last book of the Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition “core set”. When they first announced that the roll out of the core books would be a month by month process, I was a little unsure of the strategy. I’m used to getting my hands on all three books at once and, as my wife will attest to, I hate change. But it seems to have worked out OK. The Player’s Handbook was outstanding and the Monster Manual was a love letter to DMs. Truth be told, we were able to play the game just fine with the staggered roll out.

So now it’s time to dive into the final book in the set, the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Even though I’ve ran countless campaigns as a dungeon master (DM), I rarely read the Dungeon Master’s Guide (DMG) cover to cover. It’s always been more of a tool for me to use piece-meal as needed. So what do I think of a book that’s targeted only to a specific section of the RPG market? Let’s find out.

Play Board Games:

Sanssouci Board Game Review

In Sanssouci you are trying to create the most beautiful garden. You gain VPs by completing rows and columns in your garden, by moving your nobles through it and by completing your secret mission card. Score the most VPs and win the game.

Mythotopia Board Game Review

Mythotopia is a deck-building game mixed with area control and a bit of war game.

You win Mythotopia by scoring the most VPs. You gain VPs by invading your opponents’ provinces or achieving the victory conditions on Victory Point Cards.

Graven Games:

The Tyrant and Dreadnought Army Cases Review

If you’re anything like us, you’ve got plenty of armies and miniatures, and could always do with a decent solution for storage and transport. Today we examine two options from Tabletop Tyrant, we’ve already had a look at their smaller Squire Plastic Figure Case, so today we’re trying out the Tyrant and Dreadnought army figure cases.

The Meeple Mechanic:

Dead Man's Draw Review

Dead Man’s Draw is a press-your-luck card game where thematically, you play a pirate trying to accumulate the most wealth (highest-numbered cards from a unique deck). So let’s get right into the rules!

Oh My Gods! Review

In Oh My Gods!, one of the Greek gods has stolen Zeus’ lightning bolt. Now you need to find Mr. Boddy– I mean the thief– Essentially you are about to play a themed game of Clue. But stay with me! It does get better!

Play Unplugged:

Iron Kingdoms: Unleashed Adventure Kit Unboxing

It’s the new Iron Kingdoms RPG Adventure Kit Unleashed and unboxed! Play Unplugged’s Enrico Nardini takes you inside Privateer Press’s latest RPG starter set. Will he survive the wilds of Urcaen?

Watch It Played:

Specter Ops video

In this episode we learn how to play Specter Ops.

Time for another Review Roundup here on TGN. Here's the review articles we found this week and thought you'd like to check out.
Here's a list of the games/products on review this week.

-Heroes of Normandie: a video review
-Dungeons & Dragons 5e Dungeon Master's Guide
-Sheriff of Nottingham Board Game
-The Agents card game
-Previews of the new Mantic Battlezones sprues


Model Dads:

Devil Pig Games’ Heroes of Normandie: a video review

Sick of spending too much time setting up and packing away? I think I have just the thing for you sir…Heroes of Normandie.

Play Board Games:

Sheriff of Nottingham Board Game Review

In Sheriff of Nottingham you try to sneak goods past the sheriff and into your market. If your goods are inspected and you are lying, you pay. If you are being honest the sheriff pays you.

Dungeons & Dragons 5e Dungeon Master's Guide

The Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition (5e) Dungeon’s Master Guide is full of tips for running and creating campaigns and lots of optional rules. It is full of useful information no matter which RPG you are running.

Play Unplugged:

Play Unplugged Review - The Agents

Play Unplugged's Matt Snodgrass takes a returns to the top secret world of The Agents. This spy themed card game is the product of recently successful Kickstarter, and is now delivering to backers and preparing for a general release.

TerrainTutor:

TerrainTutor previews new Mantic Battlezones sprues

The TerrainTutor is back again, this time with what looks to be an exclusive first preview of Mantic Games new angled Battlezones sprues. Check the youtube review to findout why he's thinks these sprues are game changing for Mantic's Battlezones terrain system.

