The Broken Meeple - Andromeda's Edge - Board Game Review - Better Than Dwellings But. . .
The reviewer discusses "Andromeda's Edge," a board game that builds on its predecessor, "Dwellings of Eldervale." The game is praised for its strong theme, replay value, and variety of factions and ship upgrades. It features a worker placement mechanic where players use ships to gather resources and engage in combat. The game is noted for its complex rules and lengthy setup, making it more suitable for experienced players. The reviewer appreciates the game's production quality and the variety of tactic cards, but criticizes the high cost of the deluxe edition and the necessity of purchasing an expansion for solo play. The game is described as better than its predecessor but still has issues with practicality, including a long setup time and complex rules that can lead to mistakes. Despite these challenges, the game is considered enjoyable, especially for those who appreciate deep strategy and replayability.
Key Points:
- "Andromeda's Edge" offers strong replay value with diverse factions and ship upgrades.
- The game features complex rules and a lengthy setup, making it suitable for experienced players.
- Production quality is high, but the deluxe edition is costly and not essential.
- The game requires an expansion for solo play, adding to the cost.
- Despite its complexity, the game is enjoyable for those who like deep strategy.
Details:
1. 🎲 Introduction & Game Overview
1.1. Game Popularity and Anticipation
1.2. Designer and Game Reception
1.3. Re-implementation and New Edition
1.4. Review and Solo Mode
2. 🛠 Game Mechanics & Strategy
2.1. Worker Placement and Ship Building
2.2. Resource Management and Bonuses
2.3. Combat System
2.4. Development Tracks and Events
3. 🔍 Game Components & Replayability
3.1. Game Quality & Deluxe Edition Costs
3.2. Game Components
3.3. Replay Value & Strategy
3.4. Gameplay Mechanics & Player Aids
3.5. Theme & Player Interaction
4. 📏 Rule Complexity & Game Length
4.1. Rule Complexity and Player Aids
4.2. Game Complexity and Player Requirements
4.3. Gameplay Length and Setup
4.4. Combat System and Variability
5. 🧩 Solo Expansion & AI Mode
- The solo mode is available through the purchase of an additional expansion called Escalation, which costs £5, totaling £25 for full access to solo gameplay features.
- 95% of Escalation's content is dedicated to solo play, making it a substantial investment for single-player enthusiasts.
- Players report the solo mode as more enjoyable than the two-player mode, offering a richer and more fulfilling gameplay experience.
- In solo mode, players confront AI opponents with varying difficulty levels and unique abilities, enhancing the game's replayability and strategic depth.
- The AI, named Unity, presents a challenge through random behaviors and unique mechanics, requiring players to adapt their strategies.
- The game setup and playtime for solo mode are extensive, comparable to multi-player sessions, which may be a consideration for those with limited time.
- The complexity of rules, particularly those specific to AI opponents, necessitates a significant time commitment to master, impacting the learning curve.
- Players found the easy AI too simplistic, while the medium difficulty AI provides a more balanced challenge, suggesting an adjustment in difficulty selection for optimal enjoyment.
6. 📊 Final Thoughts & Review
- The game is considered superior to its predecessor, Dwellings of Eldervale, offering a more engaging experience despite some challenges.
- Strong thematic elements and diverse tactic cards contribute to the game's high replay value and depth.
- Setup is time-consuming and cumbersome, especially in retail versions, potentially limiting how often the game is played.
- The deluxe version increases the game's cost significantly with minimal gameplay enhancements, questioning its value for money.
- The game duration is substantial, ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 hours, optimal with four players for the best experience.
- Complex rules make it challenging for new players, requiring a more committed learning and teaching effort.
- Rated 7 out of 10, the game is enjoyable but may not justify ownership due to setup and complexity challenges.