This week's game...the game of haunted incantations that looms across generations that is Betrayal Legacy.
Players: 3-5
Time: 90-120 minutes
Genre: Asymmetric Cooperative / Legacy Role-Playing Game
Betrayal Legacy combines the fixings of the popular Betrayal at House on the Hill with the engaging long-term mechanics of Legacy games such as found in Risk Legacy or Pandemic Legacy. For those unfamiliar with either, you may want to click the previous links for an in-depth look at these games of which we're discussed prior on Hughes3D. But to offer a brief summary here - Betrayal is a game which has players work together to explore a haunted abode, only to later pit them against one another part way through the game. Depending on certain criteria, a Haunt is triggered, in which one or more players become traitors and both sides are then presented with secret rules and agendas in which to complete the remainder of the game. On the flip side of the coin, a Legacy game is one in which every decision carries a weight of permanence, the effects of which continue from game to game. As boards become marked, cards destroyed, and new contents and rules revealed, a narrative experience unfolds that is entirely unique to you and your friends. Both of these game archetypes offer incredibly personal and story-driven experiences. But combined, the experience is made all the more rich and robust, like a match that was always meant to be.
For reference, I've only played through three chapters of the game's main campaign of thirteen chapters, of which have been played with 4-5 players on each occasion. With that said, this has already quickly become one of my favorite gaming endeavors in recent years of which I would heartily recommend to anyone looking for a repeatable, overarching experience among a regular crew of players. I'll do my best to keep vague on story details as discovery is a large chunk of the fun, but if the above description has you intrigued, read on as I share more general details and impressions that will hopefully offer you the same taste of the game I've experienced thus far.
The game begins with a brief prologue and in much of the same fashion as your standard Betrayal game, teaching players the mechanics of exploring the house (and now outer grounds), performing actions, and then attacking come the second half of the game (which features a delicious twist on the Haunt). Set in the time period of 1666, each subsequent game takes place many years forward, where the next generation of those characters families proceed to get involved in the next series of unfortunate events to come. Each game features a unique abode to explore as the tiles are randomly selected with each game, but the tiles available to the players grows and changes with each game. Through a bit of luck and circumstance, and depending on the outcome of each game, the narrative takes many interesting turns and the house becomes marked in many horrid ways. Ominous new events and items continue to be added, and new context begins to be found in what were once unassuming marks and symbols. Another neat aspect that gives this game that personal touch is the player's ability to personalize items and characters, claiming items as family heirlooms or giving names to the occupants met within the wicked halls.
When all is said and done, players are sure to have a distinctive devilish house carrying many a unique tale all their own. And the game doesn't necessarily end after the 13 chapters of the main campaign are completed, as there are 50 haunts to be found in the game of which many will be fresh experiences waiting to be discovered. Again, I recommend this game to anyone who enjoys games filled with discovery, a good deal of role-playing and creating memorable narratives. Best played with 4-5 players, though still playable with only three. Players should also have a decent stomach for horror tropes as the game does dive into some rather devious detail.
If you have any questions about Betrayal Legacy, let me know in the comments. Otherwise, look forward to more posts and impressions on gaming goodness. And happy gaming!
Betrayal Legacy combines the fixings of the popular Betrayal at House on the Hill with the engaging long-term mechanics of Legacy games such as found in Risk Legacy or Pandemic Legacy. For those unfamiliar with either, you may want to click the previous links for an in-depth look at these games of which we're discussed prior on Hughes3D. But to offer a brief summary here - Betrayal is a game which has players work together to explore a haunted abode, only to later pit them against one another part way through the game. Depending on certain criteria, a Haunt is triggered, in which one or more players become traitors and both sides are then presented with secret rules and agendas in which to complete the remainder of the game. On the flip side of the coin, a Legacy game is one in which every decision carries a weight of permanence, the effects of which continue from game to game. As boards become marked, cards destroyed, and new contents and rules revealed, a narrative experience unfolds that is entirely unique to you and your friends. Both of these game archetypes offer incredibly personal and story-driven experiences. But combined, the experience is made all the more rich and robust, like a match that was always meant to be.
 |
| As with any good Legacy game, lots of stickers! |
For reference, I've only played through three chapters of the game's main campaign of thirteen chapters, of which have been played with 4-5 players on each occasion. With that said, this has already quickly become one of my favorite gaming endeavors in recent years of which I would heartily recommend to anyone looking for a repeatable, overarching experience among a regular crew of players. I'll do my best to keep vague on story details as discovery is a large chunk of the fun, but if the above description has you intrigued, read on as I share more general details and impressions that will hopefully offer you the same taste of the game I've experienced thus far.
The game begins with a brief prologue and in much of the same fashion as your standard Betrayal game, teaching players the mechanics of exploring the house (and now outer grounds), performing actions, and then attacking come the second half of the game (which features a delicious twist on the Haunt). Set in the time period of 1666, each subsequent game takes place many years forward, where the next generation of those characters families proceed to get involved in the next series of unfortunate events to come. Each game features a unique abode to explore as the tiles are randomly selected with each game, but the tiles available to the players grows and changes with each game. Through a bit of luck and circumstance, and depending on the outcome of each game, the narrative takes many interesting turns and the house becomes marked in many horrid ways. Ominous new events and items continue to be added, and new context begins to be found in what were once unassuming marks and symbols. Another neat aspect that gives this game that personal touch is the player's ability to personalize items and characters, claiming items as family heirlooms or giving names to the occupants met within the wicked halls.
When all is said and done, players are sure to have a distinctive devilish house carrying many a unique tale all their own. And the game doesn't necessarily end after the 13 chapters of the main campaign are completed, as there are 50 haunts to be found in the game of which many will be fresh experiences waiting to be discovered. Again, I recommend this game to anyone who enjoys games filled with discovery, a good deal of role-playing and creating memorable narratives. Best played with 4-5 players, though still playable with only three. Players should also have a decent stomach for horror tropes as the game does dive into some rather devious detail.
If you have any questions about Betrayal Legacy, let me know in the comments. Otherwise, look forward to more posts and impressions on gaming goodness. And happy gaming!
No comments:
Post a Comment