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Erune Review from Brad

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Review: Erune

Designers: Quentin Deleau, Adrien Smondack

Artists: Fanny Pastor Berlie, Logan Chaix, Quentin Deleau, Chen Yang Hsu, Grégoire Laurent, Raphaël Minette
Publisher: Arkada Studio
Year Published: 2021

No. of Players: 1-5
Ages: 12+
Playing Time: 60-150 minutes.
 
Find more info HERE.
Foreword:
I received this copy during (or just following) their expansion campaign, Light & Darkness. When I was following their design journey and progress of that project, I reached out to see if they needed any reviewers. They didn’t have any prototypes available for Light & Darkness but sent the base game instead. I had almost forgotten about it when the big box arrived – it’s a whole lot of game! The box is almost a cube to fit it’s jam-packed with content. From cards to minis, I was quickly enveloped in the excitement of what the game would be like. I was so excited in fact, that I was nervous to play it in the event it would be all looks and no substance. I admit I lent it to a friend to get their take on it (as a heavy D&D player) and let them check out the solo mode. When I didn’t hear back I had assumed the worst, but it turns out they got pretty absorbed in it and didn’t want to bring it back, haha. Following that, I started a 3-player campaign and also loved it. My one regret is that I didn’t write this review sooner, as I’ve had the game for a while. I hope it still comes out in time to make some impact on their series. Outstanding work!
From the Publisher:

Enter the world of Erune and roam through its darkest dungeons… Experience epic quests, fight hordes of monsters and thwart the Master of Shadows’ evil plans!

Erune is a Dungeon-Crawler for 1 to 5 players.

Thanks to the mix of a board game with a mobile app, you can talk with your game!

The Spirit of Erune is the privileged companion of your adventures. Guardian of the ancestral knowledge of the world of Erune, it resides in each and everything. Impartial, it does not take part in the conflict between the Adventurers and the Master of Shadows.

The Spirit of Erune is the narrator of your adventure
It allows you to speak with the characters you meet during your adventures.
It punctuates your quests with all kinds of events.
Beware! Your choices have consequences that influence your story!

Disclaimer: The publisher provided the copy of Erune. The opinions expressed in the review are completely my own. 


Review:


Initial Impression/Components:

There have been only a handful of games out there that have impressed me as much on all aspects of components. Erune has cards, boards, minis, etc., you name it, and each of them are of premium quality. There was no corner cut that I can see and it could easily hold as a centerpiece of someone’s collection. The below was a base list of what the Heroic Box included (not including stretch goals and extras post campaign)

 

Favorite:
It’s becoming more common but I am loving this trend of larger, legacy or campaign games having easy or clever ways to save progress of mission and/or character between plays. It makes it so much easier (and enjoyable) to get it to the table. What’s more, it allows the game to deliver a massive and satisfying experience, without the toils and tribulations of meticulous setup or current state recreations from cell phone pictures. For anyone that’s been there, you know what I’m talking about.
Least Favorite:
I don’t do this very often, but I don’t have anything in mind to say bad about the game. It’s blatantly obvious that they put an intense amount of effort into this game and rounded it out as best as they were able. I’ve played games similar to it, and multiple within the genre, but it really is an outstanding experience, carefully put together, and a great buy for those who love a weighty dungeon crawler.
Mechanics:
– Action Points
– Dice Rolling
– Modular Board
– Paper-and-Pencil
– Role Playing
– Team-Based Game
– App-Directed/Multi-functional
 
Rules:
The rules, though well-written and laid out, cannot be conveyed in a short blurb. However, here is a link to check them out 🙂
https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/98/17/06-erune-rulebook.pdf

Areas they did well:
– English / French
– Deep and interesting campaign
– Component quantity and quality
– Art and Design
– Companion App very well put together
– Character growth/development
– Open choices
– Choices affect the game/future
– Unique characters and enemies
– Good combat system
– The app will act as DM and all players can be players
– Great, and immersive solo mode
– A lot of gameplay built into the game and replayable by making different choices, taking different characters, having different party members, etc.
– Miniatures were top quality
– Can change player order/priority
– Skill decks
– Movable terrain/interactive objects
– passing items is a free action
– quick rule reminder on back of rulebook
 
 
Areas they could have improved:
 
– I worry what will happen to the title in the future if the app is no longer available.
– The first couple of adventures are really short, I know they are for getting players used to the game, but I felt they weren’t what I was looking for to get started.
Interesting moment:
There is an interesting moment (or more) in every adventure and it will be as fun as you give it the ability to be. It’s not the best moment I had, but one that came to mind was being chased down a hall by several enemies that I couldn’t take on alone. I had split from the team and got ambushed. It was a mad race to try and close the gap and get reinforcement before I got taken out by my pursuers.
Overall:
The amount of material, the meticulous design, the replayability factor, and different characters you can play out make this game a tough act to follow. I’d hate to be designing a title akin to Erune and launching it anywhere close to the same time. I could make some extravagant sentence but I think I’ll cut to the chase and just say, I loved this game.
 
Final Thoughts:
Arkada Studio’s slogan is “Speak with your game” and what could be more precise than saying they did just that. They put this title out into the world ready and eager for it to be played and judged. This player, and likely many others, were amply impressed. Thank you for the opportunity to check the game out and I am so happy that you sent it along.
I’ll see you next time, back here at The Game Table,
Brad Hiscock, aka Zerility
Here’s a link to the game on their website:
https://www.arkada.studio/erune
 
After reading Brad’s review, if this sounds like a game for you at the time of this posting Erune is on sale in the United States for only 90,00 €. check it out and get yours HERE.

 

 

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Check out Erune and Arkada Studio on:

             
 


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.

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All of Brad Hiscock, aka “Zerility”‘s reviews can be found HERE.

 

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