Rolling Realms Redux: Review
Information:
Mechanics: Roll and Write, Bingo
Player Age: 14+ Player Count: 1 - 6 PlayersTime to Play: 30 Minutes
Game Designer: Jamey Stegmaier
Player Age: 14+
Game Designer: Jamey Stegmaier
Introduction:
Stonemaier Games has been releasing new realms every couple of months since the introduction of the original Rolling Realms. If your collection was like mine, it was no longer fitting in the original game box. Stonemaier Games has now fixed that with the standalone base game/ expansion Rolling Realms Redux. Not only does this contain 12 more advanced realms, but also contains a rule compendium on all the released realms, new solo mode, a travel box, new dice and, most importantly, a bigger, more organised box that can contain all the released realms.
Realms:
12 new realms are added in this expansion so, like my last review of the promo realms, I will be explaining all the newer realms in order of my least to most favourite. If you want a standard review my original review is avaliable here.
Guild of Merchant Explorers:
This realm is easy to learn and is all about exploring hexes to gain resources and stars. The two aspects players should know with this realm is that you can explore from any previous exploration to help venture towards resources necessary for a combotastic turn, and there are two ways to explore. First is through connected group of hexes and secondly is through individual hexes.
Planet Unknown:
This realm has an interesting two step polyomino system. The first step is you place your number into a square to gain the resource associated to it. Now, for the remainder of the game, whenever you use that number you can draw the polyomino shape in the lower half of the card in an attempt to fill the rows and columns.
There is something to be aware of when placing your numbers; each combination of two numbers cannot exceed the sum of seven. Additionally, each number placed must be unique so there is only one opportunity of placing each number. For example, a 6 can be placed but can only pair with the number 1 to not exceed the sum of 7.
Flamecraft:
Flamecraft is like a mini engine where players gain one point by circling all the resources at the top of a shop, then one point from filling the shop with numbers. The resources are only gained when a number is placed in the shop as it will mark off any circled resources above. It will also activate a special effect connected to that location, such as circling another resource, filling another number space or gaining a resource. Each shop in this realm can only have three die values filling in the locations.
Atiwa:
Atiwa is one of those multiple step realms. Players will first use certain numbers to outline one of the six squares whereby gaining the resources contained in the square. On a later turn they can use a number to circle that amount of bats within already outlined squares. After this activation they will mark off three previously circled bats to gain a pumpkin or a heart. When it comes to scoring, the three bottom squares contain the point stars. Players will gain one star if the bats are circled in a square and they will gain another star if they are all marked off. I found with this realm you really had to choose if you were focusing on gaining the resources from the top squares or focusing on scoring.
Dog Park:
In this realm you must only walk one dog at a time. The dogs are able to move up to the number used when activating the realm. If the player stops in a column with a resource at the top, they will gain that resource. Once you reach the end of the walk you are able to gain up to two point stars based on how little you stopped on the ball icons. This creates an interesting element of how fast you go in the dog walks as you can gain up to four resources per dog, but if you’re doing that you won't be able to score many points. It helps that there are numerous safe locations (dog bone icon) that players can stop at based on the dog being walked.
Tidal Blades:
Tidal Blades has you hunting monsters and knocking down their health number by number. Each number location has a reward for immediate, however, the highest numbered location for each monster is rewarded with at least one trophy. Several trophies are rewarded when a monster is completely killed. These trophies go towards a track at the bottom of the card. Reaching certain distances on this track with award point stars.
Legacy of Yu:
This realm is resource filled and each time you place in a number it will be in the top or bottom box on the river, gaining you the resource in that box. The challenge in Legacy of Yu is gaining the points. Each column of the top and bottom square will create a total value. At the end of the game each column will score you a point if every number to the left has a lower totalled value.
Spaceshipped:
This is a very interesting realm as you enter the number in the leftmost open set. This value is added to the two numbers underneath it, and based on that sum you will gain stars or resources. Furthermore, having a sum of 17 or 18 can award you one of each resource. The catch is after the reward is determined the top two numbers will be copied to the bottom two numbers in the next set. This means that you really have to plan out early if you are going for resources or stars as it can be challenging to pivot the total of the columns later on.
Wonderlands War:
Wonderland War is a very unique realm. Players gain resources as they insert numbers into battleground circled (each battleground contains two circles). The challenge is that at the end of rounds 4,5,7,8 and 9 the realm will fight back via the sum of the dice rolled that round. If the total value you have in the battleground realm equals or exceeds this value, you will win a victory star.
There are a few interesting aspects to planning that you should factor in with this realm. Battle five is the most valuable worth two points and is also immediately after the first battle so players have to plan accordingly for this. The other aspect is that the battles occur at the end of the round. This was mentioned earlier but requires the emphasis. This way players can use one of the battle dice to fight against the realm.
Rock, Paper, Scissors:
Each number in this realm will correspond to either rock, paper or scissors. You will use both numbers rolled, the first number will go to the left side to gain a resource and the second number will go to ANY space on the left hand side. At the end of the round players will gain stars based on how much they won at rock, paper, scissors. There is a key to show which numbers will beat others.
Meadow:
Much like the game of meadow, there is a grid that contains numerous elements of nature (represented here by symbols). When a player uses a number 1-4 on the dice they can assign it to one side of a grid, moving that many spaces into the grid and crossing out the symbol. Players have to follow a certain order of crossing out symbols to make it more challenging. As the game goes on you will find yourself accidentally blocking access points in the grid to certain high level symbols, forcing you to use other numbers. If you roll a 5 or 6 you will mark off a discovery to give you the good benefit of 2-3 resources.
Poker:
Poker is easily one of the most advanced in terms of understanding but also one of my favourites from Redux. In poker, it is a three step process that can be done in any order of the players choice. There is the Flop, which has you writing the number and gaining the resources in the square. The issue with the flop is that each square has a minimum value requirement. You can also use both dice values to write a hand, this poker game is much like Texas Hold ‘em in a way. As the third choice, you outline is a pre-filled hand and is combined with the Flop to create a hand scoring combination listed at the bottom of the card. This will either gain resources or points plus resources as based on the strength of the hand.
.jpg)
Final Thoughts:
- Unsure if this is the final release but the rule compendium is very useful.
- These realms are more advanced than the base game which makes it a great jumping on point if the original realms were too simple for some gamers.
The spotlight to a new standalone edition of Rolling Realms has to be the new realms. There is a good level of easy and advanced realms creating a good balance for new players (leans more to the advanced side though) I always love how they translate classic games you grow up on into these realms as rock, paper, scissors and poker were easily two of my favourites. Whether you are new to Rolling Realms or a fan of the evolving game like I am, this is a no-brainer addition to your collection. For returning players, it's a big box perfect for storing all your content to date, with a tuckbox included that can be used for travelling with your favourite realms. Even for new players this is a welcome addition to the series. If you’re a fan of roll and write games, this is a favourite of mine and an easy recommendation as a Go-To Golden Game.
Click...feed the addiction:
Comments
Post a Comment