THUNDER ROLLS Review

Order of play is broken out into two key phases and then what is referred to as the “interlude” is nestled between each phase. 

The roll phase is a dice placement mechanic that you choose based on the visible “action cards” you might be interested in owning for the second phase and gives you specific movement and maneuverability actions that your race car takes instantly.  You control one of six slots based on the number of IDENTICAL dice you roll and place in one of three available slots.  This ranking 1 to 3 may change based on you or your competing racer’s rolls and decisions to add to one of the slots.  The more dice in a slot the higher the rank you stay at or move up too.  In the end, this ranking allows you to choose one of the three “action cards” that were dealt out to each of the six possible areas of game play you can acquire for later use.  Pit Stop (1 rolls) allows you to not get the dreaded HAZARD Card that comes with not swinging in for a new set of rubber during the round. It also allows you a reset of your TEAM Card that gives you one chance to reroll dice during this phase. Rubbin’ is Racin’ (2 rolls) provides some unique immediate maneuvers to jockey your car in position for future turns.  Low Line (3 rolls) simply provides you with a movement that turn. Crew Chief (4 rolls) helps you along and gives you the chance to pull back a die from one of the other slots OR draw a crew card which gives you a goodie to use now or in the future.  The “Free-get-out-of-jail” card for race day. High line (5 rolls) offers a way to connect with a teammate or just someone that is lucky enough to be ahead or behind you on the track board and take off with a “Drafting” mechanic that moves both of you at the same time.  Lastly, there is The Groove (6 rolls).  No it is not bellbottoms or disco balls, it is the sweet spot on the track that gives you a double move to possibly break free from the pack.  

The interlude follows immediately after the roll phase. You review any reward and/or penalties that you incur with action cards you pick from the six options based on your final position within the above areas of game play mentioned. The other way you would be handed the dreaded “Hazard” card is if you fail a risk roll when “PUSHING” you and another car forward on any move you previously made that forced an opponent to move their race car forward.  This mechanic is very cool when playing with multiple racers, as it provides moments of disruption in strategies and may cause elimination or negative effects in the following phase.

The thunder phase is where you strategize the next series of moves to the best of your ability.  I was not quite sure as a min/max gamer how to best arrange the cards you have at the start of this phase outside of putting the larger moves first unless there was a specific mechanic or action that would catapult me like a medieval inflamed boulder into the lead.

The next sequence of time is dedicated to systematically resolving each card in preset order. These cards are hidden from other racers throughout the rounds and proceed until your drafting, side drifting, and crossovers ensconce your race car in its final position on the track.  The placement determines if you won the race or ended behind the lead car in second place, aka the first looser! 

Between all of these individual racing mechanics and positioning of moves via dice rolls and card reveals is the Non-Player Characters (NPCs) activities that come with this title requiring all eight of the cards to always be on the board and participating.  Though I appreciate the designer developing and play testing a version for solo, two, and three player sessions, I found the NPC card play very tedious, detracting us from the quick and thematic play that goes with each player’s dice rolls and card manipulation. I have found a few racers who have developed a better digital system online of determining the placement of the race car much faster which keeps things moving.  I welcomed that option that did enhance the overall playability of the game with folks like me often unable to get any number of friends to the physical gaming table. I do believe that this game is best played with a larger group of 6 to 8 where you can maximize the racing feel and the jockeying of cars on the board.

The multiple race day scenarios, weather advanced rules, and more skillful NPC drivers all give this game a very strong value in the base box set. You can tell each element was well tested and modified to keep the game moving and provided a new feel for each of the tracks played.   The double-sided board (road and oval) tracks where you weave your way around or simply continuously turn left give a different feel and force a new style and strategy when they are played. Victory conditions depend on your available time and interest in play.  Single race, single, night, or legacy play.  You can tally up a score for an instant win or combine multiple stages within a race or group of races together to determine the series winner at the end.   With the fast play, you can certainly make a day out of this game, with or without the cooler of beer and BBQ with all the fixins.  

Thunder Roll certainly started our engines and revved me up throughout my session with fellow racers. We all felt that the theme that is often tried but many times falls short of a thematic experience in the racing world was achieved by Mr. B Games.  Unlike some that focus too heavily on the Nascar, Indy, or Formula One brand of racing,  Thunder Rolls truly provides a solid experience to the sport of not just racing but board gaming in general with this creation.  It is inviting to those with no knowledge of bell-housing, ramp runs, and pole positioning. If you love the smell of burnt rubber, gasoline, and concession stands, get a real ticket to your local track.  Want a game night of racing fun without visiting a port-o-let at a price that doesn’t kill your entertainment budget, Thunder Rolls by Richard Launius is your ticket to the checkered flag.