The Initiative (2021) Board Game

The Initiative is a board game released in 2021, designed by Corey Konieczka and published by Unexpected Games. This game falls under the categories of Adventure, Comic Book, Deduction, Puzzle, and Spies/Secret Agents, offering a unique gaming experience for players.

Game Components of The Initiative

Guidebook: A comic-book style guide that sets up and guides the story.

Main Board: A double-sided board defining the rooms in the internal game “The Key”.

Cards: Scenario cards, secret cards, and player cards.

Tokens: Clue tokens and other markers.

Plastic Stand: A stand with flip-up windows to present puzzles.

Characters: Each player character has special abilities.

Resource Cards: Used for actions during the game.

How To Setup The Initiative

Setting up The Initiative involves several steps. First, players check the mission at the back of the comic book and take the appropriate mission card, careful only to look at the mission side. Next, they shuffle and place the specific number of clue tokens in each room on the designated side of the double-sided board. Other markers, such as starting locations, additional walls, or standees, are placed as indicated. Action cards (Gather, Run, Reveal, and Regroup) are positioned beside the board. The discard pile is set up with four time cards on top, and the resource pile is shuffled to deal four cards to each player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Character Selection: Each player chooses a character with a specific talent.

Turn Order: Players take turns playing resource cards to perform actions (Gather, Run, Reveal, Regroup), with each action requiring a card value higher than the previous one.

Mission Progression: Players read pages from the comic book to guide the game and reveal the story.

Code-Breaking: Players collect and decode clue tokens to reveal a secret phrase.

Campaign Structure: The game is divided into 14 missions with legacy elements, where some changes are permanent.

Objective: Work together to solve puzzles, collect clues, and advance the story.

Player Experience

Playing The Initiative is an immersive experience that combines cooperative gameplay, intriguing storytelling, and challenging puzzles. Each mission starts with reading a page of the story, followed by setting up the game board and strategizing together to collect clues. The game is optimized for 2-4 players, although it can be played solo. The narrative and gameplay mechanics are intricately linked, making it feel like an escape room or an Exit-type game.

Pros

Engaging Storyline: The comic book guide provides a compelling narrative.

Complex Puzzles: Involves various types of puzzles, from simple cryptograms to more complex codes.

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and strategy.

Legacy Elements: Permanent changes add replay value.

Multiple Endings: The game offers different outcomes based on player decisions.

High-Quality Components: Stunning artwork and meticulously crafted game elements.

Cons

Time-Consuming Setup: Setting up the board and understanding the rules can take longer than expected.

Rule Complexity: The game has many rules, which can be overwhelming at first.

Anti-Climactic Moments: Some puzzles may reveal solutions without a clear place to apply them.

Personal Thoughts on The Initiative

The Initiative is ideal for fans of cooperative games, puzzle enthusiasts, and those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences. It is a great choice for families with older children (ages 8 and up) and for groups of friends who enjoy strategic and intellectually stimulating games. The game’s unique blend of code-breaking, storytelling, and cooperative mechanics makes it a standout in the board game genre. If you’re looking for a game that offers a deep, engaging, and evolving experience, The Initiative is definitely worth considering.

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