Vantage

• Designer: Jamey Stegmaier
• Publisher: Stonemaier Games
• Players: 1-6
• Age: 14+
• Time: 120-180 minutes
• Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4n02eOl 

The history of narratively-driven adventure board games goes back at least to the 1980s with Tales of the Arabian Nights. Games like this use chart lookups, dice rolls, and, most importantly, a giant book of outcomes based on the choices you make. These outcomes are often memorable, whether good or bad for your character. And those memorable moments resonate for gamers who are fascinated by the open-world and creative possibilities of RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, but don’t want the demands placed upon the players in terms of time commitment or world-building. Being able to quantify winning and losing likely plays a part as well.

But there are drawbacks. A randomized series of events doesn’t grant the same narrative cohesion that well-written RPG adventure has. Some players are also frustrated by a lack of player control. Sure, you want to enjoy the story and maybe even revel in some schadenfreude when it comes to your opponents, but if outcomes are purely unpredictable, there isn’t much of a game.

There have been attempts to mitigate those drawbacks in similar designs since the ‘80s. 2011’s Fortune and Glory ditched the adventure book in favor of an easier-to-manage deck of cards. 2012’s Agents of SMERSH opted for a co-operative approach to increase player investment during other people’s turns. 2020’s Forgotten Waters used an app to manage the story beats, allowing for a more cohesive narrative. And all of these games are reasonably enjoyable and successful in their goals. But no game has managed to so thoroughly answer these common complaints as Vantage. Continue reading →

Tianxia

• Designers: Antonio Petrelli, Daniele Tascini
• Publisher: Board&Dice 
• Players: 1-4
• Age: 14+
• Time: 60-120 mins
• Played with review copy provided by publisher

The Warring States period was a pivotal era in Chinese history, marked by constant warfare, significant bureaucratic and military reforms, and the consolidation of power among rival states. The game is set around 260 BCE, a time when the seven warring kingdoms were locked in fierce conflict, both against each other as well as against nomadic groups like the Xiongnu, who posed a threat from the north. Although sections of the Great Wall of China had been constructed as early as the 8th century BCE, the later years of the Warring States period saw a surge in defensive building projects. Before Qin ultimately unified the kingdoms, extensive fortifications, watchtowers, and new sections of the wall were erected to bolster defenses.

In Tianxia, players take the role of leaders of noble families who want to earn prestige, as well as favors from the powerful rulers that govern the seven Warring Kingdoms. The game lasts four rounds in which you install Governors in the regions and bolster the power of rival ruling houses, thus gaining their favor. You also sell goods to merchant ships that sail the Chinese shores to gain wealth and other benefits. Nevertheless, you must not forget about the nomadic warriors who pose a constant threat on the northern borders of the seven kingdoms. Thus, you must train soldiers and build walls and towers to weaken the invaders and protect your interests, earning prestige in the process. Each round, the nomads advance toward the borders of the seven kingdoms and gather even larger numbers. When they reach the border, a battle takes place that affects all players. At the end of the game, the player who was the best governor, politician, merchant, and protector wins.

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Dale Yu: Review of Critter Kitchen

• Designer: Alex Cutler, Peter C. Hayward
• Publisher: Lucky Duck / Cardboard Alchemy
• Players: 1-5
• Age: 12+
• Time: 60 minutes
• Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3JWcpom
• Played with review copy provided by publisher

It’s Restaurant Week in Bistro Bay! Restaurants are competing in food challenges, while also planning an epic meal to impress a celebrity critic. As one of 1-5 players in Critter Kitchen, you’ll send your chefs into the city to gather ingredients to create amazing meals and demonstrate that your restaurant is the best in town.

Each round, new random ingredients are placed in locations throughout the city. Players simultaneously and secretly plan which locations to send their three chefs to, hoping to collect the best ingredients. Some chefs are fast, but can gather only one item, while others can carry three items but arrive late. Rumors are also available at locations and provide guidance on what the critic desires.

Challenges revealed in rounds 1-6 offer the players opportunities to earn stars for crafting dishes with specific ingredient requirements. After round 7, the players must create an epic meal to impress the celebrity critic and cater to their appetites. A multitude of different critics, rumors, and restaurateurs mean every game is fresh!

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