TIME Stories Revolution: The Hadal Project (2020) Board Game

TIME Stories Revolution: The Hadal Project is a cooperative board game released in 2020 by Space Cowboys. It is part of the TIME Stories series, known for its immersive storytelling and challenging gameplay. The game is set in a science fiction world where players must explore and unravel mysteries through time travel.

Game Components of TIME Stories Revolution: The Hadal Project

Story cards: Oversized cards forming a panorama that players explore.

Azrak crystals: Blue plastic gems representing the agents’ link to their receptacles and used as a resource for actions.

Receptacle cards: Representing the characters agents inhabit in different time periods.

Skill cards: Allow players to equip skills and weaknesses.

Weakness cards: Occupy skill slots and hinder players.

Time Agent Roster cards: Track players’ characters and their attributes.

Location cards: Contain instructions, clues, dangers, and equipment.

How To Setup TIME Stories Revolution: The Hadal Project

Setup involves briefing the players on the scenario, where agents are sent to the year 2099 to an underwater base to find a cure for a deadly virus. Players choose their receptacles and equip skills, ensuring no more than four skill cards are in play. Each player starts with a supply of Azrak crystals, which are crucial for time travel and actions within the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Time Travel: Agents use Azrak crystals to move through time and inhabit receptacles.

Location Exploration: Players choose a Time Captain who selects a location to explore, spending Azrak to get there.

Phase Structure: Gameplay is divided into three phases – deciding the location, exploring the location by reading and acting on cards, and optionally performing an Update to recover Azrak.

Resource Management: Players manage Azrak crystals carefully, as running out means losing control of their receptacle.

Objective: The primary goal is to find a cure for the virus and preserve the timeline.

Player Experience

Playing **TIME Stories Revolution: The Hadal Project** feels like participating in an interactive movie or book, with a strong focus on storytelling and exploration. Players take on the roles of temporal agents, navigating through an underwater base in 2099, solving puzzles, and overcoming challenges. The game’s narrative is engaging, although some plot twists may be partially expected. The mechanics are refined, making the game feel less fiddly compared to previous cycles.

Pros

Engaging Storyline: The game offers a thrilling underwater mystery with a well-developed sci-fi plot.

Improved Mechanics: The use of Azrak crystals streamlines resource management and eliminates random die rolls.

Interactive Experience: Players feel like they are part of an interactive story, exploring locations and solving clues.

Character Development: The game allows for character skill and weakness management, adding depth to the gameplay.

Cons

Low Replay Value: Once the story is completed, the replay value is quite low, similar to re-reading a book or re-watching a movie.

Complex Setup: Initial setup can be confusing, requiring some house rulings to clarify certain points.

Card Sleeving Issues: The exotic card sizes make sleeving the cards prohibitively expensive.

Personal Thoughts on TIME Stories Revolution: The Hadal Project

This game is ideal for fans of science fiction, cooperative gameplay, and interactive storytelling. It is particularly appealing to those who enjoy role-playing elements and are looking for a game that combines strategy with a compelling narrative. While it may not offer high replay value, the experience is engaging and satisfying, making it a great addition to any board game collection focused on story-driven adventures.

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