The Opinionated Gamers

ABOVE AND BELOW

Design by Ryan Laukat
Published by Red Raven Games
2 – 4 Players, 1 1/2 hours
Review by Greg J. Schloesser

Many gamers are familiar with Tales of the Arabian Nights, the story-telling board game designed by Eric Goldberg.  The game was mainly a humorous affair, with numerous  strange, bizarre and unusual encounters resulting in various stories being read, often causing unforeseen and sensational situations and scenarios.  Player decisions would direct them to a specific page and paragraph in a massive tome, with the resulting story further developing the game’s plot and direction.  The game was usually humorous and fun, but there was, as gamers would often comment, not much “game”  present.  Indeed, it is  usually considered an experience rather than a strategic or challenging game.

Above and Below is designer Ryan Laukat’s attempt to combine the storytelling feature of Arabian Knights to an actual strategic game.  Players represent refugees who recently fled a horrific barbarian invasion and eventually found a new land to settle.

While in the course of establishing their new village, a massive system of underground caverns and passages has been discovered.  The explorations of these passages results in a plethora of unusual encounters that, while dangerous, could result in the discovery of tremendous wealth and riches.

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