Shadows of Malice (2014) Board Game

Shadows of Malice is a cooperative adventure board game that was released in in 2014. Designed by Jenna Felli and published by Devious Weasel Games, the game is set in a dark fantasy world where players must work together to defeat powerful monsters and overcome various challenges.

Game Components of Shadows of Malice

Game board

Player character tokens

Mystic tokens

Town tokens

Monster lair tokens

Stronghold tokens

Dice

Wells of Light tokens

Shadow demon Xulthûl token

Various cards and markers

How To Setup Shadows of Malice

To set up Shadows of Malice, players first lay out the game board, which represents a map with various locations such as towns, mystics, monster lairs, and strongholds. Each player chooses a character token and places it on the starting location. The shadow demon Xulthûl token is also placed on the board. Players then shuffle and distribute the necessary cards and tokens according to the game’s instructions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to achieve the game’s objective.

Exploration: Players move across the map, revealing new locations.

Dice Rolling: Used for resolving conflicts and movements.

Token Management: Players manage various tokens such as Wells of Light, mystics, and monster lair tokens.

Objective: Unseal hidden Wells of Light to prevent the shadow demon Xulthûl from gaining power.

Player Experience

Shadows of Malice is a fun and engaging game that is better enjoyed with multiple players rather than solo. The game is a bit dice-heavy, but this mechanic adds a layer of unpredictability and excitement. The community support from the designer and the Board Game Geek (BGG) community is also notable.

Pros

Engaging cooperative gameplay

Dynamic map exploration

Community-supported with regular updates

Fun and unpredictable due to dice rolling

Cons

Can be dice-heavy, which may not appeal to all players

Requires a significant number of players for optimal experience

Personal Thoughts on Shadows of Malice

Shadows of Malice is ideal for groups of friends or families who enjoy cooperative games and are looking for a challenging yet rewarding experience. It’s particularly suited for those who appreciate games with a mix of exploration, strategy, and a bit of luck. However, it may not be the best fit for solo players or those who prefer games with less randomness.

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