Quick Look: TINY EPIC DUNGEONS
Designer: Scott Almes
Publisher: Gamelyn Games
Status: Published
Foreword:
I was extremely eager to get my hands on this one by the renowned Scott Elmes, this deluxe version (includes potions and perils mini expansion and deluxe content from their Kickstarter campaign) was generously sent by Gamelyn Games. I’ve got to say, they are absolute wizards at fitting high-quality games with great components into a little box. We’ve seen that before from this team – the last one I had played was Tiny Epic Tactics about a year or so ago. Dungeons blew me away when I opened it. It was absolutely full of content and I was so intrigued that I rearranged my normal schedule to get two plays of this game in within 3 days of receiving it; one co-op and one solo.
From the Publisher:
Tiny Epic Dungeons is a fully cooperative dungeon crawler for 1 to 4 players set in the fantasy world of Aughmoore.
In Tiny Epic Dungeons, players control a band of Heroes exploring a treacherous dungeon in search of the fearsome Dungeon Boss. Heroes make their way through the dungeon one room at a time. Around every corner goblins and ferocious minions seek to block the Heroes’ path. Where there isn’t an enemy, traps are set, ready to spring on even the most prepared Hero.
Tiny Epic Dungeons features a modular dungeon that is unique with each play.
The game is played over two acts: The Dungeon, and the Dungeon Boss. In both acts, the players are constantly struggling against the waning firelight of their torch which decreases each turn. When the torch goes out, the Heroes are forever lost in the darkness.
Review:
Initial Impression/Components:
The whole product is impressive. The minis are detailed and a nice size, there are a full handful of custom wooden pieces, there are multiple decks of cards to provide variance and intrigue, the modular dungeon tile system is extensive, and the variety of monsters, spells, and loot is great. Everything including the box (which had a super cool picture featured inside the cover) was high quality and attractive.
Favorite:
My favorite part is how immersive the whole experience was. As a previous D&D player, I can say that this really packed the full rewarding feel of a great session into a much shorter timeframe. They succeeded in doing this by providing so many unique characters, monsters, loots and variability. So, I suppose my favorite part is not knowing how it will play out.
Least Favorite:
I was a bit disappointed in what happened to an unconscious hero in some cases. The rules state that you would be forced to rest (which can be done when conscious as well but is voluntary) gaining 3 health and 5 focus. That in itself makes sense, and is a good use of your main action. Normally after a main action you can’t still move but that is allowed in this case. However, if there is a monster already in the room, such as the one that just killed you, you can’t leave that room – unless you have stealth. I felt that if it was your turn next, or multiple people got KO’d at the same time you can only stand up and end your turn and hope not to die again. Most importantly, there are precious few turns in the game due to the torch always fading so wasting a turn in this manner is brutal. This is very specific mind you, and will not come up in every game.
Overall:
I’m famously not much of a solo gamer, but this game here is the first time I have ever felt completely into a game that I played alone. Therefore, I’m going to say this is the best solo game that I currently know of. The multiplayer game I shared with a friend of mine went similarly well, even though we ran out of torch and lost. I will warn that this game has a decent learning curve and would be very challenging to a new player. When you learn the symbology though, it is really smooth. Having played as many games as I have, the symbology made sense to me by looking at it visually and I spent only a little time consulting the rules and basically not at all for the second game.
Areas they did well:
- Unique Player Powers
- Unique Monster abilities and rewards
- A dungeon crawler that will never have the same dungeon
- Large variety of loot, spells, monsters, and rooms including conditions and traps
- Great immersion
- Tactical and challenging
- Resource management – had to use wisely
- Risk vs Reward
- Game length and the game constantly moving forward
- Lair (enemy) actions
- Combat resolution
- Characters felt true to their class
- Set items that bonused each other if equipped at the same time
- The Boss Battles are legendary.
Areas they could have improved:
- A special note on the unconscious mechanic to include the ability to sneak past a monster and/or allow a free action. Allowing another main action would be too overpowered.
- Clarification in the rulebook that the all enemies within range meant it hit everyone in all directions instead of everyone in a room.
- An additional example(s) of a die roll that explains unique or complicated situations.
- The ability to hold onto items and unequip/equip them as an action perhaps?
- The ability to actually trade or hand off items to a more suitable character even if it costs focus or an action. Simply dropping it anywhere and having them to pick it up from anywhere else in a dungeon that allowed it didn’t make sense to me.
Final Thoughts:
This is a no brainer to me; I give it two thumbs up and recommend it to any seasoned adventurer or those in search of something challenging and exciting. I don’t know what else to say but that this has earned a spot in my top 10 and will always have a place in my collection. A great game that I was delighted to have experienced.
I’ll see you next time, back here at The Game Table!
Zerility,
Convivial Games
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Brad Hiscock, aka “Zerliity”- Reviewer
Brad Hiscock, aka “Zerility”, is a construction project manager and electrician by trade who was the owner of a 6-time award winning electrical company. His passion for board games has led him from playing hundreds of original titles to creating a design and publishing company of his own, Convivial Games. As an up and coming collaborator on many projects, he is always eager to try new games and meet new people.
All of Brad Hiscock, aka “Zerility”‘s reviews can be found HERE.
