Quick Look: Terrors of London
Designer: BradPye
Artist: Brad Pye
Publisher: Kolossal
Games
Year
Published: 2019
No.
of Players: 2
Ages: 14+
Playing
Time: 20–40 minutes
Find
more info on BoardGameGeek.com
Review
With
night falling on London a lamplighter hurriedly makes his way streetlamp to
streetlamp. The pools of light are meant to keep the people safe, but those small
islands of light make a greater sea of darkness. The shadows where another
group of London denizens make their way.
night falling on London a lamplighter hurriedly makes his way streetlamp to
streetlamp. The pools of light are meant to keep the people safe, but those small
islands of light make a greater sea of darkness. The shadows where another
group of London denizens make their way.
Terrors
of London is a deck building game where overlords of the night battle for
control of the Victorian landscape. We sat down with a prototype of Terrors of
London and had a little bit of a rough start, but once we were able to get into
the play of the game we enjoyed some of the strategic uniqueness the game
provides.
of London is a deck building game where overlords of the night battle for
control of the Victorian landscape. We sat down with a prototype of Terrors of
London and had a little bit of a rough start, but once we were able to get into
the play of the game we enjoyed some of the strategic uniqueness the game
provides.
I
first watched 2 friends play Terrors of London, then played a game against 1 of
them. We enjoyed Terrors of London and the additional structure of building
Hordes. This mechanic tied with having an unlimited hand size, allowed a
different level of planning and strategy.
first watched 2 friends play Terrors of London, then played a game against 1 of
them. We enjoyed Terrors of London and the additional structure of building
Hordes. This mechanic tied with having an unlimited hand size, allowed a
different level of planning and strategy.
Terrors
of London has four faction overlords to choose from: Methuselah (Undead), Fenris
(Beast), Lilith (Mortal), or Azazael (Spirit). Once you have made your choices
you are ready to set up and battle until only one remains.
of London has four faction overlords to choose from: Methuselah (Undead), Fenris
(Beast), Lilith (Mortal), or Azazael (Spirit). Once you have made your choices
you are ready to set up and battle until only one remains.
As
you have probably noticed by the name and the introduction of the horror theme,
there are some who will consider Terrors of London inappropriate for younger
players. Younger players, especially those who’ve played deck building games,
would be able to comprehend the strategy and be able to compete.
you have probably noticed by the name and the introduction of the horror theme,
there are some who will consider Terrors of London inappropriate for younger
players. Younger players, especially those who’ve played deck building games,
would be able to comprehend the strategy and be able to compete.
Setup
Players
start with a deck of 10 cards. At least 8 cards of the deck are the same. To
the base deck of 8 cards, each player chooses 2 out of the 4 influence cards of
the overlord they are playing to complete their starting deck. This allows for
some variation from the beginning. These choices can influence what the player actions
and what cards they purchase from the Market.
start with a deck of 10 cards. At least 8 cards of the deck are the same. To
the base deck of 8 cards, each player chooses 2 out of the 4 influence cards of
the overlord they are playing to complete their starting deck. This allows for
some variation from the beginning. These choices can influence what the player actions
and what cards they purchase from the Market.
Between
the players is the Market. It is made up of a pile of 8 Acolyte cards and the
shuffled up deck of the rest which include creatures, characters, and relics.
From the top of the shuffled deck 5 cards are placed face up to create the
Street. A player can purchase an Acolyte or one of the five cards on the Street
to add to their personal deck.
the players is the Market. It is made up of a pile of 8 Acolyte cards and the
shuffled up deck of the rest which include creatures, characters, and relics.
From the top of the shuffled deck 5 cards are placed face up to create the
Street. A player can purchase an Acolyte or one of the five cards on the Street
to add to their personal deck.
The
first player starts with a hand of 4 cards, and the second starts with 5.
first player starts with a hand of 4 cards, and the second starts with 5.