Play Unplugged has another Gold Medal in 100m Dash-winning review up. This time it's Level 7: Invasion from Privateer Press.



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From the website:

I have A Thing for the end of the world. Apocalypse books and zombie movies are absolutely my cup of tea. As a philosopher once said, “Some people just like to watch the world burn.” I’m one of them, I guess. Ask me sometime about my scars.

One thing I don’t have A Thing for is so-called “Ameritrash” board games, with lots of bits and pieces and rulebooks that take several hours to read. I like my games with cubes, and lots of ‘em or rows of nice orderly meeples and clearly-labelled spaces. That’s my kind of game.

So to say I went into Level 7: Invasion confused is putting it lightly. A bits-and-pieces game where we’re fighting to save the world against an alien invasion? Okay, I thought, let’s watch this world burn.

Play Unplugged has posted a new episode of their podcast up online for your listening pleasure.



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In this episode:

Still haven’t heard enough about “The Best Four Days in Gaming?”

Good!

Play Unplugged’s Enrico Nardini and Matt Snodgrass return with their final thoughts on the awesomeness that was Gen Con Indy 2014. And though the amount of awesome at any event is often difficult to quantify, this podcast is over two hours long. That’s pretty awesome, and like all our quarterly podcasts, is super special as well. Enjoy!

Play Unplugged takes a look inside CIA Game's Chaos in Cochise County in this preview of the models from the game.



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Howdy Pardners! Play Unplugged received a box of preview figures for Chaos in Cochise County from Chaos In Action Games (now on Kickstarter). Enrico travels to the weird west to give you a look at their growing line of figures.

Play Unplugged takes a look inside the Cerci Speed Circuit Faction Starter box in this unboxing video.



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Play Unplugged’s Enrico Nardini returns from Gen Con Indy 2014 with a deluge of miniature gaming goodness! In this episode, he takes a look at the Cerci Speed Circuit Faction Starter for the anime inspired skirmish miniature game, Relic Knights.

Play Unplugged has a new MTV Viewer's Choice Award-winning review up. This time it's the Rat King and Rat Queen mini-expansion packs for Ascension.



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Pass the cheese and mind the traps; here comes the Rat King and Queen for the Ascension deck-building game from Stone Blade Entertainment. Can Play Unplugged's Enrico Nardini survive the infestation?

Play Unplugged has a new Silver Slugger Award-winning preview up. This time it's Teratozoic.



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Play Unplugged's Mike Eaton previews Teratozoic from Modern Evil Press (now on Kickstarter).

Play Unplugged has posted a new Heavyweight Champion of the World-belt winning review. This time it's Allegiance.



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Choose your side! Play Unplugged's Enrico Nardini reviews Allegiance from Digital Capricorn Studios.

Play Unplugged gives us a look inside the new starter set for D&D 5th edition.



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It’s finally here! Fans of Dungeons & Dragons have been waiting for what seems like ages for the first official release for 5th Edition, also known as D&D Next. Play Unplugged’s Enrico Nardini delves into Wizards of the Coast’s first new D&D product, The Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set.

Play Unplugged has a new World Cup-winning review up online. This time it's the first part of their Shroud of the Ancients article.



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Check out Part 1 of Matt Snodgrass's deep dive review into Shroud of Ancients from Dark Tavern Press.

Play Unplugged takes a look at the latest Mage Wars expansion in this unboxing article.



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Play Unplugged’s Enrico Nardini dives into another Mage Wars spell tome in an attempt to divine its arcane secrets. In this video, he unboxes the latest Mage Wars expansion: Forged in Fire.

Play Unplugged has posted another Nebula-award-winning review up on their website. This time it's for Scrapyard.



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Play Unplugged's Mike Eaton reviews Scrapyard Empire from Galliant Games, the card game of racing to finish your dream inventions by hook or by crook!

