The clock is ticking, detectives. You only have 48 hours to close this case, or the mayor will have your jobs! I don’t care if you work together or solve this thing on your own, just make sure the job is done and the right perp is caught, got it? Then what are you waiting for? Get to work!
The Starless Nights have returned, and now only the light of Kinfire can protect against them. Seekers, we once again look to you for help. Guildmaster Leera is sending you to the well called Scorn’s Stockade. Scorn has turned the well into a prison, so you must be careful not to be imprisoned by him yourself. You are our only hope for light in this darkness. Good luck.
What Is It?
Solo / Cooperative – Players work alone or as a team of 2 to take down the monster, Scorn
Action Selection / Multi-Use Cards – Each turn, the active seeker chooses a card in the well to interact with. Events will tell players what to do while challenges will have a difficulty for players to beat. To do so, players will play action cards of the right type, and can boost those actions with additional cards as well
Dice Rolling – Players always roll dice when attempting challenges as well, so they can often try to hedge their bets and hold on to certain cards longer, in hopes of rolling well enough to succeed at a challenge
Variable Player Powers – Each seeker’s deck is unique, they each have their own ability to use throughout the game (when applicable), and they have a unique lantern card they can use as an action, if they are lucky enough to light it
Hand Management – When players run out of cards to use for actions, they must exhaust themselves before drawing more. Exhaustion cards have some negative effects, and drawing too many can cause a loss in the game. Players must manage their hand effectively so as to not become exhausted too often.
Who Is It For?
1 or 2 Players – The game works well both ways, but I personally prefer it at 2 because I like how well the decks balance each other
Ages 13 & Up / Mid-Weight Gamers – The rules are not too complez, but the game does take a bit of strategy and balancing the best actions vs boosts and the risk vs reward of certain well cards
Fans of cooperative or solo games, variable player powers, and other Kinfire games
Players who don’t mind a bit of luck, of course
PROS
Aesthetics – Gorgeous art overall, and nothing beats the gold foil on the card backs
Components – Nice quality cards and dice, no complaints
Rules are well written and clear
Symbology is clear
Interesting choices turn to turn of what to interact with and how to approach it
Unique system of diving into the deck and removing cards as rewards; never know what cards you’ll actually see during a game
Player decks are unique but feel balanced and work together well
Good level of challenge without feeling impossible to win
Turns are smooth and quick
Neat that there is an “auto-win” possibility if you complete certain cards
CONS
Rulebook – I dislike that the achievement list is placed in the middle of the rules, I think it’s distracting
I wish there were more chances to light the lanterns
The exhaust cards felt too specific in this one; since they name characters that don’t come in the box, most of the time they seem to be hardly a threat
Final Thoughts
Overall, I thought this was a nice follow up to Vainglory’s Grotto. The changes to the gameplay were fairly small, so if you know how to play one you can easily dive into the other, but it still had some nice differences between the seekers and well cards that it was able to stand on its own nicely.
If you liked the other, you’re bound to like this, and I love that you can swap seekers in and out and play them in any combination. If you haven’t tried the other one yet, this is also a great place to start if you like co-op, hand management, and really awesome artwork!
Additional Information: My Final Rating – 6/10
Designer – Kevin Wilson Artists – Katarzyna Bekus, Sandra ChlewiĆska, Weronika Kozyra, Kate “vesner” Redesiuk Publisher – Incredible Dream Studios MSRP – $19.99 Website
Art Rescue Team – we need your help! The White Hand Corporation is at it again, stealing valuable piece of art from all across the world. We need you to put a stop to it. Travel to all the locations they have been spotted and recover the stolen art so we can bring it back to where it belongs. Use your resources wisely and make sure you communicate effectively. We’re counting on you!
Whether you take on the role of a reluctant warrior, a mistress of the arcane, of a fallen noble, you will need to embrace your strengths and communicate with your comrades in order to succeed. Explore Zanziar and work your way through the story – defeating enemies along the way, and winning (or losing) as a team.
Heroes, unite! Traverse the winding dungeon halls to find treasure, defeat enemies, and accomplish your quest! It may not be easy, but if you work together, and use your combined abilities wisely, you are sure to be triumphant! Go forth, adventurers, and have fun!