My Little Pony: Adventures in Equestria Deck-Building Game (2022) Board Game

My Little Pony: Adventures in Equestria Deck-Building Game is a card game based on the popular animated television series “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.” Designed by Mary Bellamy and released in 2022, this game allows players to immerse themselves in the magical world of Equestria and take on the roles of their favorite pony characters.

Game Components of My Little Pony: Adventures in Equestria Deck-Building Game

Over 130 cards, including character, adventure, starter, and challenge cards.

6 Standees representing the main characters: Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie.

Assorted punchboard tokens.

45 Sugar Cubes in two sizes and three different colors.

How To Setup My Little Pony: Adventures in Equestria Deck-Building Game

To set up the game, players start by selecting their pony characters and gathering the corresponding oversized character cards and starter decks. Each player receives a set of nine starter cards, including Helpful Townpony cards, A Good Clean Race cards, a What You Need is Organization card, and a Working Together card. The Adventure Deck is shuffled, and six cards are laid out to form the initial Adventure Row. Players then set up the Hurdles and Final Challenge by sorting and building face-down decks and randomly selecting a Final Challenge. The Town Square card is placed in the center of the table, and location cards are shuffled and dealt above and to the left and right of Town Square. Finally, players draw five cards from their starting decks to begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to overcome challenges.

Deck-Building: Players gather allies, actions, and artifacts to improve their decks.

Resource Management: Players use Help, Info, and Move resources to buy cards and complete tasks.

Location Travel: Players visit different locations in Ponyville to gather resources and complete tasks.

Hurdles and Final Challenge: Players must complete three Hurdles and then overcome a Final Challenge before the cloud timer runs out.

Sugar Cubes: Used as resources (Knowledge, Work, and Friendship) to complete challenges.

Player Experience

**My Little Pony: Adventures in Equestria Deck-Building Game** is designed for players aged 14 and above, with a playtime of 45-90 minutes. The game is geared towards hobby gamers and fans of the My Little Pony franchise, offering a complex yet familiar deck-building experience. Despite its thematic appeal, the game has been criticized for its rulebook complexity and lack of innovation compared to other deck-building games.

Pros

Thematic Integrity: The game stays true to the My Little Pony theme with artwork and character abilities.

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and strategy among players.

Variable Difficulty: Allows players to adjust the difficulty by modifying the number and level of Hurdles.

Reasonable Price: Priced at $45.00, which is reasonable for the components included.

Cons

Complex Rulebook: The rulebook can be confusing, especially for new players.

Limited Innovation: The game does not introduce new mechanics to the deck-building genre.

Resource Management Complexity: The use of multiple currencies (Help, Info, and Move) can be confusing.

Miscut Cards: Some players have reported issues with miscut cards from the factory.

Personal Thoughts on My Little Pony: Adventures in Equestria Deck-Building Game

**My Little Pony: Adventures in Equestria Deck-Building Game** is primarily for fans of the My Little Pony franchise who are also hobby gamers. It is not a game aimed at young children, despite the franchise’s popularity among kids. The game’s complexity and mechanics make it more suitable for teenagers and adults who enjoy cooperative deck-building games. While it offers a thematic experience, it lacks the innovative edge that might attract players seeking something new in the deck-building genre.

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