Hour of Need (2021) Board Game

Hour of Need is a cooperative superhero-themed board game that was released in 2021 by Blacklist Games. The game is designed for 1-4 players, with a recommended age of 14 and up. Players take on the roles of superheroes teaming up to face various villains and threats in a comic book-inspired world.

Game Components of Hour of Need

Player Boards: Each player has their own Threat Area.

Modular Deck System (MDS): A cardplay system similar to **Sentinels of the Multiverse**.

Hex-Based Board: Features peril tokens and problems, reminiscent of **Heroes Wanted** and **Batman The Animated Series: Shadow of the Bat**.

Hero Cards: Include *Constant* and *Instant* hero cards.

Villain Deck: The villain plays cards from its deck.

Environment Deck: Represents issues or challenges.

Action Tokens: 2 tokens per player to manage turn order.

Hit Points, ATTACK, and SOLVE Abilities: Each hero has these tracked on their board.

Dual-Use Clue Cards: Simplified mechanism combining with the SOLVE mechanism.

How To Setup Hour of Need

To set up **Hour of Need**, players first prepare the hero boards, each with their own Threat Area. The hex-based board is laid out, and the villain and environment decks are shuffled and placed within reach. Each player selects a hero and receives the corresponding deck and tokens. The game also requires setting up the protection hierarchy and distributing the necessary clue cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Villain Turn: The villain plays cards from its deck first.

Hero Turns: Heroes play cards, perform actions, and draw cards.

Environment Turn: The environment plays cards from its deck.

MOVE Action: Heroes must move around the board.

ATTACK Option: Heroes can attack nearby bad guys.

SOLVE Ability: Heroes use their SOLVE ability to deal with certain threats.

Player Selected Turn Order (PSTO): Players manage their turn order using action tokens.

Player Experience

Playing **Hour of Need** feels like a dynamic superhero adventure, combining elements from various superhero games. Players must coordinate their actions, leveraging their unique hero abilities to tackle villains and environmental challenges. The game requires strategic thinking and teamwork, making it engaging and challenging.

Pros

Hybrid Mechanics: Incorporates the best mechanisms from modern superhero games.

High Replayability: Modular deck system and varied hero abilities ensure different experiences each play.

Engaging Storyline: A narrative that guides the gameplay, adding depth to the experience.

Cooperative Play: Encourages teamwork and strategic coordination.

Cons

Complex Setup: Requires careful preparation and setup.

Steep Learning Curve: Combines multiple mechanics, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Player Turn Order Management: PSTO can make the flow of the game less clear.

Personal Thoughts on Hour of Need

**Hour of Need** is ideal for fans of cooperative games and superhero themes. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy complex, strategic gameplay and are willing to invest time in learning the various mechanics. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, it offers a rich and engaging experience for those who appreciate depth in their board games.

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