Play Unplugged posted up another of their Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award-winning reviews with a look at Tomorrow.
Third base!



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Play Unplugged's Dan Bidwa is playing with population control in the world of Tomorrow from Conquistador Games. Is it the end of the world as we know it?

Play Unplugged takes a look at the new Father Lucant miniature from Privateer Press and gives you their thoughts on the subject.



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From the review:

I’d love to tell you how excited I am to get my hands on the new Father Lucant, but this is not the first time that the Divinity Architect and I have crossed paths. My companions and I were exploring a temple devoted to the Convergence’s clockwork goddess. We were lucky to escape alive…

Play Unplugged takes a look at and gives you their thoughts of Battle for Stalingrad... the game, not the actual historical event, though the former is based on the latter.



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Play Unplugged's Damian Mastrangelo is back in the trenches with a review of Battle for Stalingrad from Dan Verssen Games (DVG).

SuperSystem has a little over 2 weeks until the launch of their Kickstarter campaign for the 4th edition of their game. They've got a teaser trailer posted up to help entice and excite you.



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From the preview:

There are 18 days left to sign-up to Four-Color Studios mailing list, and receive a free Major Meteor miniature as a part of your Kickstarter pledge (Protector Level or higher). While you wait, check out this brief trailer featuring a cover teaser with art from Rich Yanizeski.

Play Unplugged has a review up of Body Builders: A Tale of Taxidermy.
... and here I thought it was going to be Rico telling us how he got his washboard stomach and 30" biceps...



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From the review:

Play Unplugged?'s Matt Snodgrass? stitches together his thoughts on Body Builders: A Tale of Taxidermy from Overworld Games.

Play Unplugged takes a look at AEG's Smash Up card game in this review post.



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From the review:

Nerd culture likes it’s in-jokes. Unfortunately, nerd culture is also really good at driving those in-jokes straight into the ground and beating the proverbial dead horse into a fine paste. For example, while zombies and bacon will always have some diehard fans, they have overstayed their welcome in many a geek’s opinion (this reviewer included).

Play Unplugged is a bit late for Valentine's Day, but they wanted to send you this letter anyway.



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Play Unplugged's Mike Eaton wants to know what love is. He wants AEG to show him. Will he find true romance in Love Letter: Legend of the Five Rings Edition?

Play Unplugged posted a new Play Unplugged Academy post. This one's about sorting out the world that is the RPG gaming lifestyle.



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It's time to get that RPG campaign out of your head and onto the tabletop! Play Unplugged's Dan Bidwa discusses the use of random tables and other tools, for reactive campaign building.

Play Unplugged takes a look at the Townsfolk Bones set from Reaper and gives you their thoughts on the subject.



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From the review:

Non-combatants are often an afterthought in miniature gaming. It is easy to see why, when our hobby encompasses so many differing elements, and speaking frankly, civilians are simply less glamorous or in the case of some historical battles, can be downright horrific to include. (Generally speaking, the rule of good taste should guide you.) That said, the inclusion of a few civilians can really add some realism to the appearance of your table, and can even be useful for scenarios and roleplaying situations. The inclusion of tons of science fiction civilians in the crowded hives of our Dark Hersey campaign had made for many a memorable battle.

Play Unplugged takes a look at making their own dystopian future by checking out Euphoria.



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Play Unplugged's Damian Mastrangelo tries to make his way in the dystopian future city of Euphoria. Check out his review of this new worker placement game from Stonemaier Games!

Play Unplugged has posted up the third installment of their Designer's Log where you get some insight into what it takes to make the games that you love to play.



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Scott Pyle's series documenting his design process for Super System 4th Edition continues. This installment focuses on play testing.

Play Unplugged takes a look at the new Dwarf Gyrobomber from Games Workshop in this unboxing article.



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From the article:

Play Unplugged's Thane Enrico Nardini unboxes the latest in dwarf air superiority, the Gyrobomber from Games Workshop!