Ruins: Death Binder (2021) Board Game

Ruins: Death Binder is a board game released in 2021, designed by Martin Sobr and featuring artwork by Heavy Punch Games. It falls under the categories of card game, fantasy, fighting, and horror, with gameplay mechanics including campaign/battle card driven, cooperative play, deck-building, hand management, and open drafting.

Game Components of Ruins: Death Binder

Map Board with one map design on each side

3 Double Layer Player Boards (1 for solo, 2 for co-op)

70 Tokens

125 Poker Cards and 162 Mini American Cards

Rulebook (48 pages)

1 Fate Dice (16 mm, cube overlap).

How To Setup Ruins: Death Binder

Setting up Ruins: Death Binder involves several steps. First, players need to assemble the map board and place the tokens accordingly. Each player selects a player board and sets up their initial deck. The game includes a detailed rulebook, though it has been noted for its complexity and poor organization. For a clearer setup, players can refer to the explanatory setup video provided by Heavy Punch Games.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Campaign / Battle Card Driven: Players navigate through a procedurally generated dungeon.

Card Drafting: Players manage a dwindling deck, losing cards as they progress.

Deck Deconstruction: Players lose cards from their deck, which represents their energy.

Hand Management: Players must strategically play and save cards.

Push Your Luck: Players face increasing difficulty with each level.

Solo / Solitaire Game: Designed for solo play, with co-op options available.

Game Objective

The objective is to survive through four levels of a dungeon, facing various encounters, events, and bosses.

Players must manage their deck efficiently to maintain the necessary cards for combat and progression.

The game ends when the player defeats all four bosses or runs out of cards to draw.

Player Experience

Ruins: Death Binder offers a challenging and engaging experience, reminiscent of roguelike games. Players start with a full deck and must strategically lose and manage cards to progress. The game features procedural generation, making each playthrough unique. Rest sites are crucial for regaining health and restocking the deck, requiring careful resource management. The game’s difficulty escalates with each level, and bosses require significant planning to defeat.

Pros

Unique Mechanics: The game introduces a reverse deck-building mechanic, where players lose cards instead of adding them.

High Replayability: Procedurally generated maps and random card draws ensure each playthrough is different.

Engaging Theme: The game offers a dark, survival-focused theme with strong environmental storytelling.

Well-Executed Components: High-quality cards, tokens, and player boards enhance the gameplay experience.

Cons

Poor Rulebook: The rulebook is criticized for its poor organization and clarity.

Steep Learning Curve: The game can be very challenging, especially for new players.

Limited Boss Variability: The six bosses across four levels may reduce replayability over time.

Personal Thoughts on Ruins: Death Binder

Ruins: Death Binder is ideal for players who enjoy challenging, strategic games with a strong focus on survival and deck management. It is particularly suited for fans of roguelike games and those who appreciate the thematic depth of games like Dark Souls. While the game’s rules may be daunting at first, the payoff in terms of gameplay and immersion is significant. However, it may not be the best choice for casual players or those looking for a quick, easy game session.

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