Gameplay
Terrors
of London moves through 3 phases: The Action Phase, The Cleanup Phase, and the
Draw Phase. The Cleanup and Draw Phases each have only one action, whereas the
Action Phase has 8 actions to choose from.
of London moves through 3 phases: The Action Phase, The Cleanup Phase, and the
Draw Phase. The Cleanup and Draw Phases each have only one action, whereas the
Action Phase has 8 actions to choose from.
During
the Action Phase the player of choosing actions in any order, as many times as
allowed until the Pass Action is taken, ending their turn. There are 3 actions
that are particular to Terrors of London.
the Action Phase the player of choosing actions in any order, as many times as
allowed until the Pass Action is taken, ending their turn. There are 3 actions
that are particular to Terrors of London.
Each
overlord has a unique ability that can be played once per turn. For example,
Methuselah (undead) allow to draw 1 card, then discard a card. If choosing
overlords, instead of random selection consider the ability and how you would
like to play it.
overlord has a unique ability that can be played once per turn. For example,
Methuselah (undead) allow to draw 1 card, then discard a card. If choosing
overlords, instead of random selection consider the ability and how you would
like to play it.
When
playing cards from your hand, you can create hordes. Hordes are created by
matching emblems near the bottom of the cards. Creating hordes allows
additional actions to be taken. Hordes can be added to as long as you can match
the correct symbol on the outside of the cards already played. Terrors of
London doesn’t have a hand size limit, and with some planning, a horde of
considerable size to be brought in play during a turn.
playing cards from your hand, you can create hordes. Hordes are created by
matching emblems near the bottom of the cards. Creating hordes allows
additional actions to be taken. Hordes can be added to as long as you can match
the correct symbol on the outside of the cards already played. Terrors of
London doesn’t have a hand size limit, and with some planning, a horde of
considerable size to be brought in play during a turn.
The
last one is Haunt. Haunt has some restrictions to be able to use, but allows
the card to be used in a later turn. I recommend you read the rules for haunt thoroughly
before starting. We found that it wasn’t as complex as first thought.
Theme
and Mechanics
and Mechanics
Terrors
of London is a Victorian horror themed deck building game set London. It has
the additional mechanics of horde building and unlimited hand size.
of London is a Victorian horror themed deck building game set London. It has
the additional mechanics of horde building and unlimited hand size.
Artwork
and Components
The
art in Terrors of London is from Ryan Pye. The art is fitting to the theme.
Fans of horror, especially from the Victorian era, will enjoy the work.
art in Terrors of London is from Ryan Pye. The art is fitting to the theme.
Fans of horror, especially from the Victorian era, will enjoy the work.
I
was working on this review while attending a writing conference. I write some
horror and know other horror writers and artists. They were all intrigued by
the artwork on the cover and wanted to see more of the game.
was working on this review while attending a writing conference. I write some
horror and know other horror writers and artists. They were all intrigued by
the artwork on the cover and wanted to see more of the game.
The
Good
- Hordes
and hand size
The
Bad
Bad
- 2-player
game
Final
Thoughts
Terrors
of London has features that set it apart for us. These strategic additions give
it a replay ability based on the combinations that can be created during play
allowing additional abilities to come into play. These additional affects
created unexpected twists during play.
of London has features that set it apart for us. These strategic additions give
it a replay ability based on the combinations that can be created during play
allowing additional abilities to come into play. These additional affects
created unexpected twists during play.
Players
Who Like
- Deck
building games - 1-on-1
games - Horror
based games
Check out Terrors of London on
Daniel Yocom – Reviewer
Daniel Yocom does geeky things by night because his day job won’t let him. This dates back to the 1960s through games, books, movies, and stranger things better shared in small groups. He’s written hundreds of articles about these topics for his own blog, other websites, and magazines along with stories, after extensive research. His research includes attending conventions, sharing on panels and presentations, and road-tripping with his wife. Join in the geeky fun at guildmastergaming@blogspot.com